Factors Affecting Supply Chain Management and Customers’ Satisfaction of Gas Available in Tanzania: A Case of Dar Es Salaam City

Abstract

The study aimed at evaluating the factors affecting supply chain management and customers’ satisfaction of gas available in Dar es Salaam city. The study used realism approach to identify social realities. A survey design was used in which the researchers surveyed all three Municipal Councils of Dar es Salaam city for the purpose of in-depth studying of the research problem. A stratified sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 90 respondents. Data were collected by using interview and questionnaires. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with the help of statistical package for social science and qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings reveal that lack of proper planning and infrastructures are the main factors which affect the effectiveness of supply chain management. The study concludes that, recently discoveries of natural gas in Tanzania have led to a widespread belief that Tanzania is heading towards benefits from gas economy. However, lack of proper planning and lack of pipe line infrastructures for transportation of gas are the main factors which may hinder the effectiveness of supply chain management and customers’ satisfaction of gas available in Dar es Salaam city. The study recommends that delivering gas to customers at the right time and in safety requires high level of planning and co-operation between the supplier and customers.