Energy efficiency in logistics through service modularity: the case of household waste

IF 5.9 3区管理学 Q1 MANAGEMENT

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management Pub Date : 2020-11-18 DOI:10.1108/ijpdlm-08-2019-0267

J. Wehner, Ceren Altuntas Vural, Á. Halldórsson

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引用次数: 10

Abstract

PurposeService modularity promotes efficiency at the provider end of the supply chain and customisation at the customer end. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how logistics service modularity contributes to sustainable development through the means of energy efficiency. This is analysed in the context of logistics services for household waste collection.Design/methodology/approachA single case study methodology with embedded units is adopted where semi-structured interviews were conducted with a waste service provider (WSP) and buyers (municipalities) in Sweden, focussing on five types of logistics services for waste collection: collection of food and residual waste at apartments and one-family houses, as well as collection of gardening waste. Service modules are identified and analysed by blueprinting the service.FindingsThe findings show different service modules – standardised or customised – and their contribution to sustainable development operationalised through energy efficiency. Principles for an energy-centric service design are proposed.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited to Swedish household waste collection setting. Promising efficiency through standardisation, logistics service modularity has a potential to improve energy efficiency as well. This neglected link between sustainability and service modularity offers fruitful research avenues.Practical implicationsThis research is of practical relevance to waste logistics service providers and the municipality by suggesting principles for energy-centric service design. The service blueprint enables using logistics service modularity for improving energy efficiency in different logistics service settings.Originality/valueThis research incorporates an environmentally sustainable development perspective into logistics service modularity and contributes to the literature by exploring how energy efficiency is improved by modular design of logistics services. Furthermore, the study is one of the first to use service blueprinting to analyse logistics service modularity, providing a methodological contribution to that field in general and logistics in particular.

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通过服务模块化提高物流的能源效率:以家庭垃圾为例

服务模块化提高了供应链供应商端的效率和客户端的定制化。本文的目的是研究物流服务模块化如何通过能源效率的手段促进可持续发展。这是在家庭垃圾收集物流服务的背景下进行分析的。设计/方法/方法采用嵌入式单元的单一案例研究方法，对瑞典的废物服务提供商(WSP)和买家(市政当局)进行了半结构化访谈，重点关注五种废物收集的物流服务:收集公寓和单户住宅的食物和剩余废物，以及收集园艺废物。通过绘制服务蓝图来识别和分析服务模块。研究结果表明，不同的服务模块——标准化的或定制的——以及它们通过提高能源效率对可持续发展的贡献。提出了以能源为中心的服务设计原则。研究局限性/意义本研究仅限于瑞典的家庭垃圾收集设置。通过标准化提高效率，物流服务模块化也有可能提高能源效率。这种被忽视的可持续性和服务模块化之间的联系提供了富有成效的研究途径。本研究通过提出以能源为中心的服务设计原则，对废物物流服务提供商和市政当局具有实际意义。服务蓝图支持在不同的物流服务设置中使用物流服务模块化来提高能源效率。原创性/价值本研究将环境可持续发展的观点纳入物流服务模块化，并通过探索物流服务的模块化设计如何提高能源效率，为文献做出了贡献。此外，这项研究是首次使用服务蓝图来分析物流服务模块化的研究之一，为该领域特别是物流领域提供了方法上的贡献。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management MANAGEMENT-

CiteScore

11.20

自引率

10.40%

发文量

期刊介绍： IJPDLM seeks strategically focused, theoretically grounded, empirical and conceptual, quantitative and qualitative, rigorous and relevant, original research studies in logistics, physical distribution and supply chain management operations and associated strategic issues. Quantitatively oriented mathematical and modelling research papers are not suitable for IJPDLM. Desired topics include, but are not limited to: Customer service strategy Omni-channel and multi-channel distribution innovations Order processing and inventory management Implementation of supply chain processes Information and communication technology Sourcing and procurement Risk management and security Personnel recruitment and training Sustainability and environmental Collaboration and integration Global supply chain management and network complexity Information and knowledge management Legal, financial and public policy Retailing, channels and business-to-business management Organizational and human resource development Logistics and SCM education.