1358 research outputs found
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An analysis of the feasibility of a cashless Zimbabwean society
No full textThe aim of the study is to analyse the feasibility of achieving a cashless society in Zimbabwe. There has been resistance by most sectors of the economy to adopt new electronic payment delivery channels. The cashless society is one where coins and notes are replaced by efficient electronic payments initiated by various types of plastic cards and other electronic delivery channels like the mobile phone and the internet. The research was quantitative in nature. A survey was carried out through the use of questionnaires with 151 members of staff who are regulators of financial and telecommunication industry, bankers, merchants, service providers of financial institutions and general users of electronic payment systems. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and correlations were used to test the relationship between variables.
The main findings of this research were that a cashless Zimbabwean society is possible although it is important to have the necessary electronic payment systems and other relevant infrastructure in place. The Zimbabwean public has the right attitude towards the use of electronic payment systems. Mobile payment systems are the most commonly used in Zimbabwe although ATMs are also used significantly. The internet payments and point of sale are the other electronic payment methods used. Mobile phone based services have now offered financial institutions the ability to electronically include a wider cross section of the previously unbanked.
The research recommended that players in the electronic payments industry need to share infrastructure in order to promote productive efficiency. The cost of telecommunications and general ICT hardware and software should be made affordable to ensure that the general infrastructure improves. The government should remove barriers to innovation, including regulatory ones to enable growth in electronic payment systems in Zimbabwe.
An area of further study is recommended to investigate into mobile money payment systems, user acceptability and payment problems in Zimbabwe
An analysis of capital flows and current account dynamics in Zimbabwe (1990-2013)
No full textThis study analyzed capital flows and current account dynamics in Zimbabwe from 1990 to 2013. The primary objective of the study was to determine whether Zimbabwe’s current account deficit is sustainable or not. The study involved investigating whether the current account deficits violates the intertemporal budget constraints (IBC) or not, investigating the causal relationship between capital flows and current account deficits, and whether there is evidence of speculative capital inflows into the economy which are subject to sudden stops and reversal. When a country runs persistent current account deficits, questions are raised on the ability of a country to generate future current account surpluses to meet its external debt obligations created by past current account deficits.
The study applied the intertemporal balance model developed by Liu and Tanner, (1996) to assess sustainability of the current account deficit. The analysis involved testing the stationarity of current account to GDP ratio. Unit root tests were initially conducted by applying the ADF test. However, given its inability to discriminate clearly between non-stationary and stationary series with a higher degree of autocorrelation and sensitivity to breaks, the study also used second generation stationarity tests, notably the Dickey-Fuller Generalized Least Square (DF GLS), the semi-parametric Phillips-Perron test and Kwiatkowski-Phillips-Schmidt-Shin (KPSS) test. In addition, cointegration a test was conducted which also give way to the Error Correction Model (ECM). The study concluded the analysis with Granger Causality Tests on the current and current and capital account balance and the respective sub-components.
The results of the unit root tests amply demonstrated that the current account deficits violated the IBC implying that Zimbabwe’s current account deficit were unsustainable. The exports and imports of goods and services were co integrated but the Wald Coefficient Restriction tests results indicated that the current account deficits followed an explosive path. The study also took into account the errors and omissions in the analysis. The results confirmed that the current account deficit is unsustainable even when the errors and omission are subtracted from the current account deficit
An assessment of the effectiveness of ICT adoption on Zimbabwean firms in the oil sector post dollarization
No full textThe oil sector in Zimbabwe experienced mergers, acquisitions and relocation of some major oil players in the Petroleum industry soon after dollarization in 2009 and nothing much has changed in terms of how the firms operate. Their market pricing structure has remained virtually the same and there had been no meaningful growth of the sector, yet fuel is considered as the main driver of the economy of any country. Therefore, the assertion of the study is that if the oil sector is not managed effectively through ICT adoption, it would fail to drive the economy and all government effort would be wasted. This arises from the observation that during the post dollarization period the government commercialised the oil sector by allowing more fuel suppliers to emerge within the sector, unlike during the Zimbabwean currency era where The National Oil Company of Zimbabwe (NOCZIM) was the sole fuel supplier and distributor in the country. The main objective of the study was therefore premised on the examination of the effective management of business through ICT adoption within the Zimbabwean oil sector. Literature has shown that there was a problem of attempting to manage business through ICT adoption within the oil sector, not only in terms of ICT infrastructure deployment but also in the level of sophistication of ICT usage. The research also shows that indeed organisations within the sector were failing to fully utilise implemented ICTs. The study followed a qualitative research methodology that involved data collection through interviews and observation, the data was then categorised, coded and analysed manually. The key research finding has shown that the four interviewed organisations had adopted ICTs at their Head Offices, Depots and Retail Service stations. There were six major factors to ICT adoption decisions that were identified by the research findings. Furthermore, the results of the study agreed with literature review that there was indeed a relationship between strategy, people, processes and ICT adoption. The study acknowledges that success of technology was affected by the market, legal and social factors. IT also observed that ICTs alone cannot improve business processes without the effort of human element. Managers and management need to take their role of planning, leading, organising and controlling to ensure success of ICT adoption
Perceptions of middle managers on talent development and management in business organisations in Zimbabwe
No full textTalent development and management is a subject that has been widely researched. In some organizations, talent development and management is not a conscious process. Organizations approach the practice differently with some organizations having clear policies on talent development and succession planning while others approach it in a casual manner. This study carried out a survey to determine the perceptions of middle managers from various organizations in Zimbabwe on the existence of talent development and management, the existence of talent development and management policies, the extent to which talent management is an integrated process and to identify the approaches used by different organizations in handling talent. It came out that in Zimbabwe, the talent development and management area is a mixed bag with some organizations taking a conscious and well planned approach to it while others approach it in a passive manner. The underlying result, however, is that talent development is present in most Zimbabwean organizations although it is referred to differently. It is recommended that organizations should put relevant talent development and management policies in place and ensure that the organization's approach and expectations are clear to every organization member, if talent is to be harnessed profitably
