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Hilmola, O.-P., Ujvari, S., Torkkeli, M., Lorentz, H. & Andersson, T. (2010). From Northern Europe to Russia and Asia, and vice versa: traffic flow analysis – current situation and development trends. International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 6(2), 205-217
Open this publication in new window or tab >>From Northern Europe to Russia and Asia, and vice versa: traffic flow analysis – current situation and development trends
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2010 (English)In: International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, ISSN 1742-7967, E-ISSN 1742-7975, Vol. 6, no 2, p. 205-217Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

European manufacturers have enlarged their manufacturing networks to Asia. Also, the growing demand in Asia as well as in Russia creates challenge for supply chain solutions. This research presents survey research results, targeted on the largest manufacturers and retailers in Finland and Sweden. We estimate how transportation modal split (road, sea, railway and air) will evolve in the future, and how traffic flows will develop between Europe, Russia, and Asian countries. We also present an estimation of the future transportation costs development. In the analysis phase, it is also considered how large volumes could be shifted to favour railway connection.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
InderScience Publishers, 2010
Keywords
international transport, transportation modes, railways, emerging markets, retailing, manufacturing industry, Europe, Russia, Asia, traffic flow analysis, SCM, supply chain management, Finland, Sweden, modal splits, road transport, sea transport, shipping, air transport, costs, freight, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Baltic States, logistics systems, logistics management, R&D, research and development
National Category
Transport Systems and Logistics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:his:diva-7266 (URN)10.1504/IJLSM.2010.030961 (DOI)2-s2.0-84858383013 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2013-02-20 Created: 2013-02-20 Last updated: 2021-05-26Bibliographically approved
Hilletofth, P., Aslam, T. & Hilmola, O.-P. (2010). Multi-agent-based supply chain management: a case study of requisites. International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations, 7(2/3), 184-206
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Multi-agent-based supply chain management: a case study of requisites
2010 (English)In: International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations, ISSN 1470-9503, E-ISSN 1741-5225, Vol. 7, no 2/3, p. 184-206Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Supply Chains (SCs) are becoming increasingly complex, and intensified competition in the end markets has started to create a situation where cooperation requirements between companies are increasing, and old mechanistic operations management solutions are becoming obsolete. In this paper we analyse a real-life situation in Alpha’s manufacturing plant in Sweden, which serves northern European countries in consumer markets. Case study findings reveal that the product-mix flexibility requirements are high and lead-time requirements in manufacturing as well as purchasing take weeks or months, not days. Based on the empirical observations, we propose an agent system for this company and discuss different levels of decision making, operative responsibilities and decision time horizons.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
InderScience Publishers, 2010
Keywords
supply chains, complexity, agent systems
National Category
Engineering and Technology
Research subject
Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:his:diva-4052 (URN)10.1504/IJNVO.2010.031217 (DOI)2-s2.0-76249102778 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2010-06-10 Created: 2010-06-10 Last updated: 2020-01-31Bibliographically approved
Hedenstierna, P., Hilletofth, P. & Hilmola, O.-P. (2009). Design of a Framework for Inventory Control - Evaluation of Forecasting and Inventory Control Systems. In: Farhad Nabhani, Catherine Frost, Sara Zarei, Munir Ahmad, William G. Sullivan (Ed.), Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing 2009 (FAIM 2009): . Paper presented at 19th International Conference on Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing: FAIM 2009, July 6th - July 8th, 2009, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK (pp. 573-580). Curran Associates, Inc.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Design of a Framework for Inventory Control - Evaluation of Forecasting and Inventory Control Systems
2009 (English)In: Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing 2009 (FAIM 2009) / [ed] Farhad Nabhani, Catherine Frost, Sara Zarei, Munir Ahmad, William G. Sullivan, Curran Associates, Inc., 2009, p. 573-580Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

