Impediments to Corporate Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Employees of Emerging Organisations in Construction and Manufacturing Industries in Gwanda Town, Zimbabwe

Corporate entrepreneurship plays a critical role in organizational systems. The study explored the challenges faced by corporate entrepreneurs in developing economies. The qualitative study revealed that corporate entrepreneurship in small and large corporations encounters impediments that hinder the generation of new ideas and lead to stagnation. The major impediments are corporate culture, unavailability of material and financial resources, fear of the unknown, incompetent employees, unavailability of corporate entrepreneurship legislation and policies, lack of goodwill and support from management and risk adversity on the part of the board of directors, management and employees

Obstacles to Job Satisfaction Among Workers Living with War Caused Disabilities in ‎Changara District in Mozambique. ‎

Job satisfaction of all categories of workers is one of the key antecedents that ensure increased competiveness of organizations. The need to establish factors that impede job satisfaction among people living with war induced disabilities was the main aim of this study. Furthermore, effects of war that adversely affect the attitude of workers with war induced disabilities towards their work were a major driver of this paper. The study employed a pure qualitative research approach where data was collected using face to face interview from 29 participants and analyzed using the thematic data analysis method. Participants were selected using snowballing sampling technique. Job satisfaction was found to be extremely low among employees living with war induced disabilities. People with different disabilities experience a host of work and home related challenges which significantly affect their job satisfaction levels. The problems encountered by people living with disabilities that affect their job satisfaction are mainly centered on ergonomics, lack of relevant assistive technology, stigmatization, discrimination and lack of physical and emotional protection from weather conditions, workmates and supervisors. The link between job satisfaction of workers with war induced disabilities and organizational competitiveness would further advance theory of job satisfaction and provide managerial implications that is helpful for an improved organizational performance. The study recommended that organizations should re-organize their work stations so as to accommodate the needs of people with disability

From Risk Aversion to Risk Loving: Strategies to Increase Participation of Female Entrepreneurs in Masvingo Urban, Zimbabwe

Risk aversion is one of the major impediments to entrepreneurship, and the survival and growth of startups in the developing world. Female entrepreneurs portray even a higher risk averse attitude regarding starting new businesses or introducing new business lines in their existing businesses. The intention of this study is to explore strategies that can be employed to reduce risk aversion among female entrepreneurs. A qualitative research methodology was utilized to carry out the research, with the interview technique being used as the main data collection tool. Snowballing and convenience sampling techniques were utilized to select 8 organizations and 21 female entrepreneurs who participated in the study. The study found out that entrepreneurial literacy significantly reduces risk aversion among female entrepreneurs by providing them with quality education and training on financial and income generation skills and competencies. Risk aversion can also be reduced among female entrepreneurs by assigning them to reputable business mentors to inspire them and also assist them to break cultural and societal barriers. The ‘do not do it alone’ principle and motivation through the creation of entrepreneurship forums and stakeholder interventions and schemes that support female entrepreneurship also help to minimize risk aversion

The 2000–2008 Economic Crisis in Zimbabwe

Between 2000 and 2008, Zimbabwe was hit by one of the devastating economic situations which threatened the lives of businesses and also led to the closure of several businesses. The main purpose of this paper was to trace the survivors of Zimbabwe’s 2000-2008 economic distress and establish the strategies they employ to avert future economic pandemics in the country. A mixed research approach was utilised to carry out the study, with data being collected from a sample of 105 business people and their employees in rural Zimbabwe. A self-designed questionnaire and interview guide were used to solicit data from participants with descriptive and thematic analysis data analysis methods being utilised as data analysis tools. The study revealed that while a significant number of businesses closed their businesses due to the economic downturn some survived and self-rejuvenated and moved on in 2009 when the economy stabilised. The strategies most businesses in rural areas employ to avert effects of future economic distress include among others; 1) diversification, 2) trading in foreign currency, 3) avoiding selling goods on credit, and 4) keeping savings in USD and traditional banks. It was recommended that businesses in rural areas need to manage their businesses in a more professional way so that they do not easily get affected by socio-economic shocks and political upheavals

Lived experiences of women entrepreneurs in Masvingo city: Successes, failures and survival strategies

There has been a significant increase in the number of women entrepreneurs in various sectors of the economy throughout the world. Some women entrepreneurs registered some success stories, while others dismally failed and ended up poorer than they were before they started their businesses. The main purpose of this study was to establish the successes, failures and survival strategies of women entrepreneurs in Masvingo city, Zimbabwe. A qualitative research methodology was employed to carry out the study. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted on 40 (forty) participants who were selected by using the snowball sampling technique. Thematic data analysis approach was utilized to analyse the collected data. It was found that despite some registered failures and challenges like failing to retain staff, failing to raise adequate capital, and failing to access advanced technology, a significant number of women entrepreneurs were generally successful in launching, maintaining and growing their businesses

