National Research Database of Zimbabwe
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The driving forces for the practice of strategic planning in SMEs: Evidence from Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe
No full textDespite Zimbabwe sharing with the rest of the world, the notion that SMEs are the
impeccable engines to economic revival, growth and development, many of the nation`s SMEs are
plagued with high failure rates. Previous studies carried out in most foreign countries suggested that
the high failure rate of SMEs was attributable to lack of strategic planning among a host of other
factors. Against this backdrop, the purpose of this study was to examine the driving forces for the
practice of strategic planning in SMEs. A quantitative cross sectional study was conducted among
active SMEs who are registered with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative
Development in Zimbabwe. The study revealed that globalisation, business ownership motivations,
environmental dynamism and innovation & technological advancement have a positive and
statistically significant influence on the adoption or practice of strategic planning among SMEs. The
study has important implications for the practice and implementation of strategic planning among
SMEs especially in the context of a developing country such as Zimbabwe
A comparative study on the influence of formal and non-formal career guidance on career realisation by secondary school students
No full textThe aim of this study was to compare two approaches to career guidance, formal and non-formal career guidance, so as to improve guidance programmes and raise career satisfaction and career realisation level of employees. A causal comparative survey was conducted in Harare. The researcher purposefully selected 93 participants, then employees in four different employing institutions at the time the research was conducted. The basis for the selection of the research participants is that they had gone through Ordinary level education at a secondary school in Zimbabwe where they were influenced by either of the two or both types of career guidance. Each participant completed a 45-item, closed form questionnaire indicating his/her perceptions about the career guidance he/she had received and how satisfied they felt about their careers. The results were analysed using SPSS, 20.0. A Chi-square Test was carried out to compare the relative strengths of the two major sources of influence, formal and non-formal career guidance. The focus of the Chi-square test was on comparing the observed and expected numbers of participants influenced by each of the sources of career guidance. The Chi-square test results indicated that there is a significant difference in the strengths of the influences of the two groups. A One- Way Analysis of Variance was carried out to compare the means of career realisation levels of the groups under study. The ANOVA results indicated that there was no significant difference between the career realisation levels of employees influenced by formal career guidance and those influenced by non-formal career guidance. Although formal career guidance seemed less convincing to attract many students, it seems to be associated with relatively higher career realisation levels because it provides relevant career information to the students before they make the career decisions. On the other hand, non-formal career guidance attracted almost half of the participants mainly because it provides sustainable financial and social support to the student during this transition period between school and employment. However, non-formal career guidance was associated with the limitation of lack of relevant information on career awareness and other career preparatory information. The participants influenced by non-formal career guidance reported relatively lower career realisation levels. About one third of the participants reported to have been influenced by both formal and non-formal career guidance and they indicated that they experience moderately high career realisation levels. This research study has shed more light as to why some employees seem not satisfied with their careers. Either they did not directly participate in choosing the career (as in the case of formal career guidance) or they selected the career before they had adequate information about the career (as in non-formal career guidance). The study indicated that there are strengths and weaknesses associated with each of the two approaches of providing career guidance. Adopting the strengths of each of these approaches is likely to maximize the career realisation levels of more students. From the findings of this study the researcher recommends that a collaboration of the two (formal and non-formal career guidance) be implemented in order for most students to achieve optimal career realisation levels when they enter their careers
Is marriage a haven or a risk for women in Zimbabwe in the era of HIV/AIDS: Interrogating women`s reproductive rights in marriage
No full textThe study sought to establish to what extent civil and registered customary marriages in Zimbabwe served as havens or risks against HIV and AIDS. It interrogates the susceptibility of married women to socio-cultural practices and factors that violate their sexual and reproductive rights leaving them with no sexual autonomy. A sample of 160 respondents (males and females) aged between 20 and 60 were drawn to participate in this study from Dzivarasekwa and Harare Central Business District. The individual interviews and focus groups were carried out to measure the levels and extent of the problem of predisposition of HIV/AIDS infection to married women. Key informants interviews were conducted to assess the nature of the problem confronting married women and to try to find solutions to remedy such violations.
This study uses a combination of mainly qualitative and a few quantitative methods of data collection. Using a number of gender-focused methodologies, and Women’s Law Approach, the writer collected and scrutinized an extensive range of data which disclosed that while marriage to some extent was an important factor in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS it was also a risk factor. It revealed that power dynamics, gender roles and cultural practices have taken away the married women`s capacity to realise and utilise their sexual and reproductive rights. It was established that whereas married women did not have sexual autonomy their unmarried counterparts were in a better place to negotiate safe sex which made them comparatively safer in terms of exposure to HIV/AIDS. Therefore whereas a married woman might not sometimes be able to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS from the matrimonial bed a diligent unmarried woman can avoid the same by safeguarding the exercise of her sexual and reproductive rights.
