SCI refers to coordination mechanisms that should be streamlined and interconnected both within and outside the boundaries of a company [23]. The traditional approach of logistics integration focuses on functional boundaries within a company [24], whereas a recent approach of logistics integration expands the scope of integration, transcending company boundaries along the entire supply chain. [25] [26] [27] [28] and [29] have defined SCI as the strategic collaboration of both intra- and extra-organizational actors.

SCI in the airline industry involves a network of passengers, shippers, freight forwarders, shipping carriers, logistics service providers, and agents who perform various value-added activities, usually sequentially, to add value for consumers. Regarding horizontal integration, airline alliances and cooperation continue to play a central role in the operation and long-term viability of airline companies. Numerous airlines have undertaken vertical integration, diversifying operations and services into various components throughout a multimodal supply chain system [31] [32]. [32] suggested that empirical investigation of the strategy-performance relationships related to such integrations is needed. Research has indicated that an increasing demand for integrated logistics and transport service renders maritime transport and airport operation inseparable from logistics and supply chain management [33]. Consequently, an emerging trend in liner shipping is integration and diversification into inland transport, terminal operation, and logistics [30] [32].

Supply chain orientation is a management philosophy, and supply chain management is the total of all the overt management actions undertaken to realize the benefits of that philosophy [34]. Integration has been crucial in logistics and supply chain management since the 1980s. SCI refers to the strategic collaboration with supply chain partners and cooperative management of Intra- and inter-organizational processes to build and maintain a seamless channel for the precise and timely flow of decisions, information, materials, finished goods, and services to the eventual customers [30] [35] [36] [37] [38]. [39] and [30] assert that the SCI process should progress from integration of internal logistics to external integration with suppliers and customers, and such internal and external integration can be accomplished through a CRM system [40].

CRM is a strategy for managing all the company’s relationships and interactions with its customers and potential customers; it helps to improve profitability [41]. CRM enables the organization to focus on relationships with individual people-whether those are customers, service users, colleagues, or suppliers. Some of the biggest gains in productivity can come from moving beyond CRM as a sales and marketing tool and embedding it in the business—from HR to customer service and supply-chain management [41] [42]. The core theme of all CRM and relationship marketing perspectives is a focus on cooperative relationships between the company and its customers, and other marketing actors. [43] have characterized such cooperative relationships as being interdependent and long-term oriented rather than being concerned with short-term, discrete transactions.

Another important facet of CRM is customer selectivity. As several research studies have shown, not all customers are equally profitable for an individual company [44]. The company, therefore, must be selective in tailoring its programs and marketing efforts by segmenting and selecting appropriate customers for individual marketing programs. In some cases, the outsourcing of some customers can be defined as how a company allocates its resources to those customers it can serve the best to create mutual value. However, the objective of a company is not really to prune its customer base but to identify the programs and methods that would be the most profitable as it creates value for the company and the customer [44] [45]. Hence, some researchers define CRM as follows:

[CRM is a] comprehensive strategy and the process of acquiring, retaining and partnering with selective customers to create superior value for the company and the customer. It involves the integration of marketing, sales, customer service, and the supply-chain functions of the organization to achieve greater efficiencies and effectiveness in delivering customer value [46].

As indicated in the above definition, the purpose of CRM is to improve marketing productivity. Marketing productivity is achieved by increasing marketing efficiency and by enhancing marketing effectiveness [47] [48]. CRM has some advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, advantages can be summarized as follows [41] [42] : CRM helps companies get insights into their sales activities, marketing activities, and customer support activities. CRM solutions are especially useful in companies that have high purchase frequency/customer transactions. CRM helps in identifying profitable/unprofitable customers, regular vs. one-time customers, etc. So that companies can utilize more resources for important customers; it enables the organization to analyze and follow reports; it provides effective time management as CRM prompts users to follow up on activities and delivers automated alerts when important events occur, or if actions are missed. CRM integrates with finance, accounting, and other back-office applications to connect processes and remove double handling of tasks. The biggest benefit of CRM systems is that their use leads to a better overall customer experience.

