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Adapting warehouse operations and design to omni-channel logistics : A literature review and research agenda

Kembro, Joakim Hans LU orcid ; Norrman, Andreas LU and Eriksson, Ebba LU (2018) In International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management 48(9). p.890-912
Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of how warehouse operations and design are affected by the move toward integrated omni-channels. Design/methodology/approach: A structured literature review is conducted to identify and categorize themes in multi- and omni-channel logistics, and to discuss how aspects related to these themes impact and pose contingencies for warehouse operations and design. Findings: The review revealed a lack of focus on warehouse operations and design in multi- and omni-channels. Instead, most articles published in scientific journals discuss changes in consumer demand and implications for the network level, concerning aspects such as the organization and management of material and... (More)

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of how warehouse operations and design are affected by the move toward integrated omni-channels. Design/methodology/approach: A structured literature review is conducted to identify and categorize themes in multi- and omni-channel logistics, and to discuss how aspects related to these themes impact and pose contingencies for warehouse operations and design. Findings: The review revealed a lack of focus on warehouse operations and design in multi- and omni-channels. Instead, most articles published in scientific journals discuss changes in consumer demand and implications for the network level, concerning aspects such as the organization and management of material and information flows, inventory management, resources, actors and relationships. Ten themes in omni-channel logistics were identified and grouped into two categories: the value proposition and channel management; and the physical distribution network design. The themes and related aspects have implications for warehousing, and by combining these with general warehousing knowledge, the authors derive a comprehensive and structured agenda is derived to guide future research on omni-channel warehousing. Research limitations/implications: This paper outlines a research agenda, including detailed research questions, for advancing the theory on warehouse operations and design in omni-channels. Practical implications: The agenda can inspire practitioners in their work to understand the upcoming challenges and address relevant issues in omni-channel warehousing, taking into consideration its interdependence with value proposition, channel management and network decisions. Originality/value: This is the first comprehensive review focusing on and synthesizing available literature on omni-channel warehousing. This topic has until now received limited coverage but is of increasing importance to scholars in the field.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Channel integration, Literature review, Logistics, Material handling, Omni-channel, Research agenda, Retail, Warehouse
in
International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management
volume
48
issue
9
pages
23 pages
publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
external identifiers
  • scopus:85053260378
ISSN
0960-0035
DOI
10.1108/IJPDLM-01-2017-0052
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3c3b1711-0249-4749-bd8e-6e6a9d754b96
date added to LUP
2018-10-09 12:19:39
date last changed
2023-04-08 18:27:55
@article{3c3b1711-0249-4749-bd8e-6e6a9d754b96,
  abstract     = {{<p>Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of how warehouse operations and design are affected by the move toward integrated omni-channels. Design/methodology/approach: A structured literature review is conducted to identify and categorize themes in multi- and omni-channel logistics, and to discuss how aspects related to these themes impact and pose contingencies for warehouse operations and design. Findings: The review revealed a lack of focus on warehouse operations and design in multi- and omni-channels. Instead, most articles published in scientific journals discuss changes in consumer demand and implications for the network level, concerning aspects such as the organization and management of material and information flows, inventory management, resources, actors and relationships. Ten themes in omni-channel logistics were identified and grouped into two categories: the value proposition and channel management; and the physical distribution network design. The themes and related aspects have implications for warehousing, and by combining these with general warehousing knowledge, the authors derive a comprehensive and structured agenda is derived to guide future research on omni-channel warehousing. Research limitations/implications: This paper outlines a research agenda, including detailed research questions, for advancing the theory on warehouse operations and design in omni-channels. Practical implications: The agenda can inspire practitioners in their work to understand the upcoming challenges and address relevant issues in omni-channel warehousing, taking into consideration its interdependence with value proposition, channel management and network decisions. Originality/value: This is the first comprehensive review focusing on and synthesizing available literature on omni-channel warehousing. This topic has until now received limited coverage but is of increasing importance to scholars in the field.</p>}},
  author       = {{Kembro, Joakim Hans and Norrman, Andreas and Eriksson, Ebba}},
  issn         = {{0960-0035}},
  keywords     = {{Channel integration; Literature review; Logistics; Material handling; Omni-channel; Research agenda; Retail; Warehouse}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{9}},
  pages        = {{890--912}},
  publisher    = {{Emerald Group Publishing Limited}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management}},
  title        = {{Adapting warehouse operations and design to omni-channel logistics : A literature review and research agenda}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-01-2017-0052}},
  doi          = {{10.1108/IJPDLM-01-2017-0052}},
  volume       = {{48}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}