The study recommends that since it is the implementation of the law that is problematic then the solution should be advocating for the reproductive and sexual rights of married women so as to empower them with the capacity to bargain for safe sex which they are currently lacking and in so doing enabling them to make decisions that reduces their expose to the risk of HIV/AIDS infection.,Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affair
Asiatic acid-pectin hydrogel matrix patch transdermal delivery system influences parasitaemia suppression and inflammation reduction in P. berghei murine malaria infected Sprague-Dawley rats
No full textObjective: To report the influence of transdermal delivery of asiatic acid (AA) in Plasmodium berghei-infected Sprague Dawley rats on physicochemical changes, %parasitaemia and associated
pathophysiology. Methods: A topical once-off AA (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg)- or chloroquine (CHQ)-pectin patch was applied on the shaven dorsal neck region of Plasmodium berghei-infected Sprague Dawley rats (90- 120 g) on day 7 after infection. Eating and drinking habits, weight changes, malaria effects and
%parasitaemia were compared among animal groups over 21 d. Results: AA-pectin patch application preserved food and water intake together with %weight gain. All animals developed stable parasitaemia (15%-20%) by day 7. AA doses suppressed parasitaemia significantly. AA 5 mg/kg patch was most effective. AA and CHQ displayed bimodal time-spaced peaks. CHQ patch had a longer time course to clear parasitaemia. Conclusions: AA influences bio-physicochemical changes and parasitaemia suppression in dose dependent manner. In comparison by dose administered, AA has much better efficacy than CHQ. AA may be a useful antimalarial. AA and CHQ displays bimodal peaks suggesting possible synergism if used in combination therap
Effectiveness of podcasting in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) education: a case of Bindura town
No full textThe world particularly developing countries such as Zimbabwe have continued to experience recurrent water and sanitation related diseases outbreaks despite efforts by various governments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to educate community. In Bindura, in 2015 Practical Action Southern Africa has used podcasting technology to raise WASH awareness and improve the relationship between residence and municipality with the aim of reducing the burden of diarrhoeal diseases. This study seeks to assess the effectiveness of podcasting in raising WASH related awareness in Bindura with the aim of reducing the burden of diarrhoeal diseases. The project assesses WASH behaviour practise and knowledge at project inception and at project end. Focus Group Discussions and key informant interviews were used to collect
information on WASH behaviour change as a result of hygiene session through podcasting. It was observed that after six months of WASH education on various topics through the use of podcasting, health clubs members could now articulate how to prevent ailments and how to deal with them in the event they occur. Most of the club members were also now practicing improved waste management. Messages received through podcasting helped to improve hygiene practices at individual and home level. Signs of hygiene practice were seen around the home surroundings, bathrooms, kitchens and gardens. Health club members together with family members now wash their hands before engaging in any activity for example before eating and after visiting the toilet. Washing of hands using soap has now become a habit to many. Participants are no longer using the traditional method of washing hands in one dish. Use of jugs, soap and running water is now in use. In conclusion therefore, it is evident that podcasting improves WASH behaviour practise. Municipality and stakeholder need to support community effort to obtain WASH knowledge
Does grease money from police roadblocks speed up the wheels of the commuter omnibus? The case of kombis into and out of Harare
No full textThe study employed cross section econometric and tested the “grease the wheels†hypothesis at a micro level. To achieve its objective, the study employed survey data from 188 kombi drivers and/or conductors (i.e., kombi crew) which was collected in the two months of January and February 2015. Estimated results show that three out of the six variables used in the model were statistically significant at 1% level of significance. The findings of the study indicate that profits pocketed by kombi crew (lnprofits) are an important factor in determining the daily takings (profitability) of kombis. This result makes economic sense given that kombi crew are motivated to remain on the road when the extra profits they collect (over and above their wages/salaries) are higher. A positive and significant relationship between kombi fare (lnfaire) and daily takings of kombis was also found by this study. In this instance, as the fare charged per given trip increases, ceteris paribus, the total daily takings per given route will also increase. This has an overall positive effect on the viability of kombi operations. Lastly, the study found that the more the number of round trips completed per day, the more the daily takings for a given route. The three variables which have been found to be statistically insignificant are the number of roadblocks (lnrblocks), bribe paid (lnbribes) and number of roadblock stops (lnstops) in a given route. Although the number of roadblocks variable, lnrblocks, has an unexpected sign, the other two variables have their respective expected signs. Whilst paying bribes ensured reduced stoppages at roadblocks along a given route,
resulting in more daily takings, the variable is however not statistically significant. The number of police roadblock stops along a given route had a negative effect on daily takings, although the variable was not statistically significant
Predictors of organizational commitment: Evidence from non-governmental organizations in Zimbabwe
No full textThe dynamic and harsh environment has led to high employee turnover as employees continue to search for greener pastures. This has pushed Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to look for ways to enforce employee commitment to their organizations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence organizational commitment among employees of NGOs operating in Zimbabwe. Whilst organizational commitment and its determinants have been extensively researched through literature and in other academic platforms, there is dearth of research on organizational commitment in NGOs operating in developing countries, especially Zimbabwe. This cross-sectional study used a quantitative survey design. A survey was conducted in which 200 employees were randomly selected from Harare Province to participate in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which was then analyzed using descriptive, correlation and regression analyses. The results indicate that; employee empowerment, organizational support, employee relationships and teamwork are predictors of organizational commitment. The findings have implications to human resource managers of NGOs in Zimbabwe, who are advised to make efforts of supporting and empowering employees as well as enforcing teamwork and relationships among employees in order to ensure organizational commitment
Evaluation of the prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity at Parirenyatwa group of hospitals and Harare central hospital
No full textBackground: Retinopathy of prematurity is notably one of the causes of avoidable
blindness. The risk factors for the development of ROP are very low birth weight(<1500g), low gestational age (GA) (<32 weeks) and duration of oxygen
supplementation. The prevalence varies world over, with high income countries having higher figures than their low income counterparts. Zimbabwe is a low income economy, however Harare is urbanised and a significant number of preterm infants at risk of developing ROP do survive.
