Developing a strategic perspective for construction industry of Botswana

The paper discusses the outcome of a study conducted to formulate the strategic perspective of the construction industry in Botswana. The study was sanctioned by the two influential entities namely the Ministry of Infrastructure and BOCCIM Construction Sector. The two entities not only represent the demand and supply side of the construction industry but also represent key professions, trades and interests of the industry. A focus group approach was used based on workshops to formulate the strategic perspective. Workshop participants were drawn from various organisations that play a role in the delivery of construction projects. Individually they also represented the various professions, trades, occupations and interests relating to the construction processes in Botswana. Specific statements for industry’s vision, mission, values and goals were formulated through constructive discussions and debates to describe the future desired state of the construction industry. These are to serve as guiding tools for the industry’s reform process. The paper provides a step by step approach that integrates several scholastic frameworks for developing a strategic perspective for the industry

HEADTEACHERS’ DELEGATION PRACTICES AND TEACHERS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL JOB COMMITMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KIRA MUNICIPALITY WAKISO DISTRICT, UGANDA

For foresighted management of secondary schools, head teachers must be able to delegate some of their powers to teachers at the lower levels. This study aimed at analyzing the relationship between head teachers’ delegation practices and teachers’ psychological job commitment in secondary schools in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District. The study tested the following hypotheses; (a) there is no statistically significant relationship between assignment of responsibilities and teachers’ psychological job commitment, (b) there is no statistically significant relationship between head teachers’ delegation of authority and teachers’ psychological job commitment, and (c) there is no statistically significant relationship between head teachers’ transfer of the accountability and teachers’ psychological job commitment in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District while cross sectional survey research design was adopted to obtain information from 113 respondents. A questionnaire and interview guide were used as tools to collect data for the study. The results of the Pearson’s moment correlation coefficient indicate that there are strong and positive statistically significant relationships between head teachers’ assignment of responsibility and teachers’ psychological job commitment (r (113) = .957; p = .000), head teachers’ delegation of authority and teachers’ psychological job commitment (r (113) = .995; p = .000), and head teachers’ transfer of accountability and teachers’ job commitment r (113) = .958; p = .000).  It is recommended that head teachers should assign responsibilities, delegate authority and transfer accountability to teachers in order to increase their psychological commitment to their jobs.  Article visualizations

INFORMATION QUALITY, COMMUNICATION EFFECTIVENESS, TECHNOLOGY QUALITY IN INFLUENCING INTENSION AND ACTUAL USE OF ICT FOR TRACKING ADMINISTRATION OF MALARIA DRUGS IN HEALTH UNITS IN UGANDAN. A DESCRIPTIVE AND CORRELATIONAL STUDY.

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine how Information Quality, Communication effectiveness, and Technology quality influence the intention and actual use of ICT in tracking the administration of malaria drugs in health units in Uganda. Methods: Descriptive statistics was engaged to determine the degree and or / extent of occurrence of information quality, communication effectiveness, and technology quality A co-relational research design was used to determine the relationships between them. Analysis of the magnitude of relationship and levels of significance among the variables, Pearson’s cross-product bivariate deviation, and covariance was engaged and regression was used to determine how such variables would influence the intention and actual use of ICT in tracking the administration of malaria drugs in health units.   Scope: A survey was conducted on 465 health units in the Masaka, Rakai, Kalungu, and Kampala districts in the central region of Uganda. Findings: Information quality measured in the dimensions of Intrinsic Information Quality (IIQ) (mean = 3.46), Contextual Information Quality (CIQ) (mean = 3.71), Representative Information Quality (RIQ) (mean = 3.77 was rated satisfactory for public and private health units/hospitals; Communication Effectiveness was satisfactory (mean = 3.52) but rated low because of using written documentation during the administration of malaria drugs in health units. Quality of Technology employed during the administration of malaria drugs in health units had a fair performance (mean = 3.12), not very effective because perceptions and attitude towards the ICTs systems by medical staff was very not positive (mean = 2.29), knowledge of the use of ICT systems, (mean = 3.26) and skills (mean = 3.15) were average.

A Thematic Review of the Models of ICT Integration in Tracking Malaria Drug Administration in Ugandan Health Units.

