PHD/DBA THESES

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    Examining the Implementation of Sexuality and Reproductive Health Education among Adolescents in Selected Primary Schools of Zambia
    (2023) MUKONKA, Remmy
    The study examined the implementation of sexuality and reproductive health among adolescents in selected primary schools in Zambia. The research employed a mixed method design and was undertaken in Lusaka, Kabwe, and Choma districts, targeting 700 adolescents aged 12 – 17 years. The findings demonstrate statistical evidence of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) implementation in schools with the support of the trained teachers, and this led to a reduction in teenage pregnancy and school dropout rate. Also revealed is that CSE is included in national examinations, though most teachers not yet trained do not integrate CSE in their teaching. The study noted the challenges including lack of proper guidelines to effectively implement CSE; lack of learning and teaching materials and insufficiently trained teachers. The study further reveals that key components like School Related Gender-Based Violence do not receive adequate attention, yet is one of the key pillars of CSE implementation. Another finding is a varying relationships between the influence played by culture and religion to the expected function of CSE trained teachers. The study recommends that effective integration of CSE should be coordinated within the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Health
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    The Impact of Election Expenditure on Agricultural Service Delivery in Zambia, 2000-2021: A Regressional Analysis
    (2023) SILIYA, Dora
    The study analysed the relationship between public expenditure at the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). The focus was on ECZ expenditure shifts in election and non-election years and their impact on service delivery components in agriculture. The question asked was whether election costs induced irreversible cyclical fiscal shocks that may have negatively impacted efficient service delivery in agriculture? Descriptive and Inferential statistics were applied to secondary time series data from 2000-2021. The study established a positive and significant impact of the expenditure at ECZ on Agriculture service delivery expenditure in both the short and long run. Agriculture had an erratic trend with highest expenditure in 2015 at 8.8% of national spending. A 1% increase in expenditure by the ECZ increased agriculture service delivery expenditure by 1.064% and 1.038% in the short and long run respectively. The study concludes that while the expenditure relationship between the ECZ and service delivery in agriculture was positive, the increases in agriculture service delivery were minimal and reduced in the long run. This appeared to go against the signalling mechanism of democratic elections in a country where the majority earned from agriculture. We called this phenomenon, failure of the functionality ‘burden on democracy’.
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    Modelling Country Risk: A Comparative Study of the Botswana and Zambian Economies (1994-2018)
    (2022) MUWANDO, Simon
    The study sought to establish annual country betas, identify possible determinants of country risk, assess the impact country risk drivers have on country risk, and establish short run and long run country risk model for Botswana and Zambia. The findings reveal that current account balance positively influences country risk for both countries, whereas beta, GDP Deflator and weighted short term interest rates negatively affect country risk of Botswana, beta, political stability and absence of violence negatively influence country risk of Zambia. The study therefore, concludes that Zambia is at high risk than Botswana because most of the estimated annual betas are bigger than that of Botswana even though the estimated annual betas of the two countries are smaller. The study recommends that the monetary and fiscal authorities of the two countries implement effective polices if country risk is to be managed.
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    Alternative Dispute Resolution - The Role of Adjudicative Tribunals in Providing Speedy Adjudication: The Case of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal of Zambia
    (2021) NG’ONA, Simon
    The study assessed the performance of adjudicative tribunals, as a branch of Alternative Dispute Resolution ADR, in addressing the challenge of inundation and delay in the formal court system in Zambia, through making a case study of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal CCPT. The study calculated the disposition times of published decisions of the CCPT from 2014 to 2017. The findings reveal that the average duration of disposal of cases was 11 months, a value significantly higher than the tribunals’ Key Performance Indicator target of 6 months. The study, however, notes that there has been a constant improvement in the duration of cases settled overtime. Also noted, is that ADR processes should be accountable to the court system and that any development which breeds unbridled preference for ADR has the potential to promote unhealthy competition with the courts. Thus, the study underwrites the oversight role of the Court on tribunal decisions through appeals.
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    The Relative Impact of Petroleum Imports on Long Term National Debt. The Zambian Case (1980- 2019).
    (2022) CHIBWE, Joseph D.B.
