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Tumsifu Elly Thomas

Associate Professor

University of Dar es Salaam Business School

General Management

Biography

Professor Tumsifu Elly Thomas is a distinguished scholar and applied researcher at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), where he saves as an Associate Professor and coordinates the African Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Operations in Resource Management and Food Supply (CSO). His research bridges academic inquiry, policy, and practice across digitalization, agribusiness, entrepreneurship, sustainability, supply chain management, and food security, generating measurable impact on national and regional development priorities while advancing global debates on sustainable operations.

With a portfolio of nearly 20 major research and consultancy projects, Professor Thomas has led or contributed to flagship initiatives including the DAAD–UDSM Sustainable Operations Research Programme, multi-year periodical surveys for WFP Food Security, and Logistics Capacity Assessments, energy studies in refugee camps and host communities, the Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN), livelihood enhancement programmes, and the SIDA-supported Engendering Rural Entrepreneurship Project. His research frameworks have informed both academic discourse and national strategies, reinforcing his standing as a leading voice in sustainable operations and inclusive development.

His contributions have attracted award-winning funding and institutional trust from major partners such as: DAAD, and SIDA. He has consulted for the World Bank, WFP, CARE International, ILO, and SIRLab. He also, has implemented and or coordinated projects supported by the Kuehne Foundation, LEARN Logistics, and SAFA Tanzania. Professor Thomas has published more than 33 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and policy reports on topics spanning rural and gendered entrepreneurship, FinTech and financial inclusion, digital and social media strategy, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and customer–vendor power dynamics among others.

Professor Thomas is also deeply committed to academic mentorship, having supervised over 13 PhD candidates. Beyond academia, he serves as Board Chairperson for North Star Alliance–Tanzania and Liberty Sparks, and as an Advisory Board Member for the Paradoxes of Climate-smart Coffee (PACSMAC) project. Through these roles, he champions evidence-based program design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and youth- and gender-inclusive approaches to innovation, climate change, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.

Professor Thomas exemplifies the qualities of a global academic leader advancing digitalization, sustainable supply chain management, food security, and the circular economy while promoting entrepreneurship, inclusive energy access, and resilient agribusiness systems across Africa. 

Research Interest

  1. Inclusive Entrepreneurship & Rural Livelihoods – advancing gender- and youth-inclusive models of enterprise that strengthen rural economies and reduce inequality.
  2. Agribusiness Innovation & Sustainability – designing resilient, competitive, and climate-smart agribusiness systems that drive food security and economic growth.
  3. Supply Chain Management & Logistics Optimization – improving efficiency, resilience, and sustainability in food and resource supply chains across emerging economies.
  4. Behavioral Change & Growth Mindset – applying behavioral science to foster entrepreneurial action, innovation, and adaptive capacity among necessity entrepreneurs.
  5. Energy Transitions & Biomass Utilization – exploring renewable energy pathways and biomass valorization for sustainable energy access and soil health.
  6. Circular Economy & Green Logistics – integrating circular economy principles into logistics and operations to reduce waste, emissions, and resource inefficiencies.
  7. Information Systems & Business Digitalization – leveraging digital platforms, ERP systems, and ICT innovations to enhance competitiveness and organizational performance.

  8. Livelihood Enhancements – developing evidence-based strategies to strengthen social protection, productive inclusion, and community resilience.

     

Coordinator : African Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Operations in Resource Management and Food Supply 

https://udsm.ac.tz/cso

Contacts

Email:

Projects

Project implemented

 

