Speranza, G. (2018). Trends in transportation and logistics. European Journal of Operational Research, 264(1), 830-836.
This article reviews the history of operational research and how it contributes to transportation and logistics as well as the problems associated with it. The author argues that transportation and logistics problems have existed long before the advent of operational research and computers, which have been used to support decision-making. However, the development of the first operational research has significantly contributed to enhancing the efficiency of transportation systems. As a result, organizations with complex logistics and transportation problems have had a new lease (Speranza, 2018). Over the years, the world has witnessed a tremendous evolution of technology and operational research and their contributions to logistics and transportation have been a phenomenon.
This source is credible because it is current and published by an author who has a wealth of experiences in the field of management and the economy. She teaches Economics and Management at the University of Brescia, Italy, implying that she is well-versed in the field. Besides, her arguments are supported by credible facts. I will specifically use this source based on the fact that the author explores the future trends in the area of operational research and its contributions to transportation and logistics, which is the cornerstone of my research paper.
Centobelli, P., Cerchione, R., & Esposito, E. (2017). Environmental sustainability in the service industry of transportation and logistics service providers: Systematic literature review and research directions. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 53, 454-470.
This article offers a systematic review on the environmental sustainability subject with an emphasis on the logistics service providers industry. It has allocated a part in the analysis of the advances of literature related to the topic. The authors have combed through pieces of literature written about the topic from 1960 to 2014 to identify gaps that need attention. Some of these gaps include classification of green initiatives, evaluation of the performance of environmental sustainability, information and technological technologies that support green initiatives (Centobelli et al., 2017). Other gaps include impacts of green initiatives on the performance of logistics service providers, the perspectives of customers in the supply chain sustainability, and factors that influence the adoption of initiatives for environmental sustainability. In each of these gaps, the authors have formulated respective research questions to guide their investigations on the topic,
The authors are experienced researchers drawn from industrial and engineering backgrounds. They, thus bring a wealth of knowledge that offers great insights into the topic. In addition, the paper is peer-reviewed and has been cited, referenced, and recommended for use by many other scholars I am particularly interested in the part where they explore the effects that green initiatives have on the performances of logistics services providers. I will include a subtopic on the factors that affect the performance of operations of logistics companies, and this specific area has relevant and insightful information on the same.
Kumar, I., Zhalnin, A., Kim, A., & Beaulieu, L. J. (2017). Transportation and logistics cluster competitive advantages in the U.S. regions: A cross-sectional and Spatio-temporal analysis. Research in Transportation Economics, 61, 25-36.
This paper studies transportation and logistics cluster attribute in the U.S regions using econometric analyses and spatial clusters. Its primary focus areas include clustering, dispersal patterns, and jobs. It tries to answer the question of whether specialization in transport and logistics is a primary feature in metropolitan and urban areas or if rural regions are capable of supporting this cluster type. The authors are also interested in finding out if the transportation infrastructure justifies the transportation and logistics cluster jobs (Kumar et al., 2017). According to the findings of the study, the transportation and logistics cluster are primarily concentrated in metropolitan regions of the U.S.
The authors of this source are highly accomplished academics with several years of experience in their respective fields. They all teach in different departments at Purdue University in the United States. In addition, the source is peer-reviewed. I have chosen this source because of its clustering of transportation and logistics specialization in explaining the operations of the urban and rural regions. My topic will include a section where I will compare the operational management of transportation and logistics between urban and rural areas.
Gracht, H. A., & Darkow , I.-L. (2016). Energy-constrained and low-carbon scenarios for the transportation and logistics industry. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 27(1), 142-166.
This article presupposes that environmental concerns will heavily feature in the future supply chain. Thus, players in the supply chain sector are challenged to design supply chain products and services that are sustainable. Through expert-based scenarios that mainly focus on the perspective of the transportation and logistics industry, the authors of this article try to postulate how the supply chain might metamorphose by the year 2030 (Gracht & Darkow, 2016). The credibility of this source is based on its originality in using real-time scenario clusters to explain how supply the chain will evolve. In my paper, I intend to collect data by surveying selected participants. Therefore, this paper will offer more insights on the same as it also relied on data obtained after surveying 48 top executives.
Choi, T.-M., Guo, S., & Luo, S. (2020). When blockchain meets social media: Will the result benefit social media analytics for supply chain operations management? Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 135.
This source emphasizes the importance of social media analytics in managing supply chain operations in today’s business world. However, the authors decry the fact that performing social media analytics for supply chain operations management is laced with challenges such as data security and user privacy. However, with the latest emergence of blockchain technology, the authors explore how and whether blockchain chain technology could enhance social media analytics (Choi et al., 2020). This is a current paper published by industry accomplished scholars with a deep understanding of the topic, drawing from their rich academic backgrounds. It will particularly help me decipher the various parameters upon which the supply chain operates.