    The study analyzed the relative impact of the Zambian petroleum imports on its national debt as a decomposed general macroeconomic process. The study established statistically significant long-run national debt-reducing effects resulting from petroleum imports, GDP, gross capital formation, and private consumption expenditures in both the dormant and expansive states of the model. Also revealed are statistically significant long-run national debt-increasing effects resulting from Government expenditures and national exports in both states of the model, with the non-petroleum imports being statistically insignificant and inconclusive. The research, therefore, recommends that; the Government and/or petroleum authorities seek cheaper sources of petroleum, curtail debt-increasing expenditures as well as promote gross capital formation to reinforce the debt-reducing economic multiplier effects for reduced national debt in the long run.
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    Corporate Governance Attributes Affecting Firm Financial Performance in State-Owned Enterprises in Zambia: 2002 – 2017
    (2021) MUMBA, Bryson
    The study's aim was to suggest solutions to the problem of weak corporate governance in State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Zambia by proposing ideal elements of corporate governance that could be embraced in their operations. A concurrent mixed methods approach based on philosophical pragmatism, critical theory was used. The findings reveal that corporate governance attributes significantly affect the financial performance of SOEs in Zambia. Also revealed is that several corporate governance challenges in SOEs led to a lack of accountability and transparency and that overall, the SOEs had poor financial performance compared to that of companies listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange. The study proposes solutions including; developing systems for enhanced board accountability and transparency, a competitive and transparent process for board recruitment based on individual merit not designated by position, and a reduction of the number of Government representatives on any SOE boards.
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    Development of Risk Management Framework in Public-Private Partnership in Zambia: A Case of Hydropower Project Development Stage
    (2021) NSEFU, Michael Kalumbu
    The study developed a risk management framework and risk register for the Private Public Partnership at the project development stage for Energy Infrastructure – Hydro Power Projects. The study reveals that risk is inherent in the various components of the project development stage, with the planning stage bearing more risks. Also revealed is that risk allocation to project partners is based on knowledge and capacity to manage risks. However, allocating more risks to the private sector is not economically viable as the cost is greater on the public sector whenever projects are not completed on time or are abandoned. The misallocation of risks correlates with the main grounds of conflicts and disputes during construction and operation phases resulting in non-attainment of Value for Money and pitiable sustainability of projects. The study recommends the integration of a risk management culture at the project development stage and continuity of the agreements with the powers that be. Also ensuring a well implemented risk management framework that enhances project stakeholder’s relationship for reduced project risks.
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    An Investigation of the Scope of Enhancing Bank Efficiency through Dynamic Capabilities
    (2019) BORERWE, Jeremiah Ethredge
    The study established the scope of enhancing bank efficiency through dynamic capabilities in the Zimbabwe dollarized environment in the light of possible idiosyncratic and environmental challenges. The findings reveal that structural constraints in the Zimbabwe dollarized operating landscape, macro-economic and financial sector management flaws, stalled bank efficiency enhancement. The problem was aggravated by various environmental challenges that included working capital constraints; macroeconomic management flaws, supervisory and regulatory flaws. The study concludes that the scope to enhance bank efficiency exists, subject to resolution of the challenges identified. The study recommends strengthening bank strategic management, financial sector management, adoption of sound macroeconomic management and enhancement of efficiency measurement methodologies.
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    Impact of Oil Price Shocks on Economic Growth and Financial Markets: The Case of The Zambian Economy.
    (2022) CHUNDAMA, Stephen Z
    The study investigated the impact of decomposed oil price shocks on Zambia’s real aggregate output, its components, and financial markets. A Structural Vector Autoregressive Model was used for short-run analysis and Vector Error Correction Model for long-run analysis. The findings reveal that both global aggregate and oil-specific demand had a significantly positive contemporaneous effect on government spending and real Gross Domestic Product due to financial contagion and volatility spillovers between the oil and copper markets. Also revealed is that oil-specific demand had a positive effect on imports due to the inelasticity of oil demand and wealth-transfer effects which cause increases in the import bill. The oil supply shocks affect government spending, while global aggregate demand was found to have a significantly positive impact on GDP due to welfare gains caused by higher copper prices and FDI in the Mining sector. The study concludes that the impact of decomposed oil price shocks on the Zambian economy varies between the short and long-run as they impact macroeconomic variables differently.
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    Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Ethics of War in The Zambia Army: A Mixed Methods Study
    (2022) SIKAZWE, William M.
    The study investigated the knowledge levels of ethics of war by the officers and soldiers of the Zambia Army, their attitudes towards ethics of war and how they practice these ethics of war during operations of war. The study was premised on the Just War Theory, and assessed the relationships between dependent and independent variables. The findings reveal that the majority of the officers are well acquainted with the knowledge of ethics of war. Overall, the attitudes of the officers and soldiers towards the ethics of war were positive. Principally, the ethics of war are widely accepted, supported, considered beneficial and are upheld by both the officers and soldiers during their operations. The study conclude that both the officers and soldiers practice the ethics of war extensively and regularly during both local and international operations.
