Browsing by Author "Kimaro, Theophil"

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    Factors influencing commercial ports’ effectiveness in enhancing globalization
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2003) Kimaro, Theophil
    In this study the researcher sought to investigate factors that influence commercial ports’ ability in facilitating globalisation. The main objective was however, to analyse these factors with a specific attention to those that particularly influence or are likely to influence Dar es Salaam Port’s effectiveness. The title of the dissertation “Factors Influencing Commercial Ports ’ Effectiveness in Enhancing Globalisation: The Case Of Dar es salaam Port, ” was thus formulated to provide reference to the study. While in this research we have just scratched the surface of the information needed to accurately determine factors that influence Dar es salaam Ports effectiveness in enhancing globalisation, many interesting comments were given in the interviews made with respondents. Based on this information it appears quite obvious that immediate attention must be given to information and communication technology, cargo handling equipment and facilities, and quality of dockworkers. Overall, the port lacks both a good ICT infrastructure and a commitment to develop one. The port needs to invest more efforts and funds in attending to issues that need immediate improvement. These include the three factors: information and communication technology; cargo handling equipment and facilities; and quality of dockworkers. A descriptive research design was adopted in this study in order to build on the already existing research findings. To ensure adequate sample representation of minorities, stratified sampling was used. Despite the fact that research results show that ICT was rated to have more influence than the other factors, this technology at the port is still underdeveloped. There does not seem to be a purposeful investment in computer-based systems specifically targeted at fully automating the port. Thus, the port should launch a serious system development program to cover important operations. Development of detailed computer based systems (CBS) should be the first phase towards automation of the entire port operations. The next step should be the actual computerization of the processes. Ship turnaround is an important measure of port globalisation. The amount of time a ship stays at the port awaiting and getting services indicates the efficiency of the port. The study has revealed that this time is directly dependent on the quality of facilities and dockworkers. The quality of dockworkers was found to be relatively adequate for the operations of the conventional terminal. However, this adequacy will be short-lived because as more equipment and facilities become mechanized as well as automated, the dockworkers need to be trained in order to align them with the changes.