Application Of The Simba System By Kenya Revenue Authority To Address The Challenges Of Globalization

Abstract

Globalization challenges firms to become more streamlined and efficient while simultaneously extending the geographic reach of their operations (Hak-Min, 1999). Technology is an increasingly important element of globalization and of competitiveness. Kenya Revenue Authority has spent time and resources setting up systems, procedures and the adoption of new strategies aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency of the Authority's processes, including those of the Customs Services Department. In international trade Customs plays a critical role in providing expedited clearing processes (KAM, 2007). Efficient and effective clearance procedures are important to the development and growth of the global marketplace and electronic commerce. The objectives of this study were:- i. To establish the challenges brought about by globalization. ii. To determine how Kenya Revenue Authority is applying technology, i.e. the Simba System to address the challenges of globalization. The case study was conducted on Kenya Revenue Authority’s Customs Services Department. To facilitate the study, a structured questionnaire having open-ended questions, was used. The researcher personally administered the questionnaire to the interviewees. This study found out that globalization has positively impacted Customs at the Kenya Revenue Authority, by resulting in technological advancement and automation of Customs operations, including clearance processes