Challenges Within Transportation and Logistics Management, Outline Example

Chapter 1                                                                                  

Introduction

Research problems

Transportation and logistics management in global supply chain contributes significantly in leveraging lower manufacturing costs hence increasing the efficiency of conducting business. It is therefore prudent to identify new challenges within transportation and logistics management and develop viable solutions to these challenges

Objectives of research

• study and identify new challenges within transportation and logistics management
• developing viable solutions to these challenges

Research question

• What are the new challenges that affect transportation and logistics management?
• What are the most viable solutions to these challenges?

Chapter 2

Literature review

The literature review section will be broken in to sections

Logistics & Transportation

The supply chain on an international capacity is responsible for leveraging the process of cost reduction in manufacturing. However, transport managers are facing an extremely difficult time as they try to address the challenges that are associated with delivering the products to their point of sale. The costs that are typically associated with transportation goes as high as 5-6 % of the total revenue that the company gets from the sale of that particular product, thus greatly affecting the cost of production. Improving management in transportation therefore will be beneficial to the company as it is able to improve on the efficiency of the entire supply chain.

Reduction of transportation overheads is an important consideration for transport managers.

Overcoming the challenges associated with logistics and transportation

Managers have the role of focusing on consolidated perception of logistics along with transportation in the entire supply chain in attempt of striking a balance between supply and demand.

Management of extended lead times along with variability

The global nature that is associated with supply chains calls for the attention of companies address longer lead times coupled with significant variability. Uncertainty is ever evident in transportation that consequently leads to higher costs of inventory as companies attempts to buffer stock.

Chapter 3

Research methodology

Introduction

The procedures applicable by the researcher in attempts of achieving the set goals and objectives of this research paper are the premise of this section. Definition of locality of the study, the procedures to be followed in research and the style of analyzing collected data are important features in this section. Just to reiterate, the objective of this research will be to identify new challenges within transportation and logistics management and develop viable solutions to these challenges.

Primary Research

Primary research involves collection of nonexistent statistics that is achievable through application of a number of procedures such as questionnaires, telephone conversations and surveys among others. The major merit associated with primary research is the high level of precision. On the contrary, the demerits associated with primary research involve time factor particularly due geographical distribution of participants.

Secondary Research

Secondary research involves gathering existing data in contrast to the primary approach to research that involves collection of non existing data. This involves experimental research or researching on specific subjects for example. One important merit associated with secondary research is that it is a time saving method. However, the approach has demerits associated with information collected because sometimes it can lack relevance to the research being undertaken.

Research strategy

Research strategy involves the broad plan applicable to the researcher in responding to the research questions. It involve unambiguous objectives, derived from the research questions and specify the sources from which researcher proposes to obtain data. Research strategy also considers the limitations that the researcher will inexorably experience such as limited access to data, time constrains, funding the project as well the ethical issues associated with the research.

Table 1: Research strategies

Source: Business Management Strategic Research Model (Humphrey et al, 2003)

Choice of Research Philosophy

The research strategy is an important aspect that indicates the appropriate procedures that the researcher shall adapt so that all the research questions are fully addressed

Research Validity and Reliability

A discussion of the literatures on the new challenges within transportation and logistics management and develop viable solutions to these challenges includes the research debate referring to the mode in which the data were collected. This research is anticipated to take phenomenological perspective in which case, all questions are correlated to theoretical distinctiveness as outlined in the literature review. The applicable methods are therefore anticipated to be precise in gathering, analyzing as well as sampling data; consequently the authenticity of result is anticipated to be high.

Ethical consideration

After giving the out different questionnaires with specific areas of interests to the respondents it is important to inform them the reason behind their participation in a research. Consequently, it is the duty of the researcher to give a informed consent form to the respondents so that they can fill and indicate their voluntary participation in the research. The researcher must also inform the participants about potential benefits or/harm that are associated with taking part in this research. The decision for a participant not to answer any part of the question must be respected and acknowledged and the confidentiality of any participant should never be compromised upon.

Using Triangulation to Research

The essence of triangulation in research is inspection of double or even triples cross examination in the situation that numerous research methods are applicable in the course of the study. The idea behind triangulation is articulation of the highest degree of self-confidence in contemplation of the results of diverse methods that give an analogous outcome. In case the researcher conducted trials using only one research method, there is a higher inclination to conclude that, the results are legally binding. However, if several research methods are applied in the course of the research, then the higher chances are that the result may conflict.

Limitations of the Research

In most cases, a research is never devoid of limitations whose contributions in any particular study is associated with a tarnishing the results achievable from the research. In this study therefore, definite limitations will also be anticipated. Insufficiency of funds is one of the biggest limitations that researchers encounter thus making it difficult for them to meet the expected budget. The second most common limitation that is likely to be encountered in the process of completing the research involves availability of enough time. Participants sometimes show a non serious attitude during participation and this is equally harmful to the findings achieved from research. Lack of sufficient participants’ time is also a potential constraint of this research. Some of the secondary sources of information may be too old thus they lack the audacity of legally binding and therefore, the data that is obtained from these sources might affect the entire results of the research. It is therefore the responsibility of the researcher to take precautions and take utmost care on these limitations in attempt to minimize their effect on the research outcome.

Chapter 4

Recommendations and conclusions

Recommendation

The findings from this research shall not be used by a government agency in furtherance of any of its objectives but will provide a critical understanding of the subject matter to interested research groups, readers and the general public including. Appropriate recommendations will be drawn and these will be focused at;

• lobby groups
• Publication agencies
• Business entrepreneurs
• Media houses
• other groups that the researcher find appropriate

Conclusions

References

Byrne, P., & Heavey, C., (2006), The impact of information sharing and forecasting in capacitated industrial supply chains: A case study, International Journal of Production Economics.

CBI (2000), SME trends report, CBI report.

Chandra P., & Saastry, T., (2008).”Competitiveness of Indian Manufacturing“, Vikalpa publications.

Chopra, S. & Meindl, P., (2008), Supply chain management: Strategy, planning, and operation, (3^rd edition), Tsinghua University Press.

Christopher, M (2002) Logistics and supply chain management, pitman, London.

Margaret, R., (2007), Building competences for new customer value creation: An exploratory study , Industrial marketing management.

Olorunnio, F, & Hartifield, T, (2001), Strategic partnering when the supply base is limited, industrial management & data systems.

Weber, M. (2007). Towards sustainable entrepreneurship: a value creating perspective on corporate societal strategies. Discussion paper, Centre for Sustainability.