Home I Introduction I Poetry I Literature Review I Methodology I Findings & Results I Implications I Conclusions

   Methodology

Research Techniques Employed By D-bate

Initially, we felt that the project we were about to undertake was quite daunting, and decided that a methodical approach to gathering and organizing data was an essential step that needed to be taken.  We decided that all members of the group should be familiar with our three chosen websites so we could compare and contrast the information from four different points of view.  We also visited the Management System Resource website to gain a better knowledge of customs compliance systems, and customs brokerage services.  After familiarizing ourselves with the three research websites, we chose Cargo Expediters Ltd. as our first one to do an in depth analysis of.  We chose this website because we felt it was the least extensive website in terms of content, and it would be a good way to develop our analytical skills for the more extensive websites.  As well, we received valuable feedback, which we applied to the other two more in-depth websites contained in this report.

          In order to develop a relationship between our research project and existing knowledge from previous studies done, we completed four literature reviews.  A search of periodicals posted on the internet provided us articles we felt bore some resemblance to the study we conducted.  The articles were found at the following four websites: Computerworld.com, supplychaintech.com, internetworld.com, and tdmagazine.com.

    To derive conclusions based on our analysis of the three customs brokers websites, we took on the role of a potential customer.  We attempted to gather relevant information from their websites that would be needed by a company in search of a reliable customs broker.  This data was recorded in a questionnaire, and from there we derived a summary of our findings.  The summary covered a range of topics including; the clarity and breadth of services offered, the level of digitalization, the geographic coverage of the firm, the thoroughness of the services offered, the testability of their support systems, and our impressions and perceptions of the brokers’ websites.