PHD/DBA THESES

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Strategic Lean Thinking and Value Management philosophies in the Construction and Maintenance of Gravel Roads in Zambia
(2015) KASONGO, Richard Mwale
The study was aimed at devising new Construction and Maintenance Contract methods for gravel roads that are based on “Lean Thinking and Value Management” philosophies in Zambia. The study revealed that currently in Zambia, Gravel Road Construction projects are commonly being realised through the use of traditional Contracts such as ad-measured; by the use of Bills of Quantities (BOQs), the Lump sum and Cost plus, etc. These are mainly short term form of Contracts which to some extent, lack some components of sustainable maintenance regimes, thereby rendering the Government and other Promoters efforts futile as gravel roads sooner or later deteriorate just after the first rain season upon their construction.
Challenges of Peacebuilding in Matebeleland North and South Provinces-Zimbabwe (1980-2010)
(2016) FOYA, David
The Challenges of Peacebuilding in Matebeleland North and South Provinces - Zimbabwe (1980-2010) establishes the major factors contributing to failure of peace-building in the Matabeleland North and South Provinces. The major findings from the study indicate that the government had not been sincere in peace building efforts and the process of reconciliation was not properly implemented, as a result communities in Matebeleland provinces remained divided. The study also established that there were no laws instituted to deal with reconciliation and peacebuilding matters.
Taboo systems as a conflict restraint in the political feud in Zimbabwe: An exploration of Mazowe and Shamva districts, post-independence
(2016) DODO, Obediah
The research focused on the role of traditional taboos in restraining the behaviours of the conflict perpetrators in Mazowe and Shamva districts of Zimbabwe as a policing mechanism in respective communities. The study established that while the taboo concept was an old-fashioned mechanism of restraining conflicts in society, it still had its place for as long as there were deliberate efforts towards sustaining its importance. It was also established that while the retention of the practice was purely to regulate children’s behaviours, there were some volatile situations that were addressed by the fear of the effects of the taboos.
The legacies of colonial administrative systems and their influence on the performance of local authorities in Zimbabwe
(2016) MAKUNDE, George
This study examined the legacy and imprint of colonial administrative systems, behavioural systems and administrative processes on the post-colonial administrative systems in present day Zimbabwe. The key findings were that the colonial administrative system had a bearing on the transformation of local government in Zimbabwe. It was also established that the current local government system inherited most of the colonial administrative processes. The study recommended a holistic, hybrid approach to address critical factors or issues affecting the performance of both rural and urban local authorities in Zimbabwe.
Investigating the Characteristics, Challenges and the Management of Informal businesses in informal settlements and the Central Business District of Lusaka
(2016) KAPOTWE, Paul C.
This research investigated the characteristics and challenges of the informal business sector, its management and linkages with the formal business sector in Lusaka. The research also investigated why the informal business sector remains unregulated and inhibited from growth and integration into the formal economy. The research revealed that the informal business sector is linked to the formal business sector in Zambia. The research also revealed that the informal business sector lacks access to working capital, technical skills, quality control and other business development services. The sector is characterised by weak and unstable links to sustainable value chains and markets, while there are no Government structures to manage and regulate the sector.
An assessment of the role of entrepreneurial action in influencing growth of rural farm enterprises: A case of selected districts in Zambia
(2018) KAYULA, Frank M
This study assessed the role of entrepreneurial action in influencing growth of rural farm enterprises in selected districts in Zambia. A mixed methods design based on non-parametric and thematic data analysis and approaches were employed. Study results postulated that entrepreneurial actions among rural farmers appeared to be triggered by certainty or assurance of resources to use for a valued entrepreneurial decisions. It was further found that entrepreneurial actions among non-entrepreneurial persons may not benefit the persons to grow their enterprises. The implication of these findings are that the rural farm entrepreneurs need to be engaged in groups that enhance knowledge sharing besides enhancing their self-drive access to discretionary production resources within short period of time of muting an entrepreneurial action. The study proposed a framework for entrepreneurial studies, policies and practice.