Managing inventories so that overall costs are kept low, while service levels are maintained is the central issue of inventory control, which only regulates two things: the size and the timing of orders. This is typically executed through a planning method, such as the reorder point system or, less frequently, the periodic order quantity system. These take into account a forecast, supposed to gauge the average future demand, and a predetermined safety stock, buffering against forecast errors and demand uncertainty. Pure demand also influences the system, as transactions affect the inventory level. It is crucial to understand how a complete system of demand, forecasts, safety stock calculations and planning methods work together to measure service level and overall cost of the system. This paper outlines a framework for the unambiguous representation of the relations between methods that interpret environmental parameters to plan orders. A number of simulations based on the framework are run to show, how the integration of the inventory control functions may affect the overall performance of the system. The usefullness of the framework lies in its ability to make a system duplicable (i.e. to transfer an inventory control system to a simulation model, or vice versa). Not only is this property important for creating simulation models that exactly depict the system being analysed, it also enables the study of a complete system for order planning, as opposed to optimising individual methods. Studying an inclusive system allow the same metrics to be used to evaluate changes to any method in the system. Another benefit of this approach is that the system's metrics directly reflect changes in the environment. Simulations based on this framework are precise and substantially easier to evaluate than models not adhering to any standard.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Curran Associates, Inc., 2009
National Category
Engineering and Technology
Research subject
Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:his:diva-3432 (URN)978-0-9562303-3-1 (ISBN)978-1-61567-627-9 (ISBN)
Conference
19th International Conference on Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing: FAIM 2009, July 6th - July 8th, 2009, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
Available from: 2009-10-19 Created: 2009-10-15 Last updated: 2020-01-31Bibliographically approved
Hilletofth, P. & Hilmola, O.-P. (2009). ERP Training through Traditional and Intensive Course Formats. In: Olli-Pekka Hilmola & Eugene Korovyakovsky (Ed.), Networked Logistics and Production at South-East Finland, St Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast: (pp. 145-166). Lappeenranta University of Technology
Open this publication in new window or tab >>ERP Training through Traditional and Intensive Course Formats
2009 (English)In: Networked Logistics and Production at South-East Finland, St Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast / [ed] Olli-Pekka Hilmola & Eugene Korovyakovsky, Lappeenranta University of Technology , 2009, p. 145-166Chapter in book (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Nowadays Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have a important role in the performance improvement and control of a company and its entire supply chain. Therefore, this system is a vital part of a company’s competitiveness and new approaches for learning are needed to be developed in order to provide knowledge and skills in faster and more efficient manner for employees. Our aim in this manuscript is it to show, how ERP systems could be incorporated in the logistics courses of a university. This environment provides good platform to test new course formats, since most of the university students do not have any previous experience with these systems.

In this research the structure and contents regarding ERP system usage in certain courses in the logistics curriculum at a Swedish University are being presented. Essentially, a traditional approach, where computer sessions are incorporated in ordinary courses are compared to a new intensive and flexible course format entirely dedicated to ERP systems. Additionally, the two utilized approaches are analyzed through student evaluations based on courses arranged during year 2008.

Research shows that both of the approaches offer good opportunities; the students appreciated the traditional approach, since it allowed them to receive both theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, while they felt the intensive to be beneficial in developing practical side further. Consequently, the best alternative could be to utilize both of these formats. Still, this research shows that skilled responsible lecturer, among intensive course setting, is quite possibly one route for faster learning and higher productivity oflecturing.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Lappeenranta University of Technology, 2009
Series
Research Report, ISSN 1459-3173 ; 211
Keywords
EPR, traditional and intensive course format, logistics, training
National Category
Engineering and Technology
Research subject
Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:his:diva-3965 (URN)978-952-214-725-7 (ISBN)952-214-725-7 (ISBN)
Available from: 2010-05-24 Created: 2010-05-24 Last updated: 2020-01-31Bibliographically approved
Hilmola, O.-P., Abraha, D. & Lorentz, H. (2008). Export based strategy or manufacturing establishment?: Speculating with Russian market. International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 4(2), 155-183
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Export based strategy or manufacturing establishment?: Speculating with Russian market
2008 (English)In: International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, ISSN 1742-7967, E-ISSN 1742-7975, Vol. 4, no 2, p. 155-183Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Among China and India, former Eastern European countries, and especially Russia has been identified as one of the most lucrative market, e.g. in retail sector. However, this market has experienced quite enormous changes during the last two decades, and manufacturing establishment is considered to contain numerous risks, especially functionality of supply chains (incoming flows and distribution) is one of the main reasons. Our longitudinal case study research confirms this, and shows how difficult it is to achieve comparable cost efficiency in Russia as compared to other factories inside of the same company, but operating in well-developed high-cost country. Due to this, and by the fact that foreign companies still favour export based strategies, we develop mathematical models to evaluate which foreign transit harbours would provide lowest distribution costs. Our research results show that only small number of seaports needs to be considered, if distribution costs are the only issue to be concerned.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
InderScience Publishers, 2008
Keywords
export based distribution, manufacturing establishment, Russia, supply chain management, SCM, distribution costs
National Category
Engineering and Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:his:diva-2805 (URN)10.1504/IJLSM.2008.016569 (DOI)2-s2.0-39149095243 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2009-03-02 Created: 2009-03-02 Last updated: 2017-12-13Bibliographically approved
Hilletofth, P., Ujvari, S. & Hilmola, O.-P. (2007). Information Fusion in Maintenance Planning. In: Proceedings of the Swedish Production Symposium: . Paper presented at Proceedings of the Swedish Production Symposium, 28-30 August, 2007, Göteborg.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Information Fusion in Maintenance Planning
2007 (English)In: Proceedings of the Swedish Production Symposium, 2007Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

