https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/201 2026-04-06T00:29:41Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2998 Title: An analysis of corporate entrepreneurship in the performance of Zimbabwean banks (2010-2012) Authors: Chiyoka, Aylwin Abstract: The major focus of the study was to assess the role corporate entrepreneurship has played in the performance of Zimbabwean banks post dollarization (2010-2012). The multicurrency regime brought challenges to banks, which included limited foreign currency reserves, limited capital sources, illiquidity, limited market, market scepticism, and competition that has a bearing on the performance of banks. These challenges have resulted in loss of business for some banks and cases of bank closure. Further, the future attractiveness of the banking industry is doubtful as banks are operating in a mature industry and confronted by an unstable macro environment. The study, thus, sought to explore whether corporate entrepreneurship was playing a role in the performance of banks. The study adopted both the positivism and phenomenological approach where a descriptive survey was considered. The study considered top and middle management from CBZ, Ecobank and NMB, where a sample of 120 was considered representing a true representation of thoughts regarding the topic. Stratified random sampling was used in the selection of these respondents and they were all given a questionnaire. Three follow up interviews top management personnel from these banks was done, with each bank represented. The study noted that banks were not effectively doing new business venturing, innovation, self renewal, acquiring necessary resources, profit seeking activities and conducting risk taking in their CE approaches. The study noted corporate entrepreneurship plays a role in corporate performance through the expansion of existing markets, entering new markets and bringing new products to the existing markets. Some banking industry players were failing to improve their market share and profits through the implementation of CE approaches. The study noted the need for banks to consider technological opportunities, changing customer demands, environment scanning and entrepreneurship culture. The study only focused on the banking sector of Zimbabwe, with very limited focus on other the whole financial industry. Researches on CE within the context of economies like Zimbabwe are developing; hence, more researches on this area should be considered especially with reference to the role of level of management in promoting CE. 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z Chiyoka, Aylwin https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2870 Title: The influence of EcoCash on Zimbabwean commercial banks’ strategies (2011-2013) Authors: Nyamuzihwa, Joshua Abstract: This study focused on the influence of EcoCash on commercial banks’ strategies in Zimbabwe. The study was motivated by the fact that banks failed to ensure financial inclusion and to take advantage of unbanked market and this resulted in Econet seeing an opportunity and launched EcoCash. EcoCash has had a huge impact and its accounts exceed total bank accounts. Objectives of the study were to examine reasons for the emergence of EcoCash, to assess the influence of EcoCash on Zimbabwean banks’ market, to explore strategies put in place by banks in light of entrance of EcoCash into the financial sector, to analyse sources of competitive advantage for Zimbabwean banks, and to propose a model that brings collaborative synergies between EcoCash and the Zimbabwean banks. The study reviewed literature related to strategy, competitive advantage, the emergence of MMT services in Africa and influence of MMT on banks’ market. The study population was comprised of employees and managers in 16 commercial banks, RBZ, and BAZ. The researcher used a mixture of probability and non-probability sampling techniques. Self-administered questionnaires and structured interviews were used as research instruments. The study found out that EcoCash was prominent because commercial banks failed to exploit the unbanked informal market. EcoCash resulted in decline in bank deposits and clients closed their accounts. Nevertheless, commercial banks have competitive advantage in terms of being able to process high value transactions, and facilitate international transactions. The study recommended that there was need for commercial banks to ensure training of employees and to empower employees through participation in decision making. It was also important for the financial institution to ensure a high level of employee motivation. Motivation of employees would be starting point of ensuring customer satisfaction because human resources are sources of competitive advantage. Another recommendation was that commercial banks should invest in research and development and come up with new, unique products and research should be conducted so that banks are aware of expectations of clients. It was held that banks were facing stiff competition from EcoCash, therefore, they needed to ensure that alliances signed with other companies are effective. For example, the bank could have fully exploited its partnership with EcoCash and ensure convenience to clients. New strategic alliances, for example with funeral assurance companies like Nyaradzo, could be sought. The researcher recommended that a study on effectiveness of commercial banks’ human resources strategies be conducted. This was because of the fact that the researcher discovered, during the conduct of study, that human resources are sources of competitive advantage for any company. Therefore, having effective human resource management practices would ensure customer satisfaction and commercial banks would be able to retain clients. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z Nyamuzihwa, Joshua https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2382 Title: Project selection and prioritisation: A case of Power Generation in Zimbabwe. Authors: Muringa, Simbarashe Abstract: This study investigates the various decision methods and models used by the Government of Zimbabwe in the process of identifying and prioritising national power generation projects for capitalisation purposes. The selection and prioritisation process was considered to be central to the pooling and channelling of resources towards optimal electricity generation in the country in the context of ZIMASSET power projects. The study’s main objective was to address the identified disconnection between the decision making process for approval of a power generation project as a “National Strategic Project” and its subsequent inadequate capitalisation which, in turn, inhibited timely successful execution and expected contribution to the national economy. The study combines interpretive and critical realism, supported by an inductive approach. The design was generally descriptive; although with influences of both the exploratory and explanatory researches. The study was largely qualitative and applied some quantitative aspects covered in the AHP Model. The study data was gathered using both primary and secondary data collection methods. Purposive judgmental sampling was done targeting officials in government institutions involved in the power generation projects. Twenty-six survey questionnaires were used as the main study instruments because the researcher only managed to conduct one interview out of the five that were planned. The study revealed that each government institution had its own perception of what happens in the selection and prioritisation process; resulting in fragmented rather than standard, centralised and transparent processes. It was also noted that the various methods in use were not always based on the multi-criteria ranking methodology; hence there was no standard criteria framework. In terms of policy, the study revealed that the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act (Chapter 14:33; 2007) and its associated regulations; and the National Investment Policy of Zimbabwe were being used to support the National Energy Policy (2012). However, there was need for policy awareness, clarity and consistency. Further, Zimbabwe was yet to come up with a comprehensive PPP policy framework and legislation. Sources of funding remained a major challenge; with FDI inflows subdued for various reasons. The study, therefore, recommended that the Government of Zimbabwe: uses a centrally maintained transparent system to select and prioritize public power generation projects; should develop appropriate and cohesive policies that facilitate attraction of FDI and private sector participation in power generation projects; expedite the enactment of the PPP Act on the basis of the Joint Venture Bill (aka Public-Private Partnership Bill); adopt the AHP Model in all government institutions as a common user MCDA tool for selection and prioritisation of power generation projects. The AHP method has no bias associated with the use of other MCDA methods. Further studies, as case studies, were suggested in order to allow for assessment of the AHP application in determining preference scores for actual project alternatives; subject to availability of specific rating information for each alternative, within an identified power project portfolio. The study also suggested further research into the actual contribution made by the current partners in PPP arrangements and licensed IPPs in enhancing the country’s power generation capacity. 2015-05-01T00:00:00Z Muringa, Simbarashe https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2381 Title: Corporate social responsibility in Zimbabwe: Emerging trends in the financial services sector (2009-2013). Authors: Maliki, Harton Abstract: This study focused on the emerging trends in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within the financial services sector of Zimbabwe. Having noticed the continued decrease of the stakeholder image of the sector despite the relative growth and participation of this sector in the economic development, the researcher sought to unravel specific CSR activities that banks were partaking. The Zimbabwean banks have been accused of levying exorbitant charges on the poor client base, abusing customer deposits, failure to comply with the indigenization laws, failure to support the land reform with agricultural finance, failure to support the youth empowerment programmes, and poor market confidence as shown an estimated USD7,4 billion circulating in the informal sector. Whilst various scholars have attributed these to legacy issues of the pre-dollarization era, this study contends that the practice or lack thereof CSR is a key variable in the Banks regaining stakeholder confidence especially during the period 2009 to 2013 when the economy experienced relative stability. In this regard the study identified the activities, practices and policies of CSR evident in the Zimbabwe financial services sector and placed these within the development agenda of the country. Having identified these, the study analyzed the motivations for the type and level of CSR activity adopted. The study further assessed the existence of regulatory framework in Zimbabwe which would guide the practice, reporting and monitoring of the CSR activities. To achieve the above objectives, the study explored the literature on CSR where it noted the various schools of thought from the minimalist perception of Friedman (1970) that advocated that corporates should only focus on profit making, to the broad stakeholder school led by Carrol (1979) which have been further refined (Buchholtz & Carroll, 2009) to articulate that corporates have economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities to the ‘public’. The research applied the broader and inclusive school of CSR to the financial services sector. The researcher placed the broad CSR concept with the international, regional and national perspectives which identified standards and best practice on reporting, legislation, disclosure, employee engagement and budget spend. Questionnaires, interviews and secondary sources were used on the sampled banks in Zimbabwe with an 80% response rate that enabled generalization of the research findings. The research noted uncoordinated application of CSR in the sector, absence of consolidated legislation to drive consistency in the reporting, disclosure and financial allocation of CSR activities. There is no platform in the sector for sharing best practice and there is no senior leadership participation at Board level in the oversight and design of the CSR strategy. The research recommends the adoption of legislation which would guide the implementation of the CSR agenda, setting up of CSR Board Committee composed on independent non-executive directors and setting up a platform at Bankers Association of Zimbabwe to migrate and share best practice in the industry. The study recommends further studies on CSR within the financial services sector to assess the level of integration of CSR within the corporate strategy. Furthermore the study should aim to make recommendations on the guidelines/framework that can be used by organization to integrate CSR into the strategy. 2014-10-01T00:00:00Z Maliki, Harton