Background This study aimed at reviewing models propounding thematic linkage to system integration of ICT transaction processes that inform tracking administration of malaria drugs in health units in Uganda.  Methods  The study engaged structural and thematic review approaches for narrative and meta-synthesis of literature analysis to cite, make comparisons, and contrast including criticisms of directed stimulation of information-oriented integration, process-oriented integration, service-oriented Integration, user-oriented integration, and other success drivers of the need for ICT integrations. Comparisons of models by case analysis qualified a structured proposition of development of the model for tracking the administration of Malaria drugs in health units. Scope  Integration review was guided by the Enterprise Application Integration solution model, Model Driven Integration Approach, Technology Transfer of Reference, DeLone & McLean IS Success Model among others, focusing on the stimulation of information, processes service and user-oriented integrations, valid ability, technology context, ease of use, scalability, flexibility, and trainability as success drivers.  Findings Studies on integration and IC-enabled development reveal that ICT is widely accepted, and its crucial functions increase efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and competitiveness. Failure of integration of ICT in developing countries has a positive relationship with lack of awareness, management commitment, defined ICT based-roles as tools rather than solutions for organizational transformation, responsiveness to vision and mission goals, systemic methods of implementation, system ownership, and poor policy and planning.  Conclusion Integration of Information Communications Technology in health units is a major driver of information, processes, service, and user-oriented transactions for effective service provision and delivery in Uganda. Technology Context has a negative but linear correlation on ease of use (Intension and Actual) of ICTs (B = - 0.087) and negatively influences the same (β= - 0.050). The intention and actual use of Technology Context in tracking drug administration is influenced by the ability of application of the users.

Using a situation analysis to identify the construction industry deficiencies in Botswana

This paper reports the results of a multi-phase study aimed at identifying ways of transforming the construction industry in Botswana into an efficient, effective and sustainable sector. The study examined a number of reports indicating that public construction projects were not delivered as contractually expected. The first phase of the study, a situation analysis, was divided into two stages, with the first validating the claims that projects perform poorly in terms of both time and cost. Project data were compiled and analysed by computing the cost and time variances. The second stage solicited the opinions of various industry stakeholders regarding the deficiencies in the industry that led to poor project performance. Based on 323 sampled public construction projects, the results indicated that 13% had been abandoned and retendered. For those projects not abandoned, 52% and 75% had cost and time overruns, respectively. On average, the amount of cost overruns was 15% while the amount of time overruns was 75%. This level of performance is considered worrisome if allowed to continue. Causes of the overruns were identified as emanating from the decisions and actions of clients, suppliers, and regulators as well as the lack of a coherent facilitation of the construction business environment. The latter was singled out as an urgent challenge that needs addressing if the construction industry is to exist as a sustainable sector in Botswana. Though the concept of construction industry development is not new, this paper underscores that situations for each country are different and models that aim to transform an industry must look at the underlying

Adequacy of project based financial management systems of small and medium construction enterprises in Botswana