Determinants of restoring a culture of saving in banks among Zimbabweans
(2018) MAKURUMIDZE, Shepard
The study examined the determinants of restoring the culture of saving in banks among Zimbabweans over the post-independence Zimbabwe. The findings showed that there was inadequacy of savings products in the market to meet different savings requirements of the diverse population. The study also found a weak association between the savings practice among Zimbabweans and the crucial macroeconomic fundamentals as well as low confidence by bank customers with the Zimbabwean financial market emanating from the inadequate legal and policy framework. The policy and legal conditions, politics, the poorly performing economy as well as product inadequacy in the financial market across the diverse population were the major factors inhibiting the restoration of the culture of saving in banks among Zimbabweans. The study recommended the analysis of the savings behaviours of the marginalised communities in Zimbabwe like the rural communities, women and the disabled in view of the adoption of mobile and electronic banking by the financial services sector.
Bank failures: Examining corporate governance principles and practices of indigenous banks in Zimbabwe and their impact on organizational effectiveness
(2018) CHINOPEREKWEYI, Justine
This research examined the corporate governance mechanisms of Zimbabwean indigenous banks and their impact on organizational effectiveness. It addressed two research concerns; to identify and discover Zimbabwean indigenous banks’ corporate governance irrationalities with regard to organizational effectiveness and, to achieve regulation change through understanding and explaining the impacts of the adopted corporate governance principles and practices on organizational effectiveness. The research adopted a methodological pluralism approach using the phenomenology and symbolic interactionism epistemological strands. The research established that there is significantly a positive relationship between sound corporate governance and organizational effectiveness among indigenous banks in Zimbabwe. The findings were supported by the number of indigenous bank failures, the extent of non-performing loans, and the alleged malpractices among indigenous banks as compared to foreign-owned banks.
A study of the impact of leadership styles on performance in Zimbabwe state-owned enterprises: the case of air Zimbabwe and the national railways of Zimbabwe (between 2000-2010)
(2019) CHINGURUVE, Celestino
This study examined the impact of leadership style on organisational performance of State-Owned Enterprises in Zimbabwe. The Descriptive and Explanatory research method was adopted. The findings of this study pointed out that a close relationship exists between leadership style and performance of the organisation. The study established that transactional and transformational democratic leadership styles, in which employees are allowed to have sense of belonging, tend to carry out higher responsibility with little supervision, and followers are helped to achieve their visions to enhance organizational efficiency. The study concluded that leadership style has both positive and negative effect on organizational performance. It is recommended that, State-Owned Enterprises operating within the scope of the study should adopt appropriate leadership styles based on the demands of the situation in order to achieve the desired organisational performance.
Evaluating the effectiveness of Out-grower Projects in reducing poverty in rural Zambia: A case of the Eastern Province
(2019) SILUNGWE, Sunday
This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the out-grower schemes on reducing poverty in rural Zambia. The convergent parallel strategy of the mixed research methods approach was used. The findings from the study revealed that the out-grower schemes implementation contributed positively to poverty reduction among smallholder farmers participating in the out-grower scheme. It also established that the out-grower farmers had improved their knowledge in understanding the operation of the out-grower scheme. In this regard, the study concluded that the out-grower schemes had been effective in reducing poverty in the rural areas of Zambia. The study however recommended that there was need to address the issue of power imbalance between the out-grower farmers and the out-grower firms and also to address the high illiteracy levels among the rural farmers that required document transactions, by translating contracts in the local language for ease of understanding.
