Reimagining Last-Mile Delivery: Assessing the Feasibility, Cost-Reduction, and Efficiency of a University-Centric Gig Economy Model in Bangladesh

Abstract

The current conventional courier service industry of Bangladesh has the problem of high operating costs and complexities, ingrained inflexibilities, and so on. This paper aims to establish whether it is possible to adopt the gig economy-based delivery method using university students as the delivery channels and adopting university based distribution outlets. The paper goes on to uncover and evaluate the modern problems and expenses concerning the existing courier service in regional Bangladesh. It then goes further to establish a full model of a delivery framework for a gig economy which is anchored on the use of university students.  The cost-reduction potentiality of this model that is proposed here is calculated in how much the traditional courier system might be expensive when adding to it the expenses on vehicle maintenance, fixed worker, and fuel that are not involved here. In addition, the study looks at the implications of this model on the students’ performance, workload, and satisfaction level by nurturing the pros and cons of their engagement within the delivery network. The strategy also outlines a clear vision for the initiation and scaling of the gig economy-based delivery system, which will help ease the transition from the traditional courier delivery system to one that is more flexible, cost-effective, and focused on students.