Theses and Dissertations Collection
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Item Examining The Impact Of The Decentralisation Policy On Democratic Processes In Zambia: The Case Of Ndola District(University of Lusaka, 2024) CHANSA ANNIEThis study examined how Zambia's decentralisation policy impacts democratic processes in Ndola District, addressing the inadequate understanding of how effectively local governance structures promote genuine democratic participation and improve service delivery at the district level. The research aimed to assess the effectiveness of decentralized service delivery systems, evaluate decentralisation's influence on social cohesion, analyse relationships between citizen empowerment and democratic participation, and determine how citizens' awareness moderates decentralisation outcomes. Following a pragmatic philosophy, the study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys of 327 residents with qualitative interviews of key informants from Ndola City Council. The findings revealed significant relationships between decentralisation components and democratic governance, with service delivery emerging as the strongest predictor (β=.395, p<.001), followed by citizen empowerment (β=.378, p<.001) and social cohesion (β=.342, p<.001). Correlation analysis demonstrated strong associations between service delivery and democratic governance (r=.684, p<.01), while citizen awareness significantly moderated these relationships (ΔR²=.064, p<.001). Qualitative findings indicated that ward-level service centres improved response times from 72 to 24 hours, though resource constraints affected implementation quality. Ward development committees enhanced community collaboration, though participation varied across wards. Key informants reported transformed decision-making processes through participatory budgeting initiatives, despite technical capacity limitations. The study recommends strengthening ward-level service delivery capacity through increased resource allocation and technical training, enhancing community engagement frameworks with structured participation guidelines, establishing comprehensive empowerment programs focusing on participatory planning, and developing systematic awareness programs using multiple communication channels and local languages. These findings contribute to understanding how decentralisation influences democratic governance and inform policy refinements to enhance local democratic processes.Item An Investigation Of The Effectiveness Of Civil Society Organisations In Promoting Good Governance In Zambia: A Case Study Of Selected Civil Society Organisations(University of Lusaka, 2023) H’LUPEKILE ZIMBAThis study aimed to assess the Effectiveness of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Promoting Good Governance in Zambia, with a primary focus on identifying governance issues addressed by CSOs and examining their activities in this regard. The central research problem addressed the perceived ineffectiveness of CSOs in promoting good governance in Zambia. The general objective was to explore the effectiveness of civil society organizations in promoting good governance in Zambia. Specific objectives included identifying governance issues addressed by CSOs in Zambia and examining the activities undertaken by CSOs to promote good governance in the country. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, incorporating desk research, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires. The research findings underscored the effectiveness of CSOs in fostering open, accountable, and responsible governance structures in Zambia. Through an extensive literature review and empirical survey, the study highlighted the pivotal role of CSOs as indispensable tools for promoting informed decision-making, transparency, and government accountability. The survey results revealed unanimous agreement among respondents on the significant impact of CSOs in promoting good governance. The versatility and adaptability of CSOs were evident, with respondents reporting diverse specializations such as human rights, peace-building, poverty reduction, gender equality, and conflict resolution. This diversity showcased the multifaceted nature of CSOs' work and their critical roles in addressing various aspects of governance. In summary, this study provided valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of CSOs' work, their diverse areas of specialization, and the critical roles they play in promoting informed decision-making, transparency, and government accountability in Zambia. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the effectiveness of CSOs in promoting good governance and emphasize their importance as agents of positive change in the Zambian context.Item Balancing Regulations And Incentives For Foreign Direct Investment: A Case Study Of Zambia And The Democratic Republic Of Congo(University of Lusaka, 2025) MUNSHYA CHAWINGAThis study examined the management of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the mining sectors of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with a particular focus on regulatory frameworks, incentives, and the balance between attracting foreign investment and safeguarding national interests. Through a comparative analysis, the research sought to assess the effectiveness of existing legal and regulatory frameworks in both countries, identifying key challenges, gaps, and inefficiencies in their FDI management practices. The research employed a qualitative methodology, relying on a review of primary and secondary sources, including statutory and legal instruments, institutional reports, case law, and