E-Thesis 343 views
Increasing the efficiency of a complex distribution chain in Qatar / MOHAMED ALHAJERI
Swansea University Author: MOHAMED ALHAJERI
DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUthesis.59599
Abstract
Distribution of oil and gas products is globally known to be crucial for the economy of any nation. This is why oil and gas products are considered not only economically important, but politically too. Moreover, in view of the relatively low performance of the distribution of oil and gas products in...
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Swansea
2022
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Philosophy |
| Degree name: | M.Phil |
| Supervisor: | Thomas, Roderick A. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59599 |
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| Abstract: |
Distribution of oil and gas products is globally known to be crucial for the economy of any nation. This is why oil and gas products are considered not only economically important, but politically too. Moreover, in view of the relatively low performance of the distribution of oil and gas products in Qatar by private and public companies in the up-stream sector, it was important to determine the salient drivers of distribution efficiency and factors, which are salient to affect distribution network complexity in the oil and gas sector in Qatar. The study therefore adopted a mixed method and sampled respondents from oil and gas companies who were logistic, transport and marketing officers, as well as those in supply for the quantitative phase of the study, while logistic, transport, and distribution managers were purposively selected for the qualitative approach. A total of four research questions and hypotheses were tested. Thematic analysis was carried out on the qualitative data, which was collected through semi-structured interviews, while a structured questionnaire was employed to collect the quantitative data. The results from the thematic analysis showed that major factors of distribution network complexity were operating cost, black market conditions, cost of marketing and distributing oil and gas products in Qatar. Drivers of distribution efficiency were cited as high utilization, high optimization, covering all market requirements in Qatar, and ensuring cost of operating per tonnage is in tandem with those of other companies in the region. The quantitative result revealed that marketing mix was significantly related to both distribution network complexity and distribution efficiency. Marketing mix, which include product (r = 0.45); price (r = 0.31); place (r = 0.20); and promotion (r = 0.55) were significant correlates of complex distribution network. Marketing mix: product (r = 0.67;); price (r = 0.51); place (r = 0.54); and promotion (r = 0.39) were associated with increasing distribution efficiency. Distribution relationship quality also predicted network complexity and distribution efficiency. The moderation effects of marketing mix and relationship quality on distribution efficiency and distribution network complexity were not statistically supported. It was concluded that that marketing mix and distribution relationship quality were significant drivers of distribution efficiency and that marketing mix contributed to distribution complexity. It was proposed that distribution managers in the oil and gas upstream sector pay adequate attention to the manufacturer-supplier relationship and the marketing mix. |
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| Keywords: |
Distribution, complexity, logistic, transport, marketing Mix, supply |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |