Challenges in Supply Chain and Logistics Management: A Study on DHL

This report investigates the major challenges faced by organizations in supply chain and logistics management, with a specific focus on DHL. It explores the impact of effective supply chain management on organizational performance and analyzes the challenges faced by DHL in this area. The report also suggests strategies to minimize these challenges and maintain operational quality.

Dissertation

ABSTRACT
This report is about gathering the knowledge and understanding regarding major
challenges that an organisation mainly faces while performing supply chain and logistic
practices. These days the supply chain practices are become more and more crucial for
businesses as it support them in maintaining its network at several different locations in order to
maintain their operations effectively and managing the customers demand. The current
investigation is based on DHL a supply chain and logistic company that deals in providing
courier and parcel related services. This investigation is performed by gathering information
from sources like primary and secondary both. Among them primary information is gathered
from questionnaire where sample size remain 10 manger and for gathering secondary
information online sources are used. By conducting this study it become more easier for
analysing the impact of effective supply chain management over an organisation and challenges
it bring to an organisation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all I want to present my thank to God as they supported me at each and every
phase of my life that provide me confidence to accomplish my goals and objectives. After this I
also want to thank my supervisor regarding guidance which they provide to me and support
which they exert throughout this whole dissertation by listening and helping in resolving the
queries that I have, evaluating my work and providing me with feedback to present my work
effectively.
Despite of this I also want to thank the employees of DHL as with their support I become
to gather the primary information regarding this area of study in order to complete the
investigation. As without their support it won't be possible for me to complete this investigation
effectively. At the end of this I am thankful to all of my friends, relatives and family members
who supported me at each and every stage of life as well as duration of this dissertation with
their love and support. With the support of these people I become able to complete this
dissertation on timely manner.

Table of Contents

TOPIC:- "DHL Supply Chain and Logistic and recent management
challenges".
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Background to the research topic
Supply Chain Management and Logistics refers to as most essential part of a company as
it act as a link between the customers and organisation. Sometimes both the terms are used as
interchangeable but holds up different meanings. The supply chain management refers to the
collaboration among the organisations in order to develop a network between the customers,
suppliers and other partners for developing the value among the end consumers. While, Logistics

is defined as the storage and flow of products or services from the place of origin to its
destination (Christophe and Gaudenzi, 2015). An organisation put more emphasis toward the
supply chain management practices as it help in assuring that the commodities get available to
the customers on timely manner which support in creating value to the customers. The
performance and customers satisfaction toward an organisation is very much depend over the
quality of operations that supply chain and logistic department performs. This is so because the
supply chain and logistic management mainly focuses toward ensuring that the raw material get
available to the organisation on timely manner so, products get manufactured and delivered to its
customers as per their requirement. But while performing these operations there are certain
issues get arises such as Costing, supplier relationship, delays in work, changing market demand,
more wastage, technological up-gradation, stock breakage etc. These issues directly influence the
overall performance of the company as it results into either delay in work or affect the quality of
operations (Beske-Janssen, Johnson and Schaltegger, 2015). Therefore it is crucial to determine
the issues that are involve in supply chain and logistics so that better strategies can be
formulated to deal with these issues while maintaining the quality of business functions. To
identify this, research is conducted on DHL and the issues that it faced related with supply chain
and logistic. This is world's biggest logistic services company that offer services related with
international courier, parcel and express mail service.
Background to research organisation
Supply chain and logistic management within an organisation support up to a great
extend in satisfying customers by simplifying the method of getting products or services supplied
to them on timely manner. The current dissertation is based on DHL which is an international
courier, express mail and parcel service provider that operates in more than 220 countries.
Additionally it also work toward forwarding the mail deliveries worldwide by air, road, rail and
sea (Mangan and Lalwani, 2016). Along with this it also operates in warehousing solution which
involves repair, storage, packaging, mail deliveries worldwide along with other customized
logistic services that support in keep people connected with one another. With its global network
in around 220 countries across the globe, DHL is an organisation which offers infinite logistic
related services to the people throughout the world. It is a part of a leading postal and logistic
company i.e. Deutsche Post DHL Group which consists of several business units such as DHL

