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Effects of Work and Life Related Stress on Academic Performance. A Case of Post Graduate Masters Distance Students at UNILUS
(University of Lusaka, 2025) NSAMA, Margaret
This study was undertaken with the main aim of exploring the effects of work and life related stress on academic performance of postgraduate masters distance students at UNILUS. The study specifically focused on the effects of role overload, long working hours, financial pressures, and parental responsibilities on academic performance. Quantitative research methods and a descriptive and correlational research designs employed. The study also adopted the positivism research philosophy and a cross-sectional time horizon. A total of 150 questionnaires were handed out using the random sampling and voluntary response sampling techniques. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire involving Likert scale questions and secondary data was collected using journals and reports. Data was analyzed using excel and SPSS. The study revealed a positive relationship between role overload, long working hours and parental responsibilities and academic performance (GPA) that was statistically significant. However, the study also revealed that despite the positive relationship between financial pressure and academic performance, the relationship was not statistically significant. The respondents’ further revealed stress negatively affected other aspects of their academic life such as class attendance, academic morale, continuous assessments, and concentration and engagement during classes. Based on these findings, recommendations such as university support systems, employer partnerships, peer support systems and academic workload management were proposed to help reduce work and life related stress and improve academic life of students.
Key words: academic performance, role overload, long working hours, financial pressure, parental responsibilities
The Impact of Population Growth on Socio-Economic Development in Zambia
(University of Lusaka, 2025) SIMILIMO, Markstone
The main objective of the study is to assess the impact of population growth on socioeconomic development in Zambia using secondary time series data economic growth, life expectancy, employment and population growth rate. Data was collected from Ministry of Finance, Central Statistics, World Bank for Gross Domestic Product, life expectancy rates, population growth rates and unemployment rates for 58 years i.e. from 1964 to 2021. Population growth is the independent variable while life expectancy, Gross Domestic Product and Employment rates are dependent variables helps to measure socio-economic development. There are many other factors of population growth, however, this study is limited to the three variables. The study uses the vector autocorrelation model with data analysis including co-integration testing, unit root test, lag length, and the Vector Auto-Regressive Model (VAR) whose output is presented. Results from post-diagnostic testing which included the autocorrelation, heteroscedasticity, normality tests and stability, were also conducted. Research results indicate that population growth and socio-economic development have a significant relationship. Socio-economic development in this study is represented by Gross domestic product which depicts economic growth, employment rate where when it increases is a sign of a better performing economy and life expectancy. Population growth affects economic growth in terms of Gross Domestic Product increases in developed countries because of it provides more labour supply which is absorbed in the already available infrastructure and industry. On the contrary, population growth in least developed countries has a negative effect on socio-economic development by producing worse outcomes such as a strain on infrastructure because the existing one cannot absorb more numbers. Population growth has been found to lead to competition in the job market with high labour supply thereby reducing wage rates which reduces disposable income for people. The situation leads to high unemployment especially
among the youths and women. Population growth strains the available resources which are to improve people ‘s living standards thereby worsening life expectancy. Public infrastructure such as schools become overcrowded compromising the quality of education children receive. Hospitals become overcrowded which becomes a challenge for government to provide quality medical care and provision of essential drugs. The road infrastructure becomes too small leading to unnecessary delays due to traffic. Government should target policies that grow the economy commensurate to growth in the population. Energy crisis is significant when the population increases hence high demand for power and there should be policies that expand the generating capacity of power to match the increasing demands.
Identifying Effective Management and Leadership Styles to Optimize Institutional Performance and healthcare delivery at health facilities in Chipili District
(University of Lusaka, 2025) CHIPOSA, Martin Bamabala
This study explored the most effective management and leadership styles to optimize organizational performance at health facilities in Chipili District, Zambia. The district, being predominantly rural and remote, faced significant challenges such as resource constraints, inadequate infrastructure, limited staffing, and communication barriers, which hindered the provision of quality healthcare. The study aimed to identify leadership and management practices that could address these challenges, improve service delivery, and enhance organizational efficiency at health facilities in the region. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative correlation analysis and qualitative thematic analysis to explore the relationship between management approaches, leadership styles, and institutional performance in Chipili District health facilities. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews with 102 healthcare staff (including both subordinates and managers), selected through stratified random sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, while qualitative data were analyzed using Python (version 3.11.6).
