Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine succession planning and performance of family-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach The quantitative research approach and a cross-sectional research design were employed. The probability sampling technique was used to draw 219 respondents from the sampling frame. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests were used for data analysis. Findings It was revealed that most of family-owned SMEs founders in the study area had mechanisms for succession planning for their businesses. Also, there is a difference in business performance when successors are selected and prepared by business founders compared to when they are selected and prepared by other family members. Successors selected and prepared by business founders performed better in business than successors who were selected and prepared by other family members. Research limitations/implications This study employed a quantitative research paradigm methodology, which limits deep discussion with respondents. Future studies could consider using a qualitative research paradigm methodology. Originality/value The paper presents succession planning process experience in family-owned SMEs in the study area, specifically the existence of succession planning in family-owned SMEs. It also shows a difference in business performance between the two investigated groups. This paper will benefit business founders, family business successors and researchers.

We study household consumption of various categories of processed food, including ultra‐processed food and meals away from home in Tanzania. We compare peri‐urban versus hinterland rural areas, and large cities versus small towns. Three sets of findings stand out. (1) Contrary to the common view in Africa that processed food is mainly an urban middle‐class phenomenon, we found it has penetrated the diets of the rural areas and the rural and urban poor. In rural areas, surprisingly 60% of food consumption comes from purchases in value terms, and processed food accounts for 76% of purchases and 47% of all food consumed. For the rural poor, purchased processed food is 38% of food consumption. In urban areas processed food's share of purchases (hence consumption) is 78%, similar for the rich and poor. (2) We found that ultra‐processed food (such as sugar‐sweetened beverages and cookies) and meals‐away‐from‐home (MAFH) have emerged as important in urban as well as rural areas. As these foods tend to be high in oil, salt, and sugar, this is a health concern. The share of ultra‐processed foods and MAFH is 21% in rural areas and 36% in cities albeit twice as high in large cities compared with small towns and among richer compared to poorer consumers. (3) Our regressions show the spread of processed food consumption in rural and urban areas, among the rich and poor, is driven mainly by opportunity costs of the time of women and men, and thus the pursuit of saving home‐processing and cooking time, as well as food environment factors. As these drivers are long term trends this suggests processed food consumption will continue to grow.

Background Land Tenure Formalization (LTF) is long advocated as a policy prescription that fosters growth and reduces poverty in developing countries. However, the empirical evidence on LTF effects is mixed and inconclusive, proving unclear implications for policy. A set of possible conceptual and methodological flaws arising from treating LTF as a dichotomy between formalized and non-formalized alongside potential selectivity biases are amongst the main explanations for the mixed and inconclusive results. Using Tanzania’s National Panel Survey data from the 2014/2015 wave and employing a Selectivity Corrected Multinomial Endogenous Switching Regression, this study models the development outcomes of LTF with clear distinction of LTF between customary and statutory land tenure systems in Tanzania. Findings The study finds that possession of formal land tenure certificates [Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy (CCRO) or Certificate of Granted Right of Occupancy (CGRO)] improves perceived land tenure security, but the effect is relatively larger and more significant for CGRO holders than CCRO holders especially in economically high potential areas, where land is becoming more individualized and commoditized. With regard to credit access, our results show variations in the effects between general, formal, and informal credit access. While there is no significant effect of LTF on general access to credit, possessing a CGRO significantly reduces the uptake of informal credit and appears to improve access to formal credit. With regard to land investments, our results show positive and significant effects of LTF on organic and inorganic fertilizer use as well as trees and permanent crops investments, but only for CGRO plots. Conclusions The study concludes that the effects of LTF differ significantly between the land tenure systems, thus, treating LTF as a dichotomy between formalized and non-formalized is an oversimplification that could potentially mislead policy decisions. Therefore, the study recommends that the design, implementation and evaluation of LTF programs should recognize this distinction for greater clarity about LFT effects and more meaningful policy messages. The study, further, recommends strategic land policy interventions that aim to enhance land tenure security, especially in high potential areas for more socio-economically optimal outcomes of the interventions.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the rationale for value chain business associations and construct a conceptual framework for establishing and managing a value chain association, using the value chain for dried fruits and vegetables in Tanzania as the empirical basis. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the objectives of the paper, a conventional approach involving literature review, framework development, and data collection and analysis was used to conceptualise the organisation of a value chain association in a developing country context. Findings The study finds rationale for a value chain-based business association based on the literature review, observations and discussions from the stakeholder workshop. Research limitations/implications It has been suggested that upgrading the currently fragmented dried fruit and vegetable value chain to encompass all value chain actors might have implications towards “creativity”, “innovation” and “entrepreneurial abilities” along the value chain, i.e. resources and competences that could enhance the value of the market offer and thus the competitiveness of the whole value chain. A value chain-based business association might be one of the stepping-stones to enhance innovative and entrepreneurial abilities for strong and competitive value chain activities. Originality/value If the literature has been relatively silent on business associations understood primarily as industry associations, it has been completely silent on value chain associations. This paper therefore makes explicit contribution on the conceptualization of value chain association with a particular focus on the developing country setting.

This book chapter presents an assessment of the implementation of a blended approach (Problem Based Learning and E-learning) in teaching Research Methods for Computing and Information Management course to Informatics students at Sokoine University of Agriculture, in Tanzania. The respondents comprised of 55 students and 10 instructors from the Department of Informatics. The students were taught Research Methods for Computing and Information Management course for 16 weeks using Problem Based Learning and E-learning principles. The results revealed that the use of Problem Based Learning enabled students to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills. Also, it was revealed that, in spite of the benefits of Problem Based Learning and E-learning in improving student-student and student-teacher interactions, the implementation of Problem Based Learning and E-learning in teaching Research Methods for Computing and Information Management course faced a number of contextual and infrastructural challenges such as lack of adequate Information and Communication Technology infrastructure, lack of external support, low Internet bandwidth, inadequate number of computers, lack of knowledge on E-learning and Problem Based Learning by facilitators, and lack of a unified policy for blending approach for teaching and learning different courses in most Higher Learning Institutions of developing countries. This book chapter recommends the adoption of flipped classroom instructional strategy in which Problem Based Learning and E-learning are used to promote student participation during the process of teaching and learning.

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