The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of supervisors‟ leadership styles (transformational, transactional and passive-avoidance) on job satisfaction in the logistics industry. This study advocates the way in which employees perceive their supervisors‟ leadership styles and their influence on job satisfaction. The fact is that employees play an indispensable role in the realisation of an organisation’s goals and therefore it would be more crucial for an organisation to have employees who are willing to go beyond what is required of them. In this study, a quantitative research method was used to investigate a sample size of 201 employees working in logistics departments in organisations situated in Southern Gauteng. In choosing a sampling method, convenience sampling method was used mainly because respondents were readily accessible and available to the researcher and also willing to participate in the study. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire and the results of the correlation analysis revealed that transformational, transactional, and passive-avoidance leadership styles are significantly and positively related to job satisfaction. Based on the findings of the empirical survey, it was revealed that a positive association was found between transformational leadership and job satisfaction. A negative correlation was found between transactional, passive-avoidance and job satisfaction. Furthermore, the regression analysis showed that a transformational leadership style positively influences job satisfaction. Therefore, it was recommended that, to address negative correlations between transactional leadership styles on job satisfaction, supervisors/managers elicit desired performance from subordinates by motivating them externally. This can be done by rewarding subordinates for behaving in the expected manner and punishing them if they deviate. It was also recommended that to address negative correlation between passive-avoidance leadership style and job satisfaction supervisors/managers ought to give subordinates autonomy to make their own decisions and be able to solve work-related problems independently. It is further recommended that since passive-avoidance leadership style is associated with unproductiveness, supervisors/managers avoid the use of such a leadership style. The study concludes by recommending that a newer style of leadership such as authentic leadership can be introduced in order to influence employee job satisfaction positively. Servant leadership style can also be applied as this may influence job satisfaction positively. The findings and recommendations of this study are important for supervisors/managers employed in the logistics industry since they provide insight regarding the styles of leadership that are more effective in influencing employee job satisfaction positively. The implications for future research offer several opportunities in the area of leadership and job satisfaction. The study used a quantitative research design whereas the use of a mixed method approach may provide more meaningful results. Since the sample size was restricted, the study could also be expanded to include employees from other departments, such as finances, human resource and marketing.

Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) have contributed significantly to the economic growth of Hong Kong and it is worth investigating how they prosper. This study was based on an examination of a sample of SMEs in the logistics industry operating during the economic crisis in Hong Kong. The factors influencing the growth of small firms are many, complex and erratic. The primary objective of this study was to test the determinants of SME growth. The research question addressed was how and to what extent the characteristics of the owner-manger, the nature of the firm, and company strategy, together with the economic and government factors, impact upon the growth of small business. This study was conducted in 2004, based on a survey of 102 SMEs within the logistics industry in Hong Kong SAR. By studying the factors contributing to the growth of SMEs, this research investigated and analyzed the characteristics of SMEs which were at least three years old during of the period 1998 - 2003. The appropriateness and the support of the determinants that affect SME growth were empirically analysed. The research design was quantitative in nature, testing various hypotheses and theories about the associations between perceived constructs. Outcomes were then compared with factual indicator data, subjected to multiple regression analysis and co-efficiency analysis. The results of the regression analysis showed no tremendous incongruity compared to research conducted in previous studies, although there were some factors associated significantly and some factors associated positively but insignificantly with firm growth. Even though some findings appeared to be inconsistent with previous studies, the preoccupation of researchers and policy-makers worldwide with matters relating to SME growth was recognized. / These empirical findings provide evidence that owner-managers may adopt different managerial styles and strategies as a consequence of the amount of growth desired, and the amount of risk they are willing to assume. Of the four main factors identified as influencing the growth of small firms - the characteristics of the owner-manager, the nature of the firm itself, the business strategies adopted, and the external factors concerned - all these four components need to be combined appropriately for growth to be achieved. This means that it is very difficult to identify whether or not a firm will be a success or a failure. The significances of these factors and their impacts have been addressed and reported in the study. Recommendations are made for business practitioners who are still trading, distinguishing between businesses with high and low growth expectations. Owner-managers are encouraged to acquire better management skills and qualifications to improve their managerial capabilities and experience. Appropriate strategic planning, technology advancement, education, training and government support are recommended for improving growth performance. In recognition of the need to improve small business growth, these research findings reveal that some of the factors considered important to success in Hong Kong small businesses are unique to the Hong Kong business environment. In this sense, the findings provide good references for scholars and policy-makers to design policies and provide assistance that are appropriate for use particularly in Hong Kong. Future research directions have been discussed and managerial implications for both practitioners and researchers have been suggested.

