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Articles 91 - 120 of 234

Full-Text Articles in Operations and Supply Chain Management

A Commentary: The Perfect Storm: Schramm Decision, Fmcsa, And An Imposible Duty For Brokers And Third Party Logistics Companies, Paul Stewart Oct 2011

A Commentary: The Perfect Storm: Schramm Decision, Fmcsa, And An Imposible Duty For Brokers And Third Party Logistics Companies, Paul Stewart

Journal of Transportation Management

Over the last thirty years, there never has been a more confused doctrine than the current “duty of reasonable care” faced by transportation brokers, third-party logistics companies and shippers as they select carriers for transport. The confusion in what was once reasonable and well understood law has been fueled by a perfect storm ofjudicial reasoning with misplaced reference to faulty empirical data, the complete failure of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to properly assess carrier safety worthiness, a feeding frenzy by the plaintiffs’ bar and apathy by many in the industry. The purpose of this commentary is to …


Competitive Advantage And Fuel Efficiency In Aviation, Adam D. Reiman, Alan W. Johnson, William A. Cunningham Oct 2011

Competitive Advantage And Fuel Efficiency In Aviation, Adam D. Reiman, Alan W. Johnson, William A. Cunningham

Journal of Transportation Management

This paper builds upon a resource based view of competitive advantage under a dynamic capabilities construct. Fuel efficiency measurement in the aviation industry can be incorporated into dynamic capabilities such as strategic decision making and alliancing. These dynamic capabilities can drive operational cost reductions, which in-turn can enhance profitability and establish a competitive advantage. To further this advantage, fuel efficiency can be embedded inside an organizational culture. A fuel efficiency focused organizational culture can be a valuable, rare, inimitable and non- substitutable resource. This paper proposes a model to merge the dynamic capabilities of strategic decision making and alliancing with …


Ltl Pricing: Looking Back To The Future, C. Clifford Defee, Joe B. Hanna, Robert Overstreet Oct 2011

Ltl Pricing: Looking Back To The Future, C. Clifford Defee, Joe B. Hanna, Robert Overstreet

Journal of Transportation Management

Numerous LTL carriers struggled during the recent recession as customers demanded lower prices. This study is designed to qualitatively evaluate the data gathered from three industry segments regarding LTL pricing. Researchers used semi-structured interviews to conduct an in-depth investigation with over two dozen industry experts who represented shippers, carriers, and 3PLs. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory coding technique. Five major themes emerged from the interview transcripts. These themes are used to describe possible future adjustments to industry pricing structure.


Logistics Service Orientation: An Integrated Strategy To Build Logistics Service Competency, Mert Tokman, R. Glenn Richey, Haozhe Chen Apr 2011

Logistics Service Orientation: An Integrated Strategy To Build Logistics Service Competency, Mert Tokman, R. Glenn Richey, Haozhe Chen

Journal of Transportation Management

While the importance of logistics service competency is widely acknowledged, more research is needed to investigate its antecedents. In this conceptual paper, we synthesize extant marketing and logistics/supply chain literature and propose a new concept - logistics service orientation, which consists of both logistics service’s internal and external market orientation. It is argued that a firm’s logistics service orientation has direct impacts on its logistics service performance. In addition, it is also proposed that this impact can be indirectly achieved through enhanced internal integration. This research contributes to existing knowledge by offering new insights on the development of logistics service …


Driver Safety And Motor Carrier Profitability: Identifying And Understanding Drivers In The Fleet, John L. Kent, Ronald L. Coulter, Mary Coulter Apr 2011

Driver Safety And Motor Carrier Profitability: Identifying And Understanding Drivers In The Fleet, John L. Kent, Ronald L. Coulter, Mary Coulter

Journal of Transportation Management

The objective of the study was to quantitatively explore truck driver safety records in an effort to determine and classify various types of drivers. Six safety variables relating to the number of safety points each driver had accumulated were analyzed using a cluster analysis procedure on 368 active drivers. The results of the study identified three clusters of drivers. Over 49.3 percent of the drivers were identified in a cluster labeled as the “Best Drivers.” The label “Ticket Magnets” was given to 23.6 percent of the drivers, and 27.1 percent of the sample was given the label “Accident Prone.” The …


