Factors Influencing Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Usage In Port Related Industries In Northern Malaysia

• Main Author: William, Koh Siaw Yen
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2000
• Subjects: HF5546-5548.6 Office Management
• Online Access: https://etd.uum.edu.my/225/1/WILLIAM_KOH_SIAW_YEN_-_Factors_influencing_electronic_data_interchange_%28EDI%29_usage_in_port_related_industries_in_Northern_Malaysia.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/225/2/1.WILLIAM_KOH_SIAW_YEN_-_Factors_influencing_electronic_data_interchange_%28EDI%29_usage_in_port_related_industries_in_Northern_Malaysia.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/225/

Recent developments in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) usage for container terminals examine the various benefits of its applications in the port environment. This report provides an early analysis of EDI developments in the area. In a global context, ports are often very important maritime business centres where the most important commercial actors operate. Hence, ports are very important information centres. It can be either the driving force or the brakes of regional and local economies. It has been recognized as catalysts to spur the economic prosperity of a nation. Thereby, ports must be considered as a logistic and commercial platform. The maritime and port scenario is a fast growing one, especiahy in the areas of containerised cargo and short sea shipping. Ports are point of arrival and departure for this type of traffic and many of them are not yet able to match an acceptable operation performance. New challenges such as a need of quick loading/unloading operations and extremely fast administrative procedures are critical issues to look upon. It is with these reasons that this study was conducted with the primary objective to identify factors that would contribute towards encouraging EDI usage besides cushioning its barriers. However the scope of the study is restricted to those port related organizations in the Northern Region of Malaysia only. Among the key factors identified in this study that indicate a positive association to EDI usage are Competitive Pressure, Productivity Pressure, and Security aspects. Surprisingly, top-level support, vendors related factors and economic factors which were tested was found to have no significant contribution to EDI usage. However, a closer look at the mean value showed that generally thereis a need to gain support from the top management and more aggressive promotion by vendors in order to ensure a more successful implementation. This study suggested that vendors could play an active role in providing the expertise. In addition, understanding of information technoiogy is important for successful implementation. For this, adequate training for both employees and management should be encouraged. Another suggestion is to introduce special scheme or programme in the form of incentives, grants, subsidies, etc. to all the players involved in the promotion of information technology such as EDI in the 200 odd port related organizations.