Technological factors
Scientific inventions and innovations in Malaysia and the world, in general, have led to an improvement in technology; the new developments have influenced the way businesses are conducted within an economy and across borders. The influence of technology is both negative and/or positive; Quanterm Logistics on its part has developed new systems to facilitate international trade. Other than trade facilitation, there has an increase in the technological transfer where Quanterm Logistics services are contracted; when companies are transferring technology, software and hardware, the services of Quanterm Logistics are required, this has created a market to the company (Quanterm Logistics, 2011).
On its part, Quanterm Logistics has embarked on technological advancement to ensure it can offer the best services to its customers. For example, it has introduced cargo-tracking systems where it can trace the direction of its tracks or other modes of transport. Other than the business line offered to the company; technological development has also posed some challenges to the company. This is mostly in electronic money transfer, mobile money transfer and internet fund transfers. This has resulted in reduced business. For example, Safaricom, a company owned by Vodacom and dominant in East African countries as mobile service provider invented mobile transfer service via the phone, in April 2010, the services were exported to Malaysia, China, and United Kingdom and are proving to be more efficient than Quanterm Logistics fund transfer services (Mun-Chow & Su-Fei, 2003)
The improvement in technology has an impact on automobiles used by the company; there are fuel-efficient vehicles and there are moves to innovate electronic vehicles, the move is an advantage to Quanterm Logistics as it can reduce its operating expenses when it adopts the right technology. The development if communication technologies are offering a threat to some line of Quanterm Logistics business; this is so when it becomes to the line of letters and short messages; the messages where being sent using the company to different part but currently, a sender only needs to call, email or fax the message.
From an indirect angle, the development of technology has facilitated the growth of international trade and improvement of international relations; when the relations and trade have been improved, and then there is an increased logistic business as different countries send parcels and business goods. The increase in international trade has lead to an increased shipping business (Bocij, 2005, p 34).
Environmental factors
Quanterm Logistics is affected by an increase in environmental conservation campaigns all over the world; it has to align its processes with the requirements of the practices if it has to be seen as an ethical business. Different countries are taking different measures to ensure that they protect their environment. International bodies are also playing an important part in ensuring that the different countries adopt different policies aimed at conserving the environment (Nersesian, 2000 p 23).
On 11 December 1997, 37 industrialised countries and the European Union, signed the Kyoto protocol in Japan. The protocol was a target to have been fully implemented by 16 February 2005. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change developed it; there are other conventions like United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretariat of 1994, The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and The Regional and International Networking Group article on sustainable development. All the above international organisations advocate against any pollution of the environment; businesses are left with no option other than complying with the set rules (Melanie, 2001, p 67)
International conventions and agreements target the major greenhouse emitters and developed measures to be implemented; Quanterm Logistics uses automobile that emits greenhouse gasses; nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. To be compliant with the needs of the protocols, the company has to look in its processes (note the company being in the logistics business have to move to different countries with different environmental legislations).
Of late in 2010, there were talks in Copenhagen aimed at devising measures to protect the environment. The talks failed as countries took strong stands against the recommended ways of conservation; though the talks failed, the effects that global warming is having on the universe are alarming and has made Malaysia develop environmental conservation policies (Melanie, 2001, p 89).
Through the ministry of environment, Malaysia has embarked on campaigns that support environmental restoration, conservation and protection; the policies are affecting how businesses are operated. In the case of Quanterm Logistics, the company has to use environmentally friendly vehicles (green vehicles) and use environmentally friendly accessories like lapping papers, cartons and other packing materials. To buy the machines, vehicles and the inventories is a bit more expensive so the company has to dig deeper in its budget to maintain the business (Faulkner, 2011).
Quanterm Logistics does not ignore environmental conservations. It protects the environment by adopting technological measures that reduce pollution. Right from its incorporation, it has continuously improved its process. These vehicles are highly fuel-efficient and emit minimal greenhouse gasses to the environment. The company whether in Malaysia or abroad recognises the need to conserve the environment. In the efforts of being ethical and wanting to maintain a good relationship with the people and the environment, Quanterm Logistics engages in corporate social responsibilities that conserve the environment like tree planting in Malaysia.
Reference list
Bocij P. 2005. Business Information Systems: Technology, Development and Management for the E-business. Harlow. Prentice Hall.
Champy J. & Wang M. 2000. Accelerated Logistics: Streamlining the Army’s Supply Chain. Santa: Santa Monica.
Faulkner A. 2011. Environmental Development in Malaysia. Web.
Melanie A. 2001. Analysing the Organisational Environment. London: Select Knowledge Limited.
Mun-Chow L. & Su-Fei Y. 2003. Technology Development In Malaysia And The Newly Industrializing Economies: A Comparative Analysis”. Web.
Nersesian R. 2000. Trends and Tools for Operations Management: An Updated Guide for Executives and Managers. Westport. Quorum Books.
Quanterm Logistics. 2011. Quanterm Logistics. Web.