PhD Theses

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Entrepreneurial motivation in a developing country context: incidents antecedents and consequences of growth-seeking behaviour among Tanzanian owner-managers.
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2001) Olomi, Donath Raphael
This study sought to explore the incidence of growth motivation and analyse its antecedents and firm size consequences in a developing country setting. A conceptual model was tested through a survey of 289 owner-managers in the food processing industry in Tanzania. Results suggest that Tanzanian owner-managers have very low growth motivation. As in some previous studies, level of education and managerial experience were found to be positively related to growth motivation. Also, growth motivation was positively related to actual firm growth. It was observed that those who are in business because of economic necessity have very passive future orientations and that they rarely evolve into serious entrepreneurs desiring substantial growth and pro-actively seeking for it. Subsequently, in-depth case study of five owner-managers were carried out to explore the process through which the rare transition occurs. Results suggest that one who starts business because of economic necessity is neither committed to the business nor the entrepreneurial career. Before he/she can become a pro-active growth seeker, he/she must first stabilise his/her personal life, acquire commitment to the business, stabilise the business and acquire commitment to the career. At the beginning, a favourable external environment is critical for the evolution as it ensures that the owner is able to earn income from the business to stabilise his personal life despite his/her loose commitment. Also, resources that are useful only in the context of the firm and interest in the activity enhances commitment to the business as well as investing in its stabilisation. After stabilising the business and acquiring commitment to the career, it takes a challenge from the external environment to push an owner-manager who started because of economic necessity to start seeking growth. The results point to the need for enhancing growth motivation and in particular the process of evolution from economic necessity to entrepreneurship. The stage reached in the process of evolution can be a useful basis for credit rating. The knowledge can be used for sensitising owner-managers in the process through which they are evolving, thereby accelerating it. Future research should try to explain evolution and determinants of other entrepreneurial qualities.
Gender and entrepreneurship in Tanzania: a comparative analysis of Male-females start-up motivation, individual characteristics and perceptions of business success
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2002) Nchimbi, Mariam Idabaga
The main objective of this study was to examine the effect of gender on entrepreneurial start-up motives, individual characteristics and perceptions of business success. To this end a conceptual framework was tested through a survey of 350 entrepreneurs (222 males and 128 females) in Tanzania. The survey was conducted in textile and clothing as well as woodworks and furniture making industries. It covered urban areas of Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Mbeya regions. Results reveal that at the aggregate level, start-up motives of entrepreneurs, their individual characteristics as well as the way they perceive their business success were greatly influenced by gender. While male entrepreneurs were motivated by the need for achievement and career frustration, females were motivated by the need for freedom to control their time and money, and need for flexibility to combine business and family. Moreover unlike their male counterparts, females were found to possess less entrepreneurial traits. In addition female entrepreneurs were found to measure their business success in terms of how well they can take care of their family and employees rather than economic criteria used by males. Moreover, the start-up motives of female entrepreneurs were significantly related to the way they measured success in business. These results suggest that women view their business as an extension of their homes; they integrate their business life with their family life. The magnitude of the gender differences revealed at the aggregate level; were found to change when the analysis was done at regional or industry level. Major implication drawn from this finding is that ethnicity may influence male-female socialisation processes and hence entrepreneurship. The results point to the need for policy to be more sensitive to gender and other elements of culture. Business support institutions should tailor women programs to their unique circumstances. Results also point to the need to inculcate relevant entrepreneurial traits to children both at home and in schools. The study also points to a number of new questions that need to be further pursued. Do graduates find the MSE sector unattractive? Why? Are women really getting the freedom they are looking for in business ownership? How do women entrepreneurs successfully mix business and family without doing harm to any? What is the influence of ethnicity or gender relations and hence entrepreneurship? Indeed the study has gradually evolved an appreciation of the need to take a much more holistic approach to the study of gender in entrepreneurship. Future study should examine gender within and across the two sexes rather than on a straight dichotomy of female and male. This would mean grounding theoretical frameworks much more on gender theory rather than. on the entrepreneurship theories as used in the current study.
