J.A.E.E. van Nunen

Designing and evaluating sustainable logistics networks

Consumers and legislation have pushed companies to re-design their logistic networks in order to mitigate negative environmental impacts. The objective in the design of logistic networks has changed, therefore, from cost minimization only, to cost and environmental impact minimization. The objective of this paper is to develop a framework for the design and evaluation of sustainable logistic networks, in which profitability and environmental impacts are balanced. In this paper, we review the main activities affecting environmental performance and cost efficiency in logistic networks, we show the advantages of using multi-objective programming (MOP) to design sustainable networks, we present the expected computational difficulties of using the MOP approach in the design of sustainable networks, and we introduce a technique, based on the commonalities between data envelopment analysis (DEA) and MOP, to evaluate the efficiency of existing logistic networks. The European pulp and paper industry will be used to illustrate our findings.

A Methodology for Assessing Eco-Efficiency in Logistics Networks

Recent literature on sustainable logistics networks points to two important questions: (i) How to spot the preferred solution(s) balancing environmental and business concerns? (ii) How to improve the understanding of the trade-offs between these two dimensions? We posit that a complete exploration of the efficient frontier and trade-offs between profitability and environmental impacts are particularly suitable to answer these two questions. In order to deal with the exponential number of basic efficient points in the frontier, we propose a formulation that performs in exponential time for the number of objective functions only. We illustrate our findings by designing a complex recycling logistics network in Germany.

From Closed-Loop to Sustainable Supply Chains: The Weee Case

The primary objective of closed-loop supply chains (CLSC) is to improve the maximum economic benefit from end-of-use products. Nevertheless, the literature within this stream of research advocates that closing the loop also helps to mitigate the undesirable environmental footprint of supply chains. Therefore, closed-loop supply chains are assumed to be sustainable supply chains almost by definition. In this paper we analyse if and when this assumption holds. We illustrate our findings based on the Electric and Electronic Equipment (EEE) supply chain. For all phases of the supply chain, i.e. manufacturing, usage, transportation and end-of-life activities, we assess the magnitude of the environmental impacts, based on a single environmental metric, namely the Cumulative Energy Demand (CED). Given the environmental hot-spots in the Electric and Electronic Equipment supply chain, we propose useful extensions for existing CLSC optimisation models to ensure that closed-loop supply chains are at the same time sustainable supply chains.

The use of expert system technology in DSS

Abstract In this paper we discuss the challenges that are eminent for the implementation of Decision Support Systems (DSS) in decision making processes. Based on the experience with some DSS which we developed in the past and which are still used in practice we evaluate the possibilities of using expert systems technology to meet some of the shortcomings of DSS of a previous generation. We will give a description of the different classes of information systems and make comparisons in order to show differences and consequences for systems development methodologies. In addition, we will describe some specific examples in order to elucidate our point of view with respect to the challenging future of DSS and expert systems which are emerging.

Redesigning process control mechanisms using EDI. An agency-theoretic perspective

We argue that the use of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) allows organizations to redesign the control mechanisms that govern their processes. More specifically we have looked at relationships between agencies and their principals and analyzed what the impact of EDI usage might be on the mechanisms to measure and evaluate the performances of the agents. The paper draws upon developments in agency theory. The analysis is built around two propositions. It is proposed that since EDI allows to reveal more of the behavior of the agent than traditional communication, more behavior-based control can be implemented. Secondly, if EDI allows to improve the communication about the desired outcome of the agents process, more outcome-based control can be implemented. Material from a case study about an inter-organizational information system for multi-modal, multi-country transportation is used to illustrate the propositions. The system has been developed to improve the communication between shippers, consignees and their forwarding agencies. Furthermore, after discussing each proposition, the relevance of the proposition for a process re-engineering team is outlined.<<ETX>>