Daniel Ekwall

The displacement effect in cargo theft

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to analyze and explain why cargo theft continues to occur in the transport network despite all implemented countermeasures.Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on a logical deductive hypothesis using theories from several scientific fields. This hypothesis is then tested empirically. Credibility is substantiated with the use of several independent official statistical sources and verified with both open‐ended qualitative interviews and a quantitative, comparative, geographically controlled survey.Findings – Theft risk arises from different theft opportunities that will always be present in the transport network. The theory of crime displacement provides one likely explanation as to why the absolute reduction, instead of a theft pattern alteration, is very difficult to achieve. The result in this paper substantiates research results in criminology that indicate that causality in crime displacement is hard to establish.Research limitations/implications – Thi...

Impacts of the ISPS code on port activities: a case study on Swedish ports

Following the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in the USA and the Limburg oil tanker in Yemen, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed to develop new measures relating to the security of ships and port facilities. The impact of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code on port activities may have both positive and negative consequences on port services. This paper addresses the impact of the ISPS code from a total port perspective. This case study is based on an electronic questionnaire, which was developed with several qualitative pilot interviews with port security experts. The results are analysed in accordance with the structure of the ISPS code in order to establish the impact the ISPS code has on port activities. The results from this case study clearly indicate that an increasing security level in ports is the most important impact of the code. Better control of the port area, restriction of unauthorised access and a better working environment are examples of the effects that the implementation of the ISPS code entails on port and port activities. In addition to the ISPSs advantages, there are some disadvantages, which can be summarised as higher operative expenses and a high implementation cost.

Seasonality of cargo theft at transport chain locations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the seasonal patterns of reported cargo theft value and frequency in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)countries with respect to different transport chain locations. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on a system-theoretical approach, which emphasizes a holistic rather than an atomistic view. The research method used in this paper is deductive; the analysis is based on the data taken from Incident Information Service (IIS), a transport-related crime database of Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) EMEA; and the result is analyzed and discussed within a frame of reference based on supply chain risk management and criminology theories. Findings – There are seasonal variations in cargo thefts at different transport chain locations during particular months of the year as well as days of the week; however, each transport chain location has a different pattern. Indeed, hot spots, modus operandi, theft-endangered objects, and handling methods change frequently during the period under study. However, the basic theoretical frame of reference continues to be the same. Research limitations/implications – This study is based on theoretical deduction using official statistics regarding antagonistic threats. Its geographical limitation to the EMEA is owing to the limitations of the utilized database, although the frame of reference can be applied to analyze antagonistic threats against transport chains globally. Practical implications – This study is limited by the content and classification within the TAPA EMEA IIS database; nevertheless, this database is the best available one, with reports originating mainly from the industry itself, as different TAPA members anonymously report their losses. Originality/value – This paper is one of the first on supply chain risk management that uses actual crime statistics reported by the industry itself to analyze the occurrence of cargo theft by focusing on the value of the vehicle/goods stolen from transport chain locations.

Exploring Security Effects on Transport Performance

The purpose of this investigation is to learn the effects of security on transport performance. The methodology is based on the analysis of multiple case studies, where data is collected by means of observations, focus groups, unstructured and semi-structured interviews. The findings from the empirical data seem to show that security measures may cause lower operational performance. Therefore, this paper discusses the importance of developing security capabilities to be integrated in existing logistics information systems. Only in this way will transport companies develop the capability to fully realise wins in terms of both security and efficiency.