The thesis documents findings of a study conducted to develop a project based financial management system (PBFMS) whose role was viewed as a contributor to the successful delivery of projects leading to improved financial performance of small and medium construction enterprise (SMCEs). In particular, the PBFMS was viewed as a facilitator {function) for the efficient and effective conduction of the strategic management, project planning and control processes. Thus an adequate PBFMS was seen as one which, facilitates the efficient and effective delivery of projects with a view to provide enhanced enterprise performance. In pursuit of this aim, theory and practices relating to the development, operation and use of a PBFMS were investigated and analysed from both literature and field work leading to findings being reported in the thesis. In addition, the actual financial management systems of SMCEs were investigated to determine the extent to which their attributes match those of the proposed PBFMS model. The motivation for embarking on the study was brought about by three aspects observed in Botswana. Firstly, was the frequently documented poor delivery of projects, that is, for a sustained period of time, projects were being delivered beyond stipulated times, above agreed cost, and below specified quality. In some worst scenarios, projects were being abandoned at various stages execution but before completion. Secondly, the investigation was also prompted by the frequent financial failures of enterprises that were being recorded in the construction industry. Thirdly, the conduct of the proprietors of the construction enterprises was also frequently circumspect, particularly in matters relating to financial management. Thus in pursuing the study, a number of premises were made. Firstly, the financial management systems of the SMCEs were considered inadequate to fulfil their functions, that is, they were incapable of facilitating the strategic management, project planning and control process. It was also speculated that management of SMCEs were not committed to the PBFMS i.e. they did not participate, get involved and did not comply with the policies regarding the planning, developing, and operation of financial management systems. As a result, PBFMS were unable to play their role of facilitating to the successful delivery of projects for improved contribution to the financial performance of SMCEs. The second premise was that financial models available are either too generic to guide SMCEs in financial management matters or the strategic component is not linked to the operational plans to execute the strategy. For those which are meant for construction enterprises, they normally prescribe practices for project planning and control without including the strategic element and vice versa. In essence there is a gap in each of the models available for use by the SMCEs. It is the closing of this perceived gap in knowledge that the results of the thesis contribute in finding a solution to the mentioned problem. Thus the study aimed at answering two research questions: (i) Do SMCEs have adequate PBFMS that facilitate the effective delivery of projects for enhanced financial performance? and (ii) Is there a relationship between the adequacy PBFMS and poor performance of SMCEs? To facilitate the answering of these two question two hypothesis were formulated namely: Hoi: The PBFMS of SMCEs are adequate to facilitate the delivery of projects; and Ho2: The adequacy of the PBFMS is positively correlated with the performance of SMCEs. To test the two questions a research process was planned and executed in several steps. Firstly, a survey strategy using the questionnaire was selected as the most appropriate method to provide a snap shot of the existence of attributes of PBFMS and to investigate associated practices relating to their development and operation. The method was considered more appropriate and effective in gathering large data in a short space of time in line with the doctoral time framework. Construction enterprises registered with Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) for building and civil work in classes A, B, C and D were surveyed. The internal quantity surveyor, estimator or accountant were requested to respond on matters relating PBFMS on behalf of the SMCEs. The sampling frame from which the SMCEs considered for study were obtained from the two government departments which work closely with PPADB, the Department of Building and Engineering Services (DBES) and Department of Roads (DR). The sample sizes for each group category (small and medium) were determined using Krajcie and Morgan (1970) table. Stratified and systematic random sampling was used to select the identity of the members to form a sample fro study from the sampling frame. The second step was to design the questionnaire to probe the three aspects identified as constituting the PBFMS namely the strategic management; project planning and control; and management commitment. Essentially the questionnaire sought to investigate the knowledge, tools, techniques, practices, opinions and attitudes of those who design, develop, operate and use the PBFMS in the SMCEs. To ensure a high quality design, the questionnaire was given to experts in the subject area to provide some comments on its suitability and was also piloted on four enterprises. Data collected was analysed using mainly the SPSS software and involved application of various statistical techniques including cross-tabs, ratio analysis, ttests and correlational tests. A total of 101 completed questionnaires were received, made up of 55% and 46% small and medium enterprises, respectively. The demographic profile of SMCEs confirmed some of the expected results, for example, majority (59%) of the respondents were owner/managers confirming the dominance of the owner in SMCEs. Majority of SMCEs (59%) were more than 9 years old, with medium enterprises being more mature (60% older than 9 years) than the small sized enterprises (49% older than 9 years). Majority (56%) of SMCEs had 10 or more employees, with medium sized enterprises having more employees (75% with 10 or more) than the small sized enterprises (42% with 10 or more). SMCEs performed more of building work alone (48%) than both building and civil work (48%) or maintenance (11%) and no enterprise performed civil work (0%) alone. Majority of SMCEs (65%) acted as main contractors as opposed to sub-contractors, though as expected sub-contracting was seen more in small (20%) than medium (10%) enterprises. Lastly, the public sector (central and local authorities) provided majority (65%) of the SMCEs jobs. However, if parastatals which are wholly owned by government were added, the public sector job market adds up to 73% (65%+8%). The testing of the major two major hypothesis resulted in the following conclusion. The results indicated that the first hypothesis was supported, that is, in a majority of SMCEs operating in Botswana the PBFMS were found to be adequate in facilitating the delivery of projects. The results were therefore not in agreement with the basic premise made at the commencement of the study. In view of the finding, it suggests that SMCEs in Botswana have adequate systems that support the efficient and effective project planning and control. Secondly, management is committed to the 'welfare' of the PBFMS in terms of complying and supporting their development and operation. However, like any human endeavour, there are weaknesses in the PBFMS, for example, they were found inadequate in facilitating the strategic management process, including lack of linking the process to the operational process in order to execute the strategy. They were also found weak in one of the most crucial process of project management; that of project control. The second major investigation showed a weak link between the adequacy of a PBFMS and performance. Secondly, the results also indicated that the SMCEs which had adequate PBFMS performed better than their counterparts. The first results were not surprising since the cause of poor performance were shown as three pillars (business environment, client/representatives and enterprise factors). However, the second results emphasise that SMCEs with adequate PBFMS posted better performance than their counterparts with inadequate systems. In this way the role of PBFMS in contributing to better performance was illustrated by the results. Some recommendations are proposed resulting from the findings and how to achieve a deeper understanding of the subject. Firstly, SMCEs should pay more attention to matters pertaining to strategic management to ensure a long-term view of their enterprises. Secondly, when a strategic plan is developed, it must be implemented through operational plans as a means of executing the strategy. Thirdly, concerted effort should made in ensuring that the projects are controlled as it is the only way to achieve sustained profitability and satisfied customers. Fourthly, as a way of providing a deeper understanding of the subject, it is suggested a longitudinal study could be undertaken to yield a more encompassing investigation than a cross sectional study which captured only one business cycle of the industry (down turn). Lastly, the study could be replicated in another industry with a similar profile like the construction industry in Botswana, for example, Namibia or/and the study could include large enterprises to provide means of comparing the different profiles of enterprises.Business ManagementD. B. L