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    Plasma Fat Predictors of Immunological, Virological and Clinical Status in Adults with HIV/AIDS in Ndola District of Zambia: A Cross Sectional Study
    (2022) NYIRENDA, Christopher
    The study explored the potential role of plasma fat in the augmentation of the immune response and the suppression of the viral load, and how this would correlate with clinical status in Zambian adults with HIV/AIDS. The results reveal that the typical plasma fat profiles in the patients presenting for care were generally within normal and suggested a positive and inverse correlation with CD4 count and viral load respectively, though falling short of statistical significance per regression models. BMI was found to be a positive predictor of CD4+ count more so by female gender and an independent predictor of prevailing opportunistic infections. The study concludes that Plasma fat was not significantly predictive of CD4+ count, viral load or clinical status. The study recommends availability of quality assured biochemistry labs and anthropometric tools to promote regular monitoring for plasma and body fat, as well as establishing and strengthening dietetic units in HIV/AIDS care facilities to provide appropriate nutritional support services.
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    Effectiveness of Implementing Targeted Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Interventions In Higher Tertiary Education Institutions In Zimbabwe
    (2022) SHUMBA, Florance
    The study sought to determine the effectiveness of Implementing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) interventions in higher tertiary institutions in Zimbabwe. The findings reveal that key contributing factors to effective interventions were; structures and resources, knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS, sexual behavioural practices and attitudes, perceptions and condom use. Also revealed is that abstinence, voluntary testing, counselling and continuous HIV/AIDS education are preferred prevention interventions. Correlation analysis shows significant positive relationships between the variables: knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and social norms on HIV/AIDS, influenced by the level of education, awareness and transmission modes
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    Constraints of Electricity Mini Off-Grid Systems Diffusion for Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas of Zambia
    (2022) MTONGA, William
    The study sought to establish the Main Constraints of Diffusion of Electricity Mini Off-Grid Systems for Entrepreneurial Purposes in Rural Areas of Zambia. The constraints established include; high poverty levels, low population density, low profitability of the mini-grids business, fear of the main grid encroachment, ignorance about existence of mini-grids and their benefits, lack of incentives such as capital subsidies and challenging physical geographical conditions. Also revealed is that; consumer sensitisation, the marketing concept and referral marketing are the most effective strategies for promoting diffusion for mini-grids, supported by the declining costs for renewable energy technologies on the market. The study recommends sensitisation to be intensified in communities about the existence of mini grids and their benefits for entrepreneurial purposes. Further, the catchment area for customers deriving benefit from a particular mini-grid should be widened by installing mini-grids well far apart to allow for attainment of critical mass of sales in view of low population density and low profitability.
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    The Influence of Organisational Culture on Local Contractor Project Performance Factors in Zambia
    (2022) KABWE, Janis
    The study sought to establish the Influence of Organisational Culture on Local Contractor Performance on Construction Projects in Zambia. The findings reveal the following as factors influencing performance: (i) Time-related, such as scope changes, lack of technical skills, construction mistakes, contract modification and corruption. (ii) Cost-related, including poor planning and scheduling, inadequate cost estimates prepared, inadequate control procedures and mistakes during the construction phase and (ii) Quality-related, comprising client lacking relevant knowledge, disruption of project management continuity and inadequate project planning. Also revealed is that organisational culture has a significant influence on project performance factors; and that the challenges that Local Contractors encounter in the construction industry are corruption, lack of technical expertise, lack of access to finance, poor organisational culture and low competitiveness. The study recommends that Local Contractors pay close attention to time, cost and quality, which are critical competing factors of construction project management.
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    Factors Influencing the Adoption of Intellectual Property as Collateral in Commercial Lending: Evidence from Zimbabwe
    (2020) KADARE, Onesimo
    The study investigated the challenges associated with the use of intellectual property as collateral in financial transactions in Zimbabwe. The aim was to assess the level of knowledge of IP as an asset particularly amongst stakeholders in loan transactions and to explore factors influencing the acceptance or non-acceptance of IP as collateral in loan transactions. The findings reveal that though Zimbabwe launched its IP strategy and policy in 2018, with related laws to govern registration and protection of IP enacted, there was no legislation to support the use of IP as collateral. The study therefore established the institutional and individual factors in conjunction with other antecedent independent factors that influence the use of IP as collateral. It is recommended that stakeholders, decision-makers in Government and financial institutions be made aware of the use of IP for wealth creation as a strategy to increase the value of businesses in promoting economic growth. The study developed a model for promotion of IP knowledge, creativity and innovation for industrial and national development.
