National Research Database of Zimbabwe
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An assessment of the influence of selected on the performance of small to medium sized family owned businesses in the Zimbabwe retail sector
No full textThe study attempted to assess the factors that are affecting business performance of small to medium sized family owned businesses in the Zimbabwean retail sector. The objective was to establish the effect of innovation, management skills, succession planning and corporate governance on family owned SMEs in Zimbabwe. The study sought to complement other previous studies that were carried out in other different contexts by producing evidence on the same phenomenon from a developing
country context. The study adopted a quantitative approach. A self-administered survey was conducted to collect data that was analysed using descriptive, correlation and regression analyses. The results showed that the most significant factors affecting business performance in order of predictive power were innovation, proper management skills, succession planning and corporate governance. The findings have implications to family business managers and owners in Zimbabwe who are encouraged to be innovative, properly manage, practice succession planning and be guided by business morals in managing their enterprises. Whilst the factors ensuring the success of Small and Medium sized enterprises have extensively been examined, there is dearth of research on family business success factors especially in a developing country like Zimbabwe
An evaluation of the influence of instructional leadership on the performance of government and council schools in Harare province (July 2012 to July 2014)
No full textNotwithstanding the increasing researches on the role of leadership in schools performance, there is a dearth of studies that have investigated the influence of instructional leadership on schools performance in the Zimbabwe context. Therefore, using a data set of 120 from teachers in Harare Province, Zimbabwe, this study examines these relationships. The hypothesis that instructional leadership positively influences schools performance was supported. The findings of the study revealed that instructional leadership is a significant contributor to schools performance. The results demonstrate that schools administration should invest in instructional leadership in order to improve their performance
An assessment of factors influencing the growth in market share of mobile money business in the Zimbabwean mobile network providers
No full textMobile money business is a new phenomenon, which has transformed the lives of the previously financially excluded poor people especially in developing nations. The industry is continuing to grow rapidly, with increased business success stories being recorded. The purpose of this study was to make an assessment of the factors influencing the growth in market share of mobile money in the Zimbabwean mobile phone providers. The motivation of this study is to give insights to current players and new players entering such an industry, so that they are able to be in a position to make informed strategic decisions. The study adopted a quantitative deductive research approach and survey design, in which the Harare CBD agents from the three mobile network providers constituted the population of the study. A combination of stratified and simple random sampling methods was used to select the agents. Stratified random sampling was selected to allow agents from all the operators to have the opportunity of being sampled. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). The results revealed that all the factors influence the growth in market share of mobile money, among the factors analysed such as the strong financial resource, customer base, strong agent network, network coverage and pricing strategy, the factor with the greatest influence was the financial resource factor, and the least was network coverage. It is recommended that the Central bank, RBZ and POTRAZ should put a regulatory framework in place for the mobile payment system to curb against monopoly and anti-competitive agreements in this industry. The study also recommended that mobile operators who are in this industry or who may wish to venture into this industry be financially sound as the business needs a lot of investment in terms of customer acquisition, agent training and management, network coverage, without which there is no growth in market share in the mobile money business
Annals of Social and Behavioural Sciences
No full textAfter two years of preparation, we are proud to introduce a new journal, the Annals of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The purpose of this first editorial is to introduce the journal and briefly provide answers to some of the questions you might have as a reader and researcher. The introduction of this journal is a first in two ways; not only is the journal coming out for the first time, it will also become the first publication by the CUT Publishing House, recently registered by Chinhoyi University of Technology. The control of the journal resides with an Editorial Board comprising local and international academics of indisputable standing.
The Annals of Social and Behavioral Sciences will be a discussion platform for academics and practitioners that are active in all fields of social and behavioral Sciences. The journal welcomes articles whose themes demonstrate the interaction of behavioral sciences, social sciences, natural sciences
and technology. Contributions must show relevance to the development challenges of Zimbabwe and the wider world. Both scholars and practitioners
are encouraged to demonstrate awareness of developments taking place in the other. The journal will cater for a wide range of readers. This issue, in particular, contains papers covering varied subjects such as tourism, social media, climate change and sexuality, among others. These papers were selected from many that were presented at an International Conference hosted by the University in July 2015. Future issues of the journal will widen subject area coverage within the parameters of the broader subjects of social and behavioral sciences.,Chinhoyi University of Technolog
Examining the measurement and dimensionality of the construct of consumer awareness in a developing and transition economy
No full textOrientation: Literature suggests that major political and socio-economic transformations may
influence the measurement and dimensionality of consumer awareness.
Research purpose: The study examined the measurement and dimensionality of the construct
of consumer awareness after transformation in the political and socio-economic environments
in Zimbabwe.
Motivation for the study: There is a dearth of research to validate whether or not the
measurement and dimensionality of the construct of consumer awareness changes as the
environment changes.