Parcel, DHL express, DHL E-Commerce, GHL Global Forwarding, DHL supply chain and DHL
Freight.
DHL is an organisation whose performance wholly depends over the efficiency of its
supply chain and logistic practices as it is the core operation that this organisation performs in
order to deliver its services. Hence in order to perform well and maintain its position within
marketplace it is crucial for DHL to perform its operations effectively. But despite of all these
there are certain challenges that DHL has to face in term of its supply chain and logistic related
operations. These includes, a network of more than 100 suppliers throughout the world along
with several type of business unit and product line to manage which is difficult for the company
as they won't be able to provide efficient resources for running the domestic supply chain while
offering high quality service as per the expectation of its customers. Additionally, company is
also experiencing the challenges such as increasing fuel costs, business process inefficiency that
require improvement, driver shortage and their retention, increased in governmental regulations,
improved customer services etc. These issues are continuously affecting the performance of
DHL. Hence these are required to be improved in order to maintain its operational quality and
practices (Wang, Gunasekaran, Ngai and Papadopoulos, 2016). These can be done with the help
of proper management of supply chain as it is very much helpful in making customers more
satisfied and keeping them engaged with organisation for long period of time as it will further
help in achieving the competitive edge.
Research Rationale
The purpose for performing current study is to determine the range of issues or
challenges that an organisation have to face related with logistic and supply chain management.
This will aid toward determining impact of these issues over organisation so that other
businesses can develop better strategies to deal with these issues effectively (Hingley, Lindgreen
and Grant, 2015). Additionally, this data can be further remain helpful for the academics as it
support them in developing knowledge regarding the area by studying various aspects of supply
chain and logistic by considering real life example.
Research Aim
To determine the recent challenges arise in supply chain and logistic management in an
organisation. A study on DHL

Research Objectives
 To understand the concept of supply chain and logistic management in an organisation.
 To study the benefits of proper management of supply chain and logistics activities of
DHL.
 To evaluate the issues which arise in supply chain and logistic management at DHL.
 To ascertain the strategies with which managers of DHL can minimise management
issue.
Research questions
 What is the basic concept of supply chain and logistic management in an organisation ?
 What are the major benefit of proper management of supply chain and logistics activities
of DHL ?
 What are the major issues that get arises in supply chain and logistic management at
DHL ?
 What are the strategies that managers of DHL can adopt for minimising the management
issue ?
CHAPTER 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW
It is an essential section of a dissertation that involve a process of collecting information
from several different sources which is already being published by several different authors
previously. The aim behind conducting this literature review for creating an understanding about
the recent topic of investigation so that further investigation can be performed (Huo, Han, Chen
and Zhao, 2015). This will support in developing an understanding regarding the nature of study
and also act as a base so that further investigation can be based on this information.
Supply chain and logistic management in an organisation
According to view point of Bart Perkins and Thomas Wailgum, 2017, supply chain
management refers to the procedure of arranging the raw material or other essential components
that an organisation required to create products or services as per the customers' requirement.
The purpose of supply chain management is to ensure that both the manufacturer as well as
retailers become able to reduce the excessive inventory which support in decreasing the cost of

production, shipment, insuring as well as storing of products which can not be sold. It has six
components such as planning, sourcing, making, delivering, returning and enabling.
On the other hand as per the view point of Marc Wins, 2018, logistic is a main part of a
supply chain management which help in keeping this supply chain more stronger. It work toward
planning, implementing and controlling the flow as well as storage of good or services for
meeting up the customers' requirement. Logistic management contribute greatly over the
successful execution of an organisation's operations that directly influence over the bottom line.
At the time when the freight volume get increased and transportation become more complicated
the requirement of logistic get arises. The logistic of an organisation involves several fields such
as,
Production Logistics:- This involves controlling and streamlining regarding the flow of
supply chain which start from the origin of product to its consumption which is consider as
distribution logistics. The production logistic activities involve factors like, layout planning,
organisational concepts, production planning, controlling etc.
Distribution logistics:- It is linked with finished goods delivery to consumers which
mainly involves warehousing, processing and transportation. The main sub sector involve within
this industry involves air, water, truck and rail transportation along with urban transit, ground
passenger, motor vehicle and warehousing.
Disposal logistics:- It is also called as reverse logistics which work toward performing
all the operations that are connect with the reprocess of products and material. The aim behind
this is to minimise the logistic costs while enhancing services and saving the natural resources.
According to the view point of Heckmann, Comes and Nickel, 2015, logistic is consider
as the most crucial component of the supply chain management which involves plan as well as
management of good or services from the point of origin to its final consumption. It support in
traffic, shipment, aligning the complex pattern of transportation, import and export operations,
inventory management, warehousing, production planning, purchasing and customer services.
The organisations mainly consider the logistics as an essential blueprint of the supply chain. This
is so because it is used to manage, coordinate as well as monitoring the resources which are
needed to transfer a product from one place to another in more reliable and effective manner.
Additionally, companies also believe that they become able to minimise the expenses of
company and on other side help in increasing the productivity by effectively managing the

