Explore publications.

This paper searches the impact of trade credit on firms’ performance in 15 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. In particular, we also examine whether trade credit can advance in an environment of higher financial inclusion rate. We achieve this by using a fixed effect estimation model and solving endogeneity by GMM and IV-2SLS methods by utilizing firm level data from the Bloomberg terminal from 2010 to 2023. Baseline results summarize that firm performance grows with the level of trade credit finance. We find a firm’s industry and SSA blocs heterogeneity the trade credit-firm performance nexus. Additionally, financial inclusion alone is positive and when interacted with trade credit it becomes significant. The major implication among others is that trade credit facilitates more firm performance in a situation of higher financial inclusion level.

Leadership communication is one of the essential features of leadership that influence leadership credibility and employee trust in the workplace especially in multilingual workplaces. Despite leadership communication being discussed widely in the literature of organizational leadership, language of leadership, its impact on leadership credibility and trust has not been explored fully in the literature in African higher learning institutions. This study explores the impact of language of leadership on employees’ perception of leadership credibility and workplace trust in multilingual higher learning institutions in Tanzania. The study focuses on linguistic accommodation and how it enhances leaders-employees engagement. This study was done in one selected public higher learning institutions in Tanzania. The study adopts qualitative multiple case study design based on Communication Accommodation Theory and Organizational Trust Theory. The study collected data through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. A total of 90 participants were selected from College of Business Education (CBE), Tanzania Institute of Accountancy (TIA) and Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT). The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that (i) the exclusive use of highly formal English in leadership communication reinforces institutional hierarchy and creates relational distance between leaders and employees; (ii) linguistically accommodative practices such as the use of Kiswahili, code-switching, and simplified explanations enhance leadership credibility and relational accessibility; and finally (iii) language clarity and transparency significantly strengthen workplace trust by reducing uncertainty and improving employees’ understanding of leadership decisions. Therefore, this study contributes to the organizational communication on leadership credibility and workplace trust that are communicatively achieved through the use of language in organizations especially in the context of multilingual settings.

In recent times, the use of mobile banking has expanded significantly in Tanzania, but its impact on Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCOS) purposes are still uncertain. This study examined mobile banking's effects on Tanzania's SACCOS, using a quantitative research approach. Purposive sampling was employed to select three SACCOS offering electronic banking services in Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro regions, with a total sample size of 64 employees and supplemented them with secondary data from 2020 to 2024 from SACCOS reports and financial statements. Statistical analysis was used to describe mobile banking usage and regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between mobile banking usage and return on assets (ROA). The results showed a favourable correlation between mobile banking and performance (ROA), mobile banking was favorably viewed for improving accessibility and efficiency. Mobile banking positively affects SACCOS in Tanzania by offering and enhancing new ways of addressing financial barriers. Emphasizing the need for SACCOS to adopt the evolving technological innovations and other electronic banking features. Despite the existing challenges, SACCOS continually strive to minimize such challenges. The study recommends that SACCOS should set up robust customer support systems to address technical and security issues, streamlined regulatory compliance and mitigate the challenges associated with the adoption of mobile banking. This conclusion emphasizes the dual need for technological advancement and organizational support to fully leverage mobile banking as a tool for financial growth and inclusion in cooperative societies.

This study assessed users' skill in operating the electronic records management system, specifically concerning the Workers Compensation Fund (WCF). The study specifically examined the training for the electronic records management system, encompassing the types of training offered, their frequency, and the relevance and effectiveness of the training delivered. The study population consisted of all employees at WCF. The study deployed a descriptive research design in conjunction with qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The sample size consisted of 115 respondents. Data were gathered by questionnaires, interviews, and observational methods. Additionally, qualitative data were quantitatively evaluated using IBM-SPSS version 20, along with Microsoft Word and Excel, to ascertain the frequency and percentage of respondents' replies in relation to the study findings. Findings indicated that WCF offers operational training for ERMS, while security and technical training for ERMS staff is conducted annually to enhance employees' abilities and expertise in administering ERMS.  The study indicates that the management of WCF should continue to empower the ICT team to provide comprehensive in-house support. Additionally, negotiate with EGA for a dedicated desk to address their technical difficulties.

