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11th Zimbabwe International Research Symposium
No full textA total number of 97 papers were presented during the Symposium. Five were in Plenary Session and 92 papers during the Parallel Sessions.
The Plenary Speaker from India proposed technologies for adoption by SMEs in Zimbabwe. These included but were not limited to millet, tomato and peanut and cassava processing. The Plenary Speaker from India further pledged the Indian Government’s support in setting up these technologies through the Incubation Centre Programme. In Zimbabwe work is at an advanced stage to commission the Incubation Centre in Waterfalls, Harare in addition to the Harare Institute of Technology Hi-Tech Centre which is already functional.
The Secretary for Mines and Mining Development gave an overview on Small Scale Mining in Zimbabwe and emphasised that small scale mining is a business and should be treated as such hence the need for research. Small Scale miners were said to be mainly dominant in the extraction of gold, chromite, tantalite and semi-precious stones. Major challenges for the sector were poor health and safety standards; and limited technical expertise and knowledge. Interventions proferred by Government towards the sector’s viability included educating and monitoring small scale miners on compliance to statutes on safety, health and environmental issues. Possible partnership with the Indian Government in supply of appropriate exploration, mining and beneficiation equipment was recommended.
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority’s (ZERA) is applauded for continued support for the symposium in particular and energy research in general. The ZERA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) presented a paper on accelerating access to modern energy through R&D. Particular focus was on research in renewable energy in line with the ZIMASSET target of increasing the country’s energy generation capacity by 300MWi. She also mentioned ZERA’s contribution in supporting renewable energy projects in Solar Biogas Tobacco Curing, Solar water heating efficacy, Jatropha Multi- purpose plant, and increased production of biofuel. The CEO emphasised the need to increase R&D in other sectors besides energy.
Ninety-two (92) papers were presented during the Parallel Sessions under the four thematic areas namely; Social Sciences and Humanities, Sustainable Environment and Resource Management, Promoting and Maintaining Good Health, and the National Security theme areas.
Twenty-four (24) papers were presented against a target of thirty (30) under the Social Sciences and Humanities theme area translating to 80% turnup. The theme area was divided into four sessions and covered issues on social media in developing and growing SMEs, financial record keeping and measurement of profitabiliabity in SMEs, empowerment of women entrepreneurs through microfinance services, and importance of research for bringing innovation to the market place.
Fifity-four (54) against a target of sixty-eight (68) papers were presented under the Sustainable Environment and Resource Management Theme Area. The theme area was divided into twelve (12) sessions to effectively manage the high number of papers received. The average percentage of the papers presented was at 79%. However, there was a low turn-out in one of the 12 sessions caused by failure of authors to make it to the symposium.
Research papers addressed issues on waste management and conservation. Papers in this theme area also focused on Agriculture with tobacco being topical among crops that included cotton, coffee, maize, and strawberries. Commercialisation of the production of nicotinic acid from tobacco waste was discussed and the importance of the technology for value addition to an otherwise wasted resource noted. On the use of high analysis slow release fertilisers in tobacco production, the benefits accrue to the farmer in the form of cost saving for fertiliser and labour. For the entrepreneur there exists a window of opportunity to produce the high analysis slow release fertiliser locally as currently the fertiliser is imported from South Africa with added benefits of import substitution. Coffee was cited to have significant potential as an export crop hence the need to widen the genotypes for the crop. Renewable energy and engineering issues for entrepreneurial growth were also presented. The importance of educating the nation on how to design renewable energy systems such as Hybrid Solar Systems instead of buying ready made imports from the flea markets was emphasised. The benefits were that it empowered entrepreneurs with energy security.
Eight (8) of the nine (9) expected papers were presented under Promoting and Maintaining Good Health Theme area. The papers focused mainly on three areas which are Access to Health Services, Occupational Health and Radiology. There were recommendations to introduce incentives for entrepreneurs who embrace Occupational Health and Safety programs within their operations. There was therefore, need for guidelines for the provision of OHS programs for SMEs.
