ABSTRACT

This study examine the Role of ICT in the freight management of CASMAD The main Research question for this study is; what are the role of ICT in freight management of CASMAD LTD Douala and it is guided by the following specific questions To examine the software and hardware adopted in the freight management of CASMAD LTD, To investigate the efficiency of ICT in the freight management of CASMAD LTD, To examine the challenges face in the use of ICT in the freight management of CASMAD LTD. This study made use of primary data with the help of questionnaires formulated following the objectives.

The descriptive survey research design was used for the study with a sample size of 60 respondents randomly selected from the study area and data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20-32bi. The quantitative descriptive statistical table and frequency table were use and the MRS(aggregate scores) where noted, the  findings  revealed  that MRS(aggregate scores) with the lowest percentages were  rejected that is, where not taken into consideration and the MRS with higher percentages were  retained,  leading  to  the  following conclusion: CASMAD LTD may benefit from exploring more advanced software solutions that can integrate various aspects of freight management, improving tracking, inventory management, and customer service.

Challenges identified in CASMAD LTD’s use of ICT include budget constraints, technical issues, and concerns about data processing safety Financial limitations, reported by 26.7% of respondents, may restrict investments in ICT infrastructure and software upgrades crucial for optimizing freight management operations Based on the findings and the challenges identified in CASMAD LTD’s freight management practices, several recommendations can be made to enhance their utilization of software, hardware, and ICT Invest in Comprehensive Logistics Software, Enhance Technical Support and Network Infrastructure, Strengthen Data Security and Compliance Optimize Budget Allocation for ICT Investments.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background of the Study

In the world today, Information and communication technologies (ICTs) has enhanced freight management, Companies, society and businesses are benefiting from the role ICT plays in the various transport modes such as land, pipeline and sea and transportation like trains, airplanes, vehicles, water transports have aided humans to travel from one destination to another in a much quicker way as compared to animals or go-carts, which were the only modes of transport in the very old days. Fast delivery of goods within days or weeks is now possible instead of months, which was the case with carriages. Airplanes have made it possible to transport goods between the countries. This advancement is really beneficial for humanitarian causes. For example, developed countries can send goods and services to the devolving countries using airplanes. Technology has both positive and negative impacts on our lives. But the usage of technology is completely our choice. Separation of technology from human life is unbearable. Adebiyi A.A (2012). It is nearly impossible to imagine our life without technology. Technology is widely used as a way to gain new skills, to run a business over the Internet and to communicate using cell phones and computers. In the world today Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are considered a major influence on present and future mobility. One of the key challenges hindering the economic growth of developing countries is the lack of proper transport, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and energy sector infrastructures. This research aims to examine the importance of transport, ICT.

 Ethiopia have been facing economic growth identified as the main challenge  based on data obtained from different secondary sources such as websites of the World Bank and Trading Economics, official reports, and published works. Descriptive statistical analysis was implemented to describe the secondary data obtained, while graphs, tables, and charts were used to visualize the results. Despite the difficulties in establishing and sustaining necessary infrastructure, research indicates that the growth of Ethiopia’s economy is largely attributed to infrastructure development. Furthermore, year after year, progress has been made in each sector of development, though there are still obstacles to overcome. Poor quality of road, transport and ICT infrastructure has been key factors of poor development in the country. There is an imbalance between the power needed and the available power. Given Ethiopia’s abundance of resources, the country must continue to prioritize infrastructure development by H.Nagy (2024).In technological terms; ICT applications such as wireless technologies can be available to users as electronic infrastructure when they move between regions and states. ICTs also influence the actual movement of goods and people, thus adding a direct, physical dimension to the mobility question in the form of transport and logistics, and ICTs are important enablers of changes in social and organizational practices, thus affecting the demand for transport in spatial and temporal terms. These issues are of major importance to EU policies in the fields of ICTs and transport. The recent EU White Paper on Transport Policy has underlined the need to achieve a decoupling of economic growth and transport growth Consumer Electronics Control 2001.Otherwise, major transport bottlenecks and associated negative external costs are to be expected in Europe’s agglomerations. The e-Europe Action Plan Consumer Electronics Control 2002contains specific chapters on transport as well as on e-working, which aim to foster the integration of ICTs in transport. Yet uncertain expectations are attached to the role of ICTs to alleviate transport problems.

ICTs are increasingly used in optimizing transport operations, for instance for travel information systems, road pricing or safety applications. This type of impact on transport operations has been studied quite extensively over the past years. ICTs are expected to exert a major influence on transport demand by allowing changes in mobility behavior to emerge, such as distance work, teleshopping, business-to-business electronic commerce, integrated manufacturing systems, etc. This demand impact of ICTs seems to be an area where speculation still prevails over understanding. This is not surprising given the fast pace of technological change in ICTs and the necessity to assess the co-evolution of technological changes and general socio-economic trends in lifestyles, territorial developments or economic systems.

