Benchmark and Competitive Analysis of Port Performances Model: Algeciras Bay, Rotterdam, New York-New Jersey and Tangier Med (Published)

In this research paper four sea ports namely, Tanger Med, Algeciras Bay, Rotterdam and New York-New Jersey has been taken into study to understand and evaluate their efficiency of operations and benchmark them. Port efficiency is the measure of amount of input and output and their ratio. Port efficiency is not solely dependent on port performance. The port performance strategies of the case ports were studied and efficiency variables were found through various literatures. To analyze input and output variables of the ports, efficiency software named Data Envelopment Analysis Program was used to find the most efficient ports. Then the variables for the most efficient ports were benchmarked and ranked. A hypothetical port efficiency model has also been suggested for better efficiency of the ports.

Keywords: Benchmark, DEA, Efficiency, Performance, Ports

Esteeming the Neck and Neck for Compliance of Public Procurement Policy in the Public Institutions in Ghana (Published)

Procurement policies are rules and regulations for governing procurement procedures in public organization. The study adopted purposive sampling method in selecting the respondents from whom data was collected. A total number of Sixty-five (65) questionnaires were administered. From the study, it was revealed that there should be some level of compliance with respect to professionalism, transparency, efficiency and value for money, competitiveness and accountability, ethics and compliance with regulatory framework. It was also revealed that there are weaknesses in public procurement system. The study therefore recommended that Procurement Units in the various institutions should make sure that tender evaluation be conducted by competent persons in order to make informed decisions.

Keywords: Efficiency, Level of Compliance, Public Procurement Policies

FACTORS INFLUENCING CONTAINER TERMINALS EFFICIENCY: A CASE STUDY OF MOMBASA ENTRY PORT (Published)

Previous studies carryout revealed that many factors influence container terminal efficiency. This study revealed that factors such as inadequate quay/gantry crane equipment, reducing berth times and delays of container ships, dwell time, container cargo and truck turnaround time, custom clearance, limited storage capacity, poor multi-modal connections to hinterland and infrastructure directly influencing container terminal efficiency. The research document thoroughly explored these factors and discussed the extent to which they influence container terminal efficiency within the port industry. The primary objective of this study was to assess factors influencing Container Terminals Efficiency with a case study of the Mombasa Entry Port. The target population of the study was approximately 500 people which included Kenya Port Authority, Conventional Cargo Operations, and Container Terminal Operations. Questionnaire was the major instrument used to obtain primary data from the respondents; while the secondary data were obtained from existing empirical literature relevant to the study. The study employed an exploratory approach using a descriptive survey design. The questionnaire be designed using Likert scale type. A sample of 50 respondents was obtained through a stratified sampling technique of which 30 of the respondents participated in the survey. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel 2013. The findings revealed 86.7% of the respondents believe that by improving the infrastructures at the port of Mombasa will minimize the congestion problems that sometime occur. Findings from the survey revealed that 83.3% of the respondents agree that the lack of Integrated IT system poses substantial delays in custom clearance procedures. The study also recommended that Kenya Port Authority (KPA) continuously invest in modern quay and gantry cranes to supplement the current ones in order to continuously enhance productivity of port operations and that the Government of Kenya invest in expanding the physical infrastructure such as adequate berthing facilities, wharves, yard capacity, quayside, railway, as well as hinterland connections expansion.

Keywords: Container Terminals, Efficiency, Mombasa Entry

THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ON INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEMS IN TRANSPORT ORGANIZATION: A CASE STUDY OF KENYA FERRY SERVICES (Published)

With the increasing focus in enhancing supply management chain through use of the rapid development of Information and Communication Technology, businesses are seeking to develop and organize strategic, efficient and world-wide inventory control system for its use. In order to promote such global inventory control system, which are also compatible with sustainability objectives, organizations need to develop and implement effective systems both individually and collectively. This has resulted to Modern inventory control as a result of improved technology being one of the most strategic initiative embraced by organization in partnering initiatives for encouraging collaboration and information sharing among trading partners (Angulo, 2007). The main objective of the study was to investigate the impact of technology on inventory control systems in Kenya ferry services. The study adopted a descriptive research with survey of a total of 220 and applied a stratified random sampling technique to select a sample size of 60 respondents. Questionnaires were used as the main data collection Descriptive statistics analysis method was to analyze the gathered data. The study concluded that technology has had bigger impact on inventory control in terms of efficiency, ease of accessing information and accuracy thereby affecting organizational performance. The study recommends that modern inventory control systems should be well implemented since it forms a platform for ease of evaluating risk in which the organization invest a lot of money in purchasing of inventory. Additionally the study recommends that organization should integrate all its inventory management functions with information communication technology as well.

Keywords: Efficiency, ICT, Integration, Inventory., Procurement, Supplier