scholarly articles. In addition, the study utilized case studies from Botswana, Rwanda, and Burkina Faso to highlight best practices in FDI management. The findings revealed that both Zambia and the DRC face significant regulatory weaknesses, including unclear tax provisions, excessive discretionary powers, inefficient enforcement mechanisms, and challenges in ensuring environmental protection and social responsibility. In Zambia, issues such as excessive bureaucracy and inconsistencies in investment incentives were identified, while in the DRC, fragmented tax regimes, inconsistent enforcement of the Mining Code, and poor transparency were prominent concerns. The study concluded that despite the potential of FDI to drive economic growth, both countries must implement comprehensive reforms to improve legal predictability, enhance regulatory clarity, and establish more robust enforcement mechanisms. Specific recommendations included simplifying tax systems, strengthening anti-corruption measures, improving environmental monitoring, and institutionalizing community benefit-sharing practices. Drawing on the experiences of Botswana and Rwanda, the study also advocated for greater transparency, streamlined administrative procedures, and a focus on long-term sustainability in FDI management. These reforms would not only boost investor confidence but also ensure that FDI contributes to the broader socio-economic development of Zambia and the DRC.Item Assessing The Effect Of Change Management On Employee Performance At TOPFLOOR LTD In Lusaka, Zambia(University of Lusaka, 2024) GRACE KAUMBAThis study assessed the effect of change management on employee performance at TopFloor Ltd in Lusaka, Zambia. Despite implementing various change initiatives, the company has experienced suboptimal results, indicating a gap between change management practices and their effectiveness. This research sought to address this issue by examining the impact of key change management dimensions on employee performance. The study had three main objectives: to determine how communication strategy affects employee performance, to assess the impact of employee involvement and participation on performance, and to investigate the effect of training and skill development on employee performance at TopFloor Ltd. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. A sample of 133 employees was surveyed using structured questionnaires, and key informant interviews were conducted with senior staff members. The study utilized descriptive statistics, correlational analysis, and multiple regression to analyse the quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used for qualitative insights. The findings revealed strong positive correlations between all three change management dimensions and employee performance. Change communication showed a correlation of r = 0.78 (p = 0.001), employee involvement r = 0.82 (p = 0.001), and training and skill development r = 0.71 (p = 0.001). Regression analysis indicated that these dimensions collectively explained 76.2% of the variance in employee performance (R² = 0.762). Employee involvement emerged as the strongest predictor of performance (β = 0.40, p = 0.001), followed by change communication (β = 0.35, p = 0.001) and training (β = 0.28, p = 0.01). Descriptive statistics revealed generally positive perceptions of change management practices, with mean scores ranging from 3.32 to 4.48 on a 5-point Likert scale. However, areas for improvement were identified, particularly in ensuring consistent communication across the organization and providing opportunities for skill development and career growth. Based on these findings, the study recommends that TopFloor Ltd enhance the consistency and timeliness of change communication across all organizational levels, increase opportunities for employee involvement in decision-making processes, and tailor training programs to individual employee needs and long-term career development goals. These recommendations aim to further improve the effectiveness of change management practices and, consequently, enhance employee performance during periods of organizational changeItem Assessment Of The Factors Affecting Customer Purchasing Behavior In Selected Telecommunications Companies In Lusaka Zambia(University of Lusaka, 2024) KAFULA MUSONDAThe objective of the study was to examine the factors influencing customer purchasing behavior within selected telecommunications companies in Lusaka, Zambia. With substantial investment and intense competition among mobile service providers in Zambia, the market has experienced significant growth in recent years. Operators in this sector offer a diverse array of advanced products and services to attract customers. The implementation of mobile number portability by the regulatory authority in April 2006 has allowed consumers to switch service providers while retaining their phone numbers. However, despite market growth, operators such as Airtel, MTN, and ZAMTEL have faced obstacles hindering their efforts to capture a substantial market share. Moreover, there is a trend of customers switching providers due to various reasons, reflecting challenges in maintaining customer loyalty. The study, employing a descriptive design with a survey of one hundred participants using questionnaires, aimed to address these dynamics. The findings revealed that demographic variables such as age, income, family size, education, and gender significantly influence consumer behavior within Lusaka's telecommunications sector. Telecom companies adapt their offerings to cater to specific demographic demands, a strategy crucial for customer retention and acquisition in a