The car manufacturer (CM) and third party logistics provider (TPLP) relationship in the outbound delivery channel: A qualitative study of the Malaysian automotive industry

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This research studies the relationship between car manufacturers (CM) and third party logistics providers (TPLP), also known as the logistics partnership, in the outbound delivery channel in the Malaysian automotive industry. It focuses specifically on the dyad perspective, and demonstrates that several critical success factors are required for a successful relationship between these two parties. Five such factors emanate from the operational dimension and eight from the relational dimension. The five operational factors are: logistics service performance, investment, information sharing, information technology and communication, and price of the logistics service; and the eight relational factors are: trust, commitment, power, conflict, dependency, co-operation, informal activity, and understanding. The study also reveals that five outcomes are identified that benefit both the CM and the TPLP as a result of the win-win situation accruing to both parties. These are: renewal of the contract, company profitability, improved logistics service performance, knowledge transfer, and company branding. Such benefits enhance the supply chain relationship, and knowledge of these advantages improves current TPLP theory by deepening the understanding of how logistics partnership can succeed. In order to obtain rich data concerning the CM-TPLP relationship, the researcher adopted a different methodology from that used by previous scholars, who have concentrated on quantitative techniques. In this study, multiple case studies (seven in total) in one industry, the automotive industry, in the non-western context of Malaysia, were conducted. Three main steps in the case study protocol were followed. The first involved a review of the literature pertaining to the themes that required further exploration, together with the development of the interview questions. In the second step, data were collected using semi-structured interviews, observations, document reviews, photographs and also archival records. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. The third stage involved exploring the data until it was found that nothing new was emerging from the interviews, and hence theoretical saturation had occurred. At this point the factors in question were confirmed, and the initial model revised. Additionally, confidentiality was maintained in all respects to protect the participating organisations and individuals. The findings contribute to the understanding of the CM-TPLP relationship which enhance supply chain relationship and TPLP theory, since they shed light on the operational and relational factors in one specific industry, from a dyadic perspective, and in a non-Western context, thereby adding new dimensions to the existing body of knowledge in this field. The findings benefit practitioners via the novel LPS (logistics partnership success) model generated by the researcher. This indicates the key contributory factors to the CM-TPLP relationship success. Moreover, the study may have the capacity to generalise to other culturally-similar environments.This study is supported by the Malaysian Government, MARA and UniKL

Challenges in Sustainable Supply Chain Management of Live Animal Trading: A Case Study of Live Animal Industry in Malaysia

There are various challenges of the live animal industry, not just in Malaysia but also to many parts of the world. This study focuses on the supply chain management of live animal trading in Malaysia. This study aims to investigate the challenges specifically in supply chain management areas in the live animal trading. A total of 20 semi-structured interviews have been carried out with a few companies involved in the industry and a few officers from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS). The premises of the companies also have been observed a day earlier before the interview. The data gathered from the observation as well as from the interview and literature review were analysed using TOWS analysis. The findings show that the industry is facing multiple challenges based on their strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities that being offered and the threats that they faced, which are vital for their business continuity.  This study also highlights the essential problems to focus on and formulate strategies to achieve competitive advantages and sustainable supply chain management, especially to the practitioners in the live animal trading industry

Factors that Influence Customers’ Intention to Visit Green Hotels in Malaysia

In recent years, the hospitality Industry has overcome numerous challenges to initiate green practices. Greater interest in customers green behaviours has led the hotel industry to practice more environmentally friendly activities. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors that influence customers in visiting green hotels in Malaysia. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) has been embedded to investigate the factors. Data was collected via questionnaires through online by invitation through email and offline from travellers in selected airports. IBM SPSS Statistics software was used to analyse the data. The results discovered that attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and environmental concern significantly influence customers in visiting green hotels. Meanwhile, attitudes mediate subjective norms and perceived behavioural control and finally attitudes, and perceived behavioural control possess a positive relationship with the environmental concern of visitors in visiting green hotels. Findings from this research can help the Malaysian government and hoteliers to integrate the research framework in their current business model and imposed more effective strategies on a green environment in developing green hotels

Investigation of Supplier Selection Criteria that Leads to Buyer-Supplier Long Term Relationship for Semiconductor Industry

Selecting the right supplier has been the greatest challenge in supply chain management (SCM) in many industries. Large spool of suppliers in industry and diversity of purchasing scope causes a wide variety of supplier selection criteria. The right strategy in fixing the criteria for supplier selection is crucial, to ensure smooth supply chain operation. It is believed that in SCM, a good relationship with suppliers will further benefit the operations of both buyers and suppliers. This research attempts to investigate the supplier selection criteria that leads to buyer-supplier long term relationship, especially for the semiconductor industry in Penang, Malaysia. In this study, the focus is to identify the critical supplier selection criteria such as supplier quality, performance delivery, supply service, cost and estimate their influence towards buyer’s satisfaction which later on, narrate a path for a buyer-supplier long term relationship. Two hundred eighty-eight respondents with a minimum one year of working experience in handling suppliers in the semiconductor industry in Penang, Malaysia, participated in this research. Smart PLS was used to conduct hypotheses testing while confirming the validity and reliability of the data collected from the survey. The finding of this research shows that supplier quality, performance delivery, and supply service criteria are significant for the buyer-supplier long term relationship. The outcome of this research will help semiconductor companies to have a set of best criteria for supplier selection. Later, it could help them establish long term relationship with the supplier to benefit their supply chain operations, and at the same time ensuring the growth, survival and sustainability of their supplier business

