Debtors Management in Gokwe East Cluster Day Secondary Schools, Gokwe South District, Zimbabwe

The purpose of the study was to establish the effectiveness of debtors’ management in Gokwe East cluster day secondary schools. Data was collected from a sample of 180 respondents from six cluster schools selected using both the census and stratified random sampling techniques. The descriptive survey used semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and observation to collect data. Data was analysed using qualitative methods. The study revealed that school development projects were stalled by non-payment of fees. All schools used the school morning assemblies to ask learners to remind their parents to settle school debts. Letters of appeal to leadership and parents were also being issued. Debt collectors were not being used to help the situation in all schools in order to maintain healthy school-community relationships. In light of the findings, this study advises that parents be educated on financial management so that schools do not over-budget and then go on to suffer unilaterally for the rest of the year. Keywords: Challenge Debtors’ management, Learners, Community, Day secondary schools

A Study on Externally Driven Costs for Road Freight Transportation in Zimbabwe

The purpose of the study was to assess how external costs impacted on the overall performance of road freight transport sector in Zimbabwe. Both internal and external dynamics play a huge role on the decisions made by operators and mangers in freight transport business. Freight transport is key to socio- economic development of a country and hence there is need to scrutinize how external costs impact on the performance of such entities. This was a quantitative study of road freight transport sector across Zimbabwe with a population of 1256 registered companies and a randomly picked sample size of 384. A total of 384 questionnaires were distributed and 291 were retrieved giving a response rate of 75.6%. study found out that external costs such as accidents, traffic congestion and environmental pollution, if go unchecked have a huge impact on profitability margins due to fines for non-compliance, compensation and insurance costs. The study recommends development of a company policy document that would outline the scope and actions to be taken to ameliorate the negative impact of external costs on business performance

Moments of delight: University Academics’ Experiences of Traditional Cuisine

The consumption pattern of food is seen as part of self-fulfillment. Likewise, academics have likes, dislikes, options, and suggestions for traditional cuisine. This qualitative study used a self-reporting semi-structured online questionnaire to establish the experiences of academics, from a local University in Zimbabwe, toward traditional cuisine. Results indicated a strikingly pronounced growing appreciation for traditional food exhibited more by the mature aged academics. This indication hinged on how they regard the nutritional value and sustainability of traditional cuisine. Above all, traditional food accorded the academics their indigenous cultural identity. The study recommends a popularisation of traditional food for academics

Value of Time Drives Operational Costs of Road Freight Transport Operators (RFTO): A Case Study in Zimbabwe

From a business viewpoint, freight transportation is a necessity in the globalized world we live in. Companies are becoming more dependent on goods from various different locations worldwide and the demand for coordinated transportation is increasing. The aim of the study was to ascertain if Road Freight Transport Sector in Zimbabwe respected the value of time aspect in their operations. Value of time is a sound principle that strategically propels the business into the future. Literature highly recommends the value of time concept for business success as a key to customer satisfaction and an international best practice. This was a quantitative study of the road freight transport sector across Zimbabwe with a population of 1256 registered companies and a randomly picked sample size of 384. A total of 384 questionnaires were distributed and 291 were retrieved, giving a response rate of 75.6%. The study findings indicate that value positively influence firm competitiveness. This implies that travel time and reliability influences company’s reputation, profitability, customer satisfaction and market share. Several empirical studies have reached similar findings (Chi, King-lok, Steven, 2012; Song et al, Gitae, 2017) that value of time has positive impact on firm competitiveness. Study also found that all the registered companies that took part in the research confirmed that the value of time phenomenon was alien to their business practices as they worked on assumptions. They also indicated a loss of business due to customer complaints. The study recommends policy formulation for companies that emphasizes standard operating procedures and good time management for firms to be competitive. The study results and interpretation show that value of time positively influences firm competitiveness. Results imply that if firms in the road freight sector conduct regulars servicing of their fleet, train their employees, plan routes properly, respond to their customers and manage risks there can remain competitive

Mediation Role of Organizational Culture on Transport Costing

The culture of an organization is influenced as the organization faces and learns how to cope with external and internal encounters. Those principles are maintained as the organization's way of doing business offers an effective adaptation to environmental problems and maintains success. The study sought to ascertain the importance of organizational culture in road freight transport sector in Zimbabwe. The road freight sector has been characterized by unprofessional behaviour and incompetent management. Organizational culture is key to defining the uniqueness of an organization, brand, philosophy, and how it relates to business ethics and all other stakeholders. Globally organizational culture has been given great eminence and priority as strategy followed culture in business performance. This was a quantitative study of road freight transport sector across Zimbabwe with a population of 1256 registered companies and a randomly picked sample size of 384 registered road freight companies out of 1256 companies from which data were collected. A total of 384 questionnaires were distributed and 291 were retrieved giving a response rate of 75.6%. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Reliability was checked using Cronbach’s alpha (?). Before conducting structural equation modelling, data were validated using exploratory factor analysis, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. SPSS® version 21 and AMOS® version 21 were used to analyse the data. The findings showed that organizational culture can help to mediate the relationship between transportation costs and firm competitiveness. The findings suggest that organizational culture has a significant impact on the relationship between transportation costs and firm competitiveness. The study also found out that all the registered companies that took part in the research confirmed that the value of time phenomenon was alien to their business organisational culture practices as they worked on assumptions. They also indicated loss of business due to customer complaints. The study recommends policy formulation for companies that emphasizes standard operating procedures and good time management as organisational culture for firms to be competitive

