The effects of working capital management on profitability of microfinance institutions in Zambia: a case study of Bayport Zambia limited.

Thesis of Master Of Business Administration General.This study investigated the effects of working capital management on the profitability of Bayport Zambia Limited, a microfinance institution in Zambia. The specific objectives were to find out the effect of cash management profitability of Bayport, to assess the effect of non-performing loans (debtors) on Bayport Profitability, to examine the effect of operational expenses on the Profitability of Bayport and to determine the effect of debt recovery effort on the profitability of Bayport. Data were collected through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews with employees and senior management of Bayport Zambia Limited. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, including frequency distribution and percentages. The study found that effective management of liquid cash is crucial for sustaining and maximizing profits. Weak cash management negatively impacts profitability. Managing and mitigating non performing loans significantly affects financial performance. Weak management of operational expenses can impact profitability. Timely and efficient debt recovery efforts positively influence profitability. Based on these findings, the study makes several recommendations. Bayport should reassess and strengthen debt recovery strategies, reduce high operational expenses, and utilize technology solutions to effectively monitor customer status. Collaboration with regulatory authorities is necessary to develop and enforce a regulatory framework for responsible lending and efficient working capital management. Financial literacy and education programs should be implemented to promote awareness and responsible borrowing. These recommendations aim to improve working capital management and overall profitability in Bayport Zambia Limited and the microfinance sector in Zambia

The evaluation of the implementation of the primary literacy programme (PLP) to enhance the reading skills among grade 3 children with hearing impairment in selected schools in Zambia.

Thesis of Doctor of Philosophy in Literacy and Learning.The goal of this study was to evaluate how well the Primary Literacy Programme (PLP) was working to Improve the reading abilities ofGrade 3 pupils with Hearing Impairment (HI). This is in light of persistently poor reading among pupils with HI- The PLP is aimed at developing reading abilities of pupils In early grades. However, it is unknown how well the programme is working to improve the reading abilities of Grade 3 pupils with HI- The objectives of the study were: To assess the levels of proficiency In sign language among teachers of Grade 3 learners with HI; To establish the availability of teaching and learning materials to support in the Implementation of the PLP to children with HI in grades 3; To assess the home literacy environment to support the implementation of the PLP to learners with HI and to compare the reading performance of learners with HI to that of non-hearing Impaired learners In order to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the PLP to learners With hearing impairment_ Qualitative data was collected through In-depth interviews With teachers, administrators and parents of children with HI and focus group discussions with teachers. Qualitative data was analysed during the process of data collection. Quantitative data was collected through assessment tests of both HI and non-hearing impaired learners and was analysed using SPSS In order to establish relationships among variables. Descriptive analysis helped to calculate frequencies of variables using the cross tabulation and bivariate correlations. The research Involved 30 learners with HI, 30 non-hearing Impaired learners, 26 teachers of HI learners, 16 administrators and 13 parents. The results revealed that the PLP was poorly implemented and did not support reading skills development of HI children because: teachers were not proficient In sign language; the phonic approach was not suitable to children with HI due to its reliance on the use of sounds; children with HI had low alphabetical knowledge, materials for Instruction and learning, such as teachers' manuals, usual aids, and reading books, magazines and other printed materials were not readily available at school and at home. It was also established that schools did not have digital hearing aids, cochlear Implants and digital communication tools like computers, progectors, and video games to factilitate effective Implementation of the PLP to children with H

Exploration of the perceptions of academic staff on performance appraisals in some selected private universities in Lusaka district, Zambia.

