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Mitigating Corruption Perception through Effective Communication Management in Public Construction Projects: A Case Study of The Lusaka-Ndola Road
(University of Lusaka, 2024) CHAPONDA, Janet
The study investigates the intricate relationship between communication management strategies and corruption perceptions within public construction projects. Drawing upon empirical data gathered from the Lusaka-Ndola Road project and aligning with established literature, the research explores the reasons behind corruption perceptions among stakeholders, prevalent communication management strategies, and perceived effective strategies to mitigate corruption perceptions. The study adopted an embedded mixed methods research approach. Quantitative data was collected from 75 respondents using purposive sampling and analysed using SPSS v27. Regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between communication variables (Clarity, Frequency, Channels, and Stakeholder Engagement) and corruption perception. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires while Qualitative data was collected through both questionnaires and interviews until saturation was reached after 63 respondents and analysed using thematic analysis. Thematic analysis identified key factors contributing to corruption perceptions, including insufficient transparency, accountability gaps, inadequate communication, and perceived favouritism. Further, the study revealed diverse communication management strategies employed in the project, such as stakeholder meetings, digital platforms, and comprehensive reports, aligning with existing literature emphasizing their importance. Furthermore, stakeholders perceived strategies like enhanced transparency, stakeholder engagement, accessible documentation, independent audits, and ethical conduct programs as effective in mitigating corruption perceptions. Regression analysis highlighted a negative correlation between communication variables (Clarity, Frequency, Channels, Stakeholder
Engagement) and corruption perception, underscoring the pivotal role of effective communication in mitigating corruption. The study’s recommendations include the need for stakeholders to bolster communication strategies and encourages future research on cross-cultural analysis, long-term impact assessment, technological interventions, behavioural analysis, and policy influences in combating corruption perceptions in construction projects.
Key words: Communication, stakeholder, engagement, clarity, frequency, channels.
Financial Inclusion: The Nexus between Renewable Energy Access in the promotion of Sustainable Solar Mini-Grids in Zambia
(2024) KAYAWE, Zia-Christie
This research delves into the urgent matter of energy access in Zambia, where 70% of the population lacks electricity, aligning with the United Nations 2030 sustainable development agenda, SDG7. It seeks to understand the role of financial inclusion in bridging the gap between renewable energy adoption and the promotion of sustainable solar mini-grid development, especially in the face of challenges encountered in country’s rural area. Adopting a comprehensive approach, the research integrates financial inclusion theories, renewable energy adoption models, sustainable development theories, behavioral economics insights and policy perspectives. Through the utilization of a mixed-methods approach and extended inferential analysis, the study provides a holistic view of the complex relationships involved in the interplay between key variables crucial for the scalability of solar mini-grid enterprise in the country. Statistical findings bring to light a significant 30% increase in technology purchase capacity during peak income seasons in appraised villages, showcasing a positive correlation between higher incomes and renewable energy adoption. However, an examination of the economic structure reveals a concerning lack of income diversification, with 85% of the population relying heavily on agriculture as the main income source. Further analysis of mobile connectivity identifies strategic opportunities for partnerships, while acknowledging that tariff mechanisms, though within budget constraints, may face challenges in meeting sustainability standards as the availability and usage indicators of mobile money services remains critically low. Financial inclusion emerges as a pivotal catalyst for renewable energy adoption, exerting a substantial influence on the success and sustainability of solar mini-grid projects. Despite challenges such as limited income diversification and financing barriers, solar mini-grid initiatives manage to align with local needs, demonstrating resilience and potential for holistic innovative solutions at a national level.
To enhance the prospects of successful solar mini-grid implementation, the study recommends continuous research, innovative financing models, regulatory reassessment and deliberate community engagement policies. This research significantly contributes to the body of knowledge by providing updated perspectives for potential investors, offering essential insights for the Zambian government's initiatives, and presenting a model for addressing multifaceted challenges in scaling renewable energy projects.
