Question
Cargo security is in the eye of the beholder. Different backgrounds may influence our perspectives and definitions. See Security Issues in International Trade on pp. 35-39 of Drake. What are your perspectives and experience involving cargo security? Please consider all relevant stakeholders.
Solution
TLMT 605 Week 1: Cargo Security
Cargo security is a critical feature of maritime security; it entails securing merchandise against theft or attacks from external factors. Governments have been at the frontline to ensure the safety of goods entering the port by deploying measures such as prescreening containers to reduce the transportation of hazardous materials and illegal cargos (Finger & Jaag, 2015). Despite being a critical area of concern, researchers such as Ritter et al. argue stakeholders and governments adopt security measures because of past events or the need to secure their supply chain.
Ritter et al. view the subject of cargo security in the lens of value across business functions. According to the authors, retailers, governments, and manufacturers improve their security processes to create value in the supply chain (Ritter, Barret & Wilson, 2006). For instance, global trade, in terms of imports and exports, relies heavily on maritime transportation. Therefore, by strengthening cargo security, governments are assured of a constant flow of goods and services in a country. Ritter et al. also add that firms that invest in security should expect to be rewarded accordingly by the marketplace (Haelterman, 2013). Some of these rewards include customer loyalty as companies can secure the supply chain and facilitate the continuous supply of goods and services to customers. In general, Ritter et al. develop a new philosophy of security management, where cargo security closely links to the creation of value in the supply chain.
Ritter et al. view is congruent with my perspective of cargo security. Notably, my opinion on cargo security is that governments and business organizations adopt preventive and response measures to mitigate the re-occurrence of events that disrupt their value chain. Like Ritter et al., my perspective of cargo security is that various backgrounds such as attacks that may threaten the supply chain drive stakeholders to focus on measures aimed at protecting their cargo and maritime ports.
References
Finger, M., & Jaag, C. (2015). The Routledge companion to network industries. Melbourne: Routledge.
Haelterman, H. (2013). Situational crime prevention and supply chain security. CRISP. Retrieved from https://popcenter.asu.edu/sites/default/files/situational_crime_prevention_and_supply_chain_security.pdf
Ritter, L., Barrett, M., & Wilson, R. (2006). Securing global transportation networks: A total security management approach. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.