The determinants of Operational Performance in Tanzania Cargo Containers Freight Stations: A case of KEFA Cargo Solution Container Freight Station
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47667/ijppr.v7i3.482Keywords:
Container Freight Station, Operational Performance, Cargo Handling Time, Equipment Utilization, Cargo Handling TechnologyAbstract
Container Freight Stations were established at the Port of Dar es Salaam to reduce congestion and improve cargo movement. However operational inefficiencies, including delays in cargo handling, inadequate utilization of cargo-handling equipment, and limited adoption of modern technologies, continue to affect their performance. This study examined the effects of cargo handling time, equipment utilization, and cargo-handling technology on the operational performance of KEFA Cargo Solution Container Freight Station at the Port of Dar es Salaam. The study adopted a positivist research philosophy, a deductive approach, and a cross-sectional explanatory survey design. A census was conducted involving all 80 employees of the organization. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. The finding reveal that cargo handling time has a positive but statistically insignificant effect on operational performance, whereas equipment utilization has a statistically significant positive effect. Cargo-handling technology demonstrates the strongest positive influence on operational performance, and the regression model explains 39.9% of the variation in operational performance. The study concludes that effective utilization of cargo-handling equipment and investment in modern cargo-handling technologies are the key drivers of operational performance in Container Freight Stations and are essential for improving operational efficiency and service delivery within Tanzania's port logistics sector. The study recommends that Container Freight Stations prioritize investment in modern cargo-handling technologies, strengthen equipment utilization through regular maintenance and efficient scheduling, and enhance staff training to improve operational performance and service delivery.
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