The Role of Terrestrial and Air Transport in UK Industry

This research project explores the role of terrestrial and air transport in enhancing the scope and productivity of the retail industry in the UK, with a focus on Tesco. It analyzes the importance of transportation in maintaining supply and distribution channels, evaluates the impact of terrestrial and air transport on the retail industry, and recommends better ways of transportation for Tesco.

Business Dissertation
Table of Contents

Topic: The role of terrestrial and air transport in UK industry. A research project on Tesco.........1
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................1
1.1) Background for the study................................................................................................1
1.2) Aim and objectives..........................................................................................................2
1.3) Rational for selection of topic.........................................................................................2
1.4) Research questions..........................................................................................................2
1.5) Scope and limitation........................................................................................................3
Chapter 2: Literature review............................................................................................................3
2.1 To analyses about the importance of terrestrial and air transport in various industry of UK
in order to maintain proper supply and distribution channels................................................3
2.2 To evaluate about the role of terrestrial and air transport in enhancing scope and
productivity level of retail industry of UK.............................................................................4
2.3 To recommended some better ways of transportation for Tesco to ensure more effective
supply and distribution channel..............................................................................................7
Chapter 3: Research methodology...................................................................................................8
Chapter 4: Analysis and interpretation of Research findings........................................................10
Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendation.................................................................................10
Chapter 6: Reflection.....................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

Topic: The role of terrestrial and air transport in UK industry. A research
project on Tesco.
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1) Background for the study
Transportation forms out a major and most important aspect of any industry on which the
smooth flow and efficient distribution of products depends. Thus, a vital role is analysed and
lead out by terrestrial and air transport in UK industry through offering a cost efficient and
speedy mode of transportation. With the rapid globalisation of economies and enhanced level of
integration among markets, a rapid increase in the expansion and growth of industry and
business firms across the nation is also seen which enhance the need and importance of effective
transportation. Thus, both terrestrial and air transport become vital and important. The terrestrial
transport comprise of vehicles and cargoes that moves on land where as air transport comprise of
air cargoes and aircraft. The role of terrestrial transport like trucks is vital in case of local
distribution where rail and aircrafts could not be reached. Further, the terrestrial form of
transportation is also vital to ensure a cost efficient and flexible form of transportation. Beside
this, the air transport is important and vital mitigating the issue of geographical location through
offering a most efficient and speedy form of supply chain and distribution and also ensures time
efficient supply of perishable goods to reduce the chances of expiry of products.
The organisation selected for current study is Tesco which is a well known British
multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer which is having its main headquarter in
Welwyn Garden City, England. Tesco was founded in 1919 by Jack Cohen as a group of market
stalls in Hackney, London. Till now, the Tesco is the third-largest retailer in the world measured
by gross revenues and the ninth-largest in the world measured by revenues having its branches
spread out across the various location of word consists of countries across Asia and Europe, and
is the market leader of groceries in the UK Ireland, Hungary and Thailand. Currently Tesco is
offering a wide range of products for its customers which consists of Food, Pet care products,
Beverages, Frozen food, Bakery products, Technology and gaming products, Home electrical
products, Home and garden products, Health and beauty products, Clothing and jewellery, etc.
across the world. Thus, having a vital and efficient transportation system has become vital and
important for this organisation. Therefore, current investigation is conducted on Tesco to
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evaluate about the role of terrestrial and air transport in enhancing scope and productivity level
of retail industry of UK.
1.2) Aim and objectives
Aim
To evaluate about the role of terrestrial and air transport in enhancing scope and
productivity level of retail industry of UK. A research project on Tesco.
Objective
 To analyses about the importance of terrestrial and air transport in various industry of UK
in order to maintain proper supply and distribution channels.
 To evaluate about the role of terrestrial and air transport in enhancing scope and
productivity level of retail industry of UK.
 To recommended some better ways of transportation for Tesco to ensure more effective
supply and distribution channel.
1.3) Rational for selection of topic
The selection of current research topic based on the role of terrestrial and air transport in
UK industry is rationale and justifiable as it ensures and leads to better understanding and
analysis about the importance of efficient transportation in enhancing the productivity and
success level of a firm. Further, the selection of current research topic is significant from view
point of business organisation as it facilitates and leads out a better analysis of the role is played
by terrestrial and air transport in enhancing scope and productivity level of retail industry of UK.