In contrast, the following disadvantages have been identified by [41] [42] as: CRM may result in duplication of tasks, if not all the related enterprise applications are integrated; if the CRM software is too complex and challenging to understand, not all of its functionalities may be utilized; return on investment (ROI) can be difficult to establish (and difficult to measure) with a CRM application, especially in the short run; educating the users about proper CRM usage, and getting them to actually use it, might be a challenge; easy to use interfaces and appropriate help functions plus customers and employees’ training and development are crucial for successful CRM implementation [49] [50] ; scalability may either be limited or too costly, which deters companies from providing access to CRM for all potential users; the cost of the software and customization is generally considered high; if the CRM solution is not customized to the business objectives of a particular company, implementation might fail.

CRM itself is not a new concept but is now practical due to recent advances in enterprise software technology. An outgrowth of sales force automation (SFA) tools, CRM is often referred to in the literature as one-to-one marketing [51]. Based on this, four major types of CRM were identified: strategic CRM, operational CRM, analytical CRM and collaborative CRM.

Strategic CRM

Strategic CRM is a type of CRM in which the customer comes first in the eyes of the business. It collects, segregates, and applies information about customers and market trends to come up with better value propositions for the customer. The business knows the purchasing behavior of the customer-a happy customer purchases more frequently than other customers. This means that any business not considering strategic CRM risks losing market share [52].

Operational CRM

Operational CRM is oriented towards customer-centric business processes, such as marketing, selling, and services. It includes three automation: sales force automation, marketing automation, and service automation [52].

Analytical CRM

Analytical CRM is based on capturing, interpreting, segregating, storing, modifying, processing, and reporting customer-related data. It also contains internal business-wide data, such assales data (products, volume, and purchase history), finance data (purchase history, credit scores) and marketing data (response to campaigns, customer loyalty programs). Base CRM is an example of analytical CRM. It provides detailed analytics and customized reports [52]. Analytical CRM can set different selling approaches to different customer segments. Also, different content and styling can be offered to different customer segments. For the customers, analytical CRM gives customized and timely solutions to problems. For the business, it provides sales prospects and improves customer acquisition and retention [18] [20] [52] [53].

Collaborative CRM

Collaborative CRM is an alignment of resources and strategies among separate businesses for identifying, acquiring, developing, retaining, and maintaining valuable customers. Collaborative CRM enables smooth communication and transactions among businesses. Though traditional ways of communication, such as airmail, telephone, and fax, are still used, collaborative CRM employs new communication systems, such as chat rooms, web forums, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) [52] [54].

Many scholars, who study buyer-seller relationships, have discussed various aspects of the relationship development process [43] [55] [56]. One of these aspects of CRM development is the multitude of customer interfaces that a company has to manage in today’s world. Until recently, a company’s direct interface with customers, if any, was primarily through sales people or service agents. In today’s business environment, most companies interface with their customers through a variety of channels, including sales people, service personnel, call centers, Internet websites, marketing departments, fulfillment houses, market and business development agents, and so forth. For large customers, it also includes cross-functional teams that may include personnel from various functional departments. Although each of these units could operate independently, they still need to share information about individual customers and their interactions with the company on a real-time basis. For example, a customer who just placed an order on the Internet and subsequently calls the call center for order verification expects call center staff to know the details of his or her order history. Similarly, a customer approached by a sales person who is unaware that the customer recently expressed dissatisfaction with customer service is not likely to respond kindly to the sales person [57] [58] [59] [60] [61]. On the other hand, if the sales person were aware of the problem encountered by the customer-the complaint, and the action already initiated to resolve the complaint-the sales person would be in a relatively good position to handle the situation well. Therefore, effective CRM implementation requires a front-line information system that shares relevant customer information across all interface units. Relational databases, data warehousing, and data mining tools are very valuable for CRM systems and solutions [16].

