Strategic Planning and Its Contribution to Organizational Performance: A Case of Selected Public Sectors in Yirgalem Town, Ethiopia

The study sought to investigate the contributions of strategic planning to organizational performances in the selected sectors of yirgalem Town. The study has also sorted out the context of strategic planning prior to its design. In addition, the research investigated the practices and challenges in the course of designing, implementing and over sighting the plan in the ex-post implementation. In order to systematically approach the problem. This approach was selected on the ground that it helps the selection of Case Study approach. To this effect, a case study is chosen as an overall approach for its ability to incorporate to qualitative and quantitative methods in the collection and analysis of data that focuses on the various issues of the study. Besides, in order to meet the objectives of the research, both primary and secondary sources of data were accessed using questionnaire, interviews and observations. Moreover, from 22 public sector organizations that have implemented strategic planning, 5 sectors were randomly selected from where 37 respondents were selected using simple random sampling and 13 were selected as key informants who were purposely considered.  The results show that though there has been a gap to improve, to a better degree there has been awareness creation prior to the design of Strategic Planning. However, results show that there was a gap in participating wider level of management and stakeholders in the course of designing the plan. This study also shows that the Strategic Planning has resulted in positive changes with regard to revenue collection, efficient service delivery and increased desire for qualified manpower. Finally, the researcher recommends that, in the planning processes to come in the future, the Town Administration should create adequate awareness for both employees and the stakeholders. It is also recommended that good performing units and employees should be rewarded so as to motivate the poorly performing ones. Moreover, further research is recommended as strategic planning multiple dimensions. Keywords: Strategic planning, Organizational performance, Contribution

The Effect of Time Management Practice on the Academic Achievement: A Case of Dire Dawa University, Ethiopia

The aim of the study or the research was to assess general time management practice /behavior of regular program students of Dire Dawa University and its association with their academic achievement, gender, and year of study. The research was conducted on Dire Dawa University the school business and economics regular program student. The total population of the study was 998. Therefore, the researcher employed proportionate stratified random sampling technique on the basis of the student’s year of study and academic achievement measured in terms of CGPA. The sample size was 120 students. The study predominantly sticks on primary data. The time management questionnaire developed by Britton and Tesser (1991) was used to measure time management behavior of participant students. Descriptive statistics was used to generate means, standard deviation and frequencies for the study variables, the prevalence of exposure conditions were checked for different sub-groups of the questionnaire and difference is was tested by using chi-square test. The result of this study showed that most students 45(35%) and 42(35%) possess time management score at moderate and high level respectively. With respect to gender difference is in time management, the result revealed that male students score in time management (mean score=55.72) were higher than female (50.5) students. With respect to the significance association between time management and academic achievement (CGPA), it was found in this study that the better students time management behavior, the higher the students CGPA. With respect to year of study, the results showed that the student’s general time management score were no significantly different between students due to year of study. Generally, this study underscores the importance of understanding the role time management in academic achievement. Certainly those who are unable to manage time well may be at risk for underachievement. Keywords: General time management, Academic achievement, Student DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-4-0

The Determinants of Customers Attitude Toward Services of Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation: A Case of Addis Abeba, Ethiopia

This study emphasizes the determinants of customer attitude toward EEPCO service, Addis Ababa by considering 3 independent variables; cognitive, affective, conative. The study was performed in quantitative research approaches. To reveal the determinants of customer attitude, explanatory research design were used. For selecting sample respondents’ disproportionate stratified sampling was used. The data analysis was performed by inferential and descriptive statistics. The data analysis was processed by IBM SPSS statistical software version 24. The total sample size was 387 Out of which, 310 were returned as 248 residential, 60 commercial and 2 industrial Customers respondents with a response rate of 80.0%, 19.4% and 0.6%, respectively. The researcher supposed that EEPCO shall improve of quality of service in the term maintenance, Customer service and transformers and lines performance. All determinant factors of tri- components have a positive correlation with customer attitude. The ANOVA test result showed that, the value of R and R2 obtained under the model summary part was statistically significant. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that all variables have a statistically significant relationship for customer attitude. The researcher concluded that the tri component models on EEPCO service is significantly determined by these 3 factors of customer attitude. Keywords: Customer Attitude, Eepco, Cognative, Affective, Conative

The Practices and Challenges of Balanced Scorecard Implementation in Municipality Service Delivery in Injibara Town Awi Zone, Ethiopia

