Effects of Resources Sharing Strategies on Logistic Pools Performances

Pooling models have been used extensively to analyze the performance of variety of systems, both in logistics, and other areas. Reason for so wide application of pooling concepts lies in fact that cyclic allocation of resources to multiple clients is quite natural, and brings numerous positive effects.
In logistics and supply chains, numerous examples of pools and pooling concepts exist. One example is related to collaboration of retailers, and multi-location inventory systems, where movement of stock between locations at the same echelon level can lead to cost reductions and improved service without increasing inventory level in the supply chain. Another example can be found in pools of empty logistic units (pallets and containers), where balancing flows equate differences between shortages and surpluses of empty logistics units in depots without increasing number of empty units in the system.
However, managing lateral transshipments and balancing flows needs appropriate strategies of sharing resources between pool members. Therefore, in this paper, several possible strategies of resources sharing are studied, and their effects are analyzed through the impact on different logistics performances. Research performed here is based on quantitative modeling and simulation approach, covering both, distribution systems, and pools of empty logistic units.