Print Email Facebook Twitter Factors determining distribution structure decisions in logistics: a literature review and research agenda Title Factors determining distribution structure decisions in logistics: a literature review and research agenda Author Onstein, A.T.C. (TU Delft Transport and Logistics) Tavasszy, Lorant (TU Delft Transport and Planning; TU Delft Transport and Logistics) van Damme, Dick (Hogeschool van Amsterdam) Date 2018 Abstract Distribution structures, as studied in this paper, involve the spatial layout of the freight transport and storage system used to move goods between production and consumption locations. Decisions on this layout are important to companies as they allow them to balance customer service levels and logistics costs. Until now there has been very little descriptive research into the factors that drive decisions about these structures. Moreover, the literature on the topic is scattered across various research streams. In this paper we review and consolidate this literature, with the aim to arrive at a comprehensive list of factors. Three relevant research streams were identified: Supply Chain Management (SCM), Transportation and Geography. The SCM and Transportation literature mostly focus on distribution structure including distribution centre (DC) location selection from a viewpoint of service level and logistics costs factors. The Geography literature focuses on spatial DC location decisions and resulting patterns mostly explained by location factors such as labour and land availability. Our review indicates that the main factors that drive decision-making are “demand level”, “service level”, “product characteristics”, “logistics costs”, “labour and land”, “accessibility” and “contextual factors”. The main trade-off influencing distribution structure selection is “service level” versus “logistics costs”. Together, the research streams provide a rich picture of the factors that drive distribution structure including DC location selection. We conclude with a framework that shows the relative position of these factors. Future work can focus on completing the framework by detailing out the sub factors and empirically testing the direction and strength of relationships. Cooperation between the three research streams will be useful to further extend and operationalize the framework. Subject distribution structuredistribution centre locationwarehouse locationlogistics decision-makingsupply chain structure To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:e5f0965c-f95f-4e43-92a1-e6c65ffc3058 DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2018.1459929 ISSN 0144-1647 Source Transport Reviews: a transnational, transdisciplinary journal Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2018 A.T.C. Onstein, Lorant Tavasszy, Dick van Damme Files PDF Onstein_et_al_2018_Factor ... agenda.pdf 956.13 KB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:e5f0965c-f95f-4e43-92a1-e6c65ffc3058/datastream/OBJ/view