Malaysian Logistics

Living in a world without borders, it can be seen that economy and logistics could not be separated. Logistics is like a backbone to the economic growth throughout the globe. When the economy expands dramatically, the more efficient logistics is needed to cater its expansion. Realizing this phenomenon, numbers of researchers all over the world developed variety of models to measure the performance of logistics in terms of its efficiency and effectiveness in delivering services. One of the significant determinants influencing the efficiency and effectiveness of logistics system is the implementation of information technology (IT) by the logistics service providers (LSPs). Hence, previous studies showed that IT gives significant effect on logistics performance, but even so many studies involve firm size as a moderator in business-related research model, there is no single research in logistics field ever studies the moderating effect of firm size on the attributes which influencing the effectiveness of LSPs’. Therefore, this study zooms into the lens of IT implementation in road logistics transportation, as the IT is agreed universally as an enabler for time and cost saver. More than IT, this study is focusing on the moderating effect of firm size in the relationship of IT implementation and road logistics transportation performance. Therefore, these findings are expected to benefit the logistics players inside and outside Malaysia in order to improve their services, as well as entrepreneurship knowledge up to the market demand level.

This study provides a review and analysis of the findings from the scoping study on the proposed Malaysian–Thailand Special Border Economic Zone (SBEZ). The study is part of a broader project that intends to support the establishment of an SBEZ that will help to attract investors in productive activities that promote subregional value chains in order to stimulate cross-border trade and investment, serve as a catalyst to commerce along the IMT-GT corridors and help to substantially improve the social and economic welfare of the population along the border provinces. Each border crossing has been assessed on the basis of the following components, details of which are presented in the main body of this report: (a) special economic zone (SEZ) potential; (b) cross-border value chains; (c) transport and logistics; (d) socio-economic development strategy for the area; (e) SME development and business development services: (f) linkages to Indonesia. The proposed SBEZ is best viewed as incremental levels of collaborative of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Level 1 would cover the establishment of SBEZ facilities and supporting activities on either or both sides of the border; Level 2 would involve development of cross-border value chains and hard and soft infrastructure supporting the SBEZ; and Level 3 would consist of collaboration in joint SBEZ facilities and supporting activities. This stepwise approach reflects international best practices for the development of cross-border SEZs in Europe, North America and Asia. It ensures that actions on either side of the border move from an informal to formal mechanisms of collaboration, thereby providing an effective mechanisms for achieving long-term goals for the operation of a joint SBEZ.