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A study of the effects of mobile banking services on the financial performance of Zambian commercial banks: a case study of Atlas mara.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Accounting and FinanceThe introduction of mobile banking has completely transformed the financial industry, providing customers with unparalleled ease of access and convenience. This paper explores the complex relationship between mobile banking and the financial performance of commercial banks. The study employs a descriptive research design and specifically targets senior and middle management professionals, as well as supervisors, at Atlas Mara Zambia. A rigorous sample of
287 bank employees were carefully chosen using stratified random sampling procedures. The study utilized secondary data from reputable sources such as the Bank of Zambia (BOZ) and Atlas Mara published Annual Financial Reports. In addition, primary data was collected using closed ended questionnaires. The study's analytical methodology was based on a comprehensive approach that uses both descriptive and inferential statistics. Regression analysis and Pearson’s correlations coefficient were skillfully used to analyze quantitative data. The results of this study shed light on compelling argument: the accessibility of mobile banking and loans has undeniably caused positive changes in the financial performance metrics of commercial banks. Based on the results,
the study provides practical suggestions to strengthen the mutually beneficial connection between commercial banks and mobile banking services. An important idea is to encourage creative collaborations between the banking sector and telecommunication service providers in order to
strengthen nationwide Internet and network coverage. Furthermore, the report proposes a fundamental change in the way commercial banks operate, going beyond simply increasing access to mobile banking and instead prioritizing the improvement of customer service quality through these channels. Moreover, commercial banks are strongly urged to initiate comprehensive consumer awareness efforts, clearly explaining the wide range of new goods and services designed specifically for the mobile banking system. Furthermore, it is recommended to make careful and wise investments in research and development to stimulate innovation in current mobile banking platforms, guaranteeing their ongoing significance and effectiveness in fulfilling changing consumer needs. Ultimately, this study emphasises the urgent need for stakeholders in the banking industry to use mobile banking as a driving force for significant change, while also managing the complex array of risks and opportunities that come with this new digital landscape
Investigation of barriers to innovation capacity: a case of food processing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Lusaka’s industrial area.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Business Administration GeneralFood industry is faced with a lot of changes driven by ever changing consumer demands, adaption of new technology, family structures, health concerns and global trends. Small and medium enterprises are key in food processing and have opportunities in food production, processing and marketing targeting local and international markets. Innovation enhances a firm's competitiveness and production capacity. The role of innovation in enhancing returns on investment and market penetration is underscored by the struggles faced by several food processing SMEs in Zambia. This study, therefore, sought to comprehensively investigate barriers to innovation capacity among food processing Small and Medium Enterprises in Lusaka’s Industrial Area. To achieve the objectives of the study, primary data was collected from 100 food processing SMEs and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Logistic regression model and cross tabulations were used to Analyse results. The study highlights the interplay of factors such as innovation costs, market dominance, and uncertainties surrounding the innovation process. The lack of funds that firms need affects their ability to innovate, implying that lack of funds hampers the ability to innovate. In relation to innovation cost; firms reported that they encounter innovation costs however, innovation cost in itself does not lead to failure to engage in innovations. It is an important factor to consider in the innovation process for individual companies; however, it is not a key factor in determining the firm’s ability to innovate. The study suggests strategic initiatives to mitigate these constraints, such as resource allocation, conducting cost and benefit assessments, focusing on internal innovation and clear innovation roadmaps. Future research should explore the profitability impact of innovation and research methodologies like time series to capture the capacity to innovate over an extended period
An investigation of the challenges in implementing the international public sector accounting standard (ISPSAS) in government ministries and agencies in Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Business Administration - Finance.The Objective of this study was to investigate the challenges of implementing the IPSAS in government and various agencies in Zambia using descriptive research design. The scope of this research encompassed individuals associated with Government Ministries and agencies as its target population. Convenience sampling approach was employed with a sample size of 80 respondents. This research work employed a combination of primary and secondary data sources. The primary sources of data included the Questionnaire. Secondary data sources included the financial reports. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis and ANOVA. The findings revealed that the level of implementation of the IPSAS in Zambia is to a low extent. Challenges in Implementation of IPSAS include time consuming and High Implementation cost. The high implementation cost, which was highlighted by the majority of respondents. This is due to the amount and complexity of information required to comply with IPSAS. The complexity of information needs a great deal of training of accountants, which is costly. Another hindering factor that was stated by the respondents was inadequate professional capacity. The respondents noted that it would require massive recruitments to fill the staffing gaps in accounting agencies, especially in local. The study recommended that Zambian government gives priority to the development of information systems for the effective evaluation of performance within government ministries and agencies. The government should also undertake efforts to educate its
ministries and agencies about the implications of adopting the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Furthermore, it is recommended that accountants, auditors, and chief financial officers collaborate closely to facilitate the successful implementation of IPSAS in
Zambia. Lastly, acknowledging the evolving trends in finance, it is suggested that further studies be periodically conducted on the same subject and related areas within Zambia
Factors influencing the adoption of e-services by the informal sector: a case of ECIS under NAPSA.
