JUST-IN-TIME AND INBOUND TRANSPORTATION

Abstract

The paper discusses general characteristics, users, advantages and disadvantages of inbound just-in-time (JIT) systems for shipping and inventory control. The JIT concept is explained discussing the development of the JIT concept and the principal industries involved. A mail questionaire and personal interview survey was conducted in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The responses were accumulated and inferences were made over a wide range of areas including: user characteristics, length of haul, shipment size and frequency, vendor selection, motivation for JIT, transportation mode, and transportation costs. General conclusions are presented as suggestions for further study. Indications are that many varieties/sizes of firms can benefit from JIT. Characteristics of a typical JIT arrangement are more frequent, smaller shipments, greater manufacturer control of the arrangement including transportation mode, and generally normal transportation costs.