Problems of information management in small and medium enterprises in Tanzania: Information Systems Success Perspective
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2004) Mbamba, Ulingeta Obadia Lebson
The thesis describes problems of information management in small and medium enterprises. The thesis is based on SMEs' and information technology's vulnerability to failure as well as importance for these two sectors for successful development of many economies. The research collected data through survey from 52 organisations. The data were on technological issues (like .flexibility), organizational characteristics (like position of information and communication technology in organisations), strategic information management, culbn-e aspects, information systems use, user information. satisfaction, demographic and information systems problems. Other variables were change management and organisations size. The data were then subjected to several statistical analyses including structural equation modeling in order to develop an appropriate model for ICT implementation in SMEs. The results show that SMEs face the following problems general ICT problems: change management strategies, management support problems, external support problems, and financial problems. One technical part, the problems are: hardware related problems and software related problems (non-availability of tailor made software systems with high reliability, maintenance of software systems at acceptable levels, lack of software systems in local languages). The research also tested hypotheses, which were divided m three parts: change management, information management and teclu1ology related hypotheses. Result on these hypotheses indicate that change styles like re-engineering favors information systems use but not user information satisfaction. The more the information is managed strategically the less the number of ICT problems. Finally, for SMEs, technology flexibility has no impact on its success in implementation; however, technology flexibility influences the level of problems experienced. Finally, using structural equation modelling, the model which developed form literature reviews was tested and found to meet many fit measures criteria. •This model highlights how information systems should be managed in SMEs.
The effect of quality satisfaction and its consequences on customers` behavioral intetions; a study of selected service firms in Tanzania.
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2005) Ame, Ahmed Mohamed
The purpose of this study was to research on service firms in Tanzania so as to describe the relationship between the service quality and behavioral intentions through customer satisfaction. The study was carried out in banking and the hotel industries. The findings show that the service quality in an antecedent of customer satisfaction regarding the relationship between the two customers, the finding indicate that the two constructs may be linearly modelled and also have positive association. The level of association is moderate and its extent differs from one service industry to another. Furthermore, it has been observed that evaluation of customer satisfaction is also influenced or moderated by number of environmental factors, which again differ from ne industry to another. The study also reveals that, both service quality and customer satisfaction to behavioural intetions. Further investigations and analysis has shown that this relationship is moderated by some methodological as well as environmental factors. In addition to that, the results of the study suggest that service quality rather than customer satisfaction, is primary in extent of the influence it imposes over behavioural intetions. Final, the study results indicate that relationship with service provider and convenience has a weak influence on customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions but not on service quality.
The dynamics of SME financing decisions and performance in a developing economy: the case of Tanzania
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2008) Baisi, Mutahyoba Deusdedith
This study aimed at identifying the financing sources that can enhance performance and thus ensure survival for SMEs in Tanzania given the environment in which the are operating. It put into context some of the reasons that we think have undermined Tanzania firms endeavors' for survival and thereby denying them the opportunity to positively contributing towards the country's economic development. To do this the study analyzed financing decisions of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within a constrained environment and how this affects their performance. the study, like most entrepreneurship research, employed a survey technique for the exploratory framework to determine the environmental and firm performance. since the study also dwells on the cause-effect of the variables on performance, quantitative methods had to be applied and structural equation models were deemed to be most appropriate given the interrelationship nature of the variables in the model. A combination of cross sectional study and longitudinal analysis was performed using primary and secondary data collected from 401 SMEs in Dar es salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya and Zanzibar. The results show that the financing sources utilized by SMEs in Tanzania do not address the effect that they have on the performance aspect which in turn may undermine their chances for survival. the study also confirmed what other studies (e.g. World Bank, 2000, ILO, 2001 and Chijoriga, 2000) have found that many SMs lack access to finance for starting, operating and expanding their business. the study recommends that in as much as the political, economic, environmental, social and technological variables affect the operations of the business environment in Tanzania and therefore their financing sources, there is a need to have a conducive environment that promotes the financial infrastructure that has the promotion.
