Business, IT and Logistics

A supply network is complex as buyer-supplier organizations are embedded in multiple relationships and exchanges. The complexity complicates the management of the supply network. Social network scholars have argued that understanding a network also concern the deliberation of the embeddedness aspects of organizations in the network. Structural embeddedness theorists have argued that the structural position resulting from the embeddedness in a complex network may actually present opportunities and constraints to the managers. Thus, what created the complexity may offers economic returns. Management of supply chain then requires a social network lens to improve understandings o supply network structural embeddedness. Hence, in this paper, using the social network research approach we investigate to what extent does the degree of involvement of buyer- supplier organizations in the supply network are influence by the type of buyer-supplier relationships. The finding is hoped to illuminate the management strategy of the supply network and relationships.

In August 2013 and for the third consecutive year, Melbourne has been accredited as the most liveable city in the world. However, the city is also known and credited for a less attractive reason as " The City of Level Crossings " ; the city's metropolitan area is home to 170 railroad level crossings (RLX). Since 2006, Melbourne has experienced unprecedented train patronage demand. Victorian transport authorities, facing capacity, demand and overcrowding problems, have acquired new train sets, established new timetables that introduced additional urban train services, and prepared long term plans to address the issue. However, the additional train services result in a 'catch 22' situation. The additional train traffic causes extra boom gate activity at railroad level crossings, which in turns leads to additional vehicles congestion on Melbourne's roads. This research investigates and proposes the introduction of Zonal Operations (ZO) in the Caulfield Group corridor that includes some of Melbourne's longest and busiest lines within the rail network. The research discusses the concept of ZO, analyses the claim that ZO resolves capacity and overcrowding problems, a claim proposed in research literature. In addition, this research confirms that ZO has the potential to reduce the number of times boom gates are lowered at RLXs, and to mitigate road traffic congestion at RLXs. By doing this, a better understanding is gained in how ZO in railways can be used to mitigate road traffic congestion issues at RLX locations.

This research investigates traffic congestion at railway level crossings adjacent to or in the close proximity of railway stations. Traffic congestion at railway level crossings has many implications on logistics and can significantly delay urban deliveries. We propose that a reduction of boom barriers down time periods at these locations can be derived by making alterations to the infrastructure of the railway station. These infrastructure alterations relate to the platform arrangements at stations, and present an opportunity to minimise the time of roads closure periods at level crossing, thus mitigating road traffic congestion. To test this theory, the station environment is simulated using traffic simulation software. The simulation process is conducted in two phases, one to emulate the current environment and the other to emulate the proposed environment. Early simulation results testing single train arrival and departure at both the current and proposed environment have been most positive. Further simulations are yet to be conducted to test the operation of multiple train arrivals and departures.