Title: Implementation of technology for business cluster management: a prototype of sharing economy among customs broker SMEs in Thailand

Authors: Kanitta Chutanoparat; T. Mokkhamakkul; S. Sinthupinyo

Addresses: Technopreneurship and Innovation Management Program, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand ' Department of Commerce, Chulalongkorn Business School, Bangkok, Thailand ' Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract: This study is aimed at investigating business operational problems and factors affecting competition among customs brokers, specifically Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand. Qualitative data was collected from 15 in-depth interviews of customs broker SME entrepreneurs who provide logistics services involving customs clearance, freight forwarding, transportation, and warehousing. All data was analysed by utilising the NVivo qualitative data analysis software. Results of the study revealed three factors as barriers to increasing competitive advantages among SMEs in the customs broker business, especially in transportation areas. These problematic factors had to do with competitive pricing from customers and competitors, continuing high capital and operational costs and under-utilised resource capacities. Utilising technological management, a prototyping model of a sharing economy among customs broker SME is proposed as a significant result of this study. It is anticipated that the proposed prototyping model of technological adoption would lead to competitive service improvement, reduced costs, and full capability of resource utilisation in customs broker businesses in Thailand.

Keywords: logistics service provider; customs broker; sharing economy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSEM.2017.084481

International Journal of Services, Economics and Management, 2017 Vol.8 No.1/2, pp.35 - 50

Received: 10 Aug 2016
Accepted: 14 Feb 2017
Published online: 07 Jun 2017 *

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