The impact of micro-finance services on poverty alleviation: an empirical assessment of selected households and micro-finance institutions in Kenya
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2009) Aduda, Josiah Omollo
The thesis examines the depth of outreach and impact of micro-finance services on poverty alleviation and women empowerment in Kenya. The Study employed a cross-sectional impact assessment, which used both the treatment and control groups. The Principal Components Analysis was used to isolate and measure the poverty component embedded in the various poverty indicators and to create a household specific poverty index. In addition two non-parametric tests, Kolmogorov Smirnov and Mann-Whitney, were performed to assess the impact of micro-finance services on women empowerment. The findings of the study confirm that micro-finance services have a positive impact on poverty alleviation in Kenya by helping the poor people to increase their sources of income which is an essential path out of poverty, hunger and deprivation. The micro-finance services have a positive impact on the empowerment of women because the access to savings and credit gives women a greater economic role in decision-making. The study, however, found that a majority of the poor households in Kenya do not have access to micro-finance services due to several factors, namely, physical and economic challenges, self-exclusion, sector risks, lack of awareness, negative publicity, cost structure of MFIs, capacity constraints as well as environmental factors. The study recommends that MFIs should intensify savings mobilization and establish strong partnerships with commercial banks in order to obtain sufficient funds for lending to the poor. The study also recommends the need for effective prudential supervision of MFIs by the CBK to ensure full compliance with the Micro-finance Act (2006). The Government should also implement stable macro-economic policies and develop infrastructure in the rural areas to enhance the capacity of MFIs to alleviate poverty.
Dimensions and determinants of accounting information systems performance in local government authorities in Tanzania
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2010) Chalu, Henry
This study was conducted in the east Usambara Mountains in three villages namely Misalai, Shambangeda and Kwatango to assess the policies and institutions governing tree management on outside protected areas. Primary and secondary data were collected using quantitative and qualitative methodologies, i.e. ten percent of households were drawn in each village for household interviews. SPSS and Microsoft excel were used in data analysis and presentation. Farmland tree management outside protected areas is controlled by existing policies and institutions. The decision to plant trees or not and conservation of on farm national trees is guided by village bylaws as well as national policies (Forest Policy, Agriculture Policy, and Environmental Policy). The permit to harvest on farm trees has to be granted by the village council as per existing bylaws. Almost all households have trees on farm, the average number of trees per acre per household is 6, however the difference is the type of species There is a significant relationship between status of land use and ownership systems, dependency on forest resources and the link of farmland trees with biodiversity conservation and livelihood diversification. There are different constraints to tree management such as inconsistencies in agriculture and forest policies, the existence of parallel administration in forest governance between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) and the Prime Minister's Office, local Government. Moreover constraints are also brought by unreliable market on tree products Further the study provides suggestions for improved coordination on farmland trees management.
Export information uses and performance of horticultural and handicrafts SMEs in Tanzania
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2010) Philemon, John Richard Mwakyusa
The study applies the Resource Based View (RBV) and the Upper Echelons Theory (UET) to examine the uses of export information and their effects on the performance of SMEs engaged in exporting horticultural and handicraft products. It was the thesis of this study that what leads to improved export performance is not merely the possession of export information but its appropriate use. Descriptive and multivariate Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were used to test the research model using a survey of 158 SMEs in Dar-es-Salaam, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. The findings revealed that instrumental–conceptual use of information for particular, general and future decision-making purposes was positively and significantly related to SMEs export performance. Symbolic uses of export information (justifying actions already taken based on instinct or intuition, or legitimizing views already held) were, as hypothesized, found to be negatively related to SMEs’ export performance. Furthermore, it was found that the perceived quality of export information has an effect on the uses of export information. Owners or managers’ demographic characteristics were not found to have an effect on the use of export information, while Entrepreneurial Orientation relationship with uses of export information was partially supported. This study has also presented structural models for explaining uses of export information and export performance. It has demonstrated the relevance of the Resource Based View (RBV) and the Upper Echelons Theory (UET) - two of the increasingly important schools of thought in the business strategy literature. The overriding recommendation of the study is for owners or managers and other SME development stakeholders to address issues of uses and perception of quality of export information as they have ramifications on the export performance of SMEs.
