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This study examines the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices on corporate financial performance in Zimbabwe's mining sector using a case study of Zimplats Holdings Limited. The main aim was to determine whether and to what extent ESG practices contribute to financial outcomes at the firm level. The objective of the study was to examine the overall ESG and financial performance relationship, to analyse the effects of individual ESG dimensions on financial performance, and to assess the moderating role of firm-specific factors on ESG practices. Informed by the stakeholder theory, the resource-based view, and legitimacy theory, a quantitative approach was adopted, using secondary data extracted from Zimplats' Integrated Annual Reports (2023–2025) through a structured data extraction template aligned with GRI standards. Key findings reveal a positive but lagged ESG and financial performance relationship. Governance emerged as the most stable and financially material ESG pillar, while environmental and social investments showed transitional efficiency deterioration before expected long-term gains. Firm-specific factors such as asset expansion, capital structure, production volume, and multinational ownership, significantly moderated the timing and magnitude of financial returns, compressing short-term profitability indicators such as return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). The study contributes firm-level empirical evidence on unlisted Zimbabwean mining firms, extending ESG theory to emerging market contexts. Recommendations include targeting governance enhancements for immediate financial returns, allowing longer investment horizons for environmental and social initiatives, and maintaining conservative capital structures to sustain ESG investment during earnings volatility.

The reduction in rural marginalization of infrastructure in Africa has been achieved through the wide diffusion of the so-called fiscal deviation. According to New Institutional Economics, the provision of public resourcing at the local level is more economic since it meets the geographic specificity of infrastructure provisions. However, when intergovernmental fiscal transfers are towards rural road provision, it is majorly because of several structural impediments, that the corrected road will not be realized. This systematic review of literature with regards to devolution and infra-structure provision has laid emphasis on going beyond overly simplistic input-output models to explore the multiple filters regulating decentralized public works. The focus here is on institutional capacity as a crucial explanatory factor and the way deficits in technical engineering, equipment maintenance, and procurement governance conspire to undermine the potency of devolved funding. Moreover, the study discusses the moderating effects in the face of instability in the broader economy, illustrating how hyper-inflation and currency depreciation can deplete real infrastructure funds purchasing power and result in the erosion of the contractor attrition as observed. Finally, the review has identified systemic barriers, such as climate vulnerability and ministerial red-tape friction. The synthesis of empirical literature from 2010 to 2024 suggests that fiscal decentralisation without a built institutional capacity and insulated mechanisms against macroeconomic turbulence cannot deliver in the long run.

Decent work has become an impetus behind business success and a critical factor for boosting job satisfaction and for alleviating deviant behaviour in the workplace. This study sought to examine the consequences of decent work perception on employee job satisfaction and workplace deviance among casual workers in Zimbabwe transport industry. The study adopted a qualitative research approach embedded in interpretivism paradigm and multiple case-study design. The findings revealed that casual employees experience indecent work characterized by unfair remuneration, job insecurity, and limited employee representation and limited time to rest which affects their overall satisfaction with work. Job dissatisfaction was also found to positively influence negative workplace deviance. An important implication of this study is the need for bus operator companies to understand the value of fostering decent work if they are to have satisfied employees who would be loyal to the organisation and contribute meaningfully to the organisation’s bottom-line. The study is expected to contribute to empirical evidence on the consequences of decent work on job satisfaction and workplace deviance and provide recommendations to human resource practitioners on the essence of addressing workplace deviance and boosting employee job satisfaction through upholding decent work standards in the workplace.

This paper aims to explore how service quality mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and non-financial performance in Zimbabwe's tourism centres.  The study further examines the relationship between emotional intelligence and non-financial performance of tourism centres in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, the paper investigates the relationship between service quality and non-financial performance of tourism centres in Zimbabwe. Using a positivist paradigm, quantitative methods, and a sample of 549 respondents, data were collected via self-administered questionnaires and analysed with SPSS 29 and Amos 24 software. Main findings of the study demonstrate that  (i) emotional intelligence significantly enhance non-financial performance of tourism centres in Zimbabwe (ii) service quality has a statistical significance impact, but it negatively correlates with non-financial performance of tourism centres and finally (iii) service quality does not mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and non-financial performance of tourism centres in Zimbabwe relationship. These findings imply that managers should prioritise emotional intelligence directly rather than relying on service quality improvements alone. Policy recommendations include enhancing human capital, encouraging financial institutions to support tourism ventures, and integrating emotional intelligence and service quality into training curricula to foster better performance across Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.

