Gunnar Stefansson

Collaborative Logistics Management

Purpose – This paper aims to derive and verify a collaborative framework that specifies the role of different parties in contemporary logistics setups. Methodology/Approach – To prepare this paper, a study of the logistics literature has been conducted together with several case studies. The empirical evidence has been collected in Europe as well as in the US. Different aspects of collaboration between organizations in logistics setups have been studied where the services and the activities have been analyzed to understand the characteristics of the role of third-party service providers. Findings – The results from the work cluster the different third-party service providers in three different groups: Carriers, Logistics Service Providers and Logistics Service Intermediaries. All of these parties have different roles and provide various services in outsourced logistics setups. A Collaborative Logistics Management (CLM) model has been derived that embraces the role of the different parties, the information and material flows between them, the interface attributes and the information systems architecture. In this paper, a focus is mainly on the part of the model that reveals the role of the third-party service providers. Practical implications – The practical implications of the work has its foundation in that activities, performed by two parties, can be adapted to each other so that their combined efficiency is improved. The CLM model can be applied when designing and negotiating third-party services for specific logistics assignments. Originality/value – The paper offers a model of logistics collaboration between the different parties in contemporary, outsourced logistics setups.

Business-to-business data sharing: A source for integration of supply chains

Abstract The flow of information between parties in a supply chain is crucial for carrying out an effective and efficient transition of consignments. To support the flow of information, diverse communication systems exist. Although the electronic data interchange technology has been around for more than 30 years now, it has not reached small- and medium-sized enterprises to any significant extent. The results of more than 20 case studies imply that smaller companies run the risk of being permanently excluded from integrating their logistics operations in the supply chain. However, the advent of the Internet and concepts of electronic business open up new perspectives for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Performance issues of Smart Transportation Management systems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use the conceptual model of the Smart Transportation Management (STM) system and analyze how the included factors change the performance of distribution activities and what management issues are at stake.Design/methodology/approach – To prepare the paper, a literature study was made and case studies carried out in companies and organizations that are included in advanced transportation setups, including infrastructure providers, carriers, truck manufacturers, software providers, shippers, and more.Findings – The main finding of the study is a model that includes three major components of smart transportation management, namely, smart goods, smart vehicles and smart infrastructure. These components embrace some factors that have effects on supply chain performance; however, to different extents.Research limitations/implications – The paper uses a framework for the smart transportation management system that is useful when studying advanced transportation management...

Smart freight to enhance control of supply chains

Companies face different problems in planning their logistics operations. One major problem is linking the product information to complex supply network activities. A potential solution for improving the management of items is to decentralize the information of individual products and access the relevant information directly from a carry-on information tag based on RFID. In this paper, the meaning of smart freight is clarified and classifications are made to compare traditional systems for controlling the freight flow with a Smart Supply Chain. In a study that has been carried out for preparing this work, the advantages and disadvantages of the different smart freight models and ideas proposed are analyzed and evaluated by several system developers. The results of the study show that smart freight systems will emerge in a near future and will partially be decentralized.

Tracking and tracing: principles and practice

The meaning of the concepts of tracking and tracing is clarified, trying to avoid overlap and making them a complementary pair. Tracking and tracing systems are classified using eight attributes. Seven applications of tracking and tracing systems are analysed using these attributes. It is seen that most existing tracking and tracing systems are of a relatively simple type, but current plans and designs lead one to expect more advanced systems in the near future.

Mobile RFID — A Case from Volvo on Innovation in SCM

Utilization of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is often presented as improving supply chain management even though there are still few in-depth studies that support the hype. In this work, the feasibility of a mobile RFID solution in the automotive business-to-business of Volvo has been studied. Currently, due to costs of fixed infrastructure installations, many RFID solutions can only be financially justified in a setup with high volumes and high value items. In this setup, an innovative mobile RFID solution, utilizing cellular networks with data package communication (GSM/GPRS), web technology and integration has been evaluated. This is done from the perspectives of operational reliability, usability and productivity. The empirical evidences come from more than 3.000 readings that together with qualitative research explore a unique context of mobility in which existing infrastructure is leveraged. The advantages and disadvantages of the solution are summarized into a business case feasibility. Recommendations include design constrains and development strategies.

