Hadi Ghaderi

Horizontal collaboration in logistics: a feasible task for group purchasing

Current attention to the argument of collaborative procurement has been investigated by both academia and industry practitioners as the concept of group purchasing. This paper first reviews the literature on horizontal collaboration in purchasing task and recognises the interface between purchasing progress and the logistical point of view of supply as the accomplishing task of the procurement cycle. Secondly, it examines the effects of a successful horizontal collaboration in logistics activities among a group of small and medium sized food enterprises (SMEs) which have participated in a purchasing consortium. ‘Homo-regional firms’ are introduced as a logistics concept illustrating the potentiality in establishing horizontal collaboration in logistics activities in order to gain a competitive advantage. Methodology consists of data collection through quantitative questionnaires in direct contact with the firms. The results show a reduction of 10% to 30% in outbound logistics cost in comparison to the time period in which the firms were undergoing procurement by themselves.

Sustainable third-party reverse logistics provider evaluation and selection using fuzzy SWARA and developed fuzzy COPRAS in the presence of risk criteria

A third party reverse logistic provider (3PRLP) selection and evaluation process is developed.A multiple attribute decision making (MADM) model to evaluate and select 3PRLPs in the presence of risk factors is proposed.A fuzzy step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) approach to weight the evaluation criteria is applied.A fuzzy (COPRAS) is proposed to rank and select the sustainable third-party reverse logistics providers in the presence of risk factors.A real world case study is used from automotive industry to validate the quality of our model. Reverse logistics is the backward process of collecting and redistributing products at the end-of-life from customers to producers and manufacturers for reuse, remanufacturing and disposal purposes. While reverse logistics brings several economic benefits, it seems to become a necessity for businesses to remain competitive in a world that environmental and social aspects of business activities are key to sustainable development. The operations and management of reverse logistics systems is a complex task that requires substantial level of infrastructure, technology, expertise and experience. Therefore, increasingly many business organizations tend to outsource their reverse logistics activities to third-party reverse logistics providers (3PRLPs). In this paper, we propose a multiple attribute decision making (MADM) model to rank and select 3PRLPs, using fuzzy step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) to weight the evaluation criteria. Accordingly, a developed fuzzy complex proportional assessment of alternatives (COPRAS) was proposed to rank and select the sustainable 3PRLPs in the presence risk factors. The suggested model was applied to a case study from automotive industry. Eventually, COPRAS and COPRAS-G methods were considered for the purpose of comparison and validation. As a result, the most sustainable 3PRLP was selected. While incorporating risk factors into our analysis, our study shows that environmental and social drivers are increasingly becoming dominant when selecting 3PRLPs.

The impediments to the competitiveness of the rail industry in Australia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify current impediments to the competitiveness of the rail industry in the Australian non-bulk freight market. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review was adapted to identify the impediments and challenge themes from 1,081 studies available on the Australian rail industry. To select the studies relevant to the research question, a tollgate criterion was then deployed. Impediments were identified by a structured data synthesis process and a heuristic algorithm was developed to explore the possible relationships between the impediments and challenges. Findings – Four major themes are apparent, each of which presents the rail industry with challenges in the non-bulk freight market. “Infrastructural inefficiencies and the need for further integration” was ranked as the main rail industry challenge, while “environmental concerns and the associated costs of externalities” was the least. In addition, across the four themes data synthesis identif...

An empirical investigation of lead-time reduction in purchasing groups: evidence from SMEs

This paper aims to empirically examine the impact of horizontal cooperation in purchasing on the lead times of the orders from suppliers. Two groups of SMEs participating in purchasing groups were investigated for a nine month period of data collection. However, for one of the groups involved in cooperative transportation of the purchased goods, total lead-time was measured, and further analysis was conducted. The outcomes of this study show that firms involved in purchasing consortia face significant shorter lead times up to 45%. Meanwhile, the lead times for the firms cooperating in both purchasing and transportation tasks were shorter than for the other group. Additional managerial conclusions and unique contributions are drawn.

