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User Perceptions of Library Service Quality in Private Universities in Tanzania: A Case of University of Iringa
Get PDFThe study was based on the premise that the culture of library assessment from the users’ perspective is of vital importance to determine what users’ needs are and whether these needs are being met. Consequently, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the existing library services and using the assessment results to improve service delivery. The study examined the quality of library services at the University of Iringa Library from the users’ perspective. The users’ expectations and perceptions of service quality were investigated to determine the extent to which the library met users’ expectations. A sample of 294 undergraduate students, 31 postgraduate students, and 50 academic staff were surveyed. The adapted LibQUAL+TM questionnaire was self-administered to respondents. A total of 213 (72.4%) undergraduate students, 20 (64.5%) postgraduate students, and 31 (68%) academic staff responded. The descriptive statistics was used for analysis. The insights gained from this study indicate that there was a gap between user’s expectations and perceptions of service quality. The magnitude of the gap varied depending on individual services
Evolution and Policy Reforms in Tanzania: A Glance on Education Sector Development to Year 2010.
Get PDFThis article focuses on the education sector policy development in Tanzania, by a review of related literature. It starts with a brief on education in colonial times through of Mwalimu Nyerere in Tanzania politics; educational aspects of the Ujamaa na Kujitegemea policy leading into Education for Self-Reliance; recent educational policies reflecting the reforms experienced in Tanzania; and finally a look at the most recent educational document, ESDP, as a working document. A close look reveals the long persisting educational problems that have been moving with the reforms. It is clear that the educational reforms and policies had, always, political forces behind them as well as global economic changes on its broadest sense. Post 1980 economic forces dismantled whatever was built by the political forces, in the name of reforms. These, when combined with existing problems, raises a number of questions; Is the failure of policy implementation a result of little or no consideration of educational research? And what is the educational research position when it comes to influencing policy implementation? This paper argues that reform and transformations in policies are based on foreign forces, ad hoc measures and limited scientific evaluation of issues from the local initiatives. This has led into catch up approach of policy making in education sector, making it difficult to establish long-term success base. By implication this means that scholars within the state borders, whether by design or default had stayed out of policy processes
Behavioural Predictors of Students’ Career Intentions in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Tanzania
Get PDFThis study assessed the career intentions of the hospitality and tourism students to identify their predictors, based on the theory of planned behaviour. Descriptive, correlation, and multiple regression analysis techniques were applied on survey data from a conveniently determined sample of 232 students enrolled in certificate and diploma programmes at the National College of Tourism in Tanzania. The results indicate that students’ career intentions were, on average, high and so were their attitudes toward a career in the industry, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. Career intentions and attitudes towards the career were significantly higher for the hospitality programme and NTA 6 students. Attitudes (perceived behavioural control) were significantly higher (lower) for students in the travel and tourism programme than those of students in the tour guide operations programme. Students with personal exposure to the industry (also in NTA 6) showed higher subjective norms than those without exposure (NTA 5). Students’ career intentions were significantly positively predicted by their attitudes toward a career in the industry, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control, even after controlling for the effects of skill level and programme type. Perceived behavioural control had the strongest predictive power. The study calls for a dynamic review of the curricula, resourcing the training institutions, and availability of well supported and monitored internship opportunities
Challenges facing Wastewater Management in Fast Growing Cities in Tanzania: A Case of Dodoma City Council
Get PDFThe main objective of this study was to examine the challenges facing the Urban Water Supply Authorities in fast growing cities on wastewater management, Dodoma City as a case study. The study used field observation and interview methods to collect data. The primary data were complimented by literature search to enrich the findings. Purposive sampling to Dodoma Urban Water supply and Sewerage Authority (DUWASA) and City Council Health officials was adopted to obtain the required information for this study. The findings revealed the major challenge facing DUWASA to include rapid expansion of the city associated with lack of funds for extension and rehabilitation of infrastructure. However, there is a minimal use of the available wastewater systems by the current population due to high cost of installation. The study recommends collaborative efforts by DUWASA and Dodoma City Council on the expansion of sewerage system to match with the current growing speed of the City. The study recommends for The Ministry of Water and Irrigation Tanzania to support DUWASA to execute its planned project of constructing larger waste stabilization ponds away from the residential areas
Metal Contamination in Sediments of Coastal Rivers around Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Get PDFSediments from coastal rivers of Kizinga, Mbezi, Msimbazi, and Mzinga were used to determine contamination levels of Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, Al, Mn, Fe, and Zn metals. Sampling and sample preparation were done as appropriate and analysis was done using high resolution inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (HR ICP-MS). Higher levels of Cd, Pb, Cr, Al, Mn, Fe, and Zn were mainly observed in Msimbazi river. Whereas higher levels of Ni and Cu were observed in Kizinga river, higher levels of Mn were observed in Mbezi river. Mzinga river had lowest levels of most metals except Mn. Lowest levels of Mn were observed in Kizinga river. Despite of enrichment factor indicating varied contamination status of metals in rivers, geo-accumulation index, contamination factor, degree of contamination, modified degree of contamination, potential contamination index and environmental toxicity quotient have indicated that sediments from these rivers are polluted, with Msimbazi and Kizinga river sediments being more polluted. Pearson correlation and hierarchical cluster analyses have revealed that Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were strongly correlated to each other (r2> 0.7, p < 0.05), indicating that they similar anthropogenic origin, while Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, and Al were strongly correlated to each other (r2> 0.69, p < 0.05), indicative of similar natural origin. This implies that there might be metal-related anthropogenic activities around or close to rivers that pose environmental and health risks. Urgent river management strategies are needed to minimise the continuous metal pollution of these rivers