Investigating the relationship between mandatory contractual savings and stock market development in Sub-Saharan African countries
(2019) MAPOSA, Lifa
The study investigates the relationship between mandatory contractual savings and stock market development in Sub-Saharan African (SSA). The rationale of the study is that establishing the relationship between mandatory contractual savings and stock market development is expected to guide long-term policies pertaining to economic growth. The findings from this study revealed that mandatory contractual savings and stock market characteristics were both still ‘thin’ in most SSA countries except South Africa. Activity on stock markets was very low, led by low listings and limited participation by institutional investors from within and without. A positive relationship was found between mandatory contractual savings, stock market capitalization and value traded, running from mandatory contractual savings to stock market development which were found to ‘cause’ stock market development. There was however no causal relationships between mandatory contractual savings and number of listed companies. The study recommends to governments to respond to the common shift from formal sector driven economies to informal sector driven economies. It also recommends to re-grow formal sectors or incorporate informal sector to participate in pension schemes.
A business case for the adoption of a knowledge management strategy and government policy as precursors for divapreneurship development in Zimbabwe
(2019) MANZINI, Sibongile
The study showcases a business value proposition to policy makers for the adoption of a new business paradigm involving the infusion of knowledge management practices, strategic thinking and government policy intervention for divapreneurship development in Zimbabwe. It investigated the antecedents of bringing about the divatude (positive attitude) in women, as a new way of addressing the impediments to the development of women. The mixed method research paradigm was adopted. The findings of the study showed that there was a positive interrelationship between KM strategies and government policy in divapreneurship development. The dimensions of this interrelatedness for divapreneurship development were: the formation of an enabling environment for sharing knowledge, networking, entrepreneurship education, innovation and creativity. The study recommended a ten factor framework for divapreneurship development involving universities as the nerve centre in unrolling entrepreneurial education and training working in collaboration with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community Development, and Small to Medium Enterprises.
Impact of upstream supply chain coordination on the performance of Zimbabwean Agro-processing organizations
(2019) CHARUMBIRA, Judith
The study assessed the impact of upstream supply chain coordination on the performance Zimbabwean agro processing organisations and developed a framework that can bridge existing gaps in the coordination of supply chains in the country to gain competitive advantage and improve organisational performance. The convergent parallel mixed methods research design was adopted as the guiding model for the data collection, analysis and interpretation process in this study. The findings show that the sector has adopted supply chain coordination as a business strategy and that the Zimbabwean agro-processing organisations’ supply chains use contractual agreements, vertically integrated as well as transactional in nature.
Employment conditions and their influence on employee retention in the small and medium enterprises furniture manufacturing sector in Zimbabwe
(2019) GOBA, Avilla Dororosa
The study critically examined employment conditions in the Small and Medium Enterprises sector (SMEs) in Zimbabwe; and their contribution to the retention of employees, within the furniture manufacturing businesses in Glen View Home Industry Complex in Harare. The study used the mixed methods approach. Key findings established that employment conditions, including recruitment and selection; learning and development; remuneration and disciplinary handling, contributed towards the retention of employees. The study also established a huge absence of documented employment conditions and subsequent lack of implementation of labour regulations which resulted in workers operating in deprived employment conditions, leading to unethical strategies for retention of employees. The study recommended that SMEs businesses ought to be valued as crucial contributors to the growth of the Zimbabwean economy.
A study of the factors affecting the export performance of the food and beverage manufacturing firms in Zimbabwe
(2019) CHITAURO, Tayengwa
The study investigated the factors affecting the export performance of the food and beverage manufacturing firms in Zimbabwe. A mixed sequential approach using qualitative and quantitative techniques was used. The study found that product and place (distribution) have been the most adapted marketing-mix strategies (out of the 4Ps that are a fundamental aspect of the marketing literature) for the firms, with promotion and price highlighted as the least adapted strategies. The study confirms positive relationship between international experience, export commitment, and export-marketing-mix strategy (4Ps), with export performance. Export commitment, place, product and foreign market attractiveness have emerged as strong antecedents (precursors) of export performance in the study.
