Future Studies and Forecasting in Logistics
Heikkinen, Susanna (2012)
Heikkinen, Susanna
Kymenlaakson ammattikorkeakoulu
2012
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201203163504
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201203163504
Tiivistelmä
This research study analyses the relation between strategy and forecasting. In more concrete terms, it analyses if current logistics research provides sufficient and valid data to be meaningfully implemented on strategy development.
The relationship of strategy and forecasting is evaluated in case study of Nurminen Logistics Oyj. The main research question is, what is the competitive advantage in the future for logistics companies in Finland and what kind of future research would be useful and valid for a logistics company in order to forecast the future. Interviewing selected persons from the board and management gave more insight and helped to establish trends and patterns in the field. Findings were reflected to another development project thesis from same field in order to find similarities and influences on competitive advantage for logistics companies.
Future research does not provide enough accurate and usable information for SME logistics companies. Current future prediction methods are not efficient or are too heavy for corporate use. Weak signals and selected macro-level scenarios are the main source of future knowledge for logistics companies in Finland at the moment.
As a result of this development project thesis, future changes affecting logistics were identified and key features to maintaining competitive advantage in the future were found. Environment and security issues will have impact to logistics. Technological advancements will also facilitate changes. Structural changes in Finnish industry and educational advancements can also have an effect. Key factors for maintaining competitive advantage for logistics companies are networking, maintaining agility, differentiation from competition and choosing future indicators to follow. In order to maintain their position and competitiveness, logistics companies must recognize their future knowledge sources and use future information for decision making purposes.
The relationship of strategy and forecasting is evaluated in case study of Nurminen Logistics Oyj. The main research question is, what is the competitive advantage in the future for logistics companies in Finland and what kind of future research would be useful and valid for a logistics company in order to forecast the future. Interviewing selected persons from the board and management gave more insight and helped to establish trends and patterns in the field. Findings were reflected to another development project thesis from same field in order to find similarities and influences on competitive advantage for logistics companies.
Future research does not provide enough accurate and usable information for SME logistics companies. Current future prediction methods are not efficient or are too heavy for corporate use. Weak signals and selected macro-level scenarios are the main source of future knowledge for logistics companies in Finland at the moment.
As a result of this development project thesis, future changes affecting logistics were identified and key features to maintaining competitive advantage in the future were found. Environment and security issues will have impact to logistics. Technological advancements will also facilitate changes. Structural changes in Finnish industry and educational advancements can also have an effect. Key factors for maintaining competitive advantage for logistics companies are networking, maintaining agility, differentiation from competition and choosing future indicators to follow. In order to maintain their position and competitiveness, logistics companies must recognize their future knowledge sources and use future information for decision making purposes.