Providing solution to last mile challenges in postal operations

ABSTRACT

For centuries, state posts distinguished themselves as dependable institutions to citizens and governments within the life cycle of societies prior to the emergence of alternative mail delivery channels. The demand for traditional postal services has been on the decline due to changing customer demands, competition, unfavourable business divergence and the substitution of paper mail with digital alternatives. This study identifies critical challenges associated with the last mile segment of postal operations. A qualitative and quantitative survey methodology was employed to evaluate specific public postal service providers within developing nations. These were selected through a stratified sampling method and data were aggregated using a structured questionnaire. Last mile operational models adopted in developed nations were evaluated and identified best practices informed some of the recommendations. The study further considered various environmental impacts of postal operations, and feasible models were explored for integrating into the existing systems.

KEYWORDS:

• Logistics
• last mile
• post office
• postal industry
• Southern African Development Community
• transportation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Opeyeolu Timothy Laseinde http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7005-8951

Khumbulani Mpofu http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3429-7677

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the support received from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) funding mechanisms through which relevant information was obtained [grant number TP13080225204]. Also recognised are the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) for funding the project.