Operations and Supply Chain Management Commons^™

Analyzing The Evolution Of Class I Ltl Motor Carriers: An Examination Of Expansion Into Warehousing, Joe B. Hanna, Arnold B. Maltz

Journal of Transportation Management

The current research uses Porter’s differentiation strategy framework to examine Class I LTL motor carrier service expansion habits over the last twenty years. The examination focuses on carriers bundling transportation and warehousing services together to help differentiate their service offerings from competitors. Results indicate that carriers are expanding service offerings to include warehousing services and are providing significant value-added services to customers. Continuous growth in warehouse service expansion was evident from passage of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980 to the mid-90’s.

An Evaluation Of Liner Strategies In The Context Of Contemporary Supply Chain Management Practices, Shashi Kumar

Journal of Transportation Management

Academic researchers published a sophisticated model of world class logistics in 1995 and recently updated it with a model of 21st century logistics. Although such practices are yet to be perfected in the real world, it provides a yardstick for measuring logistical excellence. An innovative world class firm will pursue sustainable competitive advantage through wellintegrated global supply chains. As liner operators are vital members of global supply chains, their contemporary strategies need particular scrutiny to identify elements of congruence or non-congruence. The paper discusses generic liner strategies and identifies the ideal strategy congruent with contemporary supply chain management practices.

Commercial Irrigation And Nutrition Practices For Strawberries In Western Australia, D. Phillips, D. Gatter, T. Calder, D. Pitman

Horticulture research reports

Irrigation practices employed by five commercial strawberry growers on sandy soils of the Swan Coastal Plain near Perth Western Australia were monitored for two consecutive seasons, 1995 and 1996 during the Spring production period.

Nutritional practices for the same grower group plus one Albany grower were monitored by plant, soil and sap analysis at 14 day intervals throughout the 1996 season.

Irrigation records showed that market quality strawberries could be produced at this time of year (August to December in Perth) on soils with very poor water retention properties with an average crop factor(E Pan) for the season of 0.7 …

Management Development And Retention Programs In U.S. Third-Party Logistics Firms, Robert Lorin Cook, Brian J. Gibson

Journal of Transportation Management

To provide quality logistics services, it is essential for third-party logistics (3PL) firms to develop an effective human resource program that ensures successful development and retention of qualified managers. By reporting the results of a survey of current U.S. 3PL firm development and retention practices and experiences regarding junior managers, this article provides a benchmark for 3PL firm managers who seek to improve management development and retention programs. Efforts to improve human resource programs should focus on improving orientation programs, mentoring, job enrichment, formal career planning, job relocation assignments, educational support, training and compensation.

Examining America’S Logistics Programs Via The Internet, Joe B. Hanna, William Compton

Journal of Transportation Management

This study uses the Internet and a two phase methodology to help gain insight into the current state of America’s logistics programs. Phase I examines logistics program structure while phase II employs a modified, electronic version of the Delphi technique to help examine global logistics education practices. The results of the research indicate that, while key differences exist in America’s logistics programs, academicians of the discipline largely agree on the relative importance of key functional areas of the discipline. However, a potential gap may exist between the skills addressed in logistics and business education programs and the skills required for …

Cheating Via Online Paper Mills In Logistics Education, Kathleen H. Gruben, Cathy Owens Swift, Luther (Trey) Denton

Journal of Transportation Management

The growth of e-business is providing businesses and entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop niches targeting one of the largest groups of Internet users: university students. Unfortunately, one of these niches is online term paper mills, where students can purchase university quality term papers and then submit them in class as their own work. The purpose of this paper is (1) to identify what online term paper services are available; (2) to determine how many logistics term papers are offered by these services; and, (3) to suggest strategies that can be used by logistics faculty to suppress use of these materials.

The Usage Of Mobile Communication Systems In The Trucking Industry, R Stephen Parker, John L. Kent, Karl B. Manrodt

Journal of Transportation Management

This article reports the findings of a mobile communications survey mailed out to over 2,000 trucking firms. The findings indicate that 68% of respondents use some form of mobile communication system in their firm. Various types of mobile communication systems were reported, including two-way pagers, one-way pagers, cell phones, two-way radio, and satellite communications. Additionally, implementation decision factors for mobile communication systems were evaluated for both users and non-users of mobile communication systems.

