Delays in physical distribution : a case study of sony supply chain solutions Malaysia

This study is carried out to analyze the delays in physical distribution in Sony Supply Chain Solution Malaysia (SSCSM). The objectives of this research are to identify the factors that cause the product delivery delay to the customers, to analyze the causes that may contribute to product delivery delay and to suggest the solution to overcome the problems occurred in product delivery delay in SSCSM. The structured interview was done with the respective workers and was supported from documents review in order to support the analysis. The interviewees selection are very keen to carry out as the researcher only choose the experience workers who are directly involve in this product distribution. The structured interview can be analyzed using tools: Cause and Effect Diagram and Pareto chart. The finding revealed that the tools can determine the delays in terms of factors and causes through systematical analysis with more accurately. The finding also reveals that the factor that contributes to the delays in physical distribution is due to the inefficient of transportation system and the cause is due to vessel delay. In order to avoid this problem occurred in the future, the researchers recommended SSCSM to have integration of information technology and logistics management with shipping liners, to suggest port terminal to implement the usage of Electronic Port Clearance to increase their port productivity and efficiency, implementation of a system for maritime exchange of information from ship to shore, shore to ship and between all stakeholders, using service such as Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) and Automatic Identification System (AIS) will facilitate safer and more expedient navigation and logistic operations, whereby improving maritime transport integration with other transport modes, measuring port performance based on Port Performance Indicators (PPI) and targeting towards training program development.