BUSE Institutional Repository

This repository serves as a digital archive for preserving and providing access to the scholalry and creative works produced by the BUSE community. It includes:

Journal articles, conference papers and other publications by the BUSE faculty, researchers and students
Theses and Dissertations completed by BUSE graduate students

The repository aims to showcase the intellectual output of BUSE, increase the visibility and impact of our community's scholarship and preserve these works for long term access and use.To contribute your work or learn more, please contact the repository team using of the following contact details:

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 9

Recent Submissions

Adoption of the “conservation farming” practice in maize production by small holder farmers in the Makoni District of Zimbabwe
(Academic Journals, 2014) Mafuse, N.; Gono, N.; Manyumwa, D.; Munyati, V.T.; Gwati, M.; Muhau, E.
The study is on adoption of “conservation farming” (CF) in maize production by small holder farmers of Makoni District in Zimbabwe as recommended by both government and non-governmental organization. The objective of this study was to find out the reasons why farmers did or did not adopt the recommended CF in maize production. Four categories of farmers were distinguished as: Adopting with support, adopting without support and non-adopting without support. One focus group consisted of first two categories whilst the other focus group consisted of last category. A Lead farmer, Ministry of Agriculture extension worker and a non- governmental organization field worker were the three key informants interviewed and the most frequently mentioned reasons for non-adoption of CF were: It is hard work throughout the year taking up time for other non-agricultural activities and overburdens women who do much of the winter weeding; Surplus maize produced is not profitable on the market compared to tobacco; Benefits take long to be realised especially on unfenced fields where the benefits of mulch are interrupted by crop residue removal during the dry season. Both participating and nonparticipating farmers in the project promoted by non-governmental organizations who have fully adopted CF mentioned reasons for adoption as: Increased maize productivity due to early planting and other high crop management practices in addition to the improved soil fertility which reduced witch weed infestation and improved water use efficiency; Saving of agricultural inputs which are expensive like inorganic basal fertilizer; Social belonging to a CF group has created avenues to venture into other income generating activities. The study concludes that some participating farmers are motivated to use CF in maize production. The non-adopting farmers viewed CF as unprofitable. Non-governmental organizations and government should promote CF without input incentives so as to remove the external motivation. Farmers with livestock need to be included in the project by promoting mechanized CF. Key words: Conservation farming, Adoption, willingness.
An Assessment of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of construction practitioners towards the adoption of industry 4.0 technologies as a strategy to prevent/ minimize the occurrence of fatalities, injuries and diseases in Zimbabwe's construction sector: A Case Study of Bindura University
(BUSE, 2025-05) Bongo, T.
The construction industry's workplace safety and health is a critical issue, especially in Zimbabwe, where high injury and fatality rates continue despite safety regulations and conventional methods. This is because of the changing nature of risks and the growing complexity of operations. Despite the construction industry's substantial economic contribution, little is known about how Industry 4.0 technology might improve worker safety, especially given the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of construction workers. This study is to explore these facets at Bindura University’s Department of Physical Planning and Construction through assessing their present level of comprehension of these technologies, the willingness to use them in the workplace, and the current industry 4.0 technological practices. By understanding these factors, the research seeks to identify gaps and support safer practices in Zimbabwe's construction sector. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out and data was collected using research questionnaires. 61 research questionnaires were administered amongst the participants. The questionnaire consisted of 4 sections namely, demographic information, knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP) section. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2013 and SPSS version 23. A total of 56 respondents participated in the study, with 67.9% being men and 32.1% women. There was a 91.8% participation rate against a targeted sample size of 61. Participants between the ages of 18 and 30 made up the largest group (67.9%). Knowledge scores were poor at 39.4%, and attitudes were negative at 43%. Practices were very poor, scoring only 21%. Of the respondents, 28.6% demonstrated an awareness of BIM and its potential to enhance planning and collaboration before starting a building project. Despite 67.9% believing that human labor will be entirely replaced by robots, 58.9% recognized that Industry 4.0 technologies could improve construction safety. However, 73.2% exhibited a negative overall attitude toward adopting these technologies, and 94.6% reported not using BIM in their daily work. Construction practitioners at Bindura University displayed poor knowledge, negative attitudes, and inadequate practices regarding Industry 4.0 technologies. Despite acknowledging the potential benefits of these technologies for improving safety, many respondents expressed concerns about job security, lacked practical experience with them and also less showed confidence in the ability to adapt to technological changes. This illustrates how urgently focused training and awareness campaigns are needed. Through workshops and other ongoing initiatives, the government in collaboration with construction companies must help current practitioners better understand and foster a more positive attitude toward the adoption of technology in the construction industry. It must also change educational curricula to better prepare future practitioners thus meeting education 5.0 which routes for continual learning and adoption of new technologies. Legislators must also establish tax breaks or grants for construction companies using Industry 4.0 technologies.
