{"title":"Dose free brand spillover always benefit? Procurement outsourcing in co-opetitive supply chains","authors":"Mengqi Liu , Guo Li , Hong Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104014","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>When many original brand manufacturers (OBMs) have outsourced their manufacturing/procurement functions to competitive contract manufacturers (CMs), CMs may advertise this relationship to promote their private brand products. Faced with such brand spillover, OBMs start to restructure their outsourcing arrangements. This paper investigates the impact of brand spillover on OBMs’ outsourcing choices and whether CMs should utilize brand spillover. We construct a three-tier co-opetitive supply chain consisting of an OBM, a CM, and a material supplier. The CM who directly sells his private brand products also takes charge of procurement and manufacturing functions of the OBM’s original brand products. With such a relationship, the CM determines whether or not to commit to implementing free brand spillover. Thereafter, the OBM can decide to proceed with outsourcing her material procurement function to the competitive CM (i.e., procurement outsourcing) or switch to independently procure materials (i.e., independent procurement). Results reveal that when the CM’s initial brand power is small, the OBM chooses procurement outsourcing; otherwise, she switches to independent procurement. Interestingly, the OBM’s choice of independent procurement can benefit all the firms. Brand spillover discourages the OBM from outsourcing her procurement to the CM because it allows the CM to focus more on his private brand business and thus causes the OBM a considerably high cost to work with the CM. Although brand spillover improves the CM’s initial brand power at no cost, the CM may make a commitment by not taking free brand spillover when considering the OBM’s shift towards independent procurement. Our findings suggest that CMs with private brand should be cautious in adopting free brand spillover as a marketing tool.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49418,"journal":{"name":"Transportation Research Part E-Logistics and Transportation Review","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 104014"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143563209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bulk ship fleet scheduling in industrial shipping for multiple destinations with time-variant loading constraints","authors":"Zixuan Song , Jian Gang Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104049","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104049","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bulk carriers are essential in the worldwide transport of raw materials between continents. Most quintessential challenges confronting bulk shipping companies are in regard to the arrangement of ship deployment, voyage assignment, and voyage durations to reduce both operational and capital expenses. To address this issue, a discrete space–time model is designed that integrates fleet sizing and mix, voyage planning, and sailing speed optimization decisions within a cooperative framework in an industrial shipping context. This framework is specifically tailored to industrial shipping with operations involving a single bulk export terminal (BET) and multiple bulk import terminals (BITs) and also takes into account time-dependent handling capability of the BET. The problem is formulated as a mixed-integer programming model, aiming to minimize fleet costs over the planning horizon while adhering to operational constraints and total transport demand. A Lagrangian relaxation-based method was employed to address this problem. Numerical experiments based on a real-world bauxite transportation network demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach. Additionally, sensitivity analyses are conducted to assess the impact of factors such as seasonal variations and unforeseen incidents. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method, offering insights for the enhancement of bulk shipping operations management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49418,"journal":{"name":"Transportation Research Part E-Logistics and Transportation Review","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 104049"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hang Zhou, Yang Li, Chengyuan Ma, Keke Long, Xiaopeng Li
{"title":"Modular vehicle routing problem: Applications in logistics","authors":"Hang Zhou, Yang Li, Chengyuan Ma, Keke Long, Xiaopeng Li","doi":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104022","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104022","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recent studies and industry advancements indicate that modular vehicles (MVs) have the potential to enhance transportation systems through their ability to dock and split during a trip. Although various applications of MVs have been explored across different domains, their application in logistics remains underexplored. This study examines the use of MVs in cargo delivery to reduce total delivery costs. We model the delivery problem for MVs as a variant of the Vehicle Routing Problem, referred to as the Modular Vehicle Routing Problem (MVRP). In the MVRP, MVs can either serve customers independently or dock with other MVs to form a platoon, thereby reducing the average cost per unit. In this study, we mainly focus on two fundamental types of MVRPs, namely the capacitated MVRP (CMVRP) and the MVRP with time windows (MVRPTW). To address these problems, we first developed mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) models, which can be solved using commercial optimization solvers. Given the NP-hardness of this problem, we also designed a Tabu Search (TS) algorithm with a solution representation based on Gantt charts and a neighborhood structure tailored for the MVRP. Multi-start and shaking strategies were incorporated into the TS algorithm to escape local optima. Additionally, we explored other potential applications in logistics and discussed problem settings for three MVRP variants. Results from numerical experiments indicate that the proposed algorithm successfully identifies nearly all optimal solutions found by the MILP model in small-size benchmark instances, while also demonstrating good convergence speed in large-size benchmark instances. Comparative experiments show that the MVRP approach can reduce costs by approximately 5.6% compared to traditional delivery methods. Sensitivity analyses reveal that improving the cost-saving capability of MV platooning can enhance overall benefits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49418,"journal":{"name":"Transportation Research Part E-Logistics and Transportation Review","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 104022"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hang Wu , Ming Li , Chenglin Yu , Zhiyuan Ouyang , Kee-hung Lai , Zhiheng Zhao , Shenle Pan , Shuaian Wang , Ray Y. Zhong , Yong-Hong Kuo , Fangni Zhang , Wenjie Huang , Zuo-Jun Max Shen , Eric Ballot , George Q. Huang
