Assessing Innovative Capabilities in the Namibian Road Freight Transport Industry

Abstract

Road freight transport plays a crucial role in fostering global economic growth. Namibia’s increased transit traffic highlights its focus on becoming Africa’s logistical hub. To stay competitive, Namibian road freight firms must be more innovative now than ever before. There are few studies on innovation in the Namibia road freight transport industry. This study investigated the innovative capabilities of Namibian road freight transport operators. To measure firms’ innovativeness, the study used the non-linear constructs of innovation. The target population comprised Windhoek’s road freight transport firms affiliated with Namibia Logistics Association, with 22 firms forming the representative sample. Both qualitative and quantitative data were gathered through interviews and questionnaires in a mixed-method approach. The study revealed that Namibia’s road freight transport operators possess the capacity to deliver innovative logistics and transport services. In addition, the study highlighted the need to improve rewards systems and attitudes towards risk in the industry. Although the study was confined to Windhoek-based firms, it addressed a notable gap in research on innovativeness within the Namibian road freight transport sector.