Papers by Gwendoline Nani
Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, Sep 20, 2023
The main purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of work-life balance (WLB) approache... more The main purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of work-life balance (WLB) approaches on the productivity of female businesswomen in Harare, Zimbabwe. A positivist paradigm, a quantitative technique and a descriptive research design were utilized during the research. A sample of 100 randomly chosen female entrepreneurs was used to gather quantitative data utilizing electronic and selfadministrated structured questionnaires. Classical Linear Regression analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Pearson's correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. According to the study findings, female entrepreneurs in Harare integrated both work and home strategies to manage work-life balance. Employing competent and skilled workers, ranking tasks in terms of their priority levels, and scheduling work activities emerged as the highly effective work strategies from the study results. Correspondingly, the most effective home strategies involved hiring aids to lessen the workload, catering to urgent needs while at work, and placing a higher priority on family pressing issues. The results also showed a positive correlation between home strategies and business performance as well as a substantial positive association between work strategies and business performance. The study concluded that integrating work and home techniques enabled female-owned businesses to operate better. The study suggested further research be done on the work-life balance of family-owned businesses, where both the wife and the husband were involved in the day-today running of the business, as well as that female entrepreneurs use the aforementioned strategies to improve their work-life balance and the performance of their businesses.
Journal of Contemporary Management, 2017
This article which is from a larger study originally conducted to investigate why businesses in t... more This article which is from a larger study originally conducted to investigate why businesses in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province in Zimbabwe tended to imitate one another, sought to find out whether business imitations were an indication of the dearth of creativity and/or innovation.Using purposive and snowball sampling techniques, 30 micro and small business entrepreneurs in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province were selected to participate in the study. The study employed a qualitative approach which used face to face in-depth interviews for data collection. Thematic coding was employed for data analysis where similarities and patterns from the data around the phenomenon of business imitations were identified.Results revealed that by imitating one another’s business ideas, micro and small entrepreneurs showed that they lacked creativity skills which entail coming up with original ideas. However, they were able to add value to the existing business ideas, an indication of innovation.The study recommended that the government should create a conducive environment with adequate infrastructure; formulate appropriate policies on educational and skills development and provide requisite resources for the development of creativity and harnessing of innovation skills, to enable micro and small entrepreneurs to survive the global competition.
Investment management & financial innovations, Jul 4, 2016
This study was part of a larger study that sought to find out why businesses tended to imitate on... more This study was part of a larger study that sought to find out why businesses tended to imitate one another. However, this particular study focused on the challenges faced by micro and small entrepreneurs in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province in Zimbabwe as a result of business imitations. A case study design was adopted and individual interviews were used as data collecting instruments. Qualitative data were collected from 30 purposively selected micro and small business entrepreneurs. Findings revealed that while micro and small business entrepreneurs used imitation as a business entry strategy, they also faced challenges of imitation by other players. Recommendations are that capacity building workshops be conducted to educate these entrepreneurs on appropriate strategies to remain relevant in the market.
In the academic circuit, Professional Development (PD) has proved a vital source for quality and ... more In the academic circuit, Professional Development (PD) has proved a vital source for quality and success in teaching and learning in Universities. PD provides academics with job satisfaction and in the process helping to build better universities with competent lecturers. The key personnel in universities who play an important role to bring about transformation and quality products are the lecturers. The academic staff is a crucial element in any university educational program. Academic staff is mainly responsible for the implementation of all educational processes in a university set up. Effective PD in universities has become more crucial in this rapidly changing teaching and learning environments. Significant PD is required in universities to provide academics with the skills to use current methods and will enhance their pedagogical skills. The development of pedagogical skills in university academics in Zimbabwe and the entire Sub Sahara region cannot be addressed simply by running workshops at university level, more sophisticated integrated models like PD are most appropriate. PD is therefore imperative for the currency and relevance of a professional teaching force and in turn the quality of programs delivered in the university. The changing context of higher education in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole presents new challenges for academics which should be addressed through effective PD. Consequently the goal of this study was to explore challenges faced by university academics in their participation in PD at a university in Zimbabwe which is currently offering a Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education (PGDHE) to higher education academic staff. The program for PD at the university covered by this study seeks to enhance the professional skills set as well as the overall experiences that can position academics for greater academic success in teaching, research and community services. The qualitative study which was framed within a Realist philosophy of culture, structure and agency by Roy Bhaskar and Margaret Archer was used. In this article I argue that academics in universities are overwhelmed by the demands of PD innovations which are also associated with university quality assurance processes but they face challenges in participating in the programs.