Keywords: Financial Inclusion, Sustainable Energy, Solar Mini-Grids, Policy Interventions, Zambia, Renewable Energy Access, Innovative Finance, Mobile Money, Green Economy
An Investigation into the Relationship between Project Scope and Project Success among Non-Governmental Organisations: A Case Study of Nine Selected NGOs in Lusaka District
(University of Lusaka, 2024) MUKUKA, Bwalya
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between project scope and project success in the nine non-governmental organizations (Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Care International, Zambia Land Alliance, CELIM NGO, PATH, Akros, Community Outreach Foundation, Save the Children International, and Equip Zambia) in Lusaka district, Zambia. The researcher adopted a mixed research approach (quantitative and qualitative
methods). The research findings showed a positive relationship between project scope and project success among the nine NGOs in Lusaka district, Zambia. The study found that scope change, scope change, and scope change implementation influence project success. The study also found that the factors within project scope that significantly impact project success among the nine selected NGOs in the Lusaka district are: clear objectives, flexibility and adaptability, clear scope definition, resource allocation and effective planning, budget and timeline, effective project governance, risk assessment and mitigation, stakeholder involvement, monitoring and change controls, monitoring
and evaluation, project management skills and soft skills, cultural sensitivity and contextual understanding, communication strategies, legal and regulatory environments, and staff size. Furthermore, the study found that the difficulties faced by nine selected NGOs in Lusaka district in project scope management include managing changing stakeholder needs, external factors, limited resources, unclear communication, a lack of skills, scope creep, clear goals, effective monitoring, budgeting, and time constraints. The study recommended that organizations that plan to manage project scope effectively and achieve success must enhance communication, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and change management skills. The study also recommended that organizations should implement effective scope change management to mitigate scope creep and clearly define inclusion and exclusion criteria for project activities in order to attain project success.
An Assessment of factors influencing the Abandonment of Public-Sector Construction Projects: A Case of Lusaka District in Zambia
(University of Lusaka, 2024) MVULA, Alick
The purpose of this study was to assess factors influencing abandonment of public sector construction in Lusaka district. Specifically, the study sought to: establish the extent economic factors may account for abandonment of public sector construction projects in Lusaka district; investigate the extent financial factors may account for abandonment of public sector construction projects in Lusaka district; assess the extent political factors may account for abandonment of public sector construction projects in Lusaka district; and ascertain the extent human resource factors may account for abandonment of public sector construction projects in Lusaka district. The study employed a quantitative research design. The research involved a total sample of 333 respondents from National Construction Council (NCC), Zambia Institute of Architects (ZIA), officials from Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing, Ministry of Works and Supply and Ministry of Finance and Lusaka City Council (LCC). A random sampling method was used to sample the respondents. Data was collected using a questionnaire. The data gathered was quantitatively analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The research found that 71.8% of abandoned public sector construction projects in Lusaka district are attributed to economic, financial, political, and human resource
factors while the remaining 28.2% can be explained by factors not covered in this research. the four independent variables are all significantly and positively related to the dependent variable at the .01 level of significance. Human Resource factor has the most influence on the dependent variable ( beta = .319) followed by Economic factor (beta = .163), Financial factor came third (beta=0.155) while Political factor had the least influence on the dependent variable (beta=0.117). Based on the research findings, the research recommends that: government through the office of the Attorney General ought to be signing construction projects upon confirming availability of adequate funds for the construction projects; Institutions like NCC, EIZ and ZIA need to promote prudent financial management and inculcate good culture among their members to avoid project mismanagement and poor performance; and government through the Ministry of Finance should be releasing funds for construction projects right on time.
Key words: Public sector, project construction
Modelling Extreme Rainfall in Zambia using the Generalised Extreme Value Distribution
(University of Lusaka, 2024) CHILUFYA, Mwansa
This paper delves into modelling Zambia's monthly rainfall using extreme value theory. A survey of the literature is included in Chapter Two, outlining the development of extreme value modeling and highlighting its multidisciplinary applications. The empirical review examines extreme value theory (EVT) from global, regional, and local viewpoints, demonstrating its varied uses in different climatic conditions. The study methodology is described in Chapter Three, which uses a hybrid approach with an emphasis on the explorative design. For model specification, the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution was selected. The analysis is based on data from the Climate Change Knowledge Portal of the World Bank Group, covering the period from January 1901 to December 2021. Chapter Four explores the results of the data analysis making use of the summary statistics and descriptive statistics to see what the data looks like. The monthly rainfall data's stationarity is confirmed by the Augmented Dickey-Fuller Test, which is an essential component of trustworthy time series modelling. After parameterizing the GEV distribution, diagnostic plots confirm that it is appropriate; the Fréchet type is found to be the best fit. Estimates of return levels and the likelihood of experiencing intense rainfall events augment the study's understanding.As thresholds are raised, the likelihood of excessive rainfall decreases, which is consistent with increased uncertainty in the prediction of more extreme storms. The trend of return levels is rising, suggesting that there may be more intense rains in the future even though the probabilities of these intense rains isn’t huge.
Keywords: Extreme value theory, GEV distribution, Fréchet distribution, return levels, stationarity, climate change.