The National Security of Zimbabwe theme area witnessed presentation of six (6) of the eight (8) expected papers. The six papers presented during the 11th ZIRS was an improvement when compared to three papers which were presented during the 10th ZIRS. The papers in the session were on cyber-crime, impact of agricultural productivity on food security, climate change and invasive species among others. The importance of participation by entrepreneurs in agro-processing was a major recommendation given the importance of agricultural productivity on Food Security in Zimbabwe
An assessment of the challenges facing opposition political parties in Zimbabwe to consolidate political power since independence (1980): case study, movement for democratic change (MDC-T).
No full textThis research was an assessment of the challenges that have bedeviled the success of the opposition political parties in Zimbabwe since independence (1980). Despite looking at the general context of opposition political parties, much reference has been made to the Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan R. Tsvangirai (MDC-T) that came into the political lime light in the year 1999. Theories played a pivotal role in articulating the challenges. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed to amass information. The target population was the opposition political leaders, their supporters as well as general populace. About twenty (20) interviews were conducted where many respondents lamented on the degree of violence, intimidation and corruption ZANU PF is employing and the researcher at times made the use of native languages thus mainly Shona and Ndebele in interpretation of questions. These techniques helped the researcher in the sense that people were able to clearly express their mixed feeling without the barrier of language limitation. In some circumstance the researcher made use of interpreters to translate on his behalf on the Ndebele language. The information provided in this work made use of the theoretical models that replicates challenges facing opposition political parties. The researcher made use of tables and piecharts in presenting findings, and the information was analyzed and then summarized. The information gathered elaborated that though most of these challenges are as a result of external forces, some of these challenges facing opposition political are also self-inflicted. As a result the researcher had to proffer recommendations on what the opposition political parties should undertake like revolting attending national events such as the independence celebrations and heroes commemorations to address these challenges they are facing since the political independence of Zimbabwe in 1980 to date in order for them be able to improve how they handle their issues in a bid to attain political power
A critical analysis of the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement system is equally available to all member states and creates a fair and level playing field
No full textAn analysis of strategic universal accessibility implementation in Zimbabwe’s hotel sector
No full textWhile the topical areas of hospitality service provision have been systematically investigated for the general travelling public, universal accessibility to include people with disabilities has been widely ignored. This descriptive study, attempts to provide some insights into this phenomenon. An analysis of strategic universal accessibility implementation in Zimbabwe’ hotel sector was done. Self administered questionnaires and personal interviews were used to gather data from the research subjects. This article investigated how 3-5 star hotels in Harare are faring in terms of ensuring that their tourism product and services are universally accessible. The choice of hotels was based on stratified sampling technique, and simple random sampling was applied to hotels in the same strata which regarded all the graded hotels as advanced enough to respond to the global phenomenon of universal access. The choice of key stakeholders was based on purposive sampling technique as there are only limited numbers of primary data sources who are knowledgeable on universal accessibility issues. The study was approached from a pragmatism research philosophy as the research questions were both qualitative and quantitative in nature. A total of 31 hotel managers, 181 employees, and 3 key informants in the hotel sector participated in the study. Descriptive frequencies and inductive thematic data analysis were selected as the data analysis techniques for quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The research findings point to a glaring picture which calls for government intervention and business mind shift by hotel operators
An exploration of the nature of relationship that exists between the surviving HIV positive spouses and their significant others at Gaths Mine in Masvingo Province.
