COLL300

Research proposal (ALREADY SUBMITTED)

Background/Introduction: The problem of infrastructure in transportation is a prevalent problem today. Transportation is a vital part of everyday work, be it during trade or going to and from work. Due to the spread of globalization, companies are now outsourcing operations to other countries taking transport to a whole new international level.

Description: My working thesis is to find the combined role of transportation and logistics in the economic growth and sustainability. Ever since globalization, transport now plays an even major role in corporate growth. All sorts of firms rely on moving their products from point A to B in an efficient, quick and safe manner. The project involves several research questions related to the role of transportation and logistics in the economic growth as well as the sustainability.

My main questions are: does the value added transportation and logistics produce the sustainable business partnership in between distant countries or regions? What would be the type of companies who would be really benefiting from the value added transportation as well as logistics? Do only large scale enterprises benefit from the value added transportation and logistics or the small and medium scale enterprises gain the benefit from it as well? Would there be any risk as well as limitation or constraints for the implementation of value added transportation and logistics in all type of companies who are seeking to the value added variables for their economic growth and sustainability? Does any route path for the successful estimation of the value added variables of transportation and logistics to the economic growth exits till today or not?

Plans, Methods and Procedures: For the research I will be using the five step model (define, develop, gather data, analyze data, disseminate). In this case, I would be taking a few case studies that are close to the aims and objectives and I will study them from the prospective of critique on the series of events going on. For this I will be interviewing several logistics companies and multinationals. I will also undertake a number of secondary and primary research (both qualitative and quantitative).

Secondary Sources:

Bowersox, D. J., Closs, D. J., & Cooper, M. B. (2002). Supply chain logistics management (Vol. 2). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Bowersox, D. J., Closs, D. J., & Stank, T. P. (1999). 21st century logistics: making supply chain integration a reality.

Kogut, B. (1985). Designing global strategies: Comparative and competitive value-added chains. Sloan management review, 26(4), 15-28.

Stock, J. R., & Lambert, D. M. (2001). Strategic logistics management (Vol. 4). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Thesis Statement: (ALREADY SUBMITTED)

To find the role of transportation and logistics in the economic growth and sustainability. Ever since globalization, transport now plays an even major role in corporate growth. All sorts of firms rely on moving their products from point A to B in an efficient, quick and safe manner. The project involves several research questions related to the role of transportation and logistics in the economic growth as well as the sustainability.

Purpose of the thesis:

I chose this topic because, according to me, transportation is the primary necessity of life in today's current lifestyle. We need transport to travel from one place to another location. However, unfortunately, our present infrastructure of the transportation system is not satisfactory.

My main goal, as mentioned above, is to work on the effect of transportation and logistics in increasing the economy of the country. Today, transportation is not only necessary for everyday life but also for the growth and development of the business. Large companies and firms are leaving no stones unturned to improve the transportation. My mission is to explain how transportation can be beneficial for a country.

Audience:

With the thorough study of the available literature, I came to know that many people have very limited knowledge about the transportation system. Most of them think that transportation is only limited to public transportation like buses and cars to move from one place to another.

This is not the case. Transportation is of equal importance in the business sector. It is used to shift products and material from one place to another location. Business firms are investing in the transportation to expand their business. People need to understand that transportation is not associated with our everyday traveling only. It is a bigger issue than this concept. It can take the economy of the country to the next level. There are no complicated concepts and terms associated with transportation and logistics.

My understanding:

My current level of understanding about transportation is based on what I found in journal papers and internet sources. No doubt, much material is present on the internet regarding the topic, but I also saw many literature gaps in the studies which I am planning to cover with further research. For instance, many studies ignored the cultural and regional factors which can affect transportation system and logistics.

I already know that transportation has some form of positive effect on a country’s growth. Transportation and its infrastructure is the primary factor in trade, employment and travel. A poor infrastructural system within a country can lead to increased costs for firms, poor efficiency, wastage, time lags and can prevent important services within a country like tourism and international prestige.