The sea transport industry in Australia is growing dynamically given the current surge in global trade and commerce. It becomes imperative to determine the various risks facing the growing industry. The current research methodology focuses on analyzing the various environmental risks associated with maritime logistics along with the analysis of the vulnerability of such risks with the challenges in implementing policies and practices for decision support and recommending strategies for mitigation environmental risks associated in maritime logistics. Research methodology is the most integral part of any study (Lewis, 2015, pp.473-475; Forsyth, 2016, pp.372-387).
The process of research includes scientific processes of quasi-experimental, experimental and non-experimental methods relative for the study. In order to conduct a research primary and secondary information as well as data is collected on the topic. Similar to other studies, this research undertakes a systematic investigation for the exploration of knowledge regarding environmental risks and their mitigation. As research undertakes a systematic evaluation for exploring of existing knowledge, it provides a process which supports confirmation of theories as well as validating earlier research in the domain (Creswell & Creswell, 2017).
The current research procedure will take into account various investigating techniques to arrive at various environmental risks which are facing the maritime transport industry along with an evaluation of strategies to overcome such risks. The main objective of the research is to analyse the factors that cause environmental hazards in marine logistics. The goal is to identify the environmental risks of Marine Logistics and the vulnerability due to risks, including workers and measures of adaptation of identity, through the policy of critical support and integrated decision analysis. The study also considered strategies aimed at mitigating the environmental risks in maritime logistics.
Research design
Prior to arriving at a particular research design, ascertaining a research philosophy becomes integral. Through research philosophy, belief related to observation has to be gathered and then analyzed before their utilization. Epistemology is the evaluation of truth as against doxology, which assumes the truth as being the philosophy of research (Meyers, Gamst & Guarino, 2016). The major two research approaches are positivists and interpretive. A positivist’s philosophy undertakes observation and then describes the phenomenon from an objective point of view, before inferring the phenomenon. In interpretivism, a subjective intervention, in reality, is assumed. For the purpose of this study, interpretive philosophy is considered (Parola et al., 2017, pp.116-138).
A research approach can be in a qualitative or quantitative manner for a particular study. A qualitative approach assumes subjective or descriptive determinants, whereas quantitative approach specifies a mathematical or quantifiable determinant (Maxwell, 2012; Savin-Baden, and Major, 2013; Heaver, 2015, pp.278-292). Studies, where scopes are similar in nature, are referred to as naturalistic research or field research, specific researches are termed as ethnographic and interpretive research. As this study has assumed an interpretive qualitative research procedure, an in-depth and systematic evaluation of various happenings in natural settings has been collected.
This implies, the environmental risks that are faced normally have been used in this study, while strategies or recommendations have arrived from similar outcomes (Christensen, Johnson, Turner & Christensen, 2011; Morse, 2016). This study will collect and make use of real-time data available in the maritime logistics industry and the varied environmental risks facing them, with their analysis of suitable strategies that will allow overcoming them.
This study will deal with descriptive data from environmental risks that are faced and have been experienced by employees across companies in Australia. This gap exists when it comes to identifying environmental risks, analysing the problems of implementing strategies and practices related to these risks and proposing appropriate mitigation strategies. This study selects Australia because there is no information about the intimidation of environmental risks in the logistics sector in a maritime context. In addition, the targeting of a number of agents is involved in maritime logistics activities in Australia, and this study will be the first known literature review in this context.
These research results can be used as a knowledge and reference data cadence for future research and industry experts. For conducting this study primary, meaning first-hand sources, as well as second sources, had been employed. Several newspapers, company magazines, books, articles, internet sources were referred for developing the questionnaire for the study (Wahyuni, 2012; Lee, Chung, and Lam, 2016, pp.612-631). This research will collect quantitative data as well as qualitative data and then apply suitable analysis techniques for arriving at the results of the study.
The process of research design includes processes which are used for collecting data and then analysis of the research problem, hypothesis, dependent and independent variable, design of the experiment and data collection method with a statistical plan (Mitchell & Jolley, 2012). There are many ways in which a research design might be specified and analyzing the scope of the current study, the current research design can be specified to be descriptive in nature. In this case, through a deductive approach it will be possible at drawing a conclusion by evaluating various concepts that are integral to the study (Panayides, and Song, 2013, pp.295-308).
The research hypotheses are framed based on the research design of the study as below:
Hypothesis 1: Maritime Logistics have been negatively impacted by environmental risks due to climate change in Australia.