No full textThe relationship that exists between a surviving HIV positive spouse and their significant other has an impact on the well being and nature of life style the surviving spouses will led. A supportive relationship empowers surviving spouses to lead a positive and full life surrounded by loved ones. The study sought to explore of the nature of relationship that exists between the surviving HIV positive spouses and their significant others at Gaths Mine in Masvingo Province
The surviving spouse’s positive status seems to have an effect on the nature of relationships that exist between them and their significant others especially in young men and women. Reports have increased from spouses experiencing unfair treatment and injustice in their home setting soon after losing their loved one. An interpretivist phenomenological research approach under qualitative approach was employed which allowed the researcher to dig deep on the experiences of the HIV positive surviving spouses. The target population for this research were HIV positive widows and widowers who lost their loved ones to the pandemic and utilised the outpatient services at the Gates Mine hospital. The sample was drawn through homogeneous purposive sampling .Sixteen participants who were both male and female were selected. A semi structured
interview guide was the tool of choice in carrying out the study. Findings from the study uncovered that during their married life, knowledge about their HIV status came about as a result of an event such as illness or a partner testing positive for HIV. There was diversity in the experience of the spouses that lived in sero-positive and sero-discordant relationships during their married life. Intimacy and Disclosure to significant others and children proved to be one of the challenges faced. After the death of a spouse, findings indicated that Blame and shame were
amongst the most prominent emotions that were felt. Perceptions of stigma and anticipated discrimination affected how surviving spouses related with other at the funeral as well as long after the death of a loved one. The most prominent explanation of the findings from the study illustrate that social support is an important aspect to surviving spouses especially those with children and living through difficulty and financial trouble. Based on all this evidence the researcher concluded that both partners needed to elevate communication on their problems,
integrating their significant other into knowing their statuses. This approach would allow them to stand by each other before death interfered with their lives. This level of interaction allowed the significant others to acknowledge and accept their conditions simultaneously reducing chances of blame, guilt and shame if one of the partners passed away
Weed growth and crop yield responses to tillage and mulching under different crop rotation sequences in semi-arid conditions
No full textConservation agriculture (CA) is thought to reduce weed pressure from the third year of adoption, when recommended practices are followed. Weed growth and crop yield were assessed during the third and fourth year of maize–cowpea–sorghum rotation, second and third year of maize–cowpea rotation and first and second year of maize monocropping on a clay loam soil at Matopos Research Station (annual rainfall, 573 mm) following recommended CA management practices. Each experiment had a split-plot randomized complete block design with mouldboard plough (CONV), minimum tillage (MT) with ripper tine and planting basins as main-plot factor and maize residue mulch rate (0, 2 and 4 t/ha) as a subplot factor, with threefold replication. All subplots were surface mulched and weeded by hoe at the same time. We hypothesized that under MT weed growth would be considerable with maize monocropping but from year 3 of CA, weed growth would decrease and crop yield increase relative to values from unmulched CONV. Minimum tillage increased weed growth in 2nd year of maize monocropping. Under the maize–cowpea rotation, the considerable weed growth in planting basins was likely due to the large intrarow spacing and poor light competiveness of the cowpea variety. Mulch contributed to weed growth being suppressed by up to 36% under CA in the maize–cowpea–sorghum rotation relative to unmulched CONV. When planted on the same date, crop yield did not differ between CA and unmulched CONV. Maize–cowpea–sorghum rotation grain yield (3143 kg/ha) was double that under monocropping, probably due to improvements in soil physical and chemical conditions
Assessment of genotype x environment interaction and pod yield evaluation of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes in Zimbabwe
No full textGroundnut is an important component of the diet of both rural and urban populations in the Sub-Saharan Africa. The national average pod yield is 0.25 t/ha which is far less than the global average. The diverse environmental conditions of Zimbabwe make selection and release of stable groundnut genotypes a challenge, mainly due to genotype x environment interaction (GEI). Twenty-five groundnut genotypes were evaluated to examine the level and type of GEI on pod yield. The genotypes were evaluated under multi-environmental yield trial conducted in (2013/14 summer season) at five environments. The objectives of the experiment were to determine the presence of GEI on pod yield stability of groundnut genotypes, to identify genotypes that are specifically or widely adapted. General combined analysis of variance (GenStat Version 14) at 5% significance level indicated that genotypes (G) were not significant (p = 0.153), environments (E) and genotype x environment interactions (GEI) were highly significant (P < 0.05) on pod yield. The environment influenced yield of the groundnut