Inland transport enterprises process maturity assessment : theoretical aspects

Abstract

PURPOSE: Inland transport companies play a pivotal role in the broader context of the global maritime container supply chain. Their role in managing the land-based links of the supply chain, coupled with the diverse entities influencing the maritime link, adds complexity to the integration and coordination of the entire supply chain. The quality of processes involved in performing various activities within the supply chain determines the attractiveness and competitiveness of particular supply chain participants and the supply chain as a whole. Given the extensive tasks and responsibilities assigned to inland transport companies, the adoption of a well-suited process-oriented management system becomes a necessity. Process maturity is delineated by a framework wherein individual processes undergo formalization concerning their definition, identification, measurement, flexibility, and efficiency. Unfortunately in the literature, there is a lack of process maturity models, which could be implemented in the inland transport companies. Hence, purpose of this paper is to present a theoretical model of process maturity assessment for inland transport enterprises.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A few research methods were applied: literature review, questionnaire method, and process maturity evaluation model.

FINDINGS: Developed model of process maturity assessment dedicated for the inland transport companies is divided into levels and dimensions, which gives a better understanding of how to improve process maturity within the company.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The model of process maturity for inland transport companies can be utilised in practice as a kind of reference model, that managers can apply for benchmarking purposes, and also as a set of recommendations as well.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This research is the first attempt to develop the process maturity model for inland transport enterprises.