Utilizing e-logistics : case studies in Sweden and China

As the incredible growth of the Internet is changing the way corporations conduct business, logistics service providers must consider changing their traditional logistics system into an e-Logistics system. The purpose of this study is to provide a better understanding of how organizations utilize e-Logistics within their supply chain. To reach this purpose, two research questions are stated, focusing on how can the e-Logistics system be described, as well as how the factors that influence the e-Logistics system can be described. To answer these research questions, a qualitative research approach was used where case studies on Volvo Logistics Corporation in Sweden and Haier Logistics Corporation in China were conducted. From the in-depth interviews and used to collect data, the findings show that the e-Logistics system can be described as a process, as an information system and from the value that it creates. The findings further indicate that reliability factors, maintainability factors, software factors and facility, transportation and handling factors, all influence the e-Logistics system. On the other hand, availability factors, economic factors, organizational factors and test and support equipment factors are of low-level importance for e-logistics system. The findings also indicate that there are some regional and political factors that influence the e-Logistics system, most notably an indication of China vs. Sweden (i.e. East vs. West) factors. This, however, deserves further research.Validerat; 20101217 (root