The perceived impacts of AEO security certifications on supply chain efficiency a survey study using Structural Equation Modelling

The perceived impacts of AEO security certifications on supply chain efficiency a survey study using Structural Equation Modelling

Systematic literature review to develop a conceptual framework for a reuse-based clothing value chain

Abstract A closed loop value chain is a concept that maximises a product’s utility both before and after end-of-life. This chain’s primary components are reuse, repair, up-cycling and down-cycling. This paper reviews the literature in the domain of ‘reuse’ to formulate and propose a conceptual framework for a ‘reuse-based clothing value chain’. We performed a systematic literature review in which a range of online databases were searched to select papers related to reuse between September 1994 and March 2015. Our review is presented broadly and in two parts: the first part provides a descriptive analysis of the articles, and the second part develops propositions based on the textual analysis. The review revealed that there are six primary drivers of the reuse-based clothing value chain: system, redesignability, price, information, legislation, and consumer attitude. Corresponding propositions highlight the key importance of system, product redesignability, product price, information, government legislation and consumer attitude to the economic success of the reuse-based clothing value chain. Finally, this work proposes a conceptual framework based on our propositions. This research may help scholars and practitioners to understand the current state of the literature. The list of references may be considered a source for future research in this area.

Developing a Framework for Traceability Implementation in the Textile Supply Chain

Traceability has recently gained considerable attention in the textile industry. Traceability stands for information sharing about a product including the product history, specification, or location. With the involvement of globally dispersed actors in the textile supply chain, ensuring appropriate product quality with timely supplies is crucial for surviving in this industry with ever increasing competition. Hence it is of paramount importance for a supply chain actor to track every product and trace its history in the supply chain. In this context, this paper presents a framework to implement traceability in the textile supply chain. A system approach has been followed, where firstly the usage requirement of traceability is defined, and then a framework for implementing intra-actor or internal traceability and inter-actor or external traceability is discussed. This article further presents a sequential diagram to demonstrate the interaction and information exchange between the actors in the supply chain, when the traceability information is requested. An example is also illustrated for data storage using a relational database management system and information exchange using XML for the textile weaver. Finally, the article discusses challenges and future studies required to implement traceability in the textile supply chain.

Proximity manufacturing for enhancing clothing supply chain sustainability

The purpose of this paper is to reveal benefits and factors (elements) of proximity manufacturing that enhance triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability in the clothing industry and discusses previous proximity manufacturing studies.,A systematic review is used in searching and extracting data (primary studies artifacts and proximity manufacturing elements) from peer-reviewed articles. Extracted elements are gathered and analyzed in constructed tables under TBL. Four subgroups are inducted under the business bottom line.,This paper shows the potential of proximity manufacturing to enhance TBL sustainability, the scope of proximity manufacturing, and the trend and absence of existing studies. The most frequently mentioned elements are time-to-market, job creation, product quality, quick response, and trade policies. Governments and clusters are also important players.,Future research can further explore elements potentially improving TBL sustainability to fill gaps in existing studies, including how proximity manufacturing can drive environmental and social practices, and how governments can encourage proximity manufacturing in various markets.,Besides perceiving the benefits of proximity manufacturing, businesses may use the derived elements to make manufacturing decisions.,Public policies giving privileges to the locally produced garment industry have great potential to drive the economy and employment as well as sustain local clothing knowledge and the environment.,Proximity manufacturing strategies toward sustainability are under-researched academically and under-practiced industrially; this paper provides insight into sustainability benefits of proximity manufacturing.

Supply Chain Strategies for Quality Inspection under a Customer Return Policy: A Game Theoretical Approach

This paper outlines the quality inspection strategies in a supplier–buyer supply chain under a customer return policy. This paper primarily focuses on product quality and quality inspection techniques to maximize the actors’ and supply chain’s profits using game theory approach. The supplier–buyer setup is described in terms of textile manufacturer–retailer supply chain where quality inspection is an important aspect and the product return from the customer is generally accepted. Textile manufacturer produces the product, whereas, retailer acts as a reseller who buys the products from the textile manufacturer and sells them to the customers. In this context, the former invests in the product quality whereas the latter invests in the random quality inspection and traceability. The relationships between the textile manufacturer and the retailer are recognized as horizontal and vertical alliances and modeled using non-cooperative and cooperative games. The non-cooperative games are based on the Stackelberg and Nash equilibrium models. Further, bargaining and game change scenarios have been discussed to maximize the profit under different games. To understand the appropriateness of a strategic alliance, a computational study demonstrates textile manufacturer–retailer relation under different game scenarios.