Optimal Learning for Urban Delivery Fleet Allocation

In a two-tiered city logistics system, an urban logistics company usually partitions the urban area into regions and allocates its delivery fleet (e.g., vehicles, couriers) to these regions. On a daily basis, the delivery station in each region receives the delivery packages from the city distribution centers and delivers them to customers within the region, using its allocated delivery vehicles. A tactical decision in such a city logistics system is the allocation of its delivery fleet to the regions to minimize the expected operational cost of the entire system. However, because of the complexity of the urban delivery operations and the day-to-day variance of the customer demand, an accurate evaluation of the expected operational cost associated with an allocation decision can be very expensive. We propose a learning policy that adaptively selects the fleet allocation to learn the underlying expected operational cost function by incorporating the value of information. Specifically, we exploit the monotonicity of the expected operational cost in the number of allocated delivery vehicles in a region and extend the idea of knowledge gradient with discrete priors with resampling and regeneration (KGDP-R&R). Our numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of KGDP-R&R against other learning policies as well as its managerial implications compared with heuristics in practice. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2018.0861 .

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Novel Spherical Fuzzy MARCOS Method for Assessment of Drone-Based City Logistics Concepts

Complexity ◽

10.1155/2021/2374955 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Milovan Kovač ◽

Snežana Tadić ◽

Mladen Krstić ◽

Mouhamed Bayane Bouraima

Keyword(s):

Multicriteria Decision Making ◽

City Logistics ◽

Rail Transportation ◽

Logistics System ◽

Transportation Mode ◽

Fuzzy Environment ◽

Final Score ◽

Delivery Vehicles ◽

The One ◽

Definition Of

Technological innovations from the last few years, in the combination with city logistics (CL) initiatives, make the definition of novel, complex, sustainable CL solutions possible. Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) as a technology attracted lots of attention in the literature. Various researches focused on different drone-based delivery approaches, but there are only a few articles dealing with drones as the elements of complex CL concepts. The goal of this paper is to evaluate different drone-based CL concepts. Based on the existing ideas of drone application in delivery, the main group of CL concepts and their variants are defined, which represents the main contribution of the article. The evaluation and ranking of concepts are performed from the aspect of all CL stakeholders and the defined set of criteria by applying measurement of alternatives and ranking according to compromise solution (MARCOS) multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) method in spherical fuzzy environment, which represents another contribution of the article. The results indicate that the potentially best CL concept, with the final score of 0.408, is the one that refers to the transformation of the logistics system into a two-echelon system with the implementation of micro-consolidation centers (MCCs), in which the delivery of goods to MCCs is realized with rail transportation mode and the last delivery phase with drones. It is followed by the concepts that imply MCCs, and rail transportation in the function of mobile depots for drone launching and MCCs and ground delivery vehicles (GDVs), with the final scores of 0.395 and 0.390, respectively.

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The two-echelon city logistics system with on-street satellites

Computers & Industrial Engineering ◽

10.1016/j.cie.2018.12.024 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 139 ◽

pp. 105577 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hongqi Li ◽

Yinying Liu ◽

Kaihang Chen ◽

Qingfeng Lin

Keyword(s):

City Logistics ◽

Logistics System

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STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF LOGISTICS ACTIVITY IN POULTRY ENTERPRISES

International scientific journal Internauka Series Economical Sciences ◽

10.25313/2520-2294-2021-10-7588 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Viktoriia Zhmudenko ◽

◽

Lyudmyla Dlugoborska ◽

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Optimal Transport ◽

Regional Distribution ◽

Distribution Centers ◽

Logistics System ◽

Logistics Network ◽

Poultry Products ◽

Distribution Logistics ◽

Enterprise Logistics ◽

Logistics Activity

The article considers the strategic guidelines of the logistics activities of poultry enterprises. It is noted that the strategies of minimizing logistics costs and investing in the logistics network, maximizing and improving logistics services, maximizing income and profits, increasing the competitive advantages of the enterprise, logistics outsourcing are the most widely used logistics strategies. It is proved that the purpose of creating a logistics system is to harmonize the interests of producers, suppliers and consumers. It is established that an important factor in improving the strategic activities of the enterprise is the introduction of the principles of distribution logistics. This concept involves the use of a systematic approach and integrated planning, as well as management of the entire flow of feed, materials, breeding and commercial poultry products in various areas from suppliers, through manufacturers of breeding and breeding products, distribution centers, to the final individual and corporate consumers of poultry products. The main stages of the business process of integration of a poultry enterprise in the supply chain are schematically shown. The necessity of introduction of new, more progressive forms of service in the process of goods movement can be achieved. The need to use regional distribution centers of poultry enterprises in the supply chain, which will significantly reduce the cost of delivery of their products through the formation of optimal transport batches of products from different manufacturers, its packaging and labeling.

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The Role of Individual-Media Relationship and Consumer Personal Factors on Spanish Teenagers' Mobile Social Networking Sites Usage

International Journal of E-Services and Mobile Applications ◽

10.4018/ijesma.2014070102 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 18-33

Author(s):

Carla Ruiz-Mafé ◽

Silvia Sanz-Blas ◽

José Martí-Parreño

Keyword(s):

Social Networking ◽

Social Networking Sites ◽

Daily Basis ◽

Personal Factors ◽

Weekly Basis ◽

Media Dependency ◽

Mobile Social Networking ◽

Managerial Implications ◽

And Gender

Social Networking Sites (SNS) are gaining momentum as powerful tools of marketing communications. Mobile phones are becoming one of the most popular devices for accessing Social Networking Sites. In Spain, 44% of Social Networking Sites users access these sites on a daily basis while 79% of them access these sites on a weekly basis. Furthermore, it is notable that over 70% of Social Networking Sites users talk about and recommend commercial brands. This justifies the interest of the study of Social Networking Sites users from a marketing perspective. The aim of this research is to assess the influence of consumers` personal factors (attitude, innovativeness, and gender) and individual-media relationships (media affinity and individual-media dependency) on mobile SNSs usage behaviour. Managerial implications improving marketers´ advertising effectiveness are also provided.