This study assessed the impact of improved urban road network on financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises focusing in Dodoma, Tanzania. The study employed a cross sectional research design where by a sample of 89 SMEs from the selected three wards in Dodoma city was used to draw the conclusion. Qualitative data collected through questionnaires were analyzed using content analysis while quantitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The key findings from the study include: i) accessible roads to customers toward SME were having positive influence to SMEs performance ii) market accessibility by customers and consumers was the key factor in improving SMEs financial performance in Dodoma city and lastly, an effective time management and improved transportation of goods and services were positive related to the amount of sales revenue generated by SMEs. The conclusion is drawn to improve the urban road networks as among of the key factors in improving the performance of SMEs in Dodoma city by increasing sales and profit. It is therefore recommended that, the government and other stakeholders in the construction sector should continue to improve urban road networks and start offering basic business and financial management skills which would enable SMEs owners to make informed investment decisions as well as enhance their entrepreneurial skills which will facilitate in recognizing and exploiting the available business opportunities.

The study analyzed the impact of non-aeronautical revenues on airport performance at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. The study used longitudinal design in which time series data from financial statements and integrated reports for the financial years 2017/18 to 2020/21 was undertaken. The Multiple linear regression models were employed in analyzing the contribution of non- aeronautical revenues on improving the airport facilities. Findings of the study demonstrated that, i) rental fees and car parking charges impacted positively the improvement of the airport facilities, ii) advertisement also positive and significantly contributed on the improvement of the airport facilities at Julius Nyerere International Airport. This implies that, JNIA can further increase its total revenues by expanding the scope of retail operations at the airports under its jurisdiction as additional sources of income. It is recommended that airport managements and other stakeholders responsible for airports’ infrastructure and transport to expand more use of NARVs sources so as to improve the service delivery for their passengers and gain more revenues for future financial stability.

The purpose of this study was to assess factors affecting succession planning in family-owned fish trading SMEs businesses in Mwanza city. The research utilized quantitative methodologies to evaluate the effect of individual, familial, and organizational factors on succession planning within family-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Mwanza city. Chi-square analyses revealed that leadership, delegation, the ability to disassociate from the business, and successor preferences significantly influence succession planning. Moreover, the interest and abilities of the successor plays a crucial role in the planning process. The study further found that family-level factors, including traditions, compensating family members, formal communication forums, and the desire to maintain family control, also significantly affect succession planning. Regression analyses indicated that individual factors such as leadership, delegation, and the abilities of potential successors positively influenced succession planning. At the family level, practices like compensating family members and establishing formal communication channels significantly contributed to succession planning, while traditional practices like favouring the eldest son as a successor did not have a substantial impact. Additionally, the study identified that the readiness of the successor, the presence of a clear and documented succession plan, effective board governance, a well-defined organizational structure, and the existence of a written strategic plan were key predictors of successful succession planning. The findings suggest that businesses with well-defined and specific succession plans, identified successors, and active development plans for the next generation are more likely to achieve success in shaping succession planning within family-owned fish trading SMEs, providing a solid foundation for successful ownership transitions. This research offers valuable insights for future research and policy development concerning SME succession planning and business sustainability.

