PHD/DBA THESES
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Item Effect of Institutionalising Community Health System Vital Signs on Preventable Neonatal Deaths in Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe, 2020 - 2021: A Mixed Methods Approach(2026) GABIDA, MeggiePreventable neonatal mortality remains a critical public-health challenge in Zimbabwe despite relatively high coverage of antenatal care and facility-based childbirth. This study evaluated whether institutionalising three core “vital signs” of the community health system (i) a trained and supported Village Health Worker (VHW) workforce, (ii) functional community governance through Village Health Committees, and (iii) modified Women’s and Men’s Learning and Action (WLA/MLA) groups could reduce neonatal mortality in rural communities in Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe. An embedded quantitative–qualitative mixed-methods design was undertaken within a two-arm pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial comprising 52 ward-level clusters. Intervention clusters received an institutionalised package integrating the three community health-system vital signs, while control clusters continued standard Ministry of Health and Child Care community health service delivery. A total of 984 pregnant women were enrolled, with live-born infants followed through 28 days of life. The primary outcome was neonatal death from 0–28 days, used as the measurable outcome for preventable neonatal mortality. Deaths were identified through household surveillance and confirmed using verbal autopsy or facility records. The primary analysis followed the intention-to-treat principle and used a three-level mixed-effects log-binomial regression model, incorporating random intercepts for cluster and VHW catchment, to estimate adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) with 95% confidence intervals. A concurrent qualitative process evaluation, comprising in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observation, explored implementation pathways and was analysed thematically before integration with the quantitative findings. Among 973 mother–infant pairs included in the analysis, 882 live births were recorded, including 446 in intervention clusters and 436 in control clusters. Neonatal mortality was 4.5% (20/446; 44.8 per 1,000 live births) in intervention clusters compared with 11.0% (48/436; 110.1 per 1,000 live births) in control clusters. The intervention package was associated with a substantially lower risk of neonatal death (ARR 0.43, 95% CI 0.26–0.70; p < 0.001), corresponding to a 57% relative reduction and a number needed to treat of 16 mother–infant pairs (95% CI 11–29). Low birthweight (<2,500 g) and lower levels of community women's literacy were the strongest baseline risk factors for neonatal death. Qualitative findings suggested that the intervention strengthened recognition of neonatal danger signs, timely care-seeking, referral and community-level support for maternal and newborn health. Institutionalising three community health-system vital signs as an integrated package was associated with a substantial reduction in neonatal mortality in rural Mashonaland West Province during 2020–2021. The findings provide experimental evidence that strengthening community health-system capacity, governance and participatory action concurrently can improve neonatal survival. Because the components were delivered as a combined intervention, the trial establishes the effect of the package rather than individual components; component-specific estimates are therefore adjusted associations. These findings support consideration of the integrated package within Zimbabwe’s National Community Health Strategy and comparable resource constrained rural settings. Interpretation is constrained by the 12-month follow-up period, relatively small number of neonatal deaths, disruption associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, potential contamination from concurrent national community-health programmes, and the single-province study setting, which may limit precision and external generalisability. Keywords: Neonatal mortality; Community health systems; Village Health Workers; Community governance; Mixed-methods researchItem The Effect of Management Practices on Quality Healthcare in Level One Hosiptals in Lusaka District, Zambia(2026) NAMAKOBO, BubalaThis study examined the effect of management practices on the quality of healthcare at Matero and Chilenje First Level Hospitals in Lusaka District, Zambia in relation to the goal of achieving the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal 3. The study specifically assessed the effects of operational efficiency, service quality management practices, and leadership factors on quality healthcare during the 2022–2025 period. Quality healthcare was measured using patient satisfaction, employee satisfaction, patient safety, doctor/nurse-patient care, shorter waiting times, and efficient and effective healthcare services. The study was grounded in systems theory and employed a positivist research philosophy with a quantitative research design. Data were collected using structured questionnaires from a sample of 385 respondents comprising 189 non-management personnel, 168 patients and 28 management personnel. Data were analysed using SPSS, and the findings revealed that operational efficiency and service quality management practices had statistically