Exploring the factors influencing the state of physical infrastructure of Subordinate Courts in the Republic of Zambia
(2019) MALI, Emmanuel Makumba
The study examined the factors contributing to the state of physical infrastructure of Subordinate Courts in the Republic of Zambia. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory approach was used. The findings revealed that there was limited administrative capacity in the Subordinate Courts. This, coupled with the under-funding and non-involvement of stakeholders in the design and management of judicial reforms had left the Judiciary without any form of social accountability. The study recommends the need to strengthen the current legal framework to guarantee greater fiscal independence of the Judiciary and provide for fiscal rules to guide the management of the Judiciary Budget.
Is Audit A Management And Economic Tool For Decision Making? A Comparative Study of Two Private and Two Public Institutions in Zambia
(2019) HARA, Matthews C.
The aim of the study was to explore whether there would be differences in the application of audit outputs as tools to make management and economic decisions in two categories of institutions in Zambia. A mixed methods equal status involving quantitative and qualitative (quan+qual) research design was employed. Cluster sampling and purposive sampling were employed to enlist respondents. One hundred and six employees were surveyed and 21 participated in in-depth interviews. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire and structured in-depth interview guide. Data was analysed using SPSS with a view of analysing, transforming, and producing a characteristic pattern between different data variables. A t-test and ANOVA was used to test if the two samples were statistically different from each other by comparing the means of both samples. The findings were that based on the immediate previous external audit reports, opinions were all unqualified. However, there were observed differences in the means of identified audit problems in the private and public sectors as shown by one sample t tests p = .001. There were also statistically significant differences in both management and economic decisions based on the identified audit problems. There was no clarity however in both organisations as to whether the managements’ of the two categories of organisations used the external auditors’ reports for their management and economic decisions.
A framework for preventing underground drill rig breakdowns: A case of Lubambe Copper Mine
(2019) GALATIA, Dyson
This study sought to investigate the cause of the frequent drill rig breakdown at Lubambe Copper Mines (LCM) in Zambia. A multimethod approach was adopted. The result of the study showed that human factors, environmental factors, maintenance factors and Supply Chain related factors were the cause of drill rig breakdowns at LCM. The identified human related factors were low motivation and fatigue for drill rig operators and maintenance staff and inadequate training and development for drill rig operators. A was proposed that could aid Executive Management to identify potential causes of drill rig breakdowns. The study recommended that management at LCM should establish measures to improve and monitor the motivation of employees through appropriate compensation, reward systems and job design. Additionally, the study recommended a maintenance culture based on precision.
Embracing the second academic revolution: An entrepreneurial university model for Malawian universities
(2019) KANGAUDE, Ella
The study explored a model of an entrepreneurial university that would be adopted by countries in least developed economies, Malawi in particular. The study provides a critical insight on the multi-dimensional view of an entrepreneurial university from the context of universities in least developed countries in Africa. The identified transforming elements include; the committed university leadership, an integrated entrepreneurial culture in teaching and research missions, faculty motivation, supportive financial strategy, impact assessment of entrepreneurial university activities and internal and external collaborations. The study used a multi case studies holistic approach where a structured questionnaire was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The study recommends in the short term the consultancies and research contracts with focus on patent licensing, start-ups and spin-offs in the longer term.
Local Government Financing: An Analysis of the Effects of Equalization Funds on Service Delivery in Selected Local Authorities in Zambia
(2019) CHISHIMBA, Hanson C.K.
The study Analysed the Effects of Equalisation Funds on Service Delivery in Selected Local Authorities in Zambia. It determined the financial, technical and administrative effects of equalisation funds and the extent to which Local Authorities utilise the funds. The finding of the study show that Local Authorities do not adhere to the prescribed guidelines on the utilisation of Equalisation Funds. Their employed methods of service delivery have proved to be very effective in the case of Town Councils, while in City and Municipal Councils, effectiveness of the methods is still below residents’ service expectation. The study concludes that, with the introduction of Equalisation Funds, estimates of revenue and expenditure for Local Authorities have been rising steadily, while their fiscal effort has been declining. The study recommends a redesigning of the Fiscal Architecture and the strengthening compliance to Financial Management Regulations by Local Authorities.

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