competitive industry. The statistical analysis indicated a significant relationship between customer satisfaction and purchasing behavior, with a p-value less than 0.05. Furthermore, the study identified a correlation of 0.675 between customer purchasing behavior and customer satisfaction with the mobile operator. Income emerged as the most influential determinant of customer behavior highlighting the importance of understanding customer satisfaction in retaining clients. The study recommends that telecommunication operators should seek to improve the customer satisfaction by providing best products and services to their subscribers. The telecommunication companies should make sure that, all the products and services are available for both people with low income and people with higher income.Item An Assessment On The Effect Of Motivation On Employee Performance In The Public Sector In Ndola, Zambia.(University of Lusaka, 2023) CAROL CHONDOKAThe success or failure of a corporation hinges largely on its workforce, underscoring the pivotal role played by human resources in driving prosperity, productivity, and overall performance within an organisation. One could define motivation as the engine that propels someone to perform or behave a certain manner. The relationship between organisational personnel and management is described as poor, leading to potential demotivation among employees due to a lack of a socially appealing work environment. This can negatively affect their performance, as the organisation may not meet their needs for love, belongingness, and affiliation, ultimately impacting the effectiveness of the public sector. Employing a descriptive quantitative approach, the research utilized a probability design with simple random sampling to gather opinions from 150 public sector employees in Ndola's central business district. The collected data underwent analysis using SPSS version 27, primarily relying on primary data obtained through a well-structured questionnaire administered to respondents. The findings highlighted a significant correlation between factors such as remuneration, staff welfare, rewards, promotion, and employee performance. The study concluded that effective management efforts to motivate staff are crucial for enhancing their performance. It is therefore important for organisations to improve their staff welfare programs and effectively work on implementing mechanisms for gathering employee feedback. Organisations should work at optimizing the remuneration practices and perform a regular evaluation of the remuneration structures. Despite limitations associated with sample specificity and self-reported data, this research contributes to our comprehension of motivation's role and provides valuable insights for future studies in the realm of motivation and employee performance.Item A Critical Analysis On The Effectiveness Of The COMESA Court Of Justice Arbitration Rules Of 2018 In Addressing Challenges Faced By Zambia And Other COMESA Member States In International Commercial Arbitration(University of Lusaka, 2024) SIAMAMBO ACKIMThe African continent has recently experienced a rise in cases involving international commercial arbitration. This generally means that African arbitration institutions have a mandate to be equipped with the best arbitration rules that conform to internationally accepted standards. Given the above, the COMESA Court of Justice revised its Arbitration Rules of 2003. It launched the COMESA Court of Justice Arbitration Rules of 2018 to improve arbitration under COMESA and to mitigate challenges that nations in the common market face in settling international commercial arbitration disputes. This study has analyzed the 2018 rules critically and evaluated the rules' effectiveness in addressing challenges in arbitration that COMESA member states face. The methodology employed in this study was qualitative. The research discovered that the new rules have, however, not been effective and have little impact in mitigating the various challenges that are still faced in international commercial arbitration by member states. International commercial arbitration challenges such as the cumbersome notice process when filing an action at the Court, the bias of the Court in reviewing the exhaustion of local remedies, lack of investor-state arbitration at the Court, prolonged arbitration processes, high costs of arbitration, difficulties with recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards, lack of important provisions in the Courts' current arbitration rules (these include provisions for handling complex arbitration disputes such as joinder and consolidation, provisions for expedited procedures, and provisions for the conduct of legal representatives and provisions for the doctrine of separability).Item Prospects And Challenges Of An Improved Companies Act Dispute Resolution Framework: A Study For The Creation Of Zambia's Companies Tribunal(University of Lusaka, 2024) VOR MUKWANKABusinesses are crucial to the economy of every nation and thus their efficient functioning is cardinal. The regulatory environment in a nation plays a major role in determining the growth and development of its economy. A number of developing nations have recently implemented dispute regulatory reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business in their respective nations. This is in recognition of the significant role that companies and businesses in general play in an economy. Zambia is not an exception. It has been argued that Zambia has for a long time not created an environment that makes it easy for doing business and thus unlocking its potential to become an economic powerhouse. This