Performance Of Zimbabwe Research Articles

An investigation into the effect of budget deficit on the economic performance of Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT The study investigated the impact of budget deficit on the economic performance of Zimbabwe for the period 2000–16. Using secondary data sourced from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Zimbabwe National Statistics Agents (ZIMSTATS), World Bank and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) websites, the study estimated the relationship between budget deficit and economic performance using ordinary least squares (OLS) methods. The estimated results revealed a negative and significant relationship between budget deficit and economic performance in Zimbabwe. The study inferred that Zimbabwe’s huge budget deficit could be driven by recurrent expenditure such as salaries. We recommend the need for the government to have fiscal discipline and to channel resources towards the productive sectors of the economy such as capital projects for long term development.

Musical meaning and indexicality in the analysis of ceremonial mbira music

Abstract In this essay I examine three different indexical processes that inform meaning during a mbira performance in Zimbabwe in order to clarify the nature of meaning in musical practice. I continue others’ efforts to provincialize language and correct the damage done by “symbolocentrism’s” continued reliance on post-Saussurian models of signification and structure by addressing processes of purpose, effect, and agency in meaning. Emphases on language and/or structure mislead explanations of musical meaning and compromise the understanding of meaning itself. By foregrounding the unique properties of indexicality in musical practice, and highlighting three distinct indexical processes that drive music’s meaning (deictic, metonym, and replica), I help free meaning from language and offer an ethnomusicological counterpoint to multidisciplinary efforts that define meaning within linguistic and physiological paradigms. Indexical meaning is direct but unpredictable, rooted in experience, embodied habits, and the here and now.

Small Business Performance: Is It Access to Formal or Informal Credit that Matters?

ABSTRACT While literature is clear on the role of finance in small business survival and growth, the relative importance of formal and informal credit in small business growth remains contentious. While earlier studies report the importance of formal credit in driving growth of firms of all sizes, recent studies find informal credit to drive the growth of only small businesses. The aim of this paper is therefore to contribute to the debate by bringing the context of four developing economies in the Southern African Developing Community (SADC) using the FinScope surveys on 10,830 Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (henceforth MSMEs). To address selection bias caused by various factors affecting small business participation in the formal/informal credit market, we used propensity score matching (PSM) where we paired small businesses from the two groups. We examined the effect of access to formal/informal credit on business performance using Average Treatment Effect (ATE) as well as Average Treatment effect on the Treated (ATT). Our results suggest that firms accessing formal credit tend to exhibit better performance in Zimbabwe but a similar performance gain was not observed in the rest of the countries. For informal credit, our results show that firms accessing informal credit tend to perform less than those without access, suggesting value depletion effect of informal credit.

The Role of Supplier Base Rationalisation in Operational Performance in the Retail Sector in Zimbabwe

This research aimed at adding to the existing inventory of literature in the arena of procurement management to find out the role of supplier base rationalisation in operational performance in the retail sector in Zimbabwe. A cross-industry survey of retail supermarkets in Zimbabwe was done. A supplier base rationalisation key variables model incorporating five variables that are, the twenty/eighty rule, improve or else approach triage approach, competency staircase approach and spend categorization was tested in operational performance in Zimbabwe’s retail sector. Research variables were discussed under the conceptual underpinning. The target population constitutes of retail supermarkets employees involved in procurement operation with a sample size of 59 procurement practitioners using Krejcie and Morgan [1] formula. Purposive sampling was carried out. The research instruments that were used are close-ended questionnaires to all procurement practitioners in the retail sector and open-ended interviews with procurement managers only. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools and Statistical Package for Social Science software (SPSS) version 24 was used to process the collected data and presented in tables. Correlation analysis indicated that 76.2% of the change of operational performance was explained by the five supplier base rationalisation variables and revealed that they have a positive significant effect in operational performance. This research recommends that the procurement should move towards overall effective and efficient supplier base rationalisation practices that focus on boosting operational performance.