{"title":"Towards cyber-physical internet: A systematic review, fundamental model and future perspectives","authors":"Hang Wu , Ming Li , Chenglin Yu , Zhiyuan Ouyang , Kee-hung Lai , Zhiheng Zhao , Shenle Pan , Shuaian Wang , Ray Y. Zhong , Yong-Hong Kuo , Fangni Zhang , Wenjie Huang , Zuo-Jun Max Shen , Eric Ballot , George Q. Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104051","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104051","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Physical Internet (PI) has emerged as an open global logistics system in which physical, digital and operative interconnectivity are combined by units, interfaces and protocols. The PI initiatives have revolutionized the logistics industry, which significantly promotes logistics sustainability, digitalization and the interconnection of logistic services. Since the inception of PI in 2010, there has been significant and increasing interest from both academia and practitioners, leading to remarkable advancements in related research and development. Conducting a comprehensive review of the most up-to-date works related to the PI can help researchers recognize emerging research directions to systematically and effectively advance the research toward the next stages of PI. Thus, this paper consists of a systematic literature review (SLR) of the field. This review shows that digitalization is the key enabling force of PI, and how digitalized cyber space affects PI is still unclear. This motivates us to analyse the necessities and rationales for accessing the Cyber-Physical Internet (CPI). Then, the fundamental CPI model is designed with a five-layer architecture, which acts as the OSI model in the computer network, to define the underlying working mechanisms of each layer for maintaining an open, cooperative and scalable CPI. Finally, future research directions are summarized to illustrate the major research and development roadmap to innovative CPI to make this next-generation logistics as simple as sending email.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49418,"journal":{"name":"Transportation Research Part E-Logistics and Transportation Review","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 104051"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The interplay of blockchain and channel structure with consideration of cyber-security in a platform supply chain","authors":"Ling Li , Shiyi Yan , Shuxia Peng , Pengwen Hou","doi":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104045","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104045","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper investigates the application of blockchain technology and channel selection strategies, considering an e-commerce platform vulnerable to cyberattacks that can defend itself through either effort or blockchain technology, which enhances the efficiency of defensive effort and has a certain impact on consumers. Utilizing a Stackelberg game model, we analyze the situation where the manufacturer can not only wholesale products to the retailer selling on the platform, but may also choose to encroach by establishing a direct channel through the platform. Research finds that the manufacturer’s encroachment can incentivize the platform to increase its defensive effort, thereby expanding market demand. Consequently, the manufacturer increases the wholesale price after encroaching into the market, which worsens the double marginalization. Additionally, although blockchain can reduce the efficiency of increasing defensive effort, we find that due to consumers’ negative attitude towards blockchain, the platform may actually reduce its defensive effort after adopting blockchain. Furthermore, we discover that the negative impact of blockchain can be mitigated by the manufacturer’s encroachment. Finally, we find that within a certain range, the platform may use blockchain to promote manufacturer’s encroachment, while simultaneously, it may also forgo the use of blockchain to prevent encroachment. This suggests that when faced with cyberattacks, managers of e-commerce platforms can strategically design channel structure and utilize blockchain to defend against cyberattacks and secure profits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49418,"journal":{"name":"Transportation Research Part E-Logistics and Transportation Review","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 104045"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A location-inventory problem with facility temperature selection and quality deterioration in fresh product supply chain","authors":"Hongtao Hu , Shuyuan Guo , Jia Shu","doi":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104044","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104044","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The storage environment in logistics activities, particularly temperature conditions, plays a crucial role in preserving the quality of fresh products. However, one of the key challenges for companies is finding a balance between reducing network costs and selecting the ideal storage temperature. Therefore, this paper investigates a location-inventory problem with multiple retailers in the fresh product supply chain. Due to uncertain customer demand, retailers employ risk-pooling measures to handle demand fluctuations and reduce inventory risk. Furthermore, considering the quality deterioration of fresh product, this paper examines ordering strategies and the selection of storage temperatures to meet customer demand and quality requirements. A mixed-integer nonlinear programming model is then established to minimize total costs, including construction costs, inventory costs, cooling costs of distribution centers, and transportation costs within the supply chain network. We analyze the nonlinearity of the model and prove that the nonlinear terms are submodular functions. Consequently, a polymatroid cutting-plane approach is proposed to solve the model. Finally, the validity of the model and the effectiveness of the algorithm are verified through numerical experiments of various sizes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49418,"journal":{"name":"Transportation Research Part E-Logistics and Transportation Review","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 104044"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wenqiang Guo , Xinyu Zhang , Ying-En Ge , Yuquan Du