This study aimed to assess the influence of service quality on customer satisfaction within Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) in Dar es Salaam, with a specific focus on the influence of tangible elements, personal services, and airline image. The study adopted a theoretical framework based on the Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory and the AIRQUAL Model for understanding the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction. To achieve the study’s objectives, a cross-sectional research design was employed, allowing for the collection of data from a diverse sample of ATCL customers. The sample was selected using a combination of simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. A total of 302 ATCL customers and 8 supervisors from ATCL participated in the study, providing valuable insights into their perceptions of service quality and its effect on their overall satisfaction. Data collection was primarily conducted through structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. The data was analyzed using Binary Logistic Regression in IBM SPSS Statistics 23, allowing for the identification of significant relationships between service quality dimensions and customer satisfaction. The analysis of perceived service quality dimensions showed that customers' perceptions of ATCL’s service quality fell short of their expectations, with negative scores across all dimensions. This suggests a general dissatisfaction among customers with the service quality provided by ATCL. Specifically, the rankings indicated that airline image was the top contributor to dissatisfaction. The overall index score for service quality further supported these findings, registering at -0.3996. The binary logistic regression results indicated significant positive relationships between all three dimensions (tangible elements, personal services, and airline image) and customer satisfaction. To maintain service quality standards, collaboration between policymakers and ATCL management is crucial to establishing guidelines as well as conducting regular audits, allocating enough resources for tangible improvements and investing in employee training for better customer interactions.

The recruitment functions of human resources have transitioned from a conventional paper-based system to utilizing the internet through electronic recruitment portals. Electronic recruitment is widely recognized as a strategy that organizations utilize to attract people who possess the necessary education, experience, and abilities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the factors that influence job-seekers' utilization of e-recruitment platforms for job applications in the public sector of Tanzania. The study employed a cross-sectional survey approach to gather both quantitative and qualitative data from Dodoma City. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 384 job applicants. The interview method was used to acquire qualitative data from ICT officials of PSRS. Job-seekers were chosen through the utilization of a random sample technique, whereas PSRS ICT officials were deliberately recruited. The study's findings indicate that there is a positive and significant correlation between job seekers' use of e-recruitment and their ICT competencies. Thus, the study determined that ICT competencies play a vital role in determining the utilization of the e-recruitment portal of PSRS for job applications. Therefore, the study suggests that PSRS should revamp its portal to enhance its user-friendliness.

The primary aim of this study was to assess the suitability of blockchain technology for improving the efficiency of supply chain operations in the public sector in Tanzania. Blockchain technology (BT) is a contemporary and rapidly growing technology that has gained widespread popularity globally due to its capacity to connect several stakeholders (blocks) worldwide with the aim of enhancing efficiency in business transactions. With this perspective in mind, the researcher was driven to evaluate the capabilities of blockchain technology in the field of supply chain in Tanzania. This evaluation concentrated on three distinct areas: the degree of public awareness of blockchain technology, the strategies used by public bodies to use blockchain technology, and the significant issues that obstruct the implementation of blockchain technology. The study utilized network theory as a framework to analyze the findings. It employed a descriptive survey approach, with a sample size of 192 respondents who were engaged as registered procurement experts in public institutions. In collecting data from respondents, structured questionnaires were prepared using Google Forms and submitted to respondents through their e-mails. A total of 154 questionnaires were properly filled out and submitted, for a response rate of 80.2%. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The results show that 74.7% of the respondents are unaware of the application of blockchain technology in supply chain operations. In terms of practice, the majority of public entities (67%) use e-payment as the main application of blockchain technology. Additionally, 64% of the respondents identified technical issues and a lack of understanding as the main challenges affecting the application of blockchain technology. Moreover, the study demonstrates a robust correlation between the utilization of blockchain technology and the enhancement of efficiency in supply chain operations. Ultimately, the study suggests implementing an extensive awareness campaign targeted at practitioners in order to enhance the rate of adoption and fully use the capabilities of blockchain technology in Tanzania.