The challenge is to develop an integrated CRM platform that collects relevant data input at each customer interface and simultaneously provides knowledge output about the strategy and tactics suitable to win customer business and loyalty. For instance, if call center personnel cannot identify and distinguish a high-value customer and do not know what to upsell or cross-sell to this customer, it could mean a remarkable opportunity lost. Although most CRM software solutions based on relational databases help to share customer information, they still do not provide knowledge output to the front-line personnel. As shown in Figure 1, the CRM solutions platform needs to be based on interactive technology and processes. It should help the company develop and enhance customer interactions and one-to-one marketing through the application of suitable intelligent agents that promote the front-line relationship with customers. Such a system would identify appropriate data inputs at each customer interaction site and use analytical platforms to generate appropriate knowledge output for front-line staff during customer interactions. In addition, implementation tools to support interactive solutions for customer profitability analysis, customer segmentation, demand generation, account planning, opportunity management, contact management, integrated marketing communications, customer care strategies, customer problem solving, virtual team management of the major global accounts, and measuring CRM performance would be the next level of solutions sought by most enterprises [16].

During the implementation of CRM solutions, some companies seem to inappropriately supervise the basic considerations that would make such initiatives successful. Since CRM implementation comprises a significant information technology (IT) component, these companies have often handed over responsibility for CRM implementation to IT departments. In this way, they become focused only on installing CRM software solutions without developing a CRM

strategy or program. This leads to creating a working tool within the company, but the usability and effectiveness in producing desirable results from such tools can be limited. CRM tools are valuable when they are used to identify and differentiate individual customers and to generate individualized offers and fulfill customized solutions. The lack of a CRM strategy or CRM programs would leave the front-line people without any knowledge of what they should be doing with the additional customer information that they now have access to. Those applying themselves and developing improvised solutions could find that their informal solutions backfire and cause unintended deterioration in customer relationships. Hence, it is important to consider the CRM process framework in its totality. CRM tools are intended to supplement a company’s strategy for building effective customer relationships. Appropriate strategy and excellent implementation are both needed for obtaining successful results [16]. The following sections explain the implementation process of CRM supported by Enterprises Resource Plan (ERP) data.

Enterprises Resource Plan (ERP), when successfully implemented, links all areas of a company, including order management, manufacturing, human resources, financial systems, and distribution, with external suppliers and customers in a tightly integrated system with shared data and visibility [62]. Major enterprise systems vendors, who have been successful in the ERP market, are gearing up for the growing needs of CRM by aggressively forming alliances with, or taking over other software companies that have been operating in the CRM market. For example, J.D. Edwards entered into a deal with Seibel, a leading CRM company, in May 1999 and subsequently shut down its in-house sales force automation team. PeopleSoft acquired Vantive’s CRM software in October 1999 to integrate with its ERP systems (See [63] ). Through SAP initiatives, users of SAP R/3 system can add Web-based CRM and SCM functions while leaving the core R/3 system intact [64].

Oracle has taken the most drastic steps in forming a new bond between ERP and CRM. The new flagship ERP/CRM software package, called 11i, is heavily Internet-oriented and allows users to seamlessly implement modules of CRM with a smaller ERP suite. Significant differences exist between ERP technology and CRM applications. ERP serves as a strong foundation with tightly integrated back office functions, while CRM strives to link front and back office applications to maintain relationships and build customer loyalty [64] [65].

ERP systems promise to integrate all functional areas of the business with suppliers and customers. CRM promises to improve front office applications and customer touch points to optimize customer satisfaction and profitability [63] [66]. While ERP systems address fragmented information systems, CRM addresses fragmented customer data. CRM applications are Web-enabled and designed to extend the data mining capabilities of ERP throughout the supply chain to customers, distributors, and manufacturers [67]. Organizations can use CRM analytical capabilities to predict and answer key business questions on customer intelligence and share the results across channels. Although ERP is not required for CRM, providing customers, suppliers, and employees with Web- based access to systems through CRM will only be beneficial if the underlying infrastructure, such as data warehouses and ERP, exists [68]. Companies with an ERP system, however, need to understand where they are in the implementation process, as well as assess where other technologies, such as data warehouses, fit in before plunging into CRM applications [64] [69].