Exploring business formalization processes in tanzania with a gender perspective
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2011) Utouh, Justina Lucas
This study sought to explore and explain the role that gender plays in business formalization processes. It adopted a Straussian grounded theory approach with female and male participants that are business operators selected through theoretical sampling from education, furniture, food vending, personal services and trade sectors in Dar-es-salaam and Coast regions of Tanzania. Findings suggest that the key driver of motivation, decision and process of formalization is an operator‟s perceived meaning and value or “conceptualization of formalization” which is determined by an operator‟s awareness of role, benefits and procedures for formalizing a business. For individuals with un-favorable personal context, such as most females, their motivation, decision and process of formalization are also influenced by more powerful significant others‟ (such as spouses) conceptualization of formalization. As the latter inspire, exert pressure on or must sanction the formers‟ decisions. This challenges the widely held Resource Based View (RBV) that explains firm outcomes in terms of resources owned by a business operator. Business informality had previously been explained extrinsically from the economic, social, fiscal and regulatory perspectives. This study identifies strong intrinsic barriers in the form of ignorance and negative conceptualization of the process. Specifically, the study adds a gender perspective to explaining business informality. It suggests that a combination of low capacities, socialization processes and relationships between the more powerful and less powerful in low income societies like Tanzania engenders “volitional business informality” especially among the less powerful such as most females. Consequently, policy makers must take a holistic approach simultaneously addressing; awareness and capacity, regulatory and gender issues. It is also crucial to foster positive conceptualization among powerful members of society such as most males, even if they are not operating informally, as they influence the weaker such as most females in developing economies.
Determinants of labour mobility in the banking industry of Tanzania: employees’ perspective
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2012) Mboya, Wilson Joseph
Labour mobility is one of the most critical management challenges facing many organizations in the world today. Employees’ attraction and retention in many parts of the world including Tanzania, is no longer a buyers’ market. Consequently, organizations are spending massive resources to attract and retain the best employees. However, in most cases these efforts end up in vain as many organizations steadily experience dysfunctional labour turnover. This study used the banking industry as the context to represent other industries. The banking industry of Tanzania is one of the industries experiencing high rate of labour mobility due to economic liberalization, financial sector reforms, rapid growth of the industry and stiff competition. The industry is characterized by rapidly growing demand for skilled employees while faced with shortage of supply due to the inability of the education system to produce adequate skilled employees. The study aimed at assessing individual employee and organizational constructed determinants associated with employee attraction and retention. It also assessed the situational determinants associated with labour mobility. Methodologically, the study applied mixed methods through the use of case studies and survey strategies complemented by sequential and transformative procedures. Data collection employed the use of indepth interviews and questionnaires. Thereafter, data were analyzed using thematic approach, factor analysis and logistic regression techniques. The findings revealed, opportunities for career advancement, recognition of excelling performance, opportunities for further studies, age, marital status, job creativity, scarcity of skills, job security, equitable pay packages for similar jobs and stiff competition as the predominant determinants of labour mobility. These findings have both theoretical and practical contributions and implications regarding the field of human resources management. It is recommended that, in order to overcome the negative effects associated with dysfunctional labour turnover, managers should accommodate the identified predominant determinants of labour mobility when devising strategies on employee attraction and retention.
Credit Risk Management in Commercial Banks: a Tanzanian perspective.
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2012) Richard, Evelyn Mweta
Determinants of tourist satisfaction in Tanzanian hotels
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2013) Mwasha, Sheila Hashim
The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of tourist satisfaction in Tanzanian Hotels. The study was conducted in Dar es Salaam whereby four research questions and hypotheses were created to guide the study focusing on service quality, culture differences, recreation facilities and travel experience. The relationships among variables were established through explanatory studies under the positivism paradigm. Primary data were gathered through questionnaires by convenience sampling technique from an unbalanced sample of 160 tourists’ customers in hotels, while secondary data were gathered through documentary review. The Chi-square and multiple regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was employed for this analysis. The findings revealed that all variables of service quality, culture differences and recreation facilities were found to have influence on tourist satisfaction except for the variable of travel experience. It was revealed that academics need to incorporate efficiency of staffs, type of food provided and room services, Country of origin, individualism/collectivism culture and recreation facilities in the theories of tourist satisfaction. For hotel operators the concern should be on the type and taste of food served to tourist customers according to their culture and recruits people who can be able to communicate effectively using multiple languages and provides efficient services. Likewise, there should be a person responsible to supervise cleanliness and rearrangement of rooms.