Hypothesis 2: Influence of environmental risks on Maritime Logistics depends on the type of working company.
Hypothesis 3: Maritime Logistics have been negatively impacted by environmental risks due to Industries in Australia.
Hypothesis 4: Sufficient alleviating measures have been taken to minimize the influence of environment on Maritime Logistics.
Target population
The research will collect data from targeted companies, who are operating in the domain of maritime in Australia. A target populace of 100 companies will be targeted for the purpose of this study. Amongst the 100 targeted companies, questionnaires will be circulated in maximum possible numbers amongst its employees.
A total of 1000 questionnaires will be circulated amongst managers and employees at various positions in maritime logistics companies across Australia. Participants, who have expressed their opinion to take part and provide their inputs for the study, will be aimed at for collection of data for this study. Employees and managers, who are directly associated with the operations within the maritime logistics companies will be targeted for the study. The researcher will aim at circulating the questionnaire amongst diversified age groups of the population. This implies the researcher would mainly target managers and employees of a company, who are undertaking various on-field activities.
Sampling size
The researcher for conducting this study will aim at collecting a broad sample. The sampling size will be based across 100 companies in Australia. From amongst the 100 companies, the researcher will circulate questionnaire amongst participants willing to take part in the study. A total of 1000 employees and managers will be targeted as the main population for the study. The managers and employees, who are engaged in field activities along with management of maritime logistics or are in the environmental department, will be targeted for the study.
Amongst the total population of 1000, a sampling technique will be deployed to ascertain appropriate data for the study. Post collection of the questionnaire for the study, the researcher will apply various exclusion criteria which includes, rejecting not totally filled questionnaires, rejection of questionnaires that have inappropriate or uncertain answers and so on. Post rejection of such questionnaires according to exclusion criteria, a total of 500 samples will be considered for the study. The sampling population of 500 will include responses from managers as well as employees, who had taken part in the study.
Sampling technique
The study had a huge targeted population, which allowed the researcher to collect a wide and varied range of data for this study. In order to draw data from the large targeted population, a sampling technique was deployed. A sampling technique of randomly stratified sampling technique was employed for this study. The diverse segment of the population will be grouped into a smaller segment called the strata (Marczyk, DeMatteo & Festinger, 2017). The strata will be formed on the basis of the populace characteristics and features such as position within the company managers, employees, age, and gender and so on.
The technique for sampling was selected for the study as the researcher found that the population size was too large for conducting the research. As 100 companies were targeted for the study and the researcher wanted a fair representation from all the companies, a technique of random stratified sampling process was used. Grouping the population into smaller groups allowed saving of time and money, along with developing a fair representation for the entire population. This technique allowed development of a subset of the entire population that was collected for the purpose of this study. It allowed dividing of the entire population into the homogeneous group and then random samples were drawn from each stratum.
Data collection
This study will collect data from source primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include first-hand data sources, whereas secondary sources include published data related to the study (Salkind, 2010; Liu et al., 2017). The study will aim at collecting of primary data by means of the close-ended questionnaire from participants. A total of 1000 questionnaires will be circulated, where participants will be asked to indicate their selections on a Likert scale. Prior to data collection, an introduction to the research along with its objectives will be circulated amongst participants. Those participants willing to take part in the study will be called for a briefing session, where they will be provided the basic guidelines and framework for undertaking part in the research procedure.
Once the participants understand the primary goals or aims of the research, they will be asked to sign on the consent form for indicating their approval. The participants, who indicate their acceptance by signing on the consent form, will be allowed to take part in the study procedure. Participants will be sent across questionnaires indicating their approval over email as well as it will be handed over to them. Participants will need to complete the questionnaire and indicate their choices on the Likert scale. They will be allowed a period of 3 days to complete and hand over the questionnaire. The collection of the completed questionnaire will mark the completion of the data collection process.
Secondary data will be collected from internet sources as well as it will be searched from company magazines, newspaper, and other sources. Each of the secondary sources will be searched in Google, Google Scholar and Australian Government websites to search relevant data post year 2012. Once an appropriate data has been arrived at which indicates environmental risks associated with maritime logistics, it will be used for the study procedure.
