Analyzing contemporary trends in Logistics projects
This assignment is being submitted on July 03, 2015
A research proposal on analyzing contemporary trends in Logistics projects
Introduction
The modern day world is marked by recurrent changes in macro-economic factors and their subsequent impact over logistical functions (supply chain management), which call for an adaptive evolution of persistent processes (Reilly 2012, pp.1). The global logistics is on verge of a transition, by reforming the earlier processes of logistical service management and simultaneously embracing the emerging trends in international logistics. The need of hour is to ensure a prompt replacement of prevailing logistics processes by advanced ones or ameliorating the existing processes to adapt with varying global demands, thereby ensuring a proper control over desired profitability and precision parameters .An analytical approach towards analyzing the causal for emergence or evolution of contemporary trends in logistics, can aid in developing better strategies for further transitions to forthcoming challenges and opportunities in this regard (Doll, Friebel, Ruckriegel and Schwarzmuller 2014, pp. 6).
Aims and Objectives
This research proposal is based on the above stated notion and will focus on analyzing the contemporary trends in logistics projects, in terms of their evolutionary emergence and specific contributions towards better yield and profitability, for running and forthcoming logistics projects. The research results will not only lead to a precise list of prevalent logistics trends, but also analyze the underlying aspects behind their generic scope of applicability over the concerned logistics projects. The key objectives of the proposed research are:
Methodology
The proposed research is primarily conceptual in nature and intends to edify a theoretical framework for analyzing the current trends in logistics projects to their causes of evolution/emergence and future opportunities/challenges to their adaptive capabilities, in accordance with ever changing market demands. Data for all the three elements of the conceptual framework will be assimilated through individual interactions (questionnaire based) with project logistics managers and industry experts (manufacturing projects, retail projects, export/import projects etc), as well as compiling ratified information via keyword searches, bibliography based on scholarly research in journals, reviewed seminar presentations, industry expert opinion excerpts and web articles, and web articles (Kowacs and Spens 2011, pp. 34).
Literature review
The literature review for the research proposal covers the already ratified theories of current trends and predictions from earlier year’s regarding then forthcoming trends in logistics. The modern day interpretation of logistical operations is made in terms of more internationalization and consequent globalization of companies supply chain activities (Nowakowski 2011, pp. 699). The modern day logistics industry is affected by a lot of global factors and these factors simultaneously raise new requirements to adjust with them in future (Naben 2014, pp.1). The main factors are rapidly spanning infrastructure, geographical shifting of commercial activities, changes in consumer demographics, rising demands for outsourcing process, e-substitution, automation and digitalization of process etc (Wegner 2013, pp. 8).
The parallel progressions of information technology and enabled communication systems have now leveled on a common organizational plane to enable proficient works, prompt decision making and pre-defined automated processes (Woxenius and Sjostedt 2003, pp.2). The adherence to third party logistical service provision is key notion of current day logistical functions, empirical study in this field by Murphy and Richard has already proved the efficacy of using third party logistics and its users (Zhou 2002, pp. 8).
With a gradual rise in even smaller players opting for global logistical functions, there is a cascading impact over entire industry and even larger business are propelled to vouch for globalization (Palermo 2013, pp.1). With consequent rise in number of bigger firms opting for enhanced globalization, their prime requirement pertains to geographical and functional incorporation (Tornroos 2000, pp. 9).
The latest trends in logistics projects involve a two step process of first entering into strategic alliance with other service providers and then acquiring them over to gain better reach and cost efficiencies (Eliott 2015, pp. 1). Along with strategic expansions of logistical companies towards USA, Latin America, Asia and African locations of business, the simultaneous evolution of e-commerce, multi-channel sourcing and automated controls, are key trends of current scenario (Handfield, Straube, Pfohl & Wieland 2013, pp.7). Organizations today are expanding their reach into North America, South America, Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa. At the same time, new e-commerce channels have emerged, omni-channel customer requirements have developed, the technological landscape has shifted, and regulatory controls have continually increased (Hothem 2012, pp.1).