Michigan Passenger Rail: An Analysis Of Community Benefits, James L. Roach, John C. Taylor Apr 2011

Michigan Passenger Rail: An Analysis Of Community Benefits, James L. Roach, John C. Taylor

Journal of Transportation Management

Passenger rail service is perceived to provide important benefits to Michigan communities. However, the extent of these benefits has never been quantified in a systematic way. The study reported on here involved the performance of a broad based assessment of the community level benefits of passenger rail serv ice. The main objective of the research project was to estimate the full range of these benefits at the community level, as opposed to at the state level. Benefits were estimated for individual travelers, Amtrak expenditures, and local businesses. This research indicates local communities currently realize $62.0 million annually in benefits. Additional …


Identifying Traffic Count Posts For Origin-Destination Matrix Adjustments: An Approach To Actual Size Networks, Saeed Asadi Bagolee, Mohsen Asadi, Lorna Richardson Apr 2011

Identifying Traffic Count Posts For Origin-Destination Matrix Adjustments: An Approach To Actual Size Networks, Saeed Asadi Bagolee, Mohsen Asadi, Lorna Richardson

Journal of Transportation Management

For transportation planners, the use of Origin-Destination (OD) matrix adjustment, is receiving considerable attention. However, there are concerns about the validity of results, primarily related to the number and location of traffic count posts. This leads to the question “What would be the best set of traffic count posts to use in OD matrix adjustment modules?” It has been proved that solving this problem is cumbersome. There have been several attempts (either exact or heuristic approaches) to address this problem. But due to the inherent complexities, there is no efficient and easy-to-use methodology able to address situations on the scale …


The Selection Of Transshipment Ports Using A Hybrid Data Envelopment Analysis/Analytic Hierarchy Process, Byung-In Park, Hokey Min Apr 2011

The Selection Of Transshipment Ports Using A Hybrid Data Envelopment Analysis/Analytic Hierarchy Process, Byung-In Park, Hokey Min

Journal of Transportation Management

The accelerated globalization of logistics activities over the last several decades has spurred a rapid expansion of port facilities all cross the world. However, the recent slowdown of international trade, coupled with a global financial crisis, has created an on-going glut of international port facilities throughout the world. Although the abundance of port facilities provides more transshipment options for carriers and shippers, it makes the port selection decision more complex and difficult. To cope with this new set of challenges, this paper proposes a hybrid data envelopment analysis (DEA)/ analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model that is designed to identify factors …


Benchmarking And Evaluating The Comparative Efficiency Of Urban Paratransit Systems In The United States: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach, Hokey Min, Thomas E. Lambert Oct 2010

Benchmarking And Evaluating The Comparative Efficiency Of Urban Paratransit Systems In The United States: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach, Hokey Min, Thomas E. Lambert

Journal of Transportation Management

Passenger rail service is perceived to provide important benefits to Michigan communities. However, the extent of these benefits has never been quantified in a systematic way. The study reported on here involved the performance of a broad based assessment of the community level benefits of passenger rail serv ice. The main objective of the research project was to estimate the full range of these benefits at the community level, as opposed to at the state level. Benefits were estimated for individual travelers, Amtrak expenditures, and local businesses. This research indicates local communities currently realize $62.0 million annually in benefits. Additional …


Analytical Techniques And The Air Force Logistics Readiness Officer, Bryan D. Main, William A. Cunningham Iii, Daniel D. Mattioda, Joseph B. Skipper Oct 2010

Analytical Techniques And The Air Force Logistics Readiness Officer, Bryan D. Main, William A. Cunningham Iii, Daniel D. Mattioda, Joseph B. Skipper

Journal of Transportation Management

The accelerated globalization of logistics activities over the last several decades has spurred a rapid expansion of port facilities all cross the world. However, the recent slowdown of international trade, coupled with a global financial crisis, has created an on-going glut of international port facilities throughout the world. Although the abundance of port facilities provides more transshipment options for carriers and shippers, it makes the port selection decision more complex and difficult. To cope with this new set of challenges, this paper proposes a hybrid data envelopment analysis (DEA)/ analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model that is designed to identify factors …


