Browsing by Author "Zulu, E."

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    Challenges facing progression of disabled pesrons towards senior managerial positions in the National Association of Societies for the care of the handicapped member organisations in Zimbabwe.
    (2022) Khuphe, W.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Shava, G.N.; Zulu, E.; Shonhiwa, S.
    The purpose of this research was to identify and analyze the key factors that affect the limited progression of disabled persons to senior positions at the National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH), the umbrella body that represents different organizations that advocate and support people with disabilities. The research followed a qualitative approach with some limited quantitative analysis of some of the findings. Ten member organizations were sampled in the collection of data. Out of the fifty questionnaires distributed, thirty fully completed and valid questionnaires were received back and that constituted a response rate of sixty percent. The sample was made up of five organizations of the disabled and five organizations for the disabled. The findings of the research show, amongst others, that prejudice and in some instances, weak corporate governance are strong determinants of lack of progression to senior positions of disabled people at NASCOH and in some member organizations. Although this research was small in scale, that is, targeted only ten out of forty-five NASCOH member organizations; many lessons could be learned from the findings of the project. Further research is necessary to explore deeper the identified factors to influence better policy and practice in the study area. The research study found that disabled employees are less represented in employment opportunities. The study further found that there are limited or in some instances, no programmes designed to promote the advancement and development of people with disabilities at NASCOH member organizations. The key recommendation is that there is an urgent need for NASCOH, with the active participation of disability rights activists to push for the establishment of a national policy on disability by the Government of Zimbabwe. Further research is necessary to explore deeper the identified factors to influence better policy and practice in the study area.
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    Effects of corporate social responsibility on firmperformance: Evidence from Zimbabwe
    (International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research, 2022) Sibanda, M.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Zulu, E.; Tlou, F.; Baya, C.
    This study sought to analyse the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on firm performance in listed firms in Zimbabwe. The specific objectives of the study were to analyse the relationship between CSR and profitability, ascertain the effect of CSR on competitive advantage and establish the impact of CSR on sales revenue in listed firms in Zimbabwe. Quantitative research techniques anchored on the positivist research philosophy were the main methods used to undertake the study. A sample of 14 purposively selected firms engaged on CSR responded to questionnaires which were augmented by secondary sources such as annual reports as well as industry reports and RBZ publications. Regression analysis and correlation analysis were the main tools used to analyse the data. The study found a positive relationship between CSR and firm profitability in listed companies in Zimbabwe. It also found out that CSR has a positive effect on competitive advantage and that CSR has a positive impact on sales in listed firms in Zimbabwe. Hence, the study recommends that firms should engage in social and environmental initiatives to improve their image in the eyes of stakeholders. Firms should alsopublicize their CSR initiatives and seek consensus with stakeholders with moderncommunication channels. In addition, they should cooperate with others in order to reduce the costs of engaging in CSR initiatives.
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    Enhancing Development Potential of Diaspora Communities, Experiences of Zimbabweans Living in Botswana
    (2022) Sibanda, K.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Shava, G.N.; Zulu, E.; Shonhiwa, S.
    The study examined the development potential of the Zimbabwean diaspora communities living in Botswana. The current study sought to fill a gap in the interrogation of the willingness and capacity of Zimbabweans living in Botswana to participate in development projects in Zimbabwe. The research was carried out in Botswana using mail and electronic questionnaires, in depth interviews and ethnographic data. Fifty mail survey respondents, 7 electronic survey respondents and 12 in depth study respondents were used in the current study. The mixed method approach used yielded data that could not have been obtained with one method only. Using the transnational capability framework, the research established the existence of both skilled and unskilled Diaspora in Botswana. The study observed that the Zimbabwean community in Botswana is actively involved in transnational activities. The study established that there is willingness to participate in the advancement of their families and communities in Zimbabwe. There are some challenges that hinder the full participation of the Diaspora community that were noted in the study. The shorter periods covered by permits affect the migrants’ capacity to access loans from banks or engage in long term planning as they risk non-renewal of permits. On the Zimbabwean side the economic and political uncertainty affect the commitment by some Zimbabweans in the diaspora to invest in Zimbabwe. The possibility of engagement between Zimbabweans in the diaspora is affected by lack of trust between the current government and the citizens in the Diaspora. The study recommended that the government of Zimbabwe should create a database of Zimbabweans living in Botswana to determine and tap the available skills base for capacity building. The Governments of Botswana and Zimbabwe are recommended to discuss extension of permits and granting of dual citizens to Zimbabwean applicants for the benefit of both countries. There is also need for the Zimbabwean Government to reduce duty on capital goods to allow the Diaspora community to bring productive capital for investment.
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    Is there a solution to high pricing of primary and secondary school textbooks in Bulawayo?
    (2022) Mhone, N.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Zulu, E.; Masukume, C.; Tlou, F.N.
    The objective of the study was to investigate the causes of the high cost of primary and secondary school textbooks in Bulawayo and establish if there is a possible solution to the pricing of books. The study was a descriptive qualitative and quantitative survey. Data were collected through 90 questionnaires (having distributed 105) and seven in-depth interviews from parents, primary and secondary school teachers, ministry officials, printing companies, retailers/bookshops, street vendors and photocopying business people. The study found that high textbook pricing was a result of parents’ low income and reduced disposable income, the import duty, the economic hardships, the scarcity of textbooks and the use of middlemen in the supply chain. As a result, parents opted for cheaper alternatives such as photocopying, buying from street vendors or flea markets, while some totally forgo purchasing new textbooks and rely on schools to provide. Some parents wait for donors to chip in, or use the Internet, or sell each other photocopied books, while private schools provided all study materials hence they were not directly affected by the high cost of textbooks. The study recommended Government to consider strongly supporting local publishing and printing of secondary textbooks. It further urged local publishers to go electronic and charge lower prices since they will not incur printing costs. It was also recommended that schools should consider e-books for ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels in an effort to reduce the costs of textbooks at these two levels.
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    IS THERE A SOLUTION TO HIGH PRICING OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS IN BULAWAYO?
    (The Journal of LiberaL Arts Education, 2022-04-14) Mhone, N.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Zulu, E.; Masukume, C.; Tlou, F.N.
    The objective of the study was to investigate the causes of the high cost of primary and secondary school textbooks in Bulawayo and establish if there is a possible solution to the pricing of books. The study was a descriptive qualitative and quantitative survey. Data were collected through 90 questionnaires (having distributed 105) and seven in-depth interviews from parents, primary and secondary school teachers, ministry officials, printing companies, retailers/bookshops, street vendors and photocopying business people. The study found that high textbook pricing was a result of parents’ low income and reduced disposable income, the import duty, the economic hardships, the scarcity of textbooks and the use of middlemen in the supply chain. As a result, parents opted for cheaper alternatives such as photocopying, buying from street vendors or flea markets, while some totally forgo purchasing new textbooks and rely on schools to provide. Some parents wait for donors to chip in, or use the Internet, or sell each other photocopied books, while private schools provided all study materials hence they were not directly affected by the high cost of textbooks. The study recommended Government to consider strongly supporting local publishing and printing of secondary textbooks. It further urged local publishers to go electronic and charge lower prices since they will not incur printing costs. It was also recommended that schools should consider e-books for ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels in an effort to reduce the costs of textbooks at these two levels.