Beside this, an effective discussion about the better ways of transportation for an organisation is
also provided that is vital to ensure more effective supply and distribution channel to meet the
convenience and expectation level of customers. Apart from this, selection of current topic is
also rationale and justifiable from the personal and academic view point of researcher as it meet
educational background as well as also ensures improvement in the skills and competencies of
investigator and other scholars.
1.4) Research questions
 Why terrestrial and air transport is important for various industry of UK in order to
maintain proper supply and distribution channels?
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 What crucial role is played by terrestrial and air transport in enhancing scope and
productivity level of retail industry of UK?
 What could be some better ways of transportation for Tesco to ensure more effective
supply and distribution channel?
1.5) Scope and limitation
Chapter 2: Literature review
2.1 To analyses about the importance of terrestrial and air transport in various industry of UK in
order to maintain proper supply and distribution channels.
As per the view point RC Agarwal, 2020, it has been analysed that the various forms of
transportation comprise of terrestrial and air transport are vital to ensures proper supply and
distribution channel across the various branches. It has been analysed that with the globalisation
of economies a rapid expansion and growth is seen in business firms across various nations of
world. Thus, having a proper distribution and supply chain network has become most vital and
important for all organisation. The terrestrial form of transport comprises of all forms of land
transport comprises of movement of people, animals or goods from one location to another
through some vehicle or location on land. Further, the two main forms of transportation
comprises within the terrestrial consists of rail transport and road transport. The terrestrial forms
of transport is most vital and important for all types of business industry within UK as it is
provides most convenient and easiest form of distribution of goods and services which requires
minimum formalities and easiest supply chain process and network. Beside this, terrestrial
transport is also most important and suitable when transportation and distribution of goods and
products is required among local branches and people. Further, it has been also observed that the
terrestrial transport is important and vital for all the business industry within in UK as it helps
and ensures connecting of different cities and towns and even to the villages through the support
of road and local transportation that serves a very important means for business industry to lead a
proper distribution of goods and services to all customers at very extent level from one place to
another. The most common forms of the terrestrial transport comprises of distribution of
products and goods through roads and vehicles which comprises of buses, trucks, motorcycles,
rickshaws, and scooters. Thus, on the basis of above discussion, an analysis can be made that
Railway system and other forms of terrestrial transport provides the most cheapest and safest
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mode of transportation that is also the most affordable mode of transportation that could be used
by any business industry for long as well as for short routes and different countries also have
their own effective railway networks and proper terrestrial transportation for connecting different
towns and all states with each other therefore, terrestrial form of transport is transport in most
important for various industry of UK in order to maintain proper supply and distribution
channels both at local as well as national level.
Further, with respect to the view point of René Fjord, 2014, it has been observed that the
transportation forms out to be the most essential component of a supply chain which involves the
vital process of the delivery of products and goods and services from the starting point till the
end of a supply chain. Further, it has been analysed that the air transport is taken as an important
enabler and vital way part of distribution and supply chain of a firm after the rapid expansion and
growth of the firm across various nation of world for achieving better economic growth and
development. The importance of Air transport can be observed within the business industry of
the UK by the fact that it facilitates better integration into the global economy and also provides
vital and improved connectivity on a national, regional, and international scale. Therefore, an
analysis can be made out that the air transportation is important and vital for business industry
which helps to generate better trade and also leads to a most fastest form of transportation for
better distribution of products and gods especially which are of perishable nature. Further, it has
been also analysed that the global transportation comprises as an important issue in supply chain
for multinational companies as it is more complex and time consuming which is solved to a
greater extent through applying and making use of air transportation which provides a speedy
and more safe form of distribution and supply chain network. Further, an analysis and
implication can also made out that for the medical and food industry of UK, the air transportation
has bring the most positive results and outcomes as facilitates a more speedy and fast supply
chain and distribution of life saving drugs and other perishable nature of goods and services thus,
reduce the risk of expiry or obsolete of products.
2.2 To evaluate about the role of terrestrial and air transport in enhancing scope and productivity
level of retail industry of UK.
