National Research Database of Zimbabwe
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An evaluation of the impact of diversification on financial perfomance at Telone
No full textThe main objective of this project was to determine the impact of diversification on financial performance, so as toenhance the effective implementation of the diversification strategy. The central issue that gave rise to this research is the increased attention and growing popularity of diversification among Zimbabwean companies.
This study adopted the descriptive research methodology to answer the research questions which were both qualitative and quantitative in nature. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used in this study with the aid of eviews8 and stata11 packages to determine relationships between the variables under review. The variables included diversification as an independent variable and operating costs as well as operating profit as dependent variables.
The research key findings show that diversification positively impactsoperating cost by 49% and profitability by 66% at TelOne. From questionnaire and interview data analysis, it has been found that the benefits of diversification outweigh its costs. Collective marketing and continuous product analysis were considered to be best practices in diversification.
The researcher recommended the company to engage cost cutting measures to minimize the costs posed by diversification and to improve its profit margins. Collective marketing and selling of the company’s services was also recommended by the researcher as it enables the company to enjoy marketing economies of scope. The company has also been advised to use internally generated funds to finance diversification strategy as that minimizes loss of collateral security and risks related to changes in interest rates
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH’S RESPONSE TO POST DEATH RITUALS IN MUSAMI, 1980 – 2008: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS
No full textA THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES,The Catholic Church in Zimbabwe has addressed indigenous post-death rites to varying depth and scope.This study examined the extent to which the Catholic Church in Musami, Zimbabwe has succeeded in implementing inculturation. It interrogates the Catholic Church’s response to post-death rituals in Musami. The study established that Musami Christians have been generally dissatisfied with some inherited ways of doing theology. As a response, Musami Catholics used contemporary contextualized, culturally-based approaches to post-death rituals, which started where people were.To put the Musami inculturation debate into its proper context, the study traced the debate on inculturation among the Catholics in Zimbabwe. It also explored the historical context within which the Musami Mission developed. A detailed description of the St. Paul’s Musami Mission Memorial Shrine is provided in this study. The study noted difficulties bedeviling efforts to analyse the growth of adaptation of traditional culture by making indigenous after-death rituals more meaningful to African Catholics, by analysing the tension between the Catholic traditional faith and Shona post-death rituals. In order to find out the extent of inculturation implemented in Musami, questionnaires were sent to the Catholic and to non-Catholic population. Structured one-on-one interviews and focus groupdiscussions were conducted. An analysis of the data showed the need for the Catholic Church to identify theological imperatives, non-essentials, as well as to be creative in its approach to inculturation. In order to have a more contextualized understanding of inculturation in Musami, the study provided an overview of approaches to inculturation in other denominations. Given women’s greater vulnerability to post-death rituals in indigenous cultures, the study addresses the question of the status of women in the debate on inculturation. The debate recommends effective catechism, upgrading of theological training, the establishment of a Theological Commission and a serious commitment to address inculturation. The study concludes that there is need for doctrinal re-orientation to bring about religious behavioural change and transformation of indigenous Christians through the teaching of Christian doctrine in an organic and systematic way involving pragmatic inculturation
The effectiveness of housing cooperatives in the provision of urban housing: case study of Harare.
No full textThe research main aim was to investigate the effectiveness of housing cooperatives in the provision of urban housing in Harare. A housing cooperative is a legal association formed for the purpose of providing housing to its member on a continuing basis. The introductory chapter highlighted on the background of the study citing the history of Harare city council that led to the emergence of housing cooperatives in the late 1980s. Housing cooperatives approach was adopted by many urban local authorities including Harare city council as a means to provide decent housing and accommodation to the ever growing population in urban areas since Harare city council and the government where facing challenges. The main research objective of the study was to investigate what challenges/constrains that prohibit housing cooperatives to deliver housing to its members under present conditions of crisis in Harare. A review of literature from published texts, internet sources and journals was gathered and analyzed in the context of the research objectives. The researcher used case study research design in carrying out the research and used a sample size of 70 respondents
from Harare city council, Zimbabwe National Housing Cooperatives Organization and housing cooperatives members. Purposive sampling technique was used to select council and ZINAHCO employees’ respondents and convenience sampling technique to select housing cooperatives members’ respondents. Questionnaires and interviews were used as research instruments. The data collected was analyzed, interpreted and presented in the form of tables, graphs and pie chart. The overall response rate from the questionnaire and interviews was 87%. The major findings of the study showed that there are many challenges that are
prohibiting housing cooperatives from been effective and these include political interference, inadequate finance and financial assistance and misappropriation and mismanagement of funds by the management committee as noted by the respondents. Despite the challenges, the finding of the study revealed that 75% of the respondents noted that housing cooperatives are proving to be effective in the provision of housing. Recommendations were made by the researcher for both the housing cooperatives and council for them to increase their ability in
providing housing which include education and training for housing cooperatives
committees, engaging financial institutions for financial assistance, enter into public-private partnerships and introduction of strict penalties to deal with corrupt members
An investigation on the impact of competition on the financial performance of MBC Accounting Services Private Limited
No full textAim
The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of competition on the financial performance of MBC Accounting Services (Pvt) Ltd. It was prompted by the noted decline in the annual profits and gradual decreases in the clientele base from the year 2013 to 2016 despite efforts by management to improve the financial performance.