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Investigating the implementation of potential strategies for enhancing urban mobility and a city logistics system on the island of Corfu

The Sustainable City IX ◽

10.2495/sc140021 ◽

2014 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. Morfoulaki ◽

K. Kotoula ◽

G. Mirovali ◽

K. Chrysostomou ◽

A. Stathacopoulos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

City Logistics ◽

Urban Mobility ◽

Logistics System

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Understanding the Value of Fulfillment Flexibility in an Online Retailing Environment

Manufacturing & Service Operations Management ◽

10.1287/msom.2021.0981 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Levi DeValve ◽

Yehua Wei ◽

Di Wu ◽

Rong Yuan

Keyword(s):

Theoretical Analysis ◽

Numerical Simulations ◽

Problem Definition ◽

Order Fulfillment ◽

Distribution Centers ◽

Online Retailing ◽

New Class ◽

Managerial Implications ◽

The Cost ◽

Improve Service Quality

Problem definition: Fulfillment flexibility, the ability of distribution centers (DCs) to fulfill demand originating from other DCs, can help e-retailers reduce lost sales and improve service quality. Because the cost of full flexibility is prohibitive, we seek to understand the value of partially flexible fulfillment networks under simple and effective fulfillment policies. Academic/practical relevance: We propose a general method for understanding the practical value of (partial) fulfillment flexibility using a data-driven model, theoretical analysis, and numerical simulations. Our method applies to settings with local fulfillment (i.e., order fulfillment from the originating DC) prioritization and possible customer abandonment, two features that are new to the fulfillment literature. We then apply this method for a large e-retailer. We also introduce a new class of spillover limit fulfillment policies with attractive theoretical and practical features. Methodology: Our analysis uses dynamic and stochastic optimization, applied probability, and numerical simulations. Results: We derive optimal fulfillment policies in stylized settings, as well as bounds on the performance under an optimal policy using theoretical analysis, to provide guidelines on which policies to test in numerical simulations. We then use simulations to estimate for our industrial partner that a proposed fulfillment network with additional flexibility equates to a profit improvement on the order of tens of millions of U.S. dollars. Managerial implications: We provide an approach for e-retailers to understand when fulfillment flexibility is most valuable. We find that fulfillment flexibility provides the most benefit for our collaborator when gross profits are high relative to fulfillment costs or centrally held inventory is low. Also, we identify the risks of myopic fulfillment with additional flexibility and demonstrate that an effective spillover limit policy mitigates these risks.

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Differences between typical logistics systems and other city logistics generators

Tehnika ◽

10.5937/tehnika2104485t ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 76 (4) ◽

pp. 485-489

Author(s):

Snežana Tadić ◽

Miloš Veljović

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

City Logistics ◽

Flow Volume ◽

Distribution Centers ◽

Logistics Distribution ◽

Core Business ◽

Logistics Systems ◽

The Core ◽

Basic Goal ◽

Freight Terminals

Logistics flows in urban areas are generated by systems engaged in various business. Flows generators can be divided into typical logistics systems (logistics, distribution centers, freight terminals, logistics systems of companies, etc.), for which logistics is the core business, and other generators of city logistics (trade, hospitality, craft, service facilities etc.). These two categories of generators differ in terms of flow volume, location, infrastructure, surrounding conditions, form of goods, logistics units and consolidation system, logistics demands, goods handling, etc. In this paper, the basic differences between typical logistics systems and other generators of city logistics are analyzed, thus achieving the basic goal and contribution of paper.

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Women in mining still exploited and sexually harassed

SA Journal of Human Resource Management ◽

10.4102/sajhrm.v14i1.753 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Doret Botha

Keyword(s):

Sexual Harassment ◽

Mining Industry ◽

Holistic Approach ◽

Daily Basis ◽

Physical Contact ◽

Published Data ◽

Mixed Method Research ◽

Body Parts ◽

Quantitative And Qualitative Research ◽

Managerial Implications

Orientation: Globally, women have become an essential part of the mining workforce. Among other jobs, they fulfil management positions, operate heavy machinery and are involved in artisanal mining processes. In South Africa, new mining legislation not only prohibits the exclusion of women but requires from companies to actively change the demographic profile of their workforce. Mining companies are obliged to also employ women in core mining activities. Although well intended, women appointed in core positions work side by side with men, often in isolation, and are frequently at risk of sexual abuse and/or harassment.Research purpose: This research determined perceptions regarding the occurrence of sexual harassment among women working in core mining positions.Motivation for the study: Currently, there is a paucity of published data on the occurrence of sexual harassment in the mining industry.Method: A mixed-method research design was used including quantitative and qualitative research paradigms. Quantitative data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire. Qualitative data were collected by means of individual and group interviews.Main findings: From the literature review and the empirical findings, it is evident that women are still exploited and sexually harassed in the mining industry. Incidents taking place on a daily basis vary from whistling; name calling; use of vulgar or derogatory language; display of body parts; physical contact, ranging from touching to sexual assault and rape; to the exchange of sexual favours for promotion.Practical/managerial implications: It is evident from the research that a holistic approach is required to effectively eradicate sexual harassment in the mining industry, involving the commitment of relevant state departments, human resource managers and labour experts.Contribution: Practical recommendations are made to effectively address sexual harassment in the mining industry.

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