Assessing the Technical Reliability of the Tanzania Electronic Single Window (TANESW) in Enhancing Cargo-Clearance Efficiency at Dar es Salaam Port

Gracian Cleophace Mutabuzi; Benjamini Mbeba Meli

doi:10.18535/sshj.v9i09.1946

Abstract

This study gauges how system uptime in the Tanzania Electronic Single Window (TANESW) affects cargo-clearance efficiency at Dar es Salaam Port. A convergent mixed-methods approach combined questionnaire data from 92 frontline users with ten semi-structured interviews and two focus-group discussions. Survey analysis showed that perceived reliability is the strongest predictor of efficiency (β = 0.41, p < .001) within a model explaining 61 % of the variance; users rated uptime moderately high (M = 3.69 on a five-point scale). Qualitative coding of 82 transcript pages produced three recurrent themes “lightning-fast when live,” “month-end latency spikes,” and “trust collapses when the screen freezes” that corroborate the statistical hierarchy. Extrapolation suggests each additional percentage point of availability would lift efficiency scores by roughly 0.04 Likert units, translating into significant vessel-delay savings. The study concludes that migrating TANESW to a geographically redundant, auto-scaling cloud architecture to reach a 99.9 % service-level agreement is a strategic investment, converting technical stability into sustained logistical and economic gains for Tanzania.

Keywords

Work MotivationJob SatisfactionNurse PerformanceEmployee Performance

References

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[refR-2] Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] DeLone, W. H., & McLean, E. R. (2016). Information systems success measurement. Foundations and Trends in Information Systems, 2(1), 1-116.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Dwivedi, Y. K., Williams, M. D., Raman, R., & Mustafee, N. (2019). Adoption of electronic government services. Government Information Quarterly, 36(4), 101124.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Kabanda, G., & Matsinhe, N. (2021). Determinants of port community single-window performance in Kenya. African Journal of Information Systems, 13(3), 24-46.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Notteboom, T. (2021). The cost of port delays. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 23(2), 301-322.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Nyamongo, S., & Mwakalebela, M. (2020). User perceptions of TANESW efficiency. Tanzania Journal of Logistics, 5(1), 13-27.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Niyonzima, J., & Habimana, P. (2023). Reliability metrics of Rwanda’s ReSW v2.0. Journal of Border Management, 11(1), 88-105.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Tanzania Ports Authority. (2021). Annual report 2020/21. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach’s alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53-55.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] UNCTAD. (2019). Single windows and port community systems: A blueprint for seamless trade. Geneva, Switzerland.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] UNESCAP. (2022). Digital corridors for trade facilitation in Africa. Bangkok, Thailand.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Venkatesh, V., Thong, J. Y. L., & Xu, X. (2012). Consumer acceptance and use of information technology: UTAUT2. MIS Quarterly, 36(1), 157-178.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] World Bank. (2020). Trading for development in the age of global value chains. Washington, DC.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] World Trade Organization. (2018). Single window and other trade facilitation measures. Geneva, Switzerland.Google Scholar ↗