Exploratory study explicating value addition of emerging technologies in the infrastructure component of Logistics Performance Index (LPI)

India had undertaken several logistics development agendas.Initiatives were aligned to improve the logistics infrastructure in India. Advancement in technology had also benefited the logistics sector. Logistics Performance Index (LPI) has been a multi-dimensional evaluation criterion developed by the World Bank to assess logistics capabilities of countries. The LPI score of India had been low. Regarding this, present research study aimed to analyse the poor performance of India in LPI and how the deployment of emerging technologies could help improve it. The findings were based on a questionnaire shared with five experts. Delphi technique was applied for this study. The prioritization was identified through Analytical Hierarchy Process. The key findings in this study were prioritization of application of emerging technologies for various sub-dimensions of infrastructure like roadways, railways, ports, airports, warehouse, and institution. Emerging technologies like cloud computing, blockchain, internet of things were emphasized by experts to improve the infrastructure of India.

Competitive advantage in SMEs: effect of supply chain management practices, logistics capabilities and logistics integration in a developing country

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between supply chain management practices, logistics capabilities, logistics integration and competitive advantage of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in a developing country.Design/methodology/approachUsing a structured questionnaire survey, cross-sectional data collected from 204 SMEs in Kampala – Uganda were analysed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using AMOS version 26 to validate the theorised relationships.FindingsThe study findings revealed that both supply chain management practices and logistics integration are positively and significantly associated with competitive advantage. Also, both supply chain management practices and logistics capabilities are positively and significantly associated with logistics integration. Additionally, the authors found that logistics integration partially mediates in the relationships between supply chain management practices and competitive advantage, and logistics capabilities and competitive advantage. Conclusively, the three independent variables collectively account for 11% variance in competitive advantage of SMEs.Originality/valueGiven the general observation that SMEs are fundamental to socio-economic development, yet resource constrained, this study uses Resource-based and dynamic capabilities theoretical perspectives to provide an empirical understanding of the supply chain and logistics resources and capabilities necessary for building competitive advantage of SMEs in the context of a developing economy.

Supplier performance in the public healthcare: internal social capital, logistics capabilities and supply chain risk management capabilities as antecedents in a developing economy

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it intends to explore the link between internal social capital, logistics capabilities, supply chain risk management (SCRM) capabilities and supplier performance. Second, the mediating effect of logistics capabilities between internal social capital and SCRM capabilities, and that of SCRM capabilities between logistics capabilities and supplier performance are also examined.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical model developed from the extant literature was empirically validated through a cross-sectional survey of 122 respondents in 52 public healthcare facilities in Uganda. The data were analysed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe study found that internal social capital and SCRM capabilities are significant predictors of supplier performance. Internal social capital is positively and significantly related to logistics capabilities, and logistics capabilities are positively and significantly related to SCRM capabilities. The authors also found non-significant relationships between internal social capital and SCRM capabilities, and between logistics capabilities and supplier performance. Furthermore, it was revealed that logistics capabilities play a partial mediating role in the relationship between internal social capital and SCRM capabilities, while SCRM capabilities fully mediate between logistics capabilities and supplier performance.Originality/valueFurther to providing empirical evidence of the antecedents of supplier performance in the public healthcare in a developing economy, which has been evidently scant, this study provides initial empirical evidence of the mediating role of logistics capabilities in the relationship between internal social capital and SCRM capabilities and that of SCRM capabilities in the relationship between logistics capabilities and supplier performance. This is important for understanding the mechanism through which supplier performance can be enhanced.

The use of economic engineering in the context of strategic enterprise management

In the article the authors’ interpretation of the "economic engineering" construct in the context of the theory and practice of enterprise strategic management effective system organizing in modern conditions is formulated and substantiated. The idea of using “economic engineering” as a logistics (logistic tool) for constructing an enterprise strategy by generating and presenting possible alternatives for key business aspects of its functioning and development and selecting among them the best options based on their risk assessment is proposed. In order to present and realize the logistics capabilities of a multidimensional morphological matrix in the framework of “economic engineering”, it is proposed to use a framework model of justification and choice of optimal solutions based on their risk assessment, which underpins the idea of frame representation and organization of logistic interconnections.

The Impact of Strategic Orientation and Reverse Logistics Capabilities on Organizational Performance

Organizations continuously look for ways to improve their performances in order to survive. This is why they generate strategies and try to strengthen their resources and capabilities. In this chapter, the effects of strategic orientation and reverse logistics capabilities on the organizational performance are aimed to reveal on a literature review basis. According to the evidence from literature, it is revealed that the more an organization is strategically oriented, the higher its economic, social, and environmental performance. Similarly, it is revealed in this chapter that gaining reverse logistics capabilities have positive effects on organizational performance by decreasing costs, increasing quality and customer satisfaction.

