Stakeholder interactions and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices: Evidence from the Zambian copper mining sector

Purpose – This paper critically explores the interactions of key stakeholders and their impact upon CSR practices in the Zambian copper mining sector. Design/methodology/approach – This case study of the Zambian copper mining sector utilises an overall political economy framework, focusing on power asymmetries between the state and MNCs. Within this context, we draw on both stakeholder salience theory and legitimacy theory in order to explore the interactions of key stakeholders and their impact upon CSR practices. Findings – We find power asymmetries between the state and MNCs existing according to a number of different dimensions which are exacerbated by a number of factors including divisions within the government itself as a key stakeholder. However, despite the existence of stark power asymmetries, we find that in the Zambian context, there are some possibilities for agency on the part of civil society, and so that legitimacy theory has some (albeit limited) explanatory potential. Originality/value - The paper contributes to the literature on CSR in developing countries by exploring these issues in a critical case, that of the Zambian copper mining sector on which the economy is so heavily dependent

Development of a strategy and interpretation of the NIR spectra for application in automated sorting

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordThe Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a novel technique that can be used for early identification and separation of minerals from unwanted gangue during ore sorting. In this research, the potential of near infrared sensors for application in automated sorting was investigated on a copper-gold ore sample. The ore contains a substantial amount of carbonaceous material which results in excessive acid consumption in the subsequent leaching process during copper extraction. To classify this unwanted gangue material (carbonate) from the valuable metal (copper), a strategy to identify and distinguish the ore according to copper and carbonate content was developed. The near infrared spectra were measured on the surface of ore particles and characteristic absorption features were observed at a longer wavelength ranging from 2000 nm to 2405 nm. The results were then correlated with the chemical and mineralogical composition of the ore determined using X-Ray fluorescence and X-Ray diffraction equipments respectively. The near infrared spectra showed distinct characteristic absorption features for carbonate rich particles that distinguished these from copper bearing particles, which are fairly featureless at longer wavelengths. Combined interpretation of spectral features and chemical and mineralogical data indicates that near infrared-based sorting has potential for this type of ore.The authors wish to thank the Zambian government and the Copperbelt University management for the financial support towards this research

POVERTY IN ZIMBABWE: A CRITICAL REVIEW

A lot of debate has been made on the concept of poverty and what causes it. This paper seeks to undertake a critical analysis of the acute causes of poverty in Zimbabwe. A secondary research approach took a central stage in data acquisition, as the researchers focused on reviewing secondary data especially from published sources on the causes of Zimbabwean poverty especially in the 21st century. The study at hand becomes highly pertinent to Zimbabwe that has faced various episodes and phases of poverty ever since its 1980 political independence. The results of the study showed that the acute causes of poverty in Zimbabwe include corruption, high unemployment rates, underperforming banking system, lack of foreign investment, underperforming industries and poor infrastructure. Numerous recommendations were made for the reduction of poverty in Zimbabwe. It is hoped that if these recommendations are taken into account, there is going to be improvement of socio-economic development in the country and consequent reduction in levels of poverty in Zimbabwe. Article visualizations

Management of Cholangiocarcinomas in Developing Countries: Report of Seven Cases and Review of Literature

No Abstract

Community-linked maternal death review (CLMDR) to measure and prevent maternal mortality: a pilot study in rural Malawi.

In Malawi, maternal mortality remains high. Existing maternal death reviews fail to adequately review most deaths, or capture those that occur outside the health system. We assessed the value of community involvement to improve capture and response to community maternal deaths

Clinical outcomes among febrile children aged 2 to 59 months with negative malaria rapid diagnostic test results in Mchinji District, Malawi

