A DISSERTATION SUBMMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER DEGREE IN BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION COOPERATE MANAGEMENT
This research report fully explains the contribution of information and
communication technology on supply chain operational performance in the
petroleum industry, a case of GAPCO Tanzania Limited. The main objective of the
research was to determine ICT infrastructure and capabilities development in
organization, to evaluate the extent of ICT application in the company’s supply chain
operations, to identify Contribution of ICT application on firm’s supply chain
operational performance, and to determine key challenges that encountered in
applying ICT in operational supply chain. In developing the actual base for the study,
the methodology used was based on collecting valid data through both primary and
secondary sources from GAPCO. Sample of 42 respondents was involved in the
study and data were collected using questionnaires, interview and documentary
review. The sample was purposively and randomly selected. Furthermore, data were
analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively in order to come out with the concrete
findings. The study identified a significant number of challenges associated with the
application of ICT in supply chain management in the case organization. These
include lack of ICT expertise, absence of government support in implementation of
ICT policy and budget in the organizations, lack of person influence and awareness
on ICT matters. All these are identified as main hindrances of ICT contribution on
Supply Chain performance in terms of such activities like procurement, inventory
logistics and transportation. This report recommends both to the company and
government, government has a role to play by creating and improving ICT education
system, the infrastructure, and requests attention from the policy makers on the issue
of regulations especially on business operations interventions. The government of
Tanzania should develop policy that emphasizes the introduction of ICT to the
economic sector.