According to the opinion of Kim, A.R. and Seo, Y.J., 2019, a positive role is lead out and
played by terrestrial and air transport in enhancing scope and productivity level of retail industry
of UK through ensuring an effective supply chain which entails ferrying a product from a
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supplier to a customer or ensures effective and regular distribution of products by the way of
land and air transportation. It has been analysed that the territorial and air transport ensures that
products move from one location to another and from the supplier to the customer as per the
needs of the customer that is the heart of the transportation system and use of air and terrestrial
transport plays a vital role in making sure that products reach to a customer must be in the
condition as they were shipped in and on time are essentials of transportation in a supply chain
(The Role of Transportation in Supply Chain Management, 2021). The retail industry is the one
that is associated and related with the vital process of selling and providing almost all needed
consumer goods or services to the customers through the use of multiple channels of distribution
in order to earn a high level of profit. Thus, retailers or retail industry is the one that satisfies
demand identified and meet expectation of customers only through an effective supply chain
thus, transportation accounts and makes a most important and vital part of any retail industry.
Further, the retail industry comprises of supply of all possible consumer goods comprises of
grocery, drug, food items, department and convenient stores out of which many item are of
perishable nature, thus, implication of air transport has made it more easy and simpler for retail
industry to meet the demands and expectation of customers at national as well as at international
level through ensuring and leading out a fast and speedy transfer and distribution of products and
services.
Apart from this, the role of terrestrial and air transport in enhancing scope and productivity
level of retail industry of UK can also been summarised from the fact that that these forms of
transportation facilitates a reduction in cost of retail industry through facilitating a more
affordable and convenient transportation along with leading a speedy and fast supply chin
network. Beside this, a vital role is also lead by effective distribution and supply chain network
as could be used by a retail industry to enhance the customer service through ensuring that needs
of the customer must be at the heart of the transportation system which leads to improved
productivity and success level. Beside this, mitigating and bypassing the geographical limitations
is also taken as most important and vital role of terrestrial and air transport which is enhancing
the scope and productivity level of retail industry of UK through leading improved growth and
expansion opportunity by the way of efficient distribution and supply chain network. Further, the
importance and role of territorial transport in enhancing productivity and success of a retail
industry within UK can be analysed from that fact that road ad land transportation requires a
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mush less level of capital investment as compared to any other mode a cost of constructing,
operating and maintaining is much lower thus, enhance the level of profit and success rate for a
retail industry. Apart from this, it has been also analysed and observed that the land and
terrestrial form of services provides a door to door network of distribution and supply chain
which is vital to meet the needs and expectation level of customers.
Further, with respect to Schulz, R. and Bundschuh, M., 2020, terrestrial form of
transportation also leads to a reduction in the cost of cartage, loading and unloading expenses
along with facilitating a most flexible form of transportation services and supply chain the routes
and timing of which can be easily adjusted by a retail industry to meet the requirements and
needs of distributer and customers with in retail industry to offer much more convenience to the
customers which have positive impact on the productivity and success of a retail industry. At
last, it has been also analysed that the terrestrial and land transport plays a vital role in improving
the productivity and success rate of a retail industry by the way offering most effective supply
chain network and distribution suitable for short distance and also eliminates the delays in transit
of good made on account of intermediate loading and handling over of products. Further, lesser
risk of damage in transit along with reduction in cost of packing along with minimising the time
taken in booking the goods and taking delivery is also lead out by land and territorial transport
that reflects its positive role in in enhancing scope and productivity level of retail industry of
UK.
Beside this, the vital role of air transport in enhancing scope and productivity level of
retail industry of UK can be analysed from the fact that it plays an important role in mitigating
and eliminating the issue of time taken in international trade through offering a most speedy and
fast form of transportation especially for perishable nature of consumer goods which saves the
damage cost of retailers. Thus, offering a fastest mode of shipping and distribution of goods at
global and international level is the most vital role of air transport for a retail industry that
enhance the scope of market expansion and growth which results in form of improved
productivity and higher success for retail industry of UK. Further, the Shipping by air and air
transport also offers and leads out the advantage of a high level of security as the airport safety
controls over each and every cargo are tightly managed which also reduce the cargo exposure
along with mitigating the risk of theft and damage of products thus, air transport plays a vital role
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in enhancing scope and productivity level of retail industry of UK especially at global and
multinational level.
