In order to publish a quality article in a journal, an author must understand how to apply the econometric skills to construct models which explain the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. This study used the literature review to examine the variables used to establish relationship between the independent and dependent variables in Savings and Credits Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) in Tanzania. The findings reveal that currently few studies have been conducted to model SACCOS in Tanzania and scholars mostly applied the regression models. Moreover, the findings show that most scholars have empirically studied the outreach and sustainability of SACCOS in Tanzania compared to other topics. The studies also show that most of issues have not been addressed in the research. This study recommends that financial management researchers should learn econometrics so that they might gain skills which might help them to model SACCOS and other MFIs. Moreover, topics which were not addressed in research should be given priority by the researchers in Tanzania and in other countries.

This article uses 496 loans from ABC rural SACCOS located in the Northern zone of Tanzania to describe the effectiveness of loan's portfolio management. The data analysis is done by using the multivariate regression, descriptive and qualitative methods. The data for this study was collected at the end of May 2013. The findings reveal that women constituted 52.6% of the loan portfolio. Also the doubtful and bad loans were 51 and 31 million TZS which was more than 10% of the loan portfolio. The findings show loans were aged into 4 classes and the loans aging was not very effective because loans of different ages were classified in a single class. The results from the regression analysis reveal that the quality of loan portfolio was positively influenced by the loan size while the influence of gender and location of the borrowers were not significant. Moreover, ABC rural SACCOS used portfolio diversification, collateral, guarantors, letter from the village/ward government offices and the affidavit from the lawyer as credits risk mitigation techniques. The findings also revealed that fluctuation of the price of agricultural produce threatened the quality of loan portfolio. This article recommends that ABC rural SACCOS should seek the effective insurance services, use the effective software for loan portfolio management, search the market for agriculture produce, write off non repaid loans, enhance the repayment of overdue loans and revise the loan classes and maturity in order to improve the quality of the loan portfolio in the SACCOS.

Every Master and PhD student at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) has to make a research project as one of the requirements for completing their degree programmes. However, most students at the OUT face challenges in their research writing process due to lack of the research writing skills. This paper discusses the research writing skills and other challenges which the Master and PhD students face at the OUT. The challenges were learned from the researcher’s personal experiences of five years in supervising and training students on research methodology course for Master and PhD students at the OUT. Foremost, this paper presents the sections of the research proposal and research report which are mostly problematic to students and the author provides the suggestions on improvements. These sections include background information, the problem statement, research objectives, theoretical and empirical literature review, the research gap, research design, approach, strategy and philosophy, variables and measurements, data analysis, results and interpretation and conclusion and recommendations. Secondly, the paper also discusses other challenges which hinder students’ theses and dissertations timely completion at the OUT which include insufficient research orientation, lack of reading culture lack of facilitation methods’ integration for research course trainers, lack of awareness on students-supervisors responsibilities, lack of research completion strategy, low level of English language proficiency and lack of funds and health problems. Finally, the paper presents conclusions and recommendations for improvements.

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This study was conducted to assess the influence of Village Community Bank (VICOBA) microcredits on women clients economic, social-cultural, political and legal empowerment in Korogwe town, Tanzania. The study adopted the descriptive and explanatory research designs where 4 among 11 wards were selected for the survey. The study applied the systematic sampling technique to select 128 VICOBA clients for the study. The SPSS and Stata software were used to enter data. The data were analyzed using descriptive and Canonical correlation analysis. The findings indicate that the contribution of microcredits to economic and political empowerment was insignificant. However, the findings show that microcredits influenced positively and significantly both social cultural and legal empowerment. The study recommends that efforts should be executed to promote the microcredits empowerment of women in economic and political contexts.

The study assessed the influence of a youth economic empowerment projects on youth employability in Ilala Municipalityin Dar es Salaam region-Tanzania. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the role of training, thecontribution of savings and credit facilities and start-up tools provision on the employability of youth. The study used astratified and random sampling techniques to select 121 youths for a survey. The data were analyzed using descriptiveand multiple regression analysis. The findings showed a significant and positive relationship between the role oftraining, the contribution of savings and credit facilities, and the role of start-up tools provision on youth employabilityin Ilala municipality. The study, therefore, recommends that, for promoting youth employability in Tanzania, thegovernment, NGOs and projects should provide training and start-up tools to youth. Furthermore, the stakeholdersshould facilitate capital access to youth by empowering the savings and credits groups.

This paper assessed the effects of customer care service management on business performance for the shop and clothes business owners in Bukoba municipality, Tanzania. Specifically, the paper assessed the effects of selling quality products, complaints management and positive impression on business performance. The study targeted a total population of 110 shop sellers and 850 customers. The systematic random sampling technique and sampling formula were used to select a sample size of 70 participants. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings indicate that on average, shop sellers were selling products of the desired quality and this contributed to business performance. The findings further indicated that the positive impression was managed as required. However, the findings indicate that the impaired products replacement service was missing, the management for complaints was not sufficient, and shop sellers were busy and attended calls while serving customers. This, therefore, reduced business performance. This paper recommends that the business owners should accept replacing the impaired products, strive to make sure that all complaints are handled appropriately and timely and should refrain from being busy and attending calls when serving customers.