ZOU Open Access E-Journals Portal (Zimbabwe Open University)
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Schism and leadership contestations after the death of Dorius Pedzisai Shoko of Zion Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe
Full text linkSuccession is the greatest challenge facing most organisations in Africa in all circles of life. Most religious, social and political organisations and institutions seem to face many problems after the death of the founding figure. It seems Africa today has failed to have a smooth transfer of power from the current leader to the successor. Owing to the failures of leaders to appoint their successors particularly in the religious spheres, most church organisations often engage in bloody fights after the death of the principal leader. This makes succession disputes one of the greatest crises facing African Independent churches in Zimbabwe. Daneel (1988) observed that the death of the founder of an independent church, more than any other occasion, brings conflicting issues to the surface. The issue of schism has been and is the result of all struggles that take place in most African Independent churches. The inheritance to the throne in the Zion Apostolic Faith Mission (ZAFM) church has from its inception been a problem. The church has been facing the problem of determining who should succeed the deceased bishop. Disagreements always arise whenever the successor is to be chosen. It is in light of this background that this paper seeks to spell out the schism and leadership contestations that took place after the death of Dorius Pedzisai Shoko the successor of Andreas Shoko of ZAFM. Much of the information for this paper was obtained from field work through focus group discussions, personal observation and face to face interviews with the leaders of ZAFM church. 
Wielding an identity through preserving the existence of edible stinkbugs: An exploration of the linguistic terminologies used in the harvesting of the stinkbugs by the Norumedzo community of Bikita, Zimbabwe
Full text linkThe study explores some linguistic terminological utilisations in the harvesting and processing of the edible stinkbug (harurwa) by the Norumedzo community of Bikita district located in the southeastern part of Zimbabwe. The study also seeks to examine how the linguistic terminological utilisations are handled by the community in their everyday experiences during the stinkbug season to enhance their interaction as they engage themselves in the harvesting and processing activities. In the case of linguistics as a field of language study, it appears as though these linguistic vocabularies were an understudied area within Languages and Literature in Zimbabwe. The focus of this present study is to explore some linguistic vocabularies that are used in the edible stinkbug harvesting period and processing as well as to examine the meanings and messages they refer to within the existence of the edible stinkbug in the Norumedzo contextual settings. These observations concur very well with Austin’s (1962) assertions about the principles of pragmatics in which meaning and effect of the linguistic terms were analysed to show the ways in which the expressions represented actions and how they are intended to make meaning. Since the study assesses the historical and social life hinged on the way they manipulate language as a community, it applies a qualitative approach which captures the uses of an inter-disciplinary application of data collection methods. The main data collection methods employed in this study comprised interviews and participant observation techniques. The core of this study’s argument is centred on exploring some linguistic vocabularies that forms the basis of the Norumedzo people’s interactions during the harvesting and processing activities to perpetuate the identity, culture, tradition and conserving the heritage of this community. The findings of the study showed that the Norumedzo people possess a very rich historical identity buttressed by owning a weaponry linguistic tool that necessitates stability and continuity of the community. Findings also showed that the selected linguistic terminological utterances utilized by the Norumedzo community perform different functions such as to give meanings to some of the activities the community engage in and constitute a stylistic means of interaction pointing to their identity, history and heritage. By situating the findings of the study within the theory of pragmatics, it makes us understand how language is utilized within given contextual settings. The study concludes by recommending among other issues that human identities, cultures, traditions, and heritage should be preserved and passed on to every incoming generation for the continuity of a preserved cultural heritage and take pride in them being Africans
The application of Artificial Intelligence in Employee Appointment Process: Opportunities and Challenges in the Zimbabwean Travel Industry
No full textThe employee appointment process should be the first organisation to achieve sustained competitive advantage through the implementation of artificial intelligence that has been trending for some time. This study seeks to understand the application of artificial intelligence in employee appointment process, its opportunities, and challenges in the Zimbabwe Travel Industry. The primary mandate of the study was to understand employee appointment activities that can be transformed by artificial intelligence. The study determined the challenges of using artificial intelligence in the employee appointment process. The investigator obtained data through telephone interviews that were conducted with 15 participants from the Zimbabwe Travel Industry. The study employed judgemental, convenient and snowball sampling. The study found that there is low use of artificial intelligence in the employee appointment process, but there are activities that can be undertaken by artificial intelligence that include a chat box to handle recruitment queries, screening of CVs, scheduling of interviews and carrying out of online psychometric tests. Expensiveness, lack of skills, loss of jobs, cultural and ethical implications were found to be challenges associated with the use of artificial intelligence inthe employee appointment process. Efficiency, effectiveness, enhanced candidate experience and organisation brand were found to be benefits of employing artificial intelligence in employee appointment process. The study recommends partnerships to be developed among travel firms, higher and tertiary education, and technology enterprises to develop artificial intelligence software that can cost-effectively meet the needs of recruiters