The Relationship Between Measures Of Operations Efficiency And Financial Success Of Truckload Motor Carriers: An Empirical Analysis, Ahren Johnston Oct 2010

The Relationship Between Measures Of Operations Efficiency And Financial Success Of Truckload Motor Carriers: An Empirical Analysis, Ahren Johnston

Journal of Transportation Management

This research paper examines the statistical relationship between clay to day performance and effi­ ciency measures and financial performance in the motor carrier industry. Key findings are that carriers with more miles per tractor per year, a larger average length of haul, more revenue per mile, and more revenue per tractor per week tend to perform better financially as measured in three separate models by operating ratio, return on assets, or return on equity. Unexpectedly, for the eight publicly traded carriers included in the analysis, there was a negative relationship between empty mile percentage and financial performance, indicating that carriers …


Trip Patterns In Akure, Nigeria: A Land-Use Analytical Approach, A.O. Owolabi Oct 2010

Trip Patterns In Akure, Nigeria: A Land-Use Analytical Approach, A.O. Owolabi

Journal of Transportation Management

For transportation planners, the use of Origin-Destination (OD) matrix adjustment, is receiving considerable attention. However, there are concerns about the validity of results, primarily related to the number and location of traffic count posts. This leads to the question “What would be the best set of traffic count posts to use in OD matrix adjustment modules?” It has been proved that solving this problem is cumbersome. There have been several attempts (either exact or heuristic approaches) to address this problem. But due to the inherent complexities, there is no efficient and easy-to-use methodology able to address situations on the scale …


Using Artificial Neural Networks For Transport Decisions: Managerial Guidelines, Robert L. Cook, Lawrence O. Jenicke, Brian Gibson Oct 2010

Using Artificial Neural Networks For Transport Decisions: Managerial Guidelines, Robert L. Cook, Lawrence O. Jenicke, Brian Gibson

Journal of Transportation Management

One information technology that may be considered by transportation managers, and which is included in the portfolio of technologies that encompass TMS. is artificial neural networks (ANNs). These artificially intelligent computer decision support software provide solutions by finding and recognizing complex patterns in data. ANNs have been used successfully by transportation managers to forecast transportation demand, estimate future transport costs, schedule vehicles and shipments, route vehicles and classify earners for selection. Artificial neural networks excel in transportation decision environments that are dynamic, complex and unstructured. This article introduces ANNs to transport managers by describing ANN technological capabilities, reporting the current …


Developing Reverse Logistics Programs: A Resource Based View, Stephen E. Genchev, Timothy D. Landry, Patrica J. Daugherty, Anthony S. Roath Apr 2010

Developing Reverse Logistics Programs: A Resource Based View, Stephen E. Genchev, Timothy D. Landry, Patrica J. Daugherty, Anthony S. Roath

Journal of Transportation Management

Previous research proposes a six-process model for reverse logistics (RL) program design and execution. This manuscript advances RL related knowledge by incorporating the previous model into a broader theoretical framework, namely, the Resource Based View (RBV) of the firm. The current research employs exploratory techniques to investigate the applicability of RBV and its main tenants within the RL context. Based on in-depth interviews with 16 executives from seven different companies, the relationships among resources. RL capabilities, and RL competencies are explored.


A Study Of Logistics Strategies In Small Versus Large U.S. Manufacturing Firms, John E. Spillan, Jonathan W. Kohn, Michael A. Mcginnis Apr 2010

A Study Of Logistics Strategies In Small Versus Large U.S. Manufacturing Firms, John E. Spillan, Jonathan W. Kohn, Michael A. Mcginnis

Journal of Transportation Management

The research reported in this manuscript empirically compares the similarities and differences of logistics strategies for small and large manufacturing firms. The hypotheses focus on whether there are significant differences between logistics strategies of small and large manufacturing firms and whether logistics strategy outcomes differ. The findings indicate that there are many similarities but differences do exist. The results identify dimensions of logistics strategy and assess their impact on logistics coordination effectiveness, customer service commitment, and company/division competitive responsiveness.