significant positive effects on quality healthcare. Specifically, shorter patient waiting times, effective pharmacy and laboratory services, availability of medical equipment, and effective medical care significantly improved patient satisfaction. Leadership factors, including employee engagement, participatory decision-making and staff support, also positively influenced healthcare quality. However, the affordability of healthcare was not statistically associated with patient satisfaction regarding the quality of healthcare. The study recommends implementing appointment scheduling systems, adopting digital health technologies such as Electronic Health Records (EHRs), strengthening inventory management systems, decentralizing operational decision-making processes, accelerating the recruitment and retention of healthcare workers to improve service efficiency, and implementing a biometric attendance system to monitor employee attendance and availability when needed at the healthcare facilities. Keywords: Leadership factors, Operational Efficiency, Service Quality and Quality HealthcareItem Perceptions of the Influence of Corporate Governance on IFRS Compliance among Publicly Listed Companies in Botswana(2026) NYAMUDZANGA, RudoThis study examined professionals’ perceptions regarding the influence of corporate governance mechanisms on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) compliance among publicly listed companies in Botswana. Although IFRS has been widely adopted to enhance financial transparency, accountability, and comparability, concerns remain regarding the extent to which organisations effectively comply with reporting requirements, particularly within emerging market environments. The study adopted a perception-based approach to explore how professionals involved in governance and financial reporting perceive the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and IFRS compliance. A quantitative research design was employed using a structured questionnaire administered to 252 respondents drawn from publicly listed companies on the Botswana Stock Exchange. Respondents included accountants, auditors, finance managers, board members, audit committee members, chief executive officers, and other governance related personnel. The unit of analysis was the individual respondent rather than the company. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select respondents with relevant governance and financial reporting experience. Data were analysed primarily using descriptive statistical techniques appropriate for categorical and ordinal perception-based data. IFRS compliance was assessed through respondents’ perceptions rather than through objective financial statement analysis or a validated compliance index. While the study examined perceived IFRS compliance broadly, IFRS 9, IFRS 15, IFRS 16, and IFRS 17 were included as representative proxy standards to provide insight into key reporting areas. The findings indicate that respondents generally perceived board expertise, board independence, audit committee effectiveness, internal controls, internal audit mechanisms, and regulatory oversight as important factors associated with stronger perceived IFRS compliance. Respondents also identified external influences, including regulatory pressure, stakeholder expectations, foreign investor scrutiny, and market conditions, as important contextual factors shaping governance practices and financial reporting behaviour. Key challenges highlighted included perceived weaknesses in regulatory enforcement, high compliance costs, and limited specialised IFRS expertise. The study contributes context specific insights into perceived corporate governance and IFRS compliance in Botswana and highlights the need for stronger governance capacity, regulatory support, and professional development. Keywords: Corporate Governance, Perceived IFRS Compliance, Botswana, Publicly Listed Companies, Financial Reporting, Regulatory Oversight, Emerging Markets.Item Trade Show Effectiveness and Post-Show Purchase Intention in an Emerging Market: The Effect of Buyer Needs in Zambia’s Food Processing Industry(2026) DAKA, PaulTrade Shows (TSs) serve as strategic marketing platforms that allow companies to market products, engage potential buyers, and strengthen industrial networks. Traditionally, researchers have assessed TS effectiveness from the exhibitor's perspective by focusing on sales-related measures such as on-site sales, lead generation, and return on investment (Tafesse and Skallerud, 2017). However, this research adopts an attendee-focused perspective by examining how buyer needs influence perceptions of TS effectiveness and post-show (PS) purchasing intentions. The research focuses on the food-processing sector in an emerging market context, where TSs contribute significantly to business development and market expansion. Drawing on Maslow's (1943) hierarchy of needs, Alderfer's (1969) ERG theory, and Herzberg's (1959) two-factor theory, this research examined how buyer needs related to safety and security, sense of belonging, and self-esteem influence evaluations of TS effectiveness and subsequent purchasing behaviour. The research adopted a cross-sectional quantitative research design to identify patterns and associations while reflecting a deterministic view of social phenomena. The researcher used structured online questionnaires to collect data from TS attendees within Zambia's food-processing