Business Commons^™

Fedex Ground Strategic Audit, Samantha Gates

Honors Theses

FedEx Ground is an operating segment of the parcel carrier giant FedEx Inc. The company, known for shipping products via delivery truck, has remained one of the largest parcel carriers in the country, despite drastic changes in its environment. This report seeks to understand the changing operating environment of FedEx Ground, its competitive advantages, and the future challenges it may face. The analysis uses PESTEL and Porter's Five Forces analyses to evaluate the changing external environment and industry FedEx Ground operates in. Additionally, challenges and recommendations are offered to navigate the future of this company.

Logistics Outsourcing In Large Manufacturing Companies: The Case Of Slovenia And Lessons From Other Countries, Marko Budler, Marko Jakšič, Teja Vilfan

Economic and Business Review

Logistics outsourcing is a mode of operation for companies in global supply chains that have been increasingly devoting more attention to their core activities. This study examines the state-of-the-art in logistics outsourcing in the Slovenian manufacturing industry. Additionally, the authors benchmark the findings against a similar study from 2013. Finally, this study provides a discussion of logistics-outsourcing specifics in some countries with the use of secondary data. We identify transportation as a top-ranked logistics activity, and a general propensity for higher-level logistics outsourcing (e.g. 4PL). The authors contribute to the supply-chain management society by identifying the drivers of, barriers to, …

Tdabc Capabilities For Performance Measurement: A Case Study In A Manufacturing Context, Siham Rahoui, Abubakar Ali, John Crowe, Amr Mahfouz

Conference papers

Supply chain costing presents a sophisticated alternative to traditional costing allowing an accurate cost estimation and effective decision making. In exploring different techniques, TDABC was not explored extensively compared to its peers. In addition to the infancy of the technique, there is an on-going debate about the capability of the TDABC specifically in manufacturing context. The present study contributes to the debate by applying TDABC at the logistics function of a manufacturing site and assesses it capability to measure performance in the stated context.

The Five Essential Building Blocks To Becoming A Top Twenty-Five Supply Chain Program, Phillip Necessary

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

The overall intention of this research is to develop aspiring programs to reevaluate their institutions and begin growing their program with lessons from other leading institutions—the more comprehensive, educated, and driven students in the Supply Chain industry, the better.

The Supply Chain Management sector has grown substantially in the last fifteen to twenty years; the current placement rate of undergraduates is eighty-five to one hundred percent after graduation (Damast, 2015). This phenomenon correlates with international and domestic interest in information technology, economic dynamics, flexibility, and product availability, all of which have grown industry demand (Rob O'Byrne, 2020). In the last …

Liu, Lee, Jiao, And Wang, Contemporary Logistics In China: An Introduction (2011), Qing Lu

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

No abstract provided.

Leadership After A Tornado Strike: Supply Chain Management Triage, Gregory Benson, Susan Jensen

Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Technology

An F2 tornado had tracked less than 100 feet from the Caldwin manufacturing plant, the largest producer of an essential engine value train component in the United States. Bob, Materials Manager at the plant and a member of the senior management team, was at home when the evening storm hit. Bob immediately headed to the plant when he received word of the emergency situation. On his way to the factory a rush of questions nearly overwhelmed him. How bad was the situation? How prepared was his team of employees to handle the situation? What should customers and suppliers be told …

Investigating The Influence Of A Web Based Logistics Tool On The Effectiveness Of Operations For The Center Of Innovation For Logistics Of Georgia, David Vaughn

Honors College Theses

Research suggests a correlation between advancements in logistics infrastructure and the development rate of regional economies. Some states have identified this correlation and have taken steps to create specialized entities aimed at catalyzing the growth of logistics within their state. In the state of Georgia, the Center of Innovation for Logistics is the entity responsible for coordinating logistic development activities. As part of their responsibilities, they are tasked with fulfilling information requests regarding logistics infrastructure availability throughout the state. However, the system is used to process these requests is antiquated and extremely inefficient. In an attempt to ameliorate this process, …