Over the last years, high expectations have been expressed regarding the potential benefits that the widespread use of information and communication technologies (ICT) could have for reducing the growth in demand for transport and mobility services. Frequently, these expectations have had consequences for policymaking and priority setting, both in the transport and the information society technologies (IST) areas. Specifically in transport policy, the objective of achieving a decoupling of transport demand growth from economic growth has stimulated the interest in the potential of ICTs. Therefore, the potential of ICTs in relation to mobility is seen in its ability to curb the growth in transport demand. The potential impact of ICTs can be twofold. ICTs can be used in transport in order to optimize and improve transport operations. The widespread use of ICTs can exert an influence on the demand for transport and mobility, both in terms of the volume and the spatial and temporal distribution. More so with respect to the impact on transport demand, there is little systematic and structured evidence available that could be used to justify either optimistic or pessimistic expectations. The contribution of the project “Effect of ICT on the performance of a Transport company needs to be placed within this context.  Rodrigues (2013)

Africa today is undergoing rapid changes due to the advancement in science and technology. It is becoming a challenge each day to do away with technology. Most individuals and corporations admire the many technological devices they use in their daily lives and businesses. A recent example of technological change dynamics and economic growth is the proliferation of new technologies of e-business and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among companies (Koellinger, 2006). It is without a doubt that new ICT tools are emerging each day, giving organizations that employ them to gain competitive advantage. In May 2019, the launch of a new digital roadmap was announced by the government of Ghana. This is part of a wider strategy to develop the country as a leading ICT innovation center in sub-Saharan Africa. (Oxford Business Group, 2020). It confirms that Ghana is fast embracing these new emerging technologies into its various sectors of operations, of which the logistics sector is of no exception. In recent years, businesses active in the logistics and transport industries have made considerable improvement in embracing modern technologies, especially those connected to the e-business sectors and the internet (Koellinger, 2006).ICT tools help to speed up the execution of activities, encourage automated decision-making procedures and processes, and allow distributive operations. (Huang & Nof, 1999).In recent times, innovation is considered to be the key to business success (Analytics-Insight, 2019). As new technologies evolve, logistics firms tend to seek innovations that will help retain and expand their customer base. These new techs increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the firms to better serve their customers and also achieve a competitive edge over competitors. The introduction and use of ICT are helping logistic firms live a dream come true since it helps foster better customer relations and satisfaction, reduce cost, improves communication, reduce transactional time, provide security, and enhance their overall effectiveness and performance.

In Cameroon today, Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have considerable importance for transport systems, as they provide access to travel information, planning tools, opportunities to share transport modes, to work at-a-distance, compare transport mode cost, make payment, improve safety and health, and to communicate travel patterns. Over the past decade, there has been massive growth in the availability of transportation ICT, in particular, smartphone applications. There is considerable evidence that ICTs have profoundly changed the ways in which transport systems are perceived and used, and nobilities performed, with far-reaching implications for transport mode choices and transport demand. Against this background, the paper seeks to conceptualize ICT with relevance for transport systems, and to discuss the implications for the environmental sustainability of the transport sector. Findings suggest that while some ICT innovations foster and support sustainable transport choices, others raise new and significant barriers to more sustainable transport futures.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The study seeks to find answers to the following questions: To examine the software and hardware  adopted in the freight management of CASMAD LTD , To investigate the efficiency of ICT in the freight management of CASMAD LTD, To examine the challenges face in the use of ICT in the freight management of CASMAD LTD  The findings of this research will be helpful to owners and managers of logistics firms since it gives better insight into the effect of ICT on logistics performance that will help Them make a strategic business decision for business growth. It will also be an eye-opener for investors to start making investments into the logistics firms hence improves economic growth. The findings will also be helpful to the government as it will well inform them on the way forward in ICT services within the country.

1.3. Research Questions

The role of ICT in freight management of CASMAD LTD Douala

1.3.1 Main Research Questions

The main Research question for this study is; what are the role of ICT in freight management of CASMAD LTD Douala and it is guided by the following specific questions

1.3.2 Specific Research Questions

1) What are the software and hardware adopted in freight management of CASMAD LTD?

2) What is the efficiency of ICT in freight management of CASMAD LTD?

3) What are the challenges face in the use of ICT in freight management of CASMAD LTD?

1.4 Research Objectives

1.4.1 Main Research Objective

The aim of this study is to examine the role of ICT in the freight management of CASMAD LTD. It is guided by the following specific objectives;

1.4.2 Specific Research Objectives

1) To examine the software and hardware adopted in the freight management of CASMAD LTD

2) To investigate the efficiency of ICT in the freight management of CASMAD LTD

3) To examine the challenges face in the use of ICT in the freight management of CASMAD LTD

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The hypotheses will be based on Null hypotheses and Alternative