Hi Maha

The obvious approach is to perform an extensive literature review to find out who, anywhere in the globe, is using such a platform. The obvious starting point would be to use Google Scholar, since you will get access to a massive repository, and should be able to get access to most of the papers you need for free. I would also use Mendeley software with which to collect your research papers. Mendeley is free (up to 2GB of space, which is usually good for holding up to 5,000 academic papers). It has tremendously powerful search capabilities, as well as the ability to output references in a wide range of citation formats, which can save you a massive amount of work over time.

Once you find out where such a platform or platforms are in use, you will likely also find a range of academic papers addressing the benefits of using such a system. Once you find those, then there will likely have been some work done on collecting information from users on the viability of such platforms.

I assume that by being tied in time, you are likely doing some form of masters, so this approach should be perfect for your needs.

Regards

Bob

Hi Bob

Thanks for your help. That's very reassuring. This is exactly what I've done so far and it feels great to know that I am on the right track. 

Actually I am doing DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) dissertation which is more about applied research rather than theoretical framework as in case of a PHD thesis. Still I should have some empirical research. So this is the part that's confusing me. My hypothesis is briefly that such a platform can have positive impact on collaboration and innovation between logistics services providers in Egypt. So my question is: How can I do that while in the same case such platform hasn't been applied in Egypt yet?

Hi Maha

Glad to hear you feel you are on the right track.

When you get a good look through the literature, and can find and can find where these platforms are in use, there is a high likelihood that you will find a great deal of research on the area. While much research is very theoretical, there will also be a lot of empirical research, where studies have been carried out, and it is in these areas that you will find what you are looking for.

Basically, the way research works is that a gap in the literature is discovered (by researching the literature in a particular area, or from hearing of an issue from practitioners of such a gap), and some researchers carry out some research, the result of which is usually a theoretical solution to this gap. There may be quite a number of these proposed solutions over time. However, some people will take this research and develop a solution based on the theoretical work done, and it will make its way into the real world. Once there, various people will try the solution, and in due course, people will carry out empirical studies based on this research and the proposed solutions. This is when empirical evidence can be obtained which can prove the solution works.

This is how you will be able to support your dissertation, through finding the gap in the literature, seeing who has come up with proposed solutions, and using empirical papers to see how well the solutions work. You may be able to find such work covering multiple proposed solutions, in possibly multiple different countries, which can help you support your own arguments. Just because a solution has not been tried in your country before, does not mean it will not work. As long as you can provide an answer to whether the proposed solution has been applied in one or more other countries, and how well it worked, then you will have no problem answering your own hypothesis.

Regards

Bob

Hi Bob

I will try doing that. Thanks for your help

Have a nice day

Maha

Good thoughts from Bob Duncan. 

Don't forget to do your benchmark study that looks at the level of collaboration and innovation before the introduction of the cloud based system.

Nice article at https://hbr.org/2014/04/the-collaboration-imperative-2

And some useful factors to measure for innovation at http://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/the-eight-essentials-of-innovation

Rgds Helen

Hi Helen

Thanks for your advice. Appreciated.

As for the benchmark: Yes I am considering that in terms of market readiness and current status. However, I am studying the impact of cloud based logistics as of current status. I mean, for those already using it, I don't have their previous status. 

Best regards

Maha