Terrorism And The Global Supply Chain: Where Are Your Weak Links?, Kathryn Dobie, L Milton Glisson, James Grant

Journal of Transportation Management

For many years, managers have chosen to ignore the risks associated with acts of terrorism that can potentially and catastrophically affect the global supply chain. As producers and suppliers become more tightly tied through long term relationships, common communications and information technology, events affecting one member of the supply chain can have a profound impact on the ability of the rest of the network to operate. The purpose of this discourse is to highlight the linkages which leave a supply chain vulnerable in the case of direct or indirect disruption caused by unexpected terrorist activity.

Floor Temperature Preference Of Sows At Farrowing, P. A. Phillips, D. Fraser, B. Pawluczuk

Housing and Confinement of Farm Animals Collection

A preference testing apparatus was used to provide sows with continuous access to three identical farrowing crates, each with a different floor temperature. The concrete floor under each crate contained copper pipe through which temperature-controlled water was circulated to achieve unoccupied floor temperatures of 22°C (± 3.5), 29°C (± 1) and 35°C (± 1). Eighteen sows were tested in the apparatus. Video recording was used to determine sow position from 7 days before farrowing (Days ‒7 to ‒1) to 14 days after (Days 1 to 14). On Days ‒7 to ‒1, sows showed no significant preference among the three temperatures …

Exploring Alternative Purchasing Strategies: Just-In-Time Or Just Enough?, Julie J. Gentry, Matthew A. Waller, Scott B. Keller

Journal of Transportation Management

What are the prevalent purchasing strategies used by manufacturing firms to purchase components that are critical to the quality of their most important products? This research reports the findings from data on purchasing strategies collected from 248 companies. The data indicate that although firms seem to be moving away from a transaction-based purchasing strategy towards "partnership" relations necessary for successful just-in-time strategies, firms are likely to embrace one of four hybrid purchasing strategies that on a spectrum would fall somewhere between the two "pure" strategies. These identified strategies offer purchasing managers viable alternatives to moving directly into a just-in-time environment.

Leading Without Bleeding: An Information Technology Case Study At Union Pacific Railroad, Uma G. Gupta, Randy W. Butler, Thomas D. Milner

Journal of Transportation Management

In the railroad industry, the ability to assess damages to rail units in an accurate and timely manner is critical to the success and profits of a company. Accurate damage assessment of rail units also plays a key role in dispute resolution and negotiation with key vendors and suppliers (my.uprr.com/pub/dam-prev). This paper describes and presents information about Union Pacific Railroads (UPRR) and Science Applications International Corporations (SAIC) highly successful efforts in fully automating the data collection, inspection, assessment and reporting of damage claims to rail equipment. UPRR and SAIC used an innovative and highly creative approach to develop and implement …

Maritime Unions And The U.S. Merchant Marine, Richard L. Clarke

Journal of Transportation Management

U.S. maritime unions have played a vital historical role in both the defense and the economic development of the United States. The economic and the political forces that helped shape and promote the growth of U.S. seafaring labor unions changed dramatically in the 1990s. Maritime union membership in the United States has fallen by more than 80 per cent since 1950. Inflexible union work rules and high union wage scales have contributed to this decline. Recent regulatory and industry changes require a new union approach if U. S. maritime unions are to survive the next decade.

Defining Dyadic Cost And Risk In International Trade: A Review Of Incoterms 2000 With Strategic Implications, Drew M. Stapleton, Virginie Saulnier

Journal of Transportation Management

As trade markets continue to expand due to developments in transportation and logistics technologies, distribution networks extend well beyond national frontiers. With obstacles such as distance, language, and business customs, allocation of legal responsibility between a buyer and a seller of goods becomes even more crucial in international commerce. This document is presented in three general sections. Reviewing the basics, including definition, origin, use and classifications of INCOTERMS constitutes the first section. The second section describes and analyzes the differences between each of the 13 INCOTERMS 2000. Lastly, the changes introduced by the 2000 revision are studied in more detail …

Partial Tooth-Clipping Of Suckling Pigs: Effects On Neonatal Competition And Facial Injuries, Daniel M. Weary, David Fraser

Farm Animal Husbandry Collection

Piglets are born with fully erupted ‘needle teeth’ which are used in competition for access to teats. Producers often clip these teeth to the gum line soon after birth to avoid any resulting facial lacerations, but this clipping can itself lead to injury or infection. Two experiments investigated the effects on facial injury and piglet performance of the potentially less damaging practice of ‘partial clipping’ whereby only the distal third of the tooth is removed. In Experiment 1, teeth were (1) partially clipped, (2) fully clipped to the gum line, or (3) left intact. All piglets of a litter received …

Truckload Transportation Requirements: In Anticipation Of Y2k With Epilogue, John L. Kent, R Stephen Parker, Charles E. Pettijohn

Journal of Transportation Management

This article investigates the impact of the much-hyped Y2K phenomenon on truckload transportation requirements in the United States, as a result of year-end inventory build-ups. The article reports the results of a Y2K Truckload Transportation Survey of truckload shippers conducted in August of 1999. Additionally, the article takes a post-hoc look at what actually occurred in an effort to completely document the impact of the Y2K phenomenon in the dry van, temperature controlled, and flatbed segments of the truckload transportation industry.