logistics. By enhancing the partnership practices with the suppliers, warehouses and shipping
services, and connecting them with the automated system it become more simple for the
organisations to enhance the logistics of getting products to the final consumers as it help in
reducing the overhead costs and ensure faster delivery.
Benefit of proper management of supply chain and logistics activities of DHL
According to view point of John Gomez, 2020, supply chains are becoming more
complex day by day for DHL as it operational networks are getting more broader due to
business expansion at different countries all over the world. Hence, for effectively manage the
supply chain and logistics, data driven approach is become the necessity of the organisation. This
is so because the data driven SCM provide visibility in monitoring the flow of information,
product or services that is from procurement to the manufacturing as well as delivering of them
to the end consumers. But data is not just the only driver of effective supply chain management
as other factors are also crucial which includes good vendor, effective cost control, supplier
relationship, securing right logistics partner and use of innovative supply chain technologies that
brings up a big impact over the supply chain and logistics. The effective SCM offer numerous of
benefit to DHL and support it in performing well at the global market place that are mentioned
below:
Better collaboration:- Information flow is one of the most prominent challenges for the
organisations as sometimes majority of businesses mainly lack in the automated information
flow throughout whole supply chain and half of the organisations mainly believe that the
fragmented information results into the lost of sale opportunity. With the help of integrated
software that DHL uses it become easier for it to eliminate the bottleneck and allow for the
seamless transmission of information, providing big pictures of supply chain end to end.
Higher efficiency rate:- Another importance of supply chain management is that by
having a real time data availability of raw material and manufacturing delays allows the
organisations for staying active with their back up plans which includes sourcing material with
the help of secondary suppliers in order to prevent further delays (Tzounis and et. al., 2017). This
in turn support in maintaining the quality of operations and at the same time also support in
enhancing the efficiency of the work by working over the same order or schedule which is being
formulated by DHL with its customers.

Keeping up with demand:- With the proper management of supply chain and logistics it
become easier for company to integrate the data for determining the further requirement of
services. In this case the supply chain leaders can predict about the future requirement as well as
the sources available to them for delivering the services in best possible manner. In addition to
this it will also support them in managing with the changing market condition for avoiding the
challenges that may affect the quality of services.
Major issues that get arises in supply chain and logistic management at DHL
As per the view point of Fernie, J. and Sparks, L. eds., 2018, supply chain and logistic
management is consider to be the core of a business as it support in providing more satisfaction
and happiness to the customers from services offered by the organisation. But despite of this, the
maintenance of these practices are becoming more and more complicated these days due to
increasing competition and technological enhancement. Therefore, DHL is required to rethink
about the technology used for managing supply chain and logistic practices to maximise the
opportunity, reducing cost, eliminating the risk and gaining competitive edge. This is so because
the risk related with supply chain and logistics are continuously increasing that may affect the
operations of DHL. These challenges includes,
 Cost control:- Another major issue in front of supply chain management is that
operating cost are under extreme pressure due to increase in the energy fuel, freight cost,
number of global customer, technology, labour rates, rising commodity prices and new
regulations. These all increase the cost of operation or expenses that create a major
challenge in front of DHL as it required to plan and manage the operations in such a
manner that larger number of operations can be performed in less possible time as well as
cost.
 Customer services:- Supply chain is all about performing set of actions toward
providing right product at right time and in right quantity (Bing and et. al., 2016). It
require to manage and schedule all the operations in right manner as per the requirement
while arranging sources on timely manner which is quite difficult as DHL offer services
to range throughout the world.
 Supplier relationship:- In today's competitive world it become quite challenging to
manage the supplier relationship as their demand get enhanced regularly which results
into switching of brand in term of taking orders. This is a major challenge in front of

DHL as the managers have to manage with all the requirement of its supplier in order to
keep them connected with the brand so that long term relation can be maintained for
ensuring execution of operations in efficient manner.
Strategies that managers of DHL can adopt for minimising the management issue
As per the view point of Waters, D. and Rinsler, S., 2014, while managing the operations
at global level it become quite genuine that organisation may face the management related issues
due to differences in term of culture, language, method of operations etc. These factors directly
afect the operational quality as well as market practices of a company. Therefore, it is crucial for
DHL to adopt appropriate strategies in order to keep the management issues at minimum. These
strategies involves:
 Free flow of operations:- The managers of DHL must focuses toward promoting the
culture of transparent or free flow communication. This in turn support them in ensuring
that each and every crucial information get circulate within the organisation and in right
manner so that appropriate decision can be undertaken (Rushton, Croucher and Baker,
2014). This will further support in reducing the chances of management issues that get
mainly arises due to inappropriate information.
 More technological integration:- Another strategy that can be adopted by the mangers
of DHL in order to reduce the chances of management issues is to increase the
technological integration. This is so because by increasing the technological integration it
become easier to mange work without any sort of error or duplications. This in turn help
in reducing the management disputes that mainly occur due to inefficiently performance
of operations.
 Regular supplier meetings:- Effective communication plays a significant role within
managing the positive relationship among the stakeholders and reducing the chances of
personal as well as managerial issues (Zhu and et. al., 2018). Hence, by regularly
managing the meetings among the stakeholders specially suppliers it become easier for
the managers of DHL to maintain healthy relationship with them and at the same time
getting a regular idea regarding quality of operations so that the management issues can
be minimised.

