Business Management Publications

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Business Management Publications

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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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    Competitive Intelligence: Conceptualising its evolving useas a strategic marketing management tool in Zimbabwe
    (International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research, 2022) Ncube, B.; Ndlovu, M.J.
    Live Competitive intelligence (CI) as practiced today has developed into an applied professional business discipline and has evolved to become a worldwide strategic business management tool. The current descriptive survey study sought to investigate the evolving use of CI in Zimbabwe as a strategic marketing management tool. The study took into account that the application and practice of CI by firms in Zimbabwe is a matter of choice as it is not a product of any legislation and therefore there are no legal penalties imposed on those firms which do not apply any one of its principles. The study deliberately chose to focus on the manufacturing firms. A sample of sixty marketing managers was chosen from a population of two hundred and fifty (250) manufacturing firms who are members of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI). The sample was selected using stratified random sampling. Data was collected through the application of a self-administered questionnaire supplemented by the use of both structured and unstructured interview schedules. These data collection instruments were designed such that they generate both qualitative and quantitative data. The major finding of the study was that marketing managers in the manufacturing firms of Zimbabwe have a clear understanding of the strategic importance of CI to both firms and marketing departments. In addition the study observed that firms generally do not allocate adequate resources to intelligence gathering with the majority allocating far less than the world wide recommended minimum of USD300000 CI budget per annum. The study also revealed that the country general lacked appropriately trained CI professionals. It was therefore recommended that firms should create stand alone, well funded and staffed by qualified personnel CI departments which will continuously gather intelligence for use in strategic marketing management processes.
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    APPLYING THE MARKETING CONCEPT AS A STRATEGIC BUSINESS TOOL TO THE SMALL TO MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN THE RETAIL SECTOR OF BULAWAYO
    (International Journal of Research in Education Humanities and Commerce, 2022) MAHLANGU, L.; NDLOVU, M.J.; NCUBE, B.; SHAVA, G.; CHARUMBIRA, J.; HLEZA, S.
    This study sought to examine the difficulties SMEs encounter in the adoption of the marketing concept as a business strategic tool. The study deliberately targeted the SMEs because it is believed that the SMEs are the engines driving the economy of Zimbabwe. The study was based on the notion that business people have not always believed that the best way to make sales and profits is to satisfy customers. The researchers distributed 100 questionnaires (70 were completed) to SMEs in Bulawayo and the sample was selected using simple random sampling. The study used a qualitative and quantitative questionnaire to collect data. Microsoft Excel was used to analyse the quantitative data collected while content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. The study found that most SMEs managers accepted the marketing concept as their strategic tool. It also established that the current unstable macro-economic situation in Zimbabwe was working against the success of the marketing concept. It further identified lack of understanding and appreciation of the concept by other departmental staff members, corporate culture and resistance to change as other forces hindering the marketing concept. Limited financial resources dedicated to marketing training and market surveys were also seen as a major barrier to the marketing concept. The study recommended that SMEs organise seminars, workshops and in-service courses involving all their organisations’ employees to re-orient all employees towards customer orientation. Attitude change towards marketing orientation as an integral component of organisational culture as well as an investment in appropriate technology was also recommended.
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    Service delivery challenges faced by Zimbabwean local Authorizes: A revisit of the impact of the 2013 ministerial directive
    (International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 2022-10-10) Ncube, B.; Ncube, S.B.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Charumbira, J.; Hleza, S.
    This study was located within an interpretive paradigm and it adopted a mixed method approach which utilized both quantitative and qualitative approaches. In the study, the researchers tackled the unprecedented ministerial directive which was issued in the year 2013 to all local authorities in Zimbabwe to write off debts in respect of rentals, unit tax, development levies, licenses and refuse charges owed by individual ratepayers including water and rates charges arrears which had accrued to all residential properties over the period February 2009 to June 30, 2013. It appears the ministerial directive was the first of its kind in over a century old history of local governance in Zimbabwe. It is the unique nature of the directive which has motivated the researchers to study its impact on service delivery and lessons thereof for the future. Thus this study set out to explore the impact of this unprecedented directive on the abilities of local authorities to continue offering quality services to residents. The study was basically a case study of the City of Victoria Falls (CVF) in the interest of time. The study used a sample of one hundred (100) CVF ratepayers selected using stratified random sampling. In addition all the fifteen (15) managers of the municipality were used in the study. The primary instrument used to collect data was the self-administered questionnaire supplemented by the structured and unstructured interview guides. The research adopted a mixed method approach which utilizes both quantitative and qualitative approach. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Analysis of qualitative data involved a special set of interpretive practices and narrative techniques. The evidence from this study suggests that the major beneficiaries of the directive were ratepayers and Zanu PF as an election contestant. The study identified local authorities as major losers as they were adversely affected financially by the directive. The impact has been felt over a period of almost ten (10) years. In addition the study showed that the directive created huge debts for local authorities leading to their failure to meet their financial obligations in a period of almost ten (10) years which include failure to offer quality services. The study advanced a view that for local authorities to avoid being victims of such political directives in future they should intensify their revenue collection efforts which include offering prepaid services.
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    The Impact of Entrepreneurial Education on Entrepreneurial Zeal of Undergraduate Students: A Case of Final Year Students at The National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
    (Indiana Journal of Economics and Business Management, 2024-07-13) Manyika, S.E.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Paulos, L.; Baya, C.
    The study aims to explore the effects of entrepreneurial education and support systems in a different contextual setting in Zimbabwe. This study sought to complement prior studies that looked at the entrepreneurial intention of final students from a general perspective or the study area of the students without looking at other external antecedents like the presence of University incubation centres. Given the forgoing assertion this study will determine the effect of the study domain on the level the relationship between student’s cognitive disposition and entrepreneurial zeal. Mixed methods approach was used that is quantitative and qualitative research design. The study employed stratified random sampling to give a sample of 60% of the population. The research established that students knew about the existence of Education 5.0 thrust and the supporting programme on campus and have a positive attitude towards entrepreneurial education. However, there is lack of perceived feasibility of entrepreneurship education to steer innovation and entrepreneurship zeal resulting in the lack of confidence in the Education 5.0 and the resultant programmes. The study recommends that University should ramp up its interventions and motivate students to be more efficacious and try to use the innovation support services while continuing to enrich their curricula to be innovation friendly, institute face-to-face interactions with students and get their input on how best both parties can benefit from the worthwhile investments by government and make efforts to link potential entrepreneurs with angel investors, non-governmental institutions or come up with other methods.