Assignment Sample on Implementation of E-Logistics in Supplychain Operations
Research 1
This is research about the implementation of E-logistics in the matter of supply chain operation. Logistics indicates the matter that contains product management with all the values that it requires in the modern market industry. The supply chain of products is a matter of business that requires a lot of parts that implicate the terms factors such as product manufacturing, storing, transportation of the product, and delivery process (Boschi et al. 2018, p.548). The supply chain is a part that contains the matter of delivery to the places for means of business. Understanding the whole process requires the idea and the analytical factors about the wholesale market. Small companies or the organisation buys several products to sell in the located areas (Abdirad and Krishnan, 2020, p. 15). Supply chains provide products by judging location and its social requirements. The ultimate target of the business is to sell things to the customers with need. The supply chain is an essential business method to provide products. Companies maintain some business rules and ethics when it comes to the point of running a business with ease. E-logistics comprises various matters to complete a procedure of selling the products with ethics and values. Both inbound and outbound transportation has been beneficial in this type of case. Fleet management is an important part that requires a vivid analysation to deliver the product by deadline (Sutduean et al. 2019, p.265). Understanding the product and setting a place that is suitable for the very product for a particular time. The management secures the whole thing about the procedure that comprises the whole matter of transporting a product to the selected location. The distributing manager plays a huge role when it comes to product shifting. Having an idea of the targeted area and the idea of storage and proving the right products to these areas takes a lot of time, patience, and management skill to complete the procedure within the time.
Internal management of the E-logistics in Supply Chain Operations
This is a generation that has huge faith in technology. Having a cell phone on any computer system with internet provision has created a whole new world in front of us. The Internet has connected people from far distances and that has decreased the distance between people. A large number of organisations have adopted the concept of e-logistics in the means of business. Online purchasing offers a lot of facilities that accompany offers to its clients. From the factors such as online order picking, providing the exact product instead of some random product, following all the requirements of the customers, transportation by maintaining all the delivery policies, and with a proper safety assurance retail companies provide products to the customer (Debicki and Kolinski, 2018, p.1560). This online purchasing policy has created a whole new service provider for the customers. The modern market provides a lot of facilities to the clients. By using internet access customers are highly aware of the quality and the exact market price of any kind of product. Providing service with the right product amount and good quality is the main key to hold on to loyal customers.
Research 2
This study provides knowledge about the modern market strategies in the means of e-logistics supply chain management. Understanding the modern generation’s demands and the service criteria to provide the products is an easy thing to understand but a complex thing to manage. Product providers have to follow several strategies to implicate the business purpose. Modern product purchasing is all about having an internet connection and a device to place to know the product and to order (Caro et al. 2018, p.4). Companies have to follow a lot of rules and regulations to hold on to loyal customers and to attract new customers. Product up-gradation and manufacturing of new products help to run the e-logistics of the supply chain to run smoothly. The product quality and the price factors are some primary things that a customer looks at when it comes to the matter of purchasing the product. The price differences put a lot of effects when it comes to the time of purchasing. By putting discount offers and several other attracting offers, the company attracts customers. Mainly it is a polite manipulating part that has been implicated by the retail shops. Supply chain management is a verse that needs a thoroughly described analysis to understand each small part of the very topic. Not only the price differences but also the speed of the product preparation leaves an impact on the customers (Jermsittiparsert et al. 2019, p.33). The matter of the retail business market requires skillful management teams to understand and provide every type of facility the industry deserves. The local products are some day to day basis demands that a supply chain management team has to look after. The products that have been used daily demand a regular supply to fulfill customer’s demands. Some products fall into the premium category. The demands of the premium product and when it comes to the matter of selling the product is a complicated matter to understand. The customer base that buys premium quality products is very few therefore the supply chain management team has to understand the ratio between local product and premium product supply to the stores (Turki and Rezg, 2017, p.137). Delivering the products with proper safety is a huge issue that the supply chain faces. After ordering the product, customers expect the exact product shown in the picture of the very website from where the customer is purchasing something. Therefore the distributors work under pressure and they also provide several options regarding the return and exchange policies of the product. Understanding the environment of the location and customers’ minds are some important things that a supply chain has to do. The demands and the production ratio have to be managed in the matter of pleasing the customer. The relationship between customer and product is some qualities that a company implies to sell the product (WibowoI. 2018, p.651). An emotional bond with the product leaves an effect on the product demand and production. Therefore the company has to understand the values of human emotion and needs to manufacture products according to this.
