Performance evaluation of an online benchmarking tool for European freight transport chains

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to assess the performance of an online benchmarking tool developed for logistics service users and providers to provide alternative service option in Europe. Design/methodology/approach -First, conduct desktop research including but not limited to academic literature reviews on benchmarking, performance measurement and previous and current examples of online benchmarking tools in order to determine issues in the field; second, report the development process and functionalities of a benchmarking tool; third, examine the benchmarking tool through structured interviews with the users of the tool; and finally, draw conclusion as to whether the tool is effective or needs changes to make it more effective. Findings -Six Key Performance Indicators were identified: Transport cost, Transport time, Flexibility, Reliability, Quality, Sustainability. The functionality of an online transport chain benchmarking e-tool is detailed. The evaluation of the tool found that it is a strategic decision-making tool; cost is most often selected as the most important indicator; the majority would not use the tool for daily planning purposes. Future needs of development were identified, including using the tool for procurement decisions, and its utility in supporting corporate social responsibility and sustainability.Research limitations/implications -The benchmarking e-tool is developed for the 27 EU countries plus Norway and Switzerland. Thus, the research findings are primarily applicable for these countries and may not be applicable for other countries. Practical implications -The online tool has been used by multiple commercial companies actively involved, as a service provider or user, in the freight transport chain to plan their transport chains. Social implications -The tool makes the strategic planning of intermodal and co-modal transport solutions easier and supports exploring sustainable freight transport choices in Europe. Originality/value -The paper meets a research need to evaluate a newly-developed online benchmarking tool, as well as detailing the e-tool, and setting it within the practice and policy in this field.

Proposta de práticas para obtenção e manutenção de qualificação de empresas incubadas segundo o modelo CERNE

“…Considera-se assim um processo contínuo de melhoria da performance da organização dentro de um contexto empresarial e geográfico específico. Já para Islam et al (2013), o benchmarking é um reconhecido mecanismo de avaliação da eficiência das empresas e melhora da sua competitividade através da comparação regular com os concorrentes que mais se destacam. Este processo de entendimento dos aspectos internos e externos da empresa visa observar e implementar as melhores práticas que garantam a vantagem competitiva das organizações.…”

The links between just-in-time practices and alignment of benchmarking performance measures

“…Fundamental strategic factors such as recognition of external environmental factors, building organizational core competencies, improving organizational communication, and alignment of short-term technical and financial metrics with overall organizational strategy were generally disregarded. To be effective, organizations need to integrate benchmarking activities into long-term organizational strategy and benchmarking process needs to employ a broad range of balanced performance measures that are consistent with organizational strategy (Kaplan and Norton, 2001;Papke-Shields et al, 2002;Madigan, 1992;Dewan et al, 2013;Routroy and Pradhan, 2013). Figure 1 presents the framework for hierarchical integrated benchmarking performance measurements.…”

Prioritization in modal shift: determining a region’s most suitable freight flows

“…Promotion offices assist in providing accurate and up-to-date information to potential customers, enhance a mind shift and convince potential users by demonstrating good practices [23,24]. Benchmarking tools, such as the one developed in the BE LOGIC project [25,26] that uses six key performance indicators to compare unimodal to intermodal transport services, are available to analyze freight flows on a company level. This tool gives users the opportunity to assign weights to performance indicators to determine case-specific modal choice preferences.…”