ZOU Open Access E-Journals Portal (Zimbabwe Open University)
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Changing Jobs Like Changing Clothes: Job Hopping Among ZimbabweanUniversity Lecturers
Full text linkJob hopping has become prevalent amongst Zimbabwean university lecturers. The study seeks to identify a solution to job hopping amongst academics. The investigation was aimed at understanding causes, impact and solutions to job hopping of lecturers in the Zimbabwean universities. The investigation employs qualitative methodologies and uses data saturation to determine sample size. Poor remuneration, lack of resources, work pressure, red tape and lack of career growth were found to be causes of job hopping amongst lecturers in Zimbabwean universities. Brain drain, poor quality of graduates, increased workload, recruitment and administration costs and unfilled posts were found to be negative impacts of job hopping of lecturers in the Zimbabwean universities. Competitive remuneration, mentoring, decreasing workload, flexible work arrangements, provision of resources, career growth and adoption oforganic structures were found to be solutions to job hopping amongst lecturers in Zimbabwean universities
Effectiveness of Corporate Governance on the Performance of Commercial Banks in Zimbabwe
Full text linkThe study analysed the effectiveness of the governance within the Zimbabwean commercial banking sector. The study was based on the rationale that the Zimbabwean commercial banking sector had witnessed a negative trend in terms of return on investment. The study adopted a combination of exploratory and explanatory research designs and gathered data from 124 participants using questionnaires and interview guides. In terms of data analysis, the thematic analysis, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and random effects panel regression was adopted with data for 12 banks for the period 2018-2020. The study revealed that effective boards can be rated based on board composition, independence and level of skill diversity. Most of the banks in Zimbabwe are using a formal two-tier structure, whereas other banks which are private owned are using a one-tier structure and others adopted the mixed tier system. The study concluded that both the size of the governing board and audit committee composition positively significantly influenced the Zimbabwean commercial banking sector.
Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Enhancing Tourism Development and Conservation Efforts in National Parks in Zimbabwe: Insights from Gonarezhou National Park
Full text linkPublic-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have gained traction as innovative management strategies for national parks globally, yet their role in Africa, particularly within Zimbabwe\u27s Gonarezhou National Park, remains underexplored. This study investigates the impact of PPPs on tourism development and conservation efforts in Gonarezhou National Park. The study used a qualitative methodology. The study conducted 20 in-depth interviews. The participants were purposively selected. Thematic analysis was employed to evaluate generated data, revealing significant findings. Results indicated that PPPs have substantially improved infrastructure, financial support, and specialized skills within the park, leading to enhanced visitor experiences and increased wildlife conservation effectiveness. Despite these advancements, challenges that that continue to exist hinder the full realization of PPP benefits including economic instability, insufficient stakeholder consultation, and conflicting management objectives. Recommendations included fostering inclusive stakeholder engagement, addressing economic barriers, and developing adaptive management frameworks that align diverse conservation goals.
Determinants of Financial Sustainability in Zimbabwe’s Public Universities
Full text linkThe study investigated how innovative financial resource mobilisation projects/programmes improved the financial sustainability of Zimbabwe\u27s public universities. Correlation and survey research designs guided by positivist research theory were utilised. The unit of analysis was limited to six public universities in Zimbabwe. Two hundred and twenty nine respondents were randomly chosen out of 1 450 employees in the separate revenue-generating units to participate in the Rensis Likert scale questionnaire survey. Quantitative data were validated using tests for normality, kurtosis and skewness, homoscedasticity, multicollinearity, and prior power of the entire study model. The test findings were within acceptable limits. The multiple linear regression model results revealed that organisational structure, cost management, financial administration, institutional support, and own income generation all had positive coefficients, indicating a positive relationship with financial sustainability. A negative relationship was found between strategic planning and financial sustainability, implying that the more strategic planning procedures implemented, the worse the financial sustainability. The alternate hypothesis: Innovative financial resource mobilisation having no substantial effect on the financial sustainability of Zimbabwe\u27s public universities, was accepted. It was concluded that the innovative financial resource mobilisation improved the financial sustainability of Zimbabwe\u27s public universities.
Modelling the Zimbabwe Inflation and Economic Development for Policy Reform
Full text linkThis study sought to determine the implication of inflation on economic growth in Zimbabwe. The time series yearly data for inflation and economic growth from 1990 to 2017 were used for the study. A Full Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) was used to determine the relationship between the variables. Some Stationarity and Cointegration tests were carried out. Data became stationarity after first and second differencing using Augmented Dickey Fuller Test. There was also evidence of cointegration between the two variables using the Johansen Cointegration Test. The results of the study established no relationship between inflation and economic growth for Zimbabwe. These results have important policy implications, implying that controlling inflation is a necessary but not a pre-condition for promoting economic growth in Zimbabwe. Thus, the Zimbabwean government should focus on maintaining inflation at a low rate (single digit). In this regard the study concluded that all factors which cause an increase in the general price levels such as energy (petrol, diesel, gasoline, paraffin), exchange rates volatility, increase in money supply, poor agricultural production and others, should be kept on check, with the appropriate policies to foster economic growth
Motivational Strategies for improved Performance of Generation Y and Z Employees: A Grounded Theory Approach to Mining Companies in Zimbabwe
No full textThe main thrust of the proposed study was to probe and come up with a theoretical framework for motivational strategies of generation Y and Z employees so as to enhance their performance in the mining sector in Zimbabwe. It is important to note from the onset that Generation Y also known as Millennials are youthful employees born between 1981 and 1996. These people are now aged between 26 and 41 years, and this is the most active generation in the labour force. It is imperative to study how these individuals can be motivated to foster productivity in Zimbabwe’s second largest sector. On the other hand, Generation Z refers to employees born between 1997 and 2012 (Gomez, Mawhinney & Betts, 2020). A part of Generation Z, those aged 18 to 25 are the latest people employed in companies. Hence, it is urgent, critical and makes sense to understand how they are motivated. Therefore, the two groups make up a huge chunk of labour particularly in the mining sector, and it is vital to interrogate on their workplace behaviour, like what yesteryear psychologists did with older generations. The two generations grew up in a different environment from other generations and thus have different expectations from their employers. Therefore, the study probed and came up with a theoretical framework to motivating Generation Y and Z employees in the mining sector.