Get PDFThesis of Masters’ of Business Administration - Management Strategy.The study was conducted to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of e-services by the informal sector under the Extension of Coverage to the Informal Sector (ECIS) under NAPSA. The study adopted the UTAUT framework model from which five variables were examined which are: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions and behavioural intention to determine the factors influencing the actual use of eService systems. The researcher adopted a mixed methodology approach which applied both quantitative and qualitative techniques of data collection and analysis. A sample size of 301 marketeers was randomly selected and determined using the Moazzam formula, from which data was using questionnaires and analysed using SPSS. The demographic data shows that most of the respondents from the marketeers where female with a frequency of 211 out of 301 respondents which accounted for 70.1% of the total respondents with males having a frequency of 90 out of 301 accounting 29.9%. The results from SPSS outputs indicate: the correlation coefficient of -0.329 with P value of 0.061 indicates a negative relationship between performance expectancy and the use of ENAPSA services by the marketers. Effort expectancy is not significant with the Pearson correlation of 0.096 with a p value of 0.072. Social influence is not significant as indicated in the table above with the Pearson correlation of 0.042 with a p
value of 0.001. The correlation coefficient of 0.312 with p value of 0.002 indicates a positive relationship between facilitating conditions and the use of ENAPSA services by the marketeers. The correlation coefficient of –0.181 with a p value 0.052 indicates a negative relationship between behaviour intention and the use of ENAPSA services by the marketeers. From the five variables, social influence and facilitating conditions which are driving the adoption of ENAPSA services. This means that the marketers believe that the usage of e-NAPSA services platforms would yield positive results and the conflicting results from the actual usage of eNAPSA services with lowest mean of 1.4485 indicating that the adoption of system usage would not benefit the marketeers
The prevalence of technology usage in the teaching vocabulary in english in selected primary schools of Kasama district of Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Education in Literacy, Language and Applied Linguistics.The study investigated the prevalence of using technology in teaching vocabulary in English using technology in selected primary school of Kasama district of Zambia. Using a descriptive research design, the study adopted a qualitative methodology. Questionnaires, interview guides and observation check list were used in collecting data. The sample size was twenty teachers who taught grades two to five classes from five schools, including twenty pupils from the same schools. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data that was gathered. The study sought to address three objectives: firstly it aimed to establish the use of technological gadgets teaches of lower grades use in teaching vocabulary. Secondly, the study wanted to ascertain the technological application, software and learning platforms that were used for teaching vocabulary among early graders and the third objective investigated the views of teachers in teaching vocabulary among early graders. The study discovered that among the gadget provided by technology smart phones, iPad, laptops, computer, desktop and tablets were the tools teachers used in the teaching of vocabulary.
