Succession planning and performance of family-owned small and medium enterprises in Arusha city – Tanzania

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine succession planning and performance of family-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach – The quantitative research approach and a cross-sectional research design were employed. The probability sampling technique was used to draw 219 respondents from the sampling frame. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests were used for data analysis. Findings – It was revealed that most of family-owned SMEs founders in the study area had mechanisms for succession planning for their businesses. Also, there is a difference in business performance when successors are selected and prepared by business founders compared to when they are selected and prepared by other family members. Successors selected and prepared by business founders performed better in business than successors who were selected and prepared by other family members. Research limitations/implications – This study employed a quantitative research paradigm methodology, which limits deep discussion with respondents. Future studies could consider using a qualitative research paradigm methodology. Originality/value – The paper presents succession planning process experience in family-owned SMEs in the study area, specifically the existence of succession planning in family-owned SMEs. It also shows a difference in business performance between the two investigated groups. This paper will benefit business founders, family business successors and researchers

Effect of conservational tillage on soil loss and plant nutrient status on vegetable yield, Northern slopes of Uluguru Mountains, Morogoro, Tanzania

Enhancing Dissemination of Soil and Water Research Outputs of SADC UniversitiesThe study was conducted to evaluate effects of conservational tillage on vegetable production on the northeastern part of Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania. Six treatments such as control conservational tillage; conservational tillage with manure; conservational tillage with insitu composting; control traditional tillage; traditional terrace with manure and traditional tillage with in situ composting were examined. Nutrient levels were determined from soil before and after harvest and from plant samples after harvest. Soil losses were assessed by collecting runoff using polyethylene troughs for each treatment. Analysis of variance and Multiple range test (P=0.05) was done to test the effect of the treatments. The differences (P=0.05) on soil loss, plant nutrient status and vegetable yield were observed. All conservational treatments gave high fresh yield (4.3–44.7 ton/ha), high nutrient retention (N% 0.11–0.14, P% 5.17– 16.33, K% 0.33-0.36) and experienced low soil losses (0.49, 0.54 to 0.65 ton/ha/season). While the opposite was true for traditional treatments lower fresh yield (0.9–13.9 ton/ha), low nutrient retention (N% 0.10–0.11, P% 0.91–4.00 and K% 0.29–0.32) and high soil losses (0.54, 0.83 to 1.26 ton/ha/season) at P=0.05. It was concluded from this study that the conservational tillage for vegetable production on sloping land ranging from 20 to 80 percent was the best practice resulting in increased crop yield, nutrient uptake, plant nutrient retention, and reduced soil loss