International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=304&year=2012&vol=4&issue=1 Inderscience Publishers Ltd en-uk International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics 1756-6517 1756-6525 © 2012 Inderscience Publishers Ltd editor@inderscience.com https://www.inderscience.com/images/files/coverImgs/ijstl_scoverijstl.jpg http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=304&year=2012&vol=4&issue=1 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44132 Supplier inputs need to be delivered at the right time in the right quality and quantity to fully satisfy the operations requirements of buying firms. In achieving these performance goals, the importance of supplier commitment in managing the buyer-supplier relationship (BSR) should not be neglected in logistics operations. Due to organisational differences on operations priorities, it is a challenging task to manage a BSR which is inherently complex with many transactional and institutional aspects involved. This challenge is salient in logistics management with multiple upstream and downstream parties involved where the lack of concerted efforts can compromise performance of the entire logistics chain. For many enterprises, it remains unclear on how to nurture supplier commitment in support of their logistics operations. Considering this research void, we examine the antecedents of supplier commitment covering both transactional and institutional factors influencing supplier commitment in the BSR. Survey data collected from 358 suppliers of an international buying firm indicate that business uncertainty discourages supplier commitment, but the commitment can be reinforced with both explicit and implicit contracts used for governing the BSR. A study on the antecedents of supplier commitment in support of logistics operations
Christina W.Y. Wong; Kee-hung Lai; Y.H. Venus Lun; T.C.E. Cheng
International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 5 - 16
Supplier inputs need to be delivered at the right time in the right quality and quantity to fully satisfy the operations requirements of buying firms. In achieving these performance goals, the importance of supplier commitment in managing the buyer-supplier relationship (BSR) should not be neglected in logistics operations. Due to organisational differences on operations priorities, it is a challenging task to manage a BSR which is inherently complex with many transactional and institutional aspects involved. This challenge is salient in logistics management with multiple upstream and downstream parties involved where the lack of concerted efforts can compromise performance of the entire logistics chain. For many enterprises, it remains unclear on how to nurture supplier commitment in support of their logistics operations. Considering this research void, we examine the antecedents of supplier commitment covering both transactional and institutional factors influencing supplier commitment in the BSR. Survey data collected from 358 suppliers of an international buying firm indicate that business uncertainty discourages supplier commitment, but the commitment can be reinforced with both explicit and implicit contracts used for governing the BSR.

]]> 10.1504/IJSTL.2012.044132 International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 5 - 16 Christina W.Y. Wong; Kee-hung Lai; Y.H. Venus Lun; T.C.E. Cheng Business Division, Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. ' Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. ' Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. ' Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong supplier commitment business uncertainty buyer-supplier relationships implicit contracts explicit contracts logistics management. 2011-12-09T23:20:50-05:00 4 1 5 16 2011-12-09T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44133 This paper examines the links between service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty in logistics outsourcing relationships. Besides service quality, also the moderating role of inter-firm relationships and service provider's image are examined. A theoretical model is developed and tested with structural equation modelling using survey data from industrial companies in Finland. It is shown that perceived service quality influences the customer's satisfaction which again affects loyalty. Inter-firm relationships and service provider's image affect loyalty directly and indirectly through satisfaction. Impact of service quality, image and relational aspects on satisfaction and loyalty in logistics outsourcing relationships
Jari Juga; Jouni Juntunen; Mari Juntunen
International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 17 - 28
This paper examines the links between service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty in logistics outsourcing relationships. Besides service quality, also the moderating role of inter-firm relationships and service provider's image are examined. A theoretical model is developed and tested with structural equation modelling using survey data from industrial companies in Finland. It is shown that perceived service quality influences the customer's satisfaction which again affects loyalty. Inter-firm relationships and service provider's image affect loyalty directly and indirectly through satisfaction.

]]> 10.1504/IJSTL.2012.044133 International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 17 - 28 Jari Juga; Jouni Juntunen; Mari Juntunen Oulu Business School, University of Oulu, Box 4600, 90014 Oulu, Finland. ' Oulu Business School, University of Oulu, Box 4600, 90014 Oulu, Finland. ' Oulu Business School, University of Oulu, Box 4600, 90014 Oulu, Finland. logistics outsourcing service quality service providers service provider image inter-firm relationships customer satisfaction customer loyalty Finland structural equation modelling perceived quality. 2011-12-09T23:20:50-05:00 4 1 17 28 2011-12-09T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44134 This study empirically investigates factors influencing ocean carriers' use intention toward a port logistics information system (PLIS). Data collected from a survey of carriers in Taiwan were used to test a structural equation model examining the relationships among top management support, cost of adoption, perceived benefit, perceived complexity, security concern, and use intention. The results indicate that top management support, cost of adoption, perceived benefits, and perceived complexity are the dominant factors explaining the use intention of PLIS by carriers. However, the influence of security concerns on use intention was not shown to be significant in this study. Theoretical and managerial implications of the research findings are discussed. Factors influencing the use intention of port logistics information system by ocean carriers
Chin-Shan Lu; Ching-Chiao Yang
International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 29 - 48
This study empirically investigates factors influencing ocean carriers' use intention toward a port logistics information system (PLIS). Data collected from a survey of carriers in Taiwan were used to test a structural equation model examining the relationships among top management support, cost of adoption, perceived benefit, perceived complexity, security concern, and use intention. The results indicate that top management support, cost of adoption, perceived benefits, and perceived complexity are the dominant factors explaining the use intention of PLIS by carriers. However, the influence of security concerns on use intention was not shown to be significant in this study. Theoretical and managerial implications of the research findings are discussed.