Collective Bargaining: A Catalyst for Dispute Resolution between Employers and Employees in the Retail Industry in Urban Mutare

The study assesses the effectiveness of collective bargaining in resolving conflicts between employers and employees in the retail industry. The study shows that collective bargaining is a valuable dispute resolution device in the retail industry. It gives an opportunity to employers and employees to discuss their concerns pertaining to issues of work thereby preventing and resolving disputes amicably. Collective bargaining creates a platform for effective communication, negotiations in good faith, impart knowledge of rights as outlined in the Labour Act Chapter 28:01 and make organisations follow through the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The study proposes that organisations should ensure that collective bargaining adheres and implements all the CBAs

Navigating new horizons: an analysis of factors that influence computer literacy among undergraduate students

A journal article on factors influencing computer literacy in university students in Zimbabwe.The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that influence computer literacy among university students. The study was primarily inspired by the realization that students acquire computer skills at varying levels and progress to use computers with varying proficiency despite the fact that they will be engaging in a similar module. A quantitative-qualitative orientation was taken in carrying out the research, particularly employing a survey research design. The study was carried out at Great Zimbabwe University, which is located in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Thirty four (34) participants were randomly selected from a class of one hundred and eighty (180) students to participate in the study. The study revealed that students with computers at home had higher literacy levels compared to those who did not have even after completing the module. Students with a positive attitude toward computers performed relatively better than those with negative ones. Gender was not a significant variable that affected computer literacy. However, females had slightly higher levels of computer literacy when compared to males, but the difference was not significant, (t = 0.332, significance value — 0.747). This study recommends that learners should be exposed to computers prior to coming to university as this is a powerful determinant of computer literacy at tertiary level

Alternative Dispute Resolution in SMEs in the Construction Industry in Masvingo Urban, Zimbabwe

Dispute handling may present particular problems for SMEs. The research explored the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods used in SMEs and their implications on the performance of SMEs in the construction industry in Zimbabwe. The study revealed that collective bargaining and negotiation are the main ADR methods used in the SMEs while conciliation and arbitration are utilized externally at NEC and the ministry of labour. It was also noted that most SMEs do not have established ADR structures and collective bargaining and negotiation had an impact on employee performance.  Collective Bargaining, Conciliation and Adjudicatio

Job satisfaction model to enhance organisational performance in armed conflict societies: a case of Tete Province in Mozambique

Job satisfaction is one of the key antecedents to organizational performance, growth and survival. The attitude employees have towards their work significantly affects employees and organizational performance. The main objective of this study was to develop a job satisfaction model for organizational performance in armed conflict societies. The study examined how the effects of armed conflicts affect job satisfaction among workers working in armed conflict societies. A concurrent triangulation mixed approach, that is a mixture of qualitative and quantitative was employed to establish the relationship between the effects of armed conflicts and job satisfaction. The study population comprised 13 organisations drawn from Tete province. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires from 200 respondents while qualitative data was gathered from 20 participants using an interview schedule. The Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and thematic data analysis methods were used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis, correlational analysis and the t-tests. The study showed that there is a strong correlation between the effects of armed conflict and job satisfaction. The intensity of the war determines the level of job satisfaction among workers working for organisations in armed conflict societies. The study established that job satisfaction in armed conflict societies is also influenced by the destruction of the economic infrastructure, destruction of interpersonal relationships, intercommunity violence, political interference, killings and torture of civilians, deterioration of health and education systems, economic depression and displacement of people. The study further found out that job satisfaction in armed conflict societies negatively affects key organizational performance antecedents such as rate of absenteeism, labour turnover, employee loyalty and commitment, psychological status of employees and health of employees. Job satisfaction in armed conflict societies directly and indirectly affects organizational performance, profitability, value of shares, market share and organizational growth. To minimize the consequences of low job satisfaction on organizational performance, organizations should put in place measures that propel job satisfaction such as providing counselling services, social services and financial and non-financial support. The study concluded that job satisfaction can be increased by any or all of the following strategies:1) flexible work organisation and establishing an effective team, 2) provision of secure staff offices and residences, 3) compensating employees for war related injuries and deaths, 4) provision of better social services, 5) provision of leisure, recreational activities and infrastructure, and 6) provision of counselling platforms. The study contributed to the body of knowledge by developing a job satisfaction model for organizational performance in armed conflict societies. Furthermore, contrary to other researchers whose studies concentrated on job related factors of job satisfaction, this study focused on how the effects of armed conflict influence job satisfaction.Graduate School of Business LeadershipD. B. L