Title: Reducing lead-times and lead-time variance in cooperative distribution networks

Authors: Hadi Ghaderi; Wout Dullaert; Walther Ploos Van Amstel

Addresses: Department of Maritime and Logistics Management, National Centre for Ports and Shipping, Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania, TAS 7248, Australia ' Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands ' Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract: The academic and professional attention to the large synergies hidden in horizontal collaborations is increasing. This study attempts to address the impact of collaborative transport on transportation lead-time and lead-time variability through empirically investigating a group of SMEs involved in a collaborative distribution network. Data was collected for seven pre-cooperation and eight cooperative orders over a period of 14 months. The results of Mann-Whitney U-test show a significant average reduction of 30.8% in the duration of lead times. Lead-time variability was also found to be reduced as the result of changes in the coefficient of variances and the Bartlett's test for homogeneity of variances. Horizontal collaboration in transport could eventually lead to reduced lead times and lower variability of lead time which results in reduced supply chain costs. This can be achieved by means of direct routing and avoiding multi-transshipment routes which reduces the uncertainty and variability by diminishing the number of stages in the transport chain. Thus, effective lead-time management is considered a source of competitive advantage as it can reduce supply chain costs by lowering inventory levels, but is also capable of improving performance and customer service by offering improved product quality service levels.

Keywords: lead time reduction; horizontal collaboration; reliability; logistics collaboration; lead time variance; cooperative networks; distribution networks; collaborative transport; transportation lead times; SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises; direct routing; multi-transshipment routes; uncertainty; variability; lead time management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2016.073316

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2016 Vol.8 No.1, pp.51 - 65

Accepted: 14 Nov 2014
Published online: 30 Nov 2015 *

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