Context
Aim
The main aim of this research is to discuss the implementation of E logistics in supply chain operations.
Background
E logistics system is an initiative that is being implemented by almost all business organizations all over the world to improve their supply chain operations. Dynamic business competencies can also be achieved by using this initiative for the better supply chain management. When it comes to logistics, the main concern of business organizations is the on-time delivery of products to the customers. E logistics system allows the business organizations to have a more flexible and reliable supply chain. All the processes of E-logistics such as a request for quotes, shipping and tracking must be performed with great efficiency so that all the business organizations can deliver the products to their customers on time. Dynamic sets of collaborative technologies and communication computing are used to manage and transfer key logistics processes (Hofmann et al. 2019, p. 56). Electronic shipping is done here and it is quite beneficial for the better supply chain management. Quick and immediate shipment is possible when the concept of e-logistics is used to manage the shipment process. E-logistics also offers better contact with the customers. Though keeping contact with customers is often overlooked in logistics, the use of e-logistics allows the company to focus on the matter,
Contextual information
E-logistics is becoming popular among business organizations for better supply chain management because of its several advantages. Real-time decision support is available in all the process of e-logistics can be implemented carefully. Especially, SMEs can be very much benefited as the process offers increased customer fulfilment. Entrepreneurs should be aware of the key elements of e logistics such as multi-channel operations, inventory, warehouse layouts, planning, forecasting, cross border functionality and also performance estimation (Huang et al. 2018, p. 1550)
. No doubt globalization has made supply chain management more flexible but various new challenges also came with it. E-logistics help organizations to increase customer satisfaction by dealing with all the issues.
Literature review
Both developed and emerging economies are benefited from the implementation of e-logistics in supply chain management. Various levels of e- logistics such as system level, operational level and decision-making level must be enhanced by taking required steps. This will allow the companies to take a better approach in enhancing their supply chains. Modern technologies such as big data analytics, cloud computing and robotics can be used by organizations to improve the quality of e-logistics. Integration of IT with logistics management is considered one of the most important prerequisites (Basheer et al. 2019, p. 280). The use of logistics offers access to statistics and reports of the concerned business organization. Traditional logistics allows the accountability of shipment to a limited supply chain. On the other hand, the expansion of accountability of shipment is linked with the whole supply chain. Required information is gathered via the Internet, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and also Integrated IS. Meeting the deadlines of product delivery is also possible as business organizations are adopting the use of information technology in logistics operations. Real-time inventory information can also be obtained through web-based logistics. Better supply chain management is possible when the business organizations are aware of their available inventory.
Use of big data analytics in supply chain management
Data-driven supply chain management can be done using the tools and techniques of modern technology big data analytics. Business organizations from all over the world can analyze and interpret the result in less time and it leads to increased customer satisfaction. The required cloud computing framework is also used by business organizations to get better outcomes in the field of supply chain management (Asian et al. 2020, p. 50). Decision-makers of business organizations can achieve operational efficiencies by using big data analytics in their logistics. The performance of the company can be evaluated when logistic operations are done based on such a useful technology like big data analytics. Here, analyzing the data of customers is given the main priority for better management of the supply chain.
Impact of RFID technology on logistic operations
The interactivity and visibility of RFID technology have boosted the customer experience of various business organizations. Not only E-commerce organizations but local shops and stores are also adapting RFID technology for managing their logistics operations. The Supply chain management of business organizations cannot be improved until they can get real-time information about their inventory. RFID technology allows the companies to know the requirements and problems of the inventory department. This technology allows better control over the merchandise of the company. Knowing the status of products is also possible in real-time by the use of RFID technology. Optimal warehousing is a major requirement of a good supply chain and it can be obtained by implementing RFID technology (Basheer et al. 2019, p. 280). Reading the labels of shipped and delivered goods has become easier by the encryption of barcodes. Last but not the least, a fast labelling and packaging system is built in all the organizations that have chosen RFID for reading labels and packaging. The best thing about this technology is that it can be used in almost all industries such as hospitality, retail, fitness, aeronautics, pharmaceuticals and so on (Liu et al. 2018, p. 30). Business entities will not need to worry about using this technology even if they belong to any specific industry. One of the biggest advantages of this technology in e-logistics is that less labour cost is required. Supply chain management already requires a huge investment. Hence, it is quite beneficial for the company if the expenses of labors can be reduced using RFID technology.
