A multi-agent based system to promote collaboration among Namibian transport stakeholders in order to reduce empty runs

The main aim of transport stakeholders has always been to transport freight efficiently, as this efficiency contributes to the growth and success of their business. A country like Namibia is no different as the efficiency of transport lies in the effective utilisation of carrier capacity in any direction. Due to the various types of freight, transport operators rarely have the capacity to cover all freight movement requests. This research put the empty runs experienced by most of the Namibian transporters at 33%. Empty runs could however be reduced through collaboration and sharing of capacity among transport stakeholders. Multi-agent systems (MAS) are various individual computer agents that are configured independently to interact with other agents to achieve one goal. These systems have been explored as an approach to achieve collaboration among transporter stakeholders. Taking into consideration the characteristics and requirements of MAS, this research was able to conduct a feasibility of its implementation within Namibia. Concluding with an evaluation of available Multi-agent based systems that could achieve collaboration and reduce empty runs in the Namibian transport environment.Information ScienceM. Tech. (Information Technology

Developing Walvis Bay Port into a logistics gateway for southern Africa: Issues, challenges and the potential implications for Namibia’s future

Many developing countries wish to become the ‘gateway’ to a region or part of a continent.One strategy involves encouraging logistics cluster development. These hubs support global supply chains and may enable the economic growth of the host country through the resulting trade, as well as providing direct and indirect employment opportunities during the build and subsequent operation of the hub. Namibia intends to develop the Port of Walvis Bay to be come the preferred gateway to southern Africa and the Southern African Development Community region. This article builds on research on Caribbean cluster potential and Namibian logistics to identify the potential benefits and impact on development, as well as the drawbacks and risks of such a strategy

Logistics in Namibia: Issues and challenges

Logistics is perceived to be important for Namibia’s growth and development, but this may be a matter of conjecture as there is a dearth of documented information about the industry in Namibia. Furthermore, it is uncertain what the understanding of logistics is for key stakeholders in the country. This article reports on a project; the objectives were to address some of these issues and to lay the foundation for a more thorough investigation in the future. The findings of the initial project were disseminated in 2012 by: a conference paper showing the challenges and opportunities facing logistics in Namibia in 2012; a report; and through a Logistics and Transport Workshop held in Walvis Bay, Namibia in September 2012. These reports, additional interviews and subsequent discussions highlighted some potential opportunities and problems. This article summarises the project to date, showing the methodology and findings as updated by subsequent feedback and further interviews. The findings from key stakeholders of the logistics industry in Namibia include: universal agreement on the importance of logistics to Namibia; the variety in the understanding of the term logistics; the strength of the continuing influence of South Africa as the dominant economic power in southern Africa; and contrasting views on the main factors limiting logistics development, including infrastructure, attitude, government, customs, training, railways, corruption and driver shortage

Logistics in Namibia: issues and challenges, re-engineering for competitiveness

Logistics is perceived to be important for Namibia’s growth and development, but it is a matter of conjecture as there is a dearth of documented information about the industry in Namibia. Furthermore, it is uncertain what the understanding of “logistics” is for key stakeholders in the country. This project’s objectives are to address some of these issues and lay the foundation for a more thorough investigation. The findings from key stakeholders of the logistics industry in Namibia include: universal agreement on the importance of logistics to Namibia, the variety in the understanding of the term logistics, the strength of the continuing influence of South Africa as the dominant economic power in southern Africa and contrasting views on the main factors limiting logistics development, including: infrastructure, attitude, government, customs, training, railways, corruption and driver shortage. The conclusions were published in the form of a conference paper showing the challenges and opportunities facing logistics in Namibia in 2012 (Jenkins et al., 2012). They were also disseminated as a report (Savage et al., 2012) and at a workshop in Walvis-bay, Namibia in September 2012. These reports, additional interviews and subsequent discussions highlighted some potential opportunities and problems. This paper summarises the initial phases of the project showing the methodology and findings; it then builds on that work to prioritise measures required to re-engineer Namibia’s logistics industry

Understanding the effect of skilled labour resource shortages on supply chain sustainability: a review of the logistics skills gap in southern Africa

Purpose: Southern Africa relies on trade to generate wealth to fund its economic and social development. This needs efficient and effective supply chains with high standards of customer service. So, it is important to understand the levels of service provision, the factors that influence them and the impact of any logistics skill shortages. Previous research identified ‘limited management education’ as one of the top barriers to logistics development in Namibia and used views from retailers and key stakeholders to understand the current service levels. This research ranks the logistics skills gaps identified by key stakeholders and determines if there is a correlation between the logistics development barriers, levels of service and supply chain sustainability. Research approach: The southern African logistics industry, as illustrated by Namibia and South Africa, is examined using a critical realism approach through interviews and surveys. Candidates were purposefully targeted to give broad spectrum coverage of stakeholders rather than attempting to achieve a statistical sample. The research also draws on previous datasets to determine if logistics skills gaps are consistent across the region . Findings and Originality: Research showed that there is a similarity between skills requirements and shortages in Namibia / South Africa and that this has an adverse impact on customer service. The work has originality because previous research on skills gaps in southern Africa countries has been limited. Research Impact: The output will create an awareness of the magnitude of the skill shortage problem thus laying the foundation for further academic investigation into the issue. Practical Impact: The identification of skills gaps may prompt decision makers to address them to help generate the trade that is needed for the development of the southern African region. Keywords: Supply chain sustainability, logistics skills shortages, southern Africa, human resource

The failure of transport megaprojects: lessons from developed and developing countries.

Transport megaprojects are essential to economic growth and development, yet attract high risks and are prone to failure. Projects fail for a number of reasons and when they do, their impacts are severe. This is especially true in developing countries, where the cost of a project is typically far higher than those in developed countries, whose GDPs are much higher in relative terms. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the failures of megaprojects in developing and developed countries to establish as basis for comparison in the reasons for project failure. The study finds that projects in developing countries tend to be poorly justified in feasibility studies and under-resourced in operations, making them particularly prone to high failure rates