Determinants of capital structure and portfolio behavior of commercial banks in Tanzania
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2013) Swai, Tobias Aloisi
Commercial banks are important agents to economic growth and their contribution depends much on their capital base, capital allocation as well as their portfolio behavior. This study examined determinants of capital structure and portfolio behavior of commercial banks in Tanzania by using panel financial data of 14 banks from 1998 to 2010 on a quarterly basis. In order to examine determinants of the capital structure, the study applied multiple-indicators-multiple-causes structural equation modeling. In testing for portfolio behavior and measuring the impact of capital structure on portfolio holding of the banks, a profit maximization linear regression model was used. For all tested hypotheses, four models were considered, namely, a general model; bank size; ownership structure and structural break models. Results from the study indicated, in order of importance, that bank size, profitability, non-tax depreciation shield, growth and volatility are key determinants in capital structure decisions of commercial banks in Tanzania. Profitability is the only variable significant for bank size model. Growth is not significant in bank ownership model. Within banks’ effects and across time, results revealed that returns on loan funds and investment in government securities are important drivers for portfolio holdings of commercial banks for all four models. Returns on interbank loans and expenses paid for deposit holders behave differently based on bank size, ownership and structural break. Larger banks were found to have significant effect on interbank loans and returns to deposits in their portfolio holding while bank ownership had no significant impact. Leverage was found to be an important variable in portfolio holding within banks and across time based on the tested models. In explaining the impact of capital structure decision to portfolio behavior, bank size and ownership were significant while structural break was insignificant. The study results are consistent with trade off and pecking order theories of capital structure. The study contributes to understating of commercial banks’ capital structure and investment behavior in developing countries by considering size and ownership effects, variables which were not studied before. In due regard, there is need for close examination of commercial banks’ investment and profit margins as well as impose new regulations on foreign bank entry. Results from the study provide practical recommendations to consumers in understanding bank investment behavior and innovation in the banking sector and diversification of banks portfolio holdings including deposit mobilization.
Tourism sustainability as part of travel motivations: a case of visitors to Tanzania
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2013) Kanza, Saliel Joseph
This study explored the importance of sustainability as part of tourists’ travel motivations for visiting Tanzania. A few studies on leisure and vacation have been conducted and incorporate tourists’ concern for sustainability as part of their motivation to travel. The overall objective of this study was to investigate sustainability as part of tourists’ travel motivations and its effect on overall satisfaction with the trip, behavioral intention and willingness to support sustainable tourism, with attention being given to Tanzania. Employing the survey strategy, data were collected from international tourists using a self-administered questionnaire and one thousand and seven (1,007) responses were obtained and analyzed. Both Factor Analysis (FA) and Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) were employed to analyze the data. Based on the analysis, eleven travel motivational dimensions were identified, which were nature, family, friends, accomplishment, culture, warmth, fitness, peace, environ-cultural sustainability, socio- economic sustainability and ambience. The results indicate that the concern for sustainability is one important part of tourists’ motivations for visiting Tanzania. Similarly, statistical results revealed the following; firstly there is a significant relationship between travel motivational factors (nature, family, ambience, environ-cultural sustainability and socio-economic sustainability) and overall satisfaction with the trip. Secondly, travel motivational factors (nature, environ-cultural sustainability, friends and socio-economic sustainability) significantly relate to behavioural intentions. Thirdly, overall satisfaction with the trip significantly relate to behavioural intentions. Fourthly, overall satisfaction with the trip significantly relate to tourists’ willingness to support sustainable tourism. And fifth, travel motivational factors (accomplishment, warmth, family, nature and friends) significantly relate to tourists’ willingness to support sustainable tourism. It was concluded that sustainability is among tourists’ motivations for taking a vacation and engaging in leisure activities. Therefore, the findings can be used by destination managers and service providers as an input that could be helpful for improving their offerings. In addition, practitioners and policy makers may utilize the findings to improve tourism policies and regulations which support sustainability in terms of product development, pricing, promotion and distribution. Finally, the present study discovered that sustainability was one of the dimensions for measuring tourists’ travel motivations, which adds new knowledge to tourism studies. It is suggested that practices that ensure sustainability should be utilized by tourist businesses to create a unique business strategy that would lead to competitive advantage.
