Search Results (13)

Recently, cross-border logistics has experienced rapid development. Cross-border logistics courier orders come in various formats, featuring diverse layouts. Additionally, there is no standardized format for the writing of address and other information on these courier orders. It is challenging for current automated recognition models to handle such images. In this paper, we presented an end-to-end trainable neural network model based on feature enhancement, SwFB, capable of achieving end-to-end conversion from raw images to structured text information. We constructed our feature enhancement module, Co-G-Ma, based on a convolutional neural network (CNN), gated recurrent unit (GRU), and multi-head attention. We collected real cross-border logistics courier order images from a postal company in Zhejiang province, China, to build our dataset, COFIE, and conducted a series of experiments to explore the impact of hyperparameters on the extraction of key field text. Comparative experiments were also performed with other models on publicly available datasets CORD and SROIE. The experimental results demonstrate that our model achieves advanced performance in extracting visual text information and exhibits strong generalization. Full article

The integration of postal and passenger transport is an effective measure to enhance the utilization efficiency of passenger and freight transportation resources and to promote the sustainable development of urban–rural transit and logistics. This paper considers the uncertainty in passenger and freight demand as well as transit operation times, constructing an optimization model for integrated urban–rural transit and postal services based on uncertainty theory. Passenger and freight demand, along with the inverse uncertain distribution of events, serve as constraints, while minimizing passenger travel time and the cost for passenger transport companies are the optimization objectives. Taking into account the uncertainty of urban–rural bus travel time, the scheduling model is transformed into a robust form for scenarios involving single and multiple origin stations. The model is solved using an improved NSGA-II (Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II) to achieve effective coordinated scheduling of both passenger and freight services. Through a case study in Lotus County, Jiangxi Province, vehicle routing plans with varying levels of conservativeness were obtained. Comparing the results from different scenarios, it was found that when the total vehicle operating mileage increased from 1.96% to 62.26%, passenger transport costs rose from 2.95% to 62.66%, while the total passenger travel time decreased from 55.99% to 172.31%. In terms of optimizing costs and improving passenger travel efficiency, operations involving multiple starting stations for a single vehicle demonstrated greater advantages. Meanwhile, at a moderate level of robustness, it was easier to achieve a balance between operational costs and passenger travel time. The research findings provide theoretical support for improving travel conditions and resource utilization in rural areas, which not only helps enhance the operational efficiency of urban–rural transit but also contributes positively to promoting balanced urban–rural sustainable development and narrowing the urban–rural gap. Full article

This paper investigates the impact of technological advancements, particularly the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), on the efficiency and productivity of the postal service industry in Slovakia. By employing the Cobb–Douglas production function, we analyze the relationship between key inputs—capital and labor—and output for six major postal service providers: Slovak Post, Packeta, DHL Express, DPD, TNT Express, and GLS. Using data from 2017 to 2021, this study quantifies the elasticities of capital and labor to assess how IoT adoption influences operational performance. The regression analysis reveals significant variations in input contributions across companies, highlighting the diverse effects of IoT integration. Findings suggest that while some companies benefit more from capital investments in technology, others rely heavily on labor efficiency. These insights offer valuable implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders aiming to optimize resource allocation and enhance productivity through technological innovation. Full article

According to the defined challenge of cross-border delivery, a pilot experiment based on the integration of new digital technologies to assess process optimization potential in the postal sector was designed. The specifics were investigated with events processing based on digital representation. Different events were simulated with scenario analysis with the integration of the Cognitive Advisor and supported by the monitoring of KPIs. The business environment is forcing logistics companies to optimize their delivery processes, integrate new technologies, improve their performance metrics, and move towards Logistics 4.0. Their main goals are to simultaneously reduce costs, environmental impact, delivery times, and route length, as well as to increase customer satisfaction. This pilot experiment demonstrates the integration of new digital technologies for process optimization in real time to manage intraday changes. Postal operators can increase flexibility, introduce new services, improve utilization by up to 50%, and reduce costs and route length by 12.21%. The Cognitive Advisor has shown great potential for the future of logistics by enabling a dynamic approach to managing supply chain disruptions using sophisticated data analytics for process optimization based on the existing delivery infrastructure and improving business processes. Research originality is identified with a novel approach of real-time simulation based on the integration of the Cognitive Advisor in postal delivery. Full article

