Postal Service Research Articles

OUTSMARTING THE HURDLES TO DIGITALIZING THE POSTAL SECTOR: THE CASE OF DEUTSCHE POST, POSTE ITALIANE, AND ROYAL MAIL

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the transition route from monopolistic, state-controlled postal service models to open and digitalized postal service systems, focusing on Deutsche Post, Poste Italiane, and Royal Mail. The research aims to understand how these companies leveraged their resources for digital transformation and the challenges they faced during this process. Theoretical Framework: The study is grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory, which emphasizes the strategic use of internal resources and capabilities to achieve competitive advantage. This framework provides a lens to analyze how Deutsche Post, Poste Italiane, and Royal Mail utilized their unique resources and capabilities to navigate digital transformation. Method: An explorative research design with a qualitative approach and interpretivist philosophical worldview was employed. Secondary data from 54 documents sourced from EBSCO Business Source Complete, Scopus, and Wiley Online Library were systematically reviewed. The data were categorized and analyzed according to the research questions, focusing on resource utilization and challenges in digital transformation. Results and Discussion: The study revealed shared patterns and obstacles in the digital transformation journeys of the three postal companies. Key strategies included strategic asset utilization, proactive leadership, workforce capability development, leveraging reputational resources, and effective government policy frameworks. Challenges such as the digital divide, employment stability, pricing tactics, and balancing profitability with social accountability were identified. The companies successfully managed these challenges by enhancing digital services and adopting innovative strategies like diversifying into new business areas and fostering collaborations. Research Implications: The findings offer practical insights for postal companies undergoing digital transformation, emphasizing the importance of investing in advanced technologies, sustainable practices, and strategic partnerships. Policymakers are encouraged to create supportive regulatory environments that promote fair competition and innovation in the postal sector. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing a comparative analysis of digital transformation in the postal sector, highlighting innovative strategies and practical solutions to common challenges. Its value lies in offering actionable recommendations for postal companies and policymakers, as well as identifying areas for future research, such as digitalization in African, American, and Asian postal markets and digital risk mitigation strategies.

A Blockchain and AI-Powered Digital Marketplace for Optimizing Agricultural Trade Efficiency and Farmer Empowerment

This paper addresses inefficiencies in agricultural trade resulting from intermediaries together with restricted direct market participation by farmers and volatile market prices. This paper proposes "A Blockchain and AI-Powered Digital Marketplace for Optimizing Agricultural Trade Efficiency and Farmer Empowerment" a mobile application that applies both Blockchain technology and artificial intelligence to directly link farmers with buyers while securing fair prices and full market access. Farmers can register, list, and manage their products, and buyers can find products by proximity to receive the supply. The application provides dynamic pricing based on demand and seasonality, multilingual accessibility through NLP, and blockchain for secure transactions. Moreover, farmers get real-time order notifications which help them arrange for delivery through self-pickup, courier, or postal service. The proposed system incorporates linear regression and random forest regression algorithms for pricing optimization, matrix factorization and SVD for recommendation systems, and supervised learning and anomaly detection for fraud detection contribute to a more productive, efficient and profitable agricultural ecosystem.

Illicit drug trafficking via postal services: A scoping review of economic-criminological context and estimation methods

Illicit drug trafficking via postal services: A scoping review of economic-criminological context and estimation methods

Self-Organizing Systems in “Bartleby, the Scrivener”: Modernity, Subjectivity, and the Limits of Democracy

Abstract Approaching Herman Melville as a serious early thinker about systems, and drawing on modern social systems theory, this essay proposes that we understand “Bartleby, the Scrivener” in terms of society’s ability to incorporate the disruptive element that Bartleby represents as it continually organizes itself toward a state of dynamic stability. The various systems operating in the world of the story, from money to the law to the postal service to writing itself, are discrete yet coordinated domains of social life that Bartleby can temporarily agitate but not fundamentally challenge. From this perspective, Melville’s tale appears less as a bracing critique of capitalism or modernity, less as a psychological portrait of a nonconforming individual, and more as a rigorously analytical study of the ways in which the self-organizing systems of American society enable the resolution of conflict and the neutralization of dissent. Given Melville’s enduring interest in democratic action and the prospects for human freedom, this reading repositions “Bartleby” as a darker, more pessimistic text in his whole body of work.

Evaluation of an online postal take-home naloxone service.