  1. Research on sustainable operations in resource management and food supply (DAAD-UDSM project, 2021 to date)
  2. Assessment of biomass residue for energy and soil amendment in Arusha, Dodoma, Kigoma, Manyara, Shinyanga, Simiyu, and Singida-WFP
  3. Logistics Capacity Assessment (LCA)- WFP-Tanzania 2021
  4. Energy study on refugee camps and host communities in Kigoma, Tanzania (WFP- 2023)
  5. Periodic Survey for Food Security and Nutrition- WFP Duration 2023-2026
  6. Engendering Rural Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness for Sustainable Development (SIDA-UDSM Project 2015-2022)
  7. Review of Global Experiences and Lessons on Productive Inclusion Approaches-World Bank 2020
  8. Livelihoods enhancement analytical work for productive social safety (PSSN) in Tanzania, World Bank 2015
  9. Performance Review Of Savings Groups Under Productive Social SafetyNet Program- TASAF-2018-2019
  10. Impact assessment for TASAF Information Education and Communication (IEC) program, -World Bank/ TASAF- 2010
  11. Innovation Intervention - Improving Innovation Among The Poor in Tanzania – growth mindset among necessity entrepreneurs: TASAF, ILO, SIRLab
  12. Needs Assessment for Regional and Council Health Management Teams (RHMT and CHMTs) in Tabora Region Project under TABASAM: Improving Maternal And Reproductive Health In Six Rural Districts In Tabora Region, Tanzania; CARE International-2012
  13. Planning for Integrated Development of Conservation-Friendly and Climate Resilient Agricultural Landscapes to support Kilimo Kwanza in the Mbeya Region in Tanzania: EcoAgriculture Partners (EcoAgriculture) and the Environmental Resources Management Center for Sustainable Development (ERMCS)December 2012 – March 2013
  14. Information-gathering, analysis, multi-stakeholder consensus building, and planning to develop a “green growth” program and investment framework for the SAGCOT region (EcoAgriculture Partners- USA)/ Environmental Resources Management Center for Sustainable Development (ERMCSD KENYA), May 2012- May 2013
  15. Youth Employment Market Assessment -Youth and Livelihoods | Child and Youth Protection and Development (CYPD)-IDRC- 2023
  16. Communication Strategy 2018-2021 ‘Taking AQRB To The People And Promoting   Professionalism’-AQRB

 

 

Core skills

  • Business Administration & Management
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Negotiation
  • Consultancy & Business research
  • Value Chain Analysis & Supply Chain Management
  • Digitalization & Business Computing 