Scope and Constraints
The scope of proposed research will cover a wide range of prevalent practices in the current scenario of logistics project and will take maximum insights from recently conducted studies in this context. The research is limited by its approach on assimilating contemporary trends by very specific number of resources generalizing a viewpoint and analyzing their causal and challenges. So the source of information limits the attainment of most recent changes and their background.
Resources
The resources for carrying out the research, in person, will majorly cater to middle level managers from running and recently ratified logistics projects from manufacturing, retail, and consumer demand based organizations. Apart from these, the web resources for scholarly journals, industry reports and expert articles will be used.
Questions of the project (Open ended questionnaire, subjected to spot moderation)
The logistics industry personnel will be interviewed by a moderated questionnaire, which will encompass following open ended questions :
What practices are applied in running/matured logistics projects of your organization?
Among the specified practices, which have undergone a change from their earlier state?
For each of enlisted process and its respective changes, what reasons have lead to the mentioned change?
What forthcoming logistics practices are in pipeline for your coming logistics project?
Which of the currently followed logistical trends will be carried forward to your next project and which one will be left and why?
What changes in global logistics projects are inevitable according to you, viz. in technology, automation, globalization, acquisition over partners etc?
Timetable
Bibliography
Doll, A., Friebel, D., Ruckriegel ,M and Schwarzmuller,C 2014, Global Logistics Markets, Rolland Burger stargey consultants, pp. 5-40.
Elliot, C. 2015, Trends in Supply Chain and Logistics, Blue Horseshoe consulting, [online] Available at http://www.bhsolutions.com/news/blog/2015-trends-in-supply-chain-and-logistics/
Hadfield, R. , Straube, F. , Pfohl, C. and Wieland, A. 2013, Trends and Strategies in Logistics and Supply Chain Management - Embracing Global Logistics Complexity to Drive Market Advantage, BVL-the global supply chain network,pp.8-78.
Hothem, S. 2014, 3 Trends Changing the Logistics Industry, [online] Available at http://www.barrettdistribution.com/blog/3-trends-changing-the-logistics-industry
Kovacs, G and Spens, M.K. 2011, Trends and developments in humanitarian logistics – a gap analysis, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 41 Issue: 1, pp.32 – 45.
Nabben, H. 2014, 12 Trends that are Shaping the Future of Logistics, Supply chain digital, [online] Available at http://www.supplychaindigital.com/logistics/3610/12-Trends-that-are-Shaping-the-Future-of-Logistics
Nowakowski, T 2011, Analysis of modern trends of logistics technology development, Archives of civil and mechanical engineering, Vol. XI, No. 3, pp. 699-706.
Palermo, E. 2013, 20 Global Logistics Trends That Could Affect Your Business, Business-news-daily, [online] Available at http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4104-global-logistics-trends.html
Reilly, J 2012, Project Logistics: Moving the Big, the Heavy, and the Wide, [online] Available at http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/project-logistics-moving-the-big-the-heavy-and-the-wide/
Rzewnickl, A 2013, Study shows global logistics is becoming more complex; nine key trends, strategies identified, Poole College Communications, [online] Available at http://poole.ncsu.edu/index-exp.php/news/article/study-shows-global-logistics-is-becoming-more-complex-nine-key-trends-strat/
Ten Key Procurement And Logistics Trends And How To Navigate Their Pitfalls, dimension data, [online] Available at http://www.dimensiondata.com/Global/Latest-Thinking/Ten-Key-Procurement-and-Logistics-Trends-and-How-to-Nevigate-their-Pitfalls
Tornroos, J.K. 2000, Challenging internationalization theory: Some new trends forming the international and global business, University Department of Business Administration Henriksgatan, pp. 1-13.
Wegner, M 2013, DHL report on: The logistics industry Trend radar, pp. 8-56.
Woxenius, J.and Sjostedt,L. 2003, Logistics trends and their impact on European combined transport - services, traffic and industrial organization, Published in the refereed journal Logistik-management, Vol. 5, No. 2. pp. 25-36.
Zhou,W. 2003 , Different Scenarios for Borås as a Regional Logistics Center, Logistics and Transport Management Master Thesis No 2002:36, pp.8-80