Unsettled Issues Concerning the Opportunities and Challenges of eVTOL Applications during a Global Pandemic

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft technology has developed beyond the traditional aviation industry and now influences the creation of new and novel transportation applications. Some experts even suggest on-demand eVTOL logistics capabilities could be harnessed by crisis response teams to c ombat a future pandemic. The lessons of the COVID-19 crisis highlighted the challenges of managing a global pandemic response due to the difference in regional and local resources, culture, and political systems. Although there may not be a uniform crisis management strategy that the world can agree on, next-generation vertical flight vehicles could be used to distribute limited medical equipment, supplies, and personnel to hot spots faster than conventional aircraft or ground vehicles. However, creating this capability is not easy. This SAE EDGE™ Research Report by Johnny Doo addresses the opportunities and challenges of establishing an eVTOL fleet, including deployment, supporting infrastructure, and fleet management.

A decision-support approach under uncertainty for evaluating reverse logistics capabilities of healthcare providers in Iran

PurposeThis paper aims to assess and prioritize manufacturing companies in the healthcare industry based on critical success factors (CSFs) of their reverse logistics (RL). The research involves seven medical device companies located in the Tehran Province, Iran.Design/methodology/approachTo identify and prioritize companies based on CSFs of RL, the study proposes a three-phase decision-making framework that integrates the Delphi method, the best-worst method (BWM) and the Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) method with Z-numbers. The weights required for this method are obtained by a variant of the BWM based on Z-numbers, denoted as Z-numbers Best-Worst Method, or ZBWM. Since decision-makers face an uncertain environment, Z-numbers, which are a kind of fuzzy numbers, are applied.FindingsFirst, after customizing CSFs by the Delphi method and obtaining 15 CSFs of RL, these are ranked by the hybrid BWM-ARAS method with Z-numbers. Results reveal which company appears to perform best with respect to their RL implementations. Based on this result, healthcare device companies should choose the highest priority company based on the selected RL CSFs and results from using the BWM-ARAS method with Z-numbers.Originality/valueThe contribution of this paper is using a hybrid ARAS-BWM method based on Z-numbers. Each of these methods has some merits compared to other similar methods. The combination of these methods contributes a new approach for prioritizing companies based on RL CSFs with high accuracy and reliability.

Analysing enablers of knowledge management in improving logistics capabilities of Indian organisations: a TISM approach

Purpose This study aims to identify and analyse the main enablers of knowledge management (KM) in improving the logistics capabilities of Indian organisations and develop a model based on the contextual relationship among the identified enablers. Design/methodology/approach Initially, this study uses a systematic literature review and questionnaire-based survey approach to identify the enablers of KM; and later, total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) was used to evolve mutual relationships among the identified 11 enablers for developing a hierarchical model. Findings The results of the analysis show that enablers, namely, organisational structure and leadership, application of advanced information and communication system, collaboration with established stakeholders and organisational learning and innovative approaches are identified as main enablers for improving the logistics capabilities of Indian organisations. Research limitations/implications This study provides useful implications for the researchers working on exploring the role of KM enablers in improving the logistics capabilities of organisations. Practical implications This study provides rich practical implications for the manufacturers, supply chain managers, logistics service providers and logistics consultants involved in the decision-making process. They can focus majorly on knowledge creation and knowledge storage processes to improve the logistics performance of their respective organisations. Originality/value This study is an attempt to identify the enablers of KM that could improve the logistics capabilities of Indian organisations. The application of the TISM method to develop a theoretical framework is the novel contribution of this study.

The Effect of Logistics Salience on Logistical Capabilities and Firm Performances

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of logistics salience on logistics capabilities and performance. The two selected capabilities in the study are service differentiation and innovation. much of the literature has focused on the development of logistics through being customer focused, managing supply chain, integration of processes, measurement and exchanging information therefore, attention shall also be provided on some other and less talked about logistical capabilities which includes innovation and differentiation. The study used survey method for data collection and analysis. The sample size of the study is 150 regression and correlation techniques were applied on the data using SPSS. It was obtained from the results that logistics salience has a positive impact on logistic capabilities and performance. Furthermore, the study also found that logistics innovativeness and service differentiation goes hand in hand and are highly correlated.

Designing Key Indicators for Measuring E-Commerce Supply Chain Performance

E-commerce usage grew up rapidly in the business sectors. Its interaction run virtually which is from upstream to downstream or reverse process. This interaction is a description of SCM. SC performance measurement was employed to determine the level of performance that can be considered in determining strategic policy. This research aims to propose KPIs’ model for finance, information system and logistics capability dimensions in the e-commerce. The collecting of data was carried out by distributing questionnaires to respondents with amount of 100 questionnaires. In this research, the data was analyzed with the structural equation modeling (SEM) to test validity of KPI and hypotheses. As results in supply chain performance, 25 indicators are valid, involving 4 indicators on financial dimension, 9 indicators on logistic capability dimension, and 12 indicators on technology information dimension. Furthermore, this research finding is the logistic capabilities have significant effect on the financial aspect and information technology has a significant effect on logistics capabilities. This research finding may contribute on the development model of SC performance measurement.