CHAPTER 3 : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
It is most crucial section of a research as it involves detail about several methods and
techniques that can be used to collect, analyse and interpret the data in more appropriately. It
further support investigator in concluding the findings effectively and at the same time
recommend about the issues involved within the research area or in research itself (Flick, 2015).
The researcher methodology provide guidance to researcher regarding the actions must be taken
for accomplishing the requirement of study.
Research philosophy:- The researcher philosophy mainly support in providing guidance
to the investigator about the direction in which action should be performed to collect and
represent the data. These are of two type i.e. positivism and interpretivism. From these
interpretivism philosophy will be taken into consideration that help investigator in
understanding and analysing the thought pattern of humans effectively that further contribute
toward presenting the information within investigation much effectively.
Research approach:- For performing the research appropriately two type of research
approaches mainly used such as inductive and deductive. Both support in performing
investigation effectively, but for current research inductive approach will be used by the
investigator (Gioia, Corley and Hamilton, 2013). Because inductive approach uses theoretical
framework in order to make the clear explanation about the concept or theories. Therefore it
support in presenting more detailed information about the area of study that help in increasing
the quality of research.
Research design :- There are several methods or patterns which get used by an
investigator in order to keep their investigation more presentable and attractive while following a
particular format. The research design are of three type that are exploratory, experimental and
descriptive. In this research the descriptive design is used that support in covering all the
essential aspect of the investigation effectively that further contribute toward the presenting more
understanding to the reader about the area of study (Green, Camilli and Elmore, 2012).
Type of investigation:- An investigation is mainly performed with the help of two kind
of investigation such as qualitative and quantitative. From this the qualitative investigation will
be used by investigator as it make use of theoretical framework to present the information in
more clear, understandable and detailed manner. This method will support in presenting the in-
depth information and also works best with the inductive approach.

Research strategy: There are certain strategy such as case study, interview,
questionnaire, focus group, observation etc. These are consider main research strategies that will
be essential in collection of information. Within an investigation, questionnaire will be used
because it help researcher in collecting the qualitative and reliable data about the supply chain
and logistic management and challenges organisation mainly faces in this area.
Data collection sources:- The sources of data collection refers to the ways that get used
by a researcher for collecting information as per the requirement of area of study. The
investigator mainly use two sources for gathering the information which involves primary and
secondary sources. The primary sources refers to the one where the first hand data is mainly
collected which is not yet been used by any other person before. While, secondary information is
mainly collected from data that is already published by some one else before related with current
study area and now help others to develop understanding about there study area (Kumar, 2019).
To perform this research effectively both primary as well as secondary sources of data collection
will be consider. Under this the primary information will be collected using questionnaire and
secondary data will be gathered from online sources using books, journals, articles etc.
Questionnaire
Q1. Are you aware about the concept of supply chain and logistic management in context of
organisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2. What are the major activities involved within logistic of an organisation?
a) Update of stock
b) Stock replenishment
c) Bulk storage
d) Load scheduling
Q3. What are the major benefits that effective management of supply chain will provide to
DHL?
a) Better collaboration
b) Increasing efficiency rate
c) Reduction in overhead course

Q Which among the following is important factors for the effective supply chain practices for
DHL?
a) Transportation
b) Planning and analysing
c) Inventory control
d) Management
Q4. What determine several challenges faced by logistic companies in maintaining supply chain
practices?
a) Increasing fuel costs
b) Driver shortage and their retention
c) Increased in governmental regulations
d) Business process inefficiency
Q5. According to you what are the major factors that leads to increase the need of supply chain
management?
a) Competition
b) Increasing cost of company
c) Unforeseen delays
d) Supplier relationship
Q6. What are major factors that may affect the quality of operations performed by DHL in its
supply chain and logistic management?
a) Delays
b) Tracking and communication
c) Warehouse safety
d) Increased costs
Q7. Do you think that appropriate management of supply chain is required for the success of
DHL?
a) Yes
b) No
Q8. According to you, driver shortage and their retention is the major issue which is faced by
DHL?
a) Yes

