Utilizing e-logistics: case studies in Sweden and China

Abstract: 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.