Enzo M Frazzon

In present manufacturing systems information concerning logistic capabilities and employment level are not appropriately utilised to determine most effective production plans. Therefore, cost and lead-time savings obtained with new global strategies might be impaired due to unbalanced and unstable integration of manufacturing and logistics. This paper proposes a framework for investigating interfaces between manufacturing and logistic systems along global supply

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the integrated production and transportation scheduling problem (PTSP) along global supply chains. An optimal solution for the PTSP requires solving simultaneously the production scheduling for all production facilities and the routing problems for the inter-facilities transportation of intermediate products. Moreover, in dynamic environments information concerning logistic capabilities and employment level has to be appropriately utilised to determine most effective production plans. Since the underlying mathematical programs are NP-hard, an excessive computational effort is required even for dealing with small problems. In this paper we present a decentralised approach for the PTSP, where the supply chain is featured as a sequence of planning entities. Each of these entities consists of one production facility and is responsible for its production scheduling as well as for the transport routing to the subsequent planning entities. The scheduling is performed on the basis of an optimisation model that takes current capabilities of the inter-facility transportation and the production system into account. The analysis of computational results demonstrates the need for developing heuristics for suitably dealing with this kind of complex problem.

ABSTRACT Material and information flows across process, firm and context boundaries have increased the strategic relevance of global production and logistic systems. In this paper, the adaptation to tomorrow’s challenges within these systems is explored by addressing the transformation of context-related knowledge into performance. Which aspects would have to be considered in a contextualisation process so that it supports the international venturing within production and logistics? Suitable prior knowledge leads to better managerial interpretation and thus enhanced awareness to opportunities. An application-oriented process for assembling internal knowledge and expertise in order to enhance the performance of global production and logistic systems is proposed.

ABSTRACT The industry has undergone significant changes in recent decades. Today, it is no longer home-based and operates in a global market. The integration of demand and supply has widened the strategic relevance of logistic networks, processes and systems. This integration along global supply chains depends on trustful partnership, international and hence cross-cultural cooperation. The design, plan and management of logistics are particularly complex because of the diversity of contexts, organisations and individuals involved. Therefore, suitable long-term learning process should taken into account agents’ role and background, the context in which it takes place as well as intra- and inter-organisational culture. In fact, enhancing competitive advantage on the basis of both overlap and diversity of knowledge is an important capability within today’s supply chains. On this foundation, the present paper aims to address business scenario and logistic systems from a viewpoint that approaches competitive advantage in terms of sustainability and effectiveness. Some aspects impacting on dynamics in logistics will be circumscribed in agreement with a holistic perspective embracing context, organisation and individual levels. A descriptive model and further steps toward an approach based on a long-term learning process will be then introduced.

In present manufacturing systems information concerning logistic capabilities and employment level are not appropriately utilised to determine most effective production plans. Therefore, cost and lead-time savings obtained with new global strategies might be impaired due to unbalanced and unstable integration of manufacturing and logistics. This paper proposes a framework for investigating interfaces between manufacturing and logistic systems along global supply

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the integrated production and transportation scheduling problem (PTSP) along global supply chains. An optimal solution for the PTSP requires solving simultaneously the production scheduling for all production facilities and the routing problems for the inter-facilities transportation of intermediate products. Moreover, in dynamic environments information concerning logistic capabilities and employment level has to be appropriately utilised to determine most effective production plans. Since the underlying mathematical programs are NP-hard, an excessive computational effort is required even for dealing with small problems. In this paper we present a decentralised approach for the PTSP, where the supply chain is featured as a sequence of planning entities. Each of these entities consists of one production facility and is responsible for its production scheduling as well as for the transport routing to the subsequent planning entities. The scheduling is performed on the basis of an optimisation model that takes current capabilities of the inter-facility transportation and the production system into account. The analysis of computational results demonstrates the need for developing heuristics for suitably dealing with this kind of complex problem.

ABSTRACT Material and information flows across process, firm and context boundaries have increased the strategic relevance of global production and logistic systems. In this paper, the adaptation to tomorrow’s challenges within these systems is explored by addressing the transformation of context-related knowledge into performance. Which aspects would have to be considered in a contextualisation process so that it supports the international venturing within production and logistics? Suitable prior knowledge leads to better managerial interpretation and thus enhanced awareness to opportunities. An application-oriented process for assembling internal knowledge and expertise in order to enhance the performance of global production and logistic systems is proposed.

The benchmarking of container operations usually employs Data Envelopment Analysis
(DEA) or Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) approaches and uses quantitative measures as
throughputs. Hence, only measurable factors can be considered in analysis, neglecting
important inputs about the practices adopted. Thus the identification of natural benchmarks
among container terminals is possible, while the recognition of best practices that leaded to
the outstanding results is not. In the other hand, benchmarking analysis in other industries
use to take in account qualitative measures, which also permits correlating practices and
results. This paper reviews the literature on best practices assessment and benchmarking,
proposes a method to benchmark practices of operations of container terminals and discuss
the scope of benchmarking that should be considered. The main deliverables of this paper
substantiate the potential of transferring and adapting industrial and manufacturing
benchmarking approaches to containers terminals operations benchmarking, discussing the
main studies related to the theme and presenting a construct for general processes of a
container terminal.

The objective of this paper is to present an overview on the assessment of best practices and the benchmarking process applied to container operations, covering the most relevant literature on the topic and proposing a method for benchmarking container terminals operations’ practices. The benchmarking of container operations normally employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) or Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) approaches and uses quantitative measures as throughputs, neglecting important inputs about the practices adopted. Thus, the identification of natural benchmarks among container terminals is possible while the recognition of best practices is not. On the other hand, benchmarking in other industries usually take into account qualitative measures, which also permits to identify the best practices. The obtained results substantiate the potential of transferring and adapting industrial and manufacturing benchmarking approaches to containers terminals operations benchmarking.