<p>Internet of Things (IOT) has become the key theme of the world since 2009 and been considered as the third wave in the information industry after the waves of Computer, Internet and Mobile Radio Communication. It is expected to have a strong influence on small and medium companies (SMEs). However, little research on what and how the influence of IOT on the SME’s development can be found in the literature. The purpose of the thesis is to examine how IOT influences the organizational changes in SMEs. Finally, suggestions for strategy developments will be proposed to assist the SMEs in making their organization changes successfully. Two main models are applied for this part: change model (OD model) and business model. Moreover, the SWOT theory is adopted to identify the SMEs position in IOT era. We collect the primary data through launching the survey on internet. After data documentation, we apply “Approximation of the Probability Hypothesis Testing” Method to conduct data analysis. After researching, we found out the IOT brings “revolution” change to the Logistics of SMEs while only “adapting” change for Manufactures’ business development. Compare to logistic industry, the manufacturing SMEs seldom adopts IT technologies for their selling channel because they are lacking of resources and knowledge for the new technologies. We suggest the logistic SMEs should establish logistic network between the logistic companies to enhance information and resource integration. For the manufacturing SMEs should apply knowledge management and change the companies into learning organizations. In future, IOT will bring radical changes for manufacturers, which are the biggest area with application of IOT technology. Nevertheless, the logistics industry might go out of fashion. In other words, logistics industry may die out or change to other functions.</p>

Internet of Things (IOT) has become the key theme of the world since 2009 and been considered as the third wave in the information industry after the waves of Computer, Internet and Mobile Radio Communication. It is expected to have a strong influence on small and medium companies (SMEs). However, little research on what and how the influence of IOT on the SME’s development can be found in the literature. The purpose of the thesis is to examine how IOT influences the organizational changes in SMEs. Finally, suggestions for strategy developments will be proposed to assist the SMEs in making their organization changes successfully. Two main models are applied for this part: change model (OD model) and business model. Moreover, the SWOT theory is adopted to identify the SMEs position in IOT era. We collect the primary data through launching the survey on internet. After data documentation, we apply “Approximation of the Probability Hypothesis Testing” Method to conduct data analysis. After researching, we found out the IOT brings “revolution” change to the Logistics of SMEs while only “adapting” change for Manufactures’ business development. Compare to logistic industry, the manufacturing SMEs seldom adopts IT technologies for their selling channel because they are lacking of resources and knowledge for the new technologies. We suggest the logistic SMEs should establish logistic network between the logistic companies to enhance information and resource integration. For the manufacturing SMEs should apply knowledge management and change the companies into learning organizations. In future, IOT will bring radical changes for manufacturers, which are the biggest area with application of IOT technology. Nevertheless, the logistics industry might go out of fashion. In other words, logistics industry may die out or change to other functions.

Digital Transformation is an on-going process in the logistics industry. Every day, innovative and new technology is developed to streamline products to the customer as fast as they want it. The purpose of our study is to investigate how digital transformation and customer behaviour has affected the business model(s) of smaller companies compared to well established multinational companies in the logistics industry. The authors look and found the aspects of the business model that were impacted and if there should be adjustments made to better suite either the large or small organizations.

