Effectiveness of private security companies in the provision of security to commercial enterprises in juba city, South Sudan

Abstract

Security has been vital to humanity since the ancient times and its importance cannot be over emphasized. Attacks on businesses and individuals have adversely affected business viability, economic stability and community stability. The study sought to assess the effectiveness of private security companies in the provision of security to commercial enterprises in Juba City, South Sudan. The specific objectives of the study were to analyze the effect of the private security firms‟ employee capability; evaluate influence of technology adoption; evaluate influence of regulatory framework and the influence of customer satisfaction on provision of security to commercial enterprises in Juba City, South Sudan. This study adopted descriptive survey research design. The study employed primary data which is quantitative and qualitative in nature. Data was collected by use of a questionnaire and key informant interview guide. This study was guided by Industrial Organization Theory and Social control Theory. The target population of the study was 12,345 commercial enterprises in Juba City. The study used Neuman formula for determining a sample of 384 respondents, subsequently a combination of stratified random sampling and simple random sampling was used to access the respondents. Quantitative Data analysis involved the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The quantitative data are presented in tables while the qualitative data are presented in verbatim. The study findings revealed that employee capability (M=4.29, S.D.= 0.74), technology adoption (M=4.25, S.D.= 0.80), customer satisfaction (M=4.24, S.D.= 0.59) and regulatory framework (M=4.47, S.D.= 0.5) significantly influence provision of private security to commercial enterprises in Juba City South Sudan. Firstly, the study concluded that employee capability should always be reinforced by training. Secondly, the study concludes that dissatisfied customers gives the private security companies in providing security to commercial enterprises to identify areas of improvement. Thirdly, the study concluded that despite the fact that technology has been significantly adopted; private security companies in providing security to commercial enterprises do not have a statistically influence on effectiveness of outsourced private security services. Fourthly, the study concluded that the private security industry lacked a comprehensive regulatory framework. The study recommended that private security companies should invest in employee training in order to enhance employee capacity. The study recommends that customer satisfaction should be improved by investing in the current technological systems such as customer relationship management. The study recommends that the private security firms should integrate surveillance systems and fire systems alarms. The study recommends the government of South Sudan should develop national policies that regulate private security companies that can build a rapport with the government security providers as well. The policies should be formulated to uphold the high standards of regulations and legislation. The study may be a key contribution to the existing literature and discourse in provision of security among commercial enterprises in Juba City, South Sudan. Among those who may benefit from findings in the present study include the policy makers, security firms, managers of Private Security Companies and commercial enterprises.