Smart Energy Access and Women Empowerment: A Case Study of Chitandika Village in Zambia

Smart energy access provides numerous advantages in rural areas such as economic development and improved livelihood. Despite the efforts by energy companies to supply to rural areas, women still face a range of constraints in their ability to participate in energy activities. Therefore, this study sought to analyze the goals of access to smart energy on women empowerment from the energy company perspective, assess the extent to which access to smart energy has contributed to empowerment and to establish the challenges faced by women in accessing smart energy with the intent of outlining strategies for future implementation. The study used a qualitative thematic analysis approach. The data was collected through structured, open-ended interviews with 20 women respondents with access to energy in chitandika village and 1 in-depth interview with the key energy expert. The study found that access to smart energy in chitandika village had a positive effect on women empowerment as it provided several benefits for the women. Additionally, the study established general and specific challenges that women face in accessing smart energy. Furthermore, it was established that the key strategies for implementing smart energy access on women empowerment were gender mainstream in energy projects, understanding women’s energy needs and demands, promoting productive use, supporting credit, and saving schemes and promoting skill development

Factors Impeding Mobile Money Expansion in Zambia

The majority of the world population is not covered by the mainstream financial sector. As such, mobile money services are seen as a cost effective and efficient way of increasing financial inclusion.  However, there remains some factors that impede the development of mobile money services. Therefore, this study sought to analyse these factors with a view to identifying strategies that can be used to accelerate the development of mobile money services

Factors Influencing Adherence to Ethical Values: A Case Study of Accountants in the Zambian Public Sector

Financial scandals continue to negatively impact businesses all over the globe with Zambia not being an exception. The financial accounts of businesses are handled by accountants who are members of professional bodies and are governed by a code of ethics put in place to regulate professional conduct. This study aimed to establish the relationship between factors influencing ethical values and the accountants’ adherence to the code of ethics. The study employed a quantitative approach with the use of structured questionnaires on a population sample comprising of finance and accounting staff from the Zambian public sector. To determine the respondents, simple random sampling was used to identify the population of interest. The outcome from the study showed remuneration of accountants, internal controls within organisations and independence of accountants to be among the factors that influence adherence to ethical values. It was found that there is a positive relationship between remuneration of accountants, internal controls, independence of accountants and the accountants’ adherence to ethical values. It is therefore expected that the higher the remuneration of the accountant, the stronger the internal controls, the higher the independence of the accountant, the easier it is for the accountant to adhere to ethical values. This study contributes towards enhancing measures put in place to address the shortcomings attributed to compliance with the code of ethics for public sector accountants. It will also be beneficial to accountants as it will echo the need for accountants to uphold ethical values.

Reverse logistics framework for PET bottles

Abstract: Reverse logistics (RL) is an engineering strategy used by manufacturing companies to develop environmental sustainability through recycling. The result of not having appropriate legislation and frameworks in Zambia, specific to RL for plastic bottles, huge volumes of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles are dumped on the Environment. Only 30% of the waste generated, in Zambia, is collected for disposal in dumpsites and the remaining 70% is not recovered. Of the 30% waste collected, there is no data to indicate the exact amount of PET bottles disposed. This paper focuses on analyzing RL activities performed by beverage manufacturing companies in conjunction with community involvement. Examining the regulations set by the regulatory bodies in monitoring waste management issues. Three separate questionnaires are issued, one for the beverage companies, one for the regulatory body and one for the municipality. Structured interviews and direct observations were also used. The results indicate that, RL of PET bottles is not practiced by the beverage companies. However the companies recognize the importance of recycling PET plastic bottles and have printed symbols of recycling on their bottles. Measures taken to protect the environment indicate regulations from the regulatory body are in place though not effectively enforced on PET plastic waste This paper focuses on analyzing the data collected via the three tier questionnaires and providing some insights into options to implement RL, within the Zambian constraints. A Container Deposit logistics Refund Legislation (CDRL) framework was developed and proposed for use in the recovery of PET bottles and any other recyclables