Att arbeta mer miljövänligt och hållbart blir alltmer viktigt för många företag. Så även inom logistik- och IT-branschen. Gröna informationssystem har hyllats för sina positiva effekter. Dessvärre undersöks oftast inte dess effekter utifrån ett miljöperspektiv, vilken påverkan dessa har på miljön utan mer vilka organisatoriska effekter som uppnås av dess implementation. Det har även identifierats att flest antal fel i utveckling av informationssystem uppkommer genom kravhanteringsprocessen. Problemet adresseras genom att undersöka vilken effekt de gröna informationssystemen inom logistikbranschen har på miljön och hur dessa möjliggör för uppnående av miljömålen i Agenda 2030. Kravhanteringsprocessen studeras även för att undersöka dess inverkan på de möjliga positiva miljöeffekterna av informationssystemen. För att kunna besvara studiens syfte och forskningsfrågor har en kvalitativ studie genomförts med intervjuer hos tre IT-tjänsteleverantörer. Alla med ett gediget hållbarhetsarbete och kunder i logistikbranschen. Litteraturen i uppsatsen låg till grund för intervjuguiden och användes vid de semistrukturerade intervjuer. Intervjuguiden är uppbyggd av sju kategorier. Dessa kategorier är gröna IS lösningar, miljöaspekter, organisatorisk påverkan, utmaningar, förhållningsregler, kravhantering och arbetsmetoder. Efter analys av de transkriberade intervjuerna identifierades ytterligare en kategori med relevans för studiens syfte, arbetsmiljö &amp; hållbarhetsarbete. Dessa kategorier har varit betydelsefulla för utvecklandet av två modeller som förklarar kategoriernas påverkan vid utvecklandet av informationssystem som genererar positiva effekter på miljön. / Working more environmentally friendly and sustainable is becoming more important for a lot of organizations. Both in the logistics and IT industry. Green information systems have been acknowledged for their positive effects. Though when examined it is often not from an environmental view, effects on the environment, but instead on organizational effects from the implementation of the information systems. It has also been identified that most errors in the development of information systems occur through the requirements management process. The problem is addressed through examining the possibility of reaching the environmental goals in Agenda 2030 by the effects of green information systems in the logistics industry. The requirements management process was also studied to examine the impact of possible positive environmental effects by the information systems. To be able to answer the purpose of the research questions, a qualitative study was conducted with interviews with three IT service providers. All with genuine sustainability work and customers in the logistics industry. The literature in the thesis was the basis for the interview guide and was used in the semi-structured interviews. The interview guide is built upon seven categories. These categories are green IS solutions, environmental aspects, organizational impact, challenges, rules of conduct, requirements management and working methods. After analysis of the transcribed interviews, another category relevant for the purpose of the study was identified, work environment &amp; sustainability work. These categories have been important for the development of two models that explain the categories' impact at the development of information systems that generate positive effects on the environment.

在台灣人口逐漸老化的情況下，如何延緩勞動者退出就業市場，攸關台灣的社會保險、年金體系及照顧體系之存續，但要勞工能夠延後退休，先決條件是身體健康與否，因此勞工的健康狀況，就不僅僅是個人問題，而是台灣社會面臨的整體危機。主管職業健康的各部門，未能意識到每個政策對於整體勞動生產力，之於經濟發展和社會福利、保險的深遠影響，以致於過度聚焦於對於勞工個人影響的層面，而缺乏思考這些行動背後，對於國家整體的宏觀意義 而在執行工作時中造成肌肉骨骼系統的任何不適、困難或疼痛，更是困擾的許多歐洲的勞工，因此歐盟無不以積極的政策來干預MSD，希望能延長停留在勞動市場的期間，並說明對於雇主、勞工、政府、財政所帶來的幫助。另外透過訪談發現，台灣的物流業從業人員，所處在的工作環境，恰如文獻所提，反覆、負重、工時過長…等，時常有受傷而繼續從事工作的情形，也導致物流業流動率高、從業人員較年輕及容易成為MSD的高風險群。 因此必須從增進MSD的概念、提升勞動條件及減少因病缺勤著手。政府方面則必須建構更完整的MSD數據，並制訂讓MSD勞工留在職場的積極性勞動力市場政策以及廣辦宣導會說明MSD對我國的重要性；雇主的重要性更是不可言喻，不僅扮演第一線的觀察者，快速做出因應措施，並著手改善從業人員勞動條件，並將干預措施予以制度化；勞工則必須透過積極參與有關MSD政策或方案的討論，更重要的是養成並維持良好的生活方式的習慣。 / Taiwan population is rapidly aging. How to persuade workers to delay withdrawing from employment market becomes an urgent challenge because this concern has significant implications to our social insurance, the annuity system and healthcare system. Therefore, the health of workers is not just a personal issue, but a public concern that everyone in this society needs to face. Government officials in charge of healthcare policy are not yet aware of its profound impact on labor productivity, economic development, social welfare and social insurance. Policy wise, we put too much attention on individual health promotion while lose sight of its macro impact. MSD, either caused by work or gene, inflicted many European workers, so that the EU actively deal with this issue with the hope that workers are able to stay longer around the labor market as long as possible. This study finds through the interview that workers of the logistics industry in Taipei endure heavy work-load, long working time, and often time have high rate of presenteeism (the tendency of workers to go to work when they are ill enough to stay at home), causing the logistics industry to have not only high exit rate but also high risk of MSD. Therefore, we have to promote the MSD concept, improve labor conditions and reduce presenteeism. For example employers have to include MSD into their pre-employment training courses for those new entrants, to reduce the hours of working time and to decrease presenteeism through providing subsidy to those who suffer from MSD. The government then has to build up a more complete MSD database, and introduces the concept of MSD and its preventive practice through seminars or workshops. Employers have key roles and duty in this issue. Specifically, they have to adopt as well as carry out preventive measures, and take quick actions whenever incidence of MSD occurs in the frontline of workplace. In addition, they have to improve working conditions and institutionalize those intervention measures. Workers then need to actively participate in MSD policy discussion other than maintaining a healthy life style. Workers, employers, health care system and social welfare system have a cause to this joint effort in keeping workers in Taiwan as healthy as possible so that every nationals can Fit For Work.

台灣加入WTO後，各產業面臨全球化之激烈競爭，而國內流通業者如何在連鎖化、大型化、多樣化、差異化的趨勢中，善用高科技，創新經營模式，提升競爭力，已是刻不容緩的課題。台灣流通業者，規模小，數量多，e化人才不足，因此政府在這方面之協助，更顯重要性。 商業司自民國90年起推動「商業e化輔導推動計畫」至民國93年止已輔導了127個體系，共由127家受輔導廠商及其帶動上線企業26,641家接受政府補助進行各項B2B需求鏈的e化應用，如電子採購(e-Procurement)、電子帳務處理(e-Payment)、企業資源規劃(Enterprise Resource Planning)、協同規劃/預測/補貨系統(Collaborative Planning， Forecasting & Replenishment)等。 為了暸解其效益，本研究就民國93年年度接受政府輔導的11個行業別，42個體系，42家受輔導廠商及5,697家帶動上線企業進行問卷普查，及個案訪談加上專家意見，進行方式與步驟如下： 1. 針對帶動上線企業之問卷調查與分析，暸解其持續上線狀況，e化效益，e化交易金額比重，e化困難點，e化滿意度並給予企業提出相關建議等。 2. 依據帶動上線企業各項問卷普查及意見彙整後，再提供受輔導廠商予以回覆，並了解關鍵性績效指標之改善或提升程度。 3. 針對回卷率特別偏低或高，或無持續上線率偏高，或持續上線率高，之受輔導廠商進行深度個案訪談。 4. 佐以商業司主辦的各項會議之專家意見 本研究綜合上述各項調查、個案訪談、意見彙總，除瞭解政府商業e化推動措施對流通業及物流業之效益外，亦針對政府、流通業及資服業提出建議，希望能在產官學研的共同努力下，利用e化提升我國流通業之競爭力。 / Industries in Taiwan have been facing severe competition in the global marketplace since Taiwan joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). E-Commerce is touted as the necessary technology and management innovation for the retailing industry in Taiwan to improve its productivity and competitiveness. Since most retailers in Taiwan are small and medium firms, they frequently lack sufficient resource to implement E-Commerce. Consequently, government must provide the retailers with necessary support and guidance to upgrade their E-Commerce practices. The Department of Commerce (DOC) in Taiwan has been actively assisting the retailers with their e-commerce implementation. Between 2001 and 2004, DOC embarked on the “E-Commerce Promotion and Assistance Plan” and successfully established 127 E-Commerce systems, sponsored 127 firms who subsequently involved 26,641 affiliated firms downstream to implement various B2B programs, including e-Procurement, e-Payment, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Collaborative Planning, Forecasting & Replenishment (CPFR). The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of DOC’s current E-Commerce policy for supporting the retailers in Taiwan. To collect necessary information, this study surveyed 42 systems, 42 sponsored firms and 5,697 affiliated firms, visited several individual retailers, and interviewed a few industry experts. The following is the research procedure followed by this study. 1. Based on the completed questionnaires from the affiliated firms, this study analyzed and studied the progress, effectiveness, sales contribution, difficulties, and satisfaction of their E-Commerce implementation. Accordingly, several suggestions for improvement were proposed. 