In the early 1970s, the rulers of the UAE established a common flag carrier called Gulf Air with a few Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. However, a tense relationship between Gulf Air and the Dubai Government existed from the beginning. The Dubai Government declined to agree to Gulf Air’s demands to abandon its open skies policy. In reaction, Gulf Air reduced frequencies and capacities to and from Dubai by more than two-thirds between 1984 and 1985 without notice to the Dubai Government Authorities. Since other foreign carriers operating to Dubai proved unable or unwilling to fill the gap, Dubai’s then ruler, Sheik Maktoum bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, assembled a team of experts to develop an emergency plan to set up a home carrier for Dubai. The ruler accepted the team recommendations, but he imposed two conditions: the new

airline should meet the highest quality standards, and there would be no additional capital injections from the government other than the agreed startup capital of US$10 million. Emirates was incorporated, with limited liability, by an Amiri decree issued by the ruler on 26 June 1985 and is wholly owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, a Government of Dubai entity. On 25 October 1985, Emirates’ first flight took off and crossed the skies of the UAE. Despite the global crises, which influenced the aviation industry in the dawn of a new millennium, and strong influences from other external factors, Emirates has continued a steady annual growth rate and has never reported a loss since its renaissance in 1985 [22]. The following history highlights EA’s progress:

➢ 1984: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum makes the decision to build an airline in Dubai, using the services of data (Dubai National Air Transport Association), which was already the sales agent for 25 airlines.

➢ 1985: The airline’s first flight, flight EK600, is Dubai–Karachion 25 October 1985.

➢ 1991: Emirates finally gets a slot at the busiest international hub in the world—London’s Heathrow Airport. Moreover, as the airline celebrates its sixth anniversary, 25,000 passengers a week are being flown to 23 destinations.

➢ 1993: Emirates becomes the first airline to introduce telecommunications on an Airbus—in all three classes.

➢ 1998: Emirates is votedBest Airline in the Worldat the prestigious OAG Awards.

➢ 2008: Terminal 3 was officially opened for the use of Emirates. Emirates becomes the first international carrier to introduce an in-flight mobile phone service.

➢ 2014: Emirates is named the Skytrax world’s Most Valuable Airline Brand.

Emirates has developed its vision and values as follows: A strong and stable leadership team, ambitious yet calculated decision-making, and ground-breaking ideas all contribute to the creation of great companies. Of course, these have played a significant part in the development and growth of Emirates, and it is believed that business ethics and customer focus are the foundations on which the success has been built [89] [90]. Strong brand awareness through sponsorship of sports and games, caring for their employees and stakeholders, as well as the environment and the communities Emirates serve, have played a huge part in its past and will continue to signify its future. Emirates, like most global enterprises in the region, maintains a narrow ownership structure. Emirates’ President-Tim Clark-oversees the entire aviation business and reports to the executive vice chairperson of the entire Emirates Group, Maurice Flanagan. He is also in charge of the central carrier operations: the freight business, Emirates Sky Cargo, the frequent flyer program (Skywards), airport services, and, also, the growing hotel and holiday travel business. The unique organizational structure of the Emirates Group-aflat hierarchy—has been a great help for its growth and development and is considered a major strength for Emirates. This structure allows for clear communication and rapid decision-making at a senior level [22].