The recent concern on the environmental protection and COVID-19 issue is increasingly affecting the manufacturing industry. This research assessing the benefit of adopting ERP technology and practicing green supply chain management toward operational performance in manufacturing industry. The study is essential to provide insight for the manufacturing industry regarding the consequences and benefits of practicing the green supply chain and adopting ERP technology amid the current constraints of the environmental protection issue and the COVID-19 pandemic. The study has surveyed 122 companies domiciled in Indonesia. Data collection used a questionnaire designed with a seven-point Likert scale. Questionnaire created in Google form, printed and distributed using social media and postal mail. Data analysis used SmartPLS software version 3.0. The result revealed that ERP adoption enables green purchasing, production, distribution, and operational performance. Furthermore, operating performance is directly affected by green purchasing and green production. However, operating performance was not supported by green distribution. In addition, ERP adoption indirectly improves operational performance through green purchasing and green production. But ERP adoption did not affect operational performance through green distribution. This result provides essential insight for the manager in the manufacturing industry that adopting ERP in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic and practicing environmental protection such as green purchasing, green production enhances operational performance. In summary, the result of this study encourages the practitioner to adopt environmental protection in running their business since it benefits the company. While there are very few studies examining the relationship between ERP adoption, green supply chain practices, and operational performance, this study is essential in terms of exploring the mediating role of green supply chain practices on the effect of ERP adoption on operational performance. Thus, these research findings could enrich the current research in the supply chain management context. Full article

Network activities are an essential part of the economy. They represent services of general economic interest and include electronic communication, electricity, postal and railway services. At the end of the 1980s, the European Commission brought forward legislative proposals to open the monopolistic service markets of general economic interest. In that way, states would prepare the legislation to liberalise services, and state-owned monopolistic enterprises would adapt to the new conditions in the market. State-owned railway companies were megalomanic, exerting a triple role of managing the railway infrastructure and service facilities and providing railway transport services. In the early 1990s, the European Union (EU) adopted new legislation that would open the railway freight transport market. This initiated a new era of the railway. Separation of the functions within state own monopolistic companies into infrastructure management and railway undertakings quickly became a reality, paving the way for new railway freight operators. EU directives are implemented differently throughout the EU, which leads to various solutions. We have analysed various scientific and professional sources to understand better different correlations between the traffic parameters of the railway freight transport market. The key parameters were: (1) number of new undertakings, (2) ton-kilometres, (3) infrastructure charges and (4) quantity of transported goods. This paper researches the current state of the railway freight transport market and aims to define the shortcomings in the analyses of the impact of railway liberalisation on freight transport. Our research pointed out the need for seeing a broader picture of state interventions and infrastructure manager independence in the context of preventing market marginalisation. In addition, we have concluded that a number of the new undertakings is not a crucial parameter for understanding the railway freight transport market. Full article

Flood-producing rainfall amounts have a significant cumulative economic impact. Despite the advance in flood risk mitigation measures, the cost of rehabilitation and compensation of citizens by the state and insurance companies is increasing worldwide. A continuing challenge is the flood risk assessment based on reliable hazard and impact measures. The present study addresses this challenge by identifying rainfall thresholds likely to trigger economic losses due to flood damages to properties across the Athens Metropolitan Area of Greece. The analysis uses eight-year rainfall observations from 66 meteorological stations and high spatial resolution insurance claims on the postal code segmentation. Threshold selection techniques were applied based on the ROC curves widely used to assess the performance of binary response models. The model evaluates the probability of flood damages in terms of insurance claims in this case. Thresholds of 24-h rainfall were identified at the municipal level, as municipalities are the first administration level where decision making to address the local risks for the citizens is needed. The rainfall thresholds were further classified to estimate and map the local risk of flood damages. Practical implications regarding the applicability of the detected thresholds in early-warning systems are also discussed. Full article

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the delivery of courier and postal items has the potential to provide benefits in breaking down terrain barriers and reducing congestion in urban areas. In addition, the trend to move away from polluting fossil fuels prompts delivery companies to invest in low- and zero-emission means of transport. Electric UAVs reduce environmental contamination in the delivery area and can also be directly powered by renewable energy sources. The aim of this study is to identify the premises and conditions of UAV implementation on the example of companies delivering courier and postal items in Poland. The basic research methods used for the preparation of this study are critical analysis of the literature on the subject, synthesis, and generalisation, which led to the authors’ own research conducted through partially categorised oral interviews. The conducted considerations confirm the existence of premises and the ability of UAVs for the effective delivery of items. In Poland, the most important limitation in the implementation and dissemination of this delivery method is the high level of social scepticism, reaching 43%. If actions are not taken to neutralise this attitude of society, this factor may effectively prevent the use of UAVs for delivery services. Full article

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical health of children is limited. However, the changes in life behaviour imposed to contain its spread may have prolonged lifelong impact, particularly on vulnerable child populations. These potential harms can be mitigated, but require identification of those most at risk. This paper aims to analyze the spatial disparity of the impact COVID-19 outbreak placed on parents and their primary school-age children’s (grades 4–6) levels of worry. We conducted a national online survey sampling of parents and their children across five Australian states. Participants were recruited using social media for western Australia and a research company for the remaining states. Postal code, socio-demographics, exposures to COVID-19 cases, amount and frequency of following the news before and during the pandemic outbreak were captured. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate spatial statistical analyses were performed. Parents’ level of worry related to COVID-19 is significantly associated with parents’ amount and frequency of following COVID-19 news. It is critical to convey urgent information for public health awareness during health crises such as COVID-19. However, limiting the amount of exposure time towards unneeded media news may reduce population anxiety. Full article