An analysis of the visual acuity outcomes following surgical repair of penetrating corneal injuries among patients seen at Sekuru Kaguvi Hospital (SKH), eye unit at Parirenyatwa Central Hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe
No full textTrauma is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in most disciplines in the practice of medicine and constitutes a great proportion of patients seen in emergency departments. Ocular trauma causes significant visual morbidity and fortunately mortality from purely ocular injuries is rare unless the patient develops complications that spread into the cranium. Although, studies have been done to find out causes of ocular trauma that result in hospital admission, including one at SKH, the prevalence of good visual outcomes has not been evaluated. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate the prevalence of good visual outcomes following penetrating corneal injury and surgical repair at SKH.
Objectives
The principal objective was to analyze the visual outcomes of patients in the study population who underwent surgical repair for penetrating corneal injuries at SKH. The specific objectives were to describe the demographics of the study population, to elicit the causes of penetrating corneal injuries and to evaluate the best corrected monocular visual acuities of the patients’ eyes under study.
Design of Study
A hospital based prospective study.
Study Setting
Study was conducted at Sekuru Kaguvi Hospital, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
Study Population
Patients who had surgical repair of penetrating corneal injuries at SKH between August 2012 and April 2013, meeting enrolment criteria were recruited.
Methods
Authorization to carry out the study at SKH was granted by the Joint Research and Ethics Committee. Patients with penetrating corneal injuries referred to SKH were managed as per standard operating procedure. Day 1 post operatively the researcher interviewed and examined patients for eligibility to enroll into study. Data about the patients' demography, history about the injury and examination findings were captured onto data sheet. Patients were followed up a total of 7 weeks post surgical repair and were seen Day 1, 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 7 weeks post operatively. At six weeks post op, corneal sutures were removed on the slit lamp. Best corrected monocular visual acuities of the injured eyes were evaluated at week 7 objectively and subjectively. Examination findings of state of anterior and posterior segments were recorded.
Results
Seventy (70) patients were recruited into study. Median age of the patients was 39 years, range 6 to 72 years. The male: female ratio was 2.7:1. The proportion of patients that achieved best corrected monocular visual acuities (BCVA) of 6/60 or better was 59% (n=41). There was an association between the BCVA and location of the corneal scar (p=0.001). The association between the BCVA and the status of the lens was also statistically significant (p=0.001). The main causes of bad visual outcome (BCVA worse than 6/60) were irregular astigmatism, vitreous hemorrhage and corneal scar in the visual axis and dense traumatic cataracts.
Males were more than twice at risk of getting injured. Age and gender were risk factors for injury with males below 40 years of age being more at risk of injury. The main causes of injury were vegetative matter and metallic objects. There was a statistically significant association between object of injury and gender (p=0.016).
Conclusions
The results showed that the proportion of patients that achieved good visual outcomes (BCVA of 6/60 or better) at Sekuru Kaguvi Hospital after surgical repair for penetrating corneal injury was 59% during the study period. Irregular corneal astigmatism, vitreous hemorrhage and central corneal scarring were the major causes of visual outcomes worse than 6/60. Males were affected more than females by a ratio of 2.7:1. The causes of injuries could suggest gender roles in society, where males were injured mostly by metallic objects and females by vegetative material
The relationship between knowledge of breast self-examination and practices regarding breast self-examination among women aged 25 – 49 years at Mbare family services clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe
No full textWorldwide, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and it is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women (Jemal, Ward, Center, Siegel and Thun). In Zimbabwe, the proportion of women dying from breast cancer is 1 in 28. The breast cancer rates are higher than those for any other cancers besides lung cancer (Chokunonga, Borok, Chirenje, Nyakabau and Rukainga, 2009). The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between knowledge of breast self-examination and practices regarding breast self-examination among women aged 25 to 49 years at Mbare Family Services Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe. The Health Promotion Model was used to guide the study. A non-experimental descriptive correlational study design was used. A simple random sample of 85 women who visited Mbare Family Services Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe was used. A structured interview questionnaire comprised of demographic data, knowledge of breast self-examination and practices of breast self-examination. A pilot study was conducted. Data was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS/CP). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and the Pearson‟s Correlation Coefficient. The study findings showed a strongly positive linear relationship between knowledge of breast self-examination and practice of breast self-examination. The r = 0.668 indicating that as knowledge improves the practice of breast self-examination improves. The regression analysis was done R2 = .446 which implies that the effect of knowledge accounts for 44.6% of the variation on the practice of breast self-examination
Experiences and coping strategies 3 months post-stroke of patients in Harare and Chitungwiza: 3 months follow-up prospective study
No full textBackground and purpose: Problems encountered by survivors of stroke need to be
adequately addressed to promote the individual’s well being. In Zimbabwe it is not known
to what extent survivors of stroke are affected by disability resulting from stroke and
whether the current services are adequate to address the challenges faced. There is also
scarcity of documented information on coping methods used by victims of stroke. Therefore
the main aim of the study was to determine experiences of a patient suffering from stroke
in Harare and Chitungwiza three months post-stroke and how they cope with the challenges
that they encounter.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was used to carry out this study. Eighty (80)
patients with a clinical diagnosis of stroke were conveniently recruited from Parirenyatwa,
Harare and Chitungwiza Central Hospitals. Baseline information of participants was
collected during recruitment and follow-up was done at 3 months. An interviewer
administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from participants.