Determinants of linkage banking between savings and credit cooperative societies (SACCOS) and formal financial institutions in Tanzania
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2013) Kaleshu, Jones Tindyebwa
This research studied linkage banking between Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) and formal financial institutions in Tanzania to identify its determinants. The study applied a combined methodological strategy (qualitative and quantitative) and involved exploratory, survey and case study stages which were undertaken sequentially. The results show that linkage banking practices undertaken in the country fall in the direct and facilitative categories, formal financial institutions’ motives for financial linkages are profit generation and mobilization of savings while SACCOS’ motives are attracting more members, meeting members’ credit needs and mobilization of savings. SACCOS networks were found to be playing a limited role in linkage banking even though they were identified as one of its contributory factors. The networks are impacted by low outreach, funding, financial intermediation and limited use of ICT which reduce linkages within the networks. Findings also show that linkage banking contracts are important in facilitating linkage banking if they contain a clause on capacity building. The study concluded that linkage banking in the country is determined by a combination of financial linkage motives, SACCOS management capacity and level of savings, types of linkage banking practices, transaction costs, profit generation, donor support, ability of SACCOS networks to meet liquidity requirements of their members and trust among members. The implication of the study on policy makers is to review the cooperative policy and legislation to put emphasis on management capacity levels in SACCOS and financial intermediation within the networks. Formal financial institutions should concentrate on facilitative financial linkages.
Auditor monitoring and audit quality: a perspective of board members and top executives in the financial services sector in Uganda
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2013) Kaawaase, Twaha Kigongo Mujjumbula
The study addressed the extent to which dimensions of auditor monitoring (i.e. Board of Directors’ Effectiveness, Audit Committee Effectiveness and Regulatory Monitoring) have influenced audit quality in the financial services sector in Uganda. It also examined the interaction effects of auditor type and auditor tenure in the association of these elements with audit quality. The study was motivated by a continued questioning of audit quality that heightened with recent financial reporting scandals. Prior studies have been archival and inconclusive and point to lack of a universally acceptable definition or operationalisation of the concept of audit quality. This study used a mixed methodology approach involving a sequential triangulation of qualitative and quantitative methods, and cross-sectional data. The first phase of the study was mainly qualitative and involved 106 audit practitioners, 31 credit analysts and 13 corporate governance practitioners in the financial services sector in Uganda. Phase Two of the study was quantitative with 183 respondents from 61 financial services firms in Uganda. Phase One data was analyzed using NVivo8©, while Phase Two tested clearly formulated hypotheses and the data analysis included exploratory factor analysis, correlations, regression tests and testing for interaction effects. The results show that within financial services firms in Uganda audit fees, ability of the auditor to constrain discretionary accruals and the extent of compliance with accounting standards, legal and regulatory requirements are valid and reliable measures of audit quality. It was also established that dimensions of auditor monitoring (Board of Directors’ Effectiveness, Audit Committee Effectiveness and Auditor Regulatory Monitoring) are significant predictors of audit quality. The predictive power of the constructs in order of importance is: Board of Directors’ Effectiveness, Audit Committee Effectiveness and Auditor Regulatory Monitoring. The regression model predicts 59.7 % of the variance in audit quality in financial services firms in Uganda. It was also established that there is no significant difference in perceived audit quality between reports from big four audit firms and small and medium practices. The study also showed that the longer an audit firm remained engaged by a financial services company, the higher the audit quality. The interactions of Board of Directors’ Effectiveness with Auditor Type as well as with Auditor Tenure were found to boost audit quality. The main conclusion of the study is that audit quality can be improved by enhancing auditor monitoring, taking into account the interaction effects of auditor type and auditor tenure on the relationship between Board of Directors’ Effectiveness and Audit Quality. It is therefore recommended that to improve audit quality, issues illuminated by this study that make Boards of Directors, Audit Committees as well as auditor regulation effective are critical when setting up such structures. Managers in paying audit fees should demand a commensurate level of audit effort and service quality from external auditors, and to hold audit planning meetings with auditors to ensure that audit quality issues are incorporated at that stage. The regulator of external audit firms in Uganda should incorporate the indicators of audit quality in their audit firms’ inspection tool.