Constrained optimization of average arrival time via a probabilistic approach to transport reliability

To achieve greater transit-time reduction and improvement in reliability of transport services, there is an increasing need to assist transport planners in understanding the value of punctuality; i.e. the potential improvements, not only to service quality and the consumer but also to the actual profitability of the service. In order for this to be achieved, it is important to understand the network-specific aspects that affect both the ability to decrease transit-time, and the associated cost-benefit of doing so. In this paper, we outline a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of proposed changes to average transit-time, so as to determine the optimal choice of average arrival time subject to desired punctuality levels whilst simultaneously minimizing operational costs. We model the service transit-time variability using a truncated probability density function, and simultaneously compare the trade-off between potential gains and increased service costs, for several commonly employed cost-benefit functions of general form. We formulate this problem as a constrained optimization problem to determine the optimal choice of average transit time, so as to increase the level of service punctuality, whilst simultaneously ensuring a minimum level of cost-benefit to the service operator.

Reducing lead-times and lead-time variance in cooperative distribution networks

The academic and professional attention to the large synergies hidden in horizontal collaborations is increasing. This study attempts to address the impact of collaborative transport on transportation lead-time and lead-time variability through empirically investigating a group of SMEs involved in a collaborative distribution network. Data was collected for seven pre-cooperation and eight cooperative orders over a period of 14 months. The results of Mann-Whitney U-test show a significant average reduction of 30.8% in the duration of lead times. Lead-time variability was also found to be reduced as the result of changes in the coefficient of variances and the Bartletts test for homogeneity of variances. Horizontal collaboration in transport could eventually lead to reduced lead times and lower variability of lead time which results in reduced supply chain costs. This can be achieved by means of direct routing and avoiding multi-transshipment routes which reduces the uncertainty and variability by diminishing the number of stages in the transport chain. Thus, effective lead-time management is considered a source of competitive advantage as it can reduce supply chain costs by lowering inventory levels, but is also capable of improving performance and customer service by offering improved product quality service levels.

The role of rail in the Australian port-based container market: challenges and opportunities

ABSTRACT The number of containers handled by Australian seaports has quadrupled over the past two decades. This has posed major difficulties for community and businesses. Knowing the projected demand, the need for disruption-free and reliable land corridors is of emerging importance. This paper first aims to establish a transparent image of the role of rail in the Australian port-based container flows and, second, to empirically identify the key impediments to the competitiveness of rail in this market. To achieve the second objective, a survey was distributed among Australian ports and key container stevedores. This paper identifies that despite the significant growth in the container volumes, rail’s share in the land-based movement of this traffic was small, principally due to lower service levels. The analysis indicated that inadequacy of intermodal infrastructure is a key impediment for the use of rail, followed by poor interoperability and shortage of below-rail infrastructure. This paper concludes with important recommendation for government and industry to make informed infrastructure planning and investment decision.

Autonomous technologies in short sea shipping: trends, feasibility and implications

ABSTRACT The maritime industry has been continuously transforming the nature of its business and striving to embrace technology in many aspects. In this context, autonomous technologies have been receiving momentum with a potential to revolutionise the landscape of shipping industry. After conducting a comprehensive literature review on the issues facing by the short sea shipping (SSS) industry, a model is developed to explore the potential savings of removing crew and use of autonomous technologies through a Continuously Unmanned Ship (CUS) that is operated by a Shore Control Centre (SCC). The analysis shows that autonomous technologies are viable to the challenges that the shipping industry is facing in terms of crew costs and skill shortage. To validate this statement, a case study is selected and various scenarios were tested based on relevant operational and financial considerations, including crew arrangement, cargo utilisation levels and shore wage coefficients. The results suggest that the savings occur in demand-uncertain markets and where a network of vessels are operated via a control centre. While autonomous technology use in shipping holds promise, there remain several limitations that this research addresses in terms of implementation, commercial attractiveness, risk profile, legislative, workforce planning and port operations.

Factors affecting the competitiveness of the Australian rail sector: a systems approach to improving service quality

The productivity of rail freight transport in Australia is hampered by various impediments. These include infrastructure constraints, commercial barriers, and inconsistent standards and policy, all of which influence the quality attributes of the rail freight service in different ways. Therefore, in order to develop strategies to make rail an attractive mode of transport, it is critical to identify these impediments and assess their relevant influence on the quality of rail service. By adopting a systems approach to competitiveness, this research aims to empirically examine the impact of impediments faced by the rail sector. This approach is beneficial as it: 1) identifies the distinct impact of each impediment on the different freight service attributes (FSA); 2) provides important insights to improve the rail service quality; 3) aims to assist government and industry to develop informed transportation and infrastructure planning decision making by identifying the poorer performing areas of system. The analysis identified the key factors influencing the quality of different FSAs relating to: 1) infrastructure management; 2) interoperability; 3) organisational and commercial relationships. The implications derived from this study indicate that the freight rate is still a key area for rail to achieve competitive advantage considering the market characteristics.