In the Service of Press Freedom or the Imperial Agenda? Negotiating Repression and Coloniality in Zimbabwean Journalism

Ideological differences relating to the normative expectations of media performance in Zimbabwe have, historically, been at the heart of debates and struggles around press freedom and media activism. On one hand, political leaders, who lean towards nationalist politics, have accused the media and media activists who are mostly part of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), of undertaking colonial work. In some cases, the private media have been characterised as running dogs of imperialism. On the other hand, media activists and journalists, have accused the government of limiting the space for meaningful engagement in media work through harsh laws and the arrests of journalists. These activists and journalists, ideologically located mostly in the terrain of a free market liberal understanding of media and politics, have also accused the government of using soft strategies such as starving private newspapers of government advertising and the huge revenue that comes with it. Former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has given as good as he has got in this ideological war. He has accused the private media of colluding with the Western media to tarnish the image of the country. In turn, he has been described as a media hangman. Using a combination of archival research and in-depth interviews with journalists, media activists and politicians, this paper gives a historicised account of this ideological struggle and seeks to engage with questions concerning the meaning of press freedom and media activism in Zimbabwe.

Research Data Collection in Challenging Environments: Barriers to Studying the Performance of Zimbabwe’s Parliamentary Constituency Information Centres (PCICs)

Research Data Collection in Challenging Environments: Barriers to Studying the Performance of Zimbabwe’s Parliamentary Constituency Information Centres (PCICs)

Subaltern Voices and the New Hegemony. Performance, Digital Media and Activism in Zimbabwe

This interdisciplinary study investigates the intersection of storytelling, performance, and digital media as well as how activists find voice in a hegemonic environment. It follows a repertoire of ‘digital media performers' who use social media platforms to comment on Zimbabwean issues. Shrinking political space and economic collapse, characterizing Zimbabwe over the past 20 years, affected a range of economic and social sectors. A contracting paying audience and daunting government censorship negatively impacted the country's nascent commercial theatre and film industry. Yet, the growth in new media technologies has transformed how performances are produced and delivered. A new phenomena of social media skits– short performances, scripted or unscripted, straight-to-view or edited, and digitally distributed– has emerged in Zimbabwe's online space. These performances and their platforms have become a form of ‘public sphere' where ordinary citizens converge to discuss pertinent issues. Exploring three leading performances (platforms) i.e. BustopTV, Zambezi News, and Madam Boss, and considering the history of performance in Zimbabwe, e.g. in political activism and agitation propaganda, the study probes this emergent form, unpacking its function. The study applies a constructionist ontological stance, placing emphasis on reality and meaning as a construct of those who live it rather than a set standard to abide by. Thus, performance is regarded an evolutionary being constantly shifting to address the reality of those who partake in it. Qualitative interviewing, observation, and qualitative content analysis are used to explore the motivations behind these performances and the practical considerations related to their form and function. Using an eclectic theoretical framework; theater and performance–with a focus on Boal's tradition; hegemony and subaltern (in Gramscian and post-colonialism sense); and digital activism, the paper explores how the restrictive political environment influenced the shift in medium. The study argues that reflexivity of performance aids to sense-making and advances counterhegemonic discourse for those on the margins of society and power.

Phenotyping Conservation Agriculture Management Effects on Ground and Aerial Remote Sensing Assessments of Maize Hybrids Performance in Zimbabwe.

In the coming decades, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces challenges to sustainably increase food production while keeping pace with continued population growth. Conservation agriculture (CA) has been proposed to enhance soil health and productivity to respond to this situation. Maize is the main staple food in SSA. To increase maize yields, the selection of suitable genotypes and management practices for CA conditions has been explored using remote sensing tools. They may play a fundamental role towards overcoming the traditional limitations of data collection and processing in large scale phenotyping studies. We present the result of a study in which Red-Green-Blue (RGB) and multispectral indexes were evaluated for assessing maize performance under conventional ploughing (CP) and CA practices. Eight hybrids under different planting densities and tillage practices were tested. The measurements were conducted on seedlings at ground level (0.8 m) and from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform (30 m), causing a platform proximity effect on the images resolution that did not have any negative impact on the performance of the indexes. Most of the calculated indexes (Green Area (GA) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)) were significantly affected by tillage conditions increasing their values from CP to CA. Indexes derived from the RGB-images related to canopy greenness performed better at assessing yield differences, potentially due to the greater resolution of the RGB compared with the multispectral data, although this performance was more precise for CP than CA. The correlations of the multispectral indexes with yield were improved by applying a soil-mask derived from a NDVI threshold with the aim of corresponding pixels with vegetation. The results of this study highlight the applicability of remote sensing approaches based on RGB images to the assessment of crop performance and hybrid choice.

