Shared Logistic Service for Resilient Agri-Food System: Study of E-Commerce for Local and B2B Markets in Japan

Abstract

Escalating intensification and homogenization occurring throughout the supply chain poses serious challenges to the global food supply. Several approaches have been developed to shift the food systems to a more resilient path; however, the high unit costs of shipping impede its development. This paper proposes a shared logistic service supported by E-commerce as a solution to this problem. It analyzes the shared logistic system developed by Vegibus Ins. in Japan which has unique features, such as fixed routes. It argues that the logistic service has the ability to connect different scales while supporting flexible transactions leading to the construction of a resilient agri-food system. At the same time, the paper points out the need for subsidies from the governments to facilitate this kind of shared logistic service at the initial stage as one limitation to this approach.

Optimization of e-commerce logistics service quality considering multiple consumption psychologies

“…However, due to the lack of relevant e-commerce development experience and many difficulties in the distribution of fresh goods, there are not many enterprises that can make profits from this business at present ( Zhang et al, 2021b ). Lin et al (2022) believed that among the three major logistics service modes, outsourcing logistics has three major problems, namely hidden security risks, low service quality, and weak supervision. To improve the development status of outsourcing logistics, some strategies are proposed, such as identifying customer perception service indicators, clarifying the responsibilities of each subject, mutual penetration of multiple outsourcing logistics services, and collaborative development with new e-commerce retail ( Lin et al, 2022 ).…”

“… Lin et al (2022) believed that among the three major logistics service modes, outsourcing logistics has three major problems, namely hidden security risks, low service quality, and weak supervision. To improve the development status of outsourcing logistics, some strategies are proposed, such as identifying customer perception service indicators, clarifying the responsibilities of each subject, mutual penetration of multiple outsourcing logistics services, and collaborative development with new e-commerce retail ( Lin et al, 2022 ). Ding and Zhao (2021) studied the efficiency of logistics distribution, taking more than 100 orders of a supermarket chain in Taiyuan as the research object, transforming and clustering them with K-means algorithm, and then optimizing the path.…”