https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/160 2026-05-17T04:46:09Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7044 Title: Strategy for the adoption and effective utilization of mobile phone technologies in smallholder agriculture in Zimbabwe: Paper presented at 6th International Conference on M4D Mobile Communication Technology for Development M4D held at Kampala, Uganda, Makerere University Kampala Uganda from the 15h -16th November 2018 Authors: Marambi, Shelter; Musungwini, Samuel; Mzikamwi, Tinomuda Abstract: There is a growth in research on the benefits and use of mobile phone technology in the whole world. Zimbabwe as a country has seen that this is a feasible route to explore. This paper explores how other countries are using this technology to improve agriculture yields. It analyses factors that are hindering mobile phone technology use and adoption among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. The paper employed qualitative research design, guided by inductive approach underpinned by interpretivism philosophy. Findings from the gathered data showed that smallholder farmers are willing to make use of mobile phone technologies in their farming context. The cost of gathering data, lack of training and poor infrastructure was seen as the main hindrances to adopting mobile technology in agriculture. The paper then designs a strategy that can be used for mobile technology adoption and effective utilization by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. Recommendations such as farmer training, government involvement and infrastructure development in rural areas were suggested. This research adds to the existing body of literature since there was no known research in Zimbabwe which focused on developing a mobile phone strategy for smallholder farmers. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z Marambi, Shelter Musungwini, Samuel Mzikamwi, Tinomuda https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7043 Title: Accessibility of Zimbabwe tourism destinations: The role of the aviation sector Authors: Mukarati, Brendon Abstract: There are growing fears that Zimbabwe and the various stakeholders in its tourism and aviation sectors are missing out on the potential benefits that may be derived from a more defined participation of the aviation sector towards improving destination accessibility in Zimbabwe. Therefore, this research sought to establish the current role which the aviation sector holds in improving the accessibility of Zimbabwean tourism destinations when compared to other countries mostly by focusing on the extent to which the aviation sector has committed itself towards fostering the accessibility through strategy formulations, partnerships with tourism establishments as well as regulatory frameworks. The study thus identified the benefits that accessibility to a destination which has improved and refined it. The researcher selected 2 government ministries and 7 organisations in the tourism and aviation sectors as the research units that are concerned with destination accessibility and air travel. These were the Ministry of Environment Climate Tourism and Hospitality industry, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Air Zimbabwe, Emirates Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airlink and Halstead’s Aviation company. In this study the researcher utilised the descriptive research design to collect, analyse and present data in an effort to give a seamless view of the role played by the aviation sector in improving destination accessibility in Zimbabwe and the difficulties which it encounters in performing this role. Open-ended questionnaires and direct interviews were employed to collect primary data so as to determine opinions, attitudes, preferences and expectations of the targeted respondents. Qualitative and quantitative data were both collected and analysed by the researcher. Convenience sampling was mostly used in the research whereby respondents were selected based on their availability as the research was conducted in the midst of the Covid19 pandemic were most respondents were not available for fear of contracting or transmitting the lethal virus. The research uncovered that there is a lack of proper coordination between tourism and aviation authorities, an inadequacy of operational airports near tourism destination in all provinces, over concentration of development efforts on a few airports namely Harare R.G Mugabe, Bulawayo J.M Nkomo and Victoria Falls International airports, failure by the CAAZ to create policies and financial bailout programmes to protect local airlines from unfair external competition as well as to save them from avoidable bankruptcy and lastly limited financial resources on part of the Ministries in charge of the tourism and aviation sectors and also airlines were caught guilty of lacking proper organisational strategies aimed at improving accessibility in Zimbabwe as they were more focused towards their own individual goals such as profit making and growth. On the other hand, achievements included increased government investments in the aviation sector through infrastructure capacity building programmes like the expansion of Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls international airports, the reopening of the Gweru airport, opening up of the airspace indicated by the increasing number of airlines which either reintroduced or introduced flights into Zimbabwe such as Kenya and Ethiopian Airways introducing scheduled direct flight to Victoria Falls from their hubs and Qatar Airways connecting Doha, Lusaka and Harare by air. The organisations were recommended to coordinate their policy and strategy formulation. The government was recommended to reopen local regional airports to ease accessibility to remote and non-mainstream attractions. The researcher recommends future researches to be aimed at investigating data instruments which show the actual volumes of inbound tourists that come in by air only and their benefits to government as well tourism and aviation regulators. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Mukarati, Brendon https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7042 Title: The intervention of educational big data analytics for an effective eLearning experience: the case of Zimbabwe’s Higher and Tertiary Education Authors: Mugoniwa, Beauty; Tsimba, Gerald; Mutembedza, Amanda Abstract: Today, virtually every operation is affected by digitalization the world over. As a result, it is of utmost importance for every organization to check and conform to the updated digital solutions. This paper sought to investigate whether Zimbabwean higher and tertiary education has adopted Educational Big Data (EBD) taking advantage of eLearning platforms. It also aims to determine challenges militating against the adoption educational data analytics, hence, proffering strategies for the full implementation of EBD. The study pursued a qualitative research methodology based on a multiple case study design strategy. The study identified challenges which included lack of infrastructure, skills and related resources; lack of government will and weak institutional investment strategies. With that in mind, there was no substantial evidence that proved the existence of EBD from the selected five tertiary intuitions involving lecturers and administrators as participants. Hence, the study proposed an EBD strategy implementation, execution and control model. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Mugoniwa, Beauty Tsimba, Gerald Mutembedza, Amanda https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7041 Title: Stakeholders’ perceptions of the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport Authors: Munyati, Tinotendaishe .L. Abstract: This study analyzed stakeholders’ perceptions of the expansion of Robert Mugabe International Airport. Airport expansion is recommended by aviation protocols IATA and ICAO and it is highly practised in the first world countries who have funding to grow their economies. The study was chosen because there are literature gaps on expansion of airports in Zimbabwe. First world countries airport expansion projects have been very successful and they have benefited their countries economically, socially and environmentally because of measures put in place to protect the environment. The main aim of the study was to examine stakeholders’ perceptions of the expansion of RGM International Airport to the perceived benefits as a result of the expansion. The targeted population was officials from Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Hotel and Lodges, and National handling services. They played a pivotal role in providing with relevant information for the study. The study adopted a qualitative approach in gathering both primary and secondary data. Primary data was inform of telephone interviews and questionnaires were used in this research as well as secondary data which comprise of reports, newspapers and internet. The study established that the expansion of Robert Mugabe International Airport had both negative and positive impacts to stakeholders’ in the tourism and hospitality sector. The Harare community also benefited from the expansion of the airport through employment creation and development of infrastructure. The study identified business strategies implemented by stakeholders’ as a result of the expansion of RGM International Airport as well as challenges brought by the expansion. The study also recommends that hotels and lodges must develop their infrastructure so as to carter for increasing in volume of tourist. The study also recommends further studies on the challenges faced by tourism stakeholders’ as a result of the expansion of airports in Zimbabwe. A study similar to this research can also be done to incorporate all stakeholders’ in Zimbabwe. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Munyati, Tinotendaishe .L.