School of Business and Management Sciences

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://cris.hit.ac.zw/handle/123456789/3

This community contains the ePrints and eTheses of the School of Business and Management Sciences staff and students

Browse

Filters

2011 - 2019192020 - 202514

Settings

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 37
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Role of Technology to Improve the Effectiveness of University Canteen Systems
    (Journal of Business and Econometrics Studies, 2024-04-02)
    The university canteen system is an essential part of the campus environment, providing students and staff with a convenient and affordable source of food. However, many universities struggle to maintain efficient and effective canteen systems, leading to long queues, limited food options, and unsatisfactory service. The study seeks to identify the key challenges faced by traditional canteen systems in universities, to explore the potential benefits of using technology in university canteen systems, to analyse existing technologies used in university canteen systems and their effectiveness and to develop a framework that enhance the efficiency and user experience of university canteen systems. The study adopted a positivist research approach, making use of quantitative methods of data collection. The target population was university canteen managers and staff, university staff, and university students in Zimbabwe. In order to improve the performance of canteen systems, the project at hand provided a framework that uses technology to streamline operations, boost menu planning and customization, improve payment alternatives, and provide real-time feedback mechanisms to guarantee customer satisfaction. The study’s findings show that university canteens ought to concentrate on developing a framework based on innovation and technology that places a priority on innovations that boost financial performance, including cashless payment systems because they increase the effectiveness of canteen systems
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    A stakeholder founded business model for strategic management of innovation hubs: A case of Zimbabwe universities innovation hubs
    (Journal of African Education (JAE), 2022-08) Simuka, Joshua; Moyo, Michael; Chinoperekweyi, Justine; Jakazi, Victoria; Makoko, Gaone Nikki; Nyagumbo, Dorothy Rudo; Nyausaru, Paul; Bajilla, Winnie; Mutenherwa, Menard
    This article presents a synergistic framework for Organization Development (OD) practitioners, drawing insights from the Regenerate 2025 International OD Conference. The framework centers on Strategic Foresight, Regeneration, and Transformation as interconnected pillars for organizational evolution. It emphasizes the critical interplay of foundational elements knowledge, skills, and use of self - with key regenerative practices. Crucially, Nature-inspired Wisdom, Group Coaching, Storytelling, Appreciative Inquiry, embracing Artificial Intelligence, and Indigenous Paradigms, with Ubuntu as a cornerstone, are highlighted as profound influences that inform OD work and manifest regenerative potential in social systems. This framework equips practitioners to foster adaptive capacity, relational capital, and generative learning, guiding organizations toward flourishing, purpose-aligned, and resilient futures. It directly amplifies both the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), demonstrating how inner transformation catalyzes outer growth, directly impacting the day-to-day lives of people and the health of the planet.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    A stakeholder founded business model for strategic management of innovation hubs: A case of Zimbabwe universities innovation hubs
    (Journal of African Education (JAE), 2022-08) Simuka, Joshua; Chinakidzwa, More
    The importance of innovation hubs and business models continues to grow yet research remains concentrated in developed countries. Although several researchers provide evidence of the importance of innovation hubs, very little of similar evidence exists in the area of business models and innovation hubs. Empirical evidence of the business model formulation for innovation hubs particularly from developing countries remains scarce. The purpose of this paper was to establish a stakeholder founded business model for the strategic management of innovation hubs in Zimbabwean universities. To achieve this, a positivist research philosophy was adopted. A survey of 120 respondents constituting heads of academic departments, final year students, and 156 entrepreneurs in the innovation hubs was used. Closed-ended questionnaire was distributed online. The data was analyzed statistically using SMARTPLS3 and PLS-SEM was conducted. Results of this study provides that communication channels, customer segments, cost structure and key partners significantly influence the stakeholder founded business model of an innovation hub. These results imply that universities must develop contextual innovation hub business models that increase the rate of commercializing innovations as well as technopreneurship activities. The study contributes to literature by extending the stakeholder founded business model and innovation hub discussion to the university environment in a developing country context. This was important because business model knowledge is contextual, as such cannot easily be transferred from one country to the other.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PROFILES OF ZIMBABWEAN STEM UNDERGRADUATE FRESHMEN AS INPUT TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION FOR STEM STU