Thesis of Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Management.This research study explored the perceptions of academic staff on performance appraisals in selected private universities in Lusaka District. The study explored types of performance appraisal systems used in selected private universities in Lusaka District, examined the use of data derived from appraisals and assessed academic staff perceptions on appraisals. Utilizing a qualitative approach grounded in an interpretivist philosophy, this study employed a descriptive research design. The research involved the distribution of online open-ended questionnaires to collect responses from a total sample size of thirty academic staff from five private universities. The findings revealed the prevalence of participatory performance appraisals as a widespread practice. However, the study uncovered varying perceptions among academic staff, with many perceiving appraisals as pointless due to the disconnection from tangible rewards, while others reported improvements in their performance such as teaching methods and time management. Disparities in the provision of feedback were also highlighted, with some receiving comprehensive feedback and others receiving none. Moreover, a notable skepticism appeared on the alignment of appraisal results with actual job performance. Interestingly, the qualification of the supervisor did not jeopardize the perception of academic staff on the Performance appraisal process. In view of these findings, the study recommends that there is need for private universities to establish clear and standardized performance appraisal processes, offer biannual training sessions focused on enhancing academic staff understanding of the appraisal process, utilize the 360-degree feedback appraisal system to provide a comprehensive view of performance and mitigate bias, provide regular and comprehensive feedback. In addition, the study recommends private universities should offer training focused on enhancing academic staff understanding of the appraisal process, use appraisal data for succession planning, rewarding, and recognizing exemplary performance and providing career development opportunities to academic staff. Additionally, the study suggests a framework that supervisors in private universities can use to implement performance appraisals effectively through a series of steps. KEY WORDS: Performance appraisal, Academic staff, Private universities, Effect, Perceptio

Evaluation of the impact of the stock price on the financial performance of telecommunication companies in Zambia: a case study of Airtel Zambia limited (2012 – 2021).

Thesis of Master of Business Administration in FinanceIn the fast-paced telecommunications sector, understanding the relationship between a company's stock price and financial performance is crucial. This study focuses on Airtel Zambia Limited, a company where stock price changes could impact revenue. Despite growing market share, Airtel Zambia faced operational challenges and negative performance indicators due to economic turbulence in Zambia and the COVID-19 induced recession. This led to a substantial loss in 2020. Existing literature lacks a comprehensive understanding of this relationship, creating a knowledge gap. This study aims to fill this gap by analyzing the correlation between Airtel Zambia's stock price and annual net revenue. The objective is to determine how stock price changes influence financial performance. The study uses primary and secondary data to examine historical data related to Airtel Zambia's stock price and annual net revenue. Statistical techniques like regression analysis and correlation calculation were used to evaluate the relationship between these variables. Surveys were also conducted to gather employee insights on the impact of stock price changes on revenue. The analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between Airtel Zambia's stock price and annual net revenue. Despite stock price volatility, the company's revenue remained relatively stable, suggesting other factors play a larger role in revenue generation. This study highlights the complex relationship between stock price and financial performance in the telecommunications sector, specifically focusing on Airtel Zambia Limited. The findings underscore the need to consider various factors when evaluating a company's financial health. These insights could guide strategic decision-making within Airtel Zambia and other telecom companies. Future research could explore the specific factors driving revenue generation in the telecommunications industry, enabling targeted interventions to enhance financial performance and contribute to sector growth and sustainability

Application of GIS techniques in flood extent mapping and management on Matebele flood plain in Shangombo district, Zambia.

Thesis of Master of Science Degree in Geoinformation Science and Earth Observations.Floods are among the world’s most devastating hazards, and their effects negatively affect ecological and socioeconomic systems. Ecologically, they affect the distribution of provisional and regulatory services. Socio-economically, loss of lives, property, and financial costs. Application of GIS and Remote Sensing techniques in flood mapping is increasingly becoming significant to establish extents and effects of floods. This study focused on establishing the spatial extents and trends in the flooding events on Matebele Plain in Shangombo District of Zambia from 2008 to 2018 using GIS techniques. Using stratified and simple random sampling, a descriptive research design was adopted to collect data through interviews with 173 respondents. Primary data was sourced using questionnaire on 160 respondents and interview guides on 13 key informants. Sentinel 1A provided Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images in the C-band or C-SAR. Interview data were analysed thematically with simple statistics, while Satellite images were processed and analysed using ArcGIS 10.3 software and Sentinel Application Platform (SNAP). Results indicated that the maximum aerial coverage of floods was recorded in 2018, covering an area of 16,441 km2, representing 78% of the total area. A hypothetical analysis of the trends in time series using the Regression statistical analysis gave (p-0.001), with r2 of 70% indicating significant geospatial variations in the aerial coverage of floods from 2008 to 2018. A thematic analysis of the responses on the effects of floods on various land use activities gave a positive response rate of 97%. The general conclusion was that Matabele Plain experiences flooding with geospatial variations in extents. Further research to consider the impacts of floods on specific land uses is highly recommended

Contextual antecedents of e-commerce adoption for supply chain management by retail and consumer goods traders in Zambia.