Transformational leadership has been touted by several scholars as the real deal in necessitating organisational change. The approach encourages, inspires and motivates followers to be innovative and create change that necessitates growth and shapes organisational success. While several studies have confirmed that leadership plays a crucial role in effective change management, very few have gone further to identify the specific leadership style(s) necessary for effective change management. As such, the study sought to assess the influence of transformational leadership on organisational change in the mining industry with specific reference to ABC Mine in Zimbabwe. Guided by the interpretivism research philosophy and the inductive approach, the study adopted a qualitative research design where primary data was collected through semi structured interviews from 26 participants chosen through purposive sampling. The study found that transformational leaders act as key influencers in driving organisational change by fostering trust, inclusivity, and collaboration. It was also found that transformational leaders effectively address and mitigate employee resistance to change by fostering open communication and psychological safety. The study concluded that transformational leadership is effective and necessary in managing organisational change. The study also concluded that employee engagement and involvement, personalised employee relations and continuous training are key practices necessary for facilitating organisational change implementation.

This study examines the impact of wage disparities on employee performance within Zimbabwe's telecommunication industry using advanced structural equation modelling techniques informed by recent post-pandemic organizational behaviour research. A quantitative research approach was employed, collecting data from 227 respondents across various job levels in Harare through structured questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling, incorporating recent methodological advances in measurement invariance testing and multi-group analysis. Results reveal significant wage differentials with employees perceiving substantial unfairness in wage distribution. The structural model demonstrates that wage disparities significantly impact employee performance, with regulatory frameworks and economic instability identified as primary contributing factors. Organizations should adopt AI-enhanced transparent compensation systems and implement performance-based wage structures informed by recent Environmental, Social, and Governance frameworks to enhance employee satisfaction and organizational performance. 

Climate change poses significant risks to rural livelihoods in semi-arid regions such as Bikita District, Zimbabwe, where recurrent droughts, erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and water scarcity undermine food security and socio-economic stability. This study examines the climate-related risks faced by rural households, identifies the coping and adaptation strategies they employ, and assesses the effectiveness and sustainability of these responses. A qualitative case study design, guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, was adopted. Data were collected through in-depth interviews (n = 30), focus group discussions (two groups), and direct observations involving households, traditional leaders, and local stakeholders. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns in risks, coping strategies, and institutional constraints. The findings show that households employ diverse strategies, including crop diversification, cultivation of drought-resistant small grains, water harvesting, livestock downsizing, livelihood diversification, horticulture, and reliance on social networks. However, many of these responses remain short-term coping mechanisms rather than sustainable adaptation strategies. Structural barriers, including limited access to credit, weak extension services, poor infrastructure, and inadequate market systems, constrain their effectiveness. In addition, some practices, including deforestation and over-reliance on food aid, are maladaptive, providing immediate relief while undermining long-term resilience. The study concludes that although rural households demonstrate significant adaptive capacity, their transition from short-term coping to sustainable adaptation is limited by systemic and institutional constraints. It highlights the need for integrated policy interventions that strengthen livelihood assets, enhance institutional support, improve access to finance and markets, and integrate indigenous knowledge with climate-smart practices. These findings contribute to climate adaptation scholarship and provide policy-relevant insights for building long-term resilience in rural Zimbabwe.

The research focused on the contribution of forensic accounting to the detection and prevention of money laundering in Zimbabwe. It sought to find out how forensic accounting methods are implemented, evaluate their effectiveness in ensuring compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), assess the contribution of forensic accountants to the activities of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), understand the institutional challenges of implementation, and create an integrated forensic accounting model. The researchers used a mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were gathered through 235 structured questionnaires, and qualitative data were obtained from 15 purposively selected key informants. Quantitative data were processed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression techniques in SPSS. Qualitative data were analysed thematically to determine the main themes and stakeholder views. The results showed that forensic accounting techniques, such as transaction tracing, risk-based auditing, and the use of technology, are extensively practised and, thus, significantly facilitate the identification of suspicious transactions. These activities positively influence the compliance of the FATF, primarily through regular audits and reporting. Nevertheless, limited funding, lack of sufficient training, and poor cooperation between agencies were some of the challenges that prevented the agency's effectiveness. The regression results reveal that the use of forensic accounting techniques, compliance with FATF standards, contributions from the FIU, and technological integration are factors that significantly improve the effectiveness of AML. On the other hand, institutional challenges have a negative impact on the effectiveness of AML, thus the need for a coordinated approach is confirmed. The study recommends integrating the use of technology, joint training, and regulatory compliance into a comprehensive forensic accounting model.

Rail is one of the most efficient forms of transport in the whole world for both passengers and freight. Although the sector is thriving in the developed world, the same cannot be said of the sector in less developed countries where it is burdened by the ageing infrastructure, financial constraints, operational inefficiencies and environmental concerns. However, the digital workplace can be a panacea to the above predicaments.  As such, the study sought to assess the influence of the digital workplace on organisational development in the railway industry, moderated by digital leadership and psychological safety. Guided by the positivism research philosophy and the deductive approach, the study adopted a quantitative research design where a survey was utilised to collect primary data from 194 participants working in the railway industry in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces.The study found that digital workplace has a positive impact on organisational development. It was concluded that digital workplace, digital leadership and psychological safety are important in improving organisational development. There is need to invest in robust digital infrastructure which prioritises the rollout of secure and high speed digital communication platforms across all railway stations and operational points to ensure real-time information sharing. 

