Differences in employee understanding and attitudes before and after the socialization of an export–import procedure guidebook: bulk, container, and incoming CPO operations at PT Synergy Oil Nusantara

Abstract

This study develops and evaluates an export–import procedure guidebook for PT Synergy Oil Nusantara, a port-based vegetable-oil refinery, covering bulk, container, and incoming Crude Palm Oil (CPO) operations. The company previously operated without a documented export–import procedure, creating risks of procedural inconsistency, administrative error, and customs non-compliance. The guidebook was developed through a qualitative stage (interviews, field observation, and internal document review) and its effectiveness was then evaluated quantitatively. Thirty employees from the Logistics, Warehouse, Customer Service, and Finance departments completed a self-assessment questionnaire measuring understanding (18 items) and attitude (22 items) on a four-point Likert scale, before and after the guidebook socialization. A paired-sample t-test showed a statistically significant increase in total scores after socialization (mean 116.13 to 135.40; t = -34.98; df = 29; p < 0.001). The findings indicate that a structured, documented procedure guidebook can meaningfully improve employees' procedural understanding and attitudes and can serve as a practical reference supporting operational efficiency and regulatory compliance in export–import activities. As an evaluation conducted in a single company with a small sample, the results should be interpreted as context-specific rather than broadly generalizable.