Application of a business process model (BPM) method for a warehouse RFId system implementation

Logistics Effectiveness Through Systems Thinking

Various emerging concepts influence logistics management as scholars are developing the body of knowledge. So also, the progress and the multidisciplinary aspect of knowledge that has been influencing logistics management has changed the way scholars and researchers think about logistics as an arena of application. This, in turn, influences the logistics practices. There has been an incredible shift in organizations towards an inter-disciplinary approach where all functions of an organization interact towards the achievement of organizational objectives. This shift, therefore, calls for logistics to adapt to the emerging concepts in order to contribute meaningfully to the overall goals of the organizations. Hence, adopting a grounded theory approach with in-depth literature review this article endeavors to discuss the application of systems thinking the approach to logistics management.

Synergy Degree Evaluation of Container Multimodal Transport System

Logistics activities are an important source of energy consumption and environmental issues. Research conclusions and practical experience show that promoting the development of container multimodal transport is an effective way to reduce the level of carbon footprint. The key to influencing the development of container multimodal transport lies in the cooperation of all participants and links (modes of transport, transport businesses). Evaluating the synergy degree is a key step in this development process. This paper takes the whole process of container multimodal transportation as the research perspective, analyzes the operation process, and treats the process as a production system composed of four subsystems: facilities and equipment, organizational management, business operations, and information interactions. Through in-depth interviews and an analysis of the academic literature and policy documents, we establish a synergy degree evaluation index system and measurement model of container multimodal transport based on synergy theory and case studies. The research results are consistent with the actual situation. From 2015 to 2018, the synergy of container multimodal transport system of China’s G port developed slowly, but generally moved in a more orderly direction.

Sustainable Logistics Management in the 21st Century Requires Wholeness Systems Thinking

The 21st century is characterised by the unprecedented speed and scope of changes, creating a new external environment, where the logistics systems are managed. The latest development in logistics management is influenced by sustainability, which complements the economic dimension with environmental and social dimensions. The fundamental principle of logistics management is systems thinking (ST). Until now, the reductionism ST (RST), focusing on the maximal economic performance of a logistics system’s parts and interactions has been applied. However, the RST approach does not sufficiently consider the implication of the external environment to the economic performance. The article’s aim is the introduction of the new wholeness ST (WST) approach and confirmation of its fundamental role in deriving of the performance of the selected logistics system’s parts and interactions from the external environment. WST’s role was demonstrated in a case study, comparing the WST and RST approach in management of particular automotive logistics’ system. The WST approach in the management of the whole selected logistics system assures a considerable reduction in the consumption of resources. Based on the comparative case study’s results, the conceptual framework for the application of the WST approach in all sustainable dimensions is proposed.

Exploring Technological Trends in Logistics: Topic Modeling-Based Patent Analysis

With the strategic importance of discerning opportunities and threats from technological development to achieve sustainable competitiveness, exploring technological trends becomes critical for a successful technology strategy in logistics. Given the rapid pace of development and varying technological options, logistics also increasingly requires methodological support and appropriate data to reduce the complexity and burden of exploring technology trends. While previous research has largely relied on experts’ insights, the value of patent-based approaches for exploring technological trends has been underestimated in logistics. To address this gap, this study proposes a topic modeling-based approach using logistics-related patents registered at the United States Patents and Trademark Office (USPTO). The core of the suggested approach is latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), allowing the identification of logistics-related technological topics behind patents. The topics identified by LDA are further investigated regarding both filed-level and firm-level trends. The suggested approach is expected to offer implications of the use of patents for the purpose of exploring the trends of technology development outside the organization in logistics. In addition, we believe that the information on the technological topics and their trends generated by the suggested approach can offer an enhanced understanding of the technological landscape in logistics.