An analysis of factors influencing the financial performance of Namibian fuel stations in Helao-Nafidi town
This study sought to analyse factors that have an impact on the financial performance of fuel stations at the Helao Nafidi town in the Ohangwena region, in terms of risk management, high fuel prices, the pandemic (COVID-19, logistic management (stock arrival) and the role of government in mitigating losses of financial performance. This study used explanatory sequential research design. It adopted a mixed methodology approach in which data was collected using a questionnaire for the quantitative part and for the qualitative part, an interview guide was used. To achieve this, the study used multiple regression analysis, based on a sample size of 32 participants and the results reveal positive impacts of risk management and stock arrival on business performance while high fuel prices and pandemics reveal negative impacts on business performance for fuel stations at the Helao Nafidi town in the Ohangwena region. Moreover, the study followed up on these findings qualitatively to explore the role that the government can play to mitigate business performance losses for the fuel stations due to pandemics, which go hand in hand with high fuel prices using reflective thematic analysis in NVivo. This analysis was based on the data collected from 12 interviewees using an interview guide and results revealed two themes, each with two codes. The first theme was on controlling the rivalry with two codes as oil/fuel smuggling control and the protection of the borders. The second theme was selfreliance that is associated with two codes as own oil discovery and giving subsidies. Thus, the study applied an explanatory sequential research design. Lastly, qualitative findings serve as policy recommendations while in terms of directions for future studies, the study suggests future research focus on other regions that are not severely affected by oil/fuel smuggling in Namibia from Angola, as well as to assessing the impact of the pandemic on business performance for companies in other sectors. Keywords: Business performance, risk management, high fuel prices, COVID-19 pandemic, multiple regression analysis, reflective thematic analysis
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