Quality Assessment And Improvement Practices In The U.S. Railroad Industry, Joel D. Wisner, Michael C. Mejza

Journal of Transportation Management

This article presents the findings of a comprehensive survey sent to members of the American Society of Transportation and Logistics. The survey investigated various elements of quality improvement programs in use among U.S. rail carriers, including program design and subsequent successes. Perhaps due to the heavy competition within the transportation industry, it was found that the vast majority of U.S. rail respondents did indeed utilize formal quality assessment and improvement programs, makingthisan interesting industry segment to study. The survey findings are summarized in the article.

A Financial Analysis Of The Interstate Commerce Commission (Icc) Termination Act Of 1995 On The Motor Carrier Industry, Joe B. Hanna, Robert A. Kunkel, Gregory A. Kuhlemeyer

Journal of Transportation Management

Since the late 1970's the United States has progressively deregulated the motor carrier industry. Throughout the 1980's, deregulation was viewed as a positive trend by most industry practitioners. Past research has determined that, despite the fact that bankruptcies have increased since deregulation, the motor carrier industry has benefitted by less government intervention. The current study attempts to ascertain if motor carrier deregulation is still perceived positively in the mid-1990's. This research uses an event study methodology to examine the immediate financial impact of the ICC Termination Act of 1995 on 44 motor carrier industry participants. The results indicate deregulation is …

Mapping Logistics Practice Using The Product Life Cycle, Stanley E. Fawcett, Greg Magnan, Laura Birou

Journal of Transportation Management

The dynamic nature of today's global economy places a premium on a firm's ability to anticipate and to respond to customer needs as well as changing competitive pressures. Within this environment, developing a successful logistics strategy can be critical to the firm's long-term competitive success. This paper looks at the potential for using the product life cycle (PLC) as a strategic framework in the logistics strategy planning process. Results of an empirical study that investigated the appropriate use of 43 logistics techniques across PLC stages are reported. The implementation status of the various logistics techniques is also considered.

Revisiting Logistical Friendliness: Perspectives Of International Freight Forwarders, Paul R. Murphy, James M. Daley

Journal of Transportation Management

Logistical friendliness (unfriendliness) refers to the ease (difficulty) of arranging international freight operations to/from a particular country. The present paper builds upon previous research by 1) examininglogistical friendliness and unfriendliness as two different constructs (rather than as opposite ends of the same continuum), and 2) linking the delineation of logistically friendly and unfriendly countries with the reasons for friendliness (unfriendliness). The study results could be quite valuable with corporate decisions as to which countries to do business in, as well as with the appropriate organizational strategies for entering the chosen countries.

The Role Of Transportation In Customized Supply Chains, Remko I. Van Hoek

Journal of Transportation Management

This paper empirically explores the role of transportation in creating a customized supply chain using postponement. Based on a survey among manufacturers in three countries, it was found that a reconfiguration is needed for the creation of a customized supply chain. In this reconfiguration process, transportation considerations are extremely important, resulting in supply chains and distribution channels that are globalized and reliant on international transport. Postponement is increasingly applied in both manufacturing and distribution. Thus, through the facilitation of postponement and customization activities in the distribution channel, much business is to be gained for transportation and logistics companies.

Liberalisation And After, Janat Shah

IIMB Management Review

R Seshasayee is the Managing Director of Ashok Leyland and has been part of the core team that directed the company’s expansion programmes right from the 70’s. A chartered accountant, Seshasayee has been on the National Council of Confederation of Indian Industries for over a decade, has served on several professional committees such as the Accounting Standards Board and the research committees of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, and has been a director on the boards of several public limited companies, including ICICI. Ashok Leyland is a leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles and diesel engines. With an employee strength of …

Impact Of Technical Change On Operating Performance: Evidence From Indian Industry, S Chandrashekar

IIMB Management Review

No abstract provided.

