A sectoral perspective on distribution structure design

This paper studies the factors that drive distribution structure design (DSD), which includes the spatial layout of distribution channels and location choice of logistics facilities. The authors build on a generic framework from existing literature, which they validate and elaborate using interviews among industry practitioners. Empirical evidence was collected from 18 logistics experts and 33 decision-makers affiliated to shippers and logistics service providers from the fashion, consumer electronics and online retail sectors. It turns out that interviewees share similar rankings of main factors across industries, and even confirm factor weights from earlier research established using multi-criteria decision analysis, which would indicate that the framework is sector-neutral at the highest level. The importance attached to subfactors varies between sectors according to the authors' expectations. The authors were able to identify 20 possible new influencing subfactors. The results may support managers in their decision-making process, and regional policy-makers with regard to spatial planning and regional marketing. The framework is a basis for researchers to help improve further quantitative DSD support models.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1080/13675567.2020.1849074
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13675567
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Abstract reprinted with permission of Taylor & Francis.
• Authors:
  • Onstein, Alexander T C
  • Tavasszy, Lóránt A
  • Rezaei, Jafar
  • van Damme, Dick A
  • Heitz, Adeline
• Publication Date: 2022-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 1011-1039
• Serial:
  • International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications
  • Volume: 25
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 1367-5567
  • EISSN: 1469-848X
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cjol20/current

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electronic commerce; Facilities; Logistics; Structural design
• Subject Areas: Design; Freight Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01853508
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 29 2022 4:55PM