Identifying design criteria for urban system ‘last-mile’ solutions – a multi-stakeholder perspective

Abstract

This study presents a novel approach to design and evaluate ‘last-mile’ solutions – encompassing the social and economic perspectives of key stakeholders. While urban system initiatives have been implemented in practice, theoretical gaps remain at the operational design level. A theoretical framework is developed, based on design criteria identified from a critical synthesis of supply chain and operations management literature, and ‘operationalised’ using an in-depth case study demonstrating implementation of a Consumer Choice Portal-Package Consolidation Centre solution, within a densely populated urban geography. Findings suggest that there is a need to re-define the role of institutional actors beyond that of the traditional governance task, to one of being able to facilitate performance outcomes. Similarly, industrial efficiency dimensions need to be reorientated to include consumer participation, social considerations and multi-stakeholder service outcomes. Finally, implications for operations theory and practising managers in city logistics are highlighted, with suggested directions for future research.     

Inequality of Opportunity in Indian Women

Social Indicators Research - Inequality of opportunity (IOp) in any society is defined as that part of overall inequality which arises from factors beyond the control of an individual...     

Robust Spatial Analysis of Rare Crimes: An Information‐Theoretic Approach

In this paper we describe a semiparametric information‐theoretic framework for modeling the determinants of rare events aggregated at intracity areal units while allowing for various forms of error correlation structures. The approach is applied to an examination of the effects of socioeconomic and demographic macrocharacteristics of communities on the amount of violence they experience. We investigate and find evidence of some instability in these processes across types of violence and level of areal aggregation. However, we also find evidence of a stable predictor—resource deprivation—for all the types of violence analyzed and at both levels of areal aggregation considered. In addition, we find evidence of a spillover effect of a community's resource deprivation on the level of violence its neighboring areas can expect. We discuss our findings in light of their substantive, methodological, and practical implications.     

A class of partially linear single‐index survival models

The authors define a class of “partially linear single‐index” survival models that are more flexible than the classical proportional hazards regression models in their treatment of covariates. The latter enter the proposed model either via a parametric linear form or a nonparametric single‐index form. It is then possible to model both linear and functional effects of covariates on the logarithm of the hazard function and if necessary, to reduce the dimensionality of multiple covariates via the single‐index component. The partially linear hazards model and the single‐index hazards model are special cases of the proposed model. The authors develop a likelihood‐based inference to estimate the model components via an iterative algorithm. They establish an asymptotic distribution theory for the proposed estimators, examine their finite‐sample behaviour through simulation, and use a set of real data to illustrate their approach.     

Non-parametric recursive estimates of a probability density function and its derivatives

Recursive estimates of a probability density function (pdf) are known. This paper presents recursive estimates of a derivative of any desired order of a pdf. Let f be a pdf on the real line and p?0 be any desired integer. Based on a random sample of size n from f, estimators f^(p)_n of f^(p), the pth order derivatives of f, are exhibited. These estimators are of the form $\text{n}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{∑n}\text{j=1}\text{δ}{}_{\mathrm{jp}}$, where δ_jp depends only on p and the jth observation in the sample, and hence can be computed recursively as the sample size increases. These estimators are shown to be asymptotically unbiased, mean square consistent and strongly consistent, both at a point and uniformly on the real line. For pointwise properties, the conditions on f^(p) have been weakened with a little stronger assumption on the kernel function.     

IMPACT OF SEAT BELT USE ON DRIVING BEHAVIOR

Previous research has indicated that individual compensating behavior, specifically, more risky driving may reduce the effectiveness of seat belt laws. We test the compensating-behavior hypothesis using individual-specific survey data. The analysis also incorporates individual risk tastes. Our results indicate that the compensating-behavior hypothesis applies only to those that are not strongly risk averse. Other risk-differentiated groups do not exhibit compensating behavior. Finally, it seems that individuals learn to reduce compensating behavior over time.     

Successful strategies—The story of Singapore Airlines (SIA)

This case study describes the growth and development of Singapore Airlines from a small national carrier serving the Malayan States to an international airline with a network extending to 27 countries. Its strategy is simple: quality service at a competitive price, made possible by high investment in equipment and in staff training.