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Alan McKinnon

Professor Alan McKinnon

MA (Aberdeen) MA (British Columbia) PhD (London)

Professor /Director of Logistics Research Centre

Telephone: 0131 451 3850

Room: EF 27

Professor Alan McKinnon is Director of the Logistics Research Centre, which he set up in 1997. A graduate of the universities of Aberdeen, British Columbia and London, he has been researching and teaching in freight transport and logistics for thirty years and has published extensively in journals and books. He is a frequent contributor to academic and business conferences on logistics around the world. Before joining Heriot-Watt University in 1987, he was a lecturer at the University of Leicester. He has also been a visiting academic at several universities, including Sydney, Verona and Tilburg.

Alan has undertaken research and consultancy studies for numerous public and private sector organisations in the UK and overseas and been an adviser to several UK government departments, UK and Scottish parliamentary committees, the European Commission, European Conference of Ministers of Transport, International Energy Agency and OECD. He was chairman of the UK government’s Retail Logistics Task Force between 2000 and 2002 and been a member of its Freight and Logistics Research Group since 2003. He also belongs to the National Council of the Freight Transport Association.

In 2008 Prof McKinnon was appointed to the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on the Future of Transportation. In 2009 he was made Guest Professor at the University of Linkoping in Sweden to support collaborative research in the field of Green Logistics and Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Malaysia Institute of Transport (MITRANS) at the Universiti Teknologi MARA.

Between 1990 and 1996 he was European Editor of the International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management. He is currently a member of the editorial board of this and six other journals, including the Journal of Business Logistics and International Journal of Logistics: Research and Applications.

Alan has undertaken research on many different aspects of logistics. His PhD, undertaken at University College London, analysed the spatial structure of food distribution systems. Since then he has published extensively on topics such as retail logistics, freight transport management and policy, the environmental impact of logistics, outsourcing, supply chain trends, the logistics of online retailing, warehousing and the links between logistics and economic development. In recent years he has been involved in major studies examining the case for increasing maximum truck size and weight, road user charging for trucks, the impact of traffic congestion on the reliability of supply chains and opportunities for cutting CO2 emissions from freight transport.

In 2002 Alan won the Herbert Crow award from the Worshipful Company of Carmen in the City of London. This award ‘recognises an individual who has significantly furthered transport knowledge and development through study, publication, analysis, research, training or systems’. The following year he received the Sir Robert Lawrence Award, the highest distinction of the UK Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport for making a ‘major contribution to transport and logistics over a sustained period’.

Main Publications

Journal Articles

McKinnon, A.C., Edwards, J.B., Piecyk,M.I. and Palmer, A. (2009) ‘Traffic Congestion, Reliability and Logistical Performance: A Multi-Sectoral Assessment’ International Journal of Logistics: Research and Applications, Vol.12, no.3, 2009.

McKinnon, A.C. ‘Benchmarking Road Freight Transport: Review of a Government-sponsored Programme’ Benchmarking: an International Journal, Vol. 16, no.5,2009

McKinnon, A.C. and Piecyk, M.I. ‘Measurement of CO2 Emissions from Road Freight Transport: A Review of UK Experience.’ Energy Policy, Vol.37, no.10 2009.

McKinnon, A.C., Piecyk, M.I. and Somerville, A. (2008) ‘Decoupling, Recoupling and the Future Growth of Road Freight’ Logistics and Transport Focus, Vol.10, no. 12, pp. 40-46, 2008. (journal of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport)

Edwards, J.B. and McKinnon, A.C. (2009) ‘Shopping Trip or Home Delivery: which has the smaller carbon footprint’ Logistics and Transport Focus, vol.11, no. 7. pp.20-24, 2009.

McKinnon, A.C., Mendes, D. and Nababteh, M. ‘In-store Logistics: an Analysis of On-shelf Availability and Stockout Responses for Three Product Groups’ International Journal of Logistics: Research and Application, vol 10, no. 3 2007

McKinnon, A.C. ‘Increasing Fuel Prices and Market Distortion in a Domestic Road Haulage Market: The Case of the United Kingdom.’ European Transport, no. 35. 2007

McKinnon, A.C. ‘The Decoupling of Road Freight Transport and Economic Growth Trends in the UK: An Exploratory Analysis’ Transport Reviews, vol. 27, no.1 2007

McKinnon, A.C. ‘Life without Trucks: The Effects of the Disruption of Road Freight Transport on a National Economy’ Journal of Business Logistics, vol 27, no. 2, 2006.