Objectives:
1. To establish the prevalence of ROP at PGH NICU and HCH NNU at 4-6 weeks chronological age.
2. To assess the prevalence of ROP requiring treatment and ROP not requiring treatment a 4-6 weeks chronological age.
3. To establish the risk factors associated with ROP as well as the ocular features of ROP in our neonatal units.
4. To assess the current oxygen delivery protocols for VLBW preterm babies in our neonatal units.
Study Design: Hospital based cross sectional analytical study.
Methodology: All neonates admitted in the neonatal units were screened weekly to
identify patients that met the study inclusion criteria. These infants were enrolled
into the study and examined at either the 4th, 5th or 6th week after birth. Ocular
examination findings were noted as well as the risk factors for ROP that each neonate may have been exposed to. Details of supplementary oxygen for each neonate were documented, that is duration of oxygen delivery, mode and flow rate.
A self-administered questionnaire was completed by medical personnel working in the units, to assess their current knowledge concerning oxygen delivery in VLBW preterm infants.
Results: A total of 141 premature babies were enrolled into the study. Twenty infants died and 121 were examined. Six infants were diagnosed with ROP, therefore the prevalence of ROP at 4-6 weeks chronological age was 5.0%. All the infants diagnosed with ROP
had spontaneous resolution making the prevalence of children with ROP requiring treatment 0.0%. Three out of 6 (50.0%) had stage 1 disease and 3(50.0%) had stage 2 disease. Location of the disease was as follows; Five out of 6 (83.3%) neonates had
disease in zone 3 and 1 (16.7%) had disease in zone 2.
The risk factors associated with ROP in this study were, prolonged duration of oxygen
supplementation >2 weeks, very low birth weight <1100g and EGA<30 weeks.
Seventy per cent of the medical personnel stated that they were aware of an oxygen
delivery protocol. However the SaO2 levels that they aim to maintain vary, with most
personnel aiming to maintain in the 90-95% and 95-100% ranges.
Conclusions: There are VLBW preterm infants who survive and develop ROP in our
neonatal units. It follows that the screening of all neonates at risk is essential.
Current oxygen delivery protocols must be revisited & revised by medical personnel.
Monitoring SaO2 in VLBW preterm neonates would improve with more equipment for monitoring SaO2 as well as more nursing staff
Design of a paper slitting and rewinding machine for a developing country, Zimbabwe
No full textConference paper,This paper is on the design of a paper slitting and rewinding machine for a developing economy which targets small to medium enterprises (SMEs). The current problem is the high cost of such machines on the market hence most SMEs in a developing economy cannot afford them. Through careful analysis of current machines, use of alternative cheaper materials and use of more energy efficient drive mechanisms, it was possible to come up with a low cost and efficient solution. Research on the paper slitting and rewinding industry was conducted on the internet, published scholarly articles and industrial visits to local companies in the same business. The implementation of this design has major positive benefits to the development of the economy
Design of a bench saw cutting machine for wood with automatic braking system
No full textConference paper,This research paper explores the design of an automatic safety brake mechanism on a manual circular table saw machine which stops the blade from rotating when human flesh is detected in the blade proximity. Fatal injuries are occurring, human thumbs and entire hand cutting during operation when operator accidentally touches the spinning blade. It has become a matter of concern to develop the safety mechanism which can be retrofitted on old-model table saw machines used to train students at a university wood workshop. The researchers made use of capacitive proximity sensors to detect human flesh and then automatically activate the brake pawl to the rotating blade, D.C injection brake voltage which abruptly stop the running motor. The design procedure confirmed the quick release of the safety mechanism within 0.25 seconds as revealed from the simulation of circuits in Proteus software. With this design it is possible to stop the spinning blade in 0.25 seconds, before the operator touches the spinning blade and also the mechanism is adoptable to all circular saw machines (panel saw, bench saws), thus making a work-safe environment on the circular saws