Paper Key : IRJ************472
Author: Okpara, Godson ,Ebere, Nwabueze
Date Published: 25 Oct 2023
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between demand forecasting and sustainability of ports in Nigeria. The predictor variable (demand forecasting) was the independent variable. While the criterion variable or the dependent variable (sustainability of ports) was measured with economic orientation, social orientation and environmental orientation. The study was anchored on stakeholder's theory and resource dependence theory. Cross-sectionalsurvey design was used for the study. Data were obtained by using primary and secondary sources and a structured survey questionnaire was used as the research instrument to elicit data from the respondents. The population of the study consisted of all the 6 ports in Nigeria. The sample elements of the study consisted of 40 managerial staff from each of the 6 ports and that resulted in 240 respondents and 218 copies of questionnaire were retrieved from the respondents. After editing the retrieved copies of questionnaire, 211 of them (representing 87.92%) were found useful and valid for the study analysis. The study used descriptive and inferential statistical tools to analyse the data. Specifically, Pearson Products Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) was used to test the hypotheses with the aid of SPSS 25.0. The reliability of the research instrument was tested using the Cronbach Alpha. The study found that demand forecasting makes a credible outcome that influences the current contributions of economic orientation, societal orientation and environmental orientation in the port. The study concluded that: Demand forecasting significantly relates with economic orientation (r 0.801), social orientation (r 0.725) and environmental orientation (r 0.708). This study, therefore, recommended that Ports should design and evolve effective demanding forecasting strategies and policies, then implement and monitor them in collaboration with major strategic port operators for port sustainability initiatives and that ports in Nigeria should adapt digital demand forecasting in various forms so that their maritime logistics activities could be effectively and efficiently operated for sustainability of the ports in Nigeria.
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