b) No
Q9. What are the main stakeholder that support in effective supply chain and logistic
management?
a) Distributors
b) Drivers
c) Suppliers
d) Managers
Q10. What strategies can be adopted by the managers of DHL for minimising the management
issues?
a) Free flow of communication
b) More technological integration
c) Enhancing supplier network
Sampling:- It is a process of selecting the group of people who can provide information
regarding current area of study on behalf of total population. Mainly two type of sampling
methods are used such as probabilistic and non-probabilistic. From them probabilistic method of
sampling will be used as it provide equal chance to each individual for getting selected as a
sample and also help in reducing the chances of bias behaviour (Mackenzie and et. al., 2012).
For performing this investigation over the challenges related with supply chain and logistic
management sampling will be performed through probabilistic method under random sampling
approach where the sample size is kept as 10 managers of DHL.
Research limitation:- The limitation of this study is that area of concern is a broader
concept and consumes more time but the duration provided for performing this study is very
much limited. Additionally the cost available is also very much limited as per the requirement of
current topic. But to deal with this the investigator make use of questionnaire which provide an
option of approaching larger number of customers at a time which ensure collection of larger
amount of data in less possible time and cost.
Time horizon- There are two type of time horizon used within an investigation such as
cross sectional and longitudinal. For performing this research longitudinal time horizon will be
used that support in developing future planning for activities to be performed(Mackey and Gass,
2015). Despite of this for arranging the research activity plan effectively Gantt chart will be used

by investigator that help in directing the researcher regarding actions to be taken by scheduling
the activities as per their priority along with duration they take to get accomplished.
Research ethics: In order to perform a research appropriately a researcher should follow
ethics so that most appropriate and reliable information can be presented. In this research, ethics
like confidentiality, anonymity, honesty, integrity, beneficiary and informed consents etc. will be
taken into consideration.
Reliability and validity- The current study involves data which consists of more reliable
and valid information as for this report data is gathered from more authenticated sources that
provide an assurance that when in future again the study will be performed it will provide similar
result (McCusker and Gunaydin, 2015). Despite of this the information presented in this
investigation is updated and totally new that ensures the validity of the data. In this research both
the primary as well as secondary data sources used are authenticated sources and help in
providing more reliable information as it is not moulded to make it more interesting and
attractive.

CHAPTER 4 : FINDING AND ANALYSIS
Data analysis is a main part of the research because it assist the investigator in
analysation of data in qualitative or quantitative manner. For analysing quantitative data, content
analysis will be used. As it helps researcher by providing valuable information regarding the
current topic. Main purpose of content analysis is to develop themes on each questions.
Q1. Are you aware about the concept of supply chain and logistic
management in context of organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 8
b) No 2
Q2. What are the major activities involved within logistic of an organisation? Frequency
a) Update of stock 3
b) Stock replenishment 2
c) Bulk storage 3
d) Load scheduling 2
Q3. What are the major benefits that effective management of supply chain
will provide to DHL?
Frequency
a) Better collaboration 4
b) Increasing efficiency rate 3
c) Reduction in overhead course 3
Q4 Which among the following is important factors for the effective supply
chain practices for DHL?
Frequency
a) Transportation 2
b) Planning and analysing 4
c) Inventory control 2
d) Management 2

Q5. What determine several challenges faced by logistic companies in
maintaining supply chain practices?
Frequency
a) Increasing fuel costs 2
b) Driver shortage and their retention 4
c) Increased in governmental regulations 3
d) Business process inefficiency 1
Q6. According to you what are the major factors that leads to increase the
need of supply chain management?
Frequency
a) Competition 4
b) Increasing cost of company 1
c) Unforeseen delays 3
d) Supplier relationship 2
Q7. What are major factors that may affect the quality of operations
performed by DHL in its supply chain and logistic management?
Frequency
a) Delays 3
b) Tracking and communication 4
c) Warehouse safety 2
d) Increased costs 1
Q8. Do you think that appropriate management of supply chain is required
for the success of DHL?
Frequency
a) Yes 8
b) No 2
Q9. According to you, driver shortage and their retention is the major issue
which is faced by DHL?
Frequency
a) Yes 8
b) No 2

Q10. What are the main stakeholder that support in effective supply chain
and logistic management?
Frequency
a) Distributors 1
b) Drivers 2
c) Suppliers 3
d) Managers 4
Q11. What strategies can be adopted by the managers of DHL for minimising
the management issues?
Frequency
a) Free flow of communication 4
b) More technological integration 3
c) Enhancing supplier network 3

