1,720,965 research outputs found
Examining the use of dynamic capabilities for strategy implementation in Namibia’s construction industry
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration Management StrategyThe purpose of the study was to examine the use of dynamic capabilities for strategy
implementation in the construction industry. Furthermore, the study examined the
relationship between dynamic capability constructs and strategy implementation
processes. The research adopted a descriptive correlation quantitative design. An online
questionnaire was used to collect data from a randomly selected sample of 129
construction companies that are registered with the municipality of Swakopmund. Data
was analysed using Microsoft excel 2020 and Statistical Packaging for the Social Sciences
software (SPSS) version 28. Findings from the study suggest that transformation is the
most used dynamic capability, followed by seizing then sensing. Furthermore, it was
found that there is a positive linear correlation between dynamic capabilities and strategy
implementation processes. Moreover, the study established a strategy implementation
concept that suggests that 24% effort should be invested in sensing, 39% in seizing and
37% in transformation to implement strategy through using dynamic capabilities in the
construction industry of Swakopmund. The study recommended that construction
companies in Swakopmund should use dynamic capabilities as an enabler for strategy
implementation however, taking cognisance of the effort required for every aspect of
dynamic capabilit
Examining the determinants of corporate governance affecting firm performance in the manufacturing sector of Zimbabwe
No full textCorporate governance studies in Zimbabwe have concentrated on existence of frameworks that control firms. This study focused on the corporate governance factors that are associated with firm performance in the Zimbabwean manufacturing sector. We investigated a sample of 88 companies which were operating at least 80% capacity from 2009 to 2012.Using Return on Assetst (ROA) as a measure of performance and the dependent variable, and 14 corporate governance proxies encompassing board structure, board composition and board procedures as the independent variables, a bivariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed. The results indicated that shareholder concentration, proportion of independent directors, board tenure and access to financial statements are positive and significant to firm performance in the bivariate analysis. On the multivariate regression analysis however, independent directors was positive but not significant. Researchers have not been able to agree on these factors and since corporate governance is largely endogenously determined it can be concluded that factors are influenced by country effects. Thus further studies focusing on similar countries need to be undertaken
Integrating corporate governance, technological capabilities and social capital in the Zimbabwean manufacturing sector
Get PDFPhD (Business Management), North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2015This research sought to integrate the three drivers of performance, namely corporate governance, social capital and technological capabilities. Antecedent research has examined these three individually and sometimes in pairs. This study is one of the first attempts to integrate the three drivers of performance in a workable model in the context of the Zimbabwe manufacturing sector. The drivers invariably affect one another in the performance agenda as social capital impacts on acquisition of technological capabilities, and they all need a certain level of corporate governance to impact performance. The motivation for the study was that since 2009 Zimbabwe has been recovering from a decade of economic upheaval (1999 to 2009). There is a need to provide empirical evidence and focus on what and how corporate governance, social capital and technological capabilities contribute towards better performance in the manufacturing industry. Literature was reviewed from both developed and developing countries as some of the aspects indicated exogenous influences. Literature from emerging economies such as China and South America was of particular interest, since Zimbabwe identifies more closely with them. The research was guided by the post positivism paradigm, which naturally led to a quantitative study method. A questionnaire was used to collect data from manufacturing firms in six sub-sectors that the government has earmarked to spearhead economic recovery. Statistical tests were carried out to validate the data. Econometric models were used for estimation. Results reveal that four of the corporate governance variables, three social capital variables and three technological capabilities variables were positively associated with firms' performance. Integrating these in a multivariate analysis turned up five variables that remain significant and address all the three issues affecting business performance. These are confirmed in the literature in terms of their impact on firm performance. However, further reading could be undertaken to look at each of these influences on firm performance, especially in emerging markets, as the majority of studies are from the developed world.Doctora
Cultural tourism, a value addition alternative for Zimbabwe
