The core research methodology for this study was the acquisition and analysis of materials at the Web site of the assigned customs brokers.  The material obtained from these sources provided the bulk of the information required for the research report.  Literature reviews were also performed to situate the report in the context of recent industry observations and studies.  To this end, the following four websites were employed: pcb.ca, manufacturing.net, supplychainbrain.com, and inboundlogistics.com

Data was extracted from the websites according to the 10 research questions to be answered for both transactional and post-transactional processes.  Answering the research questions involves drawing inferences and manipulating the data in creative ways to arrive at concrete answers. The data was entered in to the spreadsheet templates as “Yes, No, Unclear, Not Applicable”.

The information was then processed into quantifiable numbers, resulting in meaningful indices. These indices summarized the following: clarity and breadth of services offered, the level of digitalization, the geographic coverage of the firm, the thoroughness of the services offered, the proprietary nature of the systems, the testability and functionality of their support systems, and our impressions and perceptions of the brokers’ website.  Implications and conclusions were then drawn with the use of these indices/summaries, the text book, and literature reviews.

Here are some other websites consulted in this report