<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> We provide several examples showing that local search, the most basic metaheuristics, may be a very competitive choice for solving computationally hard optimization problems. In addition, generation of starting solutions by greedy heuristics should be at least considered as one of very natural possibilities. In this critical survey, selected examples discussed include the traveling salesman, the resource-constrained project scheduling, the channel assignment, and computation of bounds for the Shannon capacity.</abstract>

Heuristics for NP-hard optimization problems - simpler is better!?

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> The paper addresses the effect of external integration (EI) with transport suppliers on the efficiency of travel agencies in the tourism sector supply chains. The main aim is the comparison of different estimation methods used in the structural equation modeling (SEM), applied to discover possible relationships between EIs and efficiencies. The latter are calculated by the means of data envelopment analysis (DEA). While designing the structural equation model, the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses are also used as preliminary statistical procedures. For the estimation of parameters of SEM model, three different methods are explained, analyzed and compared: maximum likelihood (ML) method, Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (BMCMC) method, and unweighted least squares (ULS) method. The study reveals that all estimation methods calculate comparable estimated parameters. The results also give an evidence of good model fit performance. Besides, the research confirms that the amplified external integration with transport providers leads to increased efficiency of travel agencies, which might be a very interesting finding for the operational management.</abstract>

University of Rijeka / Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Opatija, Croatia

University of Maribor/Faculty of Logistics, Celje, Slovenia

Tourism sector, Travel agencies, and Transport Suppliers: Comparison of Different Estimators in the Structural Equation Modeling

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Seaport efficiency and productivity are the critical factors for handling of goods in the international supply chains and plays an important role in trade exchange with other countries. It is important to evaluate efficiency and productivity of seaports to reflect their status and reveal their position in competitive environment. The main purpose of this article is to use Data Envelopment Analysis and Malmquist Productivity Index to measure the technical efficiency and total factor productivity of container ports. DEA analysis enables one to assess how efficiently a seaports uses the available inputs to generate a set of outputs relative to other units in the data set. This article presents the use CCR and BCC DEA model, to determine overall technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of container ports. The analysis gives a possibility to create a efficiency ranking of seaports. The study also applies the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI), which was used to analyze changes in seaports productivity. The study indicated that technological progress had a greater impact on the change in productivity of container ports than changes in technical efficiency.</abstract>

Seaport efficiency and productivity based on Data Envelopment Analysis and Malmquist Productivity Index

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Liner shipping is the most efficient mode of transport for goods. International liner shipping is a sophisticated network of regularly scheduled services that transports goods from anywhere in the world to anywhere in the world at low cost and with greater energy efficiency than any other form of international transportation. Liner shipping connects countries, markets, businesses and people, allowing them to buy and sell goods on a scale not previously possible. Today, the liner shipping industry transports goods representing approximately one-third of the total value of global trade. Ocean shipping contributes significantly to international stability and security. Considering the large and constant struggle in the market in terms of competitive pricing of products, a very important and indispensable role represents the container transport with a clear task to define the final price of the product. This paper analyzes the costs of container transport flow between Far East and Serbia, using different liner shipping services, observing the six world’s largest container operators (Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Company, CMA CGM, Evergreen Line, China Ocean Shipping Company and Hapag-Lloyd) and inland (truck-rail-river) transport corridors. These corridors include distance between selected Mediterranean ports (Koper, Rijeka, Bar, Thessaloniki, Constanta) and Serbia. As a result, in this paper is considered a mathematical model that provides a comparative analysis of transportation costs on the different routes. It is observed already existing transport routes and it is also given hypothetical review to the development of new transport routes. The main goal of this research is to provide an optimal route with lowest transportation cost during container transport. Selection of the best route in the intermodal network is a very difficult and complex task. The costs in all modes of transport and the quality of their services are not constant parameters and changes depending on a number of conditions and characteristics. The analysis of this model within combined maritime and land-based networks would prove helpful for the study of logistics chains, the hinterland-foreland continuum, intermodal transport systems, and market competitiveness.</abstract>

University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Innovation center, Belgrade, Serbia

University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Belgrade, Serbia

University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mathematics, Belgrade, Serbia

The Costs of Container Transport Flow Between Far East and Serbia Using Different Liner Shipping Services

