1) Discuss how technological considerations can help in managing truck

drivers and their productivity. (Question 3)

Technological considerations play an increasingly important role in managing truck

drivers and their productivity. The interfaces involving wireless communications,
global positioning systems (GPS), and graphical information systems (GIS) offer
tremendous technology-related opportunities to improve driver productivity. GPS and
GIS are evolving toward a situation in which instant updates can be provided to GIS
databases – data that can be leveraged to provide real-time route planning that can
direct drivers away from accidents and other traffic bottlenecks (Murphy & Knemeyer
2015, p. 75).

Global positioning systems use satellites that allow companies to compute vehicle
position, velocity, and time, whereas graphical information systems allow companies
to produce digital maps that can drill down to site-specific aspects such as bridge
heights and customer locations. Commercial freight transportation service providers
have installed GPS software onto their trucks to allow for widespread fleet tracking.
The use of the GPS technology leads to more efficient tracking capabilities,
improved logistics and faster transportation, greater employee productivity and
management, and cost-effective transportation solutions (Husley 2014).

For truck vehicle, it may require a reliance on the driver to take on some
responsibilities, including preventive and non-preventive maintenance, compliance
with business and personal-use reporting, safety policies, state and federal laws for
registrations and inspections. The predictive analytics can help schedule repairs
before a failure, which can have a big impact on driver productivity (Fletcher 2014).
Some firms photograph or videotape drivers making pickups at their loading docks.
Moreover, activity can be recorded by a tachograph, a recording instrument that is
installed inside a truck and produces a continuous, timed record of the truck, its
speed, and its engine speed. From the information on a tachograph chart, one can
tell how efficiently the truck and driver are being used. If the driver works on a
regular route, it may be possible to rearrange the stops so that the driver can avoid
areas of traffic congestion. Bad driving habits, such as high highway speeds and
excessive engine idling, can also be detected. In case of an accident, a tachograph
chart is invaluable in reporting and explaining what occurred just prior to the crash
(Murphy & Knemeyer 2015, p. 75).

2) How can logistics managers attempt to control pilferage? (Question 4)

Pilferage refers to employee theft, both transportation and warehousing operations
are particularly vulnerable to pilferage. Managing pilferage begins with the hiring
process. In fact, one of the best ways to manage pilferage is to avoid hiring people
who are predisposed to steal, such as people with credit, alcohol, or drug problems.
Some organisations utilise psychological tests as part of the hiring process in an
effort to identify prospective employees who might pilfer (Murphy & Knemeyer 2015,
p. 81).

Organisations can better manage pilferage if they have clearly articulated and
enforced pilferage-related policies. To this end, experts recommend that the best
pilferage policy should be based on zero tolerance because problems inevitably
arise for those companies that tolerate a ‘small amount’ of pilferage. For example,
there may be disagreement in terms of how to operationalise ‘amount’ (Murphy &
Knemeyer 2015, p. 81). However, a zero-tolerance policy is quite simple, it means
that pilferage exceeding zero units or zero dollars is unacceptable.

One of the most effective methods of protecting goods from pilferage is to keep them
moving through the system. Goods waiting in warehouses, in terminals, or to clear
customs are more vulnerable to pilferage than goods that are moving. No list of
methods for protecting goods is complete; determined thieves are likely to overcome
almost any safeguard placed in their way. However, a few suggestions are offered
below mainly to reflect the breadth of measures that might be taken (Murphy &
Knemeyer 2015, p. 81):

 Decals are required for autos in employee parking lots.

 Forklifts in warehouses are locked at night, making it difficult to reach high
items or to move heavy items.
 Seals are used more and more, with dispatchers, drivers, and receiving
personnel all responsible for recording the seal number and inspecting its
condition.
  Electronic tags or strips are embedded in products at the time of their
manufacture, and they can activate alarms at warehouse or retail store doors.
 Organisations should take a proactive approach to pilferage instead of waiting
until pilferage reaches an ‘unacceptable’ level.
 Companies should facilitate an employee’s ability to report pilferage, such as
through a hotline that guarantees anonymity as well as protection from
potential retaliation or retribution.

As a matter of fact, many of the preceding suggestions are common sense in nature;
indeed, common sense is viewed as a basic foundation for controlling pilferage.
Importantly, common sense approaches to system security are often no cost, or low
cost, in nature (Murphy & Knemeyer 2015, p. 82).

References:

Fletcher, L 2014, Strategies to Increase Driver Productivity, automotive-fleet, viewed

30 August 2016, <http://www.automotive-fleet.com/article/story/2014/02/strategies-
to-increase-driver-productivity.aspx>.

Husley, M 2014, Why Trucking Companies Use GPS Technology, ready trucking,
viewed 30 August 2016, <http://www.readytrucking.com/trucking-companies-use-
gps-technology/>.

Murphy, PR & Knemeyer, AM 2015, Contemporary Logistics, 11th edn, Pearson

Education Limited, Boston.