Ghaderi, H$.,$ Dullaert, W$.,$ & van Amstel, W$.(2016).$ Reducing lead$-$times and lead$-$time variance in cooperative distribution networks. International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics. $8(1)$:$51-65,$ DOI:$10\mathrm{.}1504/$IJSTL$\mathrm{.}2016\mathrm{.}073316.$

King, P$.(2011).$ Crack the Code: Understanding Safety Stock and Managing It's Equations. APICS Magazine. July$/$August$.$

Why is reducing lead$-$time and lead$-$time variability important?

What do the authors suggest is the best way to reduce lead times and lead time variability?