Logistics, Volume 6, Issue 4 (December 2022) – 20 articles

Background: Beef, because of its high protein content, occupies a privileged place in household consumption in Cameroon. However, the quality of the meat available on the market and the prices charged are far from satisfactory for consumers. There is therefore clearly a problem of physical and financial accessibility to quality beef for the Cameroonian consumer (in a country where 37.5% of the population lives below the poverty line). Methods: To analyze this problem, a qualitative exploratory study based on interviews and on-site observations was conducted. Results: In the article, we are interested in the Supply Chain (SC) of beef in Cameroon, with the aim of understanding its dynamics and highlighting the main obstacles that prevent the actors involved from ensuring consumers, the availability of quality meat at a reasonable price. Through the qualitative exploratory study conducted with the main actors involved (breeders, livestock traders, modern and traditional slaughterhouses, butchers, etc.), we show that the SC of beef in Cameroon is plagued by technical, financial, managerial and cultural constraints that prevent them from satisfying their customers and to take full advantage of their activities. Conclusions: Despite the methodological limits related to sampling and an essentially qualitative approach, the quality and richness of the information collected through in-depth interviews edify the main difficulties and challenges encountered by the actors and lead to managerial implications and prospects of research. Full article

Background: This study presents a comprehensive review of blockchain technology with a sustainability orientation in supply chains and logistics. Methods: The publications are extracted from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, comprising 552 publications between 2017 and 2022. Several bibliometric laws and techniques, namely three-field analysis, Bradford’s Law, Lotka’s Law, and thematic maps, are applied in R with the bibliometrix package. Content analysis is also carried out based on 185 publications to appreciate the industry-based view of the field. Results: The bibliometric results indicate that this field is on the rise. Authors, sources, affiliations, countries, keywords, and their relationships are also addressed. The findings of the content analysis and thematic maps reveal that some of the most highlighted themes in the literature include traceability, COVID-19, the internet of things, and Industry 4.0. The most popular industry in this field is discovered to be food and agriculture. Conclusions: This paper contributes to the still relatively scarce literature on how blockchain technology fosters sustainable supply chains and logistics, providing a closer look at blockchain use, methodologies, and future directions for different industries concerning food, agriculture, fashion, textile and apparel, manufacturing, automotive, maritime and shipping, healthcare and pharmaceutical, mining and mineral, and energy. Full article

Background: Order picking process is critical for accurate and efficient order fulfilment. Pick-by-vision is a promising technology that may support order picking process, however there is still a limited amount of research concerning the impact of this technology on the performance of order-picking. The purpose of this paper is to investigate certain operational and technical parameters that affect the performance of pick-by-vision technology in item-level order picking via a series of laboratory tests. Methods: A systematic literature review is conducted for the identification of parameters that affect pick-by-vision performance. Subsequently, the analytical hierarchy process is adopted to rank these parameters, concerning their impact on order picking. Then, the design of experiment and NASA task load index methodology are implemented for assessing pick-by-vision efficiency and perceived workload. Results: The results reveal the parameters that significantly affect the performance of the pick-by-vision system, as well as the best configuration of parameters for the implementation of the proposed system in real environments. Conclusions: The results obtained are encouraging, showing how pick-by-vision technology can support order picking efficiency. Furthermore, practical implications are presented that deal with the organizational culture, process re-engineering, staff resistance to change, and motivation for maintaining the new way of executing order-picking processes. Full article

Background: This paper aims to improve the overall performance of manual warehouse Order Picking (OP) processes by proposing an innovative method for designing a picking area layout, and introducing a storage assignment strategy with respect to ergonomics and workers’ physical fatigue. Methods: The proposed method categorizes the available picking slots based on size and ABC analysis. Ιt takes into consideration a set of ergonomic constraints pertinent to the rack heights and travel distance restrictions for each slot type, leading to the assignment of a location to each slot type based on its individual characteristics. In doing so, the proposed method introduces an innovative ‘flame-shape’ aisle layout. Finally, the products are assigned to their optimal locations, targeting OP time minimization, balanced workload allocation, and ergonomics optimization through a ranking system measuring the ‘difficulty’ of retrieving the products based on their weight, popularity, and slot location. Results: The proposed method led to a productivity rise of 14.9% along with a significant decrease of the ‘difficulty’ index, by 31%. Conclusions: The results prove that a prominent performance improvement can be achieved when both travel distance and manual workload minimization are targeted for determining the picking area layout and storage design. Full article