2.3 To recommended some better ways of transportation for Tesco to ensure more effective
supply and distribution channel.
As per the information provided by Abeyratne, R., 2017, it has been observed that efficient
transportation forms a vital part of distribution and supply chain network of a firm which
contributes in t success and better performance. Thus, implication and use of a suitable from of
transportation has become vital and important for all business industry to ensures a regular and
smooth flow of goods and services (Modes of Transportation in the Global Supply Chain, 2021).
A discussion and analysis about the some better ways of transportation for Tesco to ensure more
effective supply and distribution channel are provided as below:
Trucks in the Supply Chain- It form a vital part of terrestrial form of transportation that is
most suitable and appropriate way of distribution for small distance and in local areas. It has
been analysed that the trucks as a mode of transportation are the main workhorses of the
international supply chain which are the main way to move goods across land in an efficient
way. Further, it has been also observed that the truck as terrestrial mode of transportation are also
often fitted with chassis that can hold standardized shipping containers thus, Trucks are, by far,
the most common way to move goods in the supply chain. The importance and suitability of
trucks as mode of transportation can be justified by the fact that Railways don’t travel to all
destinations and the air freight is expensive and limited by weight and available airports which
makes the trucks the default and most appropriate choice for moving large quantities of goods by
a retail industry. Further, the recent improvement in technology also offers the options of
driverless truck technology that is also suitable and appropriate for Tesco retail company as it
offers higher safety and economies for a firm by the way of eliminating and reducing the risk of
human error (5 Impacts of Autonomous Trucking on Supply Chains, 2018). Beside this, the use of
truck for transportation also offers that highest level of flexibility along with saving the cost and
time required in transit of products by any other means of transportation through facilitating a
systematic network design along with speedy delivery by trickle down effects on ordering
patterns, lead times, inventory levels and safety stocks which ensure more effective supply and
distribution channel.
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Railcars and Engines in the Supply Chain- The another important form of terrestrial
transportation that could be adopted by a retail industry to have better supply and distribution
channel comprises of Railcars and Engines in the Supply Chain. It has been observed that the
Moving goods by rail is often much cheaper, more efficient and less environmentally damaging
than sending goods by road thus it act as a suitable transportation for Tesco to ensure more
effective supply and distribution channel. Further, it has been also observed that the rail transport
can be the most cost effective form of transportation for a retail company as it offers and leads to
lower fuel cost as compared to rail which also makes it more environmentally friendly and is
taken as most suitable form of transportation especially in case of high volume freight
(Advantages of Rail 6 Surprising Transport Over Road Transport, 2018). Beside this, it has been
also analysed that the rail transportation is seemed to have most standardized transit schedules
and don’t share their tracks with the public like trucks do with the road thus, mitigating the issues
of high traffic and delays which makes it more effective way of transportation or better supply
and distribution channel.
Aircraft in the Supply Chain- The another suitable way of transportation for Tesco to
ensure more effective supply and distribution channel which leads to most speedy and fast
distribution of goods and product along with mitigating the geographical barriers from supply
chain network. The importance and suitability of aircraft in supply chain can be determine on the
basis of two main areas for transporting goods which comprises of its speed and reliability. It has
been observed that the air transportation is generally the fastest way to get freight from one place
to another and is most vital in situation of time is an issue and for distribution and supply of
perishable nature of goods and products at national and international level. Further, it has been
also observed that the air freight and air mode of transportation is also the most reliable form of
transport as compared to that other forms of transport, as aircraft are less affected by delays than
trucks and a high level of security is also offered by airport safety controls over the cargo which
are tightly managed thus reduce exposure of the cargo and mitigate the risk of theft and damage
which leads to better ways of transportation for Tesco to ensure more effective supply and
distribution channel.
