https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/71 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:47:05 GMT 2026-04-09T21:47:05Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4049 Title: Challenges and survival strategies of employees under precarious employment within the Agricultural and Hospitality Industries in Zimbabwe : the case of Border Timbers Limited and Chimanimani Hotel Authors: Sauti, Christian Abstract: The purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges faced and survival strategies used by employees under precarious employment at BTL and CH representing the agricultural and hospitality industries in Zimbabwe respectively. Out of 1666 total population at BTL and 68 employees at CH, the sample size of 20 participants was chosen from each organisation through quota, convenience and purposive sampling. Qualitative research approach and the multiple case study research design was adopted to deconstruct deeply into the research phenomenon. The research was conceptually guided by the Employment Strain Model by Lewchuk, Clark, de Wolff, and King (2003) and it focused on both primary and secondary sources of data. Data was collected through open-ended questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, and thematic analysis was used in analysing the data. Major inferences from the research revealed that seasonal, fixed term, casual, part-time work, graduate trainee/student attaches, and permanent contracts were prominent forms of work whose conditions punctuates precarious employment in the hospitality and agricultural industries in Zimbabwe. The participants expressed that they suffer heightened employment insecurity, sexual harassment, poor occupational health and safety, limited social protection and limited workplace representation on fundamental rights at work. Sexual harassment has been found most ubiquitous at CH whereas limited access to training and development was more experienced at BTL. From the study, it was identified that moonlighting, fiddling and sabotaging, surviving by God’ grace, ‘kukiya-kiya’, pilferage, drug abuse, farming and gold panning and workplace romance were survival strategies used to mitigate the challenges of precarious employment conditions. However, farming and illegal gold mining, hardworking and drug abuse were dominantly used at BTL while workplace romance was a common coping strategy for workers at CH. It was found that the employers were not adhering to the dictates of Labour Act [Chapter 28:01] and its amendments, SI15 of 2006, NSSA Act, ILO’s Decent Work Agenda and its conventions in addressing the challenges faced by employees under precarious working conditions in the agricultural and hospitality industries in Zimbabwe. The participants stated that there is not any specific legislation to deal with indecent work conditions in Zimbabwe hence the frameworks are considered managerial templates to fuel modern day slavery. From the foregoing, recommendations were made for the industries to develop precarious employment policies to govern the working conditions for the precariates, to adhere to the existing legal frameworks on precarious work and for the HR function to advise workers and management that the precariates should be treated equitably and enjoy workplace representation and protection against unfair labour practices. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4049 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z Sauti, Christian https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4048 Title: The effects of outsourcing on labour productivity : a case of Sino - Zimbabwe Cement company Authors: Moyp, Virginia Shorai Abstract: The study investigated the effects of outsourcing on labour productivity at Sino Zimbabwe Cement Company. A sample of 6 participants from SZCC management and 3 managers from outsourced labour companies was selected using judgmental sampling technique. Quota sampling technique was used to select 23 non managerial participants from SZCC employees and 15 participants from outsourced labour. Outsourcing was done to reduce costs and to access technical skills. It reduced level of commitment for SZCC employees leading to low labour productivity. Outsourced labour showed higher level of labour productivity because their level of commitment was high because they wanted to secure their jobs. The study showed that the level of output for outsourced labour was high which led to higher labour productivity. Outsourcing led to reduction costs due to efficient utilisation of labour which translated to higher labour productivity. Innovation was only evident in outsourced catering services. Other outsourced labour and SZCC workers did not depict any innovative ideas which reduced their level of labour productivity. In terms of labour flexibility outsourcing gave SZCC the opportunity to hire labour when most needed which ensured efficient utilisation of labour leading to higher labour productivity. The study also found that turnover for outsourced labour was low which implied that its labour productivity was high. As for SZCC turnover was high which implied that its labour productivity was low. The research found that SZCC was not providing its workers with training opportunities which led to reduction in level of commitment leading to low level labour productivity. The study recommended that for outsourcing to enhance labour productivity it must ensure job security, remuneration for subcontracted workers must be competitive to promote high labour productivity and training and development must be undertaken to both client and subcontracted workers to enhance labour productivity. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4048 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z Moyp, Virginia Shorai https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3969 Title: Survivor syndrome and labour productivity in the Zimbabwean Timber Industry: the case study of Border Timbers Limited Authors: Sauti, Christian Abstract: In light of massive restructurings and unceasing downsizings in Zimbabwe, the main thrust of the research was to examine the implications of survivor syndrome on labour productivity in Zimbabwean Timber Industry, using a case study of Border Timbers Limited. The study was guided by the Integrated Counterproductive Workplace Behaviour (CWB) and Organisational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) Model by Spector and Fox (2002). Qualitative research approach was used. Quota, convenience and purposive sampling were used to draw forty-one (41) participants at BTL. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. The tables, matrixes, narratives and descriptive format were used for data presentation whilst thematic approach was used to analyse data. The research found that survivor syndrome is caused by fear for job insecurity, breach of psychological contract, and perceived witchcraft. The research revealed positive effects of survivor syndrome on labour productivity arguing that it enhances employee morale, motivation and commitment as employees are happy to secure jobs. However, survivor syndrome enhances counterproductive behaviours as employees suffer health problems and concentrate more on personal survival at the expense of the firm. The study highlighted that lack of proper strategies can heighten the effects of survivor syndrome on real output per labour unit. The study identified challenges such as poor planning and financial crisis as weakening the company’s ability to manage survivor syndrome. The researcher recommended BTL to invest in honest communication, development of a dignity policy at workplace, involvement and participation of employees to manage the effects of survivor syndrome on labour productivity. Lastly, the study concluded that survivor syndrome is a reality; it is a detrimental cancer for labour productivity. It has far reaching consequences which require management support and a sober thinking in rebuilding trust and cultivating a new culture as to aid rapid growth of organisational citizenship behaviours. Wed, 01 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3969 2017-11-01T00:00:00Z Sauti, Christian https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3702 Title: Role of emotional labour in managing job stress for frontline officers in a service industry: the case of National Social Security Authority Authors: Doro, Lissa Abstract: Frontline officers play an important role in organisations, as they are directly involved with customers and clients who are the lifeline of any organization. It is because of this function as the go- between the company and the customers that front line officers effectively need to manage stress so as to effectively deliver quality service. Coupled with various stressors such as role overload, role ambiguity, socio-economic stressors, work/life imbalance, and rigid organizational policies as well as disgruntled customers, frontline officers are bound to experience job stress on a greater magnitude than other employees. The researcher observed that NSSA does not have a stress management policy in place, hence this particular study. The main objective of this dissertation was to examine the role of emotional labour in managing job stress for frontline officers in a service industry. This study used a qualitative research approach. A sample size of 35 participants was drawn from 70 frontline employees at the NSSA Head office and Harare Regional Office, however there were a total of 31 respondents. Semi structured interviews and open ended questionnaires were used for this study. The main causes of job stress that were highlighted by respondents are work overload, economic uncertainties, nature of work, work-life imbalance, management/leadership style and difficult customers. It was discovered that deep acting is the emotional labour strategy that is effective in stress management as compared to surface acting. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3702 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z Doro, Lissa