McKinnon, A.C. ‘ A Review of Truck Tolling Schemes and Assessment of their Possible Impact on Logistics Systems’ International Journal of Logistics: Research and Applications, vol 9. no.3, 2006

McKinnon, A.C. and Ge, Y. ‘The Potential for Reducing Empty Running by Trucks: A Retrospective Analysis’ International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, vol. 36, 5, 2006 pp. 391-410

McKinnon, A.C. 'Government Plans for Lorry Road User Charging in the UK: A Critique and an Alternative' Transport Policy, Vol. 13, no. 3, 2006, pp.204 -216

McKinnon, A.C. and Braithwaite, A. ‘The European Chemical Supply Chain: Threats and Opportunities.’ Logistics and Transport Focus, vol. 7, no. 3, 2005.

McKinnon, A.C. ‘The Economic and Environmental Benefits of Increasing Maximum Truck Weight: The British Experience’ Transportation Research part D, vol. 10. no. 1, 2005 pp.77-95.

McKinnon, A.C. and Ge, Y. ‘Use of a Synchronised Vehicle Audit to Determine Opportunities for Improving Transport Efficiency in a Supply Chain’ International Journal of Logistics: Research and Applications, vol. 7, no.3, 2004, pp 219-238

McKinnon, A.C. ‘Benchmarking the Efficiency of Retail Deliveries in the UK’ BRC Solutions (British Retail Consortium journal), Issue 5, 2004

McKinnon, A.C., Ge, Y. and Leuchars, D. ‘Running on Empty’ ECR Journal, 3, 1, 2003

Braithwaite, A. and McKinnon, A.C. ‘Retail Trends Affecting Sustainable Distribution’ Logistics and Transport Focus, 5, 3, 2003

Fernie, J. and McKinnon, A.C. ‘The Grocery Supply Chain in the UK: Improving Efficiency in the Logistics Network. ‘ International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 13, 2, 2003

McKinnon, A.C. and Tallam, D. 'Unattended Delivery to the Home: An Assessment of the Security Implications' International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management, 31, 1, 2003

McKinnon, A.C. 'Haulier than Thou' Public Service Review, autumn 2001.

McKinnon, A.C. 'Sustainable Distribution: Opportunities to Improve Vehicle Loading' Industry and Environment, 23, 4, 2000 (United Nations Environment Programme)

McKinnon, A.C. ‘Measuring the Potential for Efficiency Improvements in the Food Supply Chain’ Supply Chain Practice, 2, 2, 1999

McKinnon, A.C. ‘The Effect of Traffic Congestion on the Efficiency of Logistical Operations’ International Journal of Logistics: Research and Applications, 2, 2, 1999.

McKinnon, A.C. ‘The Regulation of Road Freight Operations: the End of an Era?’ Transport Logistics, 1, 2, 1998

McKinnon, A.C. ‘The Road Freight Requirements of Scottish Industry: A Logistical Perspective’ Scottish Economic Bulletin, March 1997.

McKinnon, A.C. "The Empty Running and Return Loading of Road Goods Vehicles" Transport Logistics, 1, 1, 1996.

McKinnon, A.C. and Woodburn, A. "Logistical Restructuring and Freight Traffic Growth: An Empirical Assessment" Transportation, 23, 2, 1996

McKinnon, A.C. “Reducing the Impact of Freight Transport on the Environment.” Logistics Europe, 3, 4, 1995, pp.14-21.

McKinnon, A.C. “Logistics and the Environment.” Logistics Europe (Journal of the European Logistics Association), 3, 3, 1995, pp. 16-22.

McKinnon, A.C. and Woodburn, A. "The Consolidation of Retail Deliveries: Its Effect on CO2 Emissions", Transport Policy, 1, 2, 1994.

McKinnon, A.C. "Channel Tunnel Freight Services between Scotland and Continental Europe: An Examination of the Opportunities and Constraints.' Applied Geography, 14, 1, 1994, 68-86.

McKinnon, A.C., Stirling, I. and Kirkhope, J. "Improving the Fuel Efficiency of Road Freight Operations." International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, 23, 9, 1993, 3-11.