Results: The occurrence of stroke during the period under review at the three hospitals was
higher in females (N = 56, 70%) than males (N = 24, 30%) ratio 2.3:1. The mean age of the
participants was 60.6 years (SD 17.1). Thirty eight (47%) participants were found at followup,
27 (34%) had died and 15 (19%) were lost to follow-up. Physical problems e.g. mobility
were common soon after stroke onset while psychosocial problems e.g traditional roles
were more common at 3 months post-stroke. Family assistance, acceptance, changes in
family roles and prayer helped most participants to cope with devastating effects of stroke.
Conclusion and recommendations: Stroke can result in high fatalities. Health care team
needs to focus on both the physical and psychosocial problems faced by a stroke survivor
A national Infection Prevention Control training strategy in Zimbabwe- rewards and challenges
No full textstrateg
An evaluation of the impact on performance of corporate governance practices in the mobile telecommunications industry in Zimbabwe
No full textThis research surveys the impact of corporate governance practices on performance in the highly profitable mobile telecommunications industry in Zimbabwe, with special emphasis on return on assets as a proxy for performance. It further sought to evaluate the extent to which corporate governance practices are being observed as well as assess whether performances of the different telecoms companies are comparable and identify factors affecting compliance to corporate governance
A descriptive survey research design was used to find the opinions of individuals in the target population on factors affecting compliance with corporate governance and the extent to which firms observe corporate governance. The average Return on Assets (ROA) was calculated and used as a proxy for performance for the period under study to assess performance of the three companies. Data entry was done using a combination of Microsoft Excel and the STATA statistical package.
Almost all of the investigated mobile telecommunications companies largely observe corporate governance practices of the rights of shareholders, the equitable treatment of shareholders, the role of stakeholders in corporate governance, disclosure and transparency and the responsibility of the board. However, NetOne’s results show that a bigger percentage of performance in the state enterprise is explained by other factors other than corporate governance practices tested unlike in the other two private companies where the relationship is more significant.
The research was done within a short space of time and due to the sensitivity of some of the variables, most of the target population could not provide such data because of confidentiality.
It is evident that corporate governance impacts on performance and hence the government should promote good corporate governance standards.
The study proposes further study in the areas of corporate governance and corporate failure as this study has established some discrepancies in performance between the state-controlled mobile telecommunications companies and the privately owned companies
An assessment of the relationship between corporate governance and performance of parastatals and state enterprises in Zimbabwe
No full textThis study sought to develop a governance model to assess the impact of corporate governance on the performance of state enterprises and parastatals in Zimbabwe. The study first did a literature review on corporate government systems around the world and in Zimbabwe. The background of state enterprises and parastatals in Zimbabwe was explored to understand the problems facing these state corporations. The challenge was how to turn around the fortunes of these corporations and make them more viable through better corporate governance. The research question was: To what extent will good corporate governance in state enterprises and parastatals enhance their performance?
The research used quantitative methodology for data gathering and analysis and the questionnaire was used as the research instrument. The sample contained a mixture of 20 state enterprises and parastatals covering commercial, regulatory and economic and social. A questionnaire was self–administered to the respondents and collected by the researcher after completion.
The study found that there are very weak linkages between the corporate governance variables such as the role of the minister, the role of the board, board tenure, expertise and performance of state enterprises and parastatals. This means that there should be a more robust model to better understand the relationship between corporate governance and improved performance.
The various recommendations made should improve corporate governance in SEPs and enhance their performance. Since some linkages were found between performance and remuneration and board composition it shows that corporate governance has some impact on performance of state enterprises and parastatals. It will be necessary in future research to develop a model which includes the contextual factors such as political, economic, social, environmental and legal. The timing of the study could also have influenced the outcome. It may be useful to carry out another study at a different time when there is no turbulence in SEPs