Abstract: Industrial production service organisations, companies maintaining production machines and whole processes as well as factories, are in great demand of productivity and profitavility improvement. Usually performance in these organisations arises from high utilization of personnel, superior engineering knowledge and purchasing expertise/power. However, small and medium sized

maintenance service providers mostly differate themselves with two first mentioned items. In this paper we will propose information fusion cockpit to be used in the SME maintenance organisation to enhance problem solving, demand visibility and resource need estimates – hopefully this will enhance the performance of a case organisation. As a key input variable to manage large amount of different customers we identify incoming calls to trigger information collection from vast number of different databases – the integration of this incoming “demand” is the first step to be taken in the use of more advanced systems. We also speculate in this paper, how agent based artificial intelligence could be used in order to take full benefit from more advanced system.

Keywords
Maintenance management, services, information fusion and agent-based modelling
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:his:diva-2068 (URN)
Conference
Proceedings of the Swedish Production Symposium, 28-30 August, 2007, Göteborg
Note

7 s.

Available from: 2008-06-07 Created: 2008-06-07 Last updated: 2020-02-04Bibliographically approved
Hernant, M., Andersson, T. & Hilmola, O.-P. (2007). Managing retail chain profitability based on local competitive conditions: Preliminary analysis. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 35(11), 912-935
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Managing retail chain profitability based on local competitive conditions: Preliminary analysis
2007 (English)In: International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, ISSN 0959-0552, E-ISSN 1758-6690, Vol. 35, no 11, p. 912-935Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Abstract:

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to describe the determinants of profitability in terms of the strategic profitability model (the Du Pont model), depicting the “route” to high profitability in grocery retail stores located in market areas possessing dissimilar competitive conditions. Design/methodology/approach – Different physical characteristics (e.g. store formats) have traditionally been used as control criteria, but it is argued in this paper that management principles in retail chains should be based on different clusters of stores, formed from local competitive conditions. The paper proposes a clustering method based on five indicators of local competition. The research results are derived from local competitive conditions and the performance of 168 supermarkets, located in Sweden, and controlled by one retail chain. Findings – The paper identifies four clusters of local markets labeled monopoly, fleet market, venue, and duopoly, based on local competitive conditions. The findings show that the “route” to profitability significantly differs between the clusters. In monopoly the route to high profitability goes through high-gross margin, while in fleet market the key figures are low cost, large number of shoppers per week, and high productivity. Venue and duopoly both gain from high-average transactions per shopper. Practical implications – Supermarkets under different competitive conditions have different critical success factors and would probably be better managed, supported and evaluated on a different basis, i.e. retail chains need to adjust their approach to their supermarkets depending on local competitive conditions. Originality/value – Based on the findings the paper proposes unique management strategies for different clusters of local markets to further enhance current strength areas.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2007
Keywords
Competitive strategy, Profit, Retail management, Supermarkets, Sweden
National Category
Business Administration
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:his:diva-2446 (URN)10.1108/09590550710828236 (DOI)2-s2.0-35348942934 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2008-12-10 Created: 2008-12-10 Last updated: 2017-12-14Bibliographically approved
Jäger, K., Ujvari, S. & Hilmola, O.-P. (2007). Operating as a third-party logistics integrator without any distribution operations ownership. International Journal of Services and Standards, 3(2), 154-168
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Operating as a third-party logistics integrator without any distribution operations ownership
2007 (English)In: International Journal of Services and Standards, ISSN 1740-8849, E-ISSN 1740-8857, Vol. 3, no 2, p. 154-168Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) providers have usually developed themselves through transportation ownership (mainly road or sea), and/or warehousing/freight forwarding capability. However, among these actual operations, there exists a number of other routes, e.g. by offering administrative/indirect work of sales, purchasing, business control and inventory management. With increased service level expectations among OEMs, there is a clear need for these kinds of well-defined and performed non-tangible logistical services. In this paper three case studies are presented, which show that a 3PL integrator could arise from this new service context, and could operate all logistical issues, even without any distribution operations ownership.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
InderScience Publishers, 2007
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:his:diva-2045 (URN)10.1504/IJSS.2007.012926 (DOI)2-s2.0-34248575553 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2008-05-09 Created: 2008-05-09 Last updated: 2017-12-12Bibliographically approved
Projects
ASSURE: Initial assessment of manufacturing relocation decisions [20220013-H-01_KK Stiftelsen]; University of Gävle
Organisations
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0002-0622-5791

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