Effects of Corporate Governance Practices on Profitability of firms Listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange
No full textThe study assessed the effects of corporate governance practices on the profitability of companies listed on Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) during the period 2014 to 2019. Literature shows that entities with good corporate governance are more likely to have proper control mechanisms as well as proper allocation of resources which ultimately contribute to their improved economic and financial stability. The study employed the quantitative methodology. Panel data was collected from the ZSE listed firms’ annual financial reports for the period 2014 to 2019. Corporate governance variables data used in the study included: board composition, board meetings, ownership, gender diversity and demographical characteristics of board members. Data was analysed using the Panel Corrected Standard Error (PCSE) regression analysis model. The results show that firm size, firm experience, board executive diversity and ownership structure have significant influence on profitability. Board gender diversity and post graduate qualification have no significant influence on firm’s profitability. The study recommends that entities should pay attention to good corporate governance practices as they have significant influence on firm profitability
Sustaining organisational internal control systems in the COVID–19 Era in Zimbabwe
No full textInternal controls are crucial in maintaining organisational systems as they help employees to abide by policies and procedures. The business environment plays a big role in determining effectiveness of internal controls. COVID-19 pandemic created some shock to the business environment. It is imperative to analyse the extent to which organisational internal control systems were affected by the advent of COVID-19. This study sought to analyse to what extent organisational internal control systems were affected by COVID-19 and the risks posed to organisations from remote working. This study employed a descriptive design and the population comprised all key personnel for business entities in Harare, Zimbabwe and the sample comprised of all business managers, accountants and auditors for business entities located in the Harare Central Business District. Primary data was gathered from the respondents through questionnaires. The study revealed that most firms had adequate technological resources such as ICT equipment. Sign offs were compromised by the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorisation, performance reviews and physical controls were at high risk of being circumvented during a remote working environment adopted as a result of the pandemic. Generally, the study found that the internal controls were adversely affected by the advent of COVID-19. The study recommends management to review and adapt internal control systems to take into account the shocks created to the environment by pandemics
Warehousing and Post-Harvest Storage Losses in Zimbabwe: The Significance of Warehousing in the Maize Value Chain
No full textThis study examined the significance of warehousing in the maize value chain in Zimbabwe. Maize is very important in Zimbabwe as it is the staple grain and a major source of animal feed. Zimbabwe is facing food shortages amidst the ever-increasing population hence the need to reduce maize post-harvest losses at each stage of the maize value chain. Primary data was collected from 225 Grain Marketing Board of Zimbabwe (GMB) managers, supervisors and employees in all its ‘Class 1’ depots, Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development (MLAFWRD) and agricultural experts through questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The results of the study revealed that warehousing is very important in the maize value chain in Zimbabwe as it helps to ensure food security by conserving all the maize harvested in a particular season. The study also concluded that warehousing helps to reduce maize post-harvest storage losses and allows continuous supply of maize to all citizens thereby ensuring food security. The government’s burden on food-related subsidies can be reduced significantly in Zimbabwe through prioritising the effective warehousing of maize. The key recommendations from the study include the need for the government of Zimbabwe to prioritise the provision of sound warehouse structures in order to reduce maize post-harvest storage loses and guarantee food security for all citizens
Embracing Stakeholder Approach to Corporate Governance in Public Universities during Covid-19 pandemic
