Innovation in logistics services

2014

During the last decades several research projects and related initiatives have investigated innovative approaches and solutions aiming at improving transport logistics. However the level of adoption has still not reached a satisfactory level. In fact, compared with other industry sectors it is very low. The European Union (EU)-funded project Loginn Logistic Innovation Uptake – aims at investigating the reasons behind this and to develop methodologies for overcoming the slow innovation uptake in the field of logistics. As an example, for research and development projects in the logistics area the idea is to improve their capabilities to bridge the gap between pilot implementation and marketable solutions. For this purpose, the project will examine existing approaches of innovation achievement. Combined with the identified barriers and gaps currently hindering innovation in the logistics sector, this will serve as an input that culminates in a Logistics Innovation Action Plan for Euro...

Abstract – In this paper we present a taxonomy of supply chain and logistics innovations, which is based on an extensive literature survey. Our primary goal is to provide guidelines for choosing the most appropriate innovations for a company, such that the company can outrun its competitors. We investigate the factors, both internal and external to the company, that determine the applicability and effectiveness of the listed innovations. We support our suggestions with real world cases reported in literature.

Creativity and Innovation Management, 2004

The concept of innovation is valued in most organizations to create and sustain competitive advantage. Firms need to innovate in order to stay ahead in the market. Businesses are experiencing the internationalization of technology-driven competition, globalization of manufacturing, shorter product life-cycles, increasingly sophisticated customers needs and a greater integration of technologies (Shepherd & Ahmed, 2000). These challenges have compelled organizations to develop innovative strategies, products and processes. One area that is increasingly seeking ways of adding value through innovation is the logistics function. This paper examines and compares factors that are driving innovation in Australia and Singapore in distribution centres part of the logistics function that has been slow in the past to innovate.

The aim of the study is to identify the types of innovations implemented by logistics service providers (logistics operators 3PL and integrators 4PL), influencing the creation of logistics services in modern supply chains. Design/Methodology/Approach: The article presents the results of empirical research covering the issues of implementing innovative solutions in logistics services provided by service providers. Based on the results of the study, it was found that the dynamically changing conditions of the economic and political environment, progressing globalization and growing customer requirements have determined logistics service providers to go beyond the implementation of traditional, individual logistics services, e.g., such as transport, warehousing, to expand the range of offered and implemented services, thus implementing innovation in logistics services.

Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, 2018

This is an operational feasibility study on a logistics operator of a supply network of food service. The paper shows an application of concepts of innovation in services and how they can contribute to the operational efficiency gains in the supply network. It is demonstrated through the consolidated data that there was added value in the supply network due to a 50% increase in operational efficiency. The problem discussed in the paper focus on the transport process upstream of the network, between suppliers and logistics operator. The article highlights the change in the transport process, which has gone from receiving, model Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF), for scheduled collection and milk run, model Free on Board (FOB). On the other hand, the article discusses how the concepts of innovation in services can influence the operational improvements in food service supply network.

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Most firms in today's volatile business environments must innovate in order to stay ahead. While a substantial body of literature has examined innovation and organizational learning in general, this study focuses explicitly on the drivers and obstacles for continuous ...

2023

Purpose: Dynamic changes in the logistics services industry are forcing Logistics service providers (LSPs) to implement innovations. In this area, there is a need for a better understanding of the process and the factors behind the successful implementation of innovations at LSPs. This study aims to discover stages in the innovation process at Logistics service providers and identify drivers for innovation implementation at LSPs. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a two-step approach. The first stage is a systematic literature review following the procedure proposed by Tranfield, Denyer, and Smart (2003). The second stage was carried out using the Delphi research method. Findings: The survey results show that the LSP innovation process consists of 8 steps. At each stage of the innovation process, undertaken activities were identified that were not recorded in the literature. A list of factors (barriers and stimulators) determining the process of implementing LSPs innovations was identified. Research limitations/implications: Despite the value of research results and their contribution to knowledge, this research has some limitations. The limitation of this study is that it included experts from Poland. Therefore, it is recommended to repeat the survey with experts from different geographical locations, which will include experts from other countries and even continents, to obtain more general conclusions. Practical implications: The results of the research can be used as a contribution to the improvement of activities in the field of implementation of the innovation process for companies from the logistics services industry willing to enter a higher level of implementation and offering of services. Originality/value: The findings presented in this area can be treated as new research findings, thus a voice in the discussion that opens the possibility of further deeper exploration and inference. Keywords: Innovation process, Logistics service providers (LSPs). Category of the paper: Research paper.

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 2011

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to learn more about logistics innovation processes and their implications for the focal organization as well as the supply chain, especially suppliers. Design/methodology/approach -The empirical basis of the study is a longitudinal action research project that was triggered by the practical needs of new ways of handling material flows of a hospital. This approach made it possible to revisit theory on logistics innovation process. Findings -Apart from the tangible benefits reported to the case hospital, five findings can be extracted from this study: the logistics innovation process model may include not just customers but also suppliers; logistics innovation in buyer-supplier relations may serve as an alternative to outsourcing; logistics innovation processes are dynamic and may improve supplier partnerships; logistics innovations in the supply chain are as dependent on internal stakeholders as on external relationships; and logistics innovation process may start out as a dialectic, conflict ridden process and end up in a well-ordered goal-oriented teleological process. Research limitations/implications -In general, the study contributes to the knowledge base of innovation process in logistics that is still sparse although literature on innovation in many other disciplines is well-developed. As this research is only one study highlighting a special context of a hospital, further studies on the dynamic logistics innovation processes and their implications for the relevant parties as well as the supply chain are needed. This study does not claim statistical generalizability of the findings but provides insight into complex organizational processes that, for example, surveys cannot. Practical implications -The findings of the study have provided valuable insights into the process of a logistics innovation in an oriental healthcare supply chain context. The study is, however, still limited in disclosing end-to-end supply chain benefits including concrete performance improvements at the suppliers. Examining logistics innovation processes should result not only in the implementation of innovative processes, but also in improved supplier relations leading to improved financial results in the supply chain. Originality/value -The paper adds to the knowledge of the dynamic processes of logistics innovation both downstream and upstream in a supply chain. It elaborates on an existing model by methodological triangulation in order to learn more about the qualities of actual processes and their implications for theory and practice.

Journal of Business Logistics, 2005

Over the past decade, several research initiatives have investigated and proposed innovative solutions for transport logistics. However, the level of adoption in the transport industry has been low, in particular in comparison with other industry sectors. This is on one side related to the transport industry itself, facing issues like market fragmentation, price pressure and a high degree of outsourcing. The other reason for this is a lack in dissemination strategies towards relevant stakeholders being indentified in several logistics innovation projects. The EU-funded project LOGINN - Logistic Innovation Uptake - aims at coordinating and supporting RTD projects in the logistics area to improve their capabilities to bridge the gap between pilot implementation and marketable solutions. In addition, the project aims at disseminating innovative logistics practices, technologies and business models to the logistics community, thus establishing an information hub for logistics innovation and contributing to education and training of logistics enterprises’ employees. Here we present the first findings.