Background: The key performance index for the container terminals is the vessel berthing time which is highly affected by the scheduling of the different handling equipment. Proper integrated scheduling of the handling equipment is crucial, especially in automated container terminals, where all the handling equipment is automated and must be coordinated to avoid interference. One of the most challenging problems both scholars and terminal operators face is introducing a proper scheduling plan for different equipment, considering the buffer capacity of dual-trolley quay cranes (QCs) and the limited storage locations of import containers. Methods: A mathematical model is proposed to integrate the scheduling of automated yard cranes and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), considering the limited buffer capacity beneath dual-trolley QCs and the storage allocation of import containers. Results: different instances were solved to evaluate the proposed model’s performance and investigate the impact of using dual-trolley QCs instead of single-trolley QCs, and the impact of using different buffer capacities. Conclusions: The results show that the model provides detailed scheduling and assigning plans for the YCs and AGVs besides allocating import containers. Additionally, the dual-trolley QCs can significantly decrease the completion time and increase AGVs’ utilization compared to the single-trolley QCs. Full article

Background: The supply chain ecosystem is becoming fragile and difficult to manage due to the complexities in its interlinked functions such as planning, procurement, production, logistics, distribution, and sales. Recently, organizations have started embarking on “Industry 4.0 technologies”, a name used to denote transformative modern-day technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, automation and robotics, Internet of Things, Big Data Analytics, Blockchain, and so on to make faster decisions, optimize current practices, provide end-to-end transparency, increased collaboration, and superior warehouse management, which can collectively make it an “Intelligent supply chain”. However, a comprehensive understanding of the subject is required to understand the benefits and challenges of adopting them. Methods: Hence, the article aims to systematically review the literature to identify various challenges associated with supply chain management and provide an overview of the role of Industry 4.0 technologies in addressing them. In addition to traditional complexities, the uncertainties arising from contemporary challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, war, natural calamities, and difficulties businesses face in developing and adopting sustainable business practices. Results and Conclusions: The study shows that although it is hard to predict the level of disruptions during any global events, it is possible to be prepared through Industry 4.0 technologies that can give agility, transparency, and resilience to the supply chain. Full article

Background: Centuries after its introduction in Africa, the western-style logistics system has not replicated the same results as it has in other parts of the world. The continent continues to grapple with poor logistics infrastructure and low intra-Africa trade at a time when governments in Africa are committed towards the expansion of trade and manufacturing through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. There is a pressing need, therefore, for the development of a logistics system designed for the African socioeconomic environment and the peculiarities of the people. Methods: This paper examines the operations of the Indigenous Logistics Systems (ILS) in pre-colonial Nigeria and its development over time through qualitative data gathered from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria and a review of literature. Results: ILS in Nigeria is the cultural creation of the people through the efficient management of available resources and the use of indigenous knowledge. The system derives its strengths and effectiveness from its availability, simplicity, affordability, and trust. Conclusions: The paper concludes that if improved with the application of simple technology, ILS has the answers to the challenges of logistics and Supply Chain Management (SCM) in Africa. Full article

Background: The digital transformation towards Industry 4.0 has become a necessity for businesses as it makes them more flexible, agile and responsive. Logistics is no exception, as it is constantly undergoing a significant transformation supported by revolutionary Industry 4.0 technologies that are fundamentally changing logistics processes and operations. Methods: In the construction of the paper, the following classical scientific methods were used: analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, analogy, specification and comparison. Among the special scientific methods, the method of classification, concretisation, graphical methods, questionnaire survey and statistical methods were used. Results: The analysed enterprises perceive digital transformation in logistics. In the analysed enterprises in Slovakia, the Industry 4.0 strategy is implemented in logistics. Industry 4.0 in logistics has the largest representation in production logistics in each enterprise category. In implementing Industry 4.0 in logistics, enterprises confront the biggest barrier, namely, investment costs. Conclusions: Through one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, several significant relationships were confirmed. The significant relationship between manufacturing logistics and selected Industry 4.0 technologies was demonstrated. The significant relationship between procurement logistics and selected Industry 4.0 technologies was also demonstrated. The statistical analysis also confirmed a significant relationship between distribution logistics and the selected Industry 4.0 technologies. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has moved the world in every way, directly impacting supply chains globally and bringing major challenges to management, decision-makers, and companies of all sizes and sectors. This intensifies when it comes to the Brazilian Amazon region, a place that historically already lives with several maintenance projects focused on supply chain management (SCM). Methods: Thus, this research aimed to understand the main challenges faced by professionals in the supply chain area in the Amazon region through the development of a survey with professionals in the area. This study conducted a structured questionnaire containing 10 challenges related to SCM during the pandemic period to generate a ranking of these challenges using data analysis using means and comparative ordering using the TOPSIS Multicriteria Technique. Results: It was observed that the most relevant challenges for companies in this region were, respectively, distribution, economic problems, and interruptions in supply and demand. These obstacles promote debates with the literature and foster the expansion of knowledge about the insertion of resilience elements in supply chains in the Amazon. Conclusions: From a theoretical point of view and because it is exploratory research, the results serve as a basis for researchers in the area who aim to understand and expand the debates on this topic through future research. From a practical point of view, the results can help supply chain managers in the Amazon region who work directly in its maintenance and aim to maintain its resilience, since they already have the main challenges for the proper functioning of supply chains identified and ranked. Because it is an exploratory study, the results achieved can contribute significantly to the expansion of debates in the area and in a practical way with managers involved in activities that compose supply chains. Full article

