1358 research outputs found
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An assessment of the trade facilitation efforts within SADC: The case of Walvis Bay dry port
No full textThe study assesses the trade facilitation efforts in SADC and examines how the establishment of the Walvis Bay dry port will help in facilitating trade. Qualitative methodology was used in the study. Documentary search and in-depth interviews with key informants were used to collect data. Data was analysed by employing thematic sub-headings to present research findings. This study argued that ineffective implementation of protocols and agreements in SADC hampers or retards trade facilitation. International economic relations theories such as regionalism and liberalism guided the study. The study was guided by the assumptions proffered by these theories that larger markets can be created through integration of single economies and that this leads to improved trade volumes. Liberalisation of economies ensures free flow of goods and services. The study examines the trade facilitation measures within the SADC region and the challenges encountered in their efforts to facilitate the smooth flow of goods and services. The study revealed that the SADC region in terms of legal instruments and initiatives to promote trade facilitation is among the leading regions. However, the implementation of the same initiatives is the major obstacle to trade facilitation efforts. The SADC region provides the highest number of landlocked countries at the same time traditional ports face a number of challenges that include congestion, high port charges, and cargo safety. The Walvis Bay dry port facility sought to provide landlocked Zimbabwe with unrestricted access to the sea for her imports and exports. The study concludes that in as much as SADC is good at adopting regional protocols, implementation remains the major challenge. Effective trade facilitation efforts in the region requires an integrated approach which takes into account tariff barriers and non tariff barriers on the border as well as after the border barriers. The study however concluded that due to financial constraints to develop the dry port, similar challenges faced at traditional ports will hinder the effective operation of the dry port
Assessment of corporate social responsibility practices employed by Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority Holdings and its subsidiary companies
No full textThe broad objective of this research was to establish the level of appreciation of CSR by ZESA Holdings and its four subsidiary companies. A total of 110 employees stratified by company and job position were randomly selected for questionnaire based interview. In addition, key informant interviews were also carried out to confirm/support/refute findings from the questionnaire based study.
More than half (56%) of the respondents across all subsidiaries indicated that their organization did not have a CSR strategies whilst 26 % of them were not sure. Interestingly, all (100%) indicated ZESA Holdings did not have a CSR strategy. However, despite the absence of written CSR strategies, all the companies were are actually implementing a number of CSR strategies including social/community activities (35%), sponsorship (25%), cooperation with other stakeholders (21%), and financial or in kind gifts (17%).
The companies engage and prioritize its stakeholders through dialogue, stakeholder awareness campaigns through public meetings, newspapers and electronic media, a monthly circulating internal magazine, the presence of human resources for employees and collaborations and consultations. Overally, 79% of the respondents have heard about CSR before this survey, and 65% of the respondents perceive CSR as an important initiative.
About 21% of them indicated that CSR practices result in the recruitment of new qualified staff, increased current employee loyalty through reduction of staff turnover/fluctuation and improved customer satisfaction (19%), and improved relations with business partners and investors (18%), improvement of employees’ job satisfaction (15%), improvement in customer satisfaction (14%) and improvement of economic performance of the company through cost reduction and sales increase (12%). However, only 16% were respectively satisfied with the current contribution, the very low percentage of respondents satisfied with the current CSR is a possible indicator for a cause for concern.
Respondents felt that one way for companies to improve its image, would be to measure and evaluate their CSR activities, which necessitates having a definite written strategy. Overally, 51% reported that their companies did not measure and evaluate CSR related activities which is unfortunate. It was also revealed that the absence of a business code of conduct in which a comprehensive CSR charter is enshrined should be the starting point for ZESA.
Overally, these results shows that although ZESA does not have a comprehensive CRS charter, and implementation of CSR practices among subsidiaries depends on the nature of the subsidiary’s operations. Benefits to do with the employee have the highest proportion of responses, hence showing the importance of the employee to the company. It is possible that attitude towards customers shown by ZESA Holdings as the umbrella company is reflected in all its subsidiaries.
