The majority of the companies surveyed are outsourcing some transportation functions. The most frequently outsourced transportation functions are freight bill auditing, freight payment and transportation reports, which are basically clerical/repetitive in nature. Also, frequently outsourced are...

A comparison of the impact of Just‐in‐Time (JIT) manufacturing programmes on corporate transport requirements between American and French firms is provided. Five major areas were addressed: (1) changes in carrier portfolios; (2) carrier selection and evaluation criteria; (3) internal and...

Trade restrictions; border crossing difficulties, and company organizational structures have limited historical cross‐border distribution activity. The result, generally, is two or three independent distribution systems to support North American logistics operations. With the completion of the...

Examines the cost performance of various strategies for managing foreign exchange risk in international sourcing. The strategies represent a broad spectrum of approaches to exchange risk, ranging from aïve to active. Of particular interest is the comparison of those strategies which use...

One strategy for dealing with the increasing problem of cross‐border movement is to involve third‐party specialists. Reports on an investigation of third‐party use in maquiladora or twin‐plant logistics across the US‐Mexico border. A mail survey of 250 companies operating in the El...

Increasing competitive parity in the areas of cost and quality has forced global manufacturers to seek other sources of competitive advantage with new product development rapidly becoming the focal point in the quest for sustained growth and profitability. The essence of today′s new product...

The field of environmental restoration is unique and highly complex. The purchasing function will be responsible for acquiring the restoration services for much of America′s estimated $500 billion clean‐up. Examines the specific characteristics of these projects and discusses how the unique...