Business Strategies to Improve On-Time Deliveries and Profits in Southcentral Alaska

146 Pages·2015·1.28 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2015
Business Strategies to Improve On-Time Deliveries
and Profits in Southcentral Alaska
Donald Richard Leaver II
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Management and Technology

This is to certify that the doctoral study by

Donald R. Leaver II

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee

Dr. Carol-Anne Faint, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration

Faculty

Dr. Ify Diala, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Dr. Lisa Kangas, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2015
Abstract

Business Strategies to Improve On-Time Deliveries and Profits in Southcentral Alaska
by
Donald Richard Leaver II

MBA, Northcentral University, Arizona, 2007
MST, Texas State University, 2000
BS, University of Alaska, Anchorage, 1997

Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University
June 2015
Abstract
Traffic congestion can cause late deliveries, decreased profits from vehicle fuel idling in
traffic, and delayed distribution in tight delivery windows. The focus of this study was on
developing strategies that business leaders could use to increase on-time deliveries. The
conceptual frameworks for this case study were systems theory, traffic equilibrium
theory, bathtub theory, and kinematic wave theory. Data were collected from
semistructured interviews with 6 delivery service leaders from 3 delivery businesses in
Southcentral Alaska. In addition, secondary data were collected from government
information. Interview responses were coded to identify trends including delivery time,
business activity, and amount of roadway congestion. Two major themes emerged from
the interviews: time of day affecting when traffic congestion occurred, and limited
alternate transportation routes causing congestion in Southcentral Alaska. The findings
indicated that the best strategy to help reduce traffic congestion involved instituting toll
optimization and high occupant vehicles lanes. The implications for effecting social
change include how business leaders can help reduce traffic congestion using toll
optimization, and how high occupant vehicle lanes could encourage Southcentral
Alaskans to carpool.
Business Strategies to Improve On-Time Deliveries and Profits in Southcentral Alaska
by
Donald Richard Leaver II

MBA, Northcentral University, Arizona, 2007
MST, Texas State University, 2000
BS, University of Alaska, Anchorage, 1997

Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University
June 2015
Acknowledgments
First, I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the faith and
desire given to me to complete the research for this study. Without God in my life, I
could not have imagined working as hard as I did to complete this study successfully.
Second, I would like to thank my beautiful wife Patricia Leaver for her love and support
through this process. If it were not for her tireless support, I would not have had the
strength to move forward. Third, I would like to thank my children Jessica, Madison,
Zachary, and Tyler for inspiring me to do better, and allowing me to strive to be a good
example as a parent. Fourth, I want to thank my parents, Donald and Maria Leaver, my
sister Jeanette Oliver, and my in-laws Chief Master Sergeant (USAF-retired) Rick and
Darlene Stansbury for their unwavering support, love, and mentorship during this
process. Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my Department Chair Dr. Carol-
Anne Faint for her amazing guidance and support during this challenging time in my life.
Dr. Faint is a Godsend, and I truly believe that if it were not for her guidance, I would not
be where I am today. I also want to thank my close friends for their support and
encouragement on a daily basis.
Table of Contents
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi
Section 1: Foundation of the Study ......................................................................................1
Background of the Study ...............................................................................................2
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................2
Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................3
Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................4
Research Question .........................................................................................................5
Interview Questions ................................................................................................ 5
Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................6
Systems Theory ....................................................................................................... 6
Traffic Equilibrium Theory ..................................................................................... 7
Bathtub Theory ....................................................................................................... 7
Kinematic Wave Theory ......................................................................................... 8
Definition of Terms........................................................................................................9
Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ..............................................................10
Assumptions .......................................................................................................... 10
Limitations ............................................................................................................ 10
Delimitations ......................................................................................................... 11
Significance of the Study .............................................................................................11
Contribution to Business Practice ......................................................................... 12
Implications for Social Change ............................................................................. 13
i
A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ..............................................14
Systems Theory ..................................................................................................... 16
Traffic Equilibrium Theory ................................................................................... 17
Bathtub Theory ..................................................................................................... 18
Kinematic Wave Theory ....................................................................................... 18
Real-time Delivery Processes and Control ........................................................... 19
Alternate Transportation Strategies ...................................................................... 23
Congestion versus Supply Chain Strategies ......................................................... 28
Business Economic Toll Road Strategies ............................................................. 31
Congestion pollution Mitigation Strategies .......................................................... 33
Warehouse Location Strategies ............................................................................. 35
Traffic Congestion Reduction Strategies .............................................................. 37
High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Strategies ............................................................ 39
Traffic Technology Strategies ............................................................................... 40
Congestion Management Strategies ...................................................................... 42
Transition and Summary ..............................................................................................45
Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................46
Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................46
Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................47
Participants ...................................................................................................................48
Research Method and Design ......................................................................................50
Method .................................................................................................................. 51
ii
Research Design.................................................................................................... 51
Population and Sampling .............................................................................................53
Ethical Research...........................................................................................................56
Data Collection ............................................................................................................57
Instruments ............................................................................................................ 57
Data Collection Technique ................................................................................... 59
Data Organization Techniques .............................................................................. 60
Data Analysis Technique .............................................................................................61
Reliability and Validity ................................................................................................63
Reliability .............................................................................................................. 64
Validity ................................................................................................................. 64
Transition and Summary ..............................................................................................65
Section 3: Application to Professional Practice and Implications for Change ..................67
Overview of Study .......................................................................................................67
Presentation of the Findings.........................................................................................68
Summary of Secondary Data Collected ................................................................ 69
Overview of Participant Perspectives ................................................................... 75
Different Participants but Similar Perspectives .................................................... 76
Delivery Time ....................................................................................................... 79
Business Activity .................................................................................................. 79
Amount of Roadway Congestion .......................................................................... 79
Delivery Time Results .......................................................................................... 80
iii
Data Analysis: Two Major Themes ...................................................................... 81
Theme 1: Congestion and Time of Day ................................................................ 82
Cost of Traffic Congestion.................................................................................... 87
Perspective on Changes to Traffic Patterns .......................................................... 88
Driving Pattern Changes Affecting Customer Satisfaction .................................. 90
Changes in Delivery Times Affecting Company Performance ............................ 91
Knowledge and Experience: The Best Tools Available ....................................... 92
Theme 2: The Need for Alternate Roadway Routes ............................................. 93
Critical Strategies to Eliminate Traffic Congestion .............................................. 95
Analyzing Organizational Strategy Opinions ....................................................... 96
Constraints ............................................................................................................ 97
Benefits ................................................................................................................. 97
The Research Question Answered ........................................................................ 98
Applications to Professional Practice ..........................................................................98
Implications for Social Change ..................................................................................100
Recommendations for Action ....................................................................................101
Recommendations for Further Research ....................................................................102
Reflections .................................................................................................................103
Summary and Study Conclusions ..............................................................................104
References ........................................................................................................................105
Appendix A: Interview Questions ...................................................................................127
Appendix B: Consent Form .............................................................................................129
iv