5 research outputs found
Corporate community engagement (CCE) in Zimbabwe's mining industry from the Stakeholder Theory perspective
Questionnaires translated into ShonaMineral extraction is one of the key drivers of Africa’s economies and is also one of the largest
industries in the world. In many African countries, including Zimbabwe, mining contributes to
profound parts of the economy and remain the engine for economic growth. In recent years, and
following the continual exploitation of minerals, mining companies have been scrutinized as a
major cause of social, environmental, and economic problems faced mainly by communities at
the margins. In this regard, mining companies are widely perceived to be prospering at the
expense of adjacent communities, who are the primary recipients of the externalities, mainly
negative, from mining operations. Due to incongruent stakeholder interests conflicts have
erupted given the peculiar case of the extractive industries in Zimbabwe. Having realised the
differences among stakeholder interests over minerals, in the extractive industry the study sought
to answer this question: how is CCE understood by different stakeholders? And how is CCE
measured by the same stakeholders?. The focus of the study is to evaluate the meaning of CCE
from multiple stakeholders in the extractive industry in Zimbabwe; and to analyse how CCE is
measured by identified stakeholders. In order to satisfy the stated objectives, the study employed
mixed research method. This study revealed similarity in understanding of CCE and its
usefulness amongst the different stakeholder groups. Of cognitive importance is the realisation
by stakeholders on the need for proactive communities and corporate investment into community
for effective partnerships. Collaboration, empowerment, inclusion, trust and organisation
emerged to be the major facilitators for CCE. The study presents operative CCE according to the
obligations and expectations of stakeholders. Having realised that mining industries are
particularly susceptible to conflict between stakeholders, the study suggests proactive desire to
mitigate these conflicts through CCE in the mining industry. In this respect, community
development, peace and stability and strong economy are the major outcomes of effective CCE.
The study recommends participation of resource owners in planning, implementing, monitoring
and evaluation as well as dividends sharing of mining projects as advocated for by the CCE
Model. It is also recommended that the adoption of the CCE Model will ensure a sustainable and
harmonious coexistence between the predominantly capitalistic mining concerns and the
resource owners and solve part of the current impasse to business and community development.Business ManagementD.B.L
Too many seats too little talent: an analysis of optimum number of seats for board of directors in state owned enterprises (SOEs) in Zimbabwe
Effect of business soft skills on service delivery in the hospitality industry in Harare, Zimbabwe
pace of change has changed tremendously as the business world becomes global. Since the
dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy in 2009, the service organisations have been facing
challenges in terms of managing fluctuating demand. In particular, many companies in the hospitality
industry were still using a “hit and miss” approach to handle their service. As such, business soft
skills have become indispensable in the hospitality industry in the enhancement of service delivery.
The study, therefore sought to examine the effect of business soft skills on service delivery in the
hospitality industry in Harare. Specifically, the research sought to establish the knowledge levels of
business soft skills in the hospitality industry; establish the impact of training on business professional
skills in the hospitality industry on employee service delivery and identify the extent to which business
soft skills have enhanced service delivery. A survey research design was adopted and survey
questionnaires were sent to respondents who are implicitly and explicitly involved in business soft
skills activities. The study’s sample size comprised of 150 part time and permanent employees from
selected hospitality companies. The research questionnaires were tested for reliability and validity
through a pilot test. All the collected data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist
(SPSS) version 20.0. The findings revealed that soft skills such as interpersonal skills, communication
skills, strong work ethics and team work skills were deficient. In addition, respondents also showed
difficulties in leadership and decision making skills. The findings revealed that business soft skills
were low among all the types of employees. The findings also revealed that companies do have
challenges with soft skills training. The study concluded that soft skills are of paramount importance
in meeting customer needs. Thus, soft skills are important in showcasing hard skills. The study
recommends future research to focus on the demand side of the skills equation by looking on how
the designs of organisations and jobs do impact skill requirements and performance in the hospitality
service sector.CPU