Institutions, production, and marketing of maize in Zimbabwe: Case of Marondera district of Mashonaland East province, a two-stage model
(Food & Agribusiness Management (FABM), 2021) Mafuse, N.; Mushunje, Abbysinia.; Zivenge, Emmanuel.
This study evaluated the influence of institutions on production and marketing efficiency of A1 maize resettled farmers in Marondera district. Data Envelopment Analysis was used to determine the efficiency scores of farmers while Tobit model was used to determine institutional factors influencing technical efficiency for both production and marketing. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 343 farmers from Marondera District. Results showed that, farmers are technically, allocatively and economically inefficient for both production and marketing stages. Farmers are performing better at production stage than at marketing technically while there is better allocative and economic efficiency at marketing stage. Formal maize markets are more efficient than informal markets. Results for determinants of technical efficiency at production stage showed that, cattle ownership, farming experience, access to credit and social capital significantly influence maize production efficiency while access to credit, access to market, distance to market and road condition influences marketing efficiency. It can be therefore, recommended to the government of Zimbabwe to improve the institutional environment and arrangement in terms of provision of better roads, access to credit, access to markets so as to improve both production and marketing efficiency. Farmers are also recommended to join or form famer organisations as this will assist in improving both production and marketing efficiency. KEYWORDS Technical, allocative, economic
Rationalizing tax subsdies for mechandize export development: rational reconstruction approach
(BUSE, 2024-12) Matimba, Nyasha
This research was premised on rationalizing tax subsidies for merchandize export development in Zimbabwe since it is a resource endowed nation with huge mineral deposits and large tracts of arable land for farming. The ultimate goal is to improve export performance by capitalizing on these low hanging fruits. However, some researchers believe that tax subsidies are a leakage in the circular flow of income while others believe that exports have a chance to improve in the absence of stringent tax rules and regulations that confine tax payers to pay more than they are supposed to pay. This is also out of the idea that revenues are the resource pool for all expenditure needs and rationalizing tax subsidies appears to be the plausible option to equate the balance between revenue and expenditure. The research covered the period from 1985 to 2020 using the data from the World Bank. The findings revealed that there is positive relationship between tax subsidies and merchandize exports. The findings also revealed that tax subsidies do not work in isolation and their effectiveness depend on other factors which the implementing country may not be privy to. Value addition should be emphasized and underlined as it is the cornerstone of international trade. It is also important to underscore that tax subsidies thrive under bilateral relationships where two countries forge a trade relationship meant to address their needs.
Governance-growth nexus: a comparative analysis of countries in different operational lending groups
(BUSE, 2023-11) Chapwanga, Nobert
This study sought to investigate governance-growth nexus using the case experience of Blend and IBRD operational lending categories. There were four specific research objectives, the first one being to figure out the impact of individual governance indicators on economic growth in different lending groups. The second objective was to assess whether the impact of good governance on GDP growth depend on lending category or not. Thirdly, the study seeks to examine the influence of credit status on the governance-growth nexus. The last research objective was to investigate the overall long-term link between governance and economic growth. This study adopted the quantitative research approach to answer the research questions. The population in this study was made up of countries in both Blend and IBRD operational lending groups. These are all developing countries. The researcher made use purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected from World Bank databank and Standard & Poor databank. STATA package was used in coming up with the model results. The study found out that although government effectiveness and rule of law had a slightly significant negative result in Blend countries, generally good governance and economic growth had a positive connection. A close association between credit status and the governance-growth nexus was also established. It was also observed that there is a differential effect on economic growth between countries of different credit status. The study recommends policy interventions in on rule of law, government effectiveness and political stability so as to ensure economic growth. Ssecondly, the study recommends for the careful allocation of public resources so that governance issues receive a fair share in budgets nationally and internationally. To improve economic growth, governments are recommended to change the underlying institutional arrangements so as to change the equilibrium to which policy outcomes gravitate irrespective of operational lending category. The international community and governments need to promote rule of law. Rule of law is the basis for property rights and the adjudication of commercial claims, and protects a private sphere and individual human rights. Growth is only possible if there is a clear protection of property rights and enforcement of laws.