In today’s business world, there are two very important health issues that the employees in the service sector are faced with: Spinal disease, especially in the lower back, and carpal tunnel syndrome. These are well-known musculoskeletal disorders. To preserve the health of its employees and prevent professional illnesses, and to thus maximize their efficiency, companies must use knowledge from the field of ergonomics. This study aims to examine the work-related health problems that the workers in transportation companies are faced with. As a case study, a postal company from Serbia is considered, with particular attention paid to the counter clerks. The research was carried out in one branch of the postal operator. All six postal clerks working at the considered branch were subjects of the study. The workers were observed visually by the researchers and recorded while performing their job tasks. Based on the analysis of their movements and body positions, the evaluation of their level of risk exposure was determined using the Ergo Fellow software, specifically with five packages within this program (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, Rapid Entire Body Assessment, Ovako working posture analysis system, Moore and Garg, and Suzanne Rodgers). As a result of the implemented tools, the analysts are in a position to conclude what should be changed in the work organization. Full article

In Tibetan history and culture, horses were among the most important animals, if not the most important of all. Horses were the mounts that provided transport, particularly for the nobility and kings, allowing them to travel more quickly and comfortably. Horses were also used for hunting, postal services, and to build a cavalry for warfare. In addition, they played a role in various entertainments, including horse racing, games, and parades. The unusually large number of manuscripts on horses attests to the value of horses in the Tibetan imaginaire compared to other animals that lived in the company of the people on the High Plateau, in Tibet itself, and in Tibetan cultural areas. This article begins with an outline of the uses and benefits of horses in Tibetan culture. It touches upon the animal’s role as the mount of Tibetan kings and debates regarding horses’ mental faculties. Then it presents a survey of the content of various manuscripts on equine studies based on sources from three stages: (1) the earliest Tibetan sources from Dunhuang; (2) translations from Indian texts; and (3) extensive compendia that merges all of the knowledge on horses available at the time of their composition. It analyzes the style and content of books that indicate the approach of the authors to the topic of “horse” and points to their view of horses in relation to Tibetan culture and Buddhism. Moreover, the books’ content mirrors the various functions and applications of horses in Tibet and India. It reveals the purpose of these books in general and illustrates the relation between textuality and orality. The study demonstrates the link between hippology and hippiatry, and the development of equine studies in Tibet. It shows the influence of humans on horse medicine and, moreover, contributes to an improved understanding of the development of Tibetan medical sciences in general. Full article

Urban population growth has permanently increased the commodity demands and freight flow within urban areas. The retail/postal industry is intent on finding appropriate internal approaches and a new business model to respond to the adverse impacts generated by urban freight activities. Usage of emerging transport modes is an efficient solution for these industries. Nevertheless, considerable research has paid less attention to the implementation status of distribution innovations, as well as to their suitability and application restrictions. Concurrently, a comprehensive consideration of various distribution innovations that operate together as a system is lacking. To this end, this paper adopted a literature review method and GE multifactorial analysis. Specifically, this paper reviewed the related articles that were published in the past six years (2013–2018) to define the concept of distribution innovations. In addition, we adopted the approach of GE multifactorial analysis to analyze the application status of distribution innovations from the perspective of academic research and company implementation. Following the suitability assessment and application of restriction analysis, we proposed the concept of sustainable inner-urban intermodal transport (SIUIT) for the retail/postal industry. This paper contributes to the sustainable urban freight literature by exploring possible future research directions of SIUIT. Full article

When public health is endangered, the general public can only protect themselves if timely messages are received and understood. Previous research has shown that the cause of threats to public health can affect risk perception and behaviours. This study compares compliance to public health advice and consumer behaviour during two “Boil Water” notices issued in the UK due to a routine incident versus a natural disaster incident. A postal questionnaire was sent to 1000 randomly selected households issued a routine “Boil Water” notice. Findings were then compared to a previous study that explored drinking water behaviour during a “Boil Water” notice issued after serious floods. Consumers affected by the routine incident showed a significant preference for official water company information, whereas consumers affected by the natural disaster preferred local information sources. Confusion over which notice was in place was found for both incidents. Non-compliance was significantly higher for the natural disaster (48.3%) than the routine incident (35.4%). For the routine incident, compliance with advice on drinking as well as preparing/cooking food and brushing teeth was positively associated with receiving advice from the local radio, while the opposite was true for those receiving advice from the water company/leaflet through the post; we suggest this may largely be due to confusion over needing boiled tap water for brushing teeth. No associations were found for demographic factors. We conclude that information dissemination plans should be tailored to the circumstances under which the advice is issued. Water companies should seek to educate the general public about water notices and which actions are safe and unsafe during which notice, as well as construct and disseminate clearer advice on brushing teeth and preparing/cooking food. Full article