Vanovermeire, et al 2014, Horizontal logistics collaboration, pp 339

Question 1

What are the two key flexibility strategies that improve collaboration efficiency?

Answer 1

Time Synchronization – Allowing delivery date flexibility to align with other shipments.

Order Splitting – Splitting large orders into multiple shipments to optimize load consolidation.

Question 2

How does flexibility in delivery dates impact logistics costs?

Answer 2

Greater flexibility enables better route optimization and load consolidation.

A 1-day delivery flexibility can reduce transport costs by 41.81% in some cases.

Question 3

What is the Shapley value, and how is it used in cost allocation for logistics collaboration?

Answer 3

The Shapley value is a game theory-based method that fairly distributes collaborative cost savings among partners based on their contribution.

Example: If one company provides more flexibility in delivery timing, they receive a larger share of the savings.

Question 4

How does order splitting improve transport efficiency?

Answer 4

Instead of sending one large shipment, orders are divided into multiple deliveries, which allows for better truck utilization and minimizes empty space.

Question 5

Why is a fair cost allocation strategy crucial for collaboration success?

Answer 5

Without a fair method (like the Shapley value), some companies may feel they contribute more but receive fewer benefits, leading to collaboration failure.

Question 6

What role does technology play in enabling horizontal collaboration?

Answer 6

Real-time tracking and IT integration help coordinate shipments.

Automated scheduling tools optimize delivery routes.

Data-sharing platforms facilitate trust between partners.