Business Process Re-engineering: A Panacea for Reducing Operational Cost in Service Organizations

Organizations in today’s business environment struggle on how to reduce operation cost in order to set prices that can be afforded by many customers while obtaining reasonable profit.  In order to reduce Operational Cost, service organizations have been working hard to identify techniques that facilitate business processes improvement for reduced Operational Cost. In so doing, the global literature indicates that service organizations adopt Business Process Re-engineering technique as a panacea of reducing Operational Cost. Despite a documented potentiality of Business Process Re-engineering technique, there are mixed empirical results, findings and conclusions regarding the effect of Business Process Re-engineering on Operational Cost. Therefore, this paper aimed at assessing and explaining effects of BPR on Operational Cost.The study used cross-sectional survey design to investigate the effect of BPR on Operational Cost. Intensive literature review enabled the construction of structural measurement model, formulation of testable hypotheses and operationalization of constructs. In order to test the model and hypotheses, data were collected from ninety five (95) service organizations in Tanzania. Results of the study reveal that BPR and delivering speed have no direct effects on Operational Cost; they indirectly affect Operational Cost through the mediations of service quality. Therefore, BPR influences first both service quality and delivery speed in affecting Operational Cost of service organizations. It is now recommended that service organizations should use Business Process Re-engineering as panacea of reducing Operational Cost

Business process re-engineering: the technique to improve delivering speed of service industry in Tanzania

Problem statement: Delivering speed is very critical in today’s business environment. In most cases, service organizations and customers are sensitive to time spent at delivering or receiving a service. Therefore, service organizations must change in order to meet this challenge. Overtime, service organizations have worked hard to identify techniques that enhance service delivering speed for improved performance. Business process re-engineering is one of such techniques that improves business processes; including delivering speed. However, despite documented advantages, most organizations are reluctant to adopt the technique. Purpose: The paper aims at determining the effect of business process re-engineering on delivering speed; enabling organizations to appreciate the performance improvement that is associated with the technique. Methodology: The study used cross-sectional survey design to investigate the effect of BPR on delivering speed. In order to undertake the study, intensive literature review was undertaken to operationalize the constructs and to formulate the hypothesis which was tested after the field work. In total ninety five (95) service organizations participated in the study. Results: From the study, it is revealed that BPR significantly and positively improves delivering speed of service organizations. Conclusion: For improved delivering speed, service organizations should adopt BPR technique to improve business processes for provision of delighting services to customers

Molecular characterization of cassava mosaic geminiviruses in Tanzania

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a basic staple food crop in Tanzania. Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) caused by cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) constitutes a major limiting factor to cassava production in the country. This study was undertaken to characterize the CMGs occurring in Tanzania using molecular techniques and to map their geographical distribution to generate information on which the formulation of control measures can be based. Using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) for analysis of CMGs DNA-A genomes, different CMGs were found to be associated with CMD. Higher molecular diversity was observed among East African cassava mosaic viruses (EACMVs) than African cassava mosaic viruses (ACMVs), which was confirmed later by complete nucleotide sequence analysis. In addition to EACMV and ACMV isolates, two isolates of EACMV Cameroon virus (EACMCV) were found in Tanzania. These were confirmed to be strains of EACMCV Cameroon, originally described in Cameroon, West Africa and here named EACMCV- [TZ1] and EACMCV-[TZ7]. They had high (92%) overall DNA-A nucleotide sequence identity and EACMCV-[TZ1] was widespread in the southern part of the country. A subgenomic DNA form of CMG that appeared to be truncated was identified in a CMD-infected cassava plant. It was confirmed upon sequence analysis to be a defect of EACMV DNA-A and had a capacity of attenuating symptoms when coinoculated with wild-type EACMV. In addition, this study revealed for the first time the presence of two novel non-geminivirus single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) sub-genomic molecules associated with CMG infection. They were shown to be dependent on CMG for replication and movement within the plants, confirming their status as satellite molecules named here as satDNA-II and satDNA-III. When present in coinfection with CMGs, they enhance symptoms and can break high levels of resistance in a cassava landrace. Finally a simple, inexpensive technique is described of archiving, transporting and recovering plant DNA for downstream geminivirus characterisation.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2007.Microbiology and Plant PathologyUnrestricte

Identification and Characterization of Cassava Mosaic Begomoviruses in Non-crop Plants from Unguja and Pemba Islands

