Measuring Hospitality and Tourism Management Students’ Satisfaction with Work Related Learning Using Partial Least Squares in Zimbabwe

Purpose: The study assessed Tourism and Hospitality Students’ satisfaction with work-related learning (WRL) attachment using a two-stage extended model proposed by Taylor and Geldenhuys (2019). It also intends to determine if there are significant student satisfaction differences between males and females and between the students pursuing bachelor or diploma in Tourism and hospitality. Also, the study assessed if there is a moderation effect of a third variable (intermediate) on expectation and perception to students’ satisfaction. Method: Data were collected from 488 students using a survey instrument at the onset and at the end of the attachment. Analysis of results was done using both SPSS 23 and R 4.0.3. The study also applied the Multi-Group Analysis-Partial Least Squares (MGA-PLS) analysis permutation to test students’ satisfaction. Results: The research found no significant differences between males and females, and the students’ category (bachelor and diploma) on both Expectation-Satisfaction and Perception-Satisfaction relationship in model A. However, the study found significant differences between males and females in the perception-satisfaction relationship in Model B. The MGSA-PLS results revealed that male students have a positive and significant effect on the perception-satisfaction relationship as opposed to a negative and insignificant effect for females. The moderating effect test revealed that a third construct, INTER - Intermediate variable (a product of construct Perceptions and Expectation) has a positive impact on student satisfaction. Implications: There is a need for collaboration between hospitality industry players and academics in curriculum design, so as to meet the demands of the industry. &nbsp

Impetus of urban horticulture on open spaces: case of Mutare City

Purpose: To understand the impetus of urban horticulture in the Mutare city with explicit motivation on low density areas. Research methodology: The investigation was quantitative in nature, and used a random sample of urban farmers in Mutare city low density areas. The Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS Version 23) was used to analyse data from the questionnaires. Results: The results reveal that Mutare urban agricultural activities are driven by the need for food self-sufficient, income generation and utilisation of urban open spaces. Limitations: The research had limitations on the sample size and also needed to factor in other multiple response questions. Contributions: The findings are useful to urbanites, urban planners, developmental agents and authorities in the development of urban agriculture. Keywords: Urban horticulture, Urban agriculture, Mutare, Impetus, Food securit

Modelling association between two Multiple Response Categorical Variables (MRCV) using generalized log-linear models: the case of urban agriculture in Mutare City

Purpose: This research aimed to apply log-linear modelling to model association between multiple response categorical variables (MRCV) on urban agriculture and enhance data analysis of the paper by Basera, Chakaipa, & Dube (2020) impetus of urban agriculture on open spaces of Mutare City. Research methodology: The research data was obtained from households and farmers in Mutare City - urban and peri-urban (inclusive of plots in Weirmouth Park and Fern Valley area in December 2020. A total of one hundred and fifteen (115) household farmers were surveyed. Results: Simultaneous Pairwise Marginal Independence (SPMI) tests revealed the presence of associations. Log-linear tests revealed a perfect fit based on small standardized Pearson residuals and a strong positive association based on observed and model-predicted odds ratios on-field agricultural activities and use of herbicides. Log-linear and further application of heterogeneity tests revealed partial and near no perfect fit in other pairs of MRCVs with a strong negative association between municipality vacant places and field agricultural activities. Limitations: The research could not carry out log-linear model associations of three or more MRCVs because files exceeded 2GB in memory on both MI.test () function for SPMI tests and genloglin regressions. Contribution: The study contributes to urban agriculture planning especially in enactment of urban agriculture laws, agriculture one stop shop business centers housing farm input supply shops, farm produce shops, and determining fit support that can be rendered to urban farmers. Keywords: Multiple Response Categorical Variables (MRCV), Association, Urban agricultur

The toll of COVID-19 on restaurant business and the future in Zimbabwe: Case of Manicaland province

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc throughout the world across economies and social strati as evident from literature. Numerous employees lost their jobs across industries and the hardest hit industry is the tourism and hospitality industry. Restaurant business is a bigger component of tourism industry and many restaurants’ workers were left job less due to COVID-19. This study sought to investigate the toll of COVID-19 on restaurants business. The country is strategising towards attaining an upper middle income economy status by year 2030 (Vision 2030) using National Development Strategy 1 (NDS) and the study noted the concerns of restaurant workers and restaurateur towards Vision 2030. Recommendations to keep in line with the dictates of NDS are given from the study. The study followed a case study approach were restaurants in Manicaland province were used as a representative sample for the whole industry in Zimbabwe. Only Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) registered players were considered in this study. Data was collected using questionnaires and SPSS version 21 in conjunction with the R software were used for data analysis. The researchers gathered data from restaurateurs, restaurant workers and key industry stakeholders including ZTA, Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) and Restaurant Association of Zimbabwe (ROAZ). The research results reflected that COVID-19 had impacted negatively on restaurant business in Zimbabwe; worker retrenchments and restaurateurs’ bankruptcy. For sustainable restaurant business in the future, the paper recommended the restaurateurs to join the restaurant operators association for engagement with government