Forward Positioning And Consolidation Of Strategic Inventories, Joseph B. Skipper, John E. Bell, William A. Cunningham Iii, Daniel D. Mattioda Apr 2010

Forward Positioning And Consolidation Of Strategic Inventories, Joseph B. Skipper, John E. Bell, William A. Cunningham Iii, Daniel D. Mattioda

Journal of Transportation Management

The forward positioning of strategic inventory in the supply chain has an impact on transportation times and is important for sensitive demand profiles. Consolidation of stocks creates pooling effects and minimizes costs. This study analyzes a current military case where forward consolidation of equipment is considered using optimization, and payback periods are calculated for the cost of consolidating inventory at one of six locations. Results indicate that forward positioning and consolidation reduces time and cost, and also creates savings in reverse logistics flows. The study has implications for geographically diverse supply chains such as humanitarian aid and emergency response operations.


Fuel Costs And Supply Chain Decisions, Cliff Welborn Apr 2010

Fuel Costs And Supply Chain Decisions, Cliff Welborn

Journal of Transportation Management

The affect of rising fuel costs on the individual consumer is well documented in current media. Consumers are paying more for their basic necessities. Fuel surcharge, transportation cost, and logistics have become house hold words. The rising cost of crude oil creates an increase in fuel cost, and this creates an increase in the cost to transport products from one location to another. Managers, who are responsible for acquiring products and delivering them to customers, are also feeling the impact of higher fuel prices. This article will outline three significant areas where fuel prices are affecting U.S. supply chain decisions. …


Adapting Baumol’S Inventory Theoretic To Landed Cost Decisions, Stephan P. Brady, Peter F. Swan, Richard R. Young Apr 2010

Adapting Baumol’S Inventory Theoretic To Landed Cost Decisions, Stephan P. Brady, Peter F. Swan, Richard R. Young

Journal of Transportation Management

Major U.S. corporations have been importers for over 200 years. A significant impetus for “offshoring” has been reducing costs—usually labor costs. Often, other costs were overlooked. There has been a growing disenchantment with sourcing goods overseas, especially when there may be domestic alternatives as other costs begin to dominate. Baumol and Vinod’s Inventory Theoretic model was useful in adding transportation considerations. However, Baumol leaves out several important costs that unless considered in offshoring decisions can lead to suboptimal solutions. This paper extends that model, providing a prescriptive model that could be operationalized by firms to evaluate offshore sourcing decisions.


Avoiding Shipper/Consignee Double Payment Liability, Roger F. Huff Oct 2009

Avoiding Shipper/Consignee Double Payment Liability, Roger F. Huff

Journal of Transportation Management

The purpose of this article is neither to engage in an overly technical legal analysis nor to disparage motor carriers who bring “double liability” claims against financially viable shippers/consignees; after all the trucking company has performed a valuable service and is simply trying to be paid “once” for that service - even though the financially viable shipper or consignee may have to pay twice with the bankrupt/insolvent third party absconding. The purpose of this article is generally to provide some “front-end” practical suggestions to shippers/ consignees in how to avoid being in court on one of these claims in the …


A Longitudial Study Of Private Warehouse Investment Strategies, Jonathan W. Kohn, Michael A. Mcginnis, John E. Spillan Oct 2009

A Longitudial Study Of Private Warehouse Investment Strategies, Jonathan W. Kohn, Michael A. Mcginnis, John E. Spillan

Journal of Transportation Management

This article revisits private warehouse investment decision making, a topic previously examined in 1989 by McGinnis, Kohn, and Myers (1990). Since then there has been a substantial amount of discussion regarding the scope and nature of logistics /supply chain management. In particular the roles of private, contract, and public warehousing has been discussed, increased emphasis on financial performance and strategic decision making may have altered the criteria for investment decisions in private warehousing, increased coordination of supply chains may have altered the relative importance of private, contract, and private warehousing, and increasing emphasis on controlling inventory investment may have shifted …


