THE IMPACT OF CRIMINALITY ON SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRATION AND COMPANY PERFORMANCE IN THE DOWNSTREAM SECTOR OF THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY [The Case of North-west Nigeria]

Abstract This thesis, with a focus on the downstream petroleum sector in North-west Nigeria, investigates the impact of intentional, human-induced disruptions on supply chain integration (SCI) dimensions. Two theories were used as guiding principles; crisis theory that presents criminality as a crisis situation in the industry; and the resources-based view (RBV) that explains SCI according to the organisational capability to collaborate and gain advantages using the available resources. It also examines the extent to which safety/security initiatives (as resources) mitigate these disruptions. Following mixed-methods of quantitative-qualitative sequential explanatory research design, the relationships between criminal elements and the dimensions of SCI and organisational performance. Quantitative analyses, guided by sets of hypotheses tested using regression analysis, ranked the criminal elements in order of their impact on SCI dimensions and impact of SCI dimensions on organisational performance. A Participatory Action Research (PAR) team was engaged to explain both the correlations and the causation resulting from the quantitative analysis by focusing on the vulnerable areas identified and by proposing solutions. To help decision-making, several decision-making tools (diagramming, visualization, etc) were used, expanding over 3,000 man hours of PAR meetings involving 17 members over a period of two years were recorded. Fifty Six (56) causes of disruption were identified, which were subsequently reduced to 34, of which 12 were primary and 22 secondary. Using diagramming, 21 causes were found to be central to criminality in the region of study. These causes and their attributes were discussed in a PAR setting. Organisations represented at the PAR implemented agreed implementable operational actions. The impact of those actions on organisational processes related to the security and safety of both products and facilities were evaluated and found to be effective countermeasures for the identified causes. This thesis work reveals that participatory security processes gives better security advantages for oil and gas facilities. As a result of this work a Participatory-oriented Security Approach model is proposed, in line with participatory theories