BackgroundMalawi malaria treatment guidelines recommend a definitive diagnosis, using a malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT), for all patients with fever or history of fever. Improving the management and outcomes of febrile children with negative mRDT results should be a priority.MethodsThrough a prospective cohort study designed to investigate clinical outcomes of children treated at the community level, we followed, for 7 days, children aged 2 to 59 months, who had negative mRDT results and were treated with antipyretic medication. Clinical outcomes were assessed on days 3 and 7 post-recruitment.ResultsThe median age of recruited children was 19 months. Of the 285 children enrolled, 139 (48.8%) were females. Of the children for whom data were available for analysis, 95/236 (40.3%) had fever (temperature ≥ 37.5°C) at enrolment, and almost half of the sick children (125/268; 46.6%) had symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. Most sick children (89.6%; 95% confidence interval, CI = 84.2 to 93.3) recovered, while 10.4% (95% CI: 6.7 to 15.8) were still sick by day 7 of follow-up. There were no deaths reported during the 7 days of follow-up. Being afebrile at enrolment (odds ratio, OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.1 to 6.0; P = 0.027) and sleeping under an insecticide-treated net (ITN) (OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.2 to 6.2; P = 0.011) were associated with recovery by day 7. In multivariable analysis, sleeping under an ITN the previous night was the only factor associated with recovery by day 7. Microscopy did not detect any malaria parasites in the blood of recruited children, at recruitment or on day 7.ConclusionsIn this community-level study, the majority of febrile children with negative mRDT results recovered within 7 days of health worker consultation for a febrile illness, having only taken antipyretics

Four-year diploma male students’ experiences in a profession traditionally perceived as a female domain at a selected public college of nursing in Limpopo, South Africa

Background: Over the last 20 years, more men have been choosing to pursue a career in nursing. Despite this, men remain a minority in the nursing workforce around the world, including South Africa. Even though there is an increase in the number of male students entering the profession, male students remain a minority. Comparatively speaking, there is no balance between the number of female and male students taken in each intake. This is even reflected in the South African Nursing Council statistics. Nursing is traditionally perceived as a distinctly feminine career and the use of the terms ‘angel in a white dress, sister or nurse’ perpetuates this stereotype. This perception may deter some men from choosing a career in nursing and presents challenges for others who are currently in the profession. Objectives: To explore and describe 4-year diploma male students’ experiences in a profession traditionally perceived as a female domain. Method: This qualitative study used an explorative and descriptive design. The population comprised African male students in their third and fourth years of study who were registered for the 4-year diploma course at a selected public college of nursing in Limpopo, South Africa. Participants were purposively sampled. Five focus group discussions were conducted, and each comprised six to eight participants. The data were analysed using the Tesch’s open code method. Results: Two themes emerged during data analysis: discrimination in the clinical setting and lack of role models and mentors. Conclusion: Unless these challenging experiences are attended to, discrimination on the basis of gender in the clinical settings and lack of mentors may deter some men from choosing and remaining in the nursing profession. The selected public college of nursing and the nursing services need to work towards creating a welcoming environment to all students regardless of gender because some participants indicated that the clinical environment is sometimes not welcoming to them as men

Culturally Adapted Interventions in Mental Health: Global Position Statement

The preponderance of western psychological concepts are often relied upon to conceptualise health-related phenomena. It is hardly surprising therefore that despite the availability of a number of interventions, studies have concluded that outcomes for minority cultural groups are not as good as for Caucasian people (western Europe and North America) in many high and middle income countries (HMIC). The evidence base of most psychosocial interventions is yet to be established in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). There has been a propensity in some quarters to view low and middle income countries as passive beneficiaries of mental health knowledge, rather than as contributors or partners in knowledge production and development. A move towards a more equal bilateral relationship is called for, which should lead to better service provision. This Position Statement aims to highlight the current position and need for culturally adapted interventions. It is a global call for action to achieve a standardised mechanism to achieve parity of access and outcomes across all cultural groups regardless of country of residence

Taking up the cudgels against gay rights? Trends and trajectories in African Christian theologies on homosexuality

Against the background of the HIV epidemic and the intense public controversy on homosexuality in African societies, this article investigates the discourses of academic African Christian theologians on homosexuality. Distinguishing some major strands in African theology, that is, inculturation, liberation, women’s and reconstruction theology, the article examines how the central concepts of culture, liberation, justice, and human rights function in these discourses. On the basis of a qualitative analysis of a large number of publications, the article shows that stances of African theologians are varying from silence and rejection to acceptance. Although many African theologians have taken up the cudgels against gay rights, some “dissident voices” break the taboo and develop more inclusive concepts of African identity and African Christianity