The agricultural sector in Zimbabwe is a critical sector in terms of economic growth and development. However the sector has been experiencing some setbacks in recent years. This paper sought to examine the effects of infrastructure development in the agricultural sector on sustainable food production. Through questionnaires, observations and focus group discussions, information was gathered from the Zimuto district in Masvingo Province. The data collected was analyzed through both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques. The research revealed that there is an unpleasant state of infrastructure in the resettled farms. The fast track land reform programme implemented by the Zimbabwean government had a negative impact on farms infrastructure and equipment. An investment in infrastructure is thus required to ensure that there is agricultural productivity. In line with existing literature the challenges that farmers face can be rectified by infrastructure development. A multi sectorial participation in infrastructure development is required.
Background: Over the years, the expectations of both the public and private sectors regarding value have changed significantly, thereby increasing the need for government departments to revisit their public-value creation model.Aim: This study sought to explore perceptions of senior managers in selected national government departments in South Africa with regard to the influence of information sharing, process innovation, stakeholder analysis and engagement in the relational governance and public value.Setting: The respondents were 230 senior managers from the five national government departments who, over time and in various groups, attended the Executive Development Programme hosted by the National School of Government.Methods: A quantitative research approach involving a cross-sectional survey design was followed in the study. Data were analysed by means of structural equation modelling (SEM).Results: In the study a strong, positive relationship was found between information sharing, process innovation, stakeholder analysis and relational governance. Further, a strong positive relationship between relational governance and public value was also established.Conclusion: Based on the perceptions of senior managers, government departments seeking to deliver superior public value need to focus primarily on managing their relational governance. To that end, it is vital that they develop their information-sharing and process innovation, as well as stakeholder analysis and engagement.
Since the Zimbabwean economy adopted the US dollar as a major currency in 2009, rural communities have remained marginalized in terms of access to financial products and services. The research study evaluates the use and adoption of plastic money by rural communities in Zimbabwe. A descriptive research design was adopted to assess the use of plastic money by rural financially active citizens in Masvingo Province. Data was collected from a sample of 300 respondents using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using selected econometric computer packages. The research study established that the majority of rural communities in Zimbabwe had no access to plastic money facilities and therefore transacted mainly using cash and mobile money. This was largely due to lack of plastic money facilities among rural service providers, lack of adequate knowledge on importance of plastic money, low income levels and lack of confidence in the overall financial system. It was concluded that very few financial institutions served the rural market, and those that, did relied on agent banking. In addition, the majority of retail operators are importers who only accept cash as a means of settlement. It was recommended that banks should market their products and services to rural markets through awareness campaigns on the benefits to be drawn from adoption and use of plastic money. The central bank through its monitoring and supervisory function should continue to assess the extent to which banks and other financial institutions are serving the needs of rural communities. Point of Sale (POS) transaction costs should be reduced further to allow low income earners to transact even in smaller amounts without feeling the pinch, otherwise the goals of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy will be unachievable by 2020.
In many developing econonmies access to traditional entrepreneurial financing like banks and venture capitalists has remained suppressed. This has forced many entrepreneurs to resort to non traditiona lmethods of venture financing among them, financial bootstrapping and micro loans. One alternative that these ventures could employ is crowdfunding. Although crowdfunding has remained predominantly a developed world phenomenon, there has been strides in the emerging economies to employ it as an entrepreneurial financing alternative. This paper spught to investigate the factors that are driving the possibility of Zimbabwean entrepreneurs employing crowdfunding as a financing technique. Through survey data collection techniques and statistical data analysis this research mananged to highlight the factors in the crowdfunding ecosystem tht makes the Zimbabwean economy ready for crowdfunding activities. In line with existing literature five factors were uncovered as the major drivers that make crowdfunding possible in Zimbabwe and the results are used to infer to other emerging economies with similar characteristics.
The influence of collaboration-oriented organisational capabilities on supply chain competence among small and medium enterprises', Acta Commercii 19(2), a656.
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