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National logistics cost can be used as a key indicator to reflect a country's overall logistics performance and monitor their respective logistics policies. However, not all countries have developed this indicator, and some have used differing methodologies. This paper provides an approach for calculating national logistics cost per gross domestic product (NLC/GDP) in the context of Thailand and demonstrates its veracity and validity using an action research methodology with key stakeholders. The approach utilizes easily obtainable macro level data combined with survey data. The calculation method has progressively improved in its accuracy and efficacy to reflect Thailand's logistic context. The proposed approach contributes to the national logistics cost debate and can inform academics, managers, and policy makers not just in Thailand but, in other countries when developing their own NLC/GDP to evaluate their respective logistics development activities.

This perspective paper considers the current state of retail and retail logistics and supply chain management to discuss what the future may hold for it through four important issues: changing consumer expectations, the impact of e-commerce, and the relationship with the natural environment all of which are influenced by the economic environment. These issues apply to retailing globally and have been exacerbated by events such as the global COVID-19 pandemic, and examples are provided from various retail markets to illustrate them. Retailers will need to think strategically how to adapt their business models to address these issues by recognising the needs of new consumer segments, focussing on niche service and products to avoid direct clashes with larger physical store and Internet retailers, embracing more fully opportunities in e-commerce, and ensuring their activities are sustainable economically, socially and ecologically.

Existing performance-measurement systems in the supply-chain literature have been designed for specific supply chains. Without a business-appropriate performance-measurement system, practitioners devise strategies that are neither scientific nor supported by data. The objective of this paper was to propose a performance-measurement system to support the enabling of supply-chain strategies. The proposed performance-measurement system (PMS), combining the Plan–Do–Check–Act cycle (PDCA) with the evidence-based management (EBM) concept, served as the basis for developing a procedural framework. The PMS was validated using the case logistics service providers (LSPs). The PDCA methodology was used to develop a structural framework for fourth-party logistics (4PL). In the Plan step, the research team identified the business problems of fourth-party logistics (4PL). In the Do step, the LSP literature was reviewed, to identify five performance dimensions (‘Service Quality’; ‘Social and Environmental’; ‘Inter-organizational Relationship’; ‘Financial’; and ‘Efficiency and Effectiveness’), and key performance indicators (KPIs). The 4PL management team participated in the finalization of the five performance dimensions and the 53 KPIs, which were used to propose a preliminary version of the structural framework for the 4PL. In the Check step, the data collected from 478 subcontractors of the 4PL were analyzed, using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, and were used to validate the proposed structural framework for the 4PL. The validated structural framework was further presented at an academic conference, and to the 4PL for feedback, and was used to formulate supply-chain strategies through brainstorming. The findings include a validated structural framework containing five performance dimensions and 32 KPIs. The research revealed that input performance (‘Service Quality’, ‘Social and Environmental’, and ‘Inter-organizational Relationship’) positively affected output performance (‘Financial’ and ‘Efficiency and Effectiveness’). Supply-chain strategies were further suggested to the 4PL. The validating case in this study demonstrated that the employed procedural framework (PDCA and EBM) was applicable, and could be used to derive a structural framework and supply-chain strategies for the 4PL. This study contributes to the literature, by proposing a PMS for supply-chain strategy development. The paper’s illustrative case provides a practical application of how to develop a performance-measurement system.

Logistics services are an important issue for trade in services negotiations. However, there are different perspectives related to the scope of logistics services, not only for policy makers involved in services negotiations but also academia. This leads to differing understandings and classifications of logistics services depending on the perspective. A bibliometric and network analysis was conducted to identify keywords and propose an expanded definition that reflects the current role and scope of services offered by logistics service providers. A novel nomenclature for logistics services classification is advanced based on an expanded definition. WTO, Trade logistics, Logistics service, LSP definition and classification, Trade in services negotiation

The purpose of this paper is to investigate strength of supply chain integration based on social exchange theory and its resultant impact on supply chain cost and responsiveness. The study surveyed...

The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology that enables researchers to identify relevant search terms when conducting a literature review. This methodology requires an analysis of existing literature review articles on the topic under study to form keywords. The objective of this methodology is to reduce bias from keyword selection, to provide assurance on comprehensiveness and transparency of the review process, and to open up opportunities for interdisciplinary studies. In this paper, we tested our proposed methodology by exploring the field of operational risk management (ORM) in banks. Major issues in this literature exist that include controversy on the effectiveness of ORM measurement models and ORM data problems. We described how our methodology facilitated the development of keywords for a potential interdisciplinary approach that has the capacity to appropriately capture the complexity of ORM, thereby enhancing the understanding and ability to resolve the problem of operational risk effectively.