SANITIZATION, A GROUNDED APPROACH OF VIRAL INFECTIONS AVOIDANCE FOR HUMAN HEALTH: COVID-19, A STIMULUS OF PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY MODERATION ON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN UGANDAN COMMUNITIES. A DESCRIPTIVE, CROSS-SECTIONAL AND CORRELATIONAL STUDY.

Background: This study established how sanitization for viral infection avoidance stimulates public health policy moderation on communicable diseases, specifically examining existing health policy on viral infection avoidance and shortfalls; establishing how sanitization stimulates policy moderation; how sanitization and policy moderation impact viral infection avoidance for human health in Ugandan communities. Methods: The study targeted a population of 1645 based on levels of vulnerability and managing prophylaxis function. A positivistic approach engaged a cross-sectional survey design. Data analysis took descriptive statistics, correlational, and regression analysis. Purposive, simple random sampling was used. Results:         Existing policies influencing viral infection avoidance performed below 20%, inappropriate, promote creations of remedy extracts, soap solutions, detergents, boiled herbal mixtures steaming with acceptance and compliance revealed at 13.4%, negatively impacting viral infection avoidance by 4.5%, implementation by 46.5%. Policy exhibited low positive correlations with awareness and mindset change contributing 27.1% and 36.7% respectively, impacting sanitization by 13.7%. Sanitization significantly impacted policy by 29.7% twice as much. Eminent change in coefficients of determination from 0.352 models (1) to 0.113 models (2) and 0.025 models (3) suggested regressing the existing main policy to a generically decomposed accommodating inclusion modality supporting efficacy and efficiency. Conclusions: Awareness of viral infections was significantly low. Existing policies don’t suggest representative contingency methods, enforcement, implementations, and realistic techniques for viral infections and pathogens avoidance. Sanitization glossily moderates policy grounding it inclusive in enforcing avoidance of candidate viral infections by 29.7% and positively influences viral infections avoidance cumulatively by 48.4%, Recommendations: MoH should dedicate sensitization programs for people lacking knowledge of transmission of communicable diseases, provide alternative policies to healthcare livelihood and service delivery instead of locking down areas of high human concentrations, and issue guidelines and standards ensuring sustainable health security for self-provided gargets and remedies to avoid further infection and reinfection due misuse

Drivers of Tracking Administration of Malaria Drugs in Health Units in Uganda. A Descriptive and Correlational Study.

Background: This study aimed at examining malaria intrinsic factors and technology controls as drivers of tracking administration malaria drugs focusing on the roles of both health workers and health units.  Methodology: Descriptive and correlational research designs were employed upon 465 health workers from 564 health units in the central districts of Uganda for which purposive and randomization techniques were used.   Results:  8.5% of health workers don’t test blood in hospitals, HC III and clinics majorly private facilities that have existed between 5-9 years, nurses noticeably base on just own experience to examination malaria patients. 11.8% don’t use slides to examine blood, health units that have existed as below as five years fall suit. Difficulty in electronic data exchange (26.7%), lack freedom to use electronic systems to access information on malaria drugs (41.9%), poor networks connectivity (60.0%) and poor response time (50.5%) are prominent. Perceptions, attitudes, knowledge, and skills of use of ICTs affect tracking administration of malaria drugs.  Conclusion: Parasites’ identification, quantification, and speciation concerns decrease from hospitals, clinics, HC III to IV in public health units that existed for 15 and below 5 years. Junior nurses with certificates and diplomas with work experience of 1-5 years mostly in general, pediatrics and “others” departments manage malaria issues with minimum guidance and supervision. Engagement of Rapid Diagnostic Test kits is higher in hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, HC III, and IV.  Recommendations: MoH should improve on planning, surveillance, and supervision of health facilities across to enforce diagnosis for malaria cases management and reduction drug resistance. Regulate a holistic and non-discriminative policy on diagnosis, treatment (drugs), and control of malaria and emphasized balanced, effective, and sustainable results. Gargets, training to handle malaria cases regardless of whether the facility is public or privately be prioritized for good tracking administration of malaria drugs