New South Wales User AIDS Association established a pilot postal take-home naloxone (THN) service to enhance access to THN for people unable or unwilling to attend existing services providing THN (e.g., community pharmacies, needle syringe programs). The service included online registration, educational video and assessment of consumer knowledge regarding THN. The evaluation examined the first 10 months of operation (May 2022 to March 2023) and examined service utilisation, the characteristics, motivations and experiences of consumers using the service. The evaluation included service utilisation data, structured online questionnaire and semi-structured telephone interviews. Two hundred forty-five individuals registered on the online platform, 222 commenced the course, 170 completed viewing the online educational video and commenced the knowledge assessment, and 95 completed the course and ordered 194 THN packs (59% intranasal, 41% intramuscular). Forty-eight percent of service users were women, and 37% were from regional or rural locations. Key motivations for using the postal service included greater accessibility and convenience (especially for regional and rural participants), greater confidentiality and reduced stigma. There were high levels of satisfaction with the service from consumers, and high levels of confidence that they could respond to a suspected overdose. The postal service enhanced access to THN, addressing many of the barriers of existing face-to-face services, including geography, convenience, stigma and confidentiality. The postal THN service meets the needs of particular groups of consumers who may otherwise not have accessed THN, and forms an important piece of the puzzle for THN distribution in the community.

Web Application to Measure Box Volume for Warehouse and Logistics using ArUco Marker and Mobile Camera

Effective space management poses a significant challenge for logistics firms and warehouses. To effective utilization of available space, time and money, logistics firms, warehouses and postal service providers are interested in volume measurement devices. The existing product for volume measurement is available for very high cost and their setup itself is not affordable to small scale businesses. Non-destructive measurement systems, which are primarily based on image processing methods, have become the trend in this field. This paper presents an affordable system which makes use of Mobile phone along with ArUco marker for calculation of volume of boxes and provide a solution to warehouses to optimize the space so maximum objects can be placed in limited area. The proposed system tested with various external disturbances and provides and accuracy of 96%. This system presented in this paper is not only handy, but also saves times, efforts required to measurement of volume and eliminate human error.

Analyzing the Construction of Human Resource Management Model for Netflix in the Context of Multiculturalism

Netflix, originating from the United States, is an OTT service company providing online video streaming globally. It offers subscription-based services for movies and TV shows, delivering media to subscribers via internet streaming and the U.S. postal service. By market capitalization, Netflix is one of the world's largest media and entertainment companies. Establishing a scientifically sound human resource management model that aligns with a multicultural backdrop is fundamental to Netflix's operations. The dual factors of Netflix's expanding scale and the rapid development under a multicultural context in current years present challenges in constructing a more comprehensive and complete human resource management model. This paper explores and analyzes how Netflix constructs its human resource management model under a multicultural context and, designs a unique model based on practical management needs, analyzes the characteristics of Netflix's human resource management model, and provides insights for other enterprises. The human resource management model of Netflix is a comprehensive and complete system developed specifically to adapt to the unique and rapidly changing content industry, enabling the entire company to have creative and innovative capabilities, which is not universally applicable to enterprises in other industries.

Between data and damages: the (im)possibility of imposing non-material/moral damages in cases of personal leaks in the information society

The advancement of the internet has brought along the constant concern about the leakage of personal data, for both individuals and companies. This unease is amplified by the frequent news of inappropriate exposure of private information, notably in cases of leaks within the Austrian postal service company (Österreichische Post AG), the Bulgarian National Revenue Agency, and the Brazilian electricity company (Enel). Considering this backdrop, researchers have been dedicating themselves to exploring the possibility of accountability for non-material damages arising from data breaches. The study initiates with a review of the concept of the Information Society, explores the legal frameworks for data protection in the European Union and Brazil, and analyzes concepts of non-material and moral damages. Subsequently, the text investigates cases of data breaches and, finally, examines judicial decisions on accountability in similar situations, both in the European Union and Brazil.

Delphi and fuzzy TOPSIS approach for redefining the scope of postal universal service obligation

Delphi and fuzzy TOPSIS approach for redefining the scope of postal universal service obligation

You’ve Got Mail! The Late 19th Century U.S. Postal Service Expansion, Firm Creation, and Firm Performance

This paper examines the impact of the expansion of the U.S. Postal Service in the late 19th century on firm creation and performance. Utilizing newly digitized archival data on historic business establishments, post office locations, and road networks in California, our study identifies a positive relationship between the expansion of the Postal Service and the emergence of new firms. To address endogeneity concerns, we leverage an unexpected change in the Postal Service route network. Our findings suggest that the Postal Service played a significant role in facilitating firm entry by acting as a carrier of specialized knowledge rather than as a financial service or mass communication infrastructure. We further reveal that, although increased competition from new entrants generally exerted downward pressure on incumbent firms, those relying on specialized knowledge and public technology inputs significantly benefited from local Postal Service access. Taken together, our study underscores the critical role played by the Postal Service in knowledge diffusion and local economic development by enabling the sourcing of specialized knowledge and technologies from other geographies. Overall, our results contribute to a broader understanding of how communication and knowledge dissemination infrastructure can drive entrepreneurship and firm growth, carrying important implications for contemporary discussions on infrastructure development, its potential to stimulate entrepreneurial activity, innovation, and foster local economic communities. This paper was accepted by Olav Sorenson, organizations. Funding: The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the Harvard Business School Division of Research and Faculty Development. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.03369 .