    (JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE, TECHNOLOGY & ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AFRICA, 2018) Masunda, Makanzwa Mercy; Chitumba, Charles; Mushayavanhu, Tawanda Prosper; Simuka, Joshua
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Effect of Industry Networks and Government Support in the Commercialisation of Research Outputs: A case of Zimbabwe State Universities
    (Journal of African Education (JAE), 2023-04) Joshua Simuka
    The main aim of the study was to ascertain the effect of industry networks and government support on the commercialisation of research outputs in Zimbabwe‘s state universities. The study adopted the positivist philosophy and therefore made use of quantitative research design in answering research questions. Self-administered questionnaires for state universities (167) were used as data collection tools. The data was analysed statistically using Smart PLS3.2.1. In order to address reliability and validity of the study, composite reliability, average variance Extracted and convergent validity tests were conducted. Furthermore, collinearity tests were conducted. The results of this study indicate that industry networks and government support statistically significantly influence the commercialization of research output. These results imply that universities must develop strategic partnerships so as to increase commercialisation of research outputs. The government must also provide research grants to enhance the research and development process, which results in commercialisable research outputs. The study contributes to the literature by extending the public-private partnerships and government influence discussion to the university environment in a developing country context. The study recommends educating state universities, the public, and private partners about partnership arrangements' benefits. Future studies could focus on developing strategies or frameworks for the formation of strategic industrial network.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS AND CUSTOMER VALUE COCREATION: A CASE OF ZIMBABWE STATE UNIVESITIES
    (Thoth Publishing House, 2023) Ronald Nyamukuwa; Peter Mazuruse; Joshua Simuka
    Social media has made an impact as a category of online discussion where organisations and people create content, share it and network at an increasing rate. Customer cocreation is a hot topic among universities, students and other stakeholders. The main aim of this dissertation was to establish the implications of social media technologies as tools for value cocreation in state universities in Zimbabwe. The study adopted the positivist philosophy and therefore made use of quantitative research design in answering research questions. Sixty selfadministered questionnaires for state universities were used for data collection. The data was analysed statistically using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and SmartPLS3. Results of this study indicate that customer value co-creation and stakeholder engagements statistically significantly influence use of social media by universities. These results imply that universities must embrace the use of social media to unlock value from the university activities. The study contributes to literature by extending the effect of social media discussion to the university environment. This was important as it brings in the importance of social networks in universities in the country. The study recommends state universities must be educated of the benefits of social media in customer engagement, digital interaction and co-creation. Future studies could focus on developing models to enhance maximum utilisation of social media in universities.Furthermore, the sample should also include students’ perceptions.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Impacts of using non automated technologies on the Business Performance of Zimbabwean metal recycling industries
    (2022) Plaxedes Musademba; Joshua Simuka; Tafadzwa Zimucha
    Sustainable technologies play an important role in businesses by reducing negative environmental effects, avoiding depletion of natural resources whilst ensuring productivity. Zimbabwe is importing metal steel products that could be produced locally if local foundries adopt the rightful technologies. Most of Zimbabwean metal recyclers are using manual methods in the recycling process. The study looked at the negative effects of using manual production systems on the business performance of the Zimbabwean metal recycling industries. Qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques were adopted through the use of questionnaires and survey interviews. The researcher collected quantitative data through a questionnaire.77 out of 109 distributed questionnaires were returned and filled correctly by production personnel in themetal recycling industry. This translated to 70% response rate. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for the purposes of gathering qualitative data. Quantitative data revealed that metal recyclers are facing challenges of reduction in processing speeds, reduction in operation profits, poor product quality and high risk of getting injured due to the use of manual production methods. The study revealed that Zimbabwean metal recyclers are facing many challenges which to a greater extent are caused by their operation methods.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    The Effect of Innovation on the Performance of SMEs in Zimbabwe: A Case Study of Manufacturing Companies in Harare