Book Publisher International (a part of SCIENCEDOMAIN International), Jun 21, 2022
Journal of Contemporary Management, Jul 1, 2019
This study sought to find out how locally-owned Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in Ru... more This study sought to find out how locally-owned Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in Rustenburg had contributed towards poverty reduction. The study employed a descriptive research design and a quantitative approach which used self-administered questionnaires to collect data. Out of the 213 distributed questionnaires, one hundred and eighty-two (182) were returned, thus constituting an 85% response rate. Statistical techniques used to analyse data included frequency analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson's correlation test, and Tukey's studentised range test. Empirical findings showed that SMMEs in the mining, manufacturing, construction, and agriculture sectors contributed more to poverty reduction than SMMEs in the services, wholesale and retail sectors. Recommendations were twofold: (1) that government should provide practical development training and sufficient funding to enhance the operations of SMMES and (2), to improve the regulatory framework that governs the SMMEs sector countrywide. This study focused on the role of locallyowned SMMEs operating in Rustenburg. Further studies could be conducted on the role of poverty reduction by foreign-owned SMMEs. SJ CHIROMO GV NANI The role of locally-owned Small, Medium and Micro enterprises on poverty reduction,
European Journal of Social Sciences Studies, Jan 9, 2023
This interpretive research study sought to ascertain the technological challenges faced by Small ... more This interpretive research study sought to ascertain the technological challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The thrust of the study was qualitative and semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 30 purposively selected SME owners. Through thematic analysis, the findings revealed that SMEs without technological gadgets faced an array of challenges such as poor communication with business partners, inability to view business transactions, delay in making payments, high operational costs, difficulty in advertising products, and failure to place orders on time. From the research, it was concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the digital divide amongst SMEs, as those without the technological gadgets and the requisite skills were either forced to close or had minimal business transactions. The study recommended that deliberate policies be put in place to equip SME owners with technological gadgets and internet facilities at subsidised rates and offer free training to prepare SMEs for the digital world.
European Journal of Management and Marketing Studies, Jan 9, 2023
Men have traditionally dominated the entrepreneurial arena because women's expected roles have tr... more Men have traditionally dominated the entrepreneurial arena because women's expected roles have traditionally been focused on marriage and the household. Despite accounting for more than half of the population, the majority of women are excluded from the formal business environment. Their contribution to the business is primarily concentrated in the areas of crafts, hawking, personal services, and retail. However, the entrepreneurial landscape has shifted, with women becoming the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs, although anecdotal evidence suggests that highly educated women's participation in business is low. The goal of this study was to find out, if any, factors that discourage highly educated women from being entrepreneurs. The study was situated in the interpretivist paradigm, with twenty carefully chosen highly educated Zimbabwean women responding to emailed semi-structured questionnaires that were thematically analysed. The study found out that the factors that discourage highly educated women from being entrepreneurs included high societal expectations of educated women, negative attitudes towards entrepreneurship, male chauvinism, salaried job security and risk aversion. This study focused on this often-overlooked group of women who, if properly groomed, can make a significant contribution to society. The implication of the study was that women with high academic qualifications needed to develop positive mind sets towards entrepreneurship and serve as role models for prospective women entrepreneurs.