McKinnon, A.C. and Woodburn, A.C. "A Logistical Perspective on the Growth of Lorry Traffic.' Traffic Engineering and Control, Vol. 34, no. 9, 1993.

McKinnon, A.C. "Manufacturing in a Peripheral Location: An Assessment of the Logistical Penalties." International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol.3, no.2, 31-48, 1992.

Fernie, J. and McKinnon, A.C. "The Impact of Changes in Retail Distribution on a Peripheral Region: The Case of Scotland." International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management, 19, 7, 1991, 25-32.

McKinnon, A.C. "Regional Variations in Manufacturing Inventory Levels." International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, 21, 6, 1991, 4-14.

McKinnon, A.C. "Electronic Data Interchange in the Retail Supply Chain: The Distribution Contractor's Role." International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management, 18, 2, 1990, 39-42.

McKinnon, A.C."The Growth of Road Freight in the UK." International Journal of Physical Distribution and Materials Management, Vol. 19, no. 4, 1989, 3-13.

McKinnon, A.C. "National Expenditure on Logistics in the UK." Focus on Physical Distribution and Logistics Management (Journal of the Institute of Logistics and Distribution Management), 7, 8, 1988, 23-7.

Marshall, J.N, Wood, P., Daniels, P. and McKinnon, A.C. "Producer Services and Uneven Development". Area, 19, 1, 1987, 35-41.

McKinnon, A.C. "Recent Trends in Warehousing Development". Management Research News, 10, 3, 1987, 8-11.

McKinnon, A.C. "Distributing Imported Goods to British Customers." Retail and Distribution Management, 14, 5, 1986, 86-91.

McKinnon, A.C. "The Physical Distribution Strategies of Multiple Retailers." International Journal of Retailing. 1, 2, 1986, 49-63.

McKinnon, A.C. "Multiple Retailers' Distribution Strategies: Effects on Patterns of Land Use and Traffic Flow". The Planner, 72, 7, 1986, 16-20.

McKinnon, A.C. "The Distribution Systems of Supermarket Chains". Service Industries Journal, 5, 2, 1985, 226-238. (reprinted in Akehurst, G. and Alexander, N. (eds) ‘Retail Structure.’ Frank Cass, London, 1995)

McKinnon, A.C. "Demonstrating the Use of Spatial Optimising Techniques by Means of a Freight Distribution Game". Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 8, 2, 1984, 151-157.

McKinnon, A.C. "The Development of Warehousing in England". Geoforum, 14, 4, 1983, 389-99.

McKinnon, A.C. "Distribution by Rail in the United Kingdom". Geography, 67, 1, 1982, 51-54.

Books

McKinnon, A.C. "Physical Distribution Systems", Routledge, London, 1989. 316 pages + xviii.

McKinnon, A.C., Button, K. and Nijkamp, P. (ed.) 'Transport Logistics' Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, 2002. 680pp

Book chapters

McKinnon, A.C. and Edwards, J.B. (2009) 'The Greening of Retail Logistics' in Fernie, J. and Sparks, L. (eds) 'Logistics and Retail Management' 3rd ed Kogan Page, London.

Fernie, J. and McKinnon, A.C. (2009) 'The Development of E-tail Logistics' in Fernie, J. and Sparks, L. (eds) 'Logistics and Retail Management' 3rd ed Kogan Page, London.

McKinnon, A.C. "Recent Trends in Warehouse Location" in Cooper, J.C. (ed), `Logistics and Distribution Planning', Kogan Page, London, 1988, 131-44.

McKinnon, A.C. "Physical Distribution" in Marshall, J.N. et al.,`Services and Uneven Development', Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1988, 133-60.

McKinnon, A.C. "Rail Freight Facilities Grants: Past Trends and Future Prospects." McKinnon, A.C. (ed.) `Institute of Logistics and Distribution Yearbook 1989', Kogan Page, London, 1989, 97-100.

McKinnon, A.C. "The Advantages and Disadvantages of Centralised Distribution" in Fernie, J. (ed.), Retail Distribution Management, Kogan Page, London, 1990, 74-89.

McKinnon, A.C. "Logistics in the United Kingdom" in Dimitrov, P. (ed.) `National Logistics Systems', Collaborative Paper CP-91-06, International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, 1991, 37-72.

