This research project mainly has a theoretical character. The next step is to analyze logistics collaboration decisions in more detail to identify actual thresholds in these decisions.
Furthermore, the presented framework regarding collaboration is not yet fully tested in industry as well as discussed in academia; therefore further studies are needed in order to certify the designed framework.
Another phenomenon observed in this study and mentioned in the conclusion is the question on lake of collaboration in spite of all clear benefits, barriers and key enablers or lack of collaboration on more strategic level. Here more in-depth studies have to be performed in order to increase the understanding for the underlying of the reasons and to find out some more practical suggestions in terms of bridge to effective collaborative logistics management.
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Appendix I
What is the company’s main business area?
□ Subcontracting □ Manufacturer
□ Wholesaler □ Retailer
□ Service sector
Company’s product characteristics:
□ Standard □ Customized
□ Make to order □ Make to stock
Company’s mission regarding the logistics activity:
□ Centralized □ Decentralized
The kind of company’s collaboration strategy:
□ A collaboration in which both customer and supplier are involved □ Collaboration with customer
□ Collaboration with supplier
In the case of information sharing, does the company pass the necessary information (forecasts, sale data, etc.) from any of the customer to any of the supplier?
In the case of positive answer, what is the reason for that? □ Because the customer requesting that.
□ Because the supplier requesting that.
□ The total service will improve in the supply chain. □ It is economically profitable for all parties involved.
………...… ………...… Types of information exchanging between the company and other partners:
□ Production planning □ Stock level
□ Forecasts/future need □ Point of sale
Interview’s questionnaire
The following questions were set up in order to design a guide for the interview. The questionnaire is divided into general questions, questions on collaboration among the interviewee’s company customers and suppliers, types and frequency of information used by the company, and finally questions about driving forces, benefits and barriers on collaboration. The questionnaire consists of both open ended and rating scale questions, enabling a clearer perspective of the interviewee’s responses.□ Deviation and correcting message □ Future product promotion
□ Future price □ Future deliveries
□ Delivery information, ex. Receipt confirmation, proof of payment, consignment tracking, etc.
………...… What are the main reasons if the company does not shares some information with other parties?
□ The information may become available for the competitors. □ Technical difficulties.
□ Its costs are more than expected benefits.
□ Other parties in the chain (supplier) do not requesting such this service.
………...… ………...…
Within which logistics area collaboration is performed and to what extent:
□ Production □ Forecast
□ Stock relationship/inventory management □ Transport planning
□ Strategic planning (ex. Warehouse location, choice of supplier)
Who is the driving party in pursuing the collaboration?
□ The company □ Other parties
How logistics activities in the company are planned?
□ One party has the responsibility for operational planning of some logistics activities. □ Parties plan on an operational level for some logistics activities.
□ Parties plan on a more strategic level for some logistics activities (stock location, outsourcing decision, etc.).
Factors contributing in starting the collaboration (driving forces)17:
□ Price of delivery item □ Secure reliable sources □ Influencing supplier’s quality □ Improve delivery schedules
□ Access to supplier’s new technology
□ Reduce internal procurement procedures and costs □ Support JIT initiatives
□ Reduce administration procedures and costs (for example, ordering and invoicing)
17 Rank the most important items.
Benefits of collaboration*:
Costs related,
(The logistics costs mean those costs that are affected by the logistics activities in company, ex. Stock personal, warehouse, transportation, forecasting, etc.) ………...… Service related,
(With better service means right products arrive at recipient, at the right time, the right place, and the right quantity.)
□ The company’s service to the partners has improved.
□ The company itself receives a better service from other partners. □ The total service to the final customer has improved.
□ The lead times in terms of orders and deliveries between the parties has been shortened.
………...… Other benefits:
□ Increase the competitiveness. □ Increase the competencies.
□ More clear responsibility between the parties involved.
………...…
Factors make the collaboration difficult to implement18:
□ Start-up factors such as initial costs. □ Technical difficulties, such as IT problem. □ Lack of trust between companies.
□ Different companies’ perception and goals from collaboration. □ Different skills in logistics activities.
□ Lack of understanding of own company’s functions.
□ Different views of how costs and benefits will distributed among partners. □ Different perceptions of the partnership’s roles.
………...…
Management contribution:
………...…
General idea regarding collaboration with other partners in the chain regarding the logistics activities:
(Measure the logistics performance after performing the collaboration strategy)
………...… ………...…
The main communication form which the collaboration is performed:
□ Letter, telephone, e-mail
□ EDI
□ Internet □ None
18 Rank the most important items