Cassava mosaic disease caused by cassava mosaic begomoviruses (CMBs) remains one of the major constraints to cassava production since it causes yield losses up to 100%. Researches showed that some of CMBs infecting cassava plants may be coming from non-crop plants. This study intended to identify and characterize CMBs isolated from non-crop plant species in Unguja and Pemba Islands. A total of 108 viral symptomatic and asymptomatic non-crop leaf samples were collected using stratified sampling. DNA was extracted by using CTAB protocol followed by polymerase chain reaction using universal and specific primers for cassava mosaic begomoviruses identification. Results showed that, among eleven samples that were amplified, four were African cassava mosaic viruses (ACMV) and seven were East African cassava mosaic viruses (EACMV). DNA sequencing by Sanger method showed 97–99% similarities with isolates of ACMV and EACMV reported elsewhere in Africa. Using RbcL and MatK plant barcode genes, Datura stramonium, Solanum melongena and Solanum incanum were found associated with ACMV, while Senna occidentalis, Sida acuta and Ricinus communis harboured EACMV. These findings are a key in understanding the epidemiology of cassava mosaic disease and are potential in the development of sustainable management strategies for this disease. Keywords: Begomoviruses, Cassava mosaic disease, East African cassava mosaic virus, Non crop plants

Cassava: constraints to production and the transfer of biotechnology to African laboratories

Knowledge and technology transfer to African institutes is an important objective to help achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Plant biotechnology in particular enables innovative advances in agriculture and industry, offering new prospects to promote the integration and dissemination of improved crops and their derivatives from developing countries into local markets and the global economy. There is also the need to broaden our knowledge and understanding of cassava as a staple food crop. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a vital source of calories for approximately 500 million people living in developing countries. Unfortunately, it is subject to numerous biotic and abiotic stresses that impact on production, consumption, marketability and also local and country economics. To date, improvements to cassava have been led via conventional plant breeding programmes, but with advances in molecular-assisted breeding and plant biotechnology new tools are being developed to hasten the generation of improved farmer-preferred cultivars. In this review, we report on the current constraints to cassava production and knowledge acquisition in Africa, including a case study discussing the opportunities and challenges of a technology transfer programme established between the Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute in Tanzania and Europe-based researchers. The establishment of cassava biotechnology platform(s) should promote research capabilities in African institutions and allow scientists autonomy to adapt cassava to suit local agro-ecosystems, ultimately serving to develop a sustainable biotechnology infrastructure in African countrie

Phylogenetic Diversity of Allspice (Pimenta Dioica) Collections from Tanzania Using Chloroplast (Cp) Rbcl Gene

This research article was published in Heliyon journal, 2023This study aims to investigates the phylogenetic relationship between various collection of Allspice (Pimenta dioica) from Tanzania using cprbcL gene as a DNA barcode. Allspice is an important plant species valued for its economic, medicinal, and cultural uses. The morphological similarities between Allspice and other trees in the Myrtaceae family have led to misidentification, making it crucial to use DNA barcoding to study their evolution history. The molecular phylogeny was conducted using DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequencing of the rbcL gene, followed by phylogenetic analysis. The genomic DNA was extract using the CTAB method and the rbcL gene amplified with a forward primer 5’-ATGTCACCACAAACAGAGACTAAAGC-3’ and a reverse primer 5’-GTAAAATCAAGTCCACCRCG-3’. Phylogenetic analysis of Allspice rbcL gene was performed by multiple sequence alignment using MUSCLE 5.1 embedded in Geneious Prime software version 2023.0.1 phylogenetic tree was constructed using the same software. The results showed that DNA specimen amplified at amplicon size of average 560bp with GC content of 44%. BLASTN search resulted into more than 96% similarity to seventeen members of Myrtaceae family namely Eucalyptus torquata (NC_022401), Eucalyptus spathulata (NC_022400), Eucalyptus torquata (KC180794), Eucalyptus spathulata (KC180793), Syzygium polyanthum (OQ355361), Syzygium aromaticum (ON920513), Luma apiculata (KX162972), Eugenia aggregata (OP650216), Eugenia Selloi (MN095411), Myrcianthes pungens (MN095409), Campomanesia xanthocarpa (KY392760), Acca sellowiana (KX289887), Syzygium samarangense (NC_060657), Lophomyrtus bullata (MW214669), Lenwebbia prominens (MW214668), Lenwebbia lasioclade (MW214667), and Syzygium nervosum (NC_053907). In the phylogenetic tree Allspice rbcL gene has a close branch to members of Myrtaceae family. This study concludes that there is high genetic diversity among Allspice collection from Tanzania and between member of the Myrtaceae family. Additionally, this study provides a foundation for future research on the evolutionary history and population genetics of Allspice in Tanzania