Twenty Years Of Airline Deregulation: The Impact On Outlying Small Communities, J Richard Jones

Journal of Transportation Management

Many rural communities over the years have had to endure reduced levels of scheduled transportation services to the point that some have indeed experienced a cessation of services. Accompanying the deregulation of airlines in 1978 was the expressed fear that transportation services would continue to spiral downward and various communities would lose their population bases. This study investigates the two decades of airline deregulation and the impact that that 1978 legislation has had on small communities that are situated 100 air miles or more from any hub airport. Chief among the findings are: (1) that service levels have indeed deteriorated …

Automatic Replenishment: The Relationship Between Resource Commitment And Program Performance, Alexander E. Ellinger, Patricia J. Daugherty, Chad W. Autry

Journal of Transportation Management

Some firms have adopted a new approach to order fulfillment, i.e., automatic inventory replenishment. With automatic replenishment programs (ARPs), sellers replenish or restock inventory based upon actual product usage and stock level information provided by buyers. This paper reports on a recent survey of logistics professionals regarding .ARP involvement. In addition to providing a profile of current usage, the research also examines the relationship between investment in automatic replenishment related resources and .ARP performance. Firms making a greater commitment to ARP (in terms of resource allocation) reported enhanced day-to-day operational performance and greater success in the overall performance of the …

Assessing The Impact Of The Shortage Of Aviation Maintenance Technicians On Air Transportation, Blaise P. Waguespack Jr., Aleksandar Savic Jr., James S. Baker

Journal of Transportation Management

Global aviation activity is poised for a decade of sustained growth. While economic difficulties are a fact of life in the aviation transportation industry, the future demand for aviation transportation services is promising. One factor that may greatly dampen this projected growth may be the lack of qualified aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) necessary to keep the air transport fleet flying. This investigation examines the future of global aviation activity while presenting factors impacting the corresponding lack of growth in the AMT population that threaten the future of air transportation.

Mergers And Alliances In The Liner Shipping Industry: An Historical Perspective, David A. Menachof, Anthony Damian

Journal of Transportation Management

This article chronicles the history of mergers and alliances in the liner shipping industry during the past century before focusing on the latest wave of mergers to hit the industry Each merger wave in the liner shipping industry generally coincided with merger waves from the general industrial world. The incentive for each wave of mergers seemed to be different, with the most recent wave focusing on synergy between the merging companies. The reduction of competing firms through mergers has implications for the shipper and these are also examined.

Determinant Criteria In The Ocean Carrier Selection Process, R Stephen Parker, John L. Kent

Journal of Transportation Management

This study examines key determinant criteria used by import and export shippers when selecting an international containership carrier. A sample of import and export shippers were asked to evaluate eighteen service characteristics based on whether or not the characteristics were required by their international containership carriers. The results of Pearson chi-square tests indicate a significant difference between import shippers and export shippers on three of the eighteen service characteristics. Import shippers were more demanding of their carriers by requiring door-to-door transportation rates, shipment expediting, and shipment tracing services.

Truck Driver Turnover: An Internal Marketing Perspective, Susan Lee Taylor, Robert M. Cosenza

Journal of Transportation Management

Carriers and industry analysts agree that driver turnover is the largest problem facingthe industry today. Truck drivers regularly move from one trucking company to another or they change to careers out of the industry. Opinions for high driver turnover are diverse, such as long hours and extended time away from home, poor advancement opportunities, a lack of respect, and old/uncomfortable equipment. In this article the authors examine the truck driver turnover problem from an internal marketing perspective. Membership, socialization, identity, structural, interpersonal, and environmental issues are examined as primary influences on desired quality of truck driver employment. Suggestions are made …

Union Pacific/Southern Pacific Merger: Impact On Shippers, Paul D. Larson, H Barry Spraggins

Journal of Transportation Management

In the Summer of ‘96, Union Pacific Railroad merged with Southern Pacific to create the largest American railroad. Controversy continues to surround the merger. This paper reports results of a recent merger-impact survey. Survey respondents were rail and intermodal shippers. Among the interesting research findings are the following: (1) while shippers report a negative impact due to less rail competition, trackage rights granted to Burlington Northern/Santa Fe have failed to dampen this impact; (2) railroad service has deteriorated, but freight rates have remained stable; and (3) service problems are more severe for rail, as opposed to TOFC/COFC, shippers.

Bridging The Gap Between Academic Responsibilities And Practical Application In Logistics, Theodore P. Stank, Thomas Goldsby

Journal of Transportation Management

The paper presents a model inspired by the success of innovative logistics programs that have enhanced the relevance of academic programs by developing closer ties with logistics and transportation practitioners. Discussion focuses on examples that illustrate implementation of the model. The intent is to provide a blueprint for academics to enhance cooperation at locations that do not currently have such programs in place.