Research design, approach and method: Data were collected from a cross-section of 305
consumers using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Consumers were intercepted at
shopping malls. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse data.
Main findings: The study confirmed that consumer awareness comprises five dimensions,
namely product knowledge, bargain hunting, general consumer knowledge, price
consciousness and information search. However, the study found that only 16 items, instead
of the proposed 25, were relevant in measuring consumer awareness. Product knowledge,
bargain hunting and information search were each measured by four items, whilst general
consumer knowledge and price consciousness were each measured by two items. The other
nine items were shown to be of no value.
Practical/managerial implications: The study recommends that marketers and policymakers
in developing and transition economies, such as Zimbabwe, consider these five dimensions
when conducting consumer awareness research or when planning consumer awareness
programmes.
Contribution/value-add: The study provided evidence that the dimensionality of the
construct of consumer awareness does not change as the socio-economic and political
environments change. However, items used to measure the dimensions need to be updated
from time to time
An investigation into small scale gold mining activities on moral decadency In Insiza District, Matabeleland South Province.
No full textThe main aim of this study is to investigate small scale mining on moral decadency in Insiza District, Matabeleland South Province. The discovery of many gold deposits in the district was seen as a solution to unemployment problems as well as poverty, however, from the study, it is clear that this came with more harm than good. Qualitative methodologies were used in the investigation, these were observations and interviews. Data was analysed through the use of tables, graphs and photographs. The results indicate that small scale mining has changed the morals of the people in Insiza District. This is evidenced by the high rate of crime in and around the mining areas, most of the crimes being committed by miners, murder and assault are the common crimes in the mining areas. Cultural fusion has resulted, with people coming from all corners of the province and some nearby provinces. This fusion has somehow led to a change in morals of people; people tend to behave in a socially unacceptable manner, especially prostitution and crime. The increase in the number of night spots within the vicinity of the mines has seen women frequenting these places, where they also engage in drinking sprees and prostitution. Family men are seen with these prostitutes and this lead to family breakups as some end up abandoning their families. These negative impacts end up outweighing the positive outcomes of small scale mining. It is recommended that all these problems be addressed by the government so as to ensure the continued viability and sustainability of small scale mining. The role of the government as enforcers of regulations and promoter of mining development need to be defined. Miners also need to take responsibility for their negative impacts from their livelihoods
Mobile application system for solid waste collection
No full textThe term solid waste refers to all materials that are not prime products, for which the person
generating the material has no further use in terms of his or her own purposes of production
and consumption. Due to declination of solid waste collection levels illegal open dumping
sites and backyard incineration is leading to environmental, social and economic impacts for
residents in Zimbabwe. Lack of automated system for solid waste collection by all City
Councils is also leading to improper solid waste collection because management is not in a
position to track how solid waste is being collected. They is also no effective way of
communication between residents and City Council management. Previous researches have
proven that in developed countries use of different technologies like use of Global
Positioning Systems (GPS) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) are used for solid
waste collection and tracking purposes. With the aid of these technologies, management in
developed countries are in a position to determine the current location of each truck in the
collection stage via a web based application and thereby managing the fleet of drivers and
refuse collectors.
However the researcher automated the process of solid waste collection by designing bin
barcodes for each resident and a mobile application that scans bin barcodes such that refuse
collectors starts by scanning the bin barcode, sends scanned information automatically to the
server. A notification message will be also send to residents in order to confirm their
collection. Through the mobile application residents will be able to confirm their collection
which enhances effective communication between residents and City Council management
Representations of trauma from mass violence during Zimbabwe's liberation struggle in selected Zimbabwean literature.