Challenges of implementing E -logistics
Most of the developing countries are facing several challenges while implementing e-logistics for better management of the supply chain. Educational and economical barriers are two big challenges which the companies have to face before adapting the concept of e-logistics. Lack of technological infrastructure in business organizations prevents them to include modern technologies like big data analytics, robotics and RFID technology for better management of supply chain operations (Islam and Huda, 2018, p. 70). Besides this, lack of capital is also a barrier for including e-logistics for on delivery of products to the customers. No doubt, labor cost and other expenses are reduced by implementing web-based logistics in business organizations. However, the cost of introducing all these technologies are quite high. For example, it requires a lot of investment to implement RFID technology for the better supply chain management. If the company is not able to invest such a big amount for introducing the required technology, e-logistics cannot be implemented.
Advantages of implementing E-logistics
Supply chain operations can be managed with more flexibility by taking the help of e-logistics. Some major advantages of e-logistics are mentioned below –
Improved workflow with a better documentation system: Better handling of shipments will allow the laborer to focus on other tasks. Records of inventory, shipment and tracking are documented in a better way when modern technologies are implemented for managing logistic operations.
Overview of inventory on time and optimized order management: With the frequent changes in the market approach overview of inventory is also becoming a vital part of supply chain management. Requirements of the customers are well managed by the companies who have taken the help of e-logistics.
Research questions
- What is the importance of e-logistics in supply chain management?
- Which technologies are required to implement a sound e-logistic system in business organizations?
- How much improvement is seen in the supply chain operations of business firms?
- What are the issues faced by business organizations who want to adopt the concept of e-logistics?
Justification
Researchers will reach the aim of this study by solving the above-mentioned research questions. Globalization has made supply chain operations quite complex and integrating IT with logistics will surely enhance the supply chain operations. Web-based logistics also has some challenges for developing countries or entrepreneurs who do not have enough infrastructure for implementing e -logistics. The researchers have focused on both advantages and disadvantages of e-logistics for deriving a better outcome.
Hypothesis
H1: E-logistics will be helpful for better supply chain operations
H0: E-logistics will not be helpful for better supply chain operations
Research design
Researchers have made a reliable research design so that better analysis and implementation of collected data can be done. The research design is a process that is used to guide the researcher in collecting, implementing and analyzing the data in a proper manner. In the below section the researcher is going to give the summarization form of the research design:
| Research Methods | Proposed Methods |
| Research Philosophy | Positivism |
| Research Approach | Inductive |
| Data Collection techniques | Secondary data collection |
| Research method | Qualitative method |
| Data Analysis | Analysis of collected secondary data and software analysis |
Table 1: Research Design
(Source: Pu, 2019, p. 45)
Justification
The researcher has used positivism as a research philosophy because it is the best philosophy while analysing secondary data. An inductive approach has been used here by the researchers and analysis of qualitative data has become easier. The inductive approach helps to deduct a general conclusion from specific observations. Data analysis is done by using the software so that acute estimation of collected data can be done.
Research philosophy is a process that visualizes the ideas which guide the researcher to collect and analyze the data for a specific incident. In this case, the researcher will use the positivism research philosophy, because in this case the secondary data become used by the researcher and for the secondary data, positivism is the best philosophy (Rieffe and Wiefferink, 2017, p. 45). Further, it will also help the researcher to achieve the hypothesis effectively, by giving scientific and deductive information.
The research approach is a technique that is used to describe the detailed planning and procedure of the entire research, including data collecting, implementation and analysation. In this case, the deductive research approach will be used by the researcher, because deductive is the best fitting for the secondary data analysation. Further, this also deals with different theories, and in this case, the researcher will create the emotion detection system based on the machine learning theory.
Data collection techniques help the researcher to collect the data effectively. There have two types of data collection techniques, primary and secondary (Steenhuiset al. 2019, p. 10). In this case, the researcher will use the secondary data collection technique, and by following this technique, the researcher will collect the data from the articles, internet resources, journals, books.
The research method helps the researcher to collect the proper data and analyse them in an effective manner. There have three types of research methods, but in this case, only one type of research method will use by the researcher, namely exploratory. The exploratory research method is the best method for this research because in this case, the researcher will use the hypothetical qualitative data, and for the hypothetical data, exploratory is the best fitting.
After collecting and implementing the data, the researcher will use qualitative analysis in order to analyze the secondary data in a proper manner. With the quantitative data analysis, the researcher will also do the software analysis based on the python programming data. In order to execute the machine learning techniques using python programming, the researcher will use Jupyter software.
