Faculty of Commerce, Innovation and Technology

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    Examining the Nexus between Social Media and Personal Data Protection in Zimbabwe. A Case of NetOne Zimbabwe
    (The Catholic University of Zimbabwe, 2026-02-15) MUZENDA BRYN TAWEDZERWA
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    The effects of Strategic planning on Organizational performance: The Case of J&P Security
    (The Catholic University of Zimbabwe, 2026-02-06) NGIRANDI MAGORE
    The research examined the impact of strategic planning on organizational performance, using the Zimbabwean Security company J&P Security as a case in hand , with the objective of determining if strategic planning influences the overall performance of the company. The research used a survey design approach, targeting a population of 110 staff members from the Zimbabwean security company J&P Security, with a sample size of 87 calculated using Taro Yamen's formula. The analysis results indicate a correlation between effective strategic planning and organizational performance. Additionally, challenges in implementing strategic planning include a lack of accountability, commitment, and understanding of roles in the execution process. Consequently, it is recommended that Zimbabwean firms prioritize strategic planning and adequately address employee welfare to enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness. The proposal will start by the introduction to the study then Background of the study followed by the problem statement ,Conceptual framework ,research objectives ,research questions ,significance of the study, Literature review then Research Methodology, limitations ,Delimitations and ethical considerations
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    THE STRATEGIC INTEGRATION OF HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS AT PARIRENYATWA HOSPITAL.
    (The Catholic University of Zimbabwe, 2026-04-13) PAUL MAPANZURE
    The integration of Health Information Systems (HIS) has increasingly become a critical requirement for strengthening service delivery, improving administrative coordination, and enhancing evidence-based decision making within modern healthcare institutions. Despite this growing importance, many public hospitals in developing countries continue to experience fragmented digital systems due to infrastructural limitations, institutional constraints, and governance challenges. This study examined the strategic integration of HIS at Parirenyatwa Hospital to evaluate integration maturity, identify influencing factors, and propose enhancement strategies. A qualitative-dominant case study design was adopted. Data were collected from executive management, clinicians, ICT personnel, and health information officers using interviews and questionnaires. Thematic analysis guided interpretation. Results indicate that while multiple HIS platforms exist, integration maturity is limited by fragmented architecture, infrastructure constraints, and organisational readiness gaps. Institutional policy pressures drive adoption but do not ensure interoperability. The study demonstrates that HIS integration is a socio-technical transformation requiring alignment between technological infrastructure, governance structures, institutional pressures, and human capability. Enterprise interoperability frameworks, workforce capacity development, and strengthened ICT governance are necessary to achieve sustainable integration
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    THE ROLE OF GOAT FARMING IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN GOKWE SOUTH DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE.
    (The Catholic University of Zimbabwe, 2026-07-19) BRIGHTON MAGAIZA
    This study quantitatively examined the role of goat farming in promoting sustainable agribusiness development in Gokwe South District, Zimbabwe, with specific focus on household income generation, food and nutrition security, and agribusiness sustainability. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and primary data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to 100 goat farmers, while supplementary data were obtained from 10 veterinary officers and 10 Ministry of Agriculture officials. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and tables. The results indicate that 78% of respondents identified goat farming as a major source of household income, with an average contribution of 35–45% to annual household earnings. In terms of food and nutrition security, 69% of households reported regular consumption of goat meat, while 74% acknowledged improved dietary diversity due to goat production. Regarding sustainability, 82% of farmers preferred goat farming over other livestock enterprises due to its low production costs and high tolerance to drought conditions. However, the study also revealed constraints affecting productivity and commercialization, including limited access to veterinary services (63%), inadequate market information (71%), and low levels of value addition (76%). The study concludes that goat farming has a statistically significant and positive contribution to sustainable agribusiness development in Gokwe South District. It recommends increased investment in veterinary infrastructure, market linkages, farmer training, and value addition initiatives to enhance the economic and nutritional outcomes of goat farming.