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    Assessment of the Adoption of Strategic Entrepreneurship by Zimbabwean Companies and Its Effects on Performance. 2012-2015
    (2020) KAPOFU, Wonder
    The study assessed the adoption of SE by Zimbabwean companies and the effect of such on performance, 2012-2015. The results reveal that firms surveyed demonstrated varying intensities of adopting innovation, risk taking, organizational learning, acceptance of risk, flexibility and successful strategy implementation mechanisms. SE was more marked in companies with above average performance and least marked in companies struggling with performance. Implementation was also of varying degrees and with differing emphasis on the six constructs of SE even amongst leading performers. The research concludes that SE be adopted as it has an overall positive effect on performance of a firm regardless of its industrial classification in the admittedly hostile and unfriendly environment and can assist a firm remain competitive in the 4th Industrial Revolution.
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    Project Evaluation of Public Private Partnerships in Conservation Institutions Using a Risk Assessment Approach: A Case Study of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority
    (2020) KUWORA, Gift
    The Thesis evaluated the Project of Public Private Partnerships in Conservation Institutions using a Risk Assessment Approach, the case of The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA). The thesis reveals that there has been slow uptake of PPP arrangements due to weak supportive legal framework, poor risk allocation and stakeholder dissatisfaction which has a huge impact on project performance. ZPWMA was undertaking PPP conservation projects with unclear perception of risk which posed a huge challenge in mitigating risks making the projects not to perform favorably in terms of revenue generation and its conservation mandate. The thesis proved that Country Risks, Stakeholder Risks, Financial Risks and Inadequacy Concession Contract are the most threatening risks in conservation projects. The thesis concludes that Zimbabwe is under the threat of several risk factors that are threatening the viability of PPP projects hence the need for risk profiles to be arrested if performance and efficiencies are to be realized. The Thesis recommends the need for sound legal and regulatory framework with full public participation both in the formulation and implementation processes.
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    An Examination of Managerial Perceptions and Strategic Choices in Addressing Dependence on Donor Aid in Financing Education in Malawi
    (2020) NSAPATO, Limbani B. E.
    The study sought to examine Managerial Perceptions and Strategic Choices in Addressing Dependence on Donor Aid in Financing Education in Malawi. The study established that there are differences in managerial perception and strategic choices which are a source of disequilibrium between policy and outcome in as far as reducing dependency is concerned. It was also established that people who fail to correctly perceive the environment prefer that government continues to rely on donor funding. The study also established that weak financial diversification strategy, weak mainstreaming of innovation, weak public financial management environment, and weak management capacity to implement policies and strategies made it difficult for government to address donor dependency. The study concludes that differences in managerial perceptions and strategic choices are a source of disequilibrium between policy and outcome in tackling the problem of high donor dependence. The study recommends that managers should develop and implement a diversified domestic revenue mobilisation strategy anchored on a robust dependency theory of change that addresses multiple factors contributing to the disequilibrium between policy and outcome.
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    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.
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    Determinants of the Quality of Public Financial Management (PFM) on Budget and Budgetary Control in Zimbabwean Fiscally Decentralised Local Governments
    (2020) MUGUTI, Eriazeri
    The study aimed To Describe the Systems, Institutions and Processes that Determine the Quality of Public Financial Management in Zimbabwean Fiscally Decentralised Local Government Budget and Budgetary Control Systems. The study found that the quality of budget planning and formulation was influenced by the availability and predictability of resources, innovation and application of business principles, oversight from higher-level government, compliance with laws and regulations, appropriate human resource skills and competences, leadership skills, collaboration and support, contents and structure of the budget, nature of strategic and financial planning systems and active stakeholder participation and access to information. The quality of budget execution and implementation was found to be determined by resource allocation, accounting systems and internal controls. Whereas Monitoring and Evaluation was influenced by; budget and financial reporting systems, external auditing systems, and legislative oversight and scrutiny systems The study concludes that the determinants of the quality of PFM in decentralised local government are multi-theoretical and multi-disciplinary categorized as; stakeholder focus, capacity and the management approach. The study proposes the model of Enhancing Capacity through Stakeholder Focus and Management Approach.