Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

A quantitative study of energy consumption factors for three types of distribution channels

Pålsson, Henrik LU ; Molina-Besch, Katrin LU ; Pettersson, Fredrik LU orcid and Winslott Hiselius, Lena LU (2017) NOFOMA 2017
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of six energy consumption factors (unsold products, product returns, packaging, freight transport, passenger transport and buildings) on the total energy consumption in three types of distribution channels for e-commerce and conventional trade.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a quantitative calculation model where input data for the energy factors can be varied. The model is used to calculate the energy consumption for six IKEA products, four textile products (based on the supply chain of Nudie Jeans) and books, which were early e-commerce products. It calculates and compares the energy consumption in distribution via a store, a pick-up point and home... (More)
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of six energy consumption factors (unsold products, product returns, packaging, freight transport, passenger transport and buildings) on the total energy consumption in three types of distribution channels for e-commerce and conventional trade.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a quantitative calculation model where input data for the energy factors can be varied. The model is used to calculate the energy consumption for six IKEA products, four textile products (based on the supply chain of Nudie Jeans) and books, which were early e-commerce products. It calculates and compares the energy consumption in distribution via a store, a pick-up point and home delivery for six energy consumption factors. Data are collected from various sources, such as archival data, NTM, Swedish Transport Administration, Ecoinvent and SimaPro. In the calculations, a baseline scenario is first outlined for each product based on the current supply chain and product characteristics. Second, the baseline scenario is compared to a time optimisation scenario and an energy minimisation scenario. Third, the impact of the energy consumption factors on the total energy consumption in different distribution channels are analysed.
Findings
The findings shows the relative importance of six energy consumption factors (unsold products, product returns, packaging, freight transport, passenger transport and buildings) on the total energy consumption in distribution systems with home delivery, pick-up points and store sales for various types of products. It also discusses the importance of each energy consumption factor in the three types of distribution channels. Furthermore, by analysing the freight transport factor, we get insights into energy differences in global and domestic supply chains.

Research limitations/implications
The paper study retail and textile products as well as books in three supply chains.

Practical implications
The findings can help supply chain managers in 1) selecting environmentally efficient distribution systems (home delivery, pick-up point or store) and 2) to prioritise work efforts between the six energy consumption factors within each distribution system to reduce total energy consumption.

Original/value
The paper provides new insights into both relative and absolute effects of unsold products, product returns, packaging, freight transport, passenger transport and buildings on the total energy consumption of three types of distribution channels for e-commerce and conventional trade.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
published
subject
conference name
NOFOMA 2017
conference location
Lund, Sweden
conference dates
2017-06-07 - 2017-06-09
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3aa53794-c0a8-4c03-9c84-30d5de4cf68a
date added to LUP
2022-04-06 09:37:39
date last changed
2022-04-27 02:31:35
@misc{3aa53794-c0a8-4c03-9c84-30d5de4cf68a,
  abstract     = {{Purpose<br/>The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of six energy consumption factors (unsold products, product returns, packaging, freight transport, passenger transport and buildings) on the total energy consumption in three types of distribution channels for e-commerce and conventional trade.<br/><br/>Design/methodology/approach<br/>The study uses a quantitative calculation model where input data for the energy factors can be varied. The model is used to calculate the energy consumption for six IKEA products, four textile products (based on the supply chain of Nudie Jeans) and books, which were early e-commerce products. It calculates and compares the energy consumption in distribution via a store, a pick-up point and home delivery for six energy consumption factors. Data are collected from various sources, such as archival data, NTM, Swedish Transport Administration, Ecoinvent and SimaPro. In the calculations, a baseline scenario is first outlined for each product based on the current supply chain and product characteristics. Second, the baseline scenario is compared to a time optimisation scenario and an energy minimisation scenario. Third, the impact of the energy consumption factors on the total energy consumption in different distribution channels are analysed. <br/>Findings<br/>The findings shows the relative importance of six energy consumption factors (unsold products, product returns, packaging, freight transport, passenger transport and buildings) on the total energy consumption in distribution systems with home delivery, pick-up points and store sales for various types of products. It also discusses the importance of each energy consumption factor in the three types of distribution channels. Furthermore, by analysing the freight transport factor, we get insights into energy differences in global and domestic supply chains.<br/><br/>Research limitations/implications <br/>The paper study retail and textile products as well as books in three supply chains.<br/><br/>Practical implications<br/>The findings can help supply chain managers in 1) selecting environmentally efficient distribution systems (home delivery, pick-up point or store) and 2) to prioritise work efforts between the six energy consumption factors within each distribution system to reduce total energy consumption.<br/><br/>Original/value<br/>The paper provides new insights into both relative and absolute effects of unsold products, product returns, packaging, freight transport, passenger transport and buildings on the total energy consumption of three types of distribution channels for e-commerce and conventional trade.<br/><br/>}},
  author       = {{Pålsson, Henrik and Molina-Besch, Katrin and Pettersson, Fredrik and Winslott Hiselius, Lena}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  title        = {{A quantitative study of energy consumption factors for three types of distribution channels}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}