Journal of Business Logistics最新文献

The escalating complexity of supply networks is undeniable, and organizations grapple with myriad globally dispersed suppliers spanning diverse industries and operating amid volatility and uncertainty while having multifaceted interactions. In line with this, scholars have been investigating supply network complexity (SNC) for over two decades, yet the domain is not converging; definitions and operationalizations are varied, a multiplicity of theoretical perspectives exists, performance implications are inconclusive, and supply chain managers are certainly still struggling with the complexity of their supply networks. To address this critical gap, we conducted a rigorous systematic review of 116 articles and synthesized the extant research in a comprehensive nomological network of SNC. Our synthesis encompasses the following key aspects: (i) defining (sub)dimensions of SNC by reconciling diverse conceptualizations, (ii) elaborating on the direct and contingent effects of SNC by highlighting underlying mechanisms and relevant theories, (iii) identifying antecedents of SNC, and (iv) introducing a detailed categorization of SNC management practices and illustrating SNC management capability as an antecedent of such practices. We conclude by presenting an extensive research agenda illustrating the gaps in the literature and charting a path forward in relation to different themes, theories, and methods.

Efficient management of inventories is essential for both retailers and wholesalers. Two disciplines which have extensively studied retail and wholesale (R&W) inventories are supply chain management (SCM) and economics. Each discipline is affected by R&W inventories but has taken different approaches to investigating these inventories, presenting an opportunity for learning between disciplines. In this manuscript, we aim to advance the study of R&W inventories in the SCM discipline. We accomplish this goal by reviewing and synthesizing SCM and economics research set in the R&W sectors that studies inventories or inventory performance as the outcome of interest. To synthesize the literature and develop research suggestions, we develop a framework along which to classify the existing literature to identify gaps and opportunities, grouping the literature based on (1) the level at which inventory is studied (sector/industry level, firm level, or SKU/product/category level) and (2) the type of predictors that are studied (internal or external). Based on the literature review, we identify opportunities for future research to enhance our understanding of R&W inventories, with research falling within four topics: (1) resolving inconsistencies across studies; (2) expanding the study of R&W inventories within the developed framework; (3) cross-level theorizing; and (4) theorizing across time.

Existing literature offers multiple interpretations of how managers might develop and deploy supply chain visibility (SCV). However, current visibility research lacks rigorous definitions of visibility types and their relationships to contextual factors. Our systematic literature review and analysis extends previous studies by identifying visibility objects, potentially important contextual characteristics, and their interrelationships. We highlight research trends and develop a framework that links types of visibility to relational, environmental, and operational characteristics that either support visibility development or moderate its value for a firm. In addition, we offer a synthesis and critique of research questions, theoretical perspectives, and methods researchers have used to address SCV concepts and relationships. The review findings suggest rich opportunities for future research.

The logistics industry in the United States has faced significant labor shortages for the last couple of decades. Women are a source of labor that has been traditionally underrepresented in the major logistics sectors, transportation, and warehousing. We study the workforce composition and potential gender wage gap across these sectors. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau from 2003 to 2020, we show that women comprise about 4% of the workforce for truck drivers and 21% for warehouse workers. As traditionally measured by economists, there is a 17% gender wage gap among truck drivers and an 11% wage gap among warehouse workers. A regression analysis suggests that the gap is smaller for warehouse workers, which is consistent with theory that an occupation's stability and predictability can reduce or eliminate wage gaps. Further analysis is carried out on specific occupations within the logistics industry and measures the variation across truck transportation and warehousing industries. There is evidence for a declining gender wage gap across both over time, although the gap remains sizable. This paper provides insight on the trends and status of gender differences in labor outcomes in the logistics industry.

This study aims to investigate the sources of resilience for logistics operations as it relates to food supply chains and their responses during natural disasters and other disruptions. The literature tends to treat inherent and adaptive resilience as somewhat separate constructs. Thus, this study also aims to provide some insights into the relatively underexamined area of how inherent resilience synergistically works with adaptive resilience to maintain flows for food supply chains in a developing economy context. To address the research aim, two supply chain wide case studies were used to investigate the contribution of logistic activities toward the resilience of foods supply chains in two different South Asian regions. This context was selected as these regions are prone to frequent natural disruptions and other disruptions, and these food supply chains also play a crucial role in economy and providing relief supplies to their communities. Logistics operations play a key role in achieving overall supply chain resilience. The sources of inherent resilience are the network structure, buffer capacity, and strong social connections among the actors. Adaptive resilience is derived from transportation flows, storage, information sharing, and demand management processes. Surprisingly, resilience in this context is achieved despite the relatively low level of integration, an unsophisticated technological landscape and compromised logistics infrastructure. Still, resilience can be enhanced further. This study contributes to the sparse literature that examines logistics activities that influence the resilience of food supply chains in the context of natural disasters and other disruptions. Furthermore, uncovering the substructure of logistics resilience activities, and surprisingly, the synergies between inherent and adaptive resilience, adds to the emerging body of literature.

The dawn of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform logistics and supply chain management radically. However, this promising innovation is met with a scholarly discourse grappling with an interplay between the promising capabilities and potential drawbacks. This conversation frequently includes dystopian forecasts of mass unemployment and detrimental repercussions concerning academic research integrity. Despite the current hype, existing research exploring the intersection between AI and the logistics and supply chain management (L&SCM) sector remains limited. Therefore, this editorial seeks to fill this void, synthesizing the potential applications of AI within the L&SCM domain alongside an analysis of the implementation challenges. In doing so, we propose a robust research framework as a primer and roadmap for future research. This will give researchers and organizations comprehensive insights and strategies to navigate the complex yet promising landscape of AI integration within the L&SCM domain.

Researchers and practitioners insist on equipping supply chains with the adaptive capability to return to a more desirable state after being disrupted. Various resilience capabilities have been emphasized in the literature; however, limited research has linked them to resilience phases and cultural value orientations. Moreover, preparedness and adaption phases have hardly been studied. To address these gaps, we adopted middle-range theory to investigate agri-food supply chain (AFSC) resilience to the COVID-19 crisis in a cross-country setting. Data were collected from interviews with AFSC practitioners from China and Spain, followed by thematic and comparative analyses. The results indicate that frequently discussed resilience capabilities, such as collaboration, redundancy, flexibility, leadership, and innovation, were implemented across the preparedness, response and recovery, and adaption phases; however, successful AFSC recovery also depends on each country's cultural value orientations. A hierarchical cultural orientation generates sense-making and collectiveness and further leads to synergy across all AFSC stakeholders, thereby contributing to AFSC response and recovery. Under an egalitarianism cultural orientation that places self-interest ahead of group goals, organizations are encouraged to make decisions based on their own situational understanding, which contributes to their response and recovery. This study also provides theoretical contributions and managerial and policy implications.