Emirates is an international airline based in Dubai, UAE. The airline is a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, which is wholly owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (a government holding company). It is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 3000 flights per week from its hub at Dubai International Airport, to more than 130 cities in 77 countries across six continents. Cargo activities are undertaken by the Emirates Group’s Emirates Sky Cargodivision. Emirates has built up a strong brand name as a leader in the aviation industry, particularly regarding service excellence. Emirates has won numerous awards-it was ranked 8th by Air Transport World for Airline of the Yearin 2012. The award is based on recognition of its commitment to safety and operational excellence, customer service trendsetters, and financial condition, including a 25-year consecutive annual profit. Emirates is rated as a four-star airline by aviation consultancy group Skytrax. Emirates has won the prestigious title of World’s Best Airlinein Skytrax’s World Airline Awards in 2016 [91].

Dubai is located at a central point between East and West. Consequently, EA is capable of tapping resources from both sides. Since the densely populated and fastest growing economies of the world, namely, China and India, are within close reach of Dubai, the scope of Emirates’ operations to these countries and the region has substantially increased in recent years. In general, the Asian continent is witnessing an economic boom and the airline has benefited from this opportunity. In 2010, Emirates operated over 2400 passenger flights per week to 105 cities in 62 countries across six continents. It has over 28,000 employees, including 13,000 cabin crewmembers of more than 120 nationalities capable of conversing in 60 different languages. Emirates is renowned for creating market trends and pioneering new ideas, often in contrast to the conventional industry’s view, and several important services, including personal entertainment systems in all seats, private first-class suites, use of mobile phones on board, and the introduction of Smart-Landing and Smart-Runway safety solutions. Recently, Emirates introduced CRM in conjunction with Oracle’s ERP software to manage and maintain their relationships customers. CRM Project Manager explained:

Emirates airline considered implementing CRM as supported by ERP in the early 2000s. Before the CRM, Emirates had nothing to do with the customers, only they come and go without any benefits. After that the airline decided to implement CRM to make sure that the customers are fully satisfied and to form a trust relationship between them so that they can be a frequent customer on Emirates, and by doing that both the airline and the customer wins. Emirates has considered implementing the Windows 8 CRM or so-called KIS and the loyalty program.

Emirates implemented CRM successfully as a system for managing the company’s interactions with current and future customers. The CRM system consists of three elements: sales force automation, customer service, and marketing automation. At the same time, Emirates developed three types of CRM: strategic, operational, and analytical. The Manager of Aeronautical Services & ATM Emirates clarified implementation in this way:

CRM has successfully integrated various aspects of customer relations: Cooperation, Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration from all organizational employees. This implementation was supported by the airline’s top management. Emirates airline was the first company in the Middle East to use CRM software (KIS). CRM describes a company-wide business strategy including customer-interface departments as well as other departments.

Implementation of CRM has included different customer options, mainly the Windows 8 CRM and the loyalty program. Other CRM implementations include E-Services tools, such as E-Claims, E-Services guide tour, and E-Newsletter. Extra airline passenger benefits include special meals, chauffeur-driven cars, Microsoft Fast Track, Dubai visa service, stopover service, hotel booking functionality, and unaccompanied young passengers.

Emirates has created its Windows 8 based CRM application on an HP Elite-Pad 900 tablet computer. It began rolling out the tablets on planes in 2012. Accordingly, for several years, it has run a CRM app, and it was developed for laptops, but by making the program accessible on a tablet, flight crews will have an easier time concentrating on customer experience, according to an Emirates vice president of communications, who stated:

By making this so much easier, we will get so much more information on what we do right. Until 2004, an Emirates purser, or chief crew officer, had recorded flight notes with pen and paper. Then, Emirates airline created its business application, Knowledge-driven In flight Service (KIS), which allows pursers to use laptops to take stock of what transpired on a flight and how to better serve passengers.

Emirates used a specific CRM database, which runs during the flight to maintain a profitable long-term relationship with their customers by delivering satisfaction. It has started rolling out in-flight Windows 8 tablets that enable cabin crew to access core CRM and HR information to improve customers’ services. In this regard, the Senior Vice-President for Cabin Crew said:

There is a lot of noise of people doing things with tablet devices, but we are an airline of firsts. The airline first used tablets in 2004, starting with HP, then moving to Lenovo Windows-based tablets.