Among all these gadget, the phone was the most used tool because it was the most accessible and available device. Furthermore, the study confirmed that even though technology had a lot of softwares, applications and platforms teachers of Kasama district only used WhatsApp, tiktok, you tube, audiobooks, Facebook, video games and power point when teaching vocabulary. It should also be noted that, despite teachers mentioning these platforms and software only four teachers from two different schools were seen implementing what they had claimed in the questionnaires. Most of the learners too, attested to the fact that, some of teachers had never used any form of software or platform in teaching vocabulary, except for
four pupils from two different schools indicated that, their teachers sometimes would utilise the stated technological affordances in teaching vocabulary. Additionally the study showed that most of the teachers had a positive attitude towards the use of technology in teaching vocabulary as the results indicated that, the use of technology was a promising solution for diverse learners with different abilities, as technology provided multiple affordances which enhanced inclusiveness in the learning of vocabulary. However some teachers showed ignorance and negative attitude towards the use of technology owing to a number of reasons which include lack competencies in operating the gadgets, unavailability of technological tools in schools and lack of language special rooms. The study therefore recommended that the government should increase funding in schools to facilitate the purchase of various technological tools and construct language special rooms to cater for learners with disabilities. The study also recommended that district education officers in collaboration with head teachers should ensure that teachers hold regular continuous professional development meetings to capacity build the teachers on the use of technological strategies and operations of various gadgets for effective teaching and learning
Epidemiology of seasonal influenza and other respiratory pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology.Respiratory infections are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2021, there were an estimated 344 million global incident episodes attributable to lower respiratory infections translating to an estimated 4350 episodes per 100,000
population resulting in an estimated 2.18 million deaths which was about 27.7 deaths per 100,000 population. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for about 66.4% of deaths attributable to lower respiratory tract infections per 100,000 persons. In Zambia, severe acute respiratory infections are estimated at 6181 and ranked between 5th and 8th on the top 10 leading causes of death. Between 2019 and 2021, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to limit the spread of COVID-19 were implemented globally which included hand washing, face masking, school closures, limiting public gatherings, remote working, hand sanitizing, physical distancing and travel restrictions. This resulted in a decline of respiratory infections especially influenza and respiratory syncytial virus subsequently leading to a decline of all age mortality attributable to lower respiratory infections by 16%. While scientific studies to establish the impact of COVID-19 associated NPIs on circulation of respiratory pathogens have been conducted in several countries globally, there was little knowledge on how the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated public health and social measures changed the epidemiology of influenza and other respiratory infections in Zambia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the broad range of respiratory pathogens that were circulating in Zambia during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the effects of age and location (rural or urban) on the likelihood of infection. Additionally, through systematic review and meta-analysis, the study sought to ascertain the burden of respiratory infections in Africa and
existing regional disparities. This study was retrospective using nasopharyngeal specimens that were collected national wide to test for SARS-CoV-2. After testing for SARS-CoV-2, selected specimens were tested for influenza A virus (IAV), influenza A(H1N1) virus (swine lineage) (IAV(H1N1) swl), influenza B virus (IBV), influenza C virus (IVC), human coronaviruses (HCoV) NL63, 229E, OC43 and HKU1, human parainfluenza viruses (HPIV) 1, 2, 3 and 4, human metapneumoviruses (HMPV) A and B, human rhinovirus (HRV), human respiratory syncytial viruses (HRSV) A and B, human adenovirus (HAdV), enterovirus (EV), human parechovirus (HPeV), human bocavirus (HBoV), Pneumocystis jirovecii, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae B, Staphylococcus aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Bordetella spp. (except Bordetella parapertussis), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila / Legionella longbeachae, Salmonella spp. and Haemophilus influenzae in order to
understand the profile of pathogens that continued to circulate between July 2020 and July 2021. Proportional age stratified convenient sampling was used to select a total of 128 specimens from children, adolescents, adults and the elderly collected from both urban and rural areas. The final sample consisted 88 from urban and 40 from rural areas collected from Lusaka, Luapula, Northen and Muchinga provinces. Using multiplex rRT-PCR, 128 nasopharyngeal specimens were tested for influenza and other respiratory pathogens. Overall, 71.1% (91/128) of samples tested positive for at least one respiratory pathogen. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent respiratory pathogen detected accounting for 22.7% (29/128) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 20.3% (26/128). Influenza accounted for 13.3% (17/128). Of the 17 specimens testing positive for influenza, 16 were influenza A/(H1N1) while one specimen tested positive for influenza B. The prevalence of rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus was estimated at 3.1% (4/128) and 2.3% (3/128), respectively. Children, adolescents and the elderly accounted for the most influenza positive specimens 76.5% (13/17)