Methodology
The study was conducted on a survey descriptive approach which uses quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A census of 19 questionnaires were administered and 18 were provided for analysis yielding a response rate of 94, 74%.Six interviews were scheduled and successfully conducted. Data was presented through tables and analyzed using the measures of central tendency. To determine the relationship between competition and financial performance, linear regression was used to determine the hypothesis.
Key Findings
Major research findings indicated that the rivalry amongst existing firms, threat of new entrants and the bargaining power of supplier were the majors forces influencing the degree of industrial competiton. Besides these forces the company was affected by firm size. However challenges were being faced in adapting to the competitive environment which includes lack of managerial support which demotivated the moral of employees.
Key recommendations
The researcher suggested recommendations were that MBC management should have continuous employee training programmes so that they are abreast with changes in the macro-economic environment thus successfully adapt to the competitive environment.
Originality
The research showed that besides competition, there are more important mediating variables in the influence on financial performance and management should take an active role
Strengthening legislations as a way to combat sexual harassment at workplace and in universities in Zimbabwe
No full text
The impact of predominant reliance on non – interest income on sustainable bank performance: case study of Barclays bank of Zimbabwe
No full textThe aim of this research was to analyse the impact of non – interest income on the financial performance of banking institutions in Zimbabwe. The researcher adopted both quantitative and qualitative methods of research to gather data. Likert Scale based questionnaires were distributed to a stratified sample of 26 individuals out of a total population of 35. 3 interviews were also carried out in addition to questionnaires to maximize the effectiveness of the research. More so, the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression test was carried out by use of the EVIEWS statistical package. The result of the regression test showed a positive relationship between non – interest income and bank profitability in Zimbabwe. The increase in a bank’s non – interest income actually results in an increase in its profitability level ceteris paribus. It was discovered that the business of non – interest income maximises risk exposure for banks, however, operating costs need to be watched carefully when conducting the business of generating non – interest income because such activities were discovered to be the major drivers of bank operating costs. Inflation, risk policies, political stability and bank strategy were found to be other determinants of bank performance in spite of non – interest income. The researcher recommended that banks should broaden streams from which transaction based income is earned since it is the major source of non – interest income. Over and above, the researcher established that banks need to depend more on the business of non – interest income more than interest income since the research showed a positive relationship between non – interest income and bank profitability
Assessing the contribution of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) towards sound wetland management in Harare urban
No full textThe main objective of the study was to assess the contribution of EMA towards sound wetland management in Harare Urban. Wetlands have been threatened by a number of factors in Harare . It has been established that in the presence of various laws in the management of wetlands in Zimbabwe, wetlands continue to be under threat .Environmental laws have not been adequate in efforts to manage wetlands in Harare Urban. The study targeted the EMA and residents. The researcher has analysed the successes and weaknesses of strategies by EMA aimed towards saving wetlands in Harare Urban. The research recommended that policies which have been put in place to manage wetlands should be harmonised and reviewed to make them effective to avoid wetlands from being threatened by various activities. The laws that manage wetlands in Harare Urban should be enforced by EMA in efforts to contribute to sound wetland managemen
An assessment of student petty trading entrepreneurial activities at Midlands State University (Gweru Campus) and the impact upon their livelihoods.
No full textThe aim of this research is to examine how entrepreneurship has impacted the livelihoods of students at tertiary institutions. In particular it looks at the student entrepreneurial activities at the Midlands State University (Gweru Campus). The researcher focuses on how the university has promoted entrepreneurship around the campus. She also explores the impact of student petty trading as an entrepreneurial activity on the students’ livelihoods as well as the challenges they face. Lastly the researcher offers ways that can be used to enhance the lives of students through petty trading at the university. It is also the aim of this research to find out if the entrepreneurial activities are enough to sustain the livelihoods of students.
The qualitative method was employed during the study along with two types of data gathering which are interviews and questionnaires. A total of forty students were interviewed. The researcher used the purposive and snow ball as the sampling techniques
THE DETERMINANTS OF NON-REVENUE WATER IN SHURUGWI TOWN: A CASE OF MAKUSHA RESIDENTIAL AREA
No full textNon-revenue water levels are reported to be averaging around 50% in Zimbabwe which is in contrast to the 25% level
accepted by the World Bank. This study sought to establish the determinants of non-revenue water in Makusha
residential area, Shurugwi. Although non-revenue water studies have been extensively conducted globally, there are
somewhat a few empirical studies which focus on smaller towns in developing countries. A questionnaire survey of a 110
randomly selected households, a direct observation exercise, and key informant interviews were employed to collect data.
Research findings reflect that the town council's system of estimating water consumption encourages negligent water
usage. Moreover, incidences of water theft and leakages are rampant. The study recommends that the town council must
conduct regular monitoring to ensure cut-off users do not practice water theft. Furthermore, the town council may need to
incentivize residents to ensure that leakages and illegal water usage are reported promptl