Maternal health outcomes in rural communities continue to be a significant global health challenge, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where maternal mortality rates remain markedly high. This study investigates childbirth practices and their influence on maternal health outcomes within the Gutu Rural District Council in Zimbabwe. Guided by the Social Determinants of Health framework and the Health Belief Model, a qualitative, phenomenological approach was employed to explore the lived experiences of 12 pregnant women and 5 village health workers. Data collection consisted of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, with analysis conducted through thematic methods. The findings indicate a predominant reliance on traditional childbirth practices, limited use of skilled healthcare services, and cultural preferences such as traditional methods of placenta disposal, all of which significantly impact maternal health outcomes. These practices are shaped by socio-economic factors, cultural beliefs, and limited health literacy, contributing to increased risks of preventable complications and maternal mortality. The study recommends improving maternal health outcomes in rural Zimbabwe through enhanced healthcare infrastructure, culturally sensitive health education, and increased community engagement. Specific suggestions include increased government investment in rural health facilities, awareness initiatives by non-governmental organizations, and the involvement of traditional leaders in promoting safe childbirth practices.

This study examines the critical success factors (CSFs) that contribute to the effectiveness of ideation programs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on the Durban University of Technology’s Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator. Employing a quantitative methodology, data were collected from 52 participants through a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS. The demographic profile indicated that most participants were young entrepreneurs operating in early-stage, resource-limited businesses. Reliability testing confirmed the robustness of the measurement scale (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.831; KMO = 0.709). Results from mean score analysis and one-sample t-tests demonstrated that clearly defined program objectives, customized content, mentoring, collaboration, practical learning experiences, a supportive environment, and access to market insights were consistently highly valued. Additionally, mechanisms such as feedback processes, follow-up support, and partnerships with industry stakeholders were identified as essential for maintaining the long-term impact of ideation initiatives. The study concludes that the success of ideation programs depends on a systems-based approach that effectively integrates resources, processes, the environment, and ongoing feedback, thereby promoting innovation, competitiveness, and resilience among SMEs.

This study examines the perceived impact of ideation programs on the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) affiliated with a university-based incubator. A quantitative survey was conducted with 52 SME owners. The findings indicate a predominantly positive perception, with high average scores across all measured dimensions of competitiveness. The survey instrument demonstrated excellent reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.947). Participants reported that participation in ideation programs significantly improved their ability to respond to market changes, identify new opportunities, develop innovative marketing strategies, and enhance their brand reputation. A notable insight is the strong belief among participants that these programs cultivate a culture of innovation and adaptability, which are essential for sustained resilience. The study concludes that structured ideation programs serve as an effective mechanism for developing the dynamic capabilities necessary for SMEs to compete effectively. It is recommended that incubators and policymakers continue to prioritize and invest in such programs as a strategic approach to strengthen SME competitiveness and overall economic vitality.

This study examines the role of ideation programs as drivers of innovation and creativity within Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) at the Durban University of Technology's Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (CSERI). A quantitative research methodology was used, employing a structured questionnaire distributed to 52 student entrepreneurs. The results indicate a predominantly positive perception among participants, suggesting that ideation programs significantly improve understanding of innovative concepts, encourage creative thinking, and promote a culture of experimentation and collaboration. Statistical analysis demonstrated the high reliability of the measurement instrument (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.843) and revealed notable differences in perceived benefits based on the entrepreneur's age and the duration of the enterprise's operation. The findings suggest that ideation programs are effective tools for developing intangible resources and dynamic capabilities essential for SME innovation. It is recommended that incubator programs be tailored to address the diverse needs of entrepreneurs at various stages of their personal and business development to maximize their effectiveness.

Despite significant initiatives to enhance educational access for marginalised communities in Africa, the prevalence of street children not enrolled in school remains substantial. Despite several studies examining educational access disparities among marginalised groups, obstacles to governmental initiatives aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for street children in Africa remain insufficiently investigated. This study elucidates these constraints, concentrating on Mutare Urban, Zimbabwe.  It examined the obstacles to governmental initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access for street children in Mutare Urban, Zimbabwe. The study employed a human rights-based approach as its theoretical framework to answer this subject. The research employed a qualitative methodology, utilising interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary analysis for data collection. These methodologies enabled the researchers to comprehend the subjective, lived experiences and perspectives of participants on obstacles to governmental initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access for street children in Mutare Urban. The study identified social disintegration, economic limits, insufficient teamwork, and corruption and nepotism as primary obstacles to governmental initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access for street children in Mutare Urban. The report advises enhanced funding, collaboration, monitoring, and evaluation of government programs, as well as a case-by-case approach to facilitate access to school for street children in response to the identified problems.