sector. Spearman's correlation analysis examined the relationships between buyer needs, perceived TS effectiveness, and PS purchase intention. The findings indicated significant relationships between buyer needs, perceived TS effectiveness, and PS purchase intention. Buyers with stronger safety and security needs showed a greater preference for reliable, established exhibitors, while those with stronger belonging needs placed greater importance on networking opportunities. Buyers associated with self-esteem needs responded more positively to exclusive product offers and exhibitor reputation. The research concluded that exhibitor strategies aligned with buyer needs influence perceptions of TS effectiveness and PS purchase intention. The research recommends personalised marketing approaches, trust-building initiatives, and interactive engagement strategies to address varying buyer needs.Item Copper Value Addition, Stakeholder Engagement and Institutional Framework of Zambia’s Mining Sector(2026) CHISANGA, BondoThis study investigated the interrelationship between economic factors, copper value-chain performance, and stakeholder engagement in Zambia’s mining sector. Despite decades of copper led growth, Zambia continues to experience low levels of industrial value addition and persistent governance challenges associated with resource dependence. Grounded in a pragmatic mixed methods paradigm, this study systematically pursues three specific research objectives: (1) to evaluate the macroeconomic determinants of copper value addition in Zambia using an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing framework, (2) to examine the micro-level institutional factors influencing stakeholder satisfaction with resource governance frameworks using a binary logistic regression model, and (3) to formulate an integrated policy framework that aligns economic strategies with stakeholder legitimacy. The research integrates three complementary analytical phases. The first phase applies an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds-testing framework to national time-series data spanning 1980–2021 to evaluate long-run cointegrating relationships and short-run error correction dynamics underlying copper value addition in Zambia. The second phase employs binary logistic regression on stakeholder survey data to assess how engagement frequency, engagement effectiveness and perceived influence relate to governance satisfaction. The third phase uses qualitative thematic analysis to capture stakeholder experiences and contextual mechanisms that may not be observable through numerical models. The empirical estimates reveal that macroeconomic variables exert significant long-run influence on copper value addition. National economic growth has a positive long-run coefficient (β = 0.4312, t = 2.302, p = 0.0290), while mineral rents and trade value margins are also positively associated with value addition. Inflation has a negative long-run effect (β = −0.2784, t = −2.856, p = 0.0073), while higher global copper prices are negatively associated with local value addition (β = −0.3465, t = −3.042, p = 0.0095), consistent with the Resource-Price Paradox. The dynamic model exhibits structural stability and a significant error-correction term (CointEq(−1) = −0.6318, t = −6.606, p < 0.001), indicating adjustment towards long-run equilibrium following short-run shocks. Phase Two analyses 250 stakeholder responses. The binary logistic regression indicates that Engagement Frequency (β = −0.081, p = 0.392), Engagement Effectiveness (β = −0.001, p = 0.995) and Influence on Governance (β = 0.042, p = 0.648) are individually statistically insignificant in the estimated model. The marginal effects similarly indicate small changes in predicted satisfaction probability (−0.020, 0.000 and 0.010 respectively). The model records an AUC of 0.64 and a Hosmer–Lemeshow p-value of 0.562, indicating modest discrimination and no evidence of poor fit. The qualitative findings nevertheless identify concerns about superficial participation, information asymmetry, weak follow-up and limited substantive influence. Taken together, the findings indicate that sustainable copper-based development requires coordinated macroeconomic management, industrial diversification and participatory governance reforms. Based on these findings, the study recommends a coordinated policy package. First, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning should establish a formal mineral-rent reinvestment policy that ring-fences a defined share of mining revenues for targeted tax rebates and concessional domestic credit lines for downstream copper fabricators. Second, monetary and fiscal authorities should strengthen macroeconomic coordination to reduce exchange-rate and inflation volatility and improve the predictability of long-term industrial investment. Third, Zambia should establish a National Copper Value Chain Council to coordinate government, mining companies, domestic manufacturers, labour, communities and other stakeholders, reduce institutional fragmentation and strengthen meaningful participation across the copper value chain. These measures would help align mineral revenues, industrial incentives and stakeholder legitimacy with the objective of deeper domestic value addition. Keywords: ARDL Bounds Test, Copper Value Chain, Economic Factors, Governance, Resource Dependence, Stakeholder Engagement, Value Addition, ZambiaItem Influence of Gender