Airline Catering Supply Chain Performance during Pandemic Disruption: A Bayesian Network Modelling Approach

The supply chain (SC) encompasses all actions related to meeting customer requests and transferring materials upstream to meet those demands. Organisations must operate towards increasing SC efficiency and effectiveness to meet SC objectives. Although most businesses expected the COVID-19 pandemic to severely negatively impact their SCs, they did not know how to model disruptions or their effects on performance in the event of a pandemic, leading to delayed responses, an incomplete understanding of the pandemic’s effects and late deployment of recovery measures. This paper presents a method for modelling and quantifying SC performance assessment for airline catering. In the COVID-19 context, the researchers proposed a Bayesian network (BN) model to measure SC performance and risk events and quantify the consequences of pandemic disruptions. The research simulates and measures the impact of different triggers on SC performance and business continuity using forward and backward propagation analysis, among other BN features, enabling us to combine various SC perspectives and explicitly account for pandemic scenarios. This study’s findings offer a fresh theoretical perspective on the use of BNs in pandemic SC disruption modelling. The findings can be used as a decision-making tool to predict and better understand how pandemics affect SC performance.Airline Catering Supply Chain Performance during Pandemic Disruption: A Bayesian Network Modelling ApproachacceptedVersio

The Salient Motives for Malaysia Aviation Industry Sustainability: An Explorative Study on Business, Management and Technology Components in Aviation Management Program in Malaysia

The purpose of this research is to develop a comprehensive evaluation framework of three important elements, namely business, management, and technology embedded in the newly developed Master of Science program in aviation management. A Focus group interview has been adopted in this study with the involvement of aviation management faculty members and also panel members from the Board of Studies (BOS). Two prominent aviation practitioners and two leading academicians with aviation background were called for a focus group discussion and the meeting held for six (6) hours. Alignments of the course offered need to be formed to link with the aviation industry 4.0 and aviation industry 5.0. This study reveals the critical needs and issues at the industry perspective and drives new areas for an academician to focus on the syllabus and research. This study bridges the gap between industry and academicians by keeping scholars and practitioners abreast of the timeliest industry-academician framework. It elevated the current thinking necessary for better performance of the industry, as well as the quality of the new proposed master program. This study clearly shows both academic and industry players related needs to establish a new program by consolidating both theoretical development and industry career. Recommendation to all academicians, practitioners, and policymaker are also highlighted in this study

Challenges in sustainable supply chain management of live animal trading: a case study of live animal industry in Malaysia

There are various challenges of the live animal industry, not just in Malaysia but also to many parts of the world. This study focuses on the supply chain management of live animal trading in Malaysia. This study aims to investigate the challenges specifically in supply chain management areas in the live animal trading. A total of 20 semi-structured interviews have been carried out with a few companies involved in the industry and a few officers from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS). The premises of the companies also have been observed a day earlier before the interview. The data gathered from the observation as well as from the interview and literature review were analysed using TOWS analysis. The findings show that the industry is facing multiple challenges based on their strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities that being offered and the threats that they faced, which are vital for their business continuity. This study also highlights the essential problems to focus on and formulate strategies to achieve competitive advantages and sustainable supply chain management, especially to the practitioners in the live animal trading industry

Shipper’s perceptions of aviation Logistics Service Quality (LSQ) of air freight provider

This research investigates logistics service quality of the air freight provider from a shipper's perspective in Malaysia. The multiple empirical case studies are used to collect data from the shipper's perspective. Findings suggest there are five main factors that represent air freight service quality of the air freight provider. They are ground handler attitude, fast delivery, communication and information sharing, product reliability and price. These findings contribute to the current theory of Logistics Service Quality (LSQ) with specifically enhance our understanding of air freight service quality. These findings contribute to the current theory of air freight service quality where it is still underdeveloped. This research studies LSQ from shippers perspective only. Findings from this study has developed better our current understanding of logistics service, particularly in air freight sector. Thus, this study is pioneer that offers a study on LSQ in air freight perspective and explore the elements of air freight service quality. Findings from this study not only enhance current knowledge on air freight LSQ but also assist the government to help air freight provider to support themselves as a preparation to become the major player of Aeropolis city in Malaysia

Country Evaluation of Islamic Economic Criteria: An Application Using Entropy Weight and TOPSIS Methodologies

[EN] While Islamic economy is growing in all sectors, Halal compliance is carried out by more countries worldwide. The purpose of this paper is toestablish a methodology based on MCDM methods in order to create an accurate ranking of countries according to the basis of the Halal standards, which can be used by public and private institutions. Although Islamic economy is evaluated globally by different institutions every year, those reports are based on indicators which are equally weighted. In this paper, weights of the six Islamic economy criteria are determined by the EWM (Entropy Weight Method) and theTechnique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) has been used to create a ranking of countries in terms of the Halal principles.Mayor-Vitoria, F.; Garcia-Bernabeu, A.; Abdul Rahman, NA.; Mohammad, MF. (2021). Country Evaluation of Islamic Economic Criteria: An Application Using Entropy Weight and TOPSIS Methodologies. International Journal of Science and Research. 10(2):979-986. https://doi.org/10.21275/SR21216022424S97998610