To investigate supply chain risk and challenges or strategy in third-world nations.

Description

Abstract

Third world countries are those countries that are economically poor or middle and which do not have a well-established industry. Many such countries are in Asia and Africa. A country might have plenty of minerals but due to the unavailability of resources and conducive environment to transform those minerals into national wealth, they end up being poor. To illustrate this claim, I sample Zambia to use for this research. The study country is conducive and has vast information on my topic of choice (Ndlovu & Eric, 2017).

Introduction

One might think that owning a copper mine is all that you need to become wealthy. That is not true. Like any other business, there are risks on every corner of the endeavor. Risk in doing business in third world countries is quite significant and is attributed to various factors. The factors include the availability of capital to finance these business endeavors, market, security, workforce, and the environment (Ma et al, 2012).

Zambia is the leading copper producer and a significant supplier of copper to the market. According to COMTRADE, in 2019, the export Zambia’s export to COMTRADE was 5.05 billion USD. The current supply chain risk across all nearly all the businesses is the coronavirus disease. The current coronavirus pandemic has not only affected individuals’ health but has also gone as deep as nearly paralyzing some countries’ economies. Since they cannot accommodate the effects of lockdowns, they have resorted to continue with their business normally. In this research, I will seek to collect first-hand information on the effects of lockdown by comparing Zambia with her neighboring country South Africa. I will also, investigate the risks and impact of the pandemic to the transportation of goods across the nation that have also been hindered.

Objectives

The following research objectives have been identified;

1. To critically review the literature on the supply chain in third world countries.

2. To explorer and identify the challenges facing the copper industry in Zambia

3. To critically analyze the impact of lockdown in South Africa and no lockdown in Zambia.

4. To determine how the coronavirus pandemic has the transportation of goods.

Research question

Research questions are considered essential in determining the efficiency of the information explored in the research. The development of these questions will be guided by the laid down objectives. As earlier indicated several industries have gone in to the copper business. The companies include the First Quantum Minerals Limited, Lubambe Copper Mine Limited, and other companies (Tiba & Mohamedl, 2020).

The topic of discussion being business and logistics based on the research questions will seek to exhaust answer the following issues.

· The overview of the risks involved while engaging in a mega-company in third world countries.

· The pros and cons of setting up high capital investment in third world countries.

· The general performance of the copper industry.

· The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the copper industry.

· The effect of lockdown and no lockdown in third world countries.

· The risks posed to truck drivers who cross the borders in and out of Zambia and generally in the world.

Methodology

The research will be qualitative and quantitative. The quantitative aspect will include the numerical aspect of the research, such as the profits and losses while the qualitative aspect of the research will involve exploring the situation of the third world countries, taking Zambia as the study subject. The data collection methods will include

· Online questionnaire administration

· Desk research

· Personal interviews with the CEOs and other key people.

The research will involve 9 people holding various ranks in the First Quantum Minerals Limited, Lubambe Copper Mines Limited, and other copper mining organizations.

The data will be collected through audio recordings for the interviews, notes during the interviews, and filled in questionnaires (McCain, 2016).

Quality levels

To ensure quality levels in the research, findings will be compared to other similar researches to establish the relationship between them. The research will also include the aspects of individuals’ judgment. To minimize the bias which may come about when using one method, I have drafted the ways to collect adequate data about the study. These methods include personal in-depth interviews, desk research, and well structure online questionnaires and also conduct reviews on similar academic and scientific researches.

Conclusion

My research goes hand in hand with other research works conducted in third world countries thus it is relevant and innovative. I believe My research on supply chain risk in third world countries is innovative because it brings together analysis on the risks associated with running an organization in the third world countries and can be utilized by individuals accordingly.