Maria Fernanda Hijjar

Determinants of efficiency at major Brazilian port terminals

This paper reports on the use of different approaches for measuring the efficiency of major Brazilian port terminals. Two of the most important approaches, DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) and SFA (Stochastic Frontier Analysis), were performed on data collected from 25 terminals. The findings indicate that the majority of Brazilian terminals are running short on capacity due to the export boom that has occurred over the past few years and due to the lack of investment in capacity expansion. Furthermore, efficiency measurements derived from a reduced model with only one input and one output were explained based on variables such as type of cargo handled (container or bulk), connectivity of the terminal to railroads, and control (state or private) of the terminal. Implications and directions for future research are explored.

Logistics sophistication, manufacturing segments and the choice of logistics providers

Purpose – To investigate the relationship between the choice of integrated or functional logistics providers by Brazilian shippers and: the type of their manufacturing process structure, and the level of sophistication of their logistics function, as well as the impact on that choice of possible interactions between these two characteristics of the shippers.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected in a comprehensive survey on the use of 3PL service providers in Brazil using a sample of 93 large Brazilian shippers; The analysis tests three research questions on the individual and combined relationships of logistics sophistication, measured on a logistics sophistication index (LSI), and process type (according to Goldratts V‐A‐T classification for materials flow analysis) with the choice of type of 3PL provider; the methods of analysis were cluster and logistics regression analysis.Findings – The paper finds: support for an association of sophisticated logistics functions and a preference for inte...

Exportadores brasileiros: estudo exploratório das percepções sobre a qualidade da infraestrutura logística

The objective of this research is to evaluate the perceptions of different trading firms about the quality of the logistics infrastructure for the foreign trade. Based on the literature review, the major dimensions regarding these firms were defined and operationalized: type of load (container or bulk) and criticality of port operation. A survey was conducted with the 250 largest Brazilian firms ranked at the AEB list (Brazilian Foreign Trade Firms Association). Based on the 101 questionnaires returned, it was identified that the bulk traders tend to consider the access to ports a bigger logistical shortcoming than the container traders. With regard to the criticality of port operation, firms of the intermediate goods industry perceive the decay of the physical infrastructure and the foreign trade bureaucracy as a consequence of their limited production capacity

Improving manufacturers’ distribution performance and customer service in grocery products supply in Brazil: a longitudinal study

This article deals with the evolution of customer service practices in grocery products distribution in Brazil (1994‐2001), based on a longitudinal survey of grocery retailers. Data were collected on retailers’ expectations on four relevant dimensions of customer logistics service provided by manufacturers, as well as on their perceptions of logistics service performance of the typical supplier and the best supplier. The evolution of the gaps between retailers’ expectations and manufacturers’ perceived distribution performance was investigated, as well as a trend in terms of an increase or decrease in customer satisfaction with service provided by suppliers in such dimensions. Results indicate that retailers typically tend to be satisfied with the service provided by their suppliers. In addition, there may be an adjustment of distribution performance to expectations of retailers and to the provision, in some cases, of service above customer expectations.

The relationship between logistics sophistication and drivers of the outsourcing of logistics activities

A strong link has been established between operational excellence and the degree of sophistication of logistics organization, a function of factors such as performance monitoring, investment in Information Technology [IT] and the formalization of logistics organization, as proposed in the Bowersox, Daugherty, Droge, Germain and Rogers (1992) Leading Edge model. At the same time, shippers have been increasingly outsourcing their logistics activities to third party providers. This paper, based on a survey with large Brazilian shippers, addresses a gap in the literature by investigating the relationship between dimensions of logistics organization sophistication and drivers of logistics outsourcing. To this end, the dimensions behind the logistics sophistication construct were first investigated. Results from factor analysis led to the identification of six dimensions of logistics sophistication. By means of multivariate logistical regression analyses it was possible to relate some of these dimensions, such as the formalization of the logistics organization, to certain drivers of the outsourcing of logistics activities of Brazilian shippers, such as cost savings. These results indicate the possibility of segmenting shippers according to characteristics of their logistics organization, which may be particularly useful to logistics service providers.

Segmentação logística: um estudo na relação entre fornecedores e varejistas no Brasil

In the present state of retailer-manufacturer relationships in Brazil, suppliers are being pressured to achieve improvements in customer service as well as reduction in logistics costs. In this context, logistics segmentation, one of the key logistics competences, is a valuable tool to support supplier positioning efforts. Benefit-based logistics segmentation helps suppliers to differentiate their offer, by focusing on attributes desired by customers, and to reduce costs, by eliminating elements that are not valued by them. The objective of this study was to identify retailer segments according to expectations concerning the level of logistics service they receive, as well as to characterize them by means of easy-access variables, such as demographic and organizational variables. Using data collected in a comprehensive survey research conducted with Brazilian retailers, both two and three segment solutions were identified based on customer expectations regarding logistics service provided by manufacturers. However, there was insufficient support for the characterization of these segments according to easy-access variables, making it difficult for manufacturers to identify them in practice and to match their offer of logistics services to the needs of each customer segment as well as to achieve better logistics cost management.

A Study into the Impact of Logistics Sophistication of Brazilian Shippers in the Pattern of Contracting theServices of Logistics Operators

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the logistics sophistication of Brazilian shippers on the acquisition pattern of 3PL (third-party logistics) service providers. The conceptual model of logistics sophistication and the major dimensions and variables relating to the acquisition pattern were defined and a questionnaire was sent to 218 Brazilian shippers listed on the Revista Exame ranking. Based on the 93 questionnaires returned, the analyses conducted indicate that the most sophisticated shippers are durable goods manufacturers and that they contract 3PL services providers for inventory management and higher value added services. In essence, these results indicate that the most sophisticated shippers seek 3PL service providers capable of managing logistics trade-offs such as inventory levels vs. asset utilization levels. These implications on the selection criteria of 3PL service providers are also discussed.