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    THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION ON EDUCATION SERVICE DELIVERY A CASE OF GOKWE ST AGNES PRIMARY SCHOOL GOKWE SOUTH DISTRICT
    (The Catholic University of Zimbabwe, 2026-07-04) Marange Sibongile Sarayi
    This research examined the influence of adopting information technology on education service delivery at Gokwe St Agnes, a primary school in Gokwe South District, the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. Though the school was blessed with basic IT tools such as computers, internet access, and solar power, the uptake and effective use of IT by teachers and management staff remain minimal. The primary aim of the research was to examine how factors influencing IT adoption affect the teaching process, the learning process, and administrative tasks during service delivery. The research was guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).A quantitative research method build on the positivist philosophy was used, employing a case study research design. Data were gathered through the structured questionnaires applied to a stratified random sample of twenty-four participants consisting teachers, support staff and the administrators. The study used the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for analyzing data using descriptive statistics, reliability testing through Cronbach’s alpha, correlation analysis as well as multiple regression analysis. The results showed that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions have a greater impact on IT adoption Gokwe School. The research continues investigated that lack of IT skills, resistance to change by teachers and staff, and not enough training negatively affect the implementation of technology and delivery of service at the school. The research concludes that improving IT skills and strengthening organizational support mechanisms can improve education service delivery. It suggests focused IT training and the development of a contextual Information Technology adoption framework appropriate for primary schools in rural areas.
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    DEVELOPING A CYBERSECURITY FRAMEWORK FOR MITIGATING RANSOMWARE AND INSIDER THREATS IN ZIMBABWE’S MINING SECTOR
    (The Catholic University of Zimbabwe, 2026-06-19) BRIGHTON GEZANI
    Zimbabwe mining sector has been digitized resulting in improved operational performance but at the same time an increased vulnerability to ransomware and insider threats. With the integration of interconnected operational technology and enterprise systems, cybersecurity threats have become more devastating and destructive, especially to the mining organizations. The paper is a formulated integrated framework towards mitigating ransomware and insider threats in the mining industry. Quantitative research design was used with data gathered on mining professionals at technological and managerial levels. The analysis of data was done to reliability testing, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression modelling. Regression model was found to have a high explanatory power as it explained 52 percent of the variance in the exposure to cyber incidences. The results indicate that the most effective predictor of less incident exposure is governance maturity, in turn, ransomware preparedness, security awareness, insider threat mitigation, and technological control maturity. The findings prove that socio technological integration, and not technology protection alone, is the basis of cybersecurity resilience in the mining setting. The mitigation of ransomware and insider threats involves the congruence of executive oversight, systematic preparedness systems, behavioral maturity, insider access control, and enhanced technological controls. Based on these results, the paper suggests the Mining Industry Ransomware and Insider Threat (MIRIT) Framework; it is a layered and governance-oriented framework adapted to an industrial setting. The research marks a contribution to the empirical data on the state of the mining industry in a developing economy and provides a practical proposal on how to make cybersecurity robust. Future studies must focus on longitudinal application of the framework and investigate adaptive strategies on cybersecurity in changing industrial threat environments.
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    Service Provider Migration and Bank Switching Behaviour: Factors Influencing Customer Retention in Harare's Banking Sector
    (African Journal of Commercial Studies, 2025-01-01) Cletos Garatsa; Leo T. Mataruka; Christopher Zishiri
    This mixed-methods case study explores the complex landscape of service provider migration and bank switching behaviour among online banking customers in Harare, Zimbabwe, specifically focusing on customer retention factors. The research, which integrates quantitative data from a survey of 224 customers and qualitative insights from in-depth online interviews with 13 bank managerial participants, uncovers significant relationships that provide actionable insights. The quantitative analysis reveals that higher behavioural intentions are associated with increased switching (t = 3.45, p < 0.05), while perceived switching costs (r = -0.72, p < 0.01) and switching barriers (r = -0.65, p < 0.01) serve as barriers to switching banks. The qualitative findings, on the other hand, highlight central themes such as the paramount importance of service quality, emotional factors like trust and personal relationships with bank staff, and the influence of promotional incentives. Customers expressed that while they value service quality, concerns about switching costs and the logistical challenges of changing online banking providers were significant deterrents. These insights, which have practical implications, provide valuable guidance for banking institutions aiming to enhance customer retention strategies and improve online service delivery. Financial service providers can better address customer needs, foster stronger relationships, and contribute to a more resilient online banking environment in Harare by understanding the complexities of service provider migration
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    Bridging the Gap: Navigating Human Resources Management Bias to Promote Equality and Inclusivity in the Workplace.