Students’ and Teachers’ perception towards WAPASA Application for e-Learning in Harare, Zimbabwe

This paper examined the perception of grade 1 pupils and their teachers towards WAPASA Application in the teaching and learning. The study employed the descriptive research design. A stratified random sampling of 210 pupils and a purposive sample of 12 teachers were from three purposively selected primary schools in Harare City. Of those, eight teachers and 196 pupils responded. Due to positive attitude of teachers and learner, it was concluded that WAPASA App is very useful for teaching and learning as it was perceived to be fun and interesting to use. Therefore, it can be used to support and enhance learning. If properly incorporated into the teaching and learning process, e-learning will play an important role for learning effectiveness. Therefore, it is recommended that, teachers should use the WAPASA App for maximized learning effectiveness. The Ministry of Education as well as directors of schools should provide in-service professional development workshops for teachers so that they may gain more knowledge on how to use the application

T MAJONI MR: Conceptualization of The Influence of Entrepreneurship Education on Developing Entrepreneurial Intention for Industrialisation of Zimbabwe: A case study of graduates from Zimbabwean State Universities

Research on entrepreneurship education has grown across the globe but less focus is given to its influence on developing entrepreneurial intentions for industrialisation. Research focus focused on the influence of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intentions in general. The prime objective of this paper therefore is to essentially explore the influence of entrepreneurship education on developing entrepreneurial intentions for industrialisation. The study used mixed methodology. Majorly, four theories of entrepreneurship were used namely: Schumpeterian Entrepreneurship Theory, Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), Experiential learning theory, Capital Resources Theory and Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT). The findings indicate that entrepreneurship education is essential for building entrepreneurial intentions for industrialisation. Specifically, results indicate that entrepreneurship education influences graduates to start wanting to engage into entrepreneurial activities for industrialisation, start deciding to develop own innovations, determined to engage into entrepreneurial activities, start considering to engage into entrepreneurial activities, start hoping to engage into entrepreneurial activities and start to wish to engage into entrepreneurial activities. The paper also lucidly shows that entrepreneurial intentions influences graduates to Start their ventures, to develop innovations, to produce goods and services and to develop patents. In addition, the influence of entrepreneurship education on industrialisation is positively mediated by entrepreneurial intentions for industrialisation and moderated by institutional and government support factors. Hence, it is echoed that institutions of higher learning need to prepare students for industrialisation through entrepreneurship education. The government should support entrepreneurship education through government funding and further training. Institutions of higher learning should support entrepreneurship education through instilling entrepreneurship culture in students, providing financial support and entrepreneurship education modules which cultivates entrepreneurship in students. In conclusion, the importance of entrepreneurship education as a significant component for propelling entrepreneurial intention for industrialisation and industrialisation cannot be underestimated. It is thereby suggested that, higher institutions of learning should offer entrepreneurship education in order to develop entrepreneurial intentions for industrialisation and actual industrialisation of a country

How time value affects the performance of road freight transport operators in Zimbabwe

Purpose: The primary purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the Road Freight Transport Sector in Zimbabwe considers the value of time in their operations and how this affects their competitiveness. Methodology: This quantitative study involves a survey of 384 randomly selected companies from a population of 1256 registered road freight companies in Zimbabwe. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS. Results: The study found that all the registered companies that participated in the research confirmed that the value of time phenomenon was alien to their business practices as they worked on assumptions. They also indicated a loss of business due to customer complaints. Theoretical Contribution: This paper contributes to the field by highlighting the importance of considering the value of time in business operations, particularly in the road freight transport sector. It provides empirical evidence supporting the theory that the value of time can significantly impact a firm’s competitiveness. Practical Implications: The findings of this study have practical implications for companies in the road freight transport sector. The study recommends policy formulation for companies emphasizing standard operating procedures and good time management to enhance competitiveness. This could lead to improved customer satisfaction and business success

Exploring the Nature and Practice of Career Guidance in Secondary Schools in Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe.

The study sought to establish the nature and practice of career guidance in Mashonaland West secondary schools. A descriptive survey was used to collect data during career guidance day sessions in Zvimba, Makonde and Karoi. A cluster sample of 344 participants composed of teachers, pupils, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare officials provided information through questionnaires and interviews. Findings revealed that secondary schools in Mashonaland West province had no time-tabled sessions for career guidance. The ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social welfare in conjunction with the ministry of Education Sport and Culture organized career day sessions annually. Different service providers are gathered at one school and form three and four pupils from different schools converge for the occasion. Lectures, demonstrations and handouts provide information about employers' expectations and the “O”level subject requirements for specific careers. Participating facilitators were mainly from government departments. Students felt that career guidance was done rather late at form three when some of them had already dropped critical subjects like mathematics. Students' career choices had gender biases reflecting traditional beliefs in careers for men and woman. The spectrum of facilitators was narrow for adequate information for them to make informed career choices. Teachers had no literature on different careers hence unable to assist pupils. It is recommended that more participants from the private sector be involved in career guidance. Teachers' receive information on careers through workshops at provincial level. Form one pupils should be included in career guidance. A policy on career guidance is called for to ensure its serious implementation in schools