No full textThe traditional model of governing universities is collegial and consultative in nature, with large and broadly representative bodies and forums open to all academic members of the university. Because of the increased pressures to change the traditional models of university governance in recent years, this paper explores why stakeholder approach to public university governance could be considered as essential in the governance of these public institutions, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The existence of a public university can be justified via its stakeholder relationships. The study was conducted using the mixed method research paradigm, based on the pragmatic philosophical perspective, a worldview that arises out of actions, situations, and consequences. According to the interviews and survey responses, the Covid-19 induced lockdown, travel restrictions and social distancing led to the following findings, that there was swift change-over from face-to-face to online learning, but with little or no stakeholder engagement, field research was stalled, some staff members were working from home, student admission, registration and examinations were postponed and there was unplanned procurement for face masks, sanitizers, and other Personal Protective Equipment. The above took place against a background of minimum or no consultation and engagement with the affected stakeholders and in some cases, there was little or no buy-in. The researcher recommended that public universities should apply an inclusive approach to corporate governance by engaging and ensuring that stakeholders participate in decision-making on any issues that affect them such as Covid-19 pandemic
An Evaluation of the Impact of Covid-19 on Performance of the AgroProcessing Firms in Zimbabwe
No full textThis study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of the agroprocessing sector. The study was guided by the positivism research philosophy. The explanatory research design was adopted. Data was collected through a survey and it was analysed using regression and correlation data analysis frameworks. The findings of the study were that the COVID-19 pandemic affected production, supply of raw material, demand for agro-products, profitability and the viability of the sector. The study concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating effect on the agro-processing sector in view of its negative effects on production capacity, supply of raw materials, demand profile and profitability. In view of this, the study recommends that intervention strategies and policies be adopted to revive the sector given its value to the GDP, employment and poverty. It is recommended that firms in the sector invest more resources in the development of strong and intense learning, and innovative capabilities, invest in technology and build strong and sustainable network with the supply chain stakeholders. As well, the government must provide recovery bail out for most of the firms in the agro-processing sector
An Evaluation of the Strategies to Revive the Performance of the Tourism Sector Post COVID-19 Pandemic in Zimbabwe
No full textThe health crisis caused by the pandemic COVID-19 has been of such magnitude that the dropoff in economic and tourist activity in most countries is generating an economic crisis with consequences that are still difficult to measure. The influence of the pandemic on the global tourism sector and, more specifically, on its hospitality industry has been explored in depth. This study therefore focused on the strategies that may be adopted to revive the capacity utilisation, contribution of the sector to GDP and viability of the sector following the devastating effects of the COVID-19. The study was guided by the pragmatism research philosophy. The study adopted an explanatory research design. Data was collected through a survey and interviews. In view of this, questionnaires and interview guide were the data collection tools. Regression, correlation and thematic data analysis frameworks were used to analyse the data. The study noted that pro-active strategies, analysis strategies and focused strategies were key to the revival of the tourism sector following the devastating effects of the pandemic. The study noted the success of such strategies depended much on the availability of the targeted and stimulus funding from Government. The study concluded that the covid-19 pandemic was so devasting to the tourism sector such that companies requires a stimulus funding package to operationalise their revival strategies. The study therefore recommended that companies need to be creative and innovative in their strategic orientation to revive their operations. In addition, Government needs to provided significant and accessible stimulus funding package to the companies in the tourism sector
The Role of Corporate Culture on Corporate Performance in the Financial Sector in Zimbabwe: A Case Study of NMB Bank
No full textThe study was based on the problems facing the financial sector in Zimbabwe focusing on NMB. Thus, the phenomenology research philosophy, as well as interviews and focus groups were used in this study. Therefore, the study shows that there is need for NMB and the financial sector to respond to these problems by incorporating corporate culture. Thus, although corporate culture exists at NMB and the financial sector, as indicated in this study, all the respondents at NMB understand that corporate culture defines organisational values as well guides how employees of corporates in the financial sector act, feel or think about their organizations but unfortunately it is not visible and well defined. In fact, workers at NMB and in the financial sector feel that the management talks about corporate culture but do not share the corporate values of their organizations as well as upholding their values. Hence, the study suggests that NMB and corporates in the financial sector should blend its corporate culture models in order to get the best out of their workers. Thus, NMB and the corporates should use both clan organizational culture model and meritocracy organizational culture model because they all believe in employee-oriented leadership, cohesiveness, participation, and teamwork something that both employees and the management feel is missing. In short, these types of theories promote greater productivity and company growth in addition to clear communication of ideas and feedback resulting in a positive company performance which the financial sector is aiming to achieve.