This study examined the influence of customer experience on the preference for online bus booking services in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Specifically, the study aims to: i) Determine the influence of familiarity with online booking services on the customer preference for online bus booking services, ii) Examine the influence of perception on the customer preference for online booking services, iii) Examine the influence of customer satisfaction on the customer preference for online bus booking services. The study employed a convergent parallel research design whereas both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. A sample of 384 users of buses for their transport was involved using a questionnaire that was administered through Google form as one of the web-based tools. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis whereas quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics whereas mean scores, standard deviations, frequency, and percent were computed. Further, a binary logistic regression model was performed to analyze quantitative data. The findings show that customer perception and satisfaction were statistically significant in influencing customers’ preference for online bus booking. The study recommends to all key players in the bus transport sector make use of the findings to enrich policies and strategies in the adoption of online bus booking.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has remained a major source of food security and income generation for most developing countries including Tanzania due to its ability to drought and disease resistance. At present, its production in Tanzania stands at 630,000 tons while the country's market demand is expected to grow at 7% by 2026.  Therefore, this study assessed the contribution of cassava production and marketing on the livelihood of smallholder farmers in Tanzania particularly in the Dodoma region, so as to explore its potential contributions to the society welfare. A cross-sectional research design was employed whereby a multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting a sample of 240 cassava smallholder farmers from four districts in the Dodoma region namely Kondoa, Chemba, Kongwa, and Mpwapwa. Quantitative data were collected through self-administered structured questionnaires and focus group discussion, interview and observation methods also were used in collecting qualitative data from the study area. Content analysis was used in analyzing qualitative data.  A binary logistic regression model was employed to estimate the contribution of cassava production and marketing on smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in the region. The findings from the study indicated that family size, farmers’ experience, land size, education, number of visits by extension, and market access statistically were significant with showed a positive relationship with the improvement in the livelihood of farmers in the selected districts. On the other hand, transportation costs showed a negative relation with the improvement of farmers’ livelihood. Generally, it can be concluded that an increase in production and improvement in marketing variables could contribute much to the improvement of smallholder farmers’ livelihood.  Based on these findings, it is recommended that Ministries responsible for cassava production and marketing which included the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry and Trade focus more on the design, promotion, and implementation of policies and programs that are intended to enhance cassava production in rural areas and increase the provision of best farming practices through employing more extension officers.

Worldwide, unemployment is a challenging aspect that faces most of the graduate students. Based on that, students in colleges and universities currently, are clearly aware that they have to engage in self-employment through entrepreneurship. Moreover, the establishment of innovation hubs during collaging has propounded to help upbringings different entrepreneurial and creativity treats among students. Apart from performing incubation of the business ideas, the innovation hubs could be a free innovative centre where students, stakeholders, lecturers, and alumnae meet, work, and collaborate on the range of innovative augmented ideas to stimulate entrepreneur intention.  Colleges and universities do not have a proper plan to expose students to practical business environments while studying. Therefore, through mixed research design, this study entails to design and develop a participatory contextual model that will enhance the College of Business Education to establish a free space as the innovation hub for incubating talents, entrepreneurial ideas and research focused on solution-based for students and lecturers. A total of 132 respondents consisting of 20 instructors; 100 students and 12 entrepreneurial practitioners were involved in this study. Data was collected through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and documentary review. The obtained data were analysed through descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. Based on the findings, it is evident that establishing an incubation and innovation hub within the CBE community is necessary. The findings provide valuable insights into the participants' perceptions and highlight various aspects that should be considered during establishing and implementing the hub. Moreover, the findings stipulate that the incubation and innovation hub should incorporate the prototype environment that includes mindset change programmes, regular training, internship programmes, effective incubation practices, strong mentorship and coaching programmes, and a clear exit strategy that can enhance the entrepreneurial skills and capabilities of incubates

The aim of this study is to examine threats related to informal fish vending business among urban-based women and to propose strategies for overcoming the threats. Specifically, the study ascertains the threats associated with the fishing business and strategies for coping and the capacity to cope. Based on the multi-layered social resilience framework, this study used a qualitative design and a sample size of 30 participants obtained both randomly and purposively. The findings revealed that threats experienced by the vendors include stigma, fish scarcity, higher fish prices, inadequate business capital, various forms of gender-related violence such as sexual harassment, lack of legal status, and various forms of crime including robbery, theft, and pickpocketing. Findings further indicated that vendors managed to develop both reactive and proactive strategies for coping with the threats. Reactive strategies include joining small self-helping groups popularly known as Village Community Banking (VICOBA) and soliciting family and relative support against insecurity threats. Proactive strategies include securing business financing from credible institutions, business diversification and adopting new kinds of business, business registration and licensing, searching for and participating in education and capacity-building programs, as well as business advocacy. It is recommended that government support, provision of education, and access to credit, should be considered in supporting women fish vendors to cope with the threats in their fishing business activities.