The purpose of this study was to assess the practices and challenges of BSC implementation at municipality service delivery at Injibara town in Awi zone, North West Ethiopia. The methodology of this research employed was both questionnaire and key informant interview. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis method was employed. Out of the non-probability sampling purposive/judgmental sampling and census survey has been used to consider all population which is 32. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive approach by frequencies and tables. The result of analysis revealed that there is inadequate commitment from leaders on the creation of conducive work environment, information sharing and encouragement of employees. Further, there is no close relationship with customers and failures on knowing what the stakeholders value and lack of commitment in human resource side like lack of reward system, and lack of recognition for their work are the major gaps that management should have to work more to bring improvements. Finally the researcher recommends that the organizations should have to works towards the improvements of BSC implementation by changing the mindset and attitude of employees towards BSC, motivating of employees through benefits and reward systems and automating the information handling system. Keywords: Municipality, BSC, Implementation, Injibara town DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-4-0

The Practices of Customer Relationship Management in Selected Private Banks: A Case of Hawassa, Ethiopia

This research studies customer relationship management practices (comparative study) in selected private banks in Hawassa, Ethiopia. CRM as a strategy has gained tremendous interest among researchers and practitioners in recent times. Thus, the study tries to assess the status and ways CRM has been put in to practice by selected Ethiopian private banks. In addition, this research considers different CRM dimensions such as trust, reciprocity, empathy, bonding and responsiveness. To achieve the objective of the study, primary data were collected through questionnaire from sample of 253 bank customers of Wegagen bank, Dashen bank and Bank of Abyssinia, Hawassa, Ethiopia. These respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. The data collected through questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis method and SPSS as a tool of data analysis. Interviews were also conducted with management bodies of the selected private banks in Hawassa city. The result of the study indicated that, there are several loopholes; such as, lack of continuous supervision and monitoring in the quality of bank services, weakness in giving individualized attention to customers, heavy reliance on suggestion boxes to get feedback from customers, lack of technological advancement etc. In addition to the above findings, the common challenge of the selected banks is network interruption. The finding also suggests some measures which can be taken in to consideration in order to enhance CRM practices of the three selected banks. The study also clearly revealed that the five CRM dimensions are strongly related. Thus, from customers as well as management bodies of the three banks perspective, CRM has a significant influence on customer retention of the selected banks. Generally speaking the three banks are in need of doing a lot of CRM based customer focused practices. However, in implementing CRM in to practice, the selected banks had their own gaps. Comparing the selected private banks on their ability of implementing CRM practice, Dashen bank was found to be better implementer, followed by Bank of Abyssinia and Wegagen bank, respectively. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher forwards some recommendations as; continuous supervision on the quality of services, provision of training to employees, and recurrent research on customer needs may help the banks to achieve their objectives. Keywords: Customer relationship management, private bank

The Impact of Entrepreneurship Training on Business Performance of Small and Micro Enterprises (The Case of Some Selected City Administrations-in Oromia Regional State)

The aim of this study was to analysis the impact of entrepreneurship training on the performance of micro and small business enterprises in a case of Oromia regional state enclosed to some selected city administrations. The study covers micro and small business enterprises those who had been received entrepreneurship training from 2014-2018 G.C. Systematic and stratified sampling method was employed to select representative samples from the target population. Primary and secondary data collected through open and close ended questionnaires and interview had analyzed using paired sample t-test, ANOVA and Linear regression statistical tests. The hypothesis test result of correlation and regression analysis reveals that there was a positive significant relationship between entrepreneurship training and business performance of MSEs. Therefore, the researcher concluded that, the training program has a significant impact on the business performance of micro and small enterprises. Keywords; Entrepreneurship training, micro and small business enterprises and business performanc

Smallholder Farmers’ Perceptions of Climate Change and Adaptation Practices for Maize Production in Eastern Ethiopia