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> The transport sector represents a vital component of national economies and has significant impacts on productivity and social welfare. In 2012, the transport sector in Europe was estimated to account for 3.7% of the European Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 5.1% for employment. Road transport proves to be the predominant mode for moving goods within Europe holding a share of approximately 45.8% in 2012 (in ton-kms). In Greece, the share of road freight transport is significantly higher (98%) indicating the importance of this sector for the Greek economy. To this end and considering the existing needs of road freight transport operators in Greece, the objective of this research is to establish an analytical and documented basis for estimating the operating cost of a truck on specific urban or national freight transport routes. To achieve this goal, an extended literature review has been conducted resulting in the identification of the main components comprising the total truck operating cost, which were then updated and validated through a series of personal interviews with selected road freight transport professionals. An excel-based application tool was also developed in order to facilitate operating cost estimates for different cases, through selection of the proper values of the relevant parameters. The resulting tool was used to analyse four test cases, which demonstrate the tool’s usability and applicability. Results from this analysis have been also validated by industry experts and they reflect real-world transport scenarios.</abstract>

Estimating truck operating costs for domestic trips – case studies from Greece

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> The aim of this paper is to show the spectrum of problems associated with the growing importance of cities in the context of rapidly occurring processes of urbanization. Therefore the following issues are included: the concept of smart cities, which are a combination of the intelligent use of information systems allowing for active management of the various areas of urban activity with the potential of institutions, companies and the active involvement and creative people; transport problems and the use of new technologies. Particular attention will be given to both, the issue of transport congestion as the strongest factor affecting the quality of life of residents and to the role of social capital in the creation of sustainable development. To exemplify the result of the cooperation between southern Polish communities there will be presented a case of the introducing process of the Silesian Card of Public Services with a wide range of its functionality.</abstract>

Warsaw School of Economics, Head of Department of International Transport and Logistics, Institute of International Management and Marketing, Warsaw, Poland

Wroclaw School of Banking, Institute of Logistics, Wroclaw, Poland

Smart city solutions in regard to urbanization processes – Polish cases

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 14 (2023): Issue 1 (December 2023)

Volume 13 (2022): Issue 1 (December 2022)

Volume 12 (2021): Issue 1 (December 2021)

Volume 11 (2020): Issue 1 (February 2020)

Volume 10 (2019): Issue 1 (June 2019)

Volume 9 (2018): Issue 2 (October 2018)

Volume 9 (2018): Issue 1 (February 2018)

Volume 8 (2017): Issue 1 (May 2017)

Volume 7 (2016): Issue 1 (October 2016)

Volume 6 (2015): Issue 1 (November 2015)

Volume 5 (2014): Issue 1 (November 2014)

Logistics, Supply Chain, Sustainability and Global Challenges

 1. Theoretical, empirical and policy analyses on management, operation and performance in logistics and supply-chain management.2. Environmental and social / equity impacts on freight and passenger transport and implications of movement on cost and movement, capacity, demand, pricing, externalities.3. Efficiency of freight and passenger transport.4. Impact of driving forces (i.e. transport volume, modal split, technology, efficiency), on freight and passenger transport, its social, economic, environmental and ecologic impacts on society.5. Impacts of policy instruments (e.g. prices, regulations, infrastructure policy) on these driving forces, the efficiency of transport and its impact on society.   The journal has updated the name in 2021 to Logistics, Supply Chain, Sustainability and Global Challenges as this better reflects the development of the research field, encompassing supply chain, sustainability and global challenges, which are of utmost importance for logistics. From the field and content perspectives the updated journal title is broader that the previous title (Logistics &amp; Sustainable Transport) focusing on the transportation and logistics only.   Archiving   Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.   Plagiarism Policy   The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process.   Why subscribe and read   The journal of Logistics &amp; sustainable transport publishes informative and analytical international scientific and professional articles in the field of logistics and sustainable transport. Subject areas include logistics and related transport infrastructure, technological, operational, economic, and other environmental, social and institutional issues. This scope makes the journal inter- and multidisciplinary and in particular, a convenient source of information for logistics and transport researchers, planners, practitioners and policy makers at different - local, national and international levels, and across disciplines such as technology design, planning, implementation, management, policy-making, social, economic and environmental regulation.   Why submit   The journal publishes articles that reflect the concerns of government policy, industry and academia, their views on developments such as changes in the global supply chains as well as on the impact of increased mobility of freight and passengers. The subject areas at the same time address issues such as the environment, efficiency and equity.   a. The impacts of goods transport and logistics on society, including economic, ecologic and social effects.b. The efficiency of passenger and freight transport, and the abovementioned impacts on society.c. Sustainability of transport and logistics. 