Usability Analysis of A Package Tracking System Using The System Usability Scale Method

The Main Branch Post Office (Kantor Pos Cabang Utama, KCU) Madiun, as part of the Pos Indonesia network, plays a key role in managing parcel deliveries, document handling, and financial transactions in Madiun and surrounding areas. The delivery process includes three main stages: First Mail, Middle Mail, and Last Mail. In the First Mail stage, mail and parcels are collected at counters from various sources such as post offices, mailboxes, or customers. In the Middle Mail stage, items are sorted by officers based on their final destinations. Finally, in the Last Mail stage, parcels are sorted again by specific routes or locations within the city before being delivered directly to recipients by couriers.This research focuses on evaluating and improving the user interface of the "Tracking System," a digital tool used to monitor shipments across these stages. To measure its usability and user-friendliness, the System Usability Scale (SUS) method was employed, involving 10 statements for respondents, who were selected from system users. The study's findings reveal that the tracking system is categorized as "OK" in adjective ratings and "Marginal" in terms of acceptability. These results highlight areas for improvement in the system to better support the growing demands of digital postal services while ensuring user satisfaction.

The development of office work and postal service in the Semirechye oblast (1865‒1905)

In the article the issues of the development of office work and postal communications in the Semirechye ob-last in 1865–1905 were considered. The spread of general imperial laws and the formation of a unified system of imperial institutions was aimed at optimizing the system of administration of the empire of Kazakhstan. The need to perform the basic functions of imperial institutions influenced the design of the communication organization system. In this direction office work and postal communication played a significant role. Office work served as a tool for written communication and contributed to the interaction of all institutions both at the local level and the metropole with local administrations. Postal communication ensured the timely delivery of the necessary information, ensuring uninterrupted communication between various institutions. Thus, both spheres were an important areas in the institutional hierarchy of management. Due to the space limitation a comprehensive analysis and discussion of the research topic was not presented and hence it is ex-pected that this theme will be analyzed elsewhere in the future in detail in an interdisciplinary context.

Venetian Control of Information Flows with Constantinople and the Soft Power of a Renaissance State

Abstract The ability to control international flows of information constitutes one of the core elements of the soft power of any modern state aspiring to exercise some level of regional or global hegemony. This phenomenon has been previously examined by those who study long-distance communications mainly in the context of the nineteenth-century telegraph or the twentieth-century broadcast. However, inquiries focusing on the analogous historical role performed by the postal service during the early modern era are much more scarce. Building upon this premise, this study examines the strategic advantages gained by the Republic of Venice through its control of the mail exchange between Europe and the Middle East – a de facto postal monopoly established during the sixteenth century. Venice deliberately subsidized this service in order to prevent the rise of potential competition. Despite the substantial cost, this was seen as an effective investment through which the republic gained a set of tangible strategic advantages. In particular, it helped to extend Venice’s relevance on the European political scene long past the point when its traditional political, economic, and naval–military power was already fading away.

Know how to strengthen processes for religious accommodations requests

A little more than a year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court issued the most impactful ruling on religious accommodations in decades. Let's start with a little background for the case, which has implications for colleges and universities and other employers. Gerald Groff, a professed Christian and employee of the U.S. Postal Service declined to work on Sundays, citing his religious beliefs. USPS attempted to accommodate him by arranging for co‐workers to exchange shifts, but there were multiple instances where employees weren’t available to trade. Groff didn’t report to work on those days, and USPS terminated his employment as a result.