Research project plan
Ethics
Data protection is one of the major requirements while including the concept of e-logistics in the workplace. Confidentiality of data is sought by almost all companies and it is not possible to maintain confidentiality if the user data is not protected. For example, customer data, shipping address, tracking id and many more data can be stolen if the company does not have a good security system.
The protection of data is generally required for the insurance of the security of individuals and it helps in personalizing the data and the transference of data. The draft has been currently developed to handle the data for the comprehensive use of the draft and the protection of data. The protection of data has been limited with the opportunities it has led to many provisions for the application of national laws of the UK (Leightley et al. 2019, p.40). The processing of the provision has the personal data which lead to major protection of data. It will help to detect different human emotions at different times. The processing of the personal data is generally subjected to GDR. It provides many competencies for the authorities for the enforcement, not of law and the personal data will reveal other data regarding individuals. The offense of the implementation of data and its protection became reckless for the disclosure of the data which is personal and it can be generally in control (Carlin et al. 2018, p.5). The regulation of the country has enforced the data from the availability of the information in the detecting the emotions which can be helpful by personal data. The evidence of the research is not fulfilled until and unless it has some effective results, the importance of the protection of data has been increased nowadays and it has generally increased with the increase of use of technology in the market (S.M. and Duncan, 2017, p. 240). The information which it provides is very confidential in nature and it helps to design the affairs of the staff and humans to hide their emotions from others for security.
Limitations of data protection
Globalization has made a great connection between business organizations from all over the world. Especially, the emergence of e-commerce companies has linked various companies by providing better services to them (Pu, 2019, p. 45). When the companies are attached to any e-commerce organizations, it is quite difficult to maintain the confidentiality of data.
The protection of and has some limitations or the inconsistency of the data and it creates a barrier by many uses of the software. It does have a certain specified time for the limit of the purpose of the data and its protection. It has to be maintained strictly for proper use and it has huge remittance of law for the occurrence of protection. The cost is huge as it has accumulated a large number of costs or the use often protection in the data. The training is also required for the collection of personal data and it has to be properly protected. The procedures are huge for the protection and it has to ensure that all the collected data are secured and the filing has effectively been done.
Advantages of data protection
Data protection will allow the business firms to win the trust of the customers. Customers do not want their personal information to be shared with any other individual or company. Retaining existing customers will be easier when the customers are assured that their valuable information is stored with security. Furthermore, the companies can have safe shipping and tracking if there is a sound security system to manage the activities of the e-logistics system.
The protection of data is required and it is helpful for the use of machines for the detection of emotions. It has proper legal compliance which will make the machine compiat6ny legal. The requirements are generally laid down for avoidance of illegality. It helps to avoid fines for breaching an act that includes the leach of personal data (Engelmann et al.2020, p.108). It helps to manage the business of machines and the use will become more efficient for humanity. The protection of data has become more competent and it helps in the security of customers in protecting their data. The data helps individual features of IMF have been utilized in terms of recognizing emotions.
Findings
The research findings indicate that supply chain operations are managed more effectively after including e-logistics by business organizations. The Entire process of supply chain management is designed in such a way that on-time delivery of products from raw material to end product can be done. Supply planning, demand planning, sales planning and demand planning are also included in the supply chain operations (Islam et al. 2017, p. 46). Various modern technologies such as big data analytics, RFID and robotics can be used as components of e-logistics. Both labor cost and time can be saved when such speedy technologies are used to manage the logistics system of business organizations.
RFID technology helps business firms to label and ship the products in a very short period. As less human intervention is used here, fewer errors are produced. This leads the business organizations to a better experience while dealing with the activities involved in supply chain management. Increased customer satisfaction is another advantage that the companies have experienced after using e-logistics for managing their supply chain operations (Ganesan and Gopalsamy, 2019, p. 67). Shipping and tracking of products are done with fewer errors and the customers are quite satisfied with such a quick delivery by the companies.
Though there are so many advantages of implementing the concept of e-logistics, the companies also have to face several challenges. Startup companies with less capital are unable to afford the required technical infrastructure for implementing the concept of e-logistics. Inadequate skills of staff are another problem which can reduce the intensity of the performance of e-logistics (Govindan et al. 2018, p. 65). Adequate training of staff is required along with adequate sources for building the system of e-logistics and it will require a huge amount of investment. The research philosophy has helped the researchers to make a better analysis of collected secondary data. If a single conclusion has to be derived from the study, it will show positive sides of implementing e-logistics in supply chain management. Globalization has made the supply chain operations quite complex but e-logistics can be a game-changing option if used with proper efficiency.
References
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