Publications

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=v0_CNscAAAAJ

  1. Morris, S., Carlos, C., Kistruck, G. M., Lount Jr, R. B., & Thomas, T. E. (2023). The impact of growth mindset training on entrepreneurial action among necessity entrepreneurs: Evidence from a randomized control trial. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 17(3), 671-692.
  2. Kanje, P., Charles, G., Tumsifu, E., Mossberg, L., & Andersson, T. (2020). Customer engagement and eWOM in tourism. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 3(3), 273-289.
  3. Semkunde, M. A., Elly, T., Charles, G., Gaddefors, J., & Chiwona-Karltun, L. (2022). Rural entrepreneurship and the context: navigating contextual barriers through women's groups. International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, 14(2), 213-234.
  4. Tumsifu, E. (2022). The Relationship Between Human Resource Competencies and Firm Performance: The Case of Financial Institutions in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Development Studies, 20(2).
  5. Tumsifu, E., Dev, J., & Gekombe, C. (2020). Small and Medium Enterprises and Social Media Usage: Fashion Industry Perspective. University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal, 15(1), 101-124. 6
  6. Elly, T., & Wilson, V. (2022). The influence of customer-vendor communication and power relations on successful implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): the mediation role of ERP fit. Business management review, 25(2), 112-133.
  7. Elly, T. (2016). Adoption of standards and certification among Tanzanian agribusiness firms for export: demystifying gaps in internationalisation theory. Business management review, 19(1), 56-71.
  8. Thomas, T. E., & Kanje, P. (2020). What characterizes Vacationers’ eWOM sharing behaviours? Unbundling Entertainment and Information Motives in Brand-related Social Media Sites. University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal, 15(1), 23-44.
  9. Gekombe, C., Tumsifu, E., & Jani, D. (2019). Social media use among small and medium enterprises: a case of fashion industry growth. University of Dar es salaam library journal, 14(2), 3-18.
  10. Wilson, V., Thomas, T. E., & Mbamba, U. O. (2021). Understanding customer-vendor power relations as a driver to a successful implementation of enterprise resource planning in Tanzania manufacturing industry. Business management review, 24(2), 55-79.
  11. Thomas, T. E. (2024). Examining the Factors influencing Purchase intention in social media Marketing. ORSEA JOURNAL, 14(1).
  12. Elly, T., Peter, D., & Mbura, O. (2024). Traveler's social media use continuous intention during post covid-19 pandemic: the extended theory of planned behaviour. Business management review, 27(1), 69-85.
  13. Mbwambo, A. A., Mbamba, U. O., & Thomas, T. E. (2024). Harnessing FinTech for Financial Inclusion: Analysis of the influence of system scalability, online authentication, and products substitutability. ORSEA JOURNAL, 14(1).
  14. Massawe, D. P., Mbura, O. K., Elly, T., & Masanja, C. (2023). Continuous social media use intention in the accommodation sector recovery during post-Covid-19 pandemic: Reflection on the Tanzania experience. ORSEA JOURNAL, 13(2).
  15. Massawe, D. P., Mbura, O., & Thomas, T. E. (2023). Social Media Use, Marketing Capabilities and Marketing Performance of Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Development Studies, 21(2).
  16. Mbura, O. K., Massawe, D. P., & Tumsifu, E. (2024). Leveraging Social Media Information for Small Tourism Enterprises: A Digital Marketing Framework Approach in Arusha Municipality, Tanzania. University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal, 19(2), 115-129.            University of Dar es  https://journals.udsm.ac.tz/index.php/lj/article/view/6740
  17. Elly, T., & Epafra Silayo, E. (2013). Agricultural information needs and sources of the rural farmers in Tanzania: A case of Iringa rural district. Library review, 62(8/9), 547-566.
  18. Elly, T. (2017). Attitude towards tax compliance among SMES in Tanzania. Orsea Journal, 5(1).
  19. Hart, A., Elly, T., Nguni, W., Recha, J., Malley, Z., Masha, R., & Buck, L. (2014). Participatory Land Use Planning to Support Tanzanian Farmer and Pastoralist Investment.
  20. Hart, A., Tumsifu, E., Nguri, W., ReCha, J., Malley, Z., Masha, R., & Buck, L. (2014). Village land use planning: A potential tool for greening landscapes in Mbarali District, Mbeya. Eco-agriculture, Policy Focus, (11).
  21. Elly, T., & Boter, H. (2014). Increasing the competitive strengths of Tanzanian tourism firms-the strategic role of information technology. Business Management Review, 14, 41-57.
  22. Elly, T. (2011). The nexus between information systems use and firms' competitive advantage: a case of small and medium tourism enterprises in Tanzania (Doctoral dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam).
  23. Tumsifu, E. (2002). Access to and Use of Information and Communication Technology in Selected Agricultural Research Institutes: A Case of Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Tanzania. Master's Thesis, University of Dar Es Salaam.
  24. Elly, T., Ally, M., Chilimo, W., & Sife, A. (2003). Challenges of electronic information resources in academic and research libraries: Need for a policy. University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal, 5(2), 17-24.
  25. Elly, T. (2018). Financing Behavior of Entrepreneurial Ventures in Tanzania. In Marketing Management in Africa (pp. 159-172). Routledge.
  26. Elly, T. (2013). Watatu Co. Ltd–Managing Growth: Entrepreneurs’ tendencies and their impact on a joint-venture. In Marketing Management and Strategy (pp. 101-106). Routledge.
  27. Mwikoko, G., & Elly, T. (2012). The Impact Of ICT Investment On Tourism Export In Tanzania (1995-2010). In Proceeding of The Eight Operations Research Society For Eastern Africa (Orsea) International Conference (P. 140).
  28. Kidere, F., & Elly, T. (2018). The Practice of Sustainability Entrepreneurial Approach in Kenya’s Flower Industry. Practice, 10(26).
  29. Rwezaura, V., & Elly, T. (2014). Cybercrime-Factors Influencing The Adoption And Use of Electronic Financial Services in Tanzania. Orsea 10th Anivesary Journal.
  30. Elly, T. (2018). The attributes of internal customer satisfaction: employees perspectives. African Journal of Finance and Management, 25(1), 20–30. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajfm.v25i1.
  31. Ndibalema, S., & Elly, T. (2013). The Perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility in Tanzania.
  32. Elly, T. (2012). The Influence of Firms’ Entrepreneurial Orientation, age and Size On Information Systems use and Competitive Advantage.
  33. Busagala, L., & Elly, T. (2004). Performance of ten Internet search engines in retrieving scientific literature in Tanzanian public university libraries. University of Dar Es Salaam Library Journal, 6(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.4314/udslj.v6i1.26612