Logistics and supply chain management

People with expertise in this area
Research interests

Andrea Chiarini: Associate Professor
Ilenia Confente: Associate Professor
David D'Acunto: Temporary Assistant Professor
Barbara Gaudenzi: Associate Professor

Valentina Mazzoli: Temporary Assistant Professor
Ivan Russo: Full Professor
Paola Signori: Full Professor
Sara Toniolo: Temporary Assistant Professor

Research interests
Topic	People	Description
B2B customer loyalty and supply chain management	Ilenia Confente Ivan Russo	This research goal is to explore the customer loyalty creation mechanisms in a business context under the lens of both marketing and supply chain management, determining its drivers and the different configurations of them that allow to reach a high degree of loyalty. This study applies the complexity theory to provide the different combinations of antecedents (logistics service quality, agile, market orientation, innovation, managing returns) that are able to obtain a high degree of customer loyalty.
A global study of returns management	Ivan Russo	Returns management refers to the strategic development and managerial implementation of a firm’s returns policy as a marketing tool. The returns policy then has implications for the logistics function within a firm. Logistics is responsible for the physical re-acquisition and movement of the product, and ultimately, disposition decisions relating to any future use or value recovery from the returned product (this is often referred to as reverse logistics). Reverse supply chain (RSC) operations have emerged as a critical component of overall customer service in manufacturing industries and the choice of third party logistics would be critical.
Logistics customer service	David D'Acunto Ivan Russo	Globalisation has set up large systems of trading partners that span vast distances. Vertical integration, once commonplace, is now rare. While outsourcing has cost advantages, it also has a downside – lack of control and oversight; globalising the marketplace and the need of logistics service providers to render logistics services on an international scale requires intercultural management competencies. Whereas logistics and SCM have traditionally referred to the physical flow connecting production with customers, more recent research in logistics aims at integrating marketing notions and addressing the role of logistics in deliveringquality and improving customer service and satisfaction.
Logistics and supply chain management within the circular economy practice	Ivan Russo Sara Toniolo	Although some elements of circularity such as recycling and composting are already present in the linear economy, a CE takes a step beyond the pursuit of waste prevention and reduction to inspire technological, organizational and social innovation across supply chains. The current research concerns how consumers respond to the introduction of products made from regenerated bio-waste. The supply chain management and logistics management field can provide foundational principles upon which to facilitate the transition from traditional linear consumption approaches to circular approaches.
The role of the shopper within the supply chain in an omni-channel environment	David D'Acunto Ivan Russo	Analysis of the role of the shopper within the supply chain and understanding of the impact of the shoppers’ perception and purchasing behaviour across the online and offline channels impact supply chain strategies. In particular, this area studies how digital technologies enabled choices among different types of supply chain governance. Another objective of the research stream is to analyse all of the factors that influence logistics in a complex system, such as an urban area and last mile.
Omnicanalità, logistica dell'ultimo miglio e comportamento del consumatore	Valentina Mazzoli	Analisi del comportamento del consumatore in relazione alle politiche di gestione dell'ultimo miglio della supply chain da parte delle imprese. Attraverso disegni sperimentali online e sul campo si studia l'impatto di tali politiche sulle percezioni e sui comportamenti dei consumatori nei confronti delle imprese valutando così l'efficacia di tali politiche.
The role of the shopper within the supply chain in a omni-channel environment.	Ilenia Confente David D'Acunto	This research includes the role of the shopper within the supply chain debate understanding the impact shoppers’ perception and purchasing behaviour across the online and offline channels impact supply chain strategies. Understanding of the effect a return policy leniency has on purchase intention, adopting the theoretical framework of signaling theory. Use of an experimental design manipulating return policy leniency, the channel type and the product type. Data are analysed through PROCESS software to identify the existence of moderation and mediation effects.
Operations Management	Andrea Chiarini	Operation Excellence models for manufacturing companies through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TQM and ISO 9001 certification
Operations Management and Industry 4.0	Andrea Chiarini	Integration between Industry 4.0 technologies and Operations
Procurement Optimization: strategic management of procurement in the supply chain	Barbara Gaudenzi	Procurement optimization in international supply chain, combining efficient spend assessment, sourcing strategy development, and risk and performance assessment approaches for an international and integrated procurement strategies. Among others, one area of investigation is the management of commodity price risk and foreign exchange risk.
Supply Chain Innovative Sustainability	Paola Signori	Three research projects are active on supply chain sustainability topic: Sustainable supply chain orientation (SSCO) analyses in the fashion and food industries (global wine and dairy supply chains); Research about Innovation on Sustainability (Triple Bottom Line); Research on Sustainability Supply Chain global best practice.
Supply chain (lean) agility and resilience	Barbara Gaudenzi	Models and approaches for “supply chain agility” and “lean strategy” in competitive and complex scenarios characterized by vulnerability. Design of organizational models for resilient supply chain management. Performance and risk measurement systems related to Supply Chain agility and resilience