https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/766 2026-04-07T12:35:18Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4951 Title: Antecedents and Outcomes of Corporate Social Investment on Customer Loyalty: A Case of Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Listed Companies Authors: Nkala, Doreen Abstract: Corporate Social Investment (CSI) is a relatively new philosophy employed by corporates to build a strong bond within the communities in which they operate. Firms invest in several communities based on sustainable development initiatives for the good of humanity. The thin line between CSI and corporate social responsibility is primarily anchored on levels of commitment and intention. While CSR is more of a public relations activity, CSI is proactive and aims to change and improve community livelihoods. The objective of this study was to examine the determinants and outcomes of CSI on companies listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. This was necessitated by the increased demand by several stakeholders, including customers, investors, government and communities, for companies to increase their CSI participation. Companies listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange represent various sectors and have a broader capital base, hence, the deliberate efforts to focus on them. It became imperative that particular focus be directed on the effects of CSI on corporate image, customer trust and customer loyalty. Primary data was gathered from a target population of 1200 senior managers and sample data of 252 companies seeking to determine the number of issues amongst them, sector type, year of establishment, the number of employees, total assets, and capital flows in the past five years. The Structural Equation Modelling approach was used, SMARTPLS software was chosen for hypotheses testing, and the model fit to accommodate the sample size. Results showed that CSI positively affected community, customer, investor, environmental, and government demands. Findings showed that CSI positively affected corporate reputation, customer trust, and loyalty. The study significantly contributed to the existing knowledge on CSI regarding Zimbabwe Stock Listed Companies. The study recommends that Zimbabwe Stock Exchange regulators develop policies that enhance corporates' increased CSI initiatives. Managers could use Integrated Marketing Communication to update stakeholders from time to time. 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z Nkala, Doreen https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/767 Title: Strategy implementation for survival and growth among small to medium-sized enterprises (SMES) in Zimbabwe Authors: Nyamwanza, Tonderai Abstract: The Zimbabwean economy has been in free fall with an economic decline of up to 50% over the past seven years. However, since February 2009, the economy has stabilised and signs of growth are now evident. Nonetheless, there has been massive scaling down in terms of capacity utilisation and employment creation on the part of large businesses, a situation made worse by the drying up of direct foreign investment. This situation calls for locally-driven solutions to boost both economic activities and employment creation. Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have a key role to play in driving local economic development. However, to date, social and economic support structures have had little impact on the growth and survival of SMEs. The social, economic and political changes that are impacting on the business environment require owners to be proactive. While a supportive environment and favourable policies have not resulted in SMEs playing a bigger role in Zimbabwe’s economy, there is evidence of their growing contribution. Strategic planning and implementation are pivotal tools in increasing SMEs’ contribution to economic development and employment creation. Most SMEs players have a business vision and goals. While strategic planning and performance measurement are in place, in some instances SMEs adopt identical strategies but produce very different results. This calls into question the manner in which these strategies are implemented. Business owners/managers have to change the way they do business. This study examines how SMEs in Zimbabwe implement strategies to achieve both survival and growth. It also seeks to establish the reason why SMEs implement strategies the way they do. This is phenomenological study which used a multiple case study approach to unravel how Zimbabwean SMEs implement strategies. A convenience sampling technique was used to select those institutions that had a strategic plan and were realising some growth. In depth interviews were conducted to draw information from a sample of respondents iii from all sectors. The study ascertained that most SMEs adopted different approaches to strategic planning and implementation. Two forms of strategic focus were identified i.e. the traditional family businesses whose strategy formulation approach is decided on by family members. The focus here was more local geographic expansion and unrelated diversification which resonated well with the desire for the security of the family members. On the other hand the innovative organisations had a formal business focus strategy formulation approach which emphasized growth in the business through vertical integration and expansion beyond Zimbabwe. How strategy was formulated influenced the implementation approaches adopted by the SMEs. The study found that most SMEs expanded at the local level, which resonated with the desire for personal economic security. To a large extent, the implementation of their business strategy was determined by the desire for such, with business operations being anchored by the acquisition of property as insurance against potential failure. Such assets will be sold to raise capital internally when expanding or mitigating failure instead of sourcing loans or outside investments. The study suggests found out that most SMEs focused more on business survival than growth. In order to support national economic growth, there is a need to marry the survival model and the growth model. For survival and growth SMEs need to formalise and adopt systematic approaches to strategy formulation and implementation if these institutions are to contribute meaningfully to economic development and employment creation. It is hoped that future studies will help develop and refine implementation models so that SMEs in Zimbabwe in order for them to improve strategy implementation for sustained growth. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z Nyamwanza, Tonderai