This study explores how individuals construed as ‘young’ for their managerial positions seek to mitigate their youth in order to gain and maintain legitimacy in an Asian socio-cultural context whic...

Carpooling brings benefits to carpool participants and the environment and society. Literature has called for a better understanding of psychological factors encouraging people to carpool however current research does not provide an in-depth psychological understanding of carpooling behaviour. This paper provides a review of psychological factors motivating drivers and passengers to carpool and identifies psychological theories appropriate for carpooling research. The Theory of Planned Behaviour and Norm-Activation Model were used as a priori theoretical frameworks to undertake a systematic literature review to identify important factors and relevant theories. Eighteen psychological factors were identified and classified as either common for drivers and passengers or specific to each group. In addition to the a priori frameworks, Consumer Perceived Value, Social Capital, and Technology Acceptance Model are considered the most appropriate for carpooling research. A conceptual framework and six research propositions were developed. Further, eight additional directions for future research were suggested including employing a variety of data collection methods to ensure rigour; collecting more data from non-Western countries for contextual veracity; exploring and testing psychological factors more deeply; and investigating the impact of COVID-19 on carpooling decisions. This paper contributes to theory through the development of the conceptual framework, identifying research propositions and providing additional research directions. The identified factors can be considered by researchers, matching agencies, and policy-makers to better promote carpooling.

Performance based measurement models and systems in humanitarian supply chains require inputs derived from decision-makers’ and practitioners’ experience. Past knowledge related to performance indicator are generally qualitative and imprecise. Existing humanitarian performance measurement systems are largely theoretical and do not consider qualitative and imprecise information in their assessment of humanitarian relief operations. This paper aims to address a practical approach to the performance measurement of humanitarian operations by recognizing the need for multi-dimensional performance evaluation while dealing with imprecision and uncertainty in evaluation processes. A hierarchical multi-stage Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) was developed to address imprecise and uncertain performance indicators. Performance indicators were clustered into four Balanced Scorecard (BSC) type categories. A prototype was developed using MATLAB toolbox. The FIS scheme was tested and validated by practitioners from leading international humanitarian organizations in Malaysia. The scheme facilitated performance analysis and provided insights into operational areas that need further improvements. The proposed FIS scheme enable decision-makers to address imprecise and fuzzy information more objectively.

The purpose of this manuscript is to explore methodologies for conducting comprehensive literature review. The manuscript objectives are twofold: one is to identify a suitable methodology for conducting comprehensive literature review and two is to enable the identification of main research themes and clusters obtained from the literature. The domain of humanitarian operations, logistics and supply chain performance is selected as the review context. The main strength of a systematic literature review from other styles of literature review is that it provides a much higher level of methodology to the process. It further provides a rapid comprehensive identification of main research themes and clusters as illustrated from the humanitarian operations and logistics performance domain.

This paper investigates how collaboration between stakeholders can help make supply chains more resilient. It explores innovative ways to operate supply chains and reinforce their resilience, for instance through crowd shipping or gainsharing. The paper also includes a case study on how multi-stakeholder initiatives and public-private partnership can help foster collaboration in supply chains for increased efficiency.

