Abstract
M.Tech. (Operations Management)
The new environment of business imposes some challenges that require companies to move forward towards new business models and concepts, in respect of golden principles of product development and service delivery. In this ever changing complex environment, operations of any company must be managed in such a way to maximise the opportunities to stay competitive and sell more products or service both in the local as well as the global market.
In this perspective, the Gabonese government mandated OPRAG to stand in charge of all operations concerning ports and related assets, areas, stuff and activities. This study undertakes to explore and understand what operations managers do within OPRAG with the view of keeping the company running, smoothly and competitively. The research has used mixed method and the research tools is made of closed ended questionnaire and open ended in case the respondent did not find the appropriate answers. Data for the study were collected from a sampled group of 126 operations managers employed at OPRAG and its company-partners in Gabon. Quantitative-wise, the data were analysed with techniques borrowed from descriptive and inferential statistics.
The study found among others that OPRAG employs operations managers who are still junior for the most and care about gender equity at these positions. Many of the said managers have at least a BTS qualification, but some of the others have a licence qualification. Aged mostly between 25 and 45 years old, those managers work on either a permanent basis or a fixed term contract, and this presents an excellent opportunity for implementing policies and practices more likely to increase the level of the company's competitiveness. Other findings of the study are presented in the concluding chapter of this report.