A Triadic View Of Truck Driver Satisfaction, Stephen A. Lemay, Zachary Williams, Michael Carver Oct 2009

A Triadic View Of Truck Driver Satisfaction, Stephen A. Lemay, Zachary Williams, Michael Carver

Journal of Transportation Management

In this research, the authors surveyed three groups concerning job satisfaction: experienced drivers, new drivers, and managers. Statistical tests were conducted using a sample of 196 new drivers, 145 experienced drivers, and 59 managers from a large TL firm based in the U.S. The results suggest that many discrepancies exist on driver satisfaction among the three perspectives. In particular, new drivers provide managers with opportunities and challenges for satisfaction. Given the current state of the trucking industry, managers will likely benefit from approaching this segment of drivers differently to meet their expectations and keep them from leaving their firms.


Private Warehouse Investment Strategies In Small Versus Large Manufacturing Firms, John E. Spillan, Michael A. Mcginnis, Jonathan W. Kohn Oct 2009

Private Warehouse Investment Strategies In Small Versus Large Manufacturing Firms, John E. Spillan, Michael A. Mcginnis, Jonathan W. Kohn

Journal of Transportation Management

The research reported in this manuscript empirically compares the private warehouse investment strategies of small and large manufacturing firms. Mail surveys were administered to independent samples of small and large United States manufacturing firms. This research is based on a series of identically worded questions administered to both samples. Data was factor analyzed and cluster analyzed to identify three private warehouse investment strategies for small and large firms and two strategies for large firms. Analyses of three independent variables further evaluated differences in private warehouse investment strategies. Finally, the warehouse mix of small and of large firms was compared. This …


The Impact Of Hours-Of-Service Regulations On Transportation Productivity And Safety: A Summary Of Findings From The Literature, Hokey Min Oct 2009

The Impact Of Hours-Of-Service Regulations On Transportation Productivity And Safety: A Summary Of Findings From The Literature, Hokey Min

Journal of Transportation Management

Since driver fatigue has known to be the primary cause of serious truck crashes, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has attempted to implement new hours-of-service (HOS) regulations that aimed to promote safer driving environments. The new HOS regulations effective on October T‘ of2005, however, may lead to substantial cost increases for the trucking industry which will in turn hurt shippers and ultimately customers. For instance, motor carriers may need to hire additional drivers to comply with new HOS regulations requiring that drivers be placed out of service until they accumulated enough off-duty time. In particular, off-duty breaks required …


Roles And Capabilities Of The Retail Supply Chain Organization, C. Clifford Defee, Wesley S. Randall, Brian J. Gibson Oct 2009

Roles And Capabilities Of The Retail Supply Chain Organization, C. Clifford Defee, Wesley S. Randall, Brian J. Gibson

Journal of Transportation Management

Supply chain management (SCM) has become a critical strategic function in recent years. Research in the discipline has been focused toward the upstream side of the supply chain on functions such as warehousing, transportation, procurement and production. As power has shifted downstream toward retailers and their customers, SCM research has been slow to respond. This represents a significant gap, and a significant opportunity. Retailers face challenges that differ from those found in upstream suppliers and manufacturers. We present findings from a study of senior supply chain executives in the retail industry that focuses on the supply chain challenges of greatest …


Logistics And Supply Chain Job Placement: The 2007 Perspective, Cook Lorin Robert, Brian J. Gibson, Zachary Williams Sep 2008

Logistics And Supply Chain Job Placement: The 2007 Perspective, Cook Lorin Robert, Brian J. Gibson, Zachary Williams

Journal of Transportation Management

The development of an effective recruitment strategy that attracts and secures entry-level logistics talent is essential to maintain corporate performance. A critical aspect of job placement involves understanding the preferences of students and employers. This research presents results of parallel surveys of U.S. undergraduate logistics, transportation and supply chain student and employer preferences and perceptions regarding employment. Results provided include a demographic respondent profile, their organization /functional area preferences and their perspectives on selected entry-level employment issues. These research results are intended to provide employers, educators and students with information that can be used to improve job placement success.