2. The feedback from the affiliated firms was provided to those sponsored firms for adjusting their future E-Commerce strategies. 3. Identified several sponsored firms who had either low or high usage of the established E-Commerce programs and conducted in-depth interviews to understand the success and failure of the implementation. 4. Solicited expert opinions from a few DOC-sponsored meetings. With valuable information collected from the above sources, this study intends to shed light in the effectiveness of the government’s current E-Commerce policy. Additionally, this study hopes to provide suggestions to the government, the retailing industry, and the IT industry for improving the practice of E-Commerce and ultimately the global competitiveness of the retailing industry in Taiwan.

The logistics industry is one of the most important industries, being an important component of a company's activities. In recent years, the industry has gone through a large number of changes. These had the purpose of making the processes more efficient in order to reduce costs or to increase the degree of competitiveness. A very important process in the logistics industry is the allocation of roles in warehouses. Not using the available resources to their maximum capacity leads to an increase in the processing time of the units as well as to a decrease in the profitability of the companies. Allocation is done manually in the warehouse, being a complex task in which many constraints and variations must be taken into account. AI technologies and IoT systems have the potential to simplify the process of assigning workers. For this research, a warehouse in Germany operated by the Amazon company was studied. In addition to the benefits that this transition can have from a social point of view, helping to equalize the roles of high complexity and the appropriate rotation of jobs to ensure equal opportunities for development, there is an opportunity to reduce the costs associated with this process by up to 90%. This last aspect is dependent on the degree of modernization of the warehouse and on the way in which the role allocation process is carried out at the time. Most of the IoT systems necessary for the digitization and automation of this process are already implemented in warehouses. However, a common architecture is needed to be able to guarantee the integration and compatibility of the systems. The main blocker in this transition remains public opinion and financial factors, companies with a large volume of units potentially benefiting from economies of scale. / Logistikbranschen är en av de viktigaste branscherna och är en viktig del av ett företags verksamhet. De senaste åren har branschen genomgått ett stort antal förändringar. Dessa hade till syfte att effektivisera processerna för att minska kostnaderna eller öka graden av konkurrenskraft. En mycket viktig process inom logistikbranschen är fördelningen av roller i lager. Att inte använda de tillgängliga resurserna till sin maximala kapacitet leder till en ökad handläggningstid för enheterna samt till en minskad lönsamhet för företagen. Allokering sker manuellt i lagret, vilket är en komplex uppgift där många begränsningar och variationer måste beaktas. AI-teknik och IoT-system har potential att förenkla processen för att tilldela arbetare. För denna forskning studerades ett lager i Tyskland som drivs av Amazon-företaget. Förutom de fördelar som denna övergång kan ha ur en social synvinkel, hjälpa till att utjämna rollerna med hög komplexitet och lämplig rotation av jobb för att säkerställa lika möjligheter till utveckling, finns det en möjlighet att minska kostnaderna förknippade med denna process med upp till 90 %. Den sista aspekten är beroende av graden av modernisering av lagret och på det sätt på vilket rollfördelning processen går till vid tillfället. De flesta av de IoT-system som krävs för digitalisering och automatisering av denna process är redan implementerade i lager. Det behövs dock en gemensam arkitektur för att kunna garantera systemets integration och kompatibilitet. Den huvudsakliga blockeraren i denna övergång är fortfarande den allmänna opinionen och finansiella faktorer, företag med en stor volym av enheter som potentiellt kan dra nytta av stordriftsfördelar.