Browsing by Author "Zhang Xiao Long"

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    Optimization Strategies for Supply Chain Management of Chinese Enterprises in Ethiopian Industrial Parks
    (Mekelle University, 2025-12-28) Zhang Xiao Long
    This MBA thesis investigates supply chain challenges and optimization strategies for Chinese enterprises operating in Ethiopian industrial parks through a mixed-methods census approach comprising 15 questionnaires and 5 interviews that achieved a 100% response rate. The study validates the SCOR model while identifying Ethiopia-specific adaptations required for emerging market contexts. Quantitative analysis reveals critical challenges with an overall mean score of 4.37 out of 5 (91% agreement), led by foreign exchange shortages (mean 4.60, 100% agreement) causing 3-6 month import delays, transportation bottlenecks (4.47, 93%) where Hawassa-Addis roads takes 2 days instead of 6 hours, infrastructure deficits (4.40, 93%) including daily 4-6 hour power cuts, and raw material dependency (4.33, 87%) with 90% imports required. A significant 1.07-point challenge-performance gap exists between challenges (4.37) and current strategies (3.30). Robust strategies outperform agility (3.53 vs 3.33), with buffer inventory management (3.80, 80% agreement) serving as the primary forex survival tactic and multiple supplier sourcing (3.53, 67% agreement) achieving 40% stockout reduction. Regression analysis explains 78% of performance variance, identifying robustness as the strongest predictor (β=0.52). Strategic conclusions confirm foreign exchange allocation as the primary bottleneck surpassing infrastructure impact, robustness of strategies provide immediate resilience in institutional voids, medium-sized enterprises leading optimization efforts, and local supplier collaboration offering untapped potential demonstrated by 25% delivery improvements. Actionable recommendations for Chinese enterprises include immediate implementation of 3- month forex buffers (100% interview validated), diversification to 2-3 suppliers per input (40% stock out reduction proven), and ERP pilots before Internet of Things investments (7% gains achieved). For the Ethiopian government, priority actions encompass 30-day forex guarantees for park exporters, construction of industrial corridors with dedicated power and truck lanes, and single-window digital customs reducing clearance from 7 to 2 days. The study provides the first empirical benchmark for Chinese-African supply chain resilience, a 78% predictive performance model, and a policy roadmap positioning Ethiopian parks as successful Belt and Road initiatives, with expected 25-40% performance uplift through synchronized enterprise and institutional execution.