    (OASK Publishers, 2024-02-10) Joshua Simuka
    Technological Innovation has become an indispensable tool for organizations to gain competitive advantage, increase performance, venture into new markets and survive in such a competitive atmosphere. A plethora of research has found that technological innovation is a critical factor that improves organizational performance. The study focused on investigating the effects of technological innovation on the performance of SMEs in the manufacturing industry. The study objectives were to establish the factors that influence technological innovativeness among manufacturing SMEs in Zimbabwe, determine the effect of product innovation on the performance of manufacturing SMEs, to ascertain the effect of process innovation on the performance of manufacturing SMEs in Zimbabwe and to establish the challenges faced by SMEs in the manufacturing sector adopting technological innovation in Zimbabwe. A quantitative research approach was adopted. The researcher used simple random sampling in this study and every member in the sample size has an equal opportunity to be selected. A total sample size of 66 respondents was selected randomly. A structured questionnaire was distributed to respondents and the response rate was approximately 76%. Data was processed on excel which was later uploaded on the SPSS and SmartPLS version 3.2.1 softwares. Cronbach Alpha of 0.886 was obtained and this indicated the strong reliability and validity of the study results. Composite and Average variance extracted was also used to assessed the validity of the study. It was discovered that experienced human capital, leadership, access to funding, competition, and organisation mission and culture are important in influencing innovation in SMEs. In addition, the study revealed that product and process innovation had an impact on manufacturing SMEs’ organizational performance that was statistically significant. It emerged that product and process innovation improves a number of financial performance indicators for a business, including sales growth, market expansion, rising customer happiness, and rising profit margins. Therefore, in line with the findings, the study recommends that the government must develop and implement a wide range of innovation policies that encourage best practices and support company growth and should support the creation and ongoing operation of innovative businesses through partnerships. Future studies should expand the study’s scope and sample size and other factors related to product and process innovations. In addition, future research has to take into account the creation of national and regional government policies that encourage innovation among SMEs.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Digital transformation strategy for print newspapers: A Conceptual Framework
    (Thoth Publishing House, 2023) Kudzanai Sharara,; Joshua Simuka; Tafadzwa Zimucha
    The study examined the impact of migration to digital platforms as a source of news and information on Zimpapers’ Newspaper Division financial performance. The objectives were to assess factors that are influencing the migration to online news platforms away from print; to analyze the effect of digitalisation on revenue performance of Zimpapers’ Newspaper Division; to evaluate the effect of digitalisation on the cost efficiency of Zimpapers Newspaper Division; to examine the impact of digitalisation on Zimpapers Newspaper Division’s profitability. The main objective was, however, to develop a digital transformation framework for print newspapers that can be used to improve financial performance. The study was theoretically guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Resource Based View (RBV) theory Pillars of Digital Transformation Framework, and the Planned Change Theory. The study adopted a pragmatism philosophy as well as employ a mixed approach to enable the testing of hypotheses and information probing. An explanatory survey design was employed to explain how digitalisation affects the financial performance of Zimpapers Newspaper Division. The study targeted Zimpapers employees and management. Questionnaires and structured interviews were the data instruments. Stratified random sampling was used to select the respondents for the questionnaire while for interviews purposive sampling method was used. Data was analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics generated from SPSS. Interviews were analysed qualitatively through thematic content analysis. Findings showed that there is need to develop a digital transformation strategy framework that includes retraining and upskilling of employees; investment in modern technologies and modern platforms in order to enhance the financial performance of Zimpapers' Newspaper Division. In other words, migration to online media platforms by readers and advertisers negatively impacted on Zimpapers Newspaper Division's financial performance. Preliminary findings are also showing that there is need to develop a framework that covers all aspects of the business from human capital, systems and products to enhance the financial performance of Zimpapers' Newspaper Division.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Tax Audit and Investigation
    (HIT, 2025-05-24) HIT