Theme 1: The phenomena of supply chain and logistic management in context of organisation
Q1. Are you aware about the concept of supply chain and
logistic management in context of organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 8
b) No 2
a) Yes b) No
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
2
Frequency
Interpretation:- Majority of participants have knowledge about the supply chain
management and logistics used in an organisation. They said as supply chain management is the
administration of the flow of services and goods. Some managers said as logistics management is
a component of supply chain management that is applied to meet customer demands via the
planning and execution of the movement and keeping of information, services and goods from
origin to destination. Therefore, 10 out of 8 managers of DHL have idea about the logistics
management and supply chain management, and its significance over business performance and
growth. Remaining 2 managers of an organisation not have any kind of idea about the same
concept.
Theme 2: Activities involved within logistic of an organisation
Q2. What are the major activities involved within logistic of an Frequency

organisation?
a) Update of stock 3
b) Stock replenishment 2
c) Bulk storage 3
d) Load scheduling 2
a) Update of stock
b) Stock replenishment
c) Bulk storage
d) Load scheduling
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3
2
3
2
Frequency
Interpretation:-There are different number of activities that are involved within logistic
of an organisation. 3 out of 10 managers said as update of stock is main activity because it helps
an organisation in management of its supply chain and logistics effectively. 2 respondents have
idea as stock replenishment is major activity as in which inventory travels along the supply chain
from manufacture to supplier to warehousing and shipment locations. 3 participants have
knowledge as bulk stock is major activity within logistics because it assist an organisation in
management of any kind of risk. Remaining 2 respondents said as load scheduling is one of the
main activity that support an organisation to manage their stock and supply them within given
time duration.
Theme 3: Benefits that effective management of supply chain will provide to DHL
Q3. What are the major benefits that effective management of Frequency

supply chain will provide to DHL?
a) Better collaboration 4
b) Increasing efficiency rate 3
c) Reduction in overhead course 3
a) Better collaboration
b) Increasing efficiency rate
c) Reduction in overhead course
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4
3 3
Frequency
Interpretation:- There are certain benefits and advantages that effective management of
supply chain will provide to DHL. For this, 4 out of 10 managers of company have knowledge as
by managing supply chain company can easily develop better collaboration among employees.
As it turn to support an organisation in improvement of its growth and success. 3 respondents
have idea as managing supply chain, company become more capable to incorporate integrated
logistics, supply chain and product innovation strategies. These will be beneficial for company in
improvement of its business operations. Remaining 3 managers said as it would support DHL in
reduction in overhead course. Therefore, most of the people have idea as it support an
organisation in its better collaboration which turn to impact over business operations in positive
manner.
Theme 4: Factors for the effective supply chain practices for DHL
Q4 Which among the following is important factors for the Frequency

effective supply chain practices for DHL?
a) Transportation 2
b) Planning and analysing 4
c) Inventory control 2
d) Management 2
a) Transportation
b) Planning and analysing
c) Inventory control
d) Management
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
2
4
2 2
Frequency
Interpretation:- There are number of factors for the effective supply chain practices for
DHL. For this, 2 out of 10 managers have idea as transportation is main factor because it support
an organisation in delivering of its good and services to the suppliers in systematic manner. 4
respondents said as planning and analysing is main factor that help an organisation in proper
planning of its supply chain management and logistics. 2 respondents said inventory control is
major factor that has direct impact over business operations of DHL by increasing efficiency and
effectiveness in operations. Remaining 2 respondents said as management is also consider main
factor that support an organisation in management of its logistics and supply chain effectively.
Therefore, most of the managers said planning and analysing is main factor for an enterprise to
perform supply chain practices effectively.
Theme 5: Challenges faced by logistic companies in maintaining supply chain practices

Q5. What determine several challenges faced by logistic
companies in maintaining supply chain practices?
Frequency
a) Increasing fuel costs 2
b) Driver shortage and their retention 4
c) Increased in governmental regulations 3
d) Business process inefficiency 1
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
2
4
3
1
Frequency
Interpretation:- 2 out of 10 managers are in favour of increasing fuel cost as the major
issue related with supply chain practices. While 4 respondents that issue is driver shortage and
their retention, 3 said increased in governmental regulations but 1 said business process
inefficiency. From this interpretation it can be said that driver shortage and their retention is the
major issues that logistic companies mainly faced while performing supply chain practices which
in turn directly affect the quality of operations and performance. This is so because the driver
shortage leads to delay in delivery of product or other commodities at right place and at right
time.
Theme 6: The major factors that leads to increase the need of supply chain management