Evaluation of impediments to the competitiveness of the rail sector in Australia

Over the past four decades, Australia’s rail sector has been in decline and has lost almost half of its previous share in the non-bulk freight market. Government policies to encourage the use of rail for the transportation of freight have been met with ongoing challenges, resulting in an urgent need to explore strategies to increase rail’s competitiveness and achieve greater market share. While there has been an increase in international research on improving the competitiveness of rail transport in the non-bulk freight markets, previous studies focussed primarily on the line-haul component of rail transport and insufficient attention was been paid to the relationship between competitiveness and the broader transport system in which rail operates. Until now, rail freight transport has not been investigated as a system comprised of different sub-systems which must be integrated into the wider multimodal freight transport environment. As a result, fragmentation of freight strategies have occurred which does not necessarily improve the competitiveness of rail transport. This research addresses the above issues by providing a more detailed and transparent image of the key challenges faced by the rail sector in Australia. These challenges were previously ambiguous, mainly due to the paucity of empirical research and absence of stakeholder involvement. Therefore, the primary research question of this thesis is to identify and investigate strategies to improve the competitiveness of the rail sector in the Australian non-bulk freight market. A quantitative research methodology was adopted to address the primary research question, and a conceptual model was developed following a systematic literature review. The systematic review adopted in this thesis was critical to achieving a more detailedunderstanding of the key challenges facing the rail sector in Australia and to create an accurate input for the empirical stage. This approach was also beneficial to reducing the bias of available literature by applying predefined data collection strategies, inclusion and exclusion criteria and meta-analysis. Subsequently, an instrument was developed to conduct a web-based survey. The data collection was accompanied with large participation (200 potential participants with a 42.2 per cent response rate) from rail stakeholders at a national level. By conducting exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the empirical results of this thesis identified four key impediments, each containing three to five factors: (i) infrastructure management, (ii) shortage of freight data and poor information sharing, (iii) interoperability and service delivery and (iv) organisational communications and commercial relationships. Four key research areas emerged when the findings of the literature review and empirical research were synthesised, resulting in further investigation being undertaken to fully address the primary research question: (i) providing strategies for service improvement, (ii) investigation of rail freight from a transport geography perspective, (iii) exploring the role of intermodal terminals in development of non-bulk rail freight market and (iv) the role of rail in the Australian port-based market. Further analysis was then conducted to address these areas. To provide strategies for improved service quality a probabilistic mathematical model was developed to evaluate the relationship between reducing transit-time and reliability as the major time-based attributes of a freight service. The model was then applied to the Australian rail freight network to provide strategies for service improvement in poor corridors. To investigate the rail freight from a transport geography perspective and to explore the role of intermodal terminals in development of non-bulk rail freight market, various secondary data sources were used with author’s original analysis. Finally, primary data was collected using a survey distributed among Australian ports with intermodal activity and secondary data was collected from other sources to explore the role of rail in the Australian ports. The above investigations were accompanied by various transportation science methods. This thesis has been developed on a publication basis and the findings have been presented as seven publications, five of which have been published and two are currently under review. These publications focus on addressing the secondary research questions and objectives, all of which answer the primary research question. This thesis makes several contributions to the industry and academia. Firstly, it provides a more transparent image of the key challenges faced by the rail sector in Australia. Secondly, it provides important recommendations for the Australian rail sector and government to make informed transportation and policy decisions, including those related to track upgrade, development of intermodal terminals interoperability and access charging systems. Thirdly, this thesis contributes to the stakeholder management and rail transportation literature by framing the concept of rail stakeholders. Fourthly and most importantly, this research contributes to the literature of transportation by developing a conceptual framework which integrates the systems approach into the competitiveness concept within a freight transportation context. This in-depth investigation into the relationship between freight service performance and competitiveness in the freight markets offers significant benefits to industry and academia when developing freight transportation improvement strategies.