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Malaysian Government Transformation Towards Effective Supply Chain Management: The Case of IT-Based Trade Facilitation

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Book cover Supply Chain Design and Management for Emerging Markets

Abstract

Trade facilitation is an important integral part of the supply chain. Facilitating the trade processes especially in automating the traders’ submission of regulatory documents is therefore very crucial for enhancing the management of the supply chain, especially with increased volumes of international trade. Hence, information and communication technologies are applied and they play a very pivotal role in reducing the complexity of international trade and minimizing the transaction and purchasing costs. Similar to other countries, Malaysia has taken initiatives to transform the trade facilitation processes of the supply chain via a single window system. Although the general approach to implementing the IT-based trade facilitation system may be similar across countries, several unique strategies and transformation plans have been adopted by the Malaysian government to spearhead the use of ICTs in creating paperless, electronic Customs-related services for improving the transparency and predictability in international trade transactions and supply. Based on an interview and selected reports, the study seeks to explore vital motivations behind the Malaysian transformation towards a National Single Window for effective supply chains, identify the core functions and services that simplify the business trading activities across borders and discuss the alignment strategies of government agencies in meeting the business and supply chain strategies within the national and international setting. Via the Malaysian National Single Window, the trade facilitation services have been able to reduce non-tariff trade barriers and deliver many benefits to the trading community, including improving transparency, enhancing predictability and advancing on the management of uncertainties and risks.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Business Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, 42300, Malaysia

    Erne Suzila Kassim

  2. Malaysian Administrative Modernization and Management Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Department, MKN-EMBASSY TECHZONE, Building, No 3200 Technorat 2 Road, 63000, Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia

    Fazidah Abu Bakar

Authors
  1. Erne Suzila Kassim
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  2. Fazidah Abu Bakar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erne Suzila Kassim .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Said Business School, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

    Wojciech Piotrowicz

  2. Said Business School, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

    Richard Cuthbertson

Questions for Review and Discussion

Questions for Review and Discussion

  1. 1.

    Besides the trade facilitation system, identify two sub-functions of supply chain management.

  2. 2.

    Discuss how a seamless and effective trade facilitation system will add value to the supply chains.

  3. 3.

    Identify and discuss any public-related supply chain management initiatives in your country.

  4. 4.

    Identify a national single window strategy for a country. Compare and contrast its functions with the Malaysian national single window.

  5. 5.

    Taking into consideration the market, economy, information technology capability and business partner attitude, how would you recommend the national single window be designed?

  6. 6.

    What are the important aspects of information technology that will determine the success of trade facilitation?

  7. 7.

    Discuss how the single window promotes a sustainable green environment.

  8. 8.

    What are the possible issues that may hinder the successful implementation of trade facilitation automation?

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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Kassim, E.S., Abu Bakar, F. (2015). Malaysian Government Transformation Towards Effective Supply Chain Management: The Case of IT-Based Trade Facilitation. In: Piotrowicz, W., Cuthbertson, R. (eds) Supply Chain Design and Management for Emerging Markets. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05765-1_4

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