]]> 10.1504/IJSTL.2012.044134 International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 29 - 48 Chin-Shan Lu; Ching-Chiao Yang Department of Transportation and Communication Management Science, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan ' Department of Shipping and Transportation Management, National Kaohsiung Marine University, No. 142, Haijhuan Rd., Nanzih District, Kaohsiung City 811, Taiwan. port logistics information systems PLIS use intention structural equation modelling Taiwan logistics information ocean carriers top management support adoption costs perceived benefits perceived complexity security concerns. 2011-12-09T23:20:50-05:00 4 1 29 48 2011-12-09T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44135 Nowadays, ports have transformed from a purely ship-shore interface into logistical platforms where logistics-related activities occur, and are also important clusters of economic activities. The role of seaports is therefore essential since these transport nodes are important and indispensable for the effective and efficient management of flows of products and information in the supply chain. With this new role, it is critical that port personnel possess necessary competencies to contribute to port efficiency and turn the port into an effective supply chain partner. This research issue is explored through a conceptual model of competencies constructed based on thorough literature review and in-depth interviews and validated by a survey with port personnel both in Singapore and Vietnam. As a result, important managerial insights are drawn to the design and implementation of human resource development policy for ports. Competencies required by port personnel in the new era: conceptual framework and case study
Vinh V. Thai
International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 49 - 77
Nowadays, ports have transformed from a purely ship-shore interface into logistical platforms where logistics-related activities occur, and are also important clusters of economic activities. The role of seaports is therefore essential since these transport nodes are important and indispensable for the effective and efficient management of flows of products and information in the supply chain. With this new role, it is critical that port personnel possess necessary competencies to contribute to port efficiency and turn the port into an effective supply chain partner. This research issue is explored through a conceptual model of competencies constructed based on thorough literature review and in-depth interviews and validated by a survey with port personnel both in Singapore and Vietnam. As a result, important managerial insights are drawn to the design and implementation of human resource development policy for ports.

]]> 10.1504/IJSTL.2012.044135 International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 49 - 77 Vinh V. Thai Division of Infrastructure Systems and Maritime Studies, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, N1-01c-81, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore competency requirements seaports human resource development HRD Singapore Vietnam port personnel port efficiency shipping logistics supply chain management SCM flow management competencies. 2011-12-09T23:20:50-05:00 4 1 49 77 2011-12-09T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44136 The paper deals with the major question whether freight rate derivatives are the most accurate indicators of future freight rates. The paper proves that predicting future freight rates using non-linear models one obtains more accurate estimates. Derivatives proved to give underestimates of the actual spot freight rates within the sample. The paper goes one step further to show that the failure outlined above is due to the existence of black and pink noise in the time series. This is so as models so far assume white noise even when tests for normality, excess skewness and kurtosis are significant much above their critical values. The data covered 694 working days for 2006-2008 for derivatives and spot rates for a dry cargo vessel of 85 000 dwt. The Hurst exponent found 0.90 for spots and 0.80 for derivatives. The paper's predictions were below 10% of the actual for ten steps ahead. Derivatives were away by 28%. An application of non-linear methods to the prediction of future freight rates, 2006-2008
Alexandros M. Goulielmos; Constantine Giziakis; Argyro Georgantzi
International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 78 - 106
The paper deals with the major question whether freight rate derivatives are the most accurate indicators of future freight rates. The paper proves that predicting future freight rates using non-linear models one obtains more accurate estimates. Derivatives proved to give underestimates of the actual spot freight rates within the sample. The paper goes one step further to show that the failure outlined above is due to the existence of black and pink noise in the time series. This is so as models so far assume white noise even when tests for normality, excess skewness and kurtosis are significant much above their critical values. The data covered 694 working days for 2006-2008 for derivatives and spot rates for a dry cargo vessel of 85 000 dwt. The Hurst exponent found 0.90 for spots and 0.80 for derivatives. The paper's predictions were below 10% of the actual for ten steps ahead. Derivatives were away by 28%.

]]> 10.1504/IJSTL.2012.044136 International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 78 - 106 Alexandros M. Goulielmos; Constantine Giziakis; Argyro Georgantzi Department of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus, 80 Karaoli & Dimitriou Street, Piraeus 18534, Greece. ' Department of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus, 80 Karaoli & Dimitriou Street, Piraeus 18534, Greece. ' Department of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus, 80 Karaoli & Dimitriou Street, Piraeus 18534, Greece nonlinear prediction spot freight rates future freight rates Hurst exponent long term volatility freight rate derivatives modelling. 2011-12-09T23:20:50-05:00 4 1 78 106 2011-12-09T23:20:50-05:00