Dynamics on the participation of women entrepreneurs in Manufacturing Entrepreneurship in Harare, Zimbabwe(2026) MUZORORI, Muchaneta PatienceThis study explored how gender dynamics shape women’s involvement in manufacturing entrepreneurship, with a specific focus on gender stereotypes, gender identity, gender socialisation, and gender expression. The study was grounded in Social Role Theory, which posits that societal expectations and assigned roles significantly influence individual behaviours and opportunities, particularly in gendered contexts. The main aim was to investigate the extent to which gender dynamics influence women’s participation in manufacturing entrepreneurship in Harare. Specifically, the study sought to: (i) analyse the impact of gender stereotypes on women’s participation; (ii) examine the role of gender identity in women’s entrepreneurial engagement; (iii) assess the influence of gender socialisation on participation; and (iv) determine how gender expression shapes women’s participation. A mixed-methods survey design was adopted, targeting women entrepreneurs in both male dominated and female-dominated manufacturing sectors in Harare. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data, while Pearson correlation and logistic regression were used to test the influence of the independent variables on women’s entrepreneurial participation. The findings revealed strong, positive, and statistically significant relationships between all four variables and women’s participation: gender stereotypes management (r = 0.821, p = 0.012); gender identity (r = 0.857, p = 0.001); gender socialisation (r = 0.889, p = 0.023); and gender expression (r = 0.834, p = 0.003). Gender socialisation demonstrated the strongest association with participation. Qualitative insights further indicated that gender stereotypes hinder participation by reinforcing perceptions of technical incompetence and prioritising domestic responsibilities. Conversely, gender identity and socialisation promoted engagement, as women with strong self-confidence, supportive social networks, and exposure to role models were more likely to participate. Gender expression also mattered: assertiveness, professional presentation, and the ability to navigate male-dominated environments correlated with higher levels of entrepreneurial engagement. The study recommends that policymakers, business support institutions, and educators implement targeted interventions to reduce gender stereotypes, strengthen mentorship and networking platforms, and promote positive gender expression to enhance women’s participation in manufacturing entrepreneurship. Future research should examine additional gender-related factors, conduct comparative studies across regions, and assess the long-term impact of policy and training interventions.Item The nature, causes, and effects of occupational stress on academic lecturer performance in private tertiary institutions located in Gaborone, Botswana(2026) PEPUKAI, Roselight ChumaThis study investigated the nature, causes, and effects of occupational stress on academic lecturer performance in private tertiary institutions located in Gaborone, Botswana. The backdrop to this research is a higher education sector increasingly characterized by rising workloads, resource limitations, and growing performance expectations placed on lecturers. These factors have raised concerns about the impact of stress on both individual well-being and institutional effectiveness. Adopting a convergent parallel mixed-methods research design, the study combined quantitative survey data from academic staff with qualitative insights obtained through open-ended responses. The quantitative component utilized structured questionnaires distributed to academic staff and managers across private tertiary institutions in Gaborone. From a target population of 1,173 academic staff and managers across 14 registered private tertiary institutions, a sample of 294 respondents was selected, of which 255 valid responses were obtained, representing an 86.7% response rate. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression models were used to assess the extent of occupational stress and its impact on various dimensions of lecturer performance, including teaching quality, productivity, student engagement, and deadline compliance. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically to capture deeper personal and contextual narratives around stress experiences. The findings revealed that occupational stress is both prevalent and multidimensional in nature. Major stressors included excessive workload, time constraints, role ambiguity, administrative overload, and insufficient institutional support. Quantitative findings showed statistically significant negative relationships between occupational stress and lecturer performance, with correlation coefficients ranging from r = -0.68 to r = -0.72 across key performance dimensions. Regression analysis further showed that occupational stress predictors explained 58% of the variance in lecturer performance (R² = 0.58), with emotional exhaustion and lack of role clarity emerging as the strongest contributors to reduced performance. Qualitative findings reinforced these results by highlighting lecturers’ experiences of fatigue, frustration, reduced motivation, and challenges in balancing teaching, administrative, and personal responsibilities. The study concludes that occupational stress in Botswana’s private tertiary institutions is not merely an individual challenge, but a structural issue embedded in organizational culture, management practices, and institutional governance frameworks. Based on these findings, the study recommends that private tertiary institutions review lecturer workloads and role allocations, establish staff wellness and psychosocial support programmes, strengthen communication and managerial support systems, and embed stress management and emotional well-being interventions within staff development and human resource policies. The study further underscores the importance of inclusive leadership, staff participation in decision-making, and sustained investment in academic support infrastructure. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on higher education in emerging economies, particularly within the SADC region, by providing empirical evidence on the relationship between occupational stress and lecturer performance in Botswana’s private tertiary education sector. It offers practical insights for policymakers, institutional leaders, and scholars interested in academic workforce sustainability, and opens avenues for future research, including longitudinal investigations into stress across academic career lifecycles and comparative analyses between public and private tertiary institutions. Key words: Occupational Stress, Lecturer Performance, Private Tertiary Institutions, Higher Education, Botswana, Workload, Role Ambiguity, Academic Burnout, Mixed MethodsItem Gender Based Violence against men in Zambia: The Ineffective Enforcement of The Anti-Gender Based Violence Act of 2011(University of Lusaka, 2025) CHINAMBU, Kamenji KafwiluDespite the enactment of the Anti-Based Violence Act of 2011 and other laws to curb genderbased violence, Zambia continues to experience alarming levels of gender-based violence. These include spouse battery, murder, sexual exploitation, rape, defilement, incest, forced prostitution, sexual harassment, sexual cleansing, early marriages and other forms of violence. In the first quarter of 2022 6,915 cases of Gender Based Violence were reported countrywide compared to 4,254 recorded in the first quarter of 2021 showing an increase of 2,661 cases translating to a 62.5%. The objectives of the study were to investigate causes of gender-based violence against men; to explore the provisions of the Anti- Gender based Violence Act of 2011 aimed at curbing GBVAM; to interrogate the causes of the ineffective enforcement of the Anti-genderbased violence Act of 2011 in curbing GBVAM. This study is useful to members of society, the government, non-governmental organisations, CSOs, the church, the international community, in short all stakeholders; as it unveils the reality of GBVAM which if taken seriously can contribute to the eradication of the GBV with the inclusion of all sexes, female and males respectively. The literature review was organized in such a way that it addresses the fundamental issues raised in the research questions and objectives such as the forms, causes, and consequences of female domestic violence against men. The theories employed were feminist, masculinity and social vs. biological theories. The research methodology employed in the study was the Socio-Legal Research or Study, which is an event where the science of law meets the science of society. The mixed research method was used; comprising qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study unfolded that the major Causes of the Ineffective Enforcement of the Anti-Gender Based violence Act of 2011 and Related Laws are Male Dominance in Heterosexual Relations; Withdrawal and Failure to prosecute some cases leads to Ineffective enforcement of the AntiGender Based Violence Act and related Laws; Patriarchy results in the ineffective enforcement of the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act and related laws and other legal challenges. The study recommends that the Government Must reform the Law on Gender-Based Violence; The Government through the Ministry of Chiefs Must Empower Traditional Leaders; The Government must intensify on gender roles sensitization; The Government must consider Alternative Measures to Address GBVAM; All stakeholders Must Support victims of GBVAM more and the Government Must Reform the Zambian Human Rights System. This thesis calls for and indeed opens up doors for future research on GBVAM in Zambia, as evident from the available literature that very few writers have directed their minds to writing on it as it is still a new occurrence. The researcher was of the view that future studies should contribute to scholarship on GBVAM in Zambia by embarking on the following equally important topics which are why empowered women are more prone to commit GBV against their partners; research on the relationship between poverty and GBV; why married women are also cheating on their husbands; to study the extent to which the law has failed to curb GBVAM and lastly, but not the least, why victims of GBVAM may not report to the police.Item Examining the Implementation of Sexuality and Reproductive Health Education among Adolescents in Selected Primary Schools of Zambia(2023) MUKONKA, RemmyThe 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 HealthItem The Impact of Election Expenditure on Agricultural Service Delivery in Zambia, 2000-2021: A Regressional Analysis(2023) SILIYA, DoraThe 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’.