while 100% (3/3) specimens positive for Moraxella catarrhalis were all from children. All specimens that tested positive for Haemophilus influenzae (5/5) were from children and adolescents and 17 of the 29 specimens that tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus were also from the same age group. For co-infections, 52 specimens were found to be co-infected with at least 2 respiratory pathogens. Of the total co-infections, 11.5% (6/52) were virus-virus with adenovirus as the most co-infecting viral pathogen while virus-bacteria co-infections accounted for 48.1% (25/52) with Staphylococcus aureus as the most co-infecting bacterial pathogen. Bacterial respiratory pathogens were more predominant than viral pathogens during the study period. Compared to prevalence prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease for both viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens was observed. The results seem to suggest that the emergence of COVID-19 and its associated public health interventions may have altered the epidemiology of influenza and other respiratory pathogens in Zambia. Increase in age was associated with an increased risk of infection with adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2 adjusted odds ratio Exp (B) 1.026, CI (0.999-1.053) and 1.048, CI (1.004-1.094) respectively. Although results suggested that rural areas were associated with an increased risk of infection for Bordetella pertussis adjusted odds ratio 3.10, CI (0.667-4.208) and K. pneumoniae adjusted odds ratio 1.588, CI (0.615-4.097) including S. aureus adjusted odds ratio 1.362, CI (0.561-3.303), the results were not statistically significant. At the level of the African continent, overall pooled prevalence for viral respiratory pathogens was estimated at 56.6% (95% CI, 0.371-0.762, I 2 99.9%). Overall pooled prevalence for bacterial respiratory pathogens was estimated at 12.9% (95% CI, 0.122-0.137, I 2 99.8%). Rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus were the most prevalent pathogens with wide geographical spread across all African regions with 19.9% and 8.9% prevalence respectively. Generally, most studies in Africa were focused on viral respiratory pathogens. To fully understand the burden of
respiratory infections in Africa, there is need for more studies combining both viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens especially with the advent of multiplex PCR. Colonization and enhanced viral induced bacterial binding may have contributed to the persistence of bacterial respiratory infections more than viral pathogens. Co-infections were mostly observed in children because they may be still immunologically naïve and not able to take precautionary measures such as avoiding touching eyes and mouth including frequent hand washing. Although there were observed differences in the prevalence of infection between rural and urban areas, the differences were not statistically significant. Further, and location did not increase the likelihood of infection except for SARS-CoV-2 and adenovirus. Overall, this study demonstrated that with sustained non-pharmaceutical interventions, it is possible to reduce the number of respiratory infections and contribute to improved public health outcomes. Additionally, the high number of bacterial respiratory pathogens detected in this study provides impetus to strengthen efforts to contain these pathogens as they are known to contribute to severe disease and death
Employee involvement in project management : a study of Kansanshi copper mine.
Get PDFThesis of Masters in Business AdministrationThis study investigated the extent of employee involvement in project management at Kansanshi Copper Mine, examining its significance, methods, and outcomes. The research aimed to understand the impact of employee participation on project success and organizational performance. Using a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through Questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and observations. The survey gathered quantitative data on employee
perceptions of their involvement in project management processes, while interviews provided qualitative insights into the nature and effectiveness of this involvement. Additionally, observations were conducted to assess the practical implementation of employee participation in projects. Analysis of the data revealed several significant findings. Firstly, a strong correlation was found between the level of employee involvement and project success, indicating that greater participation leads to better outcomes. Secondly, the study identified various mechanisms through which employees contribute to project management, including idea generation, decision-making, and problem-solving. Furthermore, it was observed that organizations that actively involved employees in projects tend to have higher levels of employee satisfaction, motivation, and commitment. The implications of these findings were far-reaching. They underscored the importance of fostering a culture of inclusion and empowerment within organizations to harness the full potential of employees in project management. Moreover, the study suggests that employee involvement can serve as a strategic tool for enhancing organizational performance and competitiveness in the mining industry. In conclusion, this study highlighted the critical role of employee involvement in project management and its impact on organizational success. It underscored the need for mining companies, like Kansanshi Copper Mine, to prioritize employee engagement strategies in their project management practices. Recommendations for further research included exploring the specific mechanisms through which employee involvement influenced project outcomes,
investigating the role of leadership in facilitating employee participation, and examining cultural factors that affected the effectiveness of employee involvement initiatives. Additionally, longitudinal studies could provide insights into the long-term effects of employee involvement on organizational performance
Assessing the impact of value added tax (VAT) on government revenue in Zambia.
