North American Trade Automation Prototype (NATAP)

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Analysing empirical material

“Analysis is an on-going process which may occur throughout your research, with earlier analysis informing later data collection.” (Blaxter, Hughes & Tight, 2006, p.193). The aim of analysing qualitative data is to create new understandings by exploring and interpreting complex data from sources such as interviews, group discussions, journals, documents and observations, without the aid of quantification. When analysing empirical material, the researchers should create the big picture of the research by thinking of 1) their own expectations, 2) the research questions, aims and objectives, 3) how the researcher can work with the data, so that it helps to achieve the project´s state goals; it is also important to think about theory, and 4) how the data confirms the researchers’ theory and how that theory can help to explain the data. The last point is to think about methods-how the methods employed might affect the results (O´Leary, 2010).

Validity and reliability

Validity is another word for truth. It is a characteristic of measurement concerned that a test measures what the researcher actually wishes to measure, which means that differences found with a measurement tool reflect true differences among respondents drawn from a population. Practically, validity means that for example the researchers collect data by using a survey, but some of the interviewees do not understand the questions the way the researcher meant to do. If the researchers process the answers by using their own original thoughts and do not notice that there might be some misunderstandings, the answers are not valid (Silverman, 2010; Blumberg, Cooper & Schindler, 2011; Hirsjärvi, Remes & Sajavaara, 2005). The main idea of reliability is to understand how well the researcher has carried out the research project. The main question is: has the researcher carried out the research in such a way that, if another researcher looked into the same questions in the same setting, they would come up with the same results? If the results are repeatable then the research is reliable. If the measure is not reliable, it cannot be valid (Blaxter, Hughes & Tight, 2001; Blumberg, Cooper & Schindler, 2011).

Border crossing

By definition, the border stations induce restrictions on the trade of goods between two countries. While, for example, the European Union facilitated economic integration makes the flow of goods and collaboration across national borders simple and smooth, the relevance of the cross-border context is still high in many parts of the globe (Lorentz, 2008). Moreover, Weart (1998, p.54) states that “border crossings always have been a source of delay and frustration for both shippers and carriers”. In addition, according to Bergan and Bushman (1998, p.1) “without improvements and expansions to the border crossing process and facilities the increased demand will result in increased delays and will inhibit future increases in trade”.

North American Trade Automation Prototype (NATAP)

NATAP is a joint initiative between the United States, Canada, and Mexico to standardize data and document processes for trade agencies involved in border clearance. NATAP (figure 3.1) is defining and developing the technology, data systems, and operational requirements for implementing automated border crossings (Bergan & Bushman, 1998). According to United States General Accounting Office (2000, p.31) ”the prototype assess the potential to harmonize trade processes and develop and share common data using internet-based communications – in other words, a paperless process to clear each nation’s Customs at the border. The prototype also utilized intelligent transportation systems, such as transponder/radio frequency identification devices in trucks, to provide advance information to Customs officials at the border”.

Intelligent Transportation Border Crossing System (ITBCS)

Tsai (1997, p.2) in his paper, which was prepared for his presentation at the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Session of the 1997 XIIIth IRF World Meeting in Toronto of Canada, states that “ITBCS will enable electronic clearance by customs and immigration authorities, and provide transportation agencies with safety data”. Moreover, “the automated system needs to enable border inspectors to track and verify status of four types of items: (1) driver/passengers, (2) tractor or bobtail, (3) trailer, (4) load” (Bochner, Stockton & Burke, 2001, p.9). Intelligent Transportation Border Crossing System (ITBCS) is based on usage of dedicated short range communication (DSRC) transponder to trucks and vehicles. A unique trip/load number is stored every single time to the DSRC transponder and it is read when the truck arrives at the border station booth.

Table of Contents :

• List of Abbreviations
• Acknowledgment
• 1 Introduction
  • 1.1 Background
  • 1.2 Delimitations
  • 1.3 Problem definition
  • 1.4 Purpose of study
  • 1.5 Research questions
  • 1.6 Thesis structure
  • 1.7 Conceptual framework of the thesis
• 2 Methodology
  • 2.1 Research strategy
  • 2.2 Qualitative research
  • 2.2.1 Case study
  • 2.3 Collection of data
    • 2.3.1 Direct data
    • 2.3.2 Indirect data
  • 2.4 Analysing empirical material
  • 2.5 Validity and reliability
• 3 Theoretical Background
  • 3.1 Border crossing
    • 3.1.1 North American Trade Automation Prototype (NATAP)
    • 3.1.2 Intelligent Transportation Border Crossing System (ITBCS)
    • 3.1.3 International Border Clearance (IBC) program
    • 3.1.4 Blaine Border Crossing Project
  • 3.2 Border crossing background between Finland – Russia
  • 3.3 The Schengen area and cooperation
    • 3.3.1 The Schengen Information System (SIS)
    • 3.3.2 The second-generation Schengen Information System (SIS II)
    • 3.3.3 Relations with third countries: common principles
  • 3.4 Border crossing between Finland – Russia before the Schengen Treaty
  • 3.5 Border crossing between Finland – Russia after the Schengen Treaty
  • 3.6 Impacts
    • 3.6.1 Environmental Impacts
    • 3.6.2 Infrastructure Impacts
    • 3.6.3 Economic Impacts
    • 3.6.4 Social Impacts
    • 3.6.5 Political Impacts

• 4 IT Enablers
  • 4.1 Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
    • 4.1.1 RFID Tags
    • 4.1.2 RFID Interrogators
    • 4.1.3 RFID Controllers
  • 4.2 Electronic Seal (e-Seal)
  • 4.3 Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) transponder
• 5 Empirical Study
  • 5.1 LV Company
    • 5.1.1 Transportation facts
    • 5.1.2 Border crossing issues
    • 5.1.3 IT issues
  • 5.2 Maersk Line
    • 5.2.1 Transportation facts
    • 5.2.2 Border crossing issues
    • 5.2.3 IT issues
  • 5.3 Finnish Customs/Border Guard
    • 5.3.1 Transportation facts
    • 5.3.2 Border crossing issues
    • 5.3.3 IT issues
  • 5.4 Finnish Customs/Border Guard in Vaalimaa
    • 5.4.1 Transportation facts
    • 5.4.2 Border crossing issues
    • 5.4.3 IT issues
• 6 Analysis
  • 6.1 Logistics Companies
  • 6.2 Finnish Customs
  • 6.3 Points of concurrence
  • 6.4 Components and characteristics of previous cases
  • 6.5 “One-stop” Model
    • 6.5.1 The technical components
    • 6.5.2 “One-stop” Model description
      • 6.5.2.1 Pre-Border Activities
      • 6.5.2.2 Border Activities
      • 6.5.2.3 After-Border Activities
• 6.6 Model discussion
  • 6.6.1 Advantages from custom’s and border guards’ point of view
  • 6.6.2 Disadvantages from custom’s and border guards’ point of view
  • 6.6.3 Advantages from logistics companies’ point of view
  • 6.6.4 Disadvantages from logistics companies’ point of view
  • 6.6.5 Advantages from local society’s point of view
  • 6.6.6 Disadvantages from local society’s point of view
• 6.7 “One-stop” model validity
• 6.8 Future research
• 7 Conclusion
  • List of references
  • Appendices

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The bottleneck effect of road transportation at the Finnish – Russian border stations