No full textOver the last two decades, tourism has developed into a major economic, cultural and social preoccupation
and Zimbabwe has not lagged behind in this scenario. At its peak in 1999, the tourism sector showed an
annual growth of 18%. Arrivals had reached 2 million visitors per year contribution to 7% to GDP and
15% to formal employment. Though tourism was at an all time low from the year 2000 it is viewed as an
industry that can significantly contribute to the wealth of the nation. To date, value addition in the tourism
sector in Zimbabwe has concentrated on exploiting traditional tourist attractions like one of the natural
wonders of the world, Victoria Falls, heritage sites like the Great Zimbabwe ruins and the smaller Khami
ruins, and the Chinhoyi caves. Other natural attractions also come into play namely the largest man made
lake in Zimbabwe, Lake Kariba and the mountainous Eastern Highlands. The rich Zimbabwean culture
and beliefs also blend well with such attractions. For example the living museum found in the Victoria
Falls resort area. However, using such products as the backbone of a country s tourism industry is limiting
as visitors can enjoy a site so many times and there is very little that can be done to change the Victoria Falls for instance. It will always be water cascading over a cliff. Added to that, to maintain such a site or
environment as a prime destination requires huge amount of resources. The increasing demand for holiday
accommodation means an added expense to the tourist and pressure to the resort. This paper seeks to discuss cultural tourism as an alternative tourist attraction to enhance a country s tourism product offering at the same time increasing wealth of the rural population. The visit to sites have become mere one day excursions but cultural tourism can be packaged to entice tourists to stay longer and spend more. Furthermore, cultural products can be changed from year to year with added features, new players and diverse attractions. The paper will explore alternative tourism in other regions and also suggest areas that can be developed in Zimbabwe tourism product offering in trying to package rural Zimbabwe into attractive tourist destinations and enhance the cultural heritage into world acclaimed tourism products
Exploring technological capabilities to resuscitate the Zimbabwean manufacturing sector
No full textThere is widespread agreement that manufacturing concerns require a level of technological capabilities to be able to compete in a globalized economy. This study sought to examine the technological capabilities necessary for the resuscitation of the Zimbabwean manufacturing sector. The sector has been under a lot of pressure mainly from cheaper and sometimes better quality products hailing from international players. With antiquated machinery and having been closed in during and after sanctions, the sector understands the need for up scaling their TCs. The study used data from a non-probability judgemental sample of 77 companies across 6 subsector who had capacity utilization of up to 80%. Return on Assets (ROA) was used to measure performance and was the dependent variable. A total of 14 independent variables were regressed using a bivariate and multivariate regression analysis. Five distinct technological factors proved
to positively influence company performance. The significance for industry is that the 5 variables clearly hover around increase in technological capabilities and the support of human resources and information systems to go with it and directs strategists to what they need to recover in the Zimbabwean economy
The contribution of small-scale and artisanal mining to household livelihoods in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe
No full textAlthough small-scale and artisanal mining in Zimbabwe predates to the time of colonialism the country’s economic downturn which began in the 1990s saw an unprecedented increase in this economic activity. For a long time, mining in Zimbabwe was carried out by large mining houses most of which are multinationals. In 1992 Zimbabwe’s Minister of Mines legalized small-scale and artisanal mining countrywide on condition that the miners sold their yield to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Informal mining became a major livelihood for many rural households. While the negative environmental and social impacts of small-scale and artisanal mining are now well documented, there still exists a lacuna of empirical research on the positive impacts of small-scale and artisanal mining, especially as a poverty alleviating economic activity yet there is the stereotype of associating it with high expenditure and extravagant life styles. This paper sought to find out and document the impact that small scale mining has had on the livelihoods of the miners. The study also sought to document the viability of the small scale mining in the Zimbabwean context. The study focused on gold mining, this being the most favoured mineral by small-scale miners. The period considered was from 2000 to 2012. The study adopted the survey research design. The study focused on 41 households. Snowballing sampling was done to reach at the sample size given the illegal nature of these mining activities. The questionnaire was used as the main data collection instrument. The findings showed that the majority of the miners were men. Most of the miners are young, below thirty years of age and are ..
