• Journal of the Korean Operations Research and Management Science Society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.21-35
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• 2014

As productions and deliveries of multiple products to multiple marketplaces have been increasingly popular, supply chain flexibility, which refers to an ability to deal with demand and capacity uncertainty, becomes an important issue in supply chain management. However, logistics costs have been largely neglected in the literature on supply chain flexibility structure. In this paper, we propose mathematical models to investigate the impact of the logistics costs on the optimal flexibility structure. We also conduct a simulation study and observe that logistics costs have a significant impact on the decision on supply chain flexibility structure. Such conclusion is also supported by the case study of a global car manufacturer, Honda Motors.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.65-72
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aims to empirically analyze the influence of supply chain agility and flexibility on supply chain robustness and logistics performance, addressing a research gap in the context of dynamic business environments. Research design, data and methodology: The study examines causal relationships between supply chain agility, flexibility, robustness, and logistics performance among businesses in South Korea. Data were collected through a survey of 300 workers in supply chain-related departments. A structural equation model was employed for hypothesis testing. Results: The empirical analysis shows that supply chain agility and flexibility positively and significantly influence supply chain robustness, which in turn has a significant positive impact on logistics performance. Conclusions: This study contributes by providing empirical evidence on the importance of supply chain agility, flexibility, and robustness in enhancing logistics performance. The findings suggest prioritizing the development of these capabilities for competitive advantage. Further research on the interrelationships between various supply chain capabilities and their impact on performance outcomes is highlighted.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.1-18
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• 2023

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to study how flexibility and mutuality in determining trade terms impact logistics efficiency in the context of relational theory. Additionally, the effect of relational contracts on logistical efficiency relative to the value of the goods being traded is investigated. Design/methodology - According to the relational contract theory, we developed 17 factors utilizing a 7-point Likert scale to measure variables related to flexibility, mutuality, logistics efficiency, and the added value of goods. The survey occurred over four months, and was distributed directly, and via email, phone, and online Google surveys. A total of 403 surveys were collected out of 1,800 distributed, and 380 were analyzed. The principal respondents were import/export companies and members of the Korea International Trade Association and the Korea Small and Medium Business Export-Import Association. The collected data were analyzed using frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and correlation analysis using SPSS ver. 26.0 statistical software, and hypothesis test results were derived using Process Macro ver. 3.5. Findings - This study provides evidence that negotiation flexibility for trade terms affects the efficiency of the logistics process, and the mutuality of such arrangements is shown to be associated with the flexibility and efficiency of logistics processes. Additionally, it has been established that companies whose trade goods possess a low degree of added value may experience increased efficiency in logistics operations if they agree to trade terms that are both flexible and mutually beneficial with their counterparts. Originality/value - This study suggests that in an environment of rapidly shifting global logistics and unpredictable related costs, trade companies may be able to improve logistics efficiency by establishing flexible, mutually beneficial trade terms when entering into contracts. Furthermore, it is suggested that companies dealing in low-value-added products may improve the logistical performance of approaching trade from a perspective of relational contracts.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.95-106
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• 2024

Purpose: This study explores the effect on supply chain agility and logistics performance of building mutual trust between manufacturing companies that have adopted supply chain management. Previous studies have categorized trust into affective and cognitive types, and speed, flexibility, and responsiveness are recognized as subfactors of supply chain agility. Methodology: A survey gathered responses from employees of domestic manufacturing firms with supply chain management implementations. 254 valid responses underwent statistical analysis using structural equation modeling (SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0). Results: Affective trust positively influences speed and responsiveness but not flexibility. Cognitive trust positively affects speed, flexibility, and responsiveness. Supply chain agility positively impacts logistics performance. However, neither affective nor cognitive trust significantly influences logistics performance. Conclusions: The study suggests that cognitive trust based on capabilities is more important than affective trust for flexibility in corporate relationships, a subfactor of supply chain agility. However, trust alone cannot enhance corporate performance. This research is significant as it examines the roles of trust and agility in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated the manufacturing business environment.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.45-64
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• 2022