Towards a model for a parliamentary constituency information centre: a case study of the Parliament of Zimbabwe

Theoretical models of communicating parliamentary information, as well as ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliamentary Constituents Information Centres (PCICs), have highlighted challenges affecting the delivery of information to constituents. The Parliament of Zimbabwe (PoZ) became one of the first parliaments to implement PCICs among Southern Africa Development Community countries. The intention was to improve the dissemination of information to constituents, among other functions. In a study that evaluated the performance of Zimbabwe’s PCICs and their future improvement, a number of operational challenges have surfaced, and this calls for potential solutions to address the challenges, which have in turn brought the need of a suitable model for PCICs to the fore. This article presents a proposed PCIC model for the PoZ based on the findings from a survey conducted in Zimbabwe between 2012 and 2015. The target population included the donor community, constituents, Office Assistants and Members of Parliament. Various methods and instruments were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Further, the study examined several theories and models to inform the development of a model for PCICs in Zimbabwe.

An assessment of the impact of disaster risks on dairy supply chain performance in Zimbabwe

This study investigated the impact of disaster risks on the performance of Zimbabwe’s dairy supply chains. The study was initiated on the premise that Zimbabwe is at high risk and is highly vulnera...

The role of servant leadership and emotional intelligence in managerial performance in a commercial banking sector in Zimbabwe

The constructs of servant leadership (SL) and emotional intelligence (EI) have gained considerable interest in the discipline of managerial leadership, both within academic discourse and in the human capital management and development arena. However, empirical evidence showed the need for further research on both constructs using the mixed methods approach. The purpose of this research was to explore the role of an integrated servant leadership and emotional intelligence leadership skills program in enhancing leadership performance in Zimbabwe’s commercial banking sector. A mixed methods research triangulation concurrent design was adopted for the research study conducted from 2014 to 2015. A survey questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 211 middle, senior and executive managerial staff in the commercial banking sector. SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyze the quantitative data. Qualitative data were collected from a purposive sample of eight senior to executive managers using a structured interview guide and multimedia recording equipment. The qualitative data were analyzed using NVIVO version 10 software package to create themes. The findings showed that servant leadership and emotional intelligence characteristics complement each other and both constructs can be integrated into a managerial leadership program used to develop leadership soft skills or competencies. The findings also showed that both SL and EI skills had a positive influence in enhancing the managers’ effectiveness in undertaking leadership responsibilities and on leadership qualitative performance measures such as articulating vision and strategy, building and sustaining productive organizational culture, development and retention of talent, enhancing employee engagement, improving stakeholder relationship management, retaining bank customers, promotion of diversity, value creation and community involvement. The study led to the development of an integrated SL and EI soft skills leadership program and model which, if implemented, could lead to leadership skills development and performance enhancement. Keywords: leadership, competencies, servant leadership and emotional intelligence. JEL Classification: E58, G21, M12

English

The aim of the paper was to ascertain whether bank specific factors significantly impact on return on asset (ROA) as a measure of bank performance. This paper utilized quantitative methodology in ascertaining the relationship between bank internal features and bank performance in Zimbabwe. As all the variables are quantitative in nature, the researchers had no other option but to use quantitative method applying panel data models. The results indicated that bank specific indicators were not significant in determining bank performance but rather bank external factors could play a significant role in determining bank performance. The researchers recommended that the Central Bank embark on a softer stance as the level of capital does not significantly affect the return on assets of the firms, though it enhances soundness and stability of the sector. Key words: Bank specific factors, bank performance, multi-currency era, bank performance indicators.

Conditions for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) success in Zimbabwe’s Hospitality sector.