Thesis of Master of Science in Operations, Projects and Supply Chain Management.E-commerce, as a transformative technological innovation, offers unparalleled opportunities for enhancing supply chain management efficiency and effectiveness. This study was conducted to investigate the factors influencing the behavioural intention of retail and consumer goods traders to adopt e-commerce for supply chain management in Zambia. The research employs a quantitative design with the data being collected through the administration of questionnaires to a randomly selected sample size of 329 registered retail and consumer goods traders in Zambia. The sample size was determined using the Yamane formula and the data collected was analysed using statistical methods based on correlation and multiple regression analysis in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings indicate that the core constructs of the conceptual model that is based on an adapted Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model (UTAUT) and Theory of Perceived Risk (TPR) model significantly influences the behavioural intention of retail and consumer goods traders in adopting e-commerce for supply chain management. Performance Expectancy (β = 0.261, p < 0.05), Effort Expectancy (β = -0.088, p < 0.05), Social Influence (β = -1.057, p < 0.05), Perceived Risk (β = -0.083, p < 0.05) and Facilitating Conditions (β = 0.201, p < 0.05) have a significant effect on the Behavioural Intention of retail and consumer goods traders to adopt e commerce for supply-chain management. The Pearson’s product moment correlation (r) indicates that all five antecedents are negatively correlated with the dependent variable. The R values for the antecedents, which are performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence, are -0.488, -0.662, and -0.892 respectively suggesting a strong relationship between the variables. Correlation values for perceived risk are -0.35 suggesting a medium strength and those for facilitating conditions are -0.242 suggesting a weak relationship. The limitation of this study lies in its geographical context as the survey was only targeted at retail and consumer goods traders operating in the catchment area of Lusaka, Zambia. The study also established an unexpected negative regression coefficient between social influence and behavioural intention to adopt e-commerce for supply chain management

Knowledge, perspectives and practices of suicide counselling by counsellors in selected secondary schools in Choma district, Zambia.

Thesis of Master of Education Degree in Guidance and Counselling.School counsellors have an ethical obligation to protect their learners; they are in an ideal position to help prevent suicide among learners as they are likely to encounter suicidal learners during the course of their duties. To understand the lived experiences of the school counsellors about their knowledge, perspectives and practices of suicide counselling a qualitative study was undertaken. A phenomenological design was used. The study sample composed of 12 school counsellors from selected secondary schools in Choma District. Purposive sampling method was used to select the participants. Data was collected using semi-structured interview schedule and a focus group discussion guide. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The outcomes of the study show that eight out of twelve school counsellors were not aware of suicide related information in the school curriculum. Five of the school counsellors expressed knowledge about causes and warning signs of suicide. Their knowledge was as a result of experience and not training. Nine counsellors in the study lacked training in suicide counselling. As a result, they held stigmatising perspectives towards suicide. However, the school counsellors felt they had a role to play in suicide prevention but this role was compromised by lack of knowledge in suicide counselling. On the basis of the findings, the study recommends that trainee school counsellors should be equipped with knowledge in suicide counselling. In addition, head teachers should encourage continuous professional development in suicide counselling among school counsellors and other teachers. The Ministry of Education (MOE) should support the development of a national suicide protocol to be followed by all school counsellors. Further, future researchers should consider designing a study to identify other factors most impacting suicide assessment self-efficacy

An analysis of the causes of grade twelve pupils’ low performance in literature in english in selected secondary schools of Lusaka district of Zambia.

