Lean and agile supply strategies in distribution centres to deliver Value Added Services (VAS)

Klundt, Eduard, Towers, Neil ORCID: 0000-0002-2582-2241 and Bechkoum, Kamal ORCID: 0000-0001-5857-2763 (2024) Lean and agile supply strategies in distribution centres to deliver Value Added Services (VAS). Logistics, 8 (3). art 67. doi:10.3390/logistics8030067

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Abstract

Background: This paper examines how logistics mangers increase performance by in-corporating VAS in their distribution centres in the context of different natures of customer de-mand. The study is underpinned by the principles of lean and agile strategies as two key concepts that can be applied to respond to different customer expectations. Methods: Based on the phe-nomenological interpretivist paradigm, an empirical multiple-case study was applied in German distribution centres operated by six companies. The empirical data was collected by semi-structured interviews, built on the triangulation of sources. Open, axial, and selective coding were employed to analyse data collected by eighteen in-depth interviews with managers from the distribution centres. Results: The findings indicated that the construct of customer demand forms different benefits that the logistics service providers can achieve through VAS. Simultaneously, various customer demands on VAS requires distribution centres to focus on developing different operational capabilities to gain superior performance. Conclusions: Based on the research findings, a conceptual model was created. This model can support logistics service providers to improve company performance through effectively managing VAS in their distribution centres. The high dynamic VAS customer demand can bring more financial and non-financial benefits but needs higher flexibility of the warehouse operation system. Stable and predictable VAS, in turn requires a higher degree of standardisation.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Value added services; Distribution centres; Logistics service providers; Lean and agile supply strategies
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HG Finance > HG4001 Finance management. Business finance Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Business, Computing and Social Sciences
Research Priority Areas:	Applied Business & Technology
Depositing User:	Kamila Niekoraniec
Date Deposited:	03 Jul 2024 14:26
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2024 14:15
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/14204

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