This work presents a decision support system to facilitate efficient urban last-mile distribution. Orders are collected and delivered by a fleet of both conventional vehicles owned by a logistics provider and cargo-bikes operated by freelancers. Additionally, micro-hubs are operated to perform transshipments between multiple vehicles. To investigate the corresponding problem setting, an agent-based simulation is developed, which uses dynamic optimisation procedures to generate and select vehicle routes and transshipment points. Experiments motivated by dynamic real-world urban restaurant delivery services investigate the impact of cargo-bikes, urban consolidation and guaranteed delivery times. Potentials are discussed and implications for successful implementations are provided. Results highlight the importance of having a sufficient number of active cargo-bikes available and benefits of incorporating consolidation strategies to guarantee timely deliveries.

In the scientific literature, there are numerous studies with different approaches and focuses on assessing the environmental impact of online shopping and shopping in the traditional retail channel. The aim of this work is to analyse scientific studies that quantitatively assess the environmental impact of transport activities in both channels and to extract the factors used for this assessment. A literature search was conducted for the period 2006 to October 2020, with 90 studies shortlisted, of which 15 studies were identified as relevant in a screening process. The analysis showed that a different number of factors is included in the selected studies. Logistics-related and behavioural factors are mostly of similar importance. Third-order effects, such as rebound or complementary effects, are rarely considered. Furthermore, it becomes clear that the results also depend on differences in study design and external factors. This work illustrates the complexity of quantitatively assessing the environmental impact of online and in-store shopping. Caution is advised when deriving recommendations for action from general statements about the environmental friendliness of a distribution channel. The 15 factors found, together with the classification method used, form a solid basis for building new models.

Intermodal inland terminals are about to expand their scope of services. The aim of this work is to reveal a terminal operator's motives behind a strong service offer, to identify promising new value added services (VAS), and to investigate which operational impacts a new service implementation may have on a terminal's performance. International stakeholder workshops and semi-structured interviews with terminal representatives in Belgium and Austria were used to investigate the topic. By applying systems thinking, the information was visualised in causal loop diagrams and validated by two real-world cases. The analysis discloses great differences between services' impacts on a terminal's performance. For terminal managers, benefits in information and time play key roles when thinking about new VAS. The results underline the importance of understanding cascading effects in management decisions at intermodal inland terminals and to think of potential long-term consequences, which might be unnoticed in the first place.

Purpose: A deeper understanding of what needs to be considered to improve the targeted incorporation of employees’ knowledge into continuous improvement (CI) programmes in industrialised housebuilding (IHB) is required. This paper aims to address the current lack of involvement and connect it to structural and corporate culture factors. To avoid misjudgements in improvement activities as well as to use the full potential of performance improvement ideas, CI tools and measures need to be adapted to facilitate this integration. Relevant factors are analysed and their influences on CI measures are assessed. Design/methodology/approach: The research approach is built upon an explorative case study supported by a comprehensive literature review. Empirical data were collected through participant observation, guided interviews and company documents. Findings: The influences on employee involvement within CI programmes and the corresponding suitability of important CI measures were evaluated on a set of relevant factors. These factors include unique building projects, project-based focus on order fulfilment, fragmented order fulfilment process, separation of order fulfilment activities in terms of space and time, procedural rules for dealing with on-site failures, short-term contracts with subcontractors and the practice of evaluating and monitoring performance on site. Research limitations/implications: The research paves the way for the development of suitable tools, measures and methods to effectively involve employees from all profession within a CI programme in IHB. The empirical part of this research is based on a single case study. Originality/value: This work extends the body of knowledge of CI application in the construction industry with an analysis of factors influencing its implementation and management.