Title: The diversity-logistics hypothesis: how animals and manufacturers stand to reduce inbound logistics and inventory costs through diversity

Authors: David H.C. Correll; Yoshinori Suzuki; Bobby J. Martens

Addresses: Graduate School of Management, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, USA ' College of Business, Iowa State University, 2200 Gerdin Building, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA ' College of Business, Iowa State University, 2200 Gerdin Building, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA

Abstract: This paper suggests specific mechanisms by which a diversity of interchangeable inputs begets logistical cost savings for process flexible manufacturers. These mechanisms are introduced first by drawing new theoretical links between the fields of industrial ecology and operations management, and then by prescribing the proposed diversity-logistics hypothesis in terms of generalisable mathematical forms. Illustrations are then drawn from the animal kingdom (honeybees), and applications are made to two example industries (biorenewable fuels and concrete mixing).

Keywords: diversity; logistics; industrial ecology; operations management; manufacturing flexibility.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2017.086148

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2017 Vol.11 No.1, pp.79 - 96

Received: 18 Aug 2016
Accepted: 07 Jan 2017
Published online: 27 Aug 2017 *

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