Information and Communication Technology (ICT) | Research Proposal

Research Proposal

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Research problem........................................................................................................................2
Research questions.......................................................................................................................2
Objectives....................................................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
Introduction..................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................10
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY..................................................................................................10
DATA COLLECTION..................................................................................................................12
ETHICAL, VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY..............................................................................13
TIMELINE....................................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Global competition, enhancing customer demands and innovative technologies are
encouraging companies to reconsider on the way they can take advantage of technologies related
to information and communication to manage their supply chains in a better manner. Previously,
supply chain management was only a process of moving products or services. In today's world,
the modern aspects focus on strategic supply chain management, supply chains are now being
utilized as a way for creating competitive advantages & increase organisation (Cheun et.al.,
2018). Due to globalization, companies had also started changing the method of communication,
increasing diversity of transactions in business, improvement of processes and implementation of
technology for improving the performance of the organisation with the assistance of IT
applications in the supply chain networks. In the current state, Supply chain management is a
complex and integrated network concept that involve each and every process from beginning to
end, for example- procuring the raw material from the manufacturer & completing the delivery
of the final product to the customer. The complexity of data is increasing day by day which is
enhancing the uncertainty risk within the supply chains it ultimately increases the vulnerability
of electronic risks (Ted Lirn et.al., 2018). Therefore, the downstream & upstream integration of
supply chain networks is the fundamental need for fulfilling the targets or motives of supply
chain management. The information technology implemented in supply chain management helps
in managing the flow of information easily with the key procedures of business, money outside
& within the networks, materials and help in increasing organisation's profits by improving the
quality as well as by minimizing the costs of coordination and risks related to transaction. In the
present research, the scholar will review the influence of information & communication
technologies on the global supply chain organisations, the research will also identify the role of
these technologies on competitive advantage with the supply chain organisation. (Choi, 2018)
For the purpose of achieving objectives of this research scholar will conduct a study on United
parcel service (UPS), it is a leading organisation that provides supply chain services in any
countries all around the world. The research will include the implementation of various research
methodologies for conducting this study, researcher will also review views of different authors or
scholars by examining various articles, journals and literature. In respect to the research, scholar
developed specific aim and objectives for leading towards a precise conclusion.
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Research problem
The application of Information and Communication technology (ICT) is more essential and
beneficial in management of supply chains at a global level for big companies, supermarkets,
grocery stores etc. Information & communication technology helps to reduce cost of operations
and increase efficiency. Although, the practical implementation of ICT in small firms is still at
its initial phase. Even though small firms were aware of the various benefits of implementing
ICT, they were slow in adopting the same. The supply chains traditionally operated without any
kind of technology due to lack of knowledge and develop in terms of technology. But nowadays
the technologies have been developed to a large extent and many companies are utilising
technologies such as ICT (Ul-Hameed et.al., 2018). And it has been observed that the supply
chain management in the present world is relatively fast, accurate and affordable as compared to
the traditional methods. Hence, there is a need to identify and review the impact of ICT on
supply chain organisations and also examine whether or not it affect their competitiveness within
the global market.
Aim
"To review the impact of information and communication technologies on development of
competitive advantage for global supply chain companies" - A case study on United Parcel
Service (UPS)
Research questions
1. What are the various types of information and communication technologies(ICT) used in
supply chain?
2. What are the benefits and challenges of implementing new technologies in United Parcel
Service?
3. What is the role of ICT in development of competitive advantage in supply chain at
global level?
4. How to improve supply chain operations globally?
Objectives
 To determine the various types of information and communication technologies used in
supply chain management
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