Consumer Epiphanies on Digital Banking Resilience in Developing Countries. Reflections from Zimbabwe
Full text linkThis study focuses on understanding the perceptions of customers towards digital banking in the context of a developing country. The study aims to identify digital banking platforms used by consumers in the banking sector, analyse key factors that determine customers\u27 perceptions towards digital banking, evaluate consumer satisfaction levels when using digital banking, determine the challenges that consumers face when using digital banking and proffer solutions to these challenges and recommendations that enhance the overall consumer experience when using digital banking. The study was rooted on the Technology Acceptance Model and adopted a qualitative approach. Structured face to face interviews were conducted on purposively selected bank customers in Harare and data saturation was reached on the 34th interview. The findings revealed widespread popularity of digital banking services amongst bank customers because of its convenience and accessibility. However, most customers shun digital banking because of a lack of technical knowledge and awareness, data privacy and security issues, network connectivity issues and high transaction costs. The study recommended that banks could put in place measures that encouraged the use and adoption of digital banking services such as consumer digital banking awareness programmes, improved biometrics to ensure security and privacy, reduced transaction costs and improved digital infrastructure
Microfinance as an enabler of transformative economic development: The Zimbabwean context
Full text linkMany countries consider microfinance institutions as a tool for poverty alleviation. This is common in developing and transitional countries such as Zimbabwe, which is experiencing political and economic instability. Zimbabwe is a good example of a country where Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) have a potential to transform the lives of its citizens by providing working capital. Zimbabwe, like many countries in the Sub-Saharan region, has a high unemployment rate of approximately 90%, justifying the emergence of the informal sector as a survival strategy. Although MFIs have been regarded as an economic and transformation enabler by many countries, it remains unclear whether it delivers its promises. This paper explores the implication of microfinance in Zimbabwe, evaluating its effect on transforming the lives of the people and promoting economic development; microfinance intervention improved the access to credit for microfinance clients. The study was conducted using a qualitative research method and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 30 farmers, who were purposively sampled from a total of 50 members of the Simunye Burial Society. The study revealed that there is a nexus between micro-credit and improved livelihood of poultry farmers and their households.
Implementation of Financial Resource Mobilisation Programmes to Increase Financial Sustainability in Zimbabwe’s Public Universities: A Panacea or a Pipe Dream?
Full text linkThe study sought to examine how innovative financial resource mobilisation projects/programmes enhanced the financial sustainability of the public universities of Zimbabwe. A combination of correlation and survey research design informed by the positivist research philosophy were employed in the study. The unit of analysis was confined to six public universities in Zimbabwe from which a sample of 229 respondents were selected through systematic random sampling from an accessible population of 1 450 employees in the respective revenue generating units and participated in the Rensis Likert scale questionnaire survey. Quantitative data were validated using tests for normality, kurtosis and skewness, homoscedasticity, multicollinearity, and prior power of the entire model of the study. The test results fell within acceptable values for correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics. The Overall regression results showed that right-tailed, was F (3,164) = 12.7208, p-value = 0.000. Since p-value < α (0.05), H0 (the null hypothesis): Innovative financial resource mobilisation has no significant effect on the financial sustainability of Zimbabwe’s public universities, was rejected and the alternate hypothesis accepted. It was deduced that innovative financial resource mobilisation enhanced the financial sustainability of the public universities of Zimbabwe. Therefore, the more the public universities implemented innovative financial resource mobilisation programmes, the more the financial sustainability. It was recommended that lucrative financial resource mobilisation strategies like \u27grant-winning\u27 research and extension, provision of consultancy and advisory services, sale of merchandise in strategic business units, bond issues financing, endowment financing, and foundations be implemented to maintain the financial sustainability of the public universities of Zimbabwe
Reduction of Post-Harvest Losses in the Maize Value Chain: A Review of Warehousing Literature
Full text linkThis paper comprehensively discussed the existing warehousing literature with regards to the elimination or reduction of grain post-harvest losses and highlights concerned research issues. Most previous reviews on warehousing literature broadly focused on warehouse design and operational issues without a lot of emphasis on how warehousing can boost agricultural productivity through the elimination or reduction of post-harvest losses. Therefore, this paper tried to explore the warehousing of grains and its role in the reduction of post-harvest losses in the overall food supply chain. The proposed gaps from this review would provide a future road map for research in existing and other unexplored directions in the warehousing of agricultural products