Exploring Retailers' Sensitivity to Local Sustainability Policies

29 Pages Posted: 29 Mar 2006

See all articles by H. J. Quak

H. J. Quak

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Rotterdam School of Management (RSM)

M. B. M. de Koster

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Department of Technology and Operations Management

Date Written: November 16, 2005

Abstract

Local governments in Western Europe increasingly use city time-access regulations to improve social sustainibility. These regulations significantly influence the distribution process of retail chain organizations. This paper studies the impact of governmental timewindow pressure on retailers’ logistical concept and consequential financial and environmental distribution performance. We determine which dimensions in the retailer’s logistical concept determine its cost and emission sensitivity to increasing time-window pressure. Our research is based on a multiple case study of fourteen Dutch retail cases in different sectors and with different store formulas. The retailers provided all organizational, flow and cost data of their secondary distribution (between distribution center and stores). We use these data to calculate the impacts of different time-window pressure scenarios, including the current situation, using vehicle routing software. It appears that cost increases are moderate, when few cities are affected. However, as more cities are affected, costs increase considerably, particularly if time-window lengths become shorter. Time-windows harmonized between cities, lead to less negative effects. We find various dimensions that contribute to reducing the retailer’s sensitivity to timewindow pressure. We formulate conclusions hypothesizing the links between timewindow pressure, its effects, and the dimensions that determine these effects.

Keywords: case study, city logistics / distribution, governmental regulation, retail, sustainability

Suggested Citation

Quak, H. J. and de Koster, M.B.M. René, Exploring Retailers' Sensitivity to Local Sustainability Policies (November 16, 2005). ERIM Report Series Reference No. ERS-2005-066-LIS, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=848812

H. J. Quak (Contact Author)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) ( email )

P.O. Box 1738
Room T08-21
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Netherlands

M.B.M. René De Koster

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Department of Technology and Operations Management ( email )

RSM Erasmus University
PO Box 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands
+31 10 408 1719 (Phone)
+31 10 408 9014 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.rsm.nl/rdekoster

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