Title: Road freight information systems: a soft system methodology approach

Authors: Behrouz Zarei; Saeed Azizian; Amir Hossein Ghapanchi

Addresses: Corporate Entrepreneurship Department, University of Tehran, 16th St., Amirabad, Tehran, Iran ' Information Technology Department, Tose Danesh Institute, Takye Chaman Street, Sanandaj, 87811–66179, Iran ' School of Information and Communication Technology, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, G09-1.60, Queensland, Australia

Abstract: Soft system methodology (SSM) is appropriate for studying complex systems such as human activity systems. Although the road freight information systems (RFIS) typically involve a large number of users, they are, in many cases, inefficient. Using SSM, the present paper studies the RFIS of a selected case study, delineates its disadvantages, and finally addresses its shortcomings through designing a new information system. The proposed system has the quality of bringing a lot of commercial and non-commercial benefits to the users by changing the form of communication among involved entities.

Keywords: road freight; freight information systems; RFIS; soft system methodology; SSM; road transport; information system design; communications.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2013.051337

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2013 Vol.14 No.2, pp.161 - 178

Published online: 28 Jun 2013 *

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