George C. Jackson

Moving Beyond Trade-offs

Logisticians are trained to identify trade‐offs and to devise compromising solutions which produce the lowest total costs. For example, the economic batch size is a compromise between setup costs and inventory carrying costs. Presents a problem‐analysis technique which helps the analyst to eliminate the problem so that no compromise is necessary. For example, instead of balancing inventory‐carrying costs and setup costs a solution which produces both lower setup costs and lower inventory‐carrying costs would be sought. Discusses a description of the techniques and several examples of its application to logistical problems.

A Classroom Experiential Exercise for Studying Materials Management Decision-Making

The growth in the use of experiential exercises in the classroom reflects the value of these exercises in providing realistic simulations of business decision-making. This article describes in detail a materials management experiential exercise. The exercise can be used alone or in combination with a related physical distribution exercise to form a business logistics simulation.

PROLOG: A Business Logistics Simulation Game

In this article, PROLOG, a microcomputer-based business logistics game, is introduced and compared with batch-processed games. An approach for using PROLOG in the classroom is described, as well as student reactions to the game.

An Exploratory Analysis of the Use of Stop-Offs in Physical Distribution Systems

In recent years freight consolidation has received increased attention as a way to reduce both transportation costs and investments in inventories and warehouse facilities both of which are desirable objectives in an environment of high interest rates and inflation. Research of freight consolidation reported in the literature has dealt only with one method or technique of freight consolidation, namely, pool distribution (Masters, 1980; Jackson, 1981).1 Besides pool distribution there are several other methods which can be employed to consolidate small orders into large shipments such as multiple tenders and stop-offs to load or unload. It is the purpose of this paper to present a detailed description of stop-offs through a review of the literature dealing with stop-offs and to present the results of an exploratory analysis of the use of stop-offs in physical distribution.

Freight Consolidation Strategies for Channel Management: A Response to Environmental Change

High interest rates and inflation, combined with deregulation of the transportation industry, have significantly affected the environment within which channel decisions are conceived and implemented. In this article, freight consolidation is presented as a strategic response to these environmental disturbances.

COSTS OF THE U.S.-CANADA BORDER

This paper reports on the results of a research project aimed at estimating the costs of border crossing transit time and uncertainty for the U.S. and Canadian economies. The cost estimates are based on a review of prior reports, some 20 site visits to seven key crossings, and 173 interviews of knowledgeable organizations/persons. The key finding is that border transit time and uncertainty are costing some U.S.

U.S.-CANADA TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS: BORDER IMPACTS AND COSTS, CAUSES, AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

4.01 billion, or 1.05% of total 2001 merchandise trade, and 1.58% of truck-based trade levels. The primary implication of the research is that it provides a baseline estimate of costs that can be used in cost-benefit analysis of alternative border management strategies.