{"title":"Deep Q-network and knowledge jointly-driven ship operational efficiency optimization in a seaport","authors":"Wenqiang Guo , Xinyu Zhang , Ying-En Ge , Yuquan Du","doi":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104046","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104046","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study addresses a ship operational efficiency optimization problem for a seaport. Given the number of planned inbound ships, the problem optimizes the inbound sequence of all ships and their speed profiles at different inbound stages. A mixed-integer nonlinear programming model is presented to minimize both the total time of ships’ port entry process (TTEP) and the total fuel consumption (TFC) of the ships. A novel deep Q-network and knowledge jointly-driven cooperative metaheuristic algorithm (DQNKD-CMA) is designed to solve the model. Experimental results based on real scenarios set in Tianjin Port demonstrate that DQNKD-CMA exhibits favorable performance in solving the problem. The proposed method improves ship inbound efficiency and reduces carbon emissions through operational measures, providing a cost-effective alternative to energy-saving equipment and alternative fuels for ship emission mitigation. This study offers a significant set of implications to shipping and port operators who face new carbon emission reduction challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49418,"journal":{"name":"Transportation Research Part E-Logistics and Transportation Review","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 104046"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arsalan Najafi , Kun Gao , Hua Wang , Michal Jasinski , Omkar Parishwad , Shaohua Cui , Xiaohan Liu
{"title":"Joint charging scheduling of electric buses and active power flexibility integration","authors":"Arsalan Najafi , Kun Gao , Hua Wang , Michal Jasinski , Omkar Parishwad , Shaohua Cui , Xiaohan Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104038","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104038","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Public transport electrification stands out as a notable response to the environmental concerns in the transport sector. This study proposes a joint optimization framework for the coupled battery electric bus (BEB) transit system and active power distribution network (APDN) integrated with the flexibility of demand response (DR). The primary objective is to effectively support BEB mobility services by addressing their spatial and temporal charging demands. Special emphasis is placed on leveraging APDN capabilities to facilitate BEB operations with minimal costs. The problem is formulated as a bi-level stochastic programming by incorporating the non-profit agent at the upper level and the DR aggregators at the lower level. The upper level aims to minimize the joint costs of the APDN and BEB transit system, while the lower level seeks to maximize its profit through interaction with the upper level. The problem is then reformulated into an equivalent single-level model using Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions. The findings underscore the effective coupling framework in tackling the charging scheduling in the BEB sub-transit system in Skövde, Sweden, alongside the proper DR activation to meet the technical constraints of the coupled BEB transit and APDN. The proposed optimization framework can compensate for the additional burden of charging demands from BEBs by curtailing 6.4% of energy during peak hours.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49418,"journal":{"name":"Transportation Research Part E-Logistics and Transportation Review","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 104038"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhuangbin Shi , Wei Shen , Guangming Xu , Sihui Long , Yang Liu
{"title":"Utilizing a data-driven methodology to resolve the passenger-to-train assignment problem","authors":"Zhuangbin Shi , Wei Shen , Guangming Xu , Sihui Long , Yang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104037","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104037","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the passenger distribution within the metro system is a prerequisite for metro network planning and operation. However, as automatic fare collection (AFC) data records only entry and exit information, directly obtaining passenger distribution through AFC data and established timetables remains challenging. Although many studies have explored passenger distribution in metro systems based on accurate timetable inputs, parameter collection and calibration are challenging due to the spatiotemporal dynamics of both passenger demand and headway. This study proposes a data-driven passenger-to-train assignment model (PTAM). The posterior probability of passengers boarding the train is computed using a two-stage Gaussian mixture model (GMM). This method does not require precise timetable inputs, and both the initial parameter collection and final estimation processes are automated, eliminating the need for manual calibration. Using the Nanjing metro as a case study, the effectiveness of the PTAM is demonstrated. Additionally, the study computes in-vehicle passengers, left-behind passengers, and passengers’ willingness to pay (WTP) using PTAM. The results demonstrate significant differences in crowding level and left-behind at different stations on the same line. During the evening peak, passengers bear about 50% of welfare costs. The findings can provide managers with a basis for passenger flow organization and guidance for passenger’s travel decision.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49418,"journal":{"name":"Transportation Research Part E-Logistics and Transportation Review","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 104037"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Flying through uncertainty: Air transportation’s impact on supply chain resilience and inventory efficiency","authors":"Jian-yu Ke , Woohyun Cho , Hao Su","doi":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104042","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tre.2025.104042","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The COVID-19 pandemic revealed critical vulnerabilities in global supply chains, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to enhance resilience and operational efficiency. This study addresses the dual challenge of managing global supply chain risks and disruptions while improving inventory efficiency. Specifically, it investigates how transportation modal flexibility—the strategic use of air versus ocean freight—mitigates these challenges. Leveraging industry-level data from U.S. manufacturing sectors spanning 2003 to 2021, this research demonstrates how firms utilized air transport to counteract disruptions, maintain operational continuity, and sustain inventory performance. Findings reveal that while global supply chain risks and disruptions adversely affect inventory efficiency, unique features of air transport offer critical mitigation strategies. This study not only contributes to the discourse on supply chain risk management by emphasizing transportation modal flexibility but also provides actionable insights for firms aiming to adapt to crises and enhance supply chain resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49418,"journal":{"name":"Transportation Research Part E-Logistics and Transportation Review","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 104042"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143528874","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}