Title: Strategic flexibility choices in the ocean transportation industry

Authors: Ioannis N. Lagoudis, Mohamed M. Naim, Andrew T. Potter

Addresses: Department of Shipping Trade and Transport, University of the Aegean, 2A Korai Str., 82100, Chios, Greece; Research and Development Department, XRTC Ltd. – Business Consultants, 3 E. Chandris Str., 82100, Chios, Greece. ' Logistics Systems Dynamics Group, Logistics and Operations Management Section, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, Aberconway Building, Colum Drive, Cardiff, CF10 3EU, Wales, UK. ' Logistics Systems Dynamics Group, Logistics and Operations Management Section, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, Aberconway Building, Colum Drive, Cardiff, CF10 3EU, Wales, UK

Abstract: Flexibility is an issue widely studied in the manufacturing literature, but only recently has attention been paid to flexibility in logistics and supply chain management. Flexibility is taking prominence due to the uncertainties and disruptions created in the production and distribution processes of an organisation and its respective supply chains. This paper aims at studying the level of transport flexibility achieved in the ocean transportation industry to gain understanding on the strategic choices of carriers to cope with market changes and customer demand. Our analysis indicates the different strategic choices ocean transportation companies need to make with regards to transport flexibility.

Keywords: shipping; transport logistics; strategic flexibility; competence; capability; strategy; ocean transportation; supply chain management; SCM; transport flexibility.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2010.030866

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2010 Vol.2 No.2, pp.187 - 205

Published online: 10 Jan 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article