Q6. According to you what are the major factors that leads to
increase the need of supply chain management?
Frequency
a) Competition 4
b) Increasing cost of company 1
c) Unforeseen delays 3
d) Supplier relationship 2
a) Competition
b) Increasing cost of company
c) Unforeseen delays
d) Supplier relationship
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4
1
3
2
Frequency
Interpretation:- The supply chain management is the basic requirement of each
organisation that operates its practices at certain places. For doing this research over this, it
determined that there are number factors that generate requirement of effective management of
supply chain. Over this 4 out of 10 respondents said that competition is major factor, while 1 said
increasing cost of the company, 3 said unforeseen delays but 2 said supplier relationship is main
factor that arises the need of effective supply chain management. This information also
determined that majority of people are in favour of competition which is so because the better
approach to customers, quality of performance etc. positive factors of rivals that arises the need
of supply chain management.
Theme 7: Factors influence quality of supply chain and logistic related activities of DHL

Q7. What are major factors that may affect the quality of
operations performed by DHL in its supply chain and logistic
management?
Frequency
a) Delays 3
b) Tracking and communication 4
c) Warehouse safety 2
d) Increased costs 1
a) Delays
b) Tracking and communication
c) Warehouse safety
d) Increased costs
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
3
4
2
1
Frequency
Interpretation:-There are number of factors that are present within an organisation which
impact the operations quality in direct manner that get performed by DHL in its supply chain and
logistics management. This graph also determined as delays in work is the major factor that
affect quality of operations. But 4 respondents said that tracking and communication is the major
factor, 2 respondents said warehouse safety is major factor, but 1 respondents said that increasing
cost is the major issue of supply chain and logistics. From this it has been concluded that larger
populations are in favour of tracking and communication that have the capability of influencing
the quality of services. This is so because due to lack or ineffective communication, a message
can be miss-understood which in turn may leads to wrong execution of work.

Theme 8: Management of supply chain is required for the success of DHL
Q8. Do you think that appropriate management of supply chain
is required for the success of DHL?
Frequency
a) Yes 8
b) No 2
a) Yes b) No
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
2
Frequency
Interpretation:- Supply chain management plays a significant role within the growth and
success of an organisation by keeping the customers satisfied with timely delivery of products or
services. By performing investigation over this it has been identified that 8 out of 10 respondents
said yes that the management of supply chain is essential for the success of DHL. But on the
other hand 2 respondents said no to this as they think that their are several other factors that must
be consider by DHL for achieving success. From this investigation it has been identified that
majority of people are in favour of supply chain management leads to DHL success. This is so
because effective supply chain management ensures timely delivery which results into more
customer satisfaction that directly results into organisational success.
Theme 9: Driver shortage and their retention is the major issue faced by DHL

Q9. According to you, driver shortage and their retention is the
major issue which is faced by DHL?
Frequency
a) Yes 8
b) No 2
a) Yes b) No
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
2
Frequency
Interpretation:- From the above graph 10 respondents believe that driver shortage as well
as their retention is main problem that get faced by DHL. But on the other side, 2 another
respondents said no to this. From the evaluation of this gathered data it has been identified that
large number of respondents are in favour of this statement. It is so because the business is
expanding its services to several different location which in turn creating burden of work over
drivers which make it difficult to retain them for longer duration that results into the shortage of
drivers.
Theme 10 : Stakeholder that support in effective supply chain and logistic management
Q10. What are the main stakeholder that support in effective
supply chain and logistic management?
Frequency
a) Distributors 1
b) Drivers 2

c) Suppliers 3
d) Managers 4
a) Distributors b) Drivers c) Suppliers d) Managers
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
1
2
3
4
Frequency
Interpretation:- The stakeholders plays a significant role within effective management of
supply chain and logistic management. It has been determined that 1 respondent out of 10 is in
favour of distributor as a major stakeholder for effective supply chain management. While 2
respondents said that drivers are major stakeholder, but 3 said supplier and 4 said manager. From
the evaluation of information its has been identified managers are more responsible stakeholders
that support DHL in effective management of supply chain. This is so because the mangers are
responsible for ensuring that each activity must get performed as per scheduled list and
effectively within given time period without costing higher.
Theme 11: Strategies for minimising the management issues
Q11. What strategies can be adopted by the managers of DHL
for minimising the management issues?
Frequency
a) Free flow of communication 4

b) More technological integration 3
c) Enhancing supplier network 3
a) Free flow of communication
b) More technological integration
c) Enhancing supplier network
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4
3 3
Frequency
Interpretation:- It shown that 4 out of 10 respondents said that free flow communication
would be more helpful in minimising the management issues of DHL. While 3 respondents said
that more technological integration would be helpful but another 3 respondents said that
enhancing supplier network would be more helpful. From this it has been identified that most f
the participants are agreed about the flow of communication as it help in reducing the
communication error, delay in work, duplication of work which in turn help in reducing the
management issues.