We investigated the conditions necessary for CRM success in a Hospitality sector that is failing to retain and attract clients. The main purpose of this study was to establish the potential of CRM in aiding customer retention in Zimbabwe's Hospitality sector that has been marred by economic instability and a decade of political turmoil. Our approach was based on a mixed approach of a quantitative and qualitative dimension. Results indicate that operational and technological conditions in place for CRM in Zimbabwe's hospitality sector are somewhat ineffective potentially due to limited resources for technological advancement and reluctant management systems to fully practice CRM. The conclusions thereof emphasise on the need to promote technological integration in the business of the hospitality sector and promote a CRM strategy that take cognisance of customer needs as a drive towards better business performance in Zimbabwe's Hospitality sector.

EFFECT OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE ON MAIZE YIELD IN THE SEMI-ARID AREAS OF ZIMBABWE

SUMMARYGlobally, a range of agronomic factors have been reported to have an impact on the performance of conservation agriculture (CA) and often determine its performance in relation to conventional agriculture (CONV). To assess this performance in Zimbabwe, 48 CA experiments were conducted by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics in the semi-arid areas of southern Zimbabwe from 2004 to 2010, to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) through meta-analytical methods. The two CA practices, planting basins (Basins) and ripper tillage (Ripper), were compared with CONV. It was hypothesised that CA results improved yield compared with CONV and that the effect of CA practices on yield is affected by soil type, rainfall amount and distribution and selected management practices, which included rates of inorganic fertilisers and manures and mulching. Basins were superior to CONV in 59% of the experiments and the overall effect was significant (p< 0.001). The effect of Ripper was non-significant. The hypothesis that CA practices result in improved maize grain yield over CONV was accepted for Basins. The WMD for experiments conducted on sandy soils was 0.365 t ha−1for Basins and 0.184 t ha−1for Ripper, and in both cases was significant (p< 0.05). For clay soils, only the WMD for Basins was significant. A higher rainfall regime (500–830 mm) resulted in a lower WMD for Basins (0.095 t ha−1) and Ripper (0.105 t ha−1) compared with 0.151 t ha−1for Basins and 0.110 t ha−1for Ripper under lower rainfall (320–500 mm). The overall effect of Basins under the higher rainfall regime was not significant. There was better yield performance for Basins when the rainfall was well distributed; the reverse was noted for the Ripper. The application of 10–30 kg ha−1of N (micro-dose range) resulted in a higher WMD for Basins than zero N application. Without N application, the WMD of Basins was not significant. For zero manure application in Basins, the WMD was 0.043 t ha−1compared with 0.159 t ha−1when manure was applied. The application of mulch depressed the WMD in Basins by 44% and Ripper by 89%. The hypothesis that yield performance under CA is influenced by soil type, rainfall amount and distribution, inorganic fertiliser and manure application was accepted.

Measles laboratory-based surveillance in Zimbabwe during 2004-2009

Zimbabwe has for a long time satisfied measles elimination criteria according to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO/AFRO) measles surveillance standards. In this elimination phase laboratory based surveillance becomes critical as it gives evidence on the interruption of transmission of measles virus in the country hence the performance of the laboratory has to be monitored. This retrospective study assesses measles laboratory performance in Zimbabwe from 2004 to 2009 by monitoring laboratory surveillance quality indicators against predefined WHO indicators. Overall, 92.20% of serum specimens arrived in the laboratory in good condition, 66.8% were received in the lab within the stipulated three days and 77% of the results were sent back to the national centers within 7 days. The laboratory passed all external proficiency tests from 2005 to 2009 with 100%. The laboratory sent 13.42% of representative sera for regional reference laboratory co-testing and the concordance of results was 98.33%. An average of 27.33% of patients with positive measles IgM had vaccination history. Available data shows that four out of the six WHO surveillance indicators were met by the national laboratory. The timeliness of specimen shipment to the lab needs to be improved and results should be communicated to the national centers in a timely manner. Cases with no vaccination history may be due to incompletely filled out forms or inadequate case investigation. Unvaccinated cases can accumulate over time and cause outbreaks. The results of the external proficiency tests show that the laboratory is performing well, with adherence to quality requirements, as indicated by proficiency tests with the regional reference laboratory. Hence the results generated by the laboratory may be reliable for surveillance.

