Po-Lin Lai

Container terminal employees’ perceptions of the effects of sustainable supply chain management on sustainability performance

ABSTRACT Sustainability has become an important issue in container terminal operations. However, relatively little research has been conducted to assess its association with sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). In this study, SSCM consists of internal sustainability practices and external sustainability collaboration. We empirically examined the effects of internal sustainability practices and external sustainability collaboration on sustainability performance in container terminal operations at the Port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan. We developed a model adopting the SSCM construct, which consisted of two dimensions: internal sustainability practices and external sustainability collaboration. Several research hypotheses were formulated from the theory and the hypotheses were tested using survey data collected from 141 employees who worked with container terminals. We found that internal sustainability practices and external sustainability collaboration positively affected sustainability performance, whereas external sustainability collaboration had a positive influence on internal sustainability practices. There is a discussion of the implications of these findings for developing sustainability and improving sustainability performance in container terminals and ports.

Does diversification promote risk reduction and profitability raise? Estimation of dynamic impacts using the pooled mean group model

ABSTRACT This paper utilizes the pooled mean group model to explore the dynamic effects of revenue diversification on the operational risks and profitability of banks. The sample consisted of unbalanced panel data of 25 listed Taiwanese banks for the period from 1998 to 2013. The results reveal a divergence in the long- and short-run effects of revenue diversification on credit risk by the banks, and the benefits of diversification on two other operational risks and profitability are deferred. This paper provides dynamic evidence of diversification, which has been typically evaluated in previous studies, to release the aggregate effect and to explain the ambiguity in the results in the current literature.

Environmental impact of distribution network design: the case of Korea

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the environmental impact of distribution network design. Design/methodology/approach Typical distribution networks are identified and modeled through interviews with logistics companies in Korea. CO2 emission is calculated for the distribution network models to evaluate the environmental impact of different network designs. In addition, economic and customer service performances are evaluated to provide realistic and balanced solutions to supply chain managers. Findings It is suggested that hybrid networks combining Hub-and-Spoke (HS) and Point-to-Point (PP) networks with a small number of sub-terminals are the most effective in both environmental and customer service aspects, whereas HS network is the most cost-effective. Research limitations/implications The analysis in this study is based on certain assumptions, and hence full application of these results to specific cases is limited. The combination of PP network with HS network is suggested, forming a hybrid network, and CO2 mitigation policies need to consider support schemes that can influence a firm’s decision making in relation to network design. Originality/value Little attention, however, has been paid to the environmental impact of distribution network design in the exiting literature. This study is a rare attempt at evaluating the environmental impact of distribution network design and may provide valuable implications to policy-makers and practitioners in logistics and manufacturing companies.

International container design regulations and ISO standards: are they fit for purpose?

ABSTRACT Increasing stack heights on container ships and growing volumes of high density cargo have increased the loads and stresses placed on containers, requiring an assessment of current container strength specifications. Growing adoption of terminal automation is also requiring greater standardisation in the codification and marking of containers. However, it is shown that there is widespread misunderstanding of the roles of the IMO and the ISO in regulating and promoting standards in the design, dimensions, ratings, coding, marking and strength of containers. In this paper the legal status of the IMO’s Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) and ISO standards is clarified, and a common container specification framework is developed to assess the extent to which international regulations and standards are aligned. The analysis identifies gaps and inconsistencies between regulations and standards and assesses the impact these have on operations and safety. The study highlights to policy makers anomalies arising from the recent inclusion in the CSC of direct references to ISO standards. Finally, in providing a comprehensive definition of container specifications the paper provides a knowledge base to promote theory building for applied researchers in the field of container technology and operations.