Criteria for temperature alerts in cod supply chains

Purpose of this paper Wireless Sensor Network technologies are now available to implement real time temperature monitoring systems in food supply chains. The aim of this paper is to examine different types of methods and criteria to establish alerts in decision support systems in perishable food supply chains. Design/methodology/approach Logistic and temperature mapping was performed in cod supply chains to obtain data to establish criteria for temperature alerts. Data was collected for both ambient temperature and temperature of products packed in Expanded Polystyrene boxes. Findings Alerts based on single criterion for ambient temperature resulted in false alerts when compared to criteria for product temperature. More complex methods that took into account both temperature abuse and the severity of the abuse resulted in more relevant alerts for the chilled cod supply chain. Research limitations/implications The research is based on mapping of cod supply chains with a limited number of iterations. Practical implications The scope of the research is the application of WSN in an actual supply chain of chilled cod transported from Iceland to Europe, which has relevance in assisting management decision making in the supply chain to prevent losses of quality and minimize waste. What is original/value of paper Failure to maintain a low temperature occurs frequently at handover points where alert systems are usually not in place. The theoretical implication of this paper is the development of a conceptual framework for setting up temperature criteria for real time decision support systems in food supply chains.

Tracking and Tracing: Principles and Practice

The meaning of the concepts of tracking and tracing is clarified, trying to avoid overlap and making them a complementary pair. Tracking and tracing systems are classified using eight attributes. Seven applications of tracking and tracing systems are analysed using these attributes. It is seen that most existing tracking and tracing systems are of a relatively simple type, but current plans and designs lead one to expect more advanced systems in the near future.

Supply chain innovation for competing in highly dynamic markets: Challenges and solutions

Rapid changes in technological development are forcing businesses to continuously innovate to improve their competitiveness, which is particularly evident in logistics and supply chain management (SCM), where innovation impacts both the strategic and operational levels. Supply Chain Innovation for Competing in Highly Dynamic Markets: Challenges and Solutions investigates the role of innovation in the management of supply chains of today. This book focuses on supply chain integration from both strategic and operational perspectives and the impact of information technology-related innovation in supply chain and logistics service industries. It also analyzes how environmental innovation affects logistical decisions throughout the supply chain and the strategies employed in managing logistics-related environmental impacts. Finally, the book explores theoretical and practical implications of innovation in the management of supply systems.The purpose of this chapter is to identify the necessary components of intelligent Freight Transportation System (IFTS) and analyze the potential effects on transport operations performances in all the three pillars of sustainability, namely the economics, environmental and social impacts. In order to achieve this objective, a literature study was conducted, looking for relevant up-to-date literature within the fields of transportation, logistics, and information and communication technology (ICT) and environmental impacts of freight transportation. In addition, two separate rounds of empirical studies were made. From literature, as well as from part of the empirical data collection, a requirement analysis was done to understand issues and problems in transport operations that can be addressed with more sophisticated information and communication systems. The second round of empirical data collection was done to identify potential solutions of the identified issues. Finally an analysis was made to understand the functionalities of possible IFTS solutions. Many effects were found that can contribute to increased performance of transport operations including automatic item identification, safety and security prevention, real-time navigation, traffic situation notification and carbon footprint registration.

Seaport-inland port dyad dynamics: an investigation of service provisions and intermodal transportation linkages

This research investigates the operational and logistical dynamics of seaports and inland ports. Face-to-face semi-structure interviews were conducted on three seaport-inland port dyads that actively use intermodal transportation to move freight between the seaports and connected inland ports. The three dyads are the port of Virginia and Virginia Inland Port (VIP) in the USA, the Port of Sydney and Minto terminal in Australia, and the Port of Gothenburg and Hallsberg terminal in Sweden. Findings of this research provide essential understanding of the range of services provided at the three inland ports studied, offering a benchmark for ports around the world in devising their business portfolio.