Validity and reliability were ensured through expert reviews and a Cronbach’s alpha score of [insert value]. The findings revealed that adaptive leadership and participatory decision making were strongly correlated with improved organizational performance (r = 0.358, p < 0.001). A linear regression analysis further confirmed that leadership effectiveness positively predicted service efficiency (B = 0.247, p < 0.001), although it accounted for only 12.8% of the variance, indicating the influence of other factors such as resource availability and staff training. Qualitative themes highlighted the importance of community engagement, staff motivation, and transformational leadership in
overcoming resource constraints. Specifically, 75% of respondents reported improved morale under transformational leadership, which fostered collaboration, innovation, and local empowerment However, the study also found that transformational leadership did not significantly influence staff development (r = 0.269, p = 0.453) or inclusive environments (R² =0.038, p = 0.587). Similarly, ethical leadership showed no statistically significant impact on service efficiency (F = 1.330, p = 0.259). Despite this, diversity inclusion leadership was strongly correlated with organizational culture (χ² = 62.585, p < 0.001), suggesting that fostering inclusivity can enhance organizational performance.
In conclusion, this study demonstrates that adaptive and transformational leadership styles are critical for optimizing organizational performance in rural health facilities like those in Chipili District. By fostering participatory decision-making, community engagement, and staff empowerment, healthcare managers can overcome systemic challenges such as resource limitations and communication barriers. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on rural healthcare management by providing evidence-based recommendations for tailoring leadership practices to low resource settings. Policymakers and healthcare managers should prioritize training programs, capacity-building initiatives, and inclusive decision-making processes to enhance service delivery. Future research should explore the long-term impact of these leadership styles on patient outcomes and healthcare equity in similar contexts.
Optimizing Portfolio Performance on the Lusaka Stock Exchange: An Emperical Analysis using Markowitzs Modern Portfolio Theory
(University of Lusaka, 2025) NGULUBE, Masuzyo
This research aimed at establishing how the Modern Portfolio Theory of Markowitz could be applied and the effects on the portfolio optimisation of the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE). More specifically, the objectives were to explore the characteristics of the original data on the relationship between risk and return on assets, to correctly allocate them optimal weights of assets, and finally, to compare the risk adjusted return of such MPT optimized portfolios with some portfolios that were not optimized in any way. A nonexperimental quantitative correlational research design was adopted. A total of 21 respondents out of the 22 listed companies of the LuSE were interviewed using a structured questionnaire on investors practice and perception. Lack of statistical significance notwithstanding, the study evidenced moderate positive relationship between historical returns in LuSE and voltality analysis among investors. The frequency of its use depended positively on familiarity with MPT and any application of it brought better portfolio results. As evident as it is MPT also optimized portfolios had higher risk return characteristics then non optimized portfolios even where relative extensive use was not made of sophisticated measures such as the Sharpe ratio. The former checks the soundness of the theoretical framework of the MPT and reassures the applicability of the MPT to portfolio selection. However, the essentially low levels of investor education as well as the weak base performance indicators approving the use of indicators can be considered as a drawback. These include risk adjusted metrics of more sophistication, enhancing usability of analytical instruments used in the portfolio, enhancing the knowledge of the investor, and exercising regular rebalancing in the portfolio.
Assessing the Effect of Inbound and Outbound Logistics on Organisational Performance: A Case of SMEs in Lusaka CBD
(University of Lusaka, 2025) SHABA, Masuzyo
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect inbound logistics, outbound logistics, operational expenses, gender and workforce size have on the performance metrics of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are located in the Central Business District (CBD) of Lusaka. The study which had its origins in Resource-Based Theory, Value Chain Theory and Transaction Cost Theory investigated the impact that logistical and operational factors had on the accomplishment of organisational success. A quantitative approach was applied and a sample targeting 398 SMEs from a population of 84000 was surveyed with descriptive and regression methods used to analyse the data collected. It was established that receiving and dispatching logistics and operational expenses mostly affected the performance of SMEs with operational expenses being the most important. Gender and number of employees had little influence which was further reduced when logistical variables were included. These findings underscored the importance of improved logistical functionality and cost control in achieving competitive advantages and sustainability within resource
constrained conditions. This study enriched the existing literature by offering practical knowledge to the SMEs in the context of a developing economy. Some of the recommendations such as the use of advanced logistics technologies, improvement of supply chain partnerships and use of cost cutting measures were noted to be appropriate.
Keywords: Inbound Logistics, Outbound Logistics, Operational Costs, SME Performance, Resource-Based Theory, Value Chain Theory, Transaction Cost Theory, Lusaka, Developing Economies.