    (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS), 2025-06-29) Mubango Hazel; Muchowe Regis; Mataruka Leo
    In contemporary, multifaceted workplaces, proficient human resource management is essential for organisational success. Nonetheless, despite advancements in fostering a work climate that encourages diversity and inclusion, specific individuals still encounter ongoing challenges of workplace discrimination, inequality, and inequitable treatment. This conceptual paper explores the strategies to navigate HRM bias to promote equality and an inclusive workplace. Human resource management bias manifests in various forms, such as discriminatory practices in recruitment and promotion, unconscious biases in performance evaluations and feedback, a lack of diversity at both managerial and non-managerial levels, and rigid or insensitive policies that fail to accommodate diverse employee needs. Mastering the ability to surmount such prejudices is essential not just for fostering equity and an inclusive work environment but also for maximising individual potential and improving organisational performance. Some strategies to mitigate workplace bias in human resource management include executing anti-discriminatory policies, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training, blind recruitment methods, using technology and cultivating a workplace culture emphasizing equality and inclusion. If implemented effectively, these tactics help reduce bias in human resource management processes and practices within businesses.
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    Towards theorising an effective leadership model for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe
    (The Catholic University of Zimbabwe, 2023) Paul Nemashakwe
    While there is consensus that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are important to all countries especially developing economies like Zimbabwe, only 15% are expected to survive beyond three years. Scholars have attributed these high failure rates to managerial deficiencies and lack of an appropriate leadership model. As such, the study sought to propose an Afrocentric Effective Leadership (AEL) model for Zimbabwean SMEs. The study was guided by the positivism philosophy and the deductive approach. It adopted a quantitative research design where a survey was conducted using a questionnaire developed by the researcher. Primary data was collected from 241 participants from Bulawayo’s Central Business Area (CBA) who were chosen using the proportional stratified sampling technique. The study developed and validated an AEL model and an AEL instrument for Zimbabwean SMEs. It was concluded that effective leadership in Zimbabwean SMEs depends on ubuntu, culture, history of the country and stage of economic development of the country, intermediated by leader characteristics. It was recommended that leaders should lead in line with the philosophy of ubuntu. They should value group solidarity, good social and personal relations and believe in consensus and compromise. Employees should gain the courage to challenge their leaders, demanding accountability and transparency from them. The AEL instrument may be used to measure perceptions of effective leadership in Zimbabwean SMEs. The AEL model may be used to structure leadership such that SMEs in Zimbabwe and beyond are led in an effective way. It may also be used to educate students, budding and seasoned entrepreneurs on how SMEs should be effectively led in order to achieve sustainable success.
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    Straitening The Audit Expectation Gap In Zimbabwe’s Public Sector: Doing Things Right Versus Doing The Right Things
    (2023) Joe Muzurura; Emmanuel Mutambara; Leo Mataruka
    The rapid metamorphoses in Zimbabwe’s public sector have intensified the concerns of the widening audit expectation gap between the public and the country’s supreme audit institution (SAI). Zimbabwe has been battling systemic corruption, pervasive fraudulent activities and weak finance management in the public sector. As a consequence, three critical issues have morphed up; the litigation risks created by the auditor expectation gap, loss of trust and erosion of public confidence in the country’ SAI. The main aim of this study was to explore strategies that can be used to diminish the audit expectation gap in Zimbabwe and re-establish public buoyancy, conviction and public value of external audits. Qualitative data was collected using a combination of one brainstorming session and a focus group discussion made up of civil society organisations, accountants, audit professionals, academics and members of the public. Our findings demonstrate the need for policy makers to extend the remit of the country’s SAI to go beyond forming opinions of truthfulness and fairness of fair statements, but also to assume responsibility for detecting public corruption and fraud in the public sector. The study recommends that external auditors should produce reports that engender public trust, public sector accountability, public value and sustainable use of public resources. Hence, there is an imperative need to amend various laws that govern the SAI to bring them in tandem with international best audit standards.