European Journal of Social Sciences Studies, Sep 8, 2022
The study, which sought to find out the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to the busine... more The study, which sought to find out the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to the business operations of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, and the lessons thereof, adopted the interpretive paradigm, a qualitative approach and a case study design. Data was collected from a sample of 30 purposively selected SME owners using electronic semi-structured and physically distributed questionnaires. Data were thematically analysed. The study found that the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic included restrictions on physical movements and face-to-face interaction; loss of revenue; failure to operate businesses in a disruptive environment and changes in consumption patterns. The lessons derived from the pandemic were that SMEs need to embrace technology and should be innovative and creative; the need for networking and the need to study the environment and adapt accordingly. The study thus concluded that despite the disruptions caused by the pandemics, there were lessons derived from the experiences. The implications provided by the study were that SMEs should acquire new technologies and new skills for doing business; seek guidance from mobile service providers; work in partnership with bigger companies so as to copy best practice; be creative and innovative and readjust strategies in order to adapt quickly. Policymakers should disseminate information to SMEs on the environmental challenges that they are likely to face.
European Journal of Management and Marketing Studies, Sep 7, 2022
The study examined whether the COVID-19 pandemic had created digital opportunities for Small to M... more The study examined whether the COVID-19 pandemic had created digital opportunities for Small to Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe or it had actually exposed their lack of digital acumen. The interpretivist paradigm, a qualitative descriptive approach and a case study design were adopted for this study. The research used semi-structured questionnaires to solicit data from 30 purposively selected small to medium entrepreneurs. Data were thematically analysed to discern meaning. The study revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had led participants to embrace technology, as evidenced by their acquisition of technological gadgets. Furthermore, ownership of technological gadgets had facilitated working from home, in the comfort of their homes; reaching clients irrespective of boundaries; having easy access to information on business transactions; the ability to do business even during the pandemic; ordering and ease of payment of suppliers; convenience and flexibility in doing business and discovering business platforms they were not aware of. The study concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic was the initiator for the digital inclusion of SMEs in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, after the realisation that for their businesses to remain operational in this uncertain and disruptive environment, they had to embrace technology. The study recommended that workshops to train and equip SME owners with digital skills be conducted so that in the event of other pandemics, their businesses would remain afloat.
Randwick International of Education and Linguistics Science Journal
Non-business students pursuing business-related degrees have increased in number at one selected ... more Non-business students pursuing business-related degrees have increased in number at one selected public university in Zimbabwe. Entrepreneurship, which is commonly thought to be a subject for business discipline students, is being studied by non-business-oriented students as part of the curriculum. The purpose of this study was to learn about non-business students' perceptions and experiences while taking the Entrepreneurship course. To collect data for a case study design based on the interpretive paradigm, semi structured questionnaires were emailed to sixteen non-business Master’s students who were purposively chosen as key informants. Thematic analysis of the findings revealed that non-business students perceived entrepreneurship to be a relevant subject, particularly in these days of depressed economies where people must be job creators rather than job seekers, and where even those in employment must generate extra income. Further research revealed Entrepreneurship to be an...
Current Aspects in Business, Economics and Finance Vol. 1
Zimbabwe Journal of Educational Research, 2020
The study sought to find out the appropriateness of the teaching methods used in selected Bulaway... more The study sought to find out the appropriateness of the teaching methods used in selected Bulawayo Metropolitan schools, to enable learners to be entrepreneurs. The qualitative approach comprising the case study design was employed in this study. Cluster and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 20 government primary school teachers; 30 government high school teachers teaching practical subjects; 20 government high school students doing practical subjects and 10 captains of industry. Semi-structured interviews with respondents split into focus groups were used to collect data from schools, while captains of industry were individually interviewed. The study found out that Entrepreneurship as a 'stand-alone' subject is not taught in government schools. The study revealed that learners are taught practical subjects in a bid to equip them with entrepreneurship skills. The lecture method is mainly used in conjunction with practical sessions for lesson delivery. The st...
Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, 2020
This study sought to find out the role of intrapreneurship on the growth of iron and steel manufa... more This study sought to find out the role of intrapreneurship on the growth of iron and steel manufacturing companies in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. A post-positivist paradigm, a mixed method approach and a cross sectional design were adopted for the investigation. Three hundred and fifteen (315) middle management and supervisory staff drawn from twenty-two (22) iron and steel manufacturing companies in Bulawayo participated. Multiple stratified random sampling and heterogeneous purposive sampling were used to choose two hundred (200) respondents for the quantitative study and eight participants for the qualitative study respectively. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews were the data collecting instruments for quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative data was thematically analysed. Findings revealed that innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk taking were the key dimensions of intrapreneurship...
Journal of Contemporary Management, 2017
This article which is from a larger study originally conducted to investigate why businesses in t... more This article which is from a larger study originally conducted to investigate why businesses in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province in Zimbabwe tended to imitate one another, sought to find out whether business imitations were an indication of the dearth of creativity and/or innovation.Using purposive and snowball sampling techniques, 30 micro and small business entrepreneurs in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province were selected to participate in the study. The study employed a qualitative approach which used face to face in-depth interviews for data collection. Thematic coding was employed for data analysis where similarities and patterns from the data around the phenomenon of business imitations were identified.Results revealed that by imitating one another’s business ideas, micro and small entrepreneurs showed that they lacked creativity skills which entail coming up with original ideas. However, they were able to add value to the existing business ideas, an indication of innovation...
Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, 2020
Indigenous chickens contribute towards poverty reduction, income generation and economic empowerm... more Indigenous chickens contribute towards poverty reduction, income generation and economic empowerment of rural women. In this regard, employment of a profitable pricing strategy in selling the indigenous chickens becomes fundamental. This study sought to find out the pricing strategies used by rural women indigenous chicken breeders in one purposively selected village in Zimbabwe. An interpretivist paradigm, a qualitative approach and a case study design were employed to examine the issue under review. Seventeen rural women indigenous chicken breeders were key informants. Data collected using semi structured questionnaires and face to face interviews was analysed to discern themes. Results revealed that rural women indigenous chicken breeders did not apply any pricing strategies when selling their chickens. Prices were approximated based on mainly the weight of the chickens. The study concluded that rural women indigenous chicken breeders were ignorant of pricing strategies and facto...
Randwick International of Education and Linguistics Science Journal, 2020
The outbreak of the corona virus disease (COVID-19) in China around December 2019 led to the prem... more The outbreak of the corona virus disease (COVID-19) in China around December 2019 led to the premature closure of schools globally. This was done to ensure reduced transmission of the disease. Due to the indefinite level two lockdown in Zimbabwe, schools remain closed. This has led to online home schooling, where schools send work to parents who conduct and monitor the lessons on their behalf. This study sought to find out the experiences and readiness of parents in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe, who were expected to conduct lessons online. The study which is situated in the interpretive paradigm and qualitative approach collected data from ten purposively selected parents as key informants. Qualitative data was collected using emailed open-ended questionnaires in compliance with COVID-19 regulations. Results revealed that parents found it difficult to conduct online lessons due to costly data, lack of expert knowledge and teaching pedagogy, unclear instructions from teac...
Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2020
There has been a sharp increase in company closures in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbab... more There has been a sharp increase in company closures in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe, leaving people with no option but to turn to street vending to earn a living. The ever swelling number of street vendors on shop pavements and roadsides are subjecting formal shop owners to unfair competition as street vendors do not pay rentals and utility bills. That has caused rivalry for trading space between formal shop owners and street vendors. As a conceptual perspective, this study employed a non-empirical approach to evolve alternative ways of possible co-existence between street vendors and formal shop owners. The study concluded that street vending is a reality that cannot be ignored and, thus, recommended that co-existence of formal shop owners and street vendors should be harmonised so as to mitigate against the rivalry of trading space.
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Papers by Gwendoline Nani