Circular Economy: An Antidote to Municipal Solid Waste Challenges in Zambia

Zambia is one of the fastest developing countries in Africa. It is land linked and has one of the most urbanizing cities, the capital, Lusaka. The country is now grappling with serious challenges of managing municipal solid waste that is generated from its growing population and increased economic activity. Circular economy ensures that all the negativities of linear economy are reduced or prevented by ensuring reduced generation of waste at source, reuse of the generated waste and if these cannot be implemented, recycling of the generated waste follows. This results into environmental benefits such as clean and safe air and water. Land degradation or pollution is prevented. Therefore, there is need to implement circular economy as an antidote to the current municipal solid waste challenges. Municipal solid waste management is a critical public good that provides a barometer for the effectiveness of any governance system around the world. Successive governments should embed the waste management issue in all the policies developed for to ensure sustainability. In today’s world of material scarcity and a call to action toward climate change action, it cannot be over emphasized that circular economy is the antidote to municipal solid waste challenges Zambia is facing

An African reverse logistics model for plastic solid wastes

D.Phil. (Engineering Management)Abstract: Plastic packaged products manufacture continues to increase as a result of the favorable properties possessed by plastic materials. This results in a proportional increase in the amount of Plastic Solid Wastes (PSWs) generated. The concept of Reverse Logistics (RL) is used to recover the PSWs for the purposes of recycling. Numerous studies on RL and recycling have been conducted in developed economies. In developing economies such as in Africa, few studies exist on RL and recycling. This research reveals the research gap and aims to examine the flow of recyclable post-consumer plastic packaged products with the intent of designing a levers’ driven RL model for the Zambian context. The research objectives focus on; studying the current sustainable models used in developed economies for the recovery and recycling of PSWs, to examine the Solid Waste Management (SWM) system in Zambia paying special attention to PSWs management, to ascertain the major stakeholders in the recovery and recycling of PSWs. Consequently, to develop instruments for extracting data relating to significance and the levers. To develop a RL model for Zambia and test the influence of the explored levers. Finally, to recommend strategies that can optimize the recovery and recycling of PSWs from the stakeholders’ perspective. A pragmatic research approach is considered appropriate for this research. Based on this philosophical stance, concurrent mixed method strategy is conducted. Four types of stakeholders are considered relevant for this research; households, plastic manufacturing and recycling companies; Informal Waste Collectors (IWCs) and Formal Waste Collectors (FWCs). Three types of survey questionnaires are designed and a set of structured interview questions are drawn. A total of 445 questionnaires are distributed to the households, 60 questionnaires to the IWCs and 30 questionnaires to the plastic manufacturing and recycling companies. 20 interviews are considered for the case study. Concurrent triangulation is used to merge the quantitative and qualitative research findings. Descriptive statistics, Factor Analysis (FA) and inference statistics are drawn and used in analyzing the data Literature review, questionnaire surveys and interviews reveal that, application of RL for the recovery of PSWs for recycling purposes is still at its infancy in Zambia. The flow of PSWs shows that, the 3Rs concept is applied as well as unsustainable disposal methods (burying or burning). Illegal and legal disposal of PSWs exist. The results reveal that 80.2% of the households do not participate in PSWs recovery and recycling programs while 45.5% of the plastic manufacturing and recycling companies recycle PSWs. Majority of PSWs recoveries involve the IWCs and 43% are dump-sites pickers. The research outlines the key levers and stakeholders to consider when designing and implementing RL for PSWs in Zambia as well as other countries of similar context. Strategies for developing and implementing sustainable recovery and recycling systems for PSWs are provided to the waste convertors, the community, government, policy makers and other parties across the entire supply-chain. Finally, an optimization RL model driven by levers that influence the stakeholders to participate in the recovery and recycling programs is proposed for the plastic manufacturing and recycling industries for..

Evaluating the Significant Sources of Inventory Shrinkage at a Zambian Department Chain Store

This research study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the significant sources of inventory shrinkage at a Zambian Department Chain Store and to formulate strategies for its mitigation. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates data from security reports and structured open ended interview responses from various employees within the organization. The research specifically focuses on three objectives: identifying the sources of shrinkage, assessing its impact on the store both financially and non-financially, and developing mechanisms for its elimination or minimization. The findings reveal a multi-faceted problem with significant contributions from employee theft, shoplifting, administrative errors and vendor fraud. Financially, the store incurred a loss of over K35,973.81 in a span of six months, highlighting the urgency of addressing the issue. Beyond the financial toll, the study also uncovers the adverse effects of shrinkage on employee morale and customer relations, adding layers of complexity to the problem. Given the multi-dimensional nature of the issue, the study proposes a phased, multi-faceted strategy tailored to different management levels within the organization. The study not only offers practical solutions for the Zambian Department Chain Store but also contributes to the academic discourse on retail shrinkage.