CSR is still in its infancy in Zimbabwe though it has matured faster in other countries. CSR study can be expanded to cover wider areas and other specific industries in Zimbabwe. An area for further research could be to examine the relationship between Corporate Governance and CSR in order to establish if there is a convergence between the two practices and to find out how corporate governance reporting can be embedded into the CSR arena
Assessment of spatial and temporal soil loss in and out of Lesotho using Rusle Model and GIS
No full textLesotho is one of the major sources to rivers that drain the southern part of southern Africa through Senqu and Sabi-Sand River. However severe soil erosion is the major environmental problem that has left the landscape dissected with deep gullies and dongas. Fertile soil, that should be supporting food production is washed in billions of tons as sediments in lakes, reservoirs and rivers reducing the aesthetic appearance of water bodies with high sediment loads leading to low agricultural productivity and high costs of water treatment for water supply. There is inadequate current information as to how much soil has been lost or is being lost in and out of Lesotho. Studies of the last four decades are still cited in policy formulations while the earth and its constituents are dynamic and ever changing. The objective of this study was to assess the spatial and temporal (1986, 1997 and 2009) soil loss in and out of Lesotho using the RUSLE model and GIS techniques.
The annual soil loss computed from RUSLE model was compared with the observed sediment yield of gauged rivers that are leaving Lesotho for the duration of the study (1980 – 2012). Data used consisted of DEM of 90m x 90m resolution to calculate the slope length-steepness factor (LS) and the soil map was used to calculate the soil erodibility factor (K). The temporal factor, used to compute rainfall erosivity (R) for 1986, 1997 and 2009. Then Landsat images were used to come up with the land cover management factor and conservation practices for 1986, 1997 and 2009. Flow and sediment data from 1980 to 2012 were used to determine relationships, trends and total amounts of soil that left Lesotho for the three decades. To identify critical areas/ hotspots for future management from the results predicted by RUSLE model and observed sediment yields.
The results of land classification for 1986, 1997 and 2009 indicate a steady increase of area under rock outcrop respectively from 24.4% to 38.4% and 42.42%, however a fluctuating decrease of percentage area under Alpine grassland and cropland. The result from the RUSLE model indicates that average annual loss of 9,079,499.29 ton ha-1 year-1, 7,785,643.78 ton ha-1 year-1 and 26,711,616.90 ton ha-1 year-1 for 1986, 1997 and 2009 respectively. The observed sediment loads result indicates that 12,977,905.35 ton year-1 was lost 1986, 10,148,969.26 ton year -1 in 1997 and 21,151,804.37 ton year-1 in 2009..The north eastern highland and southern lowland districts are identified critical areas/ hotspots for future management.
There is a strong relationship between the observed and predicted soil loss for the RUSLE model. The study discovered that there is a positive the correlation between the RUSLE model results and the observed sediments loads. In conclusion there is a tremendous soil loss in in Lesotho both spatially and temporally.WaterNe
An evaluation of brand perception in Zimbabwe's commercial banking sector : the case of Agricultural Development Bank of Zimbabwe (2009 - 2012)
No full textThe general conclusion from literature is that positive perception of a brand results in increased organisational performance by enabling the firm to be easily identifiable, differentiable and strategically positioned in the market. However, this literature on brand perception in Zimbabwe’s commercial banks is generally unavailable, with the majority of the literature biased towards other industries like insurance companies. Literature on brand perception has also been confined to other parts of the world like Malaysia and Iran; therefore the aim of this research was to attempt to fill the research gap by analysing brand perception in the Zimbabwean commercial banking sector. The research information and its application were aimed at benefiting the financial sector, the nation and academics. This research was based on a single case study design of the Agricultural Development Bank of Zimbabwe (Agribank). Empirical data was obtained through face-to-face interviews with Agribank’s Executives. Questionnaires were sent to its Middle Managers and its Customers. The respondents were four Executives, two Middle Managers and five Customers. A qualitative research philosophy was used and the data gathered was analysed through Data Displays in the form of content analytic summary tables.