Chapter 3: Research methodology
Research methodology forms out to be one of the most important section and part of
project investigation report that basically clarifies and provide information about the manner in
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which the research would be performed by an investigator in order to address and evaluate the
set objectives and aim of a project. Further, research methodology also plays a vital role in
setting coordination and balance among the effectors of team members to ensures viable
collection and gathering of information along with its effective analysis and interpretation. With
respect to current research work use of research onion model is made to ensure selection of
appropriate and most suitable set of research method to meet desired objectives in an effective
manner. A discussion about the various layers of research onion model is provided below along
with leading valid justification and reason for selection of research method for current study.
Research philosophy- It represent the first layer of the research onion model that is divided
into four common sets which consists of interpretivism, positivism, pragmatism and realism
philosophies. The selection of Posistivitism research philosophy is most suitable for current
investigation as it facilitates a more systematic and practical way of research work and study to
evaluate about the role of terrestrial and air transport on UK industry through ensuring a
systematic objective base of study.
Research approach- two common set of research approach consists of deductive and
inductive form of research approach out which inductive approach is used to support theoretical
and interpretivism kind of philisophy. Therefore section and making use of deductive approach is
more suitable and justifiable for current research project as it facilitates better testing and
scanning of set objective along with facilitating better support for positivistic philosophy on
which the current investigation is base.
Research strategy- there a number of strategy provided by research onion model which
consists of action research, experiments, observation, survey, case study, interview, etc which are
used and applied by a researcher for more effective data collection for taking out a better
conclusion ad set of results. With respect to current investigation, use and implication of survey
mode of strategy is most appropriate and suitable as it facilitates a most easy and simplest way of
data collection through making use of questionnaire which support collection of relevant data on
a specific topic from a larger number of respondents in a cost and time way.
Choices of method- this stage comprises of a selection of a vital and suitable research
method from two commonly used forms of research method i.e qualitative and quantitative
research method. It has been observed that use of qualitative form of research method is mainly
suitable and appropriate with in-depth research as it is associated with collection of data in
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theoretical and detailed form. Therefore qualitative mature of research method are more complex
and time consuming. Therefore, use and implication of quantitative method of research is most
appropriate and suitable for current research project and dissertation as it support collection of
data in numeric form that is much more easy to collect and analysis. Further, an effective
presentation and interpretations of fact is also ensured by quantitative set of research method to
dare a more measurable and valid results.
Data collection- collection of data would made for current investigation with the help of
both primary and secondary sources of information to ensures viable and sufficient level of
reliable data for current study. Collection of primary data would be made with the help of
questionnaire where as secondary research would be undertaken through collecting data from
online articles and journals.
Sampling Method- a sample size of 55 participants would be selected for current
investigation from the employees of Tesco plc with the help of random sampling method.
Chapter 4: Analysis and interpretation of Research findings
Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendation
Chapter 6: Reflection
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REFERENCES
Books and journal
Kim, A.R. and Seo, Y.J., 2019. The reduction of SOx emissions in the shipping industry: The
case of Korean companies. Marine Policy, 100, pp.98-106.
Abeyratne, R., 2017. Megatrends and air transport: legal, ethical and economic issues. Springer.
Wang, B., Chen, Y., Zhou, S., Li, H., Wang, F. and Yang, T., 2019. The influence of terrestrial
transport on visibility and aerosol properties over the coastal East China Sea. Science of
The Total Environment, 649, pp.652-660.
Liu, K., Wu, T., Wang, X., Song, Z., Zong, C., Wei, N. and Li, D., 2019. Consistent transport of
terrestrial microplastics to the ocean through atmosphere. Environmental science &
technology, 53(18), pp.10612-10619.
Schulz, R. and Bundschuh, M., 2020. Pathways of Contaminant Transport Across the Aquatic-
Terrestrial Interface: Implications for Terrestrial Consumers, Ecosystems, and
Management. In Contaminants and Ecological Subsidies (pp. 35-57). Springer, Cham.
Kielland, T.S., 2020. Global warming's effect on the mercury in the terrestrial arctic (Bachelor's
thesis, NTNU).
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RC Agarwal, 2020. Advantages and Disadvantages of Road Transport. [Online] Available
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disadvantages-of-road-transport/42135 >.
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https://blog.greencarrier.com/top-8-advantages-of-air-freight/>.
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Modes of Transportation in the Global Supply Chain. 2021. [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.blumeglobal.com/learning/supply-chain-modes-of-transportation/>.
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