News

NWO Proposal ''Capitalizing on collaboration in sustainable logistics in food and flower chains'' for the research program Sustainable Logistics has been approved.

article_published_on_label
September 3, 2014

Within the research program Sustainable Logistics eight research proposals have been approved. There were 13 full proposals submitted.

The approved proposals within the Sustainable Logistics research cover any one or more of the following areas: IT systems in the logistics sector; Physical Infrastructure; Orgware for the logistics sector.

The focus of the program is both on the company's internal logistics (financial services, service, etc. as far as is relevant for freight) and on the freight itself and the associated infrastructure networks.

The proposals should clearly indicate how the research contributes to a more sustainable logistics. The program focuses on the medium and long term period of the years 2016-2040.


Below you can read the approved proposal of the ORL chair group.


Capitalizing on collaboration in sustainable logistics in food and flower chains


Main applicant: Prof.dr.ir. Jack van der Vorst – Wageningen Universiteit
Partners: ArgusI, SuperUnie en FloraHolland

Summary

Following developments, supply chain actors are rethinking their logistics structures and management practices to arrive at concepts able to deliver perishable products to retail outlets more responsive, at lower cost, with less food waste and environmental impact. Previous projects have shown the advantages of horizontal and vertical collaboration, but still many questions are left to be answered: What key performance indicators at the individual actor level contribute optimally to network performance targets? What are relevant sustainable collaborative logistics concepts for perishable products and what are the potential performance improvements? Which drivers can create awareness with potential partners on the advantages of supply chain collaboration, and make them participate? And what does an ideal collaboration consortium looks like (number of partners and who)? Using a longitudinal case study approach these questions will be analysed by two PhD students in collaboration with business partners. The project team aims to build a toolbox and determine and quantify the added value of (cross)chain collaboration. The most promising collaboration scenario will be implemented in a real life pilot study, giving possibility to evaluate the validity of modelling efforts and identify additional barriers and drivers. Eventually the project will deliver (and transfer knowledge on) success factors of effective horizontal, vertical and diagonal (cross chain) collaborative logistics concepts for distributing conditioned fresh products, such that the right product quality can be provided to consumers in a costeffective, responsive and sustainable way

To see the list of the eight accepted proposals please go to:

http://www.nwo.nl/actueel/nieuws/2014/magw/acht-onderzoeksprojecten-op-het-terrein-van-duurzame-logistiek-kunnen-van-start.html.