Application of FTA technology for sampling, recovery and molecular characterization of viral pathogens and virus-derived transgenes from plant tissues

BACKGROUND: Plant viral diseases present major constraints to crop production. Effective sampling of the viruses infecting plants is required to facilitate their molecular study and is essential for the development of crop protection and improvement programs. Retaining integrity of viral pathogens within sampled plant tissues is often a limiting factor in this process, most especially when sample sizes are large and when operating in developing counties and regions remote from laboratory facilities. FTA is a paper-based system designed to fix and store nucleic acids directly from fresh tissues pressed into the treated paper. We report here the use of FTA as an effective technology for sampling and retrieval of DNA and RNA viruses from plant tissues and their subsequent molecular analysis. RESULTS: DNA and RNA viruses were successfully recovered from leaf tissues of maize, cassava, tomato and tobacco pressed into FTA(® )Classic Cards. Viral nucleic acids eluted from FTA cards were found to be suitable for diagnostic molecular analysis by PCR-based techniques and restriction analysis, and for cloning and nucleotide sequencing in a manner equivalent to that offered by tradition isolation methods. Efficacy of the technology was demonstrated both from sampled greenhouse-grown plants and from leaf presses taken from crop plants growing in farmer's fields in East Africa. In addition, FTA technology was shown to be suitable for recovery of viral-derived transgene sequences integrated into the plant genome. CONCLUSION: Results demonstrate that FTA is a practical, economical and sensitive method for sampling, storage and retrieval of viral pathogens and plant genomic sequences, when working under controlled conditions and in the field. Application of this technology has the potential to significantly increase ability to bring modern analytical techniques to bear on the viral pathogens infecting crop plants

Pathogenicity and Approaches for Management of Anthracnose in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Africa

This research article was published by INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE & BIOLOGY in 2022Common bean plays significant role for human health globally and consumption of common bean is high in Africa as compared to other regions of the world. Despite common bean’s potential in Africa, productivity remains low due to diseases, drought and poor crop management. Anthracnose disease plays major role in reducing common bean grain yield in Africa. It is caused by seed-borne fungal pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum leading to 100% yield loss. Limited and fragmented information on fungal infection, pathogenicity and management of common bean anthracnose in Africa affects decisions regarding anthracnose management. This review has been produced to collect information regarding anthracnose disease and its management in beans in Africa, which will be of great value to bean stakeholders. C. lindemuthianum can survive up to five years in infected seeds. During this time, seed is the main source of inoculum, infection and transmission of pathogen to new locations. Other sources and mechanisms of transmission include infected residues, farm tools, water, wind, and disturbance of moist foliage by animals, insects and people. Anthracnose is a hemibiotrophic pathogen, first establishing biotrophic interactions with common bean plant before switching to necrotrophism, causing significant yield loss. Mechanical force, chemical weapons, toxins and growth regulators facilitate pathogenesis. Use of anthracnose-resistant varieties is recommended to control common bean anthracnose followed by integrated anthracnose management. Future research in Africa should focus on why farmers rely heavily on local bean cultivars as seed and should use tricot as tool to screen anthracnose-resistant varieties and evaluate anthracnose management options for increased productivity, nutrition and income

Correction : Analyses of Twelve New Whole Genome Sequences of Cassava Brown Streak Viruses and Ugandan Cassava Brown Streak Viruses from East Africa: Diversity, Supercomputing and Evidence for Further Speciation

Cassava brown streak disease is caused by two devastating viruses, Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV) which are frequently found infecting cassava, one of sub-Saharan Africa's most important staple food crops. Each year these viruses cause losses of up to $100 million USD and can leave entire families without their primary food source, for an entire year. Twelve new whole genomes, including seven of CBSV and five of UCBSV were uncovered in this research, doubling the genomic sequences available in the public domain for these viruses. These new sequences disprove the assumption that the viruses are limited by agro-ecological zones, show that current diagnostic primers are insufficient to provide confident diagnosis of these viruses and give rise to the possibility that there may be as many as four distinct species of virus. Utilizing NGS sequencing technologies and proper phylogenetic practices will rapidly increase the solution to sustainable cassava production