Reward Management as a Tool for Improving Job Satisfaction in Nigerian Postal Service, Abuja

Motivating employees through reward management for efficiency and greater job satisfaction has been a major concern of organisations. This study assessed the impact of reward management on job satisfaction using the Nigerian Postal Service as a case study. The specific objectives were to determine the relationship between reward management and job satisfaction and investigate the extent to which reward management influences employees' job satisfaction in NIPOST. The study adopted survey research design whereby relevant information were elicited from both primary (questionnaire) and documentary sources. A sample size of 81 was adopted using total population sampling. Data generated through the questionnaire were arranged in tables and analysed using simple percentage method and mean average. The hypothesis of the study was tested using Pearson correlation. Findings from the data analysis revealed that the reward system in NIPOST has not significantly improved job satisfaction as there have been issues with poor commitment levels to work, labour turnover/absenteeism and delay in accomplishing tasks. The study recommended that upward review of workers’ salaries, proper recognition and good interpersonal relationships within the organisation should be encouraged and implemented.

EN PUDEL ÄR INGEN HUND!!

In 1992, the Swedish Postal Service launched OSA, a free paper aimed at tweens and teens. OSA was distributed in locations frequently attended by teens, such as high schools and youth clothing stores, and consisted almost exclusively of messages and letters written by the readers themselves. In these messages, the young readers would reflect on their everyday lives, their relationships, problems, and ideas. They could involve themselves in political debates and argue their points on topics such as power structures, school politics, sexual health, and pop culture. Furthermore, OSA became an instrument for challenging power structures, such as the unequal power dynamics between teacher and student. The messages were written anonymously which allowed the participants to experiment with boundaries from behind a fake or otherwise unknown identity. By creating stories of broken taboos or setting out to disclose the names of people they don’t like, the authors behind the messages take action against their own sense of submission. Hence OSA was a media product aimed at and, to an almost full extent, created by tweens and teens. The participation and the paper itself were free of charge, and thousands of messages were submitted to the editors—a large amount of which is currently in the archives at Nordiska Museet, Stockholm. The young readers understood it as a force to be reckoned with, which alarmed an adult crowd. An employee at a school writes to OSA, asking them not to distribute the paper to his school anymore. The notion of youths speaking freely and anonymously on a public platform was unheard of, and a sense of impending chaos might have followed the school board.Every issue of OSA exclaimed “Write to be heard!”. In the submissions provided by the readers they eagerly took the opportunity to produce something to be viewed by youths across the country and to challenge the boundaries and limitations that conditioned the life of a teen in the 1990s.

Optimal Weights for double Many-To-One Generalized Weight Share Method

Abstract In probabilistic sampling, a sampling frame comprising the target population may not be available. However, indirect sampling can be used when the units on a sampling frame can be linked to the target population, with the values observed in the target population used for estimation. If the target population can only be linked to the sampling frame through an intermediate population, then double indirect sampling is a viable option. In this case, the sampling weights can be obtained with the double generalized weight share method (GWSM). The double GWSM reduces the number of observed links compared to the simple GWSM but can detrimentally affect the precision of the estimator, as in the example of the French postal service (La Poste). In this article, we show the existence of a set of sampling weights that minimize the variance of the double GWSM in specific cases with La Poste as exemplar. These weights ensure that the implementation advantages of the double GWSM are not offset by a loss of precision. When these weights cannot be computed, as is the case in the French postal traffic survey, we propose alternative weights that can be used to improve the precision of the double GWSM estimator. Results are illustrated through Monte Carlo simulations and an application to the French postal traffic survey.

Syphilis prevalence among a large regional online postal self-sampling STI testing service (OPSS)

ObjectivesIn England, infectious syphilis diagnoses have reached the highest annual number since 1948. Fifty per cent of syphilis testing is now provided through online postal self-sampling sexually transmitted infection (STI)...

Users perception towards the effectiveness of logistics efficiency reference with public service vs private postal service

Users perception towards the effectiveness of logistics efficiency reference with public service vs private postal service

Handwritten Digit Recognition Using Logistic Regression

With applications in optical character recognition (OCR), digitizing historical documents, and automating data entry procedures, handwritten digit recognition is crucial to pattern recognition and machine learning. This work develops a handwritten digit recognition system using logistic regression. The main objective is to use the MNIST dataset to develop a precise and effective model for classifying handwritten numbers from 0 to 9. Data collection, preprocessing, model installation, training, assessment, and analysis are all included in the methodology. Normalizing pixel values and flattening 2D picture matrices into 1D vectors are steps in the preprocessing process. Using gradient descent optimization, the logistic regression model set up for multi- class classification minimizes the cost function. A testing set will be used to assess performance, and metrics including F1 score, recall, accuracy, and precision will be used. A very precise logistic regression model for handwritten digit identification is the anticipated result. The model's advantages and disadvantages will be emphasized through thorough analysis and visualization, which will include learning weights, biases, and incorrectly categorized images. This work offers useful solutions for automation, postal services, and digital archiving, furthering the field of pattern recognition and highlighting the significance of logistic regression in machine learning.