The study found that Agribank’s financial performance was negatively affected by the general public’s negative perception of the bank’s brand since becoming a commercial bank from being the government’s lending institution for the agricultural sector in Zimbabwe, under the name Agricultural Finance Corporation. The general public still percieve the bank to be a farmers’ bank. Management failed to select an appropriate brand name, create a conducive brand image, clarify the bank’s proposition and mobilise resources. As a result, it has suffered losses for the past 6 years whilst their deposits and loans market share are one of the least in the sector. It is recommended that Agribank should mobilise financial resources, train and groom its staff, change its brand name, employ aggressive marketing strategy, change the top management, seek a strategic partner, clarify their mandate and proposition
Blood and Urine Lead Levels in Adults Attending Harare Polyclinics
No full textLead is a toxic environmental pollutant and exposure to it can produce serious adverse health effects in adults and children. There is no safe exposure to lead, however the CDC recommends adult blood lead level (BLL) of < 20μg/dl to be safe and <5 μg/dl for children. However evidence suggests subclinical toxicity at lower levels. In Harare, people are exposed to lead from exhaust fumes from leaded petrol, old leaching lead plumbing and flaking leaded paint.
The main objective of the study was to evaluate the level of lead exposure of ordinary residents in Harare. The secondary objective was to determine if lead levels were affected by serum protein levels.
Three urban areas were chosen for their potential of increased risk of environmental exposure. One rural area was chosen to act as a control. Water lead levels were also measured from the different study areas. The lead levels were measured using the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Protein levels were determined using the Lowry method.
The mean blood lead levels that were obtained for the urban areas were 0.80±0.69μg/dl and 0.96±0.98μg/dl for the rural clinic. The urine lead levels for the urban areas were 0.57±0.67 μg/dl and 0.51±0.13μg/dl for the rural clinic. The water lead levels from the different study populations were 1.1μg/dl for Mbare, 1.6μg/dl for Highfield, 0μg/dl for Goromonzi and 0.4μg/dl, for Mabvuku/Tafara respectively.
The mean serum protein levels were 24.45±3.76g/l for the study population. The Pearson correlation coefficient for the serum protein levels and blood lead levels was 0.225 at a p-value of 0.124.
The ordinary residents in Harare urban have minimal environmental exposure to lead. There was no significant correlation between serum protein levels and blood lead levels
Environmental reporting: An evaluation of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed companies annual reports - 2008
No full textEnvironmental reporting continues to receive attention in emerging economies and financial markets, including Africa. This paper presents results of a research on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) listed companies' annual reports for 2008 in an attempt to establish the level of disclosure and perceptions on environmental reporting in Zimbabwe. The research applies content analysis and survey strategies. The results provide empirical evidence for potential policy influence on corporate reporting culture within the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange listed companies. The findings of this research provide a basis for future studies addressing legitimacy of environmental reporting in Zimbabwe
An investigation into survival strategies in a highly competitive short-term insurance industry in Zimbabwe (2009 - 2012)
No full textThe Zimbabwean short term insurance sector had its good times, but with the passage of time competitors were attracted by the fortunes that appeared limitless. As a result pricing of insurance products was lowered, poorly designed products flocked the market, premium growth drastically declined, players struggled to pay claims and many players lost their market share among a cocktail of threats and challenges. The sector experienced decreasing profitability though in some instances the gross written premiums figures were increasing.
The study investigates the survival strategies that were implemented by insurance companies from 2009-2012. Evidence from the literature that was reviewed indicated that there are various strategies that companies can implement in order to survive these include strategic alliances, turnaround and retrenchment strategies, re-engineering and competitive strategies. The survey research design was used in the research. The population of the study included all short-term insurance companies in Harare and fifty questionnaires were sent to short-term insurance companies. The respondents who were targeted were mainly senior managers and chief underwriters who are aware of operational and strategic issues affecting companies. Random sampling was used by the researcher to ensure that each element of the population had an equal chance of being selected.
