Forecasting and making policies for Postal Services: system dynamics approach (Iran Post Company as a case study)

Document Type : Article

Authors

1 Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc), Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Industrial Management and Information Technology, Management and Accounting Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Statistics, Mathematics, Science Faculty, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

The main activity in postal services is to deliver letter mails and parcels. By changing customers’ needs and behaviors along with emerging new technologies, postal services have to be renovated. Thus, understanding the changing environment, forecasting the performance, identifying key drivers, and making effective interventions are critical for any further actions. Performing these actions for Iran Post Company is the focus of this paper. Therefore, system dynamic approach is chosen, effective variables are determined and causal-loop diagram (CLD) and stock and flow diagram (SFD) are developed. The results are then validated using expert panels and historical data and the developed model is utilized for policy making. Therefore, two scenarios are designed based on changes in postal rates, quality of services and e-service market share. These scenarios could provide CEOs with critical information to make effective interventions.

Keywords

References

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Scientia Iranica
Volume 28, Issue 6 - Serial Number 6
Transactions on Industrial Engineering (E)
November and December 2021
Pages 3675-3691

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History

  • Receive Date: 15 May 2019
  • Revise Date: 24 November 2019
  • Accept Date: 04 January 2020

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