Göran Persson

Growth Strategies for Logistics Service Providers: A Case Study

This article is based on two studies, partly financed by the Norwegian Research Council. The first study was carried out in six organizations cooperating in two supply chain alliances. The purpose of this study was to develop a set of hypotheses concerning logistics service providers and their roles in supply chain alliances. The second study, involved interviews carried out in 12 different logistics organizations, and concerned their perception of future trends and future position. The purpose of this article is to highlight and to describe some of the major findings in the two studies on growth strategies for logistics service providers. We propose a matrix categorizing the players and their strategic position. Given the pressures in the industry and the individual strategic position, the strategic choices in fact are limited, leading to some dominating strategic directions that to a certain extent, also explain the structural changes in the industry.

Supply chain management – back to the future?

Purpose – Distribution arrangements are becoming increasingly complex and dynamic in business as well as in consumer markets. The purpose of the present paper is to explore and discuss the theoretical frameworks available to interpret these distribution arrangements, to uncover how they are interrelated and to suggest extensions.Design/methodology/approach – A survey of extant research is undertaken, starting with the literature on supply chain management (SCM). It turns out that prior to the launch of the SCM concept in the early 1980s, two separate research streams coexisted which both pertain to aspects of distribution. These two research streams are described and traced back to a common root.Findings – It is suggested that SCM may be regarded as an attempt to unite the two separate research streams known as business logistics and marketing channels, respectively. These two approaches have focused on different aspects of distribution arrangements, but both are preoccupied with managerial challenges fac...

Logistics Process Redesign: Some Useful Insights

During the 80s many companies made major changes in their logistics system. They redesigned their logistics processes and very often achieved significant performance and productivity improvements. Based on some of these experiences, the author of this article is suggesting a general framework for logistics process redesign, introducing a set of concepts and a set of related strategies for redesigning any logistics process.

Achieving Competitiveness Through Logistics

Logistics management has always been concerned with lead‐times. In particular, the order‐to‐delivery cycle has been seen as a major element in the customer service process. However, companies are now increasingly coming to recognise that the way in which ‘time’ is managed throughout the logistics system ‐ from procurement of materials through to the receipt of payment for goods sold ‐ is a key determinant of competitive advantage. Not only is work‐in‐progress and inventory reduced through a shortening of total logistics lead‐time, but responsiveness and flexibility to market place requirements is dramatically enhanced.

Developing supply base strategies

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine and discuss the responses and strategies firms use in relation to their supply base when dealing with current trends in the business landscape, and the different options that they have. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on case study research of a company within the international health care sector to illustrate the relationship between trends, supply base characteristics and supply base strategies. Findings – The paper presents a framework for a systematic approach that companies can use to develop supply base strategies. The framework illustrates that developing supply base strategies is a dynamic process that not only involves individual actions by the buying company, but also requires close interaction with suppliers. Originality/value – Previous literature has not specified how different trends affect a company’s supply base in terms of increased complexity and (inter)dependence, and which supply base strategies companies use and the optio...