Increasing transparency in import forwarding process : research and development
Miettinen, Siiri (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025082424120
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025082424120
Tiivistelmä
Improving transparency in the import forwarding process was identified as a key factor in enhancing operational efficiency and communication across departments within the commissioning company. The goal was to identify bottlenecks in the current logistics workflow and to develop practical, resource-efficient solutions that could support better access to real-time shipment information, reduce delays, and minimize manual work. The research was carried out by examining internal processes between the import forwarding, procurement, and local delivery planning teams. A qualitative research-based development approach was applied, and data was collected through a structured internal survey, interviews, and own observation of daily operations.
The findings showed that transparency was limited by fragmented system use, unclear responsibilities, and inconsistent communication. Documents were stored on different platforms, updates were shared manually via email, and booking instructions varied between departments. Although several digital tools such as ERP, TMS, and Power BI were available, they were not used efficiently due to lack of training, poor system integration, and different working methods.
Multiple development proposals were presented. These included creating a centralized document structure, developing ideas for shared dashboards and onboarding processes, and introducing automatic notifications and role definitions.
The proposed improvements were shown to be possible to carry out with the resources already available. Some risks were also identified, such as people being resistant to change, suppliers not following new instructions, and unclear booking rules. Overall, the results helped to make the import forwarding process more efficient and support the company in saving costs and improving business performance.
The findings showed that transparency was limited by fragmented system use, unclear responsibilities, and inconsistent communication. Documents were stored on different platforms, updates were shared manually via email, and booking instructions varied between departments. Although several digital tools such as ERP, TMS, and Power BI were available, they were not used efficiently due to lack of training, poor system integration, and different working methods.
Multiple development proposals were presented. These included creating a centralized document structure, developing ideas for shared dashboards and onboarding processes, and introducing automatic notifications and role definitions.
The proposed improvements were shown to be possible to carry out with the resources already available. Some risks were also identified, such as people being resistant to change, suppliers not following new instructions, and unclear booking rules. Overall, the results helped to make the import forwarding process more efficient and support the company in saving costs and improving business performance.