Data collection instrument
The study made use of two distinct data collection instrument, one for primary data and the other for secondary data. For the purpose of collecting primary data, survey method by collecting data through questionnaire will be used. A survey comprises of a research method that can be used for a predefined group of respondents. In this case, respondents comprise of managers and employees within the logistics industry. In a survey respondents such as Ship owners (including charterers), ship agencies, stevedoring companies, logistics companies and terminal operators are the major parties affected by environmental risks in maritime logistics area and will provide insights and information related to environmental risks observed and strategies that are deployed in order to overcome them. A survey method adopts a standardized procedure such as the furnishing of a questionnaire in order to collect opinion related to the research outcome (Lee at al., 2012, pp. 20-11).
The secondary data collected for the study includes from sources such as internet and company magazines and journals. As secondary data is collected from other sources, for this project it will be collected from environmental reports, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Reports, Company websites as well as their annual reports. Studies that have in the past that have conducted an assessment of environmental risks are likely to encompass some relevant data and information on the topic. While searching for secondary data, the keyword searches that will be used are “Environmental Risks Maritime Logistics”, “Maritime environmental risks” and “Sea cargo environmental risks”.
Data collection procedure
Once the data collecting instruments have been ascertained then the data collection procedure needs to be initiated. The research involves collecting primary and secondary information; therefore it will take 10 to 15 days to get responses, especially for primary data to be collected. The questionnaire once sent across to participants of the study will need to get collected. Each participant contact details such as name, contact number and email id will be kept for contacting them in case anyone fails to return back the questionnaire.
The participants will be asked to fill out the said questionnaire and return them. Each participant will be provided with a reward encompassing certificate for participation for taking part in the study procedure. In case a participant delays or is unable to provide with the details of answers, then the participant will need to be persuaded to return the filled out questionnaire. A participant might be contacted at the end to verify details he has filled out in the questionnaire or in case he fails to return the filled out questionnaire.
The secondary data collection will be initiated immediately after the initiation process of primary data collecting procedure. The secondary data as indicated will be collected from varied internet sources and then stored in a specific file format within my computer systems. Each of the files collected will be downloaded and stored in the separate folder to be used at a later period in the study. The data collected will be stored without making changes in the file, whether in word or excel file format.
Questionnaire development
The questionnaire for the study will be developed using various ideas that have been used for similar studies and researches in the past. The questionnaire has been developed in Survey Monkey platform. A framework protocol has been developed to ensure a degree of coherence between respondents and researchers. However, given the general lack of literature specifically dedicated to vulnerability and the management of supply chain risks, measures have been taken to ensure that this is not a very large recipe. Questions and topics should be considered just an initial discussion, where the answering span will generally last three to five minutes.
The questions will be complemented by target groups, which were held in the University’s environmental risk studies at the Maritime Logistics Seminar. This will lead to an increase in the overall quality of the questionnaire and contribute to the acquisition of unbiased responses. The main contact point is in most cases the leading logistic supply chain. Questions will be framed in accordance with the logistics service providers and the impact of environment, and then summarize the responses for thematic coding. A sampling analysis will be created with common factors and linked problems in the supply chain of risk management.
Questionnaire Content and Design
The study will focus on the risk factors of Australian maritime logistics. The study will shed light on various risks, including climate change and its impact on the marine industry. The study will focus on the risk factors of Australian maritime logistics. The study will contribute to the tasks and objectives of the study to be carried out. The objective of the study could be divided into two main objectives in order to identify environmental risks associated with maritime logistics and to recommend strategies to reduce environmental risks in maritime transport.
Participants will be invited to participate in this study because they are one of the most important professional actors with managerial experience and knowledge of environmental risks in maritime logistics in Australia. Information about the profile, a number of years in the maritime logistics industry and position in the company was one of the first demographic issues. Responses to environmental risks in the field of maritime logistics will be collected, with the participants having more risks available in marine logistics as a result of the environment. Open-ended questions on environmental risks in the field of maritime logistics and the impact of environmental risks on society are also incorporated. The aim of the research was also to collect responses on the issue of improvement of environmental risks and other environmental risk related issues.
Reliability and Pilot Study
The study introduces a pilot study aimed at enriching the content and improving the scope of the article. Content validity is applied to an extent to which a particular set of articles corresponds to a content domain. Evaluating the content will help to make sure that the elements used for construction are actually evaluated by what they have to measure. The investigator performs a verification of the contents of the inspection by inviting some experts to review the measurement objectives to make sure they represent the concept of the environment through shipping logistics. Some changes had been made in the preparation of the draft, and the issues had still been clarified in the pilot plan. The test was conducted in such a way that the device can be tested and refined.