Due to the recent and rapid globalization, logistics outsourcing has expanded globally and is seen as a means of creating a robust logistics system. However, many businesses continue to have difficulties with their logistics outsourcing contracts, which compels them to reinstate the logistics function for internal management. This study aims to investigate how organizational capabilities of logistics service providers (LSPs), notably flexibility, integration, innovation, and technological capabilities, impact on the logistics outsourcing success in Ugandan food processing firms. Using a structured questionnaire survey, cross-sectional data collected from 211 food processing firms in Kampala - Uganda were analyzed by partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 3.3.7 software to examine the theorized relationships. The study findings revealed that whereas the technological and innovation capabilities positively and significantly influence logistics outsourcing success, the effects of flexibility and integration capabilities were insignificant. Additionally, the importance-performance map analysis (IPMA) reveals that the technological capability is a priority capability, followed by the innovation capability if logistics outsourcing success is to be achieved. Conversely, flexibility and integration capabilities are of low priority.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.91-101
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to empirically verify the relationship between supply chain flexibility(process flexibility and logistics flexibility) and competitive advantage strategy(cost, quality, lead time). To accomplish these purposes, the relationships among supply chain flexibility(process, logistics), competitive advantage strategy(cost, quality, lead time) were modeled based on the studies conducted in the various areas. In order to collect the related data the questionaries of 500 were distributed to the employees working at the manufacturing industry in the area of Gumi. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS 18.0 for Windows. This study used the statistical techniques such as descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, factor analysis, correlation analysis, multi regression analysis. The results of the study show that process flexibility had positively significant effect on low cost strategy and high quality strategy and logistic flexibility have positively significant effect on delivery speed strategy. However, it was found that process flexibility did not have the significant effect on delivery speed strategy, and the logistic flexibility did not have the significant effect on low cost and high quality strategy. Thus, it is expected that each enterprise can maximize corporate strategies by applying different flexibility strategy depending on the competitive advantage strategy.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.387-396
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• 2022

Logistics industry still heavily relies on human labor in many field processes. However, robot applications in logistics are rapidly increasing, encouraged by technological progresses in robotics and cheaper robot solutions from competition between robot suppliers. Effectiveness of logistics automation are higher productivity for cost reduction and increased process capabilities for better profit, which is witnessed in many fields of logistics industry. In this paper, differences in logistics services - contract logistics, parcel, and fulfillment - are addressed, and characteristics and issues in application of various kinds of logistics robots such as AGV, AMR, ASRS, box/piece handling robots and robotic wearable devices are discussed. The advantages from flexibility and scalability of logistics automation by robots will benefit the future logistics business.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.35-43
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• 2023

Purpose: As Thailand seeks to become a regional startup hub, Thai startups have been acquiring growth and scalability in the last ten years. Hence, this paper examines influential factors in Thailand's growth of logistics tech startups. The conceptual framework incorporates sensing user needs, sensing technological options, conceptualizing, scaling, and stretching, co-producing, and orchestrating, business strategy, strategic flexibility, and startup growth. Research design, data, and methodology: The quantitative method was applied to distribute the questionnaire to 500 managers and above in logistics tech startups in Thailand. The sampling techniques involve judgmental, convenience, and snowball samplings. Before the data collection, The Item Objective Congruence (IOC) Index and pilot test (n=45) were employed for content validity and reliability. The data were mainly analyzed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Model (SEM). Results: The findings revealed that sensing technological options, scaling, and stretching, co-producing, and orchestrating, and business strategy significantly influence the growth of startups in Thailand. Nevertheless, sensing user needs, conceptualizing, and strategic flexibility have no significant relationship with startup growth. Conclusions: For Thailand to accelerate its digital economy driven by tech startups, firms must emphasize influential factors to accelerate growth by providing the right tech solutions for people's lives.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.21-31
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to enrich the literature related on Patronage intention in the context of omnichannel in Tunisia. It reveals the determinants of Patronage intention in the fashion retailer context by examining the roles of omnichannel integration quality (IQ), omnichannel perceived value (PV), flexibility, operational logistics service quality (OLSQ) and customer satisfaction. Research design and methodology: A quantitative online survey with 400 customers of fashion retailers was executed. A structural equation modeling approach was applied to test the research hypotheses using AMOS 25 and SPSS 25 software. Results: The findings show that the omnichannel integration quality, omnichannel perceived value, and operational logistics service quality affect play crucial roles in customer satisfaction. A positive relationship between flexibility and operational logistics service quality was also highlighted. And it is also found that a higher omnichannel integration quality led to a higher omnichannel perceived value in the omnichannel retailing context. Furthermore, customer satisfaction within omnichannel retailing can enhance patronage intention. Conclusions: This research adds to the body of knowledge in omnichannel retailing and presents a comprehension of the omnichannel system from the customer's point of view. In addition, this study provides practical implications for omnichannel retailers to improve customer satisfaction and patronage intention.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.183-207
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• 2005

Global firms are seeking to implement their global logistics strategies in two ways: the use of centralized inventories and/or postponement of final assembly. These strategies stress the importance of regional logistics centers. In most cases, regional logistics centers are located in or near ports so that changing demands can be met with economy, reliability and flexibility, The port can profit not only from the activities of logistics center itself, but also the increasing flow of cargo through the logistics center. A number of ports respond to this trend by shifting their emphasis from traditional cargo-handling services to value-added services. This paper presents guidelines drawn from the best practices of ports to be successful logistics centers to provide many aspects of value-added logistics services. These include: Effective Planning and Development of Logistics Centers; Institutional Incentive Scheme; Development of Free Trade Zones; Financing Infrastructure related to Logistics Centers; Developing Logistics Service Providers and Logistics Professionals; Development of Information Technology; and Regulatory and Administrative Issues. These guidelines will help managers of ports and policy makers of governments in the East Asian region learn to recognize, analyze and adopt the best practices for use.