Enhancing Competitiveness of Road Freight Operators to Support Trade Liberalization.

Abstract

This study aimed to study the factors that could enhance the competitive capability of
road freight operators in order to prepare for the trade liberalization. Questionnaire survey was applied.
The data were collected from 257 cargo truck entrepreneurs who operated the Thai-Laos PDR
freight transportation. Data gathering from the questionnaires were consisted of 1) background
information, 2) competitive capability in the entrepreneur’s perspectives and 3) perceived threats
and opportunities of the trade liberalization. The data was analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean,
standard deviation and Chi-square statistical method. The findings showed that most respondents
(52.1%) perceived that the competitive capability of road freight operators were high. In addition, the
entrepreneurs perceived that the upgraded service quality, service reliability, customer responsiveness
in term of price and quality were high while the knowledge ion logistics and supply chain as well as
the employee quality were in the lower level. Regarding the threats and opportunity of the trade
liberalization, it was found that the customers had more service alternatives, more service quality,
and more competition among service providers. The chi – square results indicated the significant
relationship between type and duration of business, authorized capital, number of employees,
yearly income, type of truck, quantity of truck and entrepreneur competitiveness