Background: Despite growing popularity, Circular Economy has not reached its full potential. One of the frequently mentioned success factors is the adoption of a Circular Business Model. However, fueled by (too) many constraints, its implementation is often hampered by so-called vicious cycles. Successful Circular Business Models require intensive collaboration between buyers and suppliers, with one of the key questions remaining who takes the initiative and leads the development: buyer or supplier? Methods: Through a single case study combining desk research, interviews, participative observations and analysis of vicious cycles, we investigate how supply chain relationships managed by the supplier can enhance the implementation of Circular Business Models. Results: We show that supplier tactics can relax constraints and break vicious cycles through (1) buyer–supplier relationship management, (2) functional integration of stakeholders and (3) incentive management. We also show that, due to supplier captive conditions, a number of enabling factors are indispensable, namely: (1) the availability of buyer incentives; (2) (joint experimenting to develop) circular knowledge; (3) sharing clear visions on circularity; (4) being transparent in possibilities; and (5) supply chain leadership. Conclusions: As a consequence, strategic trust-based partnerships are a prerequisite for turning vicious cycles into virtuous cycles. Future research should also investigate the role of the buyer, including buyer captive conditions, and how to shape supply chain leadership. Finally, the role of supplier tactics in relation to other success factors next to Circular Business Models needs to be further explored. Full article

Background: Our day-to-day commodities truly depend on the industrial sector, which is expanding at a rapid rate along with the growing population. The production of goods needs to be accurate and rapid. Thus, for the present research, we have incorporated machine-learning (ML) technology in the manufacturing sector (MS). Methods: Through an inclusive study, we identify 11 factors within the research background that could be seen as holding significance for machine learning in the manufacturing sector. An interpretive structural modeling (ISM) method is used, and inputs from experts are applied to establish the relationships. Results: The findings from the ISM model show the ‘order fulfillment factor as the long-term focus and the ‘market demand’ factor as the short-term focus. The results indicate the critical factors that impact the development of machine learning in the manufacturing sector. Conclusions: Our research contributes to the manufacturing sector which aims to incorporate machine learning. Using the ISM model, industries can directly point out their oddities and improve on them for better performance. Full article

Background: Safety is the very necessary issue that must be considered during human-robot collaboration in the same workspace or area. Methods: In this manuscript, a nonlinear autoregressive model with an exog-enous inputs neural network (NARXNN) is developed for the detection of collisions between a manipulator and human. The design of the NARXNN depends on the dynamics of the manipulator’s joints and considers only the signals of the position sensors that are intrinsic to the manipulator’s joints. Therefore, this network could be applied and used with any conventional robot. The data used for training the designed NARXNN are generated by two experiments considering the sinusoidal joint motion of the manipulator. The first experiment is executed using a free-of-contact motion, whereas in the second experiment, random collisions by human hands are performed with the robot. The training process of the NARXNN is carried out using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm in MATLAB. The evaluation and the effectiveness (%) of the developed method are investigated taking into account different data and conditions from the used data for training. The experiments are executed using the KUKA LWR IV manipulator. Results: The results prove that the trained method is efficient in estimating the external joint torque and in correctly detecting the collisions. Conclusions: Eventually, a comparison is presented between the proposed NARXNN and the other NN architectures presented in our previous work. Full article