Survey findings revealed that the following strategies were implemented, reinventing the business function, price undercutting, incentives to agents, aggressive marketing and promotion of products, selling of additional products and services, disposal of non-performing assets, alliances with business partners, prioritizing core business, changing of distribution channels, use of reinsurance contracts and reduction of costs. Companies that failed to implement these survival strategies lost their operating licenses and market share. Therefore, the research concludes that the strategies were effective and it is recommended that short –term insurance companies apply these survival strategies
PREDICTING POTENTIAL CYP450 ENZYME INHIBITION BASED DRUG-DRUG INTERACTION DURING DRUGS PRESCRIPTION USING A COMPUTER AID
No full textIntroduction: The increase in the number of drugs on the market and concomitant
treatment of co-infections has increased the potential for drug interactions making it
difficult for healthcare professionals to minimize the potential adverse effects of every
drug. Fortunately, Medical Informatics has been evolving to match this increase in
complexity in medical delivery. Pharmacoinformatics has become particularly relevant in
addressing some of the undesirable effects associated with the increased practice of
polypharmacy. Therefore, the major aim of this study was to develop a computer based
pharmacoinformatic tool for use by clinicians and pharmacists in the prediction of in vivo
drug-drug interactions (DDIs) using in vitro data.
Materials and methods: The prototypic tool was developed using Standard Query
Language (SQL) database and Delphi 6.0 as the programming language. Literature
sources were assembled, both as databases and symposia abstracts, original publications
of drug-enzyme or drug-drug interactions for competitive and mechanism-based
inhibition. Sources with validated in vitro methods and having the following parameters:
inhibition constant (Ki); maximum enzyme velocity (Vmax); substrate concentration
needed to reach half maximal velocity (Km); fraction metabolized by cytochrome P450
(fm) and fraction cleared by cytochrome P450 (fh), were considered. Different plasma
concentrations of the inhibitor available to the enzyme site for interaction were tested
with and without taking into account protein binding. The concentrations included the
average maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and the estimated of maximum
concentration of the inhibitor at entrance to the liver (Iin.max), both bound and unbound. A
pilot study was carried out among 10 doctors and 10 pharmacists to test the medical
relevance of the tool using a questionnaire with scores ranging from 1 (best) to 6 (worst).
Results and discussion: Various drug combinations were tested. The best predictions of
in vivo drug-drug interactions were achieved when the concentration of inhibitor was set
at the unbound maximum concentration at entrance to the liver enzymes with better
overall geometric mean fold error (GMFE) values of 0.68 and overall root mean square
error (RMSE) of 3.13 without considering mechanism-based inhibition (MBI). There was
improvement in overall GMFE (0.49) and RMSE (1.71) for steady-state unbound Cmax
when MBI was incorporated. A preliminary evaluation of the tool by medical
professionals has highly recommended application in private practice and in academia as
a teaching tool, and with mixed reactions in public sector. The survey recommended that
modifications be made on details captured under product composition.
Conclusion: The pharmacoinformatic tool developed during this work is likely to be well
received by the medical community starting as a teaching tool. More drugs used routinely
need to be added, and a high sample size evaluation of relevance and acceptability
conducted. The predictive capacity of the tool had low levels of bias when the
concentration of inhibitor was set at the unbound maximum concentration at entrance to
the liver enzymes. However more work needs to be done to include Drug-Drug
Interactions (DDIs) due to induction and irreversible enzyme inhibition or through
inhibition of other enzymes not considered in this study
The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Gender Based Violence among Zimbabweans Deported through Beitbridge District, Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe, 2013.