Emirates provided 1000 pursers with HP tablets as part of Knowledge-driven In-flight Service (KIS). It allows the airline’s cabin crew to see which previous trips a passenger has taken with the carrier and based on this, knows their food, wine, and seating preferences, or any issues a customer had during their travels. Moreover, the gathered data support Emirates in segmentation and targeting because they can analyze very specific information about customers’ expectations. This information is the key that supports Emirates’ decision-making about adding and offering the right services to satisfy its customers’ expectations. This system allows Emirates to provide more focused and personalized services. Pursers use KIS to brief the cabin crew before every flight and check passenger’s special needs, as well as see who is enrolled in Emirates’ frequent flyer program Skywards. This enables the crew to invest more in those loyal customers and to provide a more personalized service. Cabin crew can also use the KIS system to perform in-flight upgrades to Business or First Class, as well as post customer feedback that is emailed to headquarters upon landing. That is one of the most important sources of information that pioneers the competitive intelligence process and allows Emirates to improve its services and keep its customers loyal and satisfied.

A loyalty program was implemented to satisfy customers by allowing them to save money and to gather personal information about those clients. It also created a lock-in system where the customer should remain with the same airline to benefit from discounts. It offers membership in two types of loyalty programs: Emirates Skywards and Business Rewards.

Emirates Skywards is the award-winning frequent flyer program launched in May 2000. Membership in the program provides access to many exclusive benefits designed to make travel more rewarding and enjoyable. Skywards is the number one CRM strategy of EA. Membership in Skywards gives the traveler or customer the chance to earn and spend accumulated Miles with Emirates and a wide selection of partners and enhances their travel experience with benefits and services that make every trip more rewarding. Every time you fly with Emirates, you earn Skywards Miles, even on a special fare. Skywards Miles are calculated using four basic inputs: route, fare type, class, and tier. Therefore, the customers can maximize their Miles income depending on what fare they choose and what class they fly in. Once they reach the Silver tier they also begin to collect additional Miles based on their tier status. The more you fly, the more you earn Miles. The number of Miles you earn depends on the class you have chosen, on the destination, and the duration of the plane travel. The collected Miles are valid for three years. Emirates frequent flyer program has four rewarding membership tiers, starting with Blue and progressing through Silver and Gold to Platinum (see Figure 3).

Business Rewards is part of the loyalty program of Emirates, which is open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) around the world. Organizations earn Business Rewards Miles on flights taken by their employees, which can be spent on Rewards flights and upgrades. Up to 80 employees from an organization can be registered under a Business Rewards account, Individuals may be removed from an organization’s Business Rewards account at any time, but no more than 80 new enrolments can be made within a 12-month period. To enroll into Business Rewards. First, the customer has to be a member of Emirates Skywards. To join, the customer has to choose an administrator in their company, and this person or administrator will initiate group or individual membership, by completing a travel account form, quoting the customer or employee business rewards, and ensuring that the employee is credited with the company Miles. With every Emirates flight, the organization will earn Business Rewards Miles and the individual will earn Skywards Miles, thereby giving benefits to both the employee and the organization. When an employee books a flight through the nominated travel agent or Emirates Contact Centre, they simply quote the employee’s Business Rewards number to earn Business Rewards Miles. The traveler/employee/customer earns one Mile for each US dollar spent on the base airfare, before surcharges, taxes, and other industry partner charges (which are not included in Miles accrual). Miles are calculated at the end of each month for travel completed within the month. Miles are valid for three years from the date that they are earned. Emirates always make sure to satisfy their customers by providing them with benefits for every program in which they enroll. Each dollar spent earns one business reward mile, and they are eligible for special offers from Emirates’ partners as well as attractive prices.