RESEARCH ARTICLE
The Mediating Role of Transportation Practices during the COVID-19 Crisis in Thailand
Wissawa Aunyawong1, Preecha Wararatchai1, Mohd R. Shaharudin2, *, Anchalee Hirunpat1, Sittiporn Rodpangwan3
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2021Volume: 15
First Page: 170
Last Page: 181
Publisher ID: TOTJ-15-170
DOI: 10.2174/1874447802115010170
Article History:
Received Date: 17/11/2020Revision Received Date: 9/4/2021
Acceptance Date: 25/4/2021
Electronic publication date: 17/09/2021
Collection year: 2021
open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Objective:
This study aimed to investigate the influence of organisational driving forces on transportation practices during the COVID-19 crisis and the effect on the sustainability supply chain performance of Thailand’s logistics service providers.
Methods:
The study used the explanatory-sequential mixed-method research design technique. The sample included 250 logistics service providers in Thailand. Purposive sampling was used to select the sample. A focus group discussion was conducted with three logistics experts and seven logistics service provider’s top executives, totalling ten key informants. The data gathered was analysed using structural equation modelling to perform a confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis.
Results:
The results found that organisational driving forces and transportation practices during the COVID-19 crisis have typically affected sustainability supply chain performance. In addition, the mediation effects of transportation practices during the COVID-19 crisis have unveiled partial mediation in the presence of a direct effect. The qualitative study was found to be consistent with the quantitative method findings from the logistics industry-specific contexts.
Conclusion:
Overall, the results provide support for the contention of the contingency theory. Thailand logistics service providers can use the results to plan the supply chain management works, outline the strategy of the organisation, and develop the business to be more competitive.