Implications of Real Exchange Rate Misalignment in Developing Countries: Theory, Empirical Evidence and Application to Growth Performance in Zimbabwe

The influence of exchange rate signals in an economy is very powerful and often pervasive. Economists and policy makers thus strongly regard the real exchange rate (RER) as a key tool to influence the economy due to its role in determining production and consumption choices between domestic and international goods. Sustained RER overvaluation will eventually lead to drastic adjustments of relative prices and reduction of aggregate economic growth. In Zimbabwe, the recognition of this influence reinforced the widespread conviction that the extent of stability and ‘correct alignment’ of the RER played a dominant role in the post-ESAP economic crisis. This paper first presents a review of theoretical arguments and empirical evidence on the role of RER misalignment in developing countries. In addition, to investigate the relationship between growth and sustained RER overvaluation, the paper further applies a growth regression procedure that includes the misalignment index as an independent variable to Zimbabwe. After controlling for other growth determinants and structural factors, the empirical tests indicate that misalignment has a negative and statistically significant impact on growth in both the short and long run estimates.

A synopsis of cattle performance in Zimbabwe’s ‘initial’ resettlement areas after land reforms and redistribution

Cattle performance was monitored over a two year period in a resettlement area, a spatial land-use product of Zimbabwe’s land reforms post-independence. A total of 30 farmers each owning at least 5 cattle in 3 selected villages of a 20 village resettlementscheme were targeted for the study. Participating village rangelands were assessed monthly for biomass yield in different physiognomic cover classes. Cattle in the study were monitored over a two year period for reproduction (calving rate and frequency, re-calving rates) and exit records (sales, slaughters, deaths, exchange, and buy-in)under farmer management conditions. Cattle weights, exit and reproduction records were analyzed as measures of performance. The study found low to medium calving rates (25-40%) and low re-calving rates (16 -26%), with diminished nutrition and low off-take (7.3% to 18.7%) as major impediments to cattle performance. Monthly cattleweights fluctuated with quantity of available grazing biomass, and were lowest during the dry months (September to December). Cows and heifers were affected more by diminished nutrition than steers. The study concluded that improving nutrition, increasing off-take and possibly availing bulls in resettlement areas were appropriate actions toincrease cattle performance in the short to medium term, complimented by adequate veterinary practices.

Playing against violence: a case study of popular theatre in Zimbabwe

This article reviews the performance in Zimbabwe of a play called Tinoendepi? as an exemplary piece of popular theatre aimed at alerting audiences to issues of violence during the run-up to the 2002 presidential election. The play presents the history of a country that opposed colonial violence with successful revolution before subsiding into a recognizable brand of neo-colonial violence.

A History of Theatre in Africa. Edited by Martin Banham. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004. Pp. xvii + 478. £80; $130 Hb History and Theatre in Africa. Edited by Yvette Hutchison and Eckhard Breitinger. Bayreuth: University of Bayreuth, 2000. Pp. 216 + illus. €14.99 Pb Contemporary Nigerian Theatre. By Olu Obafemi. Bayreuth: University of Bayreuth, 1996. Pp. 293 + illus.

<b>A History of Theatre in Africa</b>. Edited by <b>Martin Banham</b>. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004. Pp. xvii + 478. £80; $130 Hb <b>History and Theatre in Africa</b>. Edited by <b>Yvette Hutchison</b> and <b>Eckhard Breitinger</b>. Bayreuth: University of Bayreuth, 2000. Pp. 216 + illus. €14.99 Pb <b>Contemporary Nigerian Theatre</b>. By <b>Olu Obafemi</b>. Bayreuth: University of Bayreuth, 1996. Pp. 293 + illus.

Economic Benefits and Costs of Land Redistribution in Zimbabwe in the Early 1980s

Summary Evidence on the performance of Zimbabwe’s early land reform effort is mixed. In this paper we use a unique micro data set with information on land reform beneficiaries and a control group of nonbeneficiaries and employ propensity score matching to examine household and per capita benefits associated with land reform. Combining this information with estimates on the cost of land reform we find that the economic return is positive but modest. Its magnitude depends on assumptions about the opportunity costs of land and the reasons for the observed increase in the size of resettled households.