Employees’ perceptions of empowerment practices, organizational justice and organizational citizenship behaviour in tanzania’s tourist hotels
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2014) Sanga, John Johnasy
Employee behaviour is important to organizations and researchers because of its effects on organizational effectiveness in terms of productivity, quality and profitability. Inducing constructive behaviour among employees in organizations has long been a concern of management scholars and practitioners. The main goal of this study was to assess how employees’ perceptions of organizational conditions can predict their behaviours. Building on the social exchange theory (SET) this thesis suggested that different management practices arouse different sorts of perceptions among employees, and these perceptions in turn are associated with different forms of employees’ contribution to organizational performance. Particularly, it proposed theoretical linkages between empowerment practices and employees’ perceptions of organizational justice which in turn predict organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB). Four hundred twenty one employees working in tourist hotels in Tanzania were surveyed. A hypothesized model that included empowerment practices and organizational justice as predictors of OCB was evaluated using structural equation modeling. The results partially supported the hypothesized model, indicating that employees’ perceptions of empowerment practices and organizational justice predict OCB. The results showed that organizational justice mediated the relationship between two indicators of empowerment practices (access to opportunity and access to support) and OCB. No support was found for a mediating role of organizational justice in the relationship between perception of the two indicators of empowerment practices (resource availability and access to information) and OCB. These relationships fit well with the social exchange theory (Blau, 1964) wherein empowerment practices as signs of organization’s commitment toward employees are reflected in OCB. The study has also demonstrated the relevance of examining empowerment practices as a multidimensional construct. The management and policy implications and directions for future research have also been discussed. The study argues for policies and practices that enhance empowerment and fair treatment of employees in workplaces.
Role implementation by peer credit groups and linkages to trust constructs within three microfinance institutions in Tanzania
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2014) Thomas, Helena
This study aimed to achieve three major objectives: (i) to identify and explain different strategies and techniques used by borrowing groups to screen, monitor and enforce their jointly entered credit contracts with MFIs (ii) to identify and explain specific institutional properties/characteristics perceived by key players as directly supporting role implementation by borrowing groups (iii) to obtain an understanding of “trust constructs” and associated linkages to role implementation as experienced by key players directly involved in delivery of microfinance at local levels. Case study research method was used; covering three Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), namely PRIDE, FINCA and FAULU operating in Dar es Salaam and Arusha cities. Respondents included MFIs’ borrowers, loan officers and branch managers. In total 48 in–depth interviews were conducted composed of Focus Group Interviews/FGIs (19), personal interviews with borrowers (17) and with loan officers (8) and branch managers (4). Documentary evidence, archival records, photographs and participants’ observations were also used as data collection methods. Study employed qualitative data analysis namely; theoretical coding, patterns matching of emerging codes and logical building of key themes. Findings of this study revealed varied participation levels of group borrowers in microfinance loan processing. At the screening stage, group members are shown to actively engage in group formation using the self-selection principles, directly engaged in actual assessment and approval of their loan applications with a view of determining their levels of creditworthiness. Borrowing groups were also found to actively take part in monitoring of the members’ performance through the MFIs’ regular programmed meetings (RPMs), which also serve as loan repayment enforcement mechanisms. Furthermore, group borrowers played critical role of ensuring that members paid the stipulated fines and penalties for violating rules of groups’ conduct. Institutional properties examined through the characteristics of purposeful created institutional arrangements supporting role implementation by peer credit groups (PCGs) have been identified in five categories. These are the entry level membership rules, design of products, loan officers’ facilitation, MFIs’ physical facilities settings/arrangements, loan security arrangements and linkages to external stakeholders/institutional agents. These account for the ability and differences in the patterns of role implementation by PCGs across MFIs. Trust constructs emerge in different forms including interpersonal trust, family backed trust and authority/institutional based trust which results due to levels of interactions by key actors within their groups and observed linkages with external stakeholders/institutional agents who support directly their efforts to participate in microfinance. The study contributes well into filling knowledge gap regarding the nature and interplay between trust constructs and institutional properties to role implementation by PCGs. Trust has been shown as critically important in enabling borrowers to organise effectively for shouldering shifted roles which are related with the delivery of microfinance. Institutional properties does not only show how trust is being leveraged by MFIs but also by efforts of other stakeholders from general institutional environment thus enhancing the outreach and depth/financial deepening at local levels. Philosophically, study explain well the relevant issues by blending nicely what is given by extant literature and what is obtained from field experiences. Conclusively, study’s implications for future academic research, practitioners and policy makers are advanced for the development of microfinance industry.