is the reason that motivated this research into how we can unlock certain legal impediments to achieving the much talked about, “ease of doing business.” The research examined the framework for resolving disputes under the Zambian Companies Act in relation to improving Zambia's competitiveness in terms of ease of doing business. The examination was conducted in an attempt to assess the framework. This study used various methods of collecting data including qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. The important information was gathered through studying documentary sources such as journals, case law, Zambian legislation as well as scholarly works by other writers. The research asserted that because the Companies Act resolution framework is primarily based on the court process, it does not support Zambia's efforts to improve the ease of doing business with regard to dispute resolution. A comparative analysis of current trends in company law dispute resolution is conducted, demonstrating a move towards tribunal-based dispute determination and away from reliance on the courts as the primary dispute resolution forum. In the end, the dissertation has recommended creating a Companies Tribunal for Zambia as a step that would ease doing business in Zambia and help reduce the cost of resolving commercial disputes, at least in the context of the Companies Act.Item Investigating The Perception Of Employees On The Enactment Of The National Pension Scheme Authority (Amendment) Act No.1 Of 2023 In Zambia: A Case Study Of Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Employees.(University of Lusaka, 2024) TEMWANI NALONDWAWithdrawals from retirement accounts prior to retirement have become increasingly common over time. During the Covid-19 pandemic, several countries, including Chile, Peru, Australia, the United States, and Malaysia, permitted early withdrawals of pension funds. Nonetheless, the immediate and long-term consequences of such policies are understudied. Zambia recently enacted the National Pension Scheme Authority (Amendment) Act No. 1 of 2023, which allows for partial withdrawals from pension savings. This study sought to examine employees' perceptions of the National Pension Scheme Authority (Amendment) Act No. 1 of 2023, with a focus on awareness, decision-making processes, challenges, and overall perspectives on policy changes. A qualitative research design was used to gather in-depth information. Data were collected from 30 employees via interviews and questionnaires. Participants were chosen using stratified sampling to ensure a diverse representation. The data were analysed thematically, with findings presented as narrative quotes and summary tables. The National Pension Scheme Authority (Amendment) Act No.1 of 2023 was perceived differently by respondents, according to the study. While some employees viewed the policy as a chance to put more money to work, others raised fears about what it would do in the long run for retirement assets. These explanations correspond to reasons that varied across individuals rooted in financial distress, interest in the procedure per se and their own personal monetary goals. The policy highlighted NAPSA's need to increase its sensitization efforts as it provided financial flexibility. The measures in place include raising the awareness campaigns, and increasing an educational drive to make sure that employees are much better informed about what they stand to lose from taking their money early. Other ways might include decreasing pay-out turnaround times and highlighting portfolio diversification potential, boosting employee satisfaction with the policy engagement. This study touches on key concepts such as partial and premature withdrawal, policy evaluation, social security, and stakeholder perspectives.Item Conjugal Visits For Inmates As A Human Right – The Zambian Context: Lessons Drawn From India And Other Jurisdictions.(University of Lusaka, 2023-10) JOANNE KAWAMA MWAANGAThe purpose of this research was to discuss conjugal visits for inmates as a human right in the Zambian context and drawing lessons from India and other jurisdictions. This research focused on examining whether or not conjugal visits as a concept in human rights should be adopted in Zambia. This research also examined the rights of inmates with a focus on conjugal and other related rights. Furthermore, this research went on to examine the international best practices governing human rights of inmates and conjugal visits for inmates. In addition, the research also discussed various international instruments and cases which advocate for the rights of inmates and that where conjugal visits are allowed, they should be applied without discrimination, and female prisoners should be allowed to exercise this right on an equal basis with their male counterparts. This research found that in Zambia, the Zambia Correctional Service Act does not expressly provide for conjugal visits but that it provides for the Commissioner General to allow an inmate to be absent from the correctional centre with permission. This can be viewed as an opportunity to implement conjugal visits for inmates in Zambia through the establishment of an independent committee. The research also recommends that there is a need for Zambia to adopt conjugal visits as a matter of human rights so as to ensure that prisoners enjoy their rights. This research was qualitative in nature and relied on primary and secondary sources. The sources were obtained through desktop research. The primary sources that were relied on were mainly statutes while the secondary sources included review of books, journal articles, and online sources.