A large number of firms have reconfigured their supply chains. The general trends entail, among others, the reduction, centralization and re‐location of plants and distribution centers, the design of new distribution systems, and the reduction of the supplier base. The analysis of the...

This paper deals with the development of an automated procedure for selecting motor carriers to minimize transportation cost prepaid by a shipper. To test the effectiveness of the decision support system (DSS), an empirical study was conducted, in which the freight carriers actually chosen by...

Provides results from a recent empirical study of US‐based international freight forwarders (IFFs). Compares IFF demographics with those from previous empirical research and finds that the IFF industry is still dominated by small companies and that IFFs continue to diversify their revenue...

Summarizes previous logistics research into the benefits of, and barriers to, electronic data interchange (EDI). Argues that information management in general, and EDI in particular, is vitally important for today’s international freight forwarder. Presents the findings from empirical studies...

At this time UN/EDIFACT is best suited to companies with “tied” customers, e.g. MNCs and their subsidiaries and companies who conduct a very high proportion of their overseas business with a small number of customers. Such EDI utilisation has been found to be most effective in the transport...

This paper explores the carrier selection problem of choosing either a less‐than‐truckload (LTL) or a multiple‐stop truckload (TL) motor carrier to deliver products. Specifically the paper presents a methodology for analyzing the cost implications of different carrier selection decisions....

The recent changes in the international forwarding environment have witnessed the emergence of “new forms” of forwarders incorporating a broad spectrum of services under one roof. Such total logistics companies are becoming a critical third party in obtaining a competitive advantage in...