Soft Skills Needed For The 21st-Century Workforce, Susan A. Dean, Julia I. East

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

Technical skills are no longer enough for workers to compete in this highly competitive global work environment. Soft skills are of paramount importance. A multiple-case-study design through the lens of emotional intelligence formed the basis of the research study. The focus of the research was identification of the successful soft skills training strategies in the logistics industry. Three logistics organization leaders in the counties of Burlington, Middlesex, and Somerset, New Jersey, were participants in the study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and the review of company documents Four themes emerged through data analysis of converging multiple data sources: (a) …

A Multi-Skilled Approach To Property Maintenance Considering Temporal, Spatial And Resource Constraints, Anthony G. Vatterott

Dissertations

With the continued increase in age of the United States housing and building stock, as well as the continued need to maintain properties across the U.S., the need for timely, cost-optimal maintenance is ever more critical. This paper proposes the application of a mathematical model to aid in the scheduling and assignment of construction and maintenance tasks, considering the multi-skilled workforce. The benefit of this approach is to take advantage of the economies of scale that can be developed using cross-functional skilled workers with varying levels of competence and efficiency. This approach schedules and assigns tasks using data from maintenance …

Rethinking University Operations: Applying Circular Economy Concepts At The University Level, Victoria M. Clements

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Impacts Of Crowdsourcing In Logistics And Supply Chain Operations, Ha Hai Ta

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Crowdsourcing models, whereby firms start to delegate supply chain operations activities to a mass of actors in the marketplace, have grown drastically in recent years. 85% of the top global brands have reported to use crowdsourcing in the last ten year with top names such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and Nestle. These emergent business models, however, have remained unexplored in extant SCM literature. Drawing on various theoretical underpinnings, this dissertation aims to investigate and develop a holistic understanding of the importance and impacts of crowdsourcing in SCM from multiple perspectives. Three individual studies implementing a range of methodological approaches …

Corporate Social Responsibility: Examining The Effects Of A Lean And Green Supply Chain On Bottom Line Costs And Market Valuation, Sharon Maskin

Senior Theses

This paper examines the link between a firm’s adoption of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices and the resulting monetary benefits. Specifically, it addresses four major areas of business operations that present great opportunities for supply chain cost reduction and a simultaneous decrease in environmental impact. These four areas include traditional/open-loop supply chains, product packaging waste, pollution at the manufacturing site, and logistics inefficiencies. The paper then identifies several business cases in which companies have addressed several environmental issues and driven down bottom-line costs in each of the four areas through innovation and increased resource productivity. Along with cost benefits, it …

Dynamic Logistics Enabled By Iot, Madeline K. Conner

Honors College Theses

The implementation of Internet of Things technology is becoming increasingly popular in the logistics industry due to its promise of valuable payoffs. The benefits will span across the entire logistics value chain, and benefits from IoT implementation will also impact areas such as operational efficiency, safety, security, and customer experience, while redesigning traditional business models. This report specifically focuses on creating a dynamic logistics system using the Internet of Things. The findings of this report focus on the associated cost savings between traditional logistics systems, and a daily dynamic model enabled by IoT technology. By applying IoT to logistics operations …

Supply Chain Management Strategies In The Manufacturing Industry, Marcia S. Falks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Inefficient supply chains result in unsold inventory and unfilled customer orders, posing a significant risk to company profitability and consumer satisfaction. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies supply chain managers in the manufacturing industry used to match the level of unsold inventory in the supply chain with customer demand consistently. Porter's value chain provided the conceptual framework for the study. A sample of 5 experienced supply chain managers from a global manufacturing company headquartered in the midwestern United States participated in semistructured interviews. Each participant provided company supply chain documentation for triangulation. Data analysis followed …

Implementation Of A Supply Chain Management "Intern For A Day" Program, Erin K. Mcconnell

