Summary Project objectives This study fits into a larger research project on logistics collaboration and outsourcing decisions. The final objective of this larger project is to analyze the logistics collaboration decision in more detail to identify thresholds in these decisions. To reach the overall objectives, the first step is to get a clearer picture on the chemical and logistics service providers industry, sectors of our study, and on logistics collaboration in these sectors. The results of this first phase are presented in this report. Project Approach The study consists of two parts: literature review and five case studies within the chemical industry. The literature covers three topics: logistics collaboration, logistics outsourcing and purchasing of logistics services. The five case studies are used to refine the theoretical findings of the literature review. Conclusions Main observations during the case studies can be summarized as follows: Most analyzed collaborative relationships between shippers and logistics service providers in the chemical industry are still focused on operational execution of logistics activities with a short term horizon. Supply management design and control are often retained by the shippers. Despite the time and cost intensive character of a logistics service buying process, shippers tendering on a very regular basis. The decision to start a new tender project should more often be based on an integral approach that includes all tender related costs. A lower frequency of tendering could create more stability in supply chains. Beside, it will give both, shippers and LSPs, the possibility to improve the quality of the remaining projects. Price is still a dominating decision criterion in selecting a LSP. This is not an issue as long as the comparison of costs is based on an integral approach, and when shippers balance the cost criterion within their total set of criteria for sourcing logistics services. At the shippers' side there is an increased awareness of the need of more solid collaboration with logistics service providers. Nevertheless, in many cases this increased awareness does not actually result in the required actions to establish more intensive collaboration. Over the last years the logistics service providers industry was characterized by low profit margins, strong fragmentation and price competition. Nowadays, the market for LSPs is changing, because of an increasing demand for logistics services. To benefit from this situation a more pro-active role of the service providers is required in building stronger relationships with their customers. They should pay more attention on mid and long term possibilities in a collaborative relation, in stead of only be focused on running the daily operation.
‘Efficiënter en groener’, dat vat samen wat moderne stadslogistiek kan brengen. De realisatie van deze voordelen is niet altijd eenvoudig gebleken. Stadslogistiek wordt een succes als verzenders, ontvangers, consultants en stadslogistieke dienstverleners elk vanuit hun eigen rol, stappen gaan zetten. Deze stappen moeten niet vrijblijvend zijn en bij voorkeur ook nog eens onomkeerbaar. In deze bluepaper presenteert de expertgroep Next-level City Logistics oplossingsrichtingen voor de belangrijkste showstoppers op het gebied van stadslogistiek. Geschreven door expertgroep Shopping Tomorrow (Walther Ploos van Amstel is lid)
The aim of this research/project is to investigate and analyze the opportunities and challenges of implementing AI technologies in general and in the transport and logistics sectors. Also, the potential impacts of AI at sectoral, regional, and societal scales that can be identified and chan- neled, in the field of transport and logistics sectors, are investigated. Special attention will be given to the importance and significance of AI adoption in the development of sustainable transport and logistics activities using intelligent and autonomous transport and cleaner transport modalities. The emphasis here is therefore on the pursuit of ‘zero emissions’ in transport and logistics at the urban/city and regional levels.Another goal of this study is to examine a new path for follow-up research topics related to the economic and societal impacts of AI technology and the adoption of AI systems at organizational and sectoral levels.This report is based on an exploratory/descriptive analysis and focuses mainly on the examination of existing literature and (empirical) scientific research publica- tions, previous and ongoing AI initiatives and projects (use cases), policy documents, etc., especially in the fields of transport and logistics in the Netherlands. It presents and discusses many aspects of existing challenges and opportunities that face organizations, activities, and individuals when adopting AI technology and systems.
For the development of a circular economy and the reduction of the environmental impact of supply chains, the sharing of reliable information throughout the entire chain is a prerequisite. In practice, this is difficult to realise which blockchain can improve. BCLivingLab aims to explore the application of blockchain technology in supply chain and logistics. The project develops four physical hubs and a virtual repository for blockchain knowledge to support SME’s in developing use-cases and experiment with blockchain applications. The ambition is to build a community of interested stakeholders and to be involved in current and future blockchain initiatives.
For the development of a circular economy and the reduction of the environmental impact of supply chains, the sharing of reliable information throughout the entire chain is a prerequisite. In practice, this is difficult to realise which blockchain can improve. BCLivingLab aims to explore the application of blockchain technology in supply chain and logistics. The project develops four physical hubs and a virtual repository for blockchain knowledge to support SME’s in developing use-cases and experiment with blockchain applications. The ambition is to build a community of interested stakeholders and to be involved in current and future blockchain initiatives.
Globalization has opened new markets to Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) and given them access to better suppliers. However, the resulting lengthening of supply chains has increased their vulnerability to disruptions. SMEs now recognize the importance of reliable and resilient supply chains to meet customer requirements and gain competitive advantage. Data analytics play a crucial role in developing the insights needed to identify and deal with disruptions. At the company level, this entails the development of data analytic capability, a complex socio-technical process consisting of people, technology, and processes. At the supply chain level, the complexity is compounded by the fact that multiple actors are involved, each with their own resources and capabilities. Each company’s data analytic capability, in combination with how they work together to share information and thus create visibility in the supply chain will affect the reliability and resilience of the supply chain. The proposed study therefore examines how SMEs can leverage data analytics in a way that fits with their available resources and capabilities to improve the reliability and resilience of their supply chain. The consortium for this project consists of Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas), Logistics Community Brabant (LCB), Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN), Logistiek Digitaal, Kennis Transport, Smink and Devoteam. Together, the partners will develop a tool to benchmark SMEs’ progress towards developing data analytic capability that enhances the reliability of their supply chain. Interviews will be conducted with various actors of the supply chain to identify the enablers and inhibitors of using data analytics across the supply chain. Finally, the findings will be used to conduct action research with the two SMEs partners, Kennis and Smink to identify which technological tools and processes companies need to adopt to develop the use of data analytics to enhance their resilience in case of disruptions.