The study investigated the causes of low performance among twelfth-grade students in Literature in English within three selected secondary schools in Lusaka District. Three objectives were addressed: to review the performance of pupils in Literature in English at School A, B and C of Lusaka Central Zone from 2020 to 2022; to establish the views of teachers, examiners, and learners on factors contributing to pupil’s low performance in Literature; and to determine the challenges and prospects of literature as a subject in secondary schools. The study's ontological aim was to ascertain the reality of teaching literature in secondary schools by examining factors influencing low performance. Employing a qualitative approach, the research utilized a descriptive research design and collected primary data through questionnaires and interview guides. The study's paradigm was constructivism, aiming to construct views on literature through qualitative research. Purposive sampling was employed, selecting ten teachers/examiners and thirty students from three schools in Lusaka Central Zone. Thematic analysis was used to analyze gathered data, addressing three objectives: reviewing pupils' performance in Literature in English from 2020 to 2022, exploring stakeholders' views on factors contributing to low performance, and determining literature's challenges and prospects in secondary education. The study revealed a pattern of low academic performance in English literature compared to other elective subjects like Additional Mathematics and Physics. It identified challenges such as lack of motivation, inadequate learning resources, absence of visual aids, and insufficient counseling contributing to poor performance. Additionally, factors such as absenteeism, disinterest, peer pressure, academic procrastination, time management, and academic overload were found to affect performance adversely. Despite adherence to recommended teaching schedules and qualified instructors, variations in teaching effectiveness, novel selection, and delivery methods were observed among schools. Novel selection criteria were based on recommendations by the Examination Council of Zambia, novel availability, and complexity. The study recommended incorporating visual aids in teaching literature and providing motivation to both teachers and students to enhance academic performance

Exploring teachers and learners’ experiences with inclusive methodologies for learners with disabilities: a study at two selected primary schools in Isoka district, Zambia.

Thesis of Masters of Education in Special Education.The study sought to explore inclusive methodologies for learners with different learning disabilities at two selected primary schools in Isoka district of Muchinga province of Zambia. The study adopted an exploratory phenomenological research design and it employed qualitative approach to collect data. A sample size comprised of 8 teachers and their learners in their irrespective classrooms were used. The participants were all selected through homogeneous sampling. The following instruments were used in data collection: interview guide, observation checklist and document analysis. Data collected was analysed using thematic analysis. This involved coding of data to generate the emerging themes. The major findings of the study revealed that some teachers used ordinary teaching methods such as teacher exposition, whole class discussion, question and answer methods in their classroom. It was also discovered that some teachers used playing with the basket methods and songs. In addition, fast learners were dominating slow learners. The findings further revealed that there was inadequate time to attend to diverse needs of learners and lack of teaching and learning materials to use in inclusive classrooms. There was also shortage of desks forcing learners to sit on the floor during learning hours. Little or no parental involvement in the education of learners was observed and very few teachers were trained in special education. In light of these findings, the study recommended that inclusive schools be provided with adequate teaching and learning materials; teachers should be trained on how to use inclusive methods during their teaching training so as to cater for various needs of learners with disabilities

Analysing the nature of oral and written corrective feedback teachers provide to grade nine pupils in english language in selected secondary schools of Kabwe district of Zambia.

Thesis of Master of Education in Literacy, Language and Applied Linguistics.The purpose of this study was to establish the nature of oral and written corrective feedback that teachers provided to learners of English Language at grade nine level in selected public secondary schools in Kabwe District, Central Province of Zambia. The study objectives were: (i) to establish the nature of oral and written corrective feedback teachers provide in English Language to their grade nine pupils; (ii) to determine the views of grade nine pupils on the usefulness of the oral and written corrective feedback given by their teachers and (iii) to establish teachers’ opinions of their feedback given to the pupils. The study employed a descriptive research design of qualitative research. Purposive sampling techniques were used to come up with a sample size of 80 respondents. Data was gathered through interviews, document analysis, focus group discussions and classroom observations during the teaching and learning process. The data collected was analysed thematically through content analysis where key words and themes were coded and generated. Findings of the study showed teachers of English provided oral and written corrective feedback which ranged from Informal formative oral corrective feedback formal, formative written corrective feedback, and summative assessment of feedback. Learners wished teachers could provide immediate and elaborate feedback that they could leverage upon. In some cases, learners desired space, privacy, confidentiality and security when receiving one-on-one feedback from their teachers of English. Among other issues, teachers bemoaned the limited time allocation to provide quality feedback to their learners. However, findings showed that some teachers had limited exposure to correction codes and they also expressed lack of content knowledge on some topics in English and consequently, remained at a loss when they were expected to give solutions to challenging questions during lessons. The researcher recommended that teacher training institutions to adequately explore further on the component of corrective feedback to learners so that graduate teachers can be well prepared on the provision of feedback to learners. Secondly, teachers of English language in their respective stations to enhance their content knowledge and pedagogical skills in the subject matter by utilizing researchers and experts during Continuous Professional Development workshops (CPDs)