No full textThis article is concerned with the mnemonics of colonial violence and how Chimurenga War during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle has created far-reaching consequences derived from incidents of mass violence. It emphasises the genocidal quality of this colonial era’s murderousness. It is believed that many liberation struggles had strong genocidal overtones and it the purpose of this research to ascertain whether this notion captures this war. It assesses how freedom fighters and the masses dealt with the outbreak of mass violence and its immediate aftermath. The article further explores the presentation of trauma in selected Zimbabwean war literature, narratives which arc intensely embedded in psychological discourse, strewn with injured or suffering war-veterans whose personalities and reputations are not only altered but also affected by continually experiencing trauma throughout their lifetime. This chosen literature depicts realistic human descriptions of more severe moments in chivalric Chimurenga War life. The Chimurenga War was favourable to the deployment of extreme violence against the Rhodesian Forces whose retaliation where aimed at the Zimbabwean masses. This article demonstrates the various ways in which the genre’s imaginative possibilities contributes to the lasting effects of wounds from extremely violent Chimurenga War episodes that defy clear categorisation, but which fomented genocidal and other kinds of extreme violence from various contestants. Many advocates view this development of an enduring and shared memory of Chimurenga War events as an essential step to healing the wounds of a distressed Zimbabwean national conscience and preventing the recurrence of such mass atrocities symptomising through Zimbabwe’s post independence war traumas
An update on the ecological distribution of the Ixodidae ticks in Zimbabwe
No full textIn total 7657 ticks were collected from 121 dip tanks in 12 districts repre- sentative of Zimbabwe’s five ecological regions between September 2013 and May 2014. Based on morphological traits four genera and 13 species of ticks were identified. Am- blyomma hebraeum (60.3 %), Rhipicephalus microplus (58.7 %), Rhipicephalus decol- oratus (47.1 %), Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (56.2 %), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (67.8 %), Rhipicephalus (near) punctatus (13.2 %), Hyalomma truncatum (38 %) and Hyalomma rufipes (46.3 %) were found in all the ecological regions of the country. Am-
blyomma variegatum and Rhipicephalus compositus (0.8 %) were only found in the north
central part of the country while Rhipicephalus simus (5 %) had a sparse distribution. The Haemaphysalis leachi group (1.7 %) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (1.7 %) were found whenever dogs were sampled suggesting these could be widespread throughout the country. The study confirmed the continued limited distribution of A. variegatum (3.3 %) in the north central parts of the country, whereas A. hebraeum was found to have a wide distribution also encroaching areas of high rainfall and lower temperatures where it was not previously recorded. A parapatric relationship existed between these two Amblyomma species. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus was also widely distributed although its presence was dominant in the cooler and wetter parts of the country. The traditionally held view that Hyalomma species and R. evertsi evertsi can survive well under diverse conditions is upheld in this study. Rhipicephalus microplus was also present in dry regions but its adaptability to these regions requires further investigation
Managing nutrient interactions for improved agronomic efficiency under contrasting soil carbon levels in smallholder farms
No full textMuch of Sub –Saharan Africa is plagued by food insecurity due to low and variable soil fertility recurrent droughts and limited access to external inputs among other reasons. Variable levels of soil fertility caused result from diverse soil fertility management methods as well as parent materials of origin leading to inconsistent responses to fertilizer and manure, within and across fields and farms. It was hypothesised that soil organic carbon can be broadly used to define soil fertility domains for fertilizer use efficiencies. An analysis of the profitability of farmer management practices using a decision support tool, Nutrient Expert for Hybrid Maize (NE), was also carried out. Soil fertility was broadly categorised into three domains based on soil organic carbon (SOC) as an indicator of fertility as follows: field type1 ≤4 g C kg-1 soil, field type 2, >4–6 g C kg-1 soil and field type 3 >6 g C kg-1 soil. Nutrient omission experiments were set out to ascertain attainable yields, indigenous nutrient supplies and nutrient responses in Dendenyore ward, Hwedza district over two seasons, 2011/12 and 2012/13. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with plot sizes of 4.5 x 5 m2 and three replicates. Data was analysed by GENSTAT 13 using analysis of variance (ANOVA) to examine site effects and treatment on maize productivity and site means were separated by Tukey’s 95 % confidence interval. Treatments used were i) zero fertilizer control, ii) Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K), (iii) N, Phosphorus (P), Sulphur (S), iv), PKS and v) NPKS. Maize productivity was significantly influenced by nutrient management across all sites, with site mean yields on soils with >4g C kg-1 soil (Field types 2 and 3) ranging 3–3.2 t ha-1 significantly higher than for Field Type 1 which were less than 1 t ha-1. Crop yield responses to N and P ranged from 1.2–2.35 t ha-1 and 0.71–2.10 t ha-1, respectively with the highest responses on soils with >4g C kg-1 soil. Response to K was not significant. Across all sites indigenous N and P supplies were not enough to support a yield of one tonne of maize per ha without external nutrient input. The indigenous N supplies ranged from 8.5 kg to 27.6 kg N ha-1, whilst indigenous P supplies were 2.2–11.7 kg P ha-1. The second set of experiments involved applications of N, P, K and S alone or in combinations with manure, lime and micronutrients in a complete randomized block design with plot sizes 4.5 x 5 m2 and three replicates. Data was analysed using GENSTAT 13 with site, treatment and year as fixed effects in a general ANOVA. Sole manure and a zero fertilizer control were the other treatments. Combinations of manure and fertilizer yielded the highest ranging from 2.67–5.55 t ha-1 across sites. Addition of sole manure on soil with 4 g C kg-1 soil there was a significant increase to 2 t ha-1. The liming effect was only evident on soil with 4g C kg-1 soil) must be targeted for application of fertilizers to increase productivity in smallholder farms. The hypothesis that SOC can be used as an indicator of soil fertility status was accepted. Analysis with NE clearly showed that socio-economic status and soil fertility management practices were linked thus soil fertility and resource endowment cannot be separated. Smallholder farmers must target the more fertile soils and build up soil fertility on the soils with <4 g C kg-1.,1. International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) and International Foundation for Sciences (IFS