Women entrepreneurship in the Tanzanian construction industry motives, processes, challenges and coping strategies
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2014) Sospeter, Nyamagere Gladys
This research aimed at providing insights on the motives and the processes women go through to establish and develop businesses in the construction industry in Tanzania. To attain this objective the case study research strategy was employed in which six cases of women entrepremeurs in the construction industry (WECI) were explored. Data were collected through a combination of in-depth interviews, documents analysis and observations before they were subjected to qualitative data analysis techniques. The findings show that, unlike women in the traditionally female dominated industries, pull factors constituted the primary motive for women starting a business in the construction industry. The entrepreneurial processes WECI go through in starting and developing their businesses included; complying with registration requirements, tendering for business, pursuing opportunities, managing projects and upgrading. It was revealed that being a woman presented serious challenges in terms of winning projects, project location, managing multiple projects, lack of support from husband, the negative perception of women’s capability and lack of technical education. Women needed coping strategies such as using men to negotiate business deals, spousal relations like seeking support from husband, gender socialization, seeking to expand business networks, developing capabilities through investing in employees and on the site learning to navigate the challenges. The findings extend the Resources-Based View by showing the gate ways to critical resources for the successful entry and growth of WECI. The study has made a major contribution to the understanding of WECI and developed a “women entrepreneuring dynamics model”. In terms of policy, the findings imply the need for a mindset shift of the society from the thinking that construction is a masculine sector to a more encompassing perspective that acknowledges the contribution of women entrepreneurs. This requires empowering women through provision of equitable access to business opportunities. In addition, the education system needs to be reformed with the view to attract more females in technical education in order to increase the emergence of WECI.
Antecedents of entrepreneurial values among university students in Uganda
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2014) Abaho, Ernest
This study examines the influence of curriculum and background factors on entrepreneurial values among Ugandan University students. It uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods based on a survey of 886 final year university students from 12 universities and 21 study programmes. Structural Equation Modelling is used for quantitative data analysis through Analysis of Moments Structures while NVivo 10 is used for qualitative data analysis. Findings indicate that parents’ level of education, interaction with entrepreneurs, lecturers’ entrepreneurial experience and experiential learning have a significant relationship with entrepreneurial values. However, age, birth order and gender are not associated with entrepreneurial values. Unlike most previous studies, this study does not find significant influence of gender on entrepreneurial values except in risk taking and proactiveness where males scored higher than females. The study corroborates the social learning theory, the experiential learning theory, attribution theory and the theory of planned behaviour with the form and nature of interaction with parents and formal educators influencing development of entrepreneurial values. The findings do not support the gender theory which posits that the way women are socialised acts as a barrier to development of entrepreneurial values. Neither does it support the argument by some researchers that existing descriptors of entrepreneurs are masculine and should not necessarily apply to females. This finding may be a reflection of fundamental changes in society and gender roles as a result of increased females’ access to education, job opportunities and attitudes. The study suggests an entrepreneurial values development model for use by educators and researchers. Future studies can examine the role of pre-university education in shaping entrepreneurial values.

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