CHAPTER 5 : CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
From the above data, it has been summarised influence of supply chain and logistic
management on an organisation. It has been analysed as majority of respondents have idea about
the logistic and supply chain management and its importance on overall growth of an enterprise.
Various activities have to involved in logistic such as stock replenishment, bulk storage, update
of stock and load scheduling. These activities supported an enterprise in improving its
operational efficiency easily. By managing supply chain company attained number of benefits
such as better collaboration, reduction in overhead course and increasing efficiency rate etc.
Along with this, company used different factors for the effective supply chain practices including
transportation, inventory control, management, planning and analysing. These are important
factors for company that help them in improvement of operational efficiency. Apart from this,
there are certain issues faced by company in maintaining supply chain such as government
regulations, increased costs of fuel, business process inefficiency and driver shortage and their
retention. These are major challenges that have negative impact over operations and functions of
an enterprise. Additionally, there are some factors that leads to maximise the requirement of
supply chain management such as competition, unforeseen delays, supplier relationship and
increasing cost of company. Along with this, various factors also used that may affect over
quality of operations such as delays, increased costs, warehouses safety, tracking and
communication. These are main that directly affected on operations quality performed by
company in its logistic and supply chain management. Within an organisation, different
stakeholders are work to support in effective logistic and supply chain management such as
distributors, suppliers, managers and drivers. Various strategies also adopted by operation
manager for minimising management issues including free flow of communication, more
technological integration and enhancing supplier network. These are effective ways in reduction
of issue existing in logistic as well as supply chain management.

Recommendations
From the above findings, it has been recommended that supply chain and logistic
management is essential for the company because it decrease the cost effects, increase result,
assist cooperation, lower the delay in process, increased network of supply chain, higher
efficiency rate etc. These are major benefits that are achieved by company y managing their
logistics and supply chain systematically. There are some recommendations to the DHL in
betterment of its supply chain and logistics. Some suggestions will be determined as below:
 Company must use free flow of communication that help them in delivering of proper
information about the supply chain and logistic management to the employees. As it
support an organisation in reduction of conflict and improvement of operational
efficiency easily and systematically.
 More technological integration is another suggestion to the DHL. As it support them in
transferring of goods and services to the customers and many other suppliers in limited
time period. Technological integration is also beneficial for an organisation to save their
time and attract maximum customers within given time period.
 Company must devise a distribution strategy as it support them in management of supply
chain effectively. It allows an organisation to have an effective idea of what it takes to
shorten transportation times, decrease goods decay and enhance customer service.
 Cash flow monitoring is an essential and fundamental tool that must be used by company
to enhance their supplier management. It is essential for them to track payment conditions
and term with different groups in the supply chain. Payment technology in terms of
supplier management, introduces to effective equipment applied to pay vendor bills, like
electronic paid the warehouses employee, point-of-sales machinery when receiving
products.
CHAPTER 6 : REFLECTION AND ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
Reflection:
I am glad for getting an useful chance to do investigation over an effective topic i.e.
impact of Supply Chain and Logistic and also actual management challenges". This is an
interesting topic that helped me in improving my understanding about the logistics and supply
chain management. By performing this research, I enhanced my knowledge criteria about the

literature review, time management, collection and analysation of information systematically.
Apart from this, I faced different challenges while performing this investigation such as time
provided for this research is not sufficient, lack of resources, respondents are not ready to give
appropriate answer etc. These are major issues faced by me while doing this investigation. In
order to deal with this issues I used certain methods such as Gantt chart for time management,
ethical consideration for dealing with respondents and many other. These are effective ways
which helped me by reducing chances of mistakes and issue. Along with this, for gathering
information regarding the supply chain and logistic management, I used questionnaire because it
support me collecting of valid and reliable data. This instrument help me by giving quantitative
and primary information for completing research activities in systematic manner.
Alternative research methodology:
Research methodology refers to the useful process which is used for gathering qualitative
or quantitative information. This investigation is based on quantitative study and for collecting
quantitative information, questionnaire have been used. Main reason for using this method as it
support in collecting of real information. There is suggestion for alternative research
methodology to the researcher. Interview refers as an alternative type of research methodology
that would be used by investigator. It is source of primary data collection and for collecting
qualitative information, this is one of the best method. If researcher want to conduct researcher
over this topic that they would use interview. There are various advantages that can be get by
researcher if they used interview method. No items are overlooked, clarification is possible, data
from interview are useable, depth of response can be assured, greater amount of flexibility is
allowed etc. are main benefits of using interview as a collection of qualitative information.

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