Business Linkages as a Strategy for Marginalized Manufacturing Industries in the Townships of Gweru Zimbabwe
No full textWorking Paper presented at:The Third Annual International Conference Growing Industries In Townships and Under-Developed Neighbourhoods, Held at Soweto Campus 15–16 May 2012,Research has shown that business linkages can be the most effective way for business to integrate, grow and secure footholds in emerging markets. Thus the value of networking in today’s business environment which is characterised by rapid change and stiff competition cannot be over emphasised. This social capital—the networks which provide valuable information and resources—can greatly change the performance of small enterprises. This research seeks to determine the extent to which manufacturing industries in the townships of Gweru utilise business linkages for better performance. The main objectives of the research
are, firstly, to identify the relationships that small manufacturers have with larger businesses and with each other; secondly, to measure the benefits derived from such linkages; and, lastly, to isolate the deliberate networking strategies in manufacturing SMEs. After creating a profile of the SME manufacturing sector from exploratory research, data was collected to fulfill the objectives. Preliminary result indicate that those SMEs that have business linkages perform significantly better than those that do not, and business linkages can be a strategy to improve performance in township business as they open doors which, left to themselves,
SMEs would never have found
Developing women leaders within organisations: why it makes business sense
No full textIn marrying two contemporary issues, leadership and women leaders, it is apparent that women are introducing new leadership styles to organizational settings evident in the way in which organizations have for 20 years or so, sought to encourage men to behave like women. Notions of contemporary leadership, extol the virtues of sensitivity, good communication, emotional management, a sense of community by en large feminine characteristics (Covey, 1992, 1998; Bennis and Nanus, 1997). In other words, male leaders are thought to lack characteristics which would improve their leadership performance. This concept paper argues that by not developing women leaders, organizations are selling themselves short instead of tapping into the feminist attributes that seem more suited to today’s organizations. The paper indicates the qualities of women leaders which are currently forgone the world over, where women leaders are hardly 25% of the working women. The paper utilized desk research as well as personal experiences to develop and augment this argument
Social capital interventions at firm level affecting performance in the Zimbabwean manufacturing sector
No full textSocial capital research has largely focused on developed economies and there is conflict of acceptance on
the legality of some network relations across cultures. This study pioneered the interventions at firm level
aimed at building social capital for company performance in the Zimbabwean manufacturing sector. This
was in an effort to provide evidence of the need for network relations to enhance business performance. A
survey method was used to collect data to confirm empirically the social capital interventions existing in
the sector. Using an econometric model, 10 social capital variables were regressed to determine
importance of the interventions. The bivariate results indicated that networks, level of trust and
entertainment were significantly associated to firm performance. On the multivariate level, trust,
presences of an entertainment budget and government liaison were positively associated with firm
performance. It was concluded that investment in social capital through entertainment budget created
profitable relationships which if nurtured builds trust which reduces transaction costs thus affecting the
bottom line. So social variables which were significantly associated with performance worked in a
symbiotic, cyclical nature
The impact of corporate governance on firm performance in the Zimbabwean manufacturing sector , corporate ownership and control
No full textCorporate governance studies in Zimbabwe have concentrated on existence of frameworks that control firms. This study focused on the corporate governance factors that are associated with firm performance in the Zimbabwean manufacturing sector. We investigated a sample of 88 companies which were operating at least 80% capacity from 2009 to 2012.Using Return on Assetst (ROA) as a measure of performance and the dependent variable, and 14 corporate governance proxies encompassing board structure, board composition and board procedures as the independent variables, a bivariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed. The results indicated that shareholder concentration, proportion of independent directors, board tenure and access to financial statements are positive and significant to firm performance in the bivariate analysis. On the multivariate regression analysis however, independent directors was positive but not significant. Researchers have not been able to agree on these factors and since corporate governance is largely endogenously determined it can be concluded that factors are influenced by country effects. Thus further studies focusing on similar countries need to be undertaken
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