Günter Prockl

3PL factories or lernstatts? Value‐creation models for 3PL service providers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify and systematically discuss generic forms of contract logistics services and their distinct underlying approaches for fulfilling their respective value propositions. A general frame of reference is developed that addresses the value proposition, as well as the value creation architecture that leads to generic business model configurations for contract logistics services. The framework is built upon the basic notions of service theory, competence research and the resource based view.Design/methodology/approach – The paper combines service theory with work of organizational theory and develops an analytical framework based on conceptual considerations. First empirical results are additionally used to support and illustrate the key outcomes.Findings – Combining the dimensions of integration power and intangible knowledge creation, the authors are able to specify generic types of contract logistics services. Thereby the authors deducted for every type the dist...

Mehr Transparenz in der Versorgungskette durch das „Internet der Dinge“

Das Internet der Dinge hat in den letzten Jahren als innovatives Konzept von sich reden gemacht. Die wissenschaftliche Gemeinschaft ist sich uber dessen Bedeutung fur die logistische Praxis zwar einig, der Transfer des bislang erarbeiteten Wissens in die Praxis ist aber noch nicht wirklich gelungen. An diesem Punkt setzt der vorliegende Beitrag an. Er definiert den nach wie vor schwammigen Begriff „Internet der Dinge“ und verdeutlicht dessen Bedeutung fur Logistik und Supply Chain Management. Er erlautert das Konzept intelligenter Objekte als Grundlage fur ein logistisches Internet der Dinge und schafft zusatzlich einen Uberblick uber die Basistechnologien, die herangezogen werden konnen, um Produkte, Verpackungen und Transporthilfsmittel mit „Intelligenz“ zu versehen. Ein funktionaler Bezugsrahmen verdeutlicht das unterschiedliche Problemlosungspotenzial der einzelnen Basistechnologien. Drei unterschiedliche Anwendungsbeispiele aus der Praxis sollen abschliesend darauf hinweisen, dass die Bedeutung des Internets der Dinge und seiner Basistechnologien bereits von einigen wenigen Pionieren erkannt wurde. Es werden fur Logistikunternehmen Impulse gesetzt, eigene Internet der Dinge-basierte Problemlosungen zu entwickeln und gemeinsam mit Kunden sowie weiteren Partnern in der Praxis umzusetzen.

Introduction to The Digital Supply Chain of the Future: Technologies, Applications and Business Models Minitrack

The following paper describes the mini-track on the digital supply chain of the future. After an introduction to the topic the different papers are addressed and integrated into an overall context. At the end of the text we added some recommendations concerning future research on the digital transformation of companies, business models and supply chains.

Internationalisation within liner shipping: An examination of the sales network structures of shipping lines

Purpose Container shipping is generally considered a global business. This truth may not hold from a single-company perspective. The companies’ physical operation networks show that container carriers operate differently and follow different paths in their internationalisation development. Additionally, the degree of internationalisation, measured on the basis of sea-oriented operations, differs from that measured according to land-oriented front-end marketing and sales activities. The purpose of this study is to further examine the internationalisation patterns of shipping lines. Design/methodology/approach An examination of the front-end activities and the structures of leading container-shipping companies is conducted. The sales office networks of the sector’s 20 largest companies worldwide (by twenty-foot equivalent unit capacity) are analysed as key indicators. The numbers of sales offices are measured by analysing the websites of the sample (20 companies), as well as annual reports and other publicly available data sources. Findings The findings show that not all shipping companies are international, by virtue of the industry. While it is difficult to observe differences in the overall patterns of the sales networks at a macro level, some companies differ in their activities. The data set also shows that market share and total capacity are not necessarily good indicators of a carrier’s worldwide presence. Research limitations/implications This research is based on secondary data. Other important transactional and market-oriented considerations should be examined before drawing conclusions about the internationalisation of container-shipping companies and of the industry. Originality/value This paper contributes to the relevant existing research, particularly by adding its view on the demand-oriented criteria as suggested by Dunning and Lundan (2008).