An evaluation of barriers to information sharing between Lusaka based logistics-supply chain companies and regulatory authorities in Zambia.

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Date
2021
Authors
Mwape, Jeff
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Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Supply chains globally are the main mechanism through which economies create value. Therefore, creating efficiencies in logistics-supply chain operations is the key to unlocking value that can increase welfare of economic agents. Information sharing amongst participants in supply chains is a recognized strategy for generating economic benefits through reduction in uncertainties, speeding up operations, eliminating bottlenecks, and improving resource allocation decisions. Past studies focused largely on information sharing between private sector operators with collaborations between the private sector logistics-supply chain companies and regulatory authorities who are relevant to their daily operations infrequently investigated. The purpose of this study was to delineate areas of possible collaboration between regulatory bodies and logistics-supply chain companies as well as to understand barriers and inhibitors to information sharing in Zambia using mixed methods research. Data was, collected by self-administered questionnaire interviews from a convenience sample of 88 respondents (55 from logistics-supply chain companies and 33 from regulatory authorities). The data was, analyzed by correlational design using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings of the study were that there was significant scope for collaborative information sharing between logistics-supply chain companies and relevant regulatory authorities in Zambia. However, inhibitors of information sharing were mainly legal/policy framework. Various barriers that could be, surmounted included political influence and lack of best practice examples. Recommendations of the study included policy level discussions involving logistics-supply chain companies and regulatory authorities to create a broad model with supportive laws and policies for collaborative information sharing. Key Words: Information Sharing Barriers/Inhibitors, Logistics-Supply Chain Operations, Supply Chain Collaborative Regulation
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Keywords
Information sharing , Information sharing--Barriers , Knowledge management , Organizational learning
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