Clustering the agricultural SME sector in Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe

Abstract Purpose: The clustering concept focuses on agricultural SME development. It is a strategy seeking to stimulate entrepreneurship growth and integrating broad SME structures that help to create value and competitiveness to enhance food security and community development in less developed countries. Research Methodology: This study investigated the impact of clustering the agricultural SME sector in Zimbabwe and it was restricted to the Eastern Highlands. The population consists of agricultural SMEs in Eastern Highlands. A methodological design survey on agricultural SME clusters was carried out using a purposive sampling technique, which selected a sample size with a total of 60 agricultural SMEs.An explanatory correlation analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: The study showed that clusters have a significant effect on agriculture SME the development in Zimbabwe. The study results indicated that clustering SMEs improve their competitiveness and market share growth, which is a rationale for economic growth. Findings also showed that clustering SMEs restructure their radical growth. These results further indicated that most agricultural SMEs are crippled due to a lack of cluster centers in their areas to enable them to compete and expand their market share Limitations: A solitary research tool seems to have weakened the study. Contribution: Clustering the agricultural Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is very important because it promotes their competitiveness, productivity, market share, success, as well as community development and industrialization. Therefore this study contributed largely to the literature. Keywords: Clustering,  Agricultural, SMEs, Community development, Food securit

The Service Quality - Customer Satisfaction Nexus: A Study of Employees and Students Perceptions in Kenyan Private Universities

The Higher Education Performance (HEdPERF) instrument was adapted to measure service quality (SQ) in private Kenyan higher education institutions (HEIs). Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the scale’s validity, and path analysis examined the model linking the SQ and customer satisfaction (CS) constructs. It was ascertained that with respect to Kenyan private higher education, SQ is an antecedent of customer satisfaction (CS) in that it directly influences CS. Given that employees and students of selected private universities were surveyed, the results provide an opportunity for HE managers to develop strategic SQ delivery deliverables for their universities. HEdPERF was also found to be a valid measurement tool that could be used for measuring service delivery in the private higher education sector in Kenya

Exploring uplift modelling in direct marketing

Purpose: This research examines the importance of an uplift marketing model compared to traditional response models, used in direct marketing. Research Methodology: A multi-method research approach was used which included a survey using an electronic questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. Results: The research findings reveal that the value of employing uplift models in direct marketing. is that it factors change in behaviour from the action, which traditional response models do not. Limitation: The study was conducted in a single institution and focused only on scustomers with banking needs. Contribution: By employing an uplift model in direct marketing it is possible to increase marketing return-on-investment and positively impact brand loyalty and brand perception. Thus, marketers need to be cognizant of these findings and strategize accordingly. Keywords: Direct marketing, Customer management, Marketing model, Marketing communicatio

Consumer Choice Behavior during a Social Disruption

This paper explores the relationship between an external socio-disruptive factor and consumer product and brand decision-making behavior. The social disruption was physical relocation, which resulted in a radical change in the toilet system, which had implications for toilet cleaning product and brands used. By using a sample calculator, a probability sample of 384 households from Cosmo City, South Africa were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The data from 332 respondents (86% response rate) were analyzed using various inferential statistical analysis techniques to test three hypotheses. Multiple regression path coefficients demonstrated positive and significant changes β=1.709,  p<.0005 in the desired brand benefits following the social disruption, and that there were no significant differences β=-0.601,  p<.027 between households that switched brands and those that did not. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing that consumers re-evaluate their brand choices, leading to significant brand switching in cases where the social change has a radical effect on brand usage. The results also indicate that ‘out-of-market’ changes such as a radical social change have the same impact on consumer brand behavior and brand choice, as “in-market” disruptions such as the introduction of an innovative brand. The findings have strategy implications for marketers of toilet cleaning products in particular and consumer goods in general

Consumer lifestyle and premium beer brand choice– An exploratory South African case study

The South African Breweries (SAB) is facing strong competition because of the presence in the market of international premium beer brands such as Heineken, Amstel and Windhoek. Against this backdrop, this paper explored the influence of life-style characteristics of consumers’ on their choice of premium beer brands and, how the SAB could use this information to retain market share and remain competitive. A quantitative research approach was adopted to collect and analyse data from a convenience sample of 300 consumers from two major cities in KwaZulu-Natal, which is one of the largest provinces in South Africa with an estimated population of 10.27 million. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to create a life style index of premium beer consumers, and it was ascertained that the life style of consumers has a major influence on their premium beer brand choices

Exploring public bus service quality in South Africa: A structural equation modelling approach

This study, which is a deviation from the usual practice of using SERVQUAL or an adaptedversion thereof, uses McKnight, Pagano and Paaswell’s (1986) service quality dimensions,namely reliability; extent of service; comfort; safety; and affordability (RECSA) and structuralequation modelling to determine commuters’ perception of public bus service quality in amajor city in South Africa. The RECSA model was adapted and fitted to the data collectedfrom a convenience sample of bus commuters in Johannesburg, using structural equationmodelling. It was ascertained that reliability, service, comfort and safety influenced thepublic bus commuters’ perception of the overall service quality. The implications of theaforementioned findings for providers of public bus services are explained

A Conceptual Model to Assess the Impact of Quality Management Systems on the In-Vitro Diagnostics Industry in South Africa

Although ISO certification has become compulsory, it is unclear what impact ISO certification has on the South African medical device industry and how the forced ISO certification will affect individual companies and the industry with regard to the quality of products and service delivery. Furthermore, no research to date has been performed specifically on the contribution or impact of ISO certification in the IVD industry in South Africa. Through an in-depth synthesis of published research, and by triangulating the literature on quality in the medical domain, the researchers have conceptualized possible relationships between various quality constructs and ISO quality certification with respect to in-vitro diagnostics. This conceptual study will contribute specifically to the South African IVD market and possibly other IVD markets worldwide to understand how certification issues will impact quality, customer service, operations, and performance

Employment creation in Kenya: exploring the Jua Kali enterprises

In developing countries, non-agricultural micro-sized informal enterprises are known to create employment and income generation opportunities. However, due to the complexity and unregulated nature of the sector and, in particular, the Jua Kali, achieving efficient and effective sustainability remains a major challenge for the owners and policy makers alike. Since many unknown barriers continue to impact the effective and efficient development of the aforementioned enterprises, the aim of this study was to determine the barriers to effective job creation in a developing country’s informal micro enterprise industry using evidence from the Jua Kali sub-sector in Kenya. The data from a survey conducted among a random sample of 118 enterprises, which were listed in one Jua Kali Association Directory Nairobi, were analyzed using exploratory factor and regression analyses. Strong evidence supports the notion that some socio-demographic variables such as age, education and marital status have an impact on entrepreneurial activities in the Jua Kali sector. Training, advise and consultation for Jua Kali entrepreneurs need to be enhanced, as this will be necessary to advance their business prowess. The results contribute to studies in entrepreneurship and management by demonstrating that designing and implementing the systems, activities and programs for supporting employment creation through the informal sector can improve productivity at all levels of the economy and improve the living of these entrepreneurs