The Influence of Market Orientation on Export Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Rwanda
Get PDFGrounded on the resource-based theory, this study examined the role of market orientation (MO) dimensions in the export performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Rwanda. The study adopted an explanatory survey design and a cross-sectional strategy. Data were collected from a final sample of 105 respondents selected from 58 exporting firms purposively chosen due to the absence of a formal sampling frame. The collected data were analyzed using the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique with the analysis of moment structure (AMOS) version 25.0. The findings revealed that market intelligence generation (MIG) and market intelligence responsiveness (MIR) have a positive and significant influence on export performance but the influence of market intelligence diffusion (MID) was weak and insignificant. The mixed findings of this study confirmed that the development of MO is important for a firm to go international and that not all dimensions of MO are equally important factors for export performance, so much so that only MI and MIG contributed significantly to export performance. The proposed model, which was based on RBT, was therefore partially validated. The study recommends that policymakers develop an export education strategy for exporting SMEs to improve their performance
Fee-free Basic Education Policy Implementation in Tanzania: A ‘Phenomenon’ Worth Rethinking
Get PDFThis paper is based on a study that employed qualitative research methods to examine the implementation of the fee-free basic education policy in Tanzania. The study reveals that, the policy is misapprehended, and causing confusion and dissonance among key implementers including heads of schools and parents, and it is threatening the quality delivery of education. However, there is no doubt that the implementation of the fee-free education policy has significantly promoted access to basic education for children from various socio-economic backgrounds. Thus, this paper argues that the implementation of the fee-free basic education policy, albeit commendable, it is not a panacea to achieving equitable access and quality education delivery for all. Hence, the policy and its implementation is a ‘phenomenon’ worth rethinking for Tanzania to realise equitable and quality universal basic education
Transaction Cost of Sunflower Seed Production in Tanzania: Application of Transaction Cost Economics Theory
Get PDFThis paper analyses the effects of transaction costs of production of the sunflower seeds by small scale farmers in Tanzania. The study utilises cross-sectional farm household data collected from a randomly selected sample of 120 small scale farmers in two central regions of Singida and Tabora in Tanzania. The results showed that transaction cost variables associated with information search and negotiation had negative effect on total output of sunflower seed production while contractual enforcement cost had positive effect on sunflower production. The effects were however not supported statistically (at p<0.05). Transaction costs associated with inputs information, access to means of communication and transportation, had significant negative effects on sunflower seed production. We recommend that policies aimed at improving rural road infrastructure, market information systems, small scale asset accumulation, human capital and promotion of farmer association could reduce transaction costs and enhance sunflower production by small scale commercial farmers
Nutritional Prospects and Phyto-Therapeutical Potentials of the Selected Indigenous Green Leafy Vegetables Commonly Used in Tanzania
Get PDFA purposive interview and laboratory analysis of green leafy vegetables commonly used in Tanzania was carried out to determine nutritive prospects as well as therapeutic value. Nine (9) common green leafy vegetables believed to have therapeutical potential on: dietary, anemia, stomach pain, blood pressure, diabetics and peptic ulcers were selected for this study. The micronutrients Ca, Mg, K and P contents were determined using extracts of fresh ALVs, where the effects of cooking were taken into consideration. Calcium level ranged from 496.0 to 1763.5 mg/kg, phosphorus ranged from 309.8 to 572.3 mg/kg, sodium ranged from 72.4 to 187.3 mg/kg and potassium ranged from 309.8 to 595.3 mg/kg. The ratio between Ca and P was 1.30:1 in Ipomoea sp while in Solanum sp was 3.14:1. These values are within the acceptable ratio for the people who are diabetic. The ratio of Na/K in all green leafy vegetables is less than one, hence consumption of these vegetables is beneficial to people with high blood pressure as they tend to reduce their blood pressure. It is recommended that future studies should consider other aspects of green leafy vegetables such as the biological evaluation of the nutrient content in order to determine the bioavailability of the nutrients. Also, it is important to determine the effects of food processing such as cooking on the chemical components and nutritive value of the green leafy vegetables
Accessible Tourism to People with Disabilities in Africa: A Review of the Existing Literature
Get PDFAlthough most of the African countries have laws and regulations that protect the rights of people with disabilities in every aspect of their lives, including leisure and tourism, people with disabilities still do not enjoy tourism attractions. The main objective of this study was to review the published articles in Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, and Science Directon African accessible tourism. The study specifically analyzed the extent to which the existing published studies have addressed accessibility in accommodation, transportation, destinations, and accessible amenities/recreation as well as in information. Based on a content analysis of the analyzed academic articles from both supply and demand sides, this study found out that most of the African countries were still not capable of accommodating travellers with disabilities. Limited facilities at the tourist sites, negative attitudes toward disabled people, limited assistive technologies, inaccessible transport facilities as well as the provision of inaccurate and out of date travel information were among the key factors limiting travellers with disabilities from taking leisure trips to Africa tourist destinations. The African governments have to start preparing the environment conducive for the suppliers to start providing services that will offer a positive and memorable tourist experience to travellers with special needs