Honors Projects

This program was developed to send students to local corporations to attain a better understanding of a business professional environment and the Supply Chain Management departments at those companies. Students were sent to Therma Tru Doors, in Maumee, Ohio to be "interns for a day". They received the chance to shadow employees in all aspects of the Supply Chain field and learn about what their day to day job responsibilities entail. There are many benefits to this externship program for both the students and Therma Tru. Students gain valuable experience and knowledge while Therma Tru gains access to some of …

The Efficiency And Productivity Analysis Of Large Logistics Providers Services In Korea, Sunchon National University, Yong Joo Lee

Finance and Supply Chain Faculty Scholarship

In the fierce competition at the global logistics markets, Korean logistics providers were deemed more vulnerable than global logistics providers in terms of the quality and price competitiveness. To strengthen their competitiveness, logistics providers in Korea have focused on delivering integrated logistics services. In this regard, the Korean government has enacted the “Integrated Logistics Industry Certification Act” in 2006 to assist integrated logistics providers to offer logistics services based on their specialization and differentiation. It has been several years since the system was implemented, and the evaluation of the system implementation was necessary. Hence, in our study, we attempt to …

The State Of Logistics Performance Measurement: A Comparison Of Literature And Practice, Thomas Hamilton

Honors College Theses

In the increasingly global and complex environment in which modern business operate, business leaders are being forced to squeeze competitive advantage from every facet of their operations. Research in the field of logistics performance measurement establishes the link between success in performance measurement and improved organizational performance. Through the lens of management fashion theory, this research effort assesses to what extent logistics academic discourse addresses the performance measurement requirements and practices of industry practitioners. This research effort represents the first such application of the management fashion theory within the logistics field. Consistencies between logistics performance measurement emphases within the investigated …

A Humanitarian Logistics Framework For The Philippines: The Case Of Typhoon Haiyan, Kirshna Loquinte, Isabella Militante, Fatima Rakim, Brian Gozun

Center for Business Research and Development

Logistics being used for humanitarian operations is known as humanitarian logistics. It is defined by Thomas (2003) as the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient, cost-effective flow and storage of goods and materials, as well as related information, from the point of origin to the point of consumption for the purpose of alleviating the suffering of vulnerable people. Logistics in the humanitarian aspect is vital; it plays a critical role during disaster relief operations. It bridges the gaps between the different stages of the operations. It is also crucial because the success and the time duration of the …

The Impact Of Cloud Computing In Supply Chain Collaborative Relationships, Collaborative Advantage And Relational Outcomes, Maria E. Aviles

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the collaborative advantages and relational outcomes that organizations obtain from having strong collaborative relationships. With business competing as supply chains of multiple relationships, the reliance on inter-firm relationships has increased and become central strategy for organizations. Logistics computing technologies in the cloud may facilitate collaboration in the supply chain, although there are conflicting viewpoints regarding cloud viability. This study also evaluates the effect that cloud computing technology has on collaborative advantage and relational outcomes in small and large organizations. The model developed here is based on a cross-disciplinary theoretical perspective, which combines …

A Lean Logistics Assessment Tool For Smes In The Manufacturing Sector, Diana Lorena Sanchez Ramirez

Open Access Theses

This study developed an assessment tool to rate the maturity of the current and desired states of lean logistics operations in small and medium enterprises. The tool consists of 48 best practices classified into 8 critical factors: Inventory, Transportation, Administration, Information Systems, Warehouse, Forecasting, Packaging and Supplier Network. Each of the best practices and critical factors were identified throughout a thorough literature review and comparative analysis between authors to define commonalities among them. Using gap analysis; this tool results in a SWOT matrix providing a roadmap for lean implementation. The resulting model was evaluated by subject matter experts in different …

The Role Of Third Party Logistics Providers (3pls) In The Adoption Of Green Supply Chain Initiatives, Edward Sweeney, Pietro Evangelista, Maria Huge-Brodin, Karin Isaksson

Practitioner Journals

The increasing importance of environmental sustainability has sharpened the focus on the need for innovative approaches to the purchasing of transport and logistics services. This article points out some of the challenges that purchasers of transport and logistics services, as well as their suppliers in the third party logistics (3PL) industry, are facing. These include the need for closer collaboration between 3PLs and their customers, as well as developing systems for the robust assessment of the environmental sustainability of services. The article is based on several years’ research experience inIreland,ItalyandSweden.

