Affiliation:
1. Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
2. Operations and Supply Chain Department, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
3. School of Business, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
Abstract
Transportation and logistics are the basic building blocks in the socio-economic development of a country. The pandemic altered the landscape of the transportation and logistics sector where organizations had to look for new technology-based solutions. Block chain and digital trucking are emerging concepts, which were further accelerated by COVID-19, to manage the challenges in the transportation and supply chain industry. This study, therefore, investigates the challenges faced by the transportation industry during and post COVID-19 and, consequently, identifies relevant sustainable strategies to combat these challenges in a developing-economies context. Data were collected through interviews from 20 key personnel working in managerial positions in the transportation industry of Pakistan, a developing economy. The findings of this study indicate that the challenges faced by the transportation industry are reduced import–export, local market orders and revenues, supply limited to a few edible items, increase in e-commerce, new entrants in the market and operational issues, such as lack of standard operating procedures (SOPs), performance management and training of drivers. These challenges were more pronounced in the COVID-19 era; however, they are still impacting the industry. Thus, in the post-COVID-19 era, transportation companies need to opt for efficient strategies, such as contactless deliveries, expansion in e-commerce, tech-based performance management of drivers and digital trucking for sustainability, in a developing economy’s transportation and logistics sector.
Funder
Macau University of Science and Technology Faculty Research Grants
The Macau Foundation Project
Subject
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment,Geography, Planning and Development,Building and Construction