Baxter, L., McKinnon, A.C.,Graham, I. and O'Doherty, F. "Time to Volume: The Role of the Supplier" in Brace,G. (ed) 'Logistics Technology International 1992', Sterling, London, 1992, 34-36.

McKinnon, A.C. "The Purchase of Logistical Services." in Cooper,J. (ed.), ‘Logistics and Distribution Planning’ (2nd Edition), Kogan Page, London, 1994

McKinnon, A.C. "The Distribution Systems of Supermarket Chains” in Akehurst, G. and Alexander, N. (eds) ‘Retail Structure.’ Frank Cass, London, 1995.

McKinnon, A.C. “Logistics, Peripherality and Manufacturing Competitiveness.” in Fynes, B. and Ennis, S. (eds) ‘Competing from the Periphery.’ Dryden, London, 1996.

McKinnon, A.C. “Scottish Brewers: The Restructuring of a Depot System” in Taylor, D. (ed) ‘Global Cases in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.’ International Thomson Business Press, London, 1997.

McKinnon, A.C. ‘Logistical Restructuring, Road Freight Traffic Growth and the Environment’ in D.Banister (ed.),‘Transport Policy and the Environment’ Spon, London, 1998.

McKinnon, A.C. ‘On the Move: Scotland’s Transport System’ in Fraser,M. (ed) ‘Essential Scotland’ Agenda Publishing, London. 1998.

McKinnon, A.C. ‘Logistics: Four Common Misconceptions’ in Smith, D. (ed.) ‘Focus Scotland’ Scottish Council Development and Industry, Edinburgh, 1998.

McKinnon, A.C. ‘The Outsourcing of Logistical Activities’ in Waters, D. (ed.) ‘Global Logistics and Distribution Planning’ Kogan Page, London 1999.

McKinnon, A.C. ‘International Logistics’ in ‘International Business’ ed. M.Tayeb, Prentice Hall / Financial Times Management, London. 1999.

McKinnon, A.C., ‘Integrated Logistics Strategies.’ in Brewer, A.M. Button, K.J. and Hensher, D. A. 'Handbook of Logistics and Supply Chain Management' Pergamon, London, 2001 pp 157-170.

McKinnon, A.C. 'Sustainable Freight Distribution' in 'Integrated Futures and Transport Choices: UK Transport Policy Beyond the 1998 White Paper' ed. J. Preston and J.Hine, Ashgate, Farnborough 2003.

McKinnon, A.C. ‘Influencing Company Logistics Management’ in ‘Managing the Fundamental Drivers of Transport Demand’ European Conference of Ministers of Transport, Paris, 2003.

McKinnon, A.C. 'Logistics and the Environment' in Hensher, D. and Button, K. (eds.) 'Handbook of Transport and the Environment' Elsevier, 2003.

McKinnon, A.C. ‘Other Factors Affecting Competitiveness in the European Road Haulage Market’ in ‘Reforming Transport Taxes’ European Conference of Minsters of Transport, Paris, 2003.

Fernie, J. and McKinnon, A.C 'Online Shopping: the Logistics Issues' in Freathy, P. (ed.) 'Retail Management Handbook' , Financial Times Management / Prentice Hall, 2003.

McKinnon, A.C. 'Third Party Logistics in the Food Supply Chain' in Bourlakis, M. and Weightman, P. (eds.) 'Food Supply Chain Management' Blackwell. 2004

Fernie, J. and McKinnon, A.C. ‘The Development of E-tail Logistics’ in ‘Logistics and Retail Management’ 2nd ed. Edited by J. Fernie and L.Sparks. Kogan Page, 2004

McKinnon, A.C. ‘Road Transport Optimisation’ in in Waters, D. (ed.) ‘Global Logistics’ 4th edition, Kogan Page, London 2006.

McKinnon, A.C. and Edwards, J.B. ‘The Greening of Retail Logistics’ in Fernie, J. and Sparks, L. (ed.) ‘Retail Management and Logistics’ 3rd edition, Kogan Page, London. 2009

Fernie, J. and McKinnon, A.C. ‘The Development of E-tail Logistics’ in Fernie, J. and Sparks, L. (ed.) ‘Retail Management and Logistics’ 3rd edition, Kogan Page, London. 2009