Author:

Keywords:

cross-docking, logistics, classification, CIB_LPP, Social Sciences, Science & Technology, Technology, Management, Operations Research & Management Science, Business & Economics, Cross-docking, Logistics, Classification, SUPPLY CHAIN NETWORK, HOLONIC MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS, OPERATIONAL TIME CONSTRAINT, ASSIGNMENT PROBLEM, DOOR ASSIGNMENT, OUTBOUND TRUCKS, CROSSDOCKING, TRANSSHIPMENT, INVENTORY, DESIGN, 0102 Applied Mathematics, 1503 Business and Management, 1505 Marketing, Operations Research, 3503 Business systems in context, 3507 Strategy, management and organisational behaviour

Abstract:

Cross-docking is a logistics strategy in which freight is unloaded from inbound vehicles and (almost) directly loaded into outbound vehicles, with little or no storage in between. This article presents an overview of the cross-docking concept. Guidelines for the successful use and implementation of cross-docking are discussed and several characteristics are described that can be used to distinguish between different cross-dock types. In addition, this article presents an extensive review of the existing literature about cross-docking. The discussed articles are classified based on the problem type that is tackled (ranging from more strategic or tactical to more operational problems). Based on this review, several opportunities to improve and extend the current research are indicated.