Safety Attitudes And Behavioral Intentions Of Municipal Waste Disposal Drivers, Swartz M. Stephen, Matthew A. Douglas Sep 2008

Safety Attitudes And Behavioral Intentions Of Municipal Waste Disposal Drivers, Swartz M. Stephen, Matthew A. Douglas

Journal of Transportation Management

The Theory of Planned Behavior was used to study factors useful for predicting Behavioral Intentions to commit unsafe acts while driving for commercial drivers working for municipal waste management operations centers. The Theory of Planned Behavior was found to be moderately effective in predicting behavioral intentions, particularly through the constructs of Attitude and Perceived Control. Driver perceptions of safety climate, self-assessed personal safety performance, risk aversion, and attitudes toward behavioral factors associated with engaging in risky behaviors while operating motor vehicles were studied. Risk aversion and driver perception of their own safety performance were also useful predictors of intention.


Moving Towards A Resilient Supply Chain, John Mascaritolo, Mary C. Holcomb Sep 2008

Moving Towards A Resilient Supply Chain, John Mascaritolo, Mary C. Holcomb

Journal of Transportation Management

The nature of supply chain management—global in scope, the existence of interdependent activities in the various processes, the need for collaborative relationships between members, and the uncertainty that is inherent in both supply and demand - makes it vulnerable to unexpected events that have the potential to disrupt operations as planned. Disruptions to the supply chain can have a profound effect on the firm ranging from loss of revenue to increased costs when operations don’t proceed as planned. Firms realized that it was critical to their business interests to proactively manage, and even mitigate, the risks that are inherent in …


Profit Contribution Information’S Impact On Internal Integration, Scott J. Grawe, Haozhe Chen, Daniel D. Mattioda, Patricia J. Daugherty Sep 2008

Profit Contribution Information’S Impact On Internal Integration, Scott J. Grawe, Haozhe Chen, Daniel D. Mattioda, Patricia J. Daugherty

Journal of Transportation Management

An exploratory quantitative study on the relationship between profit contribution information and firm-wide internal integration is presented. Specifically, the authors examine how profit contribution information availability impacts firm-wide internal integration and, subsequently, logistics performance. This study provides greater insight into the area; only a few studies have empirically examined the impact of profit contribution information within a firm. The primary implication is that firms should utilize specific types of information, i.e. profit contribution information, for making more informed operational and strategic decisions. The paper also underscores the managerial value of using profit contribution information in decision making and planning.


The Effects Of Interdepartmental Customer Orientation On Distribution Center Performance, Nancy M. Scott, M Douglas Voss, Scott B. Keller, Matt Schlosser Sep 2008

The Effects Of Interdepartmental Customer Orientation On Distribution Center Performance, Nancy M. Scott, M Douglas Voss, Scott B. Keller, Matt Schlosser

Journal of Transportation Management

Firms have begun to look internally for ways to increase external service quality. ANOVA is used to examine the effect of interdepartmental customer orientation on time, inventory, and customer service-based performance variables in distribution centers. Findings indicate that high interdepartmental customer orientation positively affects distribution center performance in terms of time-based performance measures and customer satisfaction. Interdepartmental customer orientation was found to have only a marginal affect on inventory performance. Implications of the current research for distribution centers and transportation managers are discussed along with limitations and opportunities for future research.


Evaluation Of An Expanded Satellite Based Mobile Communications Tracking System, Maciek A. Novak, Alan L. Erera Apr 2007

Evaluation Of An Expanded Satellite Based Mobile Communications Tracking System, Maciek A. Novak, Alan L. Erera

Journal of Transportation Management

Since the terrorist events in the United States on September 11, 2001, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has been testing and evaluating cargo tracking technologies to improve the safety, security, and efficiency of commercial motor vehicle operations. While satellite-based systems used for tracking vehicles and cargo provide sufficient geographic coverage in the majority of the United States, there remain several vital regions that are uncovered and difficult to monitor. One such region is Alaska, where officials arc particularly concerned with the hazardous materials shipments that are transported parallel to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. This article analyzes the risks and benefits …