On Using Collaborative Networked Organizations in International Outbound Logistics

Abstract

This paper analyses if the Collaborative Networked Organizations (CNO) concept can bring advantages in organizing the international outbound logistics for SMEs. In the manufacturing domain, the European CNO research has identified benefits from using the concept in traditional supply chains, collaboration in various inbound networks and business eco-systems. Less focus has been made on outbound logistics for delivering products and related service to customers at remote locations. The analysis is based on the conducted company interviews. The interviewed companies have a good record of successful international operations. The used international delivery models are mapped into the taxonomy of well-known outbound logistics models. The paper proposes a customer interface network model, based on the CNO concept to tackle problems encountered.