The pilot was conducted in 35 graduate students who studied masters in international transport and transport logistics at the Australian Maritime College, the University of Tasmania Launceston Campus, and 22 practitioners received practical samples. A total of 32 reliable answers were collected in the pilot project. Based on 32 responses, the temporary qualifying instrument was created on the basis of two criteria: the authenticity of the content and the preparation of a correlation analysis qualification between the subject and the outcome and the reliability test
The study first examines the characteristics of the measurements of the environmental design of sub-dimensions of validation and general correlation analysis, followed by the factor of confirmatory analysis (CFA). In this study, the scholar first develops measures based on theory and past research (Seo, Dinwoodie, and Roe, 2016, pp.562-582). The CFA examines how well the detected amounts, i.e. the measurement of objects, reproduce hidden factors or sub-measures in a hypothetical structure. Strong Priori guarantees the use of CFA instead of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Reliability and correlation analysis results are available to plan and adequately customize data analysis elements. Cronbach Alpha values must be more than 0.70, and then the elements of the load elements are acceptable.
The researcher will aim at accommodating all possible ethical guidelines for the study. The study will progress once the ethical guidelines have been fulfilled by the researcher. The researcher will not make use of any personal information of any participants, apart from those that are required in the study. The researcher will not share details regarding the participants with anyone else under the Data Protection Act 1998. Each participant will be made to sign the research consent form in order to undertake part in the study. None of the participants will be influenced or coerced or any other forces will be applied to the participants in order to obtain their participation. The information that will be collected for the purpose of the study will not be used for any other purpose apart from the study itself. The secondary sources that will be used for the purpose of conducting the research will be data that is published after 2012. Each secondary data source will be checked for reliability and validity, in order to ascertain appropriate transferability of the results of the study.
The general guideline for the research will include the following of ethical principles. The study at each step will ascertain that it is catering to its aims and goals, and is not deviating from the research objectives (Glesne, 2015). All the parts and procedures of the research have to be well supported by means of reliable pieces of evidence and developed in tune with the research procedures. While conducting research with participants a brief training will have to be undertaken for them such that they are able to understand the procedure in which the research commences. The research procedure will be planned well in advance and commissioned as well as managed for conducting as well as analyzing the procedure of the study. The research guideline will be in line with the following points.
The study once has finished collecting data from sources primary and secondary in nature will analyze the same. As the study aims at collecting qualitative data along with quantitative data, its analytical procedures will be dependent accordingly (Turner III, 2010, pp.754-760). The qualitative data that will be undertaken for the study will be analyzed using descriptive techniques. Quantitative data collected for the study will be analyzed using statistical and numerical techniques. SPSS software package will be used for the statistical analysis.
The hypotheses of the research will be tested using inferential techniques. From CFA the factors will be stratified to three factors, environmental risks due to climate change, environmental risks due to industries, and alleviating measures taken to minimize the influence of environment on Maritime Logistics. Dependent variable is taken as assessment of environmental risk in maritime environment in Australia. The independent variables are impact of environmental risks due to climate change, environmental risks due to industries, and assessment on alleviating measures taken to minimize the influence of environment on Maritime Logistics. ANOVA, Spearman’s correlation analysis will be used for testing the hypotheses. A logistic regression will be used to construct the model to assess the combined impact of the independent factors on environmental risk in maritime environment in Australia.
Conclusion
The research methodology will aim at encompassing various facts and figures related to the study as has been conducted in the past. The study will incur minor costs for the purpose of collecting data and analyzing it thereafter. Preparation of questionnaire, printing it, circulating it amongst participants by traveling and other miscellaneous expenditures will be incurred for the purpose of this study. A detailed budget for the study is included in the table below;
Table 1: Research Budget
|
Budgetary Heads |
Costs (AUD$) |
|
Questionnaire Development |
150 |
|
Questionnaire Printing |
200 |
|
Internet Charges |
50 |
|
Traveling |
500 |
|
Telephone Charges |
250 |
|
Data Analysis Charges |
100 |
|
Miscellaneous Charges |
200 |
|
Total |
1450 |
Though the study will aim at covering each aspect of environmental risks that are faced in maritime logistics, however, there will be certain limitations that will be faced in the study. Some of the study limitations are as below;
References
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