Climate change and variability is affecting maize (Zea mays L.) production in eastern Ethiopia but how farmers perceive the challenge and respond to it is not well documented. A study was conducted to analyze smallholder maize farmers’ perception of climate change/variability and identify their adaptation approaches and barriers for adaptation in the eastern highlands of Ethiopia. Meteorological data were assessed to provide evidence of the perceived change. A survey was conducted in six major maize-producing kebeles with a total of 364 respondents. A multi-stage sampling method was employed for selecting the sample units for the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a multinomial logit model. The results indicated that 78% of the sampled smallholder maize farmers perceived increasing temperatures while 83% perceived decreasing amounts of rainfall. About 75% of the farmers indicated that they became aware of climate change and variability from their own experience and perceived deforestation as the main cause. The farmers perceived that drought, diseases and pests, dwindling soil fertility, and declining crop yields were the major impacts of climate change that affected maize production. The farmers’ major adaptation practices include adjusting planting dates, using improved maize varieties, intercropping, recommended mineral fertilizers, supplementary irrigation, and soil and water conservation measures. Econometric analysis revealed that low educational level, shortage of land, large family sizes, age, lack of access to irrigation water, lack of access to credit, and lack of access to extension services were the most important barriers to climate change adaptation in the area. It is concluded that farmers cultivating maize in the study area have perceived climate change and use certain adaptation strategies to counter its negative impacts on maize production. This implies that policies should be geared towards strengthening farmers’ efforts to adapt to climate change and alleviate the existing barriers in promoting adaptation strategies for enhancing the productivity of maize

Monitoring biophysical and socioeconomic impacts of CSA practices at Doyogena and Basona Climate-Smart Landscapes, Ethiopia

This activity was conducted to determine climate-smart agricultural practices’ biophysical and socioeconomic impacts over the last 12 months, using the Doyogena (Southern Ethiopia) and Basona (North Ethiopia) climate-smart landscapes as a case study. More specifically, this activity addressed if CSA practices (i) guarantee farmers resilience to climate change; (ii) increase food productivity and household income; and (iii) prevent gender-related bias (i.e., improving women’s participation in decisions, access/control over resources). From each site, 200 adopters (i.e., farmers who practice the above-mentioned practices) and 200 non-adopters (i.e., farmers` as usual practices) were selected randomly. Hence, 800 households were surveyed from six villages from Doyogena and 25 villages from Basona sites. The activity was conducted between 21 December 2020 to 05 January 2021 at Doyogena and between February 01 - 16, 2021 at Basona climate-smart landscapes. Twelve enumerators for Doyogena and fifteen for Basona sites were selected, trained for three days, and performed pre-testing with 8 – 10 farmers before data collection. At Doyogena, a portfolio of eleven promising CSA options was evaluated, namely, (i) terraces coupled with Desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum); (ii) controlled grazing; (iii) improved wheat seeds (high yielding, disease-resistant & early maturing); (iv) improved bean seeds (high yielding); (v) improved potato seeds (high yielding, bigger tuber size); (vi) cereal/potatolegume crop rotation (N fixing & non-N fixing); (vii) residue incorporation of wheat or barley; (viii) green manure: vetch and/or lupin during the off-season (N fixing in time); (ix) improved breeds for small ruminants; (x) agroforestry (woody perennials and crops); and (xi) cut and carry for animal feed. At Basona, on the other hand, the impact of seven CSA options was evaluated, namely, (i) terrace (soil bunds); (ii) terraces coupled with phalaris and tree lucerne); (iii) trenches; (iv) enclosure; (v) percolation pits; (vi) check-dams; and (vii) gully rehabilitation

Monitoring socioeconomic impacts of climate-smart agricultural practices at Doyogena and Basona Worena climate-smart landscapes, Ethiopia

To achieve food security and agricultural development goals, adaptation to climate change and lower emission intensities per output will be necessary. This transformation must be accomplished without depletion of the natural resource base. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is an integrated approach to managing landscapes such as cropland, livestock, forests and fisheries that address the interlinked challenges of food security and climate change. CSA aims to simultaneously achieve increased productivity, enhanced resilience and reduced emissions. In Ethiopia, the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) in East Africa has established two climate-smart landscapes: one in southern Ethiopia in Doyogena district and the second one in central Ethiopia in Basona Worena district. In these sites, locally appropriate CSA practices are being tested and promoted by the European Union and International Fund for Agricultural Development (EU-IFAD) funded project "Building livelihoods and resilience to climate change in East & West Africa" that is supporting large-scale adoption of CSA technologies and practices. Although evidence from some East African countries suggests that the introduction of CSA practices among farmers contributes to the potential of agriculture to adapt to a changing climate, the impact of these CSA practices on food security and livelihoods of Ethiopian farmers is not well understood and documented. Therefore, this activity report is the result of the data collection process that was conducted to assess the impacts of CSA practices on agricultural production, income and household food security in Doyogena and Basona Worena Climate Smart Villages (CSVs). Based on the information gathered in the two CSVs, the socio-economic impacts of these practices will be estimated and documented to help donors and decision makers to justify funding and guide priorities in scaling up the adoption of CSA technologies and practices