Most reverse logistics researches have not incorporated marketing concept or customer orientation into their frameworks. This study proposes that it is imperative to take customer point of view in reverse logistics process to improve customer satisfaction. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to conceptualize and operationalize customer- oriented reverse logistics. It also examines the relationship between the developed construct and its impact on customer satisfaction. In this regard, a literature review was carried out to identify customer- oriented reverse logistics. Based on customer orientation, service quality and service recovery literature, the new construct was developed. A pilot study was subsequently conducted using the questionnaire survey with managers and employees of a particular company in the mobile telecommunications industry and its customers who have experience in product returns. The findings showed that the dimensions of the proposed construct comprised tangibility, reliability, assurance, empathy, responsiveness, information availability and employee?s empowerment. Path analysis indicated that customer-oriented reverse logistics perceived by both employees and customers positively related to customer satisfaction of product returns service. The developed construct based upon cross disciplinary in marketing and logistics could facilitate future empirical studies in reverse logistics area. The proposed framework will also be useful for practitioners to implement their product returns strategies accordingly.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the uptake of supply chain integration (SCI) principles internationally and the resultant integration maturity.Design/methodology/approachA rigorous supply chain diagnostics methodology called the Quick Scan is used to assess the integration maturity of 72 value streams located in New Zealand, Thailand and the UK.FindingsThe majority of the organisations studied are struggling to turn the SCI concept into reality. Supply chains on average are poorly integrated. However, there exist a handful of exemplar cases that provide guidance; levels of integration maturity appear not to differ internationally.Research limitations/implicationsOnly three nations are compared, hence the sample is not fully representative of all countries and industries. There is a significant gap between supply chain rhetoric and practice; clear guidance on how to enable effective integration is required. National settings do not appear to affect the extent of application of supply chain management concepts.Practical implicationsSCI is a very difficult undertaking. Indifferent practice is the norm. If organisations can attain even the middle ground of internal integration they will outperform many of their competitors.Originality/valueThe paper presents an international benchmark of SCI maturity involving three triangulated measures of supply chain performance.

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to identify key attributes of freight logistics service quality and to examine how these attributes impact shippers' selection of third‐party logistics service providers (3PLs). The knowledge and understanding of these attributes can be of great value to 3PLs when developing marketing strategies to attract and retain clients.Design/methodology/approachA literature review was carried out to identify the main attributes of freight logistics service quality. In‐depth interviews were subsequently undertaken to validate and refine the freight logistics service attributes. A questionnaire was then developed and a survey conducted. Logistics regression analyses were performed to examine the impact of freight logistics service attributes on shippers' decision to select 3PLs.FindingsA total of 24 freight logistics service attributes were identified and categorised based on the SERVQUAL model into six dimensions: reliability, assurance, tangibility, empathy, responsiveness, and cost. Freight logistics service quality was found to impact shippers' selection of 3PLs significantly. In the assessment of the impact of each individual service attribute it was observed that accuracy of documents; EDI and E‐commerce services; customer relationship management; customer care; updated freight rates; and consolidation provision significantly influenced how shippers selected 3PLs.Research limitations/implicationsThe focus of the study is limited to international freight logistics services, while other logistics services, such as inventory management or warehouse management, were not included. The context of the study is related to Thailand and the provision of international freight service in the country.Practical implicationsAn understanding of key attributes based on key freight logistics service quality can help 3PLs in developing marketing strategies that provide services that are considered to be critically important to their customers.Originality/valueThe purpose of the study is to define key freight logistics service quality attributes and their respective impact on shippers' decision‐making process when choosing a 3PL.

PurposeThis paper aims to present a supply chain performance assessment tool that measures the performance of key supply chain activities of a firm under different performance dimensions.Design/methodology/approachThe tool was developed based on an extensive literature review. The nine key internal supply chain activities, as proposed by Grant et al. in 2006, constituted the backbone of the assessment framework, while performance was measured based on three dimensions: cost, time, and reliability. The tool was pilot‐tested on 44 local SMEs. The results were then compared with existing performance benchmark as well as within the benchmarked group itself and a high performing Thai multinational in order to see whether the developed tool could identify performance gaps in the trial group.FindingsThe results obtained from the tool provide a description of a firm's internal supply chain activity. The utilised supply chain performance framework can isolate each individual supply chain activity. The results are therefore precise enough for firms to identify individual areas of strengths and weaknesses. The tool is relatively simple and easy to use and understand.Research limitations/implicationsLimitation is related to the availability of the required assessment data. The availability of data is a reflection of systematic data collection and storage procedures of the respondent firms.Originality/valueThe tool was developed on clearly defined theoretical foundations. The three dimensions of cost, time and reliability can balance both financial and non‐financial characteristics of supply chain performance. The data required are simple and objective.

This study analyses the development of the Lao freight logistics sector with a special focus on factors influencing freight logistics services efficiency after the processes of liberalization and deregulation of the economy. Based on empirical data, the study focuses on two main dimensions of the Lao freight logistics sector: (i) the development of a private freight logistics sector since the formulation of the New Economic Mechanism (NEM) that progressively opened the Lao economy to the world; (ii) the Lao freight logistics sector's awareness of opportunities and challenges arising from Lao PDR's participation in ASEAN, GMS and hopefully the WTO in the near future.