Impact of Covid-19 on the Logistics Sector of Public Postal Operators in The Western Balkans

The Covid-19 pandemic has a direct impact on the social, economic, political, and other segments of society through a large number of lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. The largest postal and logistics companies as an integral part of the supply chain have been directly affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. Disruption in the supply chain significantly affects the movement of goods and the economic development of countries. This paper investigates the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the logistics sector, with special emphasis on public postal operators (PPO) in some countries of the Western Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia). The paper analyzes the movement of express shipments in domestic transport, as well as imports and exports for 2020. There is almost no research on the implications of the covid-19 pandemic on the postal and logistics sectors of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia. The aim of this research is to understand the impact of the pandemic on this sector

Cost and Performance Optimisation in the Technological Phase of Parcel Delivery – A Literature Review

The present review paper provides a systematic insight into the studies published so far when it comes to the research on the cost and performance optimisation in the parcel delivery phase. Globalisation, as well as the new trends, such as selling online, directly influences the demands for the delivery of goods. Demand for the delivery of goods proportionally affects the transport prices. A great majority of deliveries is carried out in densely populated urban areas. In terms of costs, the greatest part in the courier organisations costs is observed in the technological phase of parcel delivery, which is at the same time the least efficient. For that reason, significant improvement of performance and cost optimisation in the very delivery phase is a rather challenging field for the researchers. New algorithm-based technologies, innovations in the logistics and outsourcing of individual technological phases are ways by means of which one strives to enhance the delivery efficiency, to improve performance and quality, but also - to optimise the costs in the last phase of delivery. The aim of the present paper is to offer a systematic review into the most recent research in the field of technology, innovations and outsourcing models with the aim of reducing the cost and enhancing the productivity and quality in parcel delivery

PROPOSAL OF CRM CONCEPTUAL MODEL/FRAMEWORK TO OPTIMISE RELATIONS AMONG STAKEHOLDERS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

In the present-day environment pertaining to digitalisation, increasing competition on the market and changes in industries, the CRM as a system is an essential tool for success. The issue of CRM system application in higher education institutions is insufficiently researched, especially in the parts that should indicate a clear connection between participants in higher education and CRM in higher education institutions, and factors that decision makers should pay attention to when making decisions about CRM implementation. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to research the functionality, application and advantages of CRM in the higher education sector, and to determine the features that will facilitate effective decision-making on the implementation of CRM. As a result of the research, a proposal for a conceptual model/framework of CRM was presented. The proposal is presented for the purpose of making appropriate decisions for higher education institutions when it comes to developing their own or purchasing a ready-made CRM solution. From the scientific aspect, the paper contributes to the existing literature by providing decision makers with an insight into the structure of the CRM system, its elements, connections and functionalities, as well as a description of the model with the information they need to pay attention to when making decisions

Bosnia and Herzegovina market research on the use of autonomous vehicles and drones in postal traffic

New technologies primarily affect the lives of all people, their habits, needs, desires, but also significantly affect the demands placed on various business sectors. Discussions on the increasingly rapid development of technical-technological solutions that can be applied in the postal sector and logistics have a long history. New technologies in all areas bring a constant change in the relationship between companies and their customers, which significantly affect the quality of work and activities. In the years to come, it will be an increasing challenge for postal operators around the world, as well as for other companies, to achieve substantive communication and understanding of their customers through the application of innovative technologies. Understanding and learning about customer issues is key to offering them services that, with their precise targeting of stakeholders, quality, visibility, efficiency, and, perhaps most importantly, flexibility, will be able to meet needs that change so quickly over time. This will be possible with new technologies and innovative solutions. The paper presents a market research on the potential use of autonomous vehicles and drones in the postal sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The research is based on a survey questionnaire on the use of drones and autonomous vehicles in the postal sector in the segment of shipment delivery

Model of Hybrid Electric Vehicle with Two Energy Sources

The paper proposes a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) design based on the installation of a fuel cell (FC) module in the existing Daewoo Tico electric vehicle to increase its range in urban areas. Installing an FC module supplied by a 2 kg hydrogen tank would not significantly increase the mass of the electric vehicle, and the charging time of the hydrogen tank is lower than the battery charging time. For design analysis, a model was created in the MATLAB/Simulink software package. The model simulates vehicle range at different HEV speeds for Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) and Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) power sources. The greatest anticipated benefit derived from the model analysis relates to velocities ranging from 20 km/h to 30 km/h, although the optimal HEV velocity in an urban area is in the range of 30 km/h to 40 km/h. The results indicate that this conversion of Electric Vehicle (EV) to HEV would bring a benefit of 87.4% in terms of vehicle range in urban areas. Therefore, the result of the conversion in this case is a vehicle with sub-optimal characteristics, which are nevertheless very close to optimal