Background: In South Africa, the export of coal is a large contributor to the gross domestic product. Statistics indicate that the export of coal is stagnant or declining, which indicates a risk for coal as a foreign exchange earner. A study into the risks facing the bulk coal export logistics chain is therefore of great importance. Any risk to this logistics chain will directly affect its efficiency and contribution to foreign exchange. The nature of a logistics supply chain is such that risks to one stakeholder (partner or node) affect not only that stakeholder’s own operations but also those of the other partners and the whole supply chain’s efficiency and sustainability. Objectives: The objective of the study was to identify and explore the risks and risk management practices in the bulk coal export logistics chain from a stakeholder theory perspective. Methods: A qualitative research design was used, and in-depth, structured interviews were conducted with different stakeholders in the chain. A total of eight interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed by means of a thematic analysis. Results: Many risks were identified in the bulk coal export logistics chain, and of these risks, it was found that the most important ones were infrastructure, the macro-economy and people-related risks. The findings revealed evidence of underlying tensions between different stakeholders with regard to investment to mitigate infrastructure risks. The findings suggest that there is a lack of communication and an aligned vision among the stakeholders in the logistics chain and that they strategise for their risks separately. Conclusion: Close cooperation on a high level between the stakeholders in the logistics chain is needed to strategise for risk mitigation in an integrated, holistic manner.

中文翻译：

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散装煤炭出口物流链中的风险管理：利益相关者的观点

背景：在南非，煤炭出口对国内生产总值贡献很大。统计数据表明，煤炭的出口停滞不前或下降，这表明煤炭有创汇的风险。因此，研究散装煤炭出口物流链所面临的风险非常重要。该物流链的任何风险将直接影响其效率和对外汇的贡献。物流供应链的性质使得一个利益相关者（合作伙伴或节点）面临的风险不仅影响该利益相关者自己的运营，而且影响其他合作伙伴的运营以及整个供应链的效率和可持续性。目标：该研究的目的是从利益相关者理论的角度识别和探索散装煤炭出口物流链中的风险和风险管理实践。方法：采用定性研究设计，并与产业链中的不同利益相关者进行了深入，结构化的访谈。通过主题分析，总共进行了八次采访，录音，转录和分析。结果：在散装煤炭出口物流链中发现了许多风险，其中发现最重要的风险是基础设施，宏观经济和与人有关的风险。调查结果揭示了不同利益相关者之间在缓解基础设施风险的投资方面存在潜在紧张关系的证据。调查结果表明，物流链中各利益相关者之间缺乏沟通和一致的愿景，他们分别制定了风险战略。结论：物流链上各利益相关者之间需要高层密切合作，以整体，整体的方式制定降低风险的战略。