A STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF SUPPORTIVE LOGISTICS AND PRIMARY LOGISTICS AND ITS IMPACT ON CUSTOMER SERVICE

The study is an attempt to explore the various dimensions of logistics, which is broadly categorized into two - primary logistics and supportive logistics by studying manufacturing firms that exist in UAE. The supporting logistics support the logistics functions of an organization, and the direct logistics functions are the pivotal functions that influence a logistics firm's overall efficiency. The supportive logistics functions are procurement, forecasting materials requirement and demand, storage and warehousing functions, and material handling. The primary operations are transportation, inventory management and decisions, order processing, and network design. Both these functions support each other in performing the logistics activities more effective and efficient in manufacturing. Both the operations are performed in such a way as to promote lead time, improve flexibility, improve accuracy level of movement of goods, better fill rate on orders, more frequency in supply, and better complaint management. The study is conducted on 20 different manufacturing companies by collecting data from 120 respondents who work in various positions directly and indirectly related to the companies' logistics activities. The data is collected by designing a questionnaire that consists of 94 questions related to multiple areas under study. The data is analyzed by using descriptive as well as inferential statistical tools and thereby derive scientific conclusion that the supportive and primary functions should be performed effectively to enhance customer satisfaction by the manufacturing companies