Background: The global dairy market is experiencing a massive transition as dairy farming has recently undergone modernization. As a result, the dairy industry needs to improve its operational efficiencies by implementing effective optimization techniques. Conventional and emerging optimization techniques have already gained momentum in the dairy industry. This study’s objective was to explore the optimization techniques developed for or implemented in the dairy supply chain (DSC) and to investigate how these techniques can improve the DSC. Methods: A systematic review approach based on PRISMA guidelines were adopted to conduct this review. The authors used descriptive statistics for statistical analysis. Results: Modernization has led the dairy industry to improve its operational efficiencies by implementing the most effective optimization techniques. Researchers have used mathematical modeling-based methods and are shifting to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) -based approaches in the DSC. The mathematical modeling-based techniques remain dominant (56% of articles), but AI and ML-based techniques are gaining traction (used in around 44% of articles). Conclusions: The review findings show insight into the benefits and implications of optimization techniques in the DSC. This research shows how optimization techniques are associated with every phase of the DSC and how new technologies have affected the supply chain. Full article

Background: Automobile terminals play a key role in global finished car supply chains. Due to their connecting character between manufacturers on the one side and distributers on the other side, they are continuously faced with volatile demand fluctuations and unforeseen dynamic events, which cannot be handled adequately by existing planning methods. Autonomous control concepts already showed promising results coping with such dynamics. Methods: This paper describes the causes of dynamics and the terminal systems’ inherent shortcomings in dealing with such dynamics. On this basis, it derives terminal’s demand for novel planning approaches and presents a new integrated autonomous control method for automobile terminals. This novel autonomous control approach combines yard and berth assignments. This paper evaluates the performance of the new approach in a small comprehensive generic scenario. It compares classical planning approaches with the new autonomous control approach, by using a discrete event simulation model. Moreover, it analyses all relevant parameters of the new approach in a full factorial experiment design. In a second step this paper proves the applicability of the combined autonomous control approach to real-world terminals. It presents a simulation model of a real-world terminal and compares the new method with the existing terminal planning approaches. Results: This paper will show that the autonomous control approach is capable of outperforming existing centralized planning methods. In the generic and in the real-world case the new combined method leads to the best logistic target achievement. Conclusions: The new approach is highly suitable to automobile terminal systems and helps to overcome existing shortcomings. Especially in highly dynamic and complex settings, autonomous control performs better than conventional yard planning approaches. Full article

Background: This research aimed to establish a network linked to generation, for the transport route of tapioca starch products to a land port, serving as the logistics hub of Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province. Methods: The adaptive large neighborhood search (ALNS) algorithm, combined with the differential evolution (DE) approach, was used for the problem analysis, and this method was named modified differential evolution adaptive large neighborhood search (MDEALNS) is a new method that includes six steps, which are (1) initialization, (2) mutation, (3) recombination, (4) updating with ALNS, (5) Selection and (6) repeat the (2) to (5) steps until the termination condition is met. The MDEALNS algorithm designed a logistics network linking the optimal route and a suitable open/close factory allocation with the lowest transport cost for tapioca starch. The operating supply chain of tapioca starch manufacturing in the case study. The proposed methods have been tested with datasets of the three groups of test instances and the case study consisted of 404 farms, 33 factories, and 1 land port. Results: The computational results show that MDEALNS method can reduced the distance and the fuel cost and outperformed the highest performance of the original method used by LINGO, DE, and ALNS. Conclusions: The computational results show that MDEALNS method can reduced the distance and the fuel cost and outperformed the highest performance of the original method used by LINGO, DE, and ALNS. Full article

Background: Performance frameworks are common ways to guarantee the success of a collaboration by assessment/improvement of the organisations. However, collaborative performance in recurring collaborations (RC) and temporary ones (TC) are being measured differently due to their inherent characteristics; Methods: A systematic review of 282 existing studies, from 2000 onwards, into collaborative networks divided between RC and TC based on the duration of collaboration and the application of the studies was performed. The result gave rise to the thematic analysis of the textual narratives, as well as a quantitative meta-summary of the synthesis; Results: The review shows two different approaches to guarantee the performance of the collaboration. The first group provide a recipe for success by recognizing the causal relationship between nine collaborative measures, including information and risk sharing, trust, commitment, agility, power balance, leadership, prior-experience, and alignment. The second group ensures the success of collaboration by selecting suitable partners based on their previous performance emerging through synergy, readiness, agility and internal–external factors; Conclusions: The reasoning behind these differences are discussed and the current gaps in research are outlined. Full article

Background: In this essay, we address an important issue in the logistics education discourse relating to student-centered curriculum design and evaluation. Methods: We adopt an integrative approach based on conceptual development and guided by constructive alignment. Results: We apply and elaborate our conceptual framework using a case of a teaching plan in logistics management. We also propose an evaluation strategy for our teaching plan in the form of a template. Conclusions: Our essay contributes to the logistics education discourse by using learning theories and developing curriculum design and evaluation guidelines that can be replicated by other educators. Full article