genotypes. Environment and genotype explained 58.8 and 6.1% respectively of the total treatment variance, whilst the genotype by environment interaction accounted for 35.1%, indicating that environment influenced a lot on the performance of the genotypes. High significant level of GEI indicates that some genotypes may be released for specific environments. Basing on the mean pod yield value from the combined (ANOVA) analysis of variance results, groundnut genotype G24 (3.34 t/ha, check variety) was the highest yielder, followed by G7 (3.31t/ha) and then G2, G14 and G11 (3.29, 3.25 and 3.02 t/ha respectively). The results indicate that the experimental genotypes have great potential to be released and grown on large scale production. Stability analysis based on one multivariate or various uni-variate parameters to extract more information on the GEI on pod yield stability of groundnut is recommended
An investigation on the effectiveness of budgeting as a management tool in improving financial management: case of government schools in Masvingo district
No full textGovernment schools like any other organisation are an embodiment of the financial and liquidity constraints summoning the nation which impinges mobilisation the much needed revenue for these institutions to scale in solving the complex and diverse learners’ needs. In light of the above mentioned systematic risk, budgeting is the most common and widely adopted management tool for financial planning and control in fostering financial performance across sectors around the globe. This study sought to establish the budgeting systems being used in government schools as well as examining government school’s adherence to budgeting principles in their budgetary processes and ultimately examine the
effectiveness of budgeting principles in fostering sound financial management. In order to realise the objectives of the study relevant literature from various authors was gathered and critically reviewed indicating the research gaps to be filled through empirical investigation..Furthermore, the study employed a deductive research design which is related to a positivist research philosophy to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data from the respondents using structured questionnaires and personal interviews for data reliability and validity. A sample size of 80% was used to determine the research sample of sixty-eight (68) respondents made up of 12 Ministry of Education employees, 8 school heads, 8 bursars and 40 school finance committee members using the purposive sampling technique. Data collected from the respondents was analysed using the descriptive statistics measures utilising the SPSS software. Research findings were presented in frequency tables and categorical graphs for clear presentation of data. Findings from the study revealed that 88% of the government schools in Masvingo district are using traditional budgeting systems and particularly incremental and judgemental budgeting in managing statutory funds. Research
findings revealed that government school merely adhere to principles aligned statutory rules established by the government however; most schools are non-adherent to other best practise budgeting principle vital in fostering financial management leading to divergence between planned and actual outturns of their financial activities translating to inefficiencies in services delivery. Research findings also revealed that sophisticated budgeting principles like accrual budgeting is not necessarily effective in fostering financial management while audit oversight and transparency principles are very effective in enhancing schools financial management. Findings indicated that the rest of the budgeting principles have influence in fostering financial management
Analysis of the effects of cost cutting measures on financial performance: a case of ZETDC
No full textThe purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of cost cutting measure on financial performance using ZETDC as a case. The research objectives outlined the nature of cost cutting techniques, how cost cutting affect financial performance and challenges faced in the implementation of cost cutting. The descriptive survey research design was used and data was gathered through the use of structured questionnaires and interviews and a total population of 41 employees which included the top management, Accountants, HR and internal auditors was sampled using convenience and purposive sampling. A case study
approach was undertaken using both qualitative and quantitative data hence the study is therefore a mixed design approach. The research was designed in a way that allows both field research and secondary sources to be used. Research instruments considered for the purposes of this research are questionnaires which had 88% response rate and interviews which yielded 100% response rate. The data gathered was presented through histograms, bar graphs, pie charts and tables. The data accumulated was analysed using descriptive statistics specifically percentages and mode and rational conclusions were drawn from this. Upon data analysis, it was revealed that ZETDC cost cutting measures positively affects the financial performance in the long run but in the short run the financial woes will worsen before they improve. The recommendations passed by the researcher included the improvement of current cost cutting measures and continuation with the application of the cost cutting measures. The researcher
also recommended ZETDC to implement controls so as to make sure that all current cost control procedures and policies are adhered to, budget formulation and introduction of incentives and bonuses for meeting budgets and lastly renegotiating existing transfer prices in contracts agreed with other subsidiaries of ZESA