Evaluating Supply Chain Efficiency: A Multiple Cases Study of Expedited and Intermodal Shipping Performance
Open Access
- Author:
- Chie, Chun Ngai
- Area of Honors:
- Supply Chain and Information Systems
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Robert Alexander Novack, Thesis Supervisor
John C Spychalski, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Supply chain management
Transportation decision-making
Multiple Case Study methodology
Logistics optimization
Performance analysis
On-time delivery (OTD) - Abstract:
- This thesis aims to assess the effectiveness of the company's supply chain operations and offer recommendations for improvement. This thesis evaluates the transportation decision-making process of Company A, focusing on the trade-off between expedited and non-expedited shipping in its top five lanes. A multiple case study approach was employed to analyze the on-time delivery (OTD) rates of expedited and intermodal orders in the selected lanes, as well as to explore the performance trends across different months from 2021 to 2022. The findings reveal significant room for improvement in OTD rates, with substantial variations in performance rates throughout the year attributable to factors such as seasonality, capacity issues, and external factors like rail strikes. The comparison between expedited and non-expedited orders highlights that intermodal shipping may be more effective in certain scenarios, while expedited shipping may be a viable option for others. Based on these insights, recommendations are proposed to help Company A optimize its transportation decision-making process, including consistent performance monitoring, in-depth analysis of underlying causes, and the development of a predictive model for informed transportation mode selection. The implementation of these recommendations can contribute to enhanced supply chain performance and customer satisfaction.