No full textThesis of Master of Business Administration in Finance.This research aimed to assess the impact of Value Added Tax (VAT) on government revenue collection. The study employed a mixed methods research design, which combines both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The study focused on a population of 500 management-level
employees at the Zambia Revenue Authority and Ministry of Finance. Seeing that the study was heavy on qualitative approach and had specific type of cadre to provide the necessary information, a sample of 30 respondents was utilized which was purposively sampled. The secondary sources on the other hand mainly involved published documentations such as reports obtained from Zambia Revenue Authority official website and journals that provided the conceptual framework and a definite meaning to the topic. Regarding the effect of VAT on Government revenue the study revealed that an increase in VAT rate may lead to higher VAT revenue, assuming a stable level of compliance. With regard to effect of VAT on consumer behaviour, it was established that when VAT rates are elevated in Zambia, the prices of a wide array of goods and services subject to VAT increase accordingly, hence consequently, higher VAT rates can drive consumers to opt for saving or investing their money rather than immediate spending. This may simultaneously lead to a reduction in consumer spending, potentially impeding economic growth. As regards to ascertaining measures to address challenges related to VAT collection, findings indicated that effectiveness of VAT is contingent upon addressing the challenges inherent in VAT collection, optimizing VAT rate policies, and adapting the system to the country's unique economic context. The study offers several recommendations, including: improving tax administration through the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA); combating tax fraud and evasion; simplifying VAT regulations; enhancing taxpayer education and awareness; carefully considering exemptions and thresholds; and implementing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for VAT revenue. Further study is recommended to explore the informal economy's role in VAT collection in Zambia and its implications
Factors influencing the adoption of e-marketing as a mode of marketing by SMEs in Zambia : a case of SMEs in the tourism industry.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Business Administration.The digital economy has transformed the way businesses operate worldwide, and SMEs in Zambia are not exempted from this trend. However, many SMEs in Zambia face challenges in accessing markets, which hinders their growth and competitiveness. E-marketing presents an opportunity for SMEs to reach a broader market and overcome these challenges. Hence the quest to study the factors influencing the adoption of e-marketing as a mode of marketing by SMEs in Zambia. The study involved a sample of 286 respondents who were selected using the Taro Yamane formula from the hotel industry in Livingstone. The research is based on Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. The analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists commonly known by its abbreviation as SPSS. The five variables under observation are: Performance Expectance, Effort Expectance, Social Influence, facilitating conditions and Behavioral Intentions were used to assess if they are influence the actual usage of e-marketing in the tourism industry. The overall coefficient of correlation of 0.722 in the table below from the SPSS results suggests that there is a strong positive relationship between actual usage and the independent variables which are PE, SI, BI, EE, and FC. The R-Square (coefficient of determination) of 0.522 suggests that the adoption of digital marketing is influenced 52.2% by the independent variables PE, SI, BI, EE, and FC and 47.8% can be associated to other factors that we did not take into consideration. In order to ensure validity of the data analysis Correlation, Regression
and ANOVA analysis was also put to use
Impact of lockdown on COVID-19 transmission dynamics in Botswana : a mathematical modeling study.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science degree in One Health Analytical Epidemiology (OHAE).The COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest public health and economic challenge the world has faced for the past three years. Since there was no vaccine during the early phase of the pandemic, Botswana imposed lockdown as one of the non-pharmaceutical interventions to mitigate the COVID-19 burden. Various mathematical models have been used in the current and previous epidemics for analysis of disease spread, forecasting and identifying trajectories as well as assessing effect of imposed mitigation strategies to aid policy makers in making informed decisions. In this study, a deterministic mathematical model was formulated to assess transmission dynamics of COVID-19 and impact of control measures undertaken in Botswana to deal with the pandemic. This study aimed at informing future decisions about lockdown by retrospectively examining its impact of implementation using a mathematical modeling approach. The proposed model was fitted to actual COVID-19 data obtained from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Publicly available COVID-19 data for the period of 23rd June till 22nd September 2020 was used to validate the model. Model simulations were conducted to estimate the number of cumulative cases without intervention, with lockdown alone as well as in combination with contact tracing.
Furthermore, the model was used to estimate the impact of lockdown on reproduction number. According to the model projections, 4362 cumulative confirmed cases would have been recorded after a year in the worst-case scenario of no interventions. After inclusion of interventions in the proposed model, model simulation results showed that lockdown yielded a significant reduction in number of cumulative confirmed cases by a range of 37.28% to 77.94%. In addition, a combination of lockdowns and contact tracing was also found effective in reducing number of cumulative cases by 42.62% to 70.99% (lockdown and medium contact tracing) and by 47.33% to 65.55% (lockdown and high contact tracing). Furthermore, difference in reproduction numbers were noted with a significant reduction noticed after enforcing of lockdown when the reproduction number dropped from 3.9 before lockdown down to 0.4 after full lockdown was implemented. Among all scenarios, lockdown measure was evaluated as the most effective control strategy. These study findings suggest that in the absence of vaccination, lockdown (especially full lockdown) can be used as a possible control measure to culminate SARS-CoV-2 transmission and effectively reduce number of cumulative cases in Botswana. Additionally, combination of
intervention strategies; lockdown and contact tracing, alongside other NPIs, is likely to be the most robust means of controlling COVID-19 transmission and spread