Load Mixing To Improve Container Utilization, Crystal Wilson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The under utilization in trucking leads to nearly 5 billion gallons of wasted fuel annually. One way to recapture part of this waste is to use collaborative logistics. This research focuses on one specific aspect of collaborative logistics: load mixing. Load mixing is the idea of mixing two or more items of different weights in the same container to reduce the number of trucks needed.

Load mixing is similar to other packing problems such as the knapsack and container loading problems. However, traditional packing problems typically only assume a single type of capacity (e.g., weight), whereas load mixing must simultaneously …

The People Dimension In Logistics And Supply Chain Management – Its Role And Importance, Edward Sweeney

Books/Book chapters

It is widely recognised that the effective application of logistics and supply chain management (SCM) has a vital role to play in European economic recovery. Experience suggests that success in achieving higher levels of supply chain integration (SCI) depends on both physical and technical components (the hard-wiring), as well as human and behavioural components (the soft-wiring). There is significant evidence that the latter has been largely neglected by the logistics and SCM community. Furthermore, it appears that the majority of supply chain improvement initiatives by practitioners have been primarily concerned with technological, structural and process issues. This chapter …

Purchasing Green Transport And Logistics Services: Implications For Small Business, Pietro Evangelista, Maria Huge-Brodin, Karin Isaksson, Edward Sweeney

Articles

Considering its strong environmental impact, logistics plays a critical role in green supply chain management. It provides strategic links in the supply chain and is an essential function in the delivery of green products to the consumer. There is a general consensus on the fact that more environmentally sustainable companies may be achieved only if transport and logistics activities also become greener. To achieve this objective, buyer companies need to incorporate green considerations in the purchasing of transport and logistics services. This appears particularly challenging for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) because of their traditional lack of managerial, organisational …

Shopper Marketing And Social Networks: The Path To Integration, Hannah Joy Stolze

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the phenomenon of cross-functional integration of frontline employees supporting complex marketing initiatives. This dissertation contributes to research and managers through the exploration of how integration takes place, how knowledge is integrated across functions through social ties between people, and to begin to inspect its effects on the performance of marketing strategies. Integration captures the state of collaboration and coordination between individuals within and between a firm’s functions. To date, cross-functional integration has been conceptually developed, but not empirically evaluated.

An extensive, multi-disciplinary literature review provides the foundation for understanding integration within the …

Empirical And Analytical Essays On The Relationship Between Inventory And Transportation, Rodger David Swanson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the relationship between inventory cost (IC) and transportation cost (TC). The association of the two has been recognized for over a hundred years; accordingly, managers and academics have believed that these costs have offsetting properties such that combinations of inventory and transportation expenditures can be altered to fit different strategic objectives. However, the behavior of this relationship in practice has not been tested. The essays of this dissertation examine this relationship through multiple theoretical lenses and with multiple data sets. Essay 1 examines aggregate IC and TC in the United States from 1960-2009. This period coincides with …

Supply Chain And Logistics Technology Investment In Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises, Edward Sweeney

Practitioner Journals

No abstract provided.

Supply Chain Perspective, Volume 12, Issue 1, National Institute For Transport And Logistics

Issues

No abstract provided.

Supply Chain Change Management: An Internal And B2b Relationship Perspective, Edward Sweeney

Practitioner Journals

No abstract provided.

Logistics Ireland Conference 2010, Edward Sweeney

Practitioner Journals

No abstract provided.