Vidalakis, C; Tookey, J E and Sommerville, J (2011) Logistics simulation modelling across construction supply chains. Construction Innovation, 11(2), pp. 212-228. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a logistical analysis of construction supply chains by assessing the impact of varying demand on the performance of builders' merchants' logistics. Design/methodology/approach - Taking into consideration that the vast majority of construction materials are distributed through intermediary organisations, the paper focuses on the logistics of builders' merchants. The study follows a field study approach to develop a conceptual logistics model facilitating experimentation using simulation modelling. Findings - The paper highlights the importance of incorporating intermediary organisations in the study of construction supply chains and reveals the implications of varying demand on logistics performance related to inventory and transportation costs. Research limitations/implications - In order to limit assumptions associated with individual company characteristics, the sample has included data from one builder's merchant company. To allow external benchmarking, the suggested approach has to be applied to a wider sample. Practical implications - The paper provides a practical understanding in terms of the function of intermediary organisations in construction supply chains and the application of logistics management in construction. Originality/value - Considering the complexity involved in construction supply chain operations, the value of this research is twofold. First, the research contributes to an interdisciplinary approach to the study of construction supply chains and second, provides a risk-free environment for modelling supply chain cost performance.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; demand forecasting; distribution management; simulation; supply chain management |
| Index terms: | forecasting, inventory, intermediary, modelling, logistics management, construction industry, simulation modelling, construction supply chain, construction material, experiment, builder, field study, cost performance, complexity, benchmarking, methodology |
| Subjects: | prediction and forecasting, analytical methods, building materials, practitioner, construction logistics, business, data collection methods, systems engineering, industry analysis, inventory management, economics, research methods, supply chain operations, performance measurement |
| Topics: | Supply Chain Management, Quality Management, Roles and Professions, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Cost Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here