Background: Industry 4.0 is a burgeoning research area that has been addressed by many research entities. However, the literature shows that the industrial sector lacks the awareness and knowledge needed to comply with Industry 4.0 implications, particularly in developing countries. Methods: This study evaluates the status of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Jordan concerning Industry 4.0. Four criteria are assessed, including Industry 4.0 readiness, maturity, drivers, and barriers. Samples of SME respondents and Industry 4.0 experts are surveyed using an online questionnaire. Results: The results show that SMEs in Jordan are not mature enough nor ready to apply Industry 4.0. For the readiness dimension, SME respondents and experts agreed that the Jordanian SMEs’ status is between having initiatives in the pilot phase or implementing concepts to low degrees, except for autonomous workpiece and smart product aspects, in which Jordanian SMEs are behind due to financial and technological reasons. It was found that none of the Industry 4.0 investigated technologies have reached maturity levels. Customer requirements, cost reduction, competitors’ practice, productivity improvement, and quality improvement are found to be the major influencing drivers for Industry 4.0, while a lack of awareness and knowledge is found to be the crucial barrier hampering Industry 4.0 implementation. Conclusions: Jordan needs country-scale initiatives for the implementation of groundbreaking Industry 4.0 development, incorporating government agencies, industrial parties, and experts, relying on Industry 4.0’s readiness and practice status as a starting point, and considering the influential drivers and barriers to steer the development process. Full article

Background: An increasing number of container and chassis staging, “dray-off”, drop yard, and depot facilities are being established outside of North American marine container terminals. The increased use of these “second-tier” facilities implies that there must be some capacity, delivery time, service, or reliability benefit that offset the additional cost and complexity. Methods: This paper builds on the previously developed integrated drayage scheduling model to determine the impact of second-tier port facilities on drayage operation. It modifies the previously developed model by incorporating the following features: (1) trucks do not have to wait at customers’ locations during the import unloading and export loading operations; (2) drayage operations can include a drop yard (i.e., second-tier facility) for picking up or/and dropping off loaded containers outside the marine container terminal; and (3) a customer is allowed to request any of the following jobs: pick up an empty container, pick up a loaded container, drop off an empty container, and drop off a loaded container. Results: The results indicated that by moving the location of import pickup and export delivery from inside the marine container terminal to a location outside the terminal, the efficiency of drayage operation could increase. Additionally, when import pickup and export delivery take place inside the marine container terminal, the most efficient location for the chassis yard and empty container depot is inside the terminal. However, when the location of import pickup and/or export delivery are outside the terminal, the most efficient location for the chassis yard and empty container depot is also outside the terminal. Conclusions: The modeling results suggest that in addition to adding reserved capacity for marine terminals or as buffers to reconcile the preferred delivery times of importers, the second-tier facilities could also yield operational savings. However, the potential drayage efficiencies depend heavily on shorter queuing and turn time at these less-complex facilities compared to marine container terminals. Lastly, the modeling results suggest that the observed evolution of North American marine container terminals from self-contained entities into multi-tier systems is likely to continue to add additional capacities to accommodate container trade growth. This finding has important implications for regions and communities concerned over the impact of growing container ports. Full article

Background: The increasing Muslim population worldwide will increase the Islamic market share in the future. Thus, the higher demand for halal food has caused the food industry to pay attention to the quality control system for the ingredients used. This paper aims to review the previous literature regarding the traceability system for halal suppliers in the food supply chain to achieve the specified halal standards. It discusses the literature review as a method for conducting research and offers an overview of different types of reviews, as well as some guidelines to both conduct and evaluate a literature review. Methods: The method uses a sample of about 200 articles from the structured literature study period in 2007–2021. We use Perish application to identify journals, articles, citations, authors, and keywords. Results: The analysis reveals five research topic clusters: traceability, halal supply chain, food supply chain, halal logistics, and halal lifestyle. There is a strong relationship between procurement and traceability. Procurement is related to the food industry and halal traceability. The food product traceability system provides transparency in food manufacturing, enabling customers to trust halal product claims. The results show that food supply chain information systems can enable traceability and transparency. Conclusions: The review of this analysis is related to the supplier traceability system in the halal-food-production supply chain, which can help explore halal supplier issues and trends. For future research, technology can be used within a traceability system in the halal food industry, such as data interchange, radio frequency identification, and blockchain. Full article