No full textBackground: Gender Based Violence (GBV) is gaining recognition in Zimbabwe due to rising prevalence and long term health consequences of the survivors. Beitbridge district handles an influx of deported migrants over any given period. Preliminary information obtained from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) suggested a high burden of GBV amongst deported migrants. We investigated the prevalence and factors associated with GBV amongst Zimbabwean women deported through Beitbridge District.
Methods: An analytical cross sectional study was conducted among Zimbabwean women aged 18 years and above deported from South Africa through IOM Centre in Beitbridge District in 2013.Data was summarized using proportions and means.Bivariate and Step wise logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with GBV.
Results: Results from 291 participants were analysed. The prevalence of ever experiencing GBV was 44.7% (CI:38.9; 50.6).The distribution of GBV by typology was emotional/psychological 38.8(CI:32.7;45.4), Physical 36.4%(CI:30.6;42.9),Sexual abuse 34%(CI:28.5;40.2) and economic abuse 14%(CI:10.1;19.6). Independent risk factors were Age<18yrs at marriage or when started living with partner POR 3.8(CI: 1.12; 11.78), Using private transport while migrating POR 4.1(CI: 2.07; 8.26),having a partner/husband with other sexual partners POR 5.9(CI: 2.35; 14.85) and partner/husband alcohol consumption POR 3.0(CI: 1.58; 5.99)
Conclusion: The crude prevalence of GBV of was 44.7%. Risk factors identified in this study were, age<18yrs at marriage, use of private transport, partner/husband with other sexual partners and husband/partner alcohol consumption. Majority of GBV survivors did not report or seek help because they feared arrest and deportation.
Recommendations:There is need to put in place a program and resources to screen all female deportees for GBV and give them appropriate treatment as they pass through the IOM support centre.Humanitarian space should also be opened up to partners working in health services provision for treatment and management of GBV survivors
Quality of life among adult patients living with HIV/AIDS taking antiretroviral drugs
No full textBackground: Zimbabwe’s response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in terms of prevention, testing, counseling and treatment has been commendable but inadequate in terms of provision of rehabilitation services to HIV-infected individuals.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and extent of activity limitations and participation restrictions (disabilities) experienced by adults living with HIV/AIDS who are on Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and the factors associated with quality of life as assessed by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
Study variables: type of ARV, period on ARVs, last CD4 count, physical and mental health, previous injury, use of assistive devices, having an assistant, and demographic characteristics.
Outcome variables: quality of life (total score), domain total scores, reduction and stopping of usual activities.
Methods: A cross sectional analytical study was done with 59 consenting HIV positive adults on antiretroviral drugs attending an opportunistic infection clinic. An ICF-based interview questionnaire was administered on consecutive patients.
Ethical clearance was granted.
Data Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used to describe the distributions of participants according to demographic characteristics, clinical profile and prevalence of activity limitations and participation restrictions. Multivariate analysis was done to determine the factors that predicted quality of life. Level of significance was set at 5%.
Results: The mean age of participants was 41 years (+/- 9.3), 56% were female, 54% were married and 30.5% were widowed. Median period on ARVs was 13 months (I.Q.R 3-29) and median last CD4 count was 189.5 (I.Q.R 114-278). Thirty-two (54%) were on Stalanev. About 36% and 61% had stopped or reduced their usual activities due to the illness respectively. Most affected aspects were walking (71%), fine hand use (41%), lifting & carrying objects (71%), shopping (55%), housework (55%), remunerative employment (56%) and economic self-sufficiency (79%). The support and relationships and attitudes of health professionals (86% and 88%) and immediate family (75% and 78%) were the cited major environmental facilitators. Factors statistically significantly associated with quality of life were physical health (p= 0.01), mental & emotional health (p= 0.04), and use of assistive devices (p= 0.02). Period on ARVs and last CD4 count were not statistically significantly associated with quality of life.
Conclusion: HIV-related disabilities are prevalent even among those on antiretroviral drugs and their quality of life is reduced, hence the need to scale up rehabilitation services for them