The study aims to gain a better understanding of sexual harassment acts experienced by female passengers on the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) operated by UDART in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and to recommend factors for reducing the practice. The study specifically investigated factors that contribute to harassment, passenger coping strategies with harassment, and strategies for alleviating harassment. In-depth interviews with approximately 30 women who regularly use public transport and two UDART/BRT officials were conducted using a qualitative design. The data was collected using a phenomenology strategy, and the data was analysed using a thematic analysis strategy. The Swahili transcriptions were translated into English and analysed using MAXQDA 10 [VERBI Software, Marburg, Germany]. The nature of sexual harassment experienced by female customers includes; unwanted sexual contact, unintended touching, abusive words, and unwanted gestures. Moral decay, mental disorders in some men, a lack of strong legal enforcement, poor transportation arrangements, and a patriarchy system are all factors that expose women to sexual harassment on public transportation. Women coped with harassment by owning and operating personal vehicles, hiring motorbikes (bodaboda), avoiding service during peak hours, and deciding to accept the consequences when there was no other option. Expansion and establishment of new BRT road routes, procurement and registration of more buses, and the establishment of student buses are all strategies for combating sexual harassment in public transportation.

This paper delves into the intricate challenges encountered by Tanzania in effectively implementing the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol (CMP) pertaining to the seamless movement of goods to Kenya. The research adopts a case study design, employing qualitative and in-depth methods to gather data. The data collection process utilizes a purposeful sampling technique involving 30 participants, and thematic analysis is employed for data analysis. The findings highlight several tariff barriers that hinder the effective implementation of the EAC CMP, including customs duties, quantitative restrictions, measures with equivalent impact to customs duties, and those with equivalent impact to quantitative restrictions. Furthermore, the study uncovers non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that impede the free movement of goods from Tanzania to Kenya, such as political barriers, high transportation costs, food insecurity, discrepancies in standards, limited logistics and trade services, and restricted access to finance. The study concludes that the EAC Partner States bear the responsibility of eliminating existing tariff and non-tariff restrictions that obstruct trade, as well as refraining from imposing new ones. This research significantly contributes to our understanding of the economic integration within the EAC by shedding light on the novel challenges encountered in the implementation of the CMP concerning the free movement of goods.

Due to rising global competition and major changes in consumer demands, preferences, and tastes, many businesses today use the Japanese management technique known as Kaizen to adjust their production processes to meet these expectations. The sole goal of this study was to improve the overall productivity of medium-scale industries by integrating the kaizen philosophy into the production process. Most learning exercises carried out as part of kaizen initiatives were designed to improve social outcomes regarding employees’ problem-solving skills and attitudes. In particular, Kaizen coordinators are concerned with employees’ understanding of continuous improvement and their communication and problem-solving abilities. The pilot project was carried out in the production lines where vanilla extracts were being produced. The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle technique was used in this study to improve productivity in the production process. The pitch diagram was used as a supportive tool. The two prominent techniques that mainly contributed to the increase in productivity were the PDCA cycle and the pitch diagram. Kaizen implementation led to a 37% increase in the company's total productivity. To increase productivity even further, water tapping and measurement were merged. As a result, it took just 2 minutes instead of 5 to fill a bottle with 20 liters of water. This study concludes that the Kaizen philosophy and elimination of non-value-adding tasks from the production process improve output.

The current perspective of understanding development focuses on including all members of society participating in the growth process, primarily through digital technology. This paper examines social media for promoting inclusive growth in Tanzania. More specifically, the study aims to investigate the social media site that youth citizens widely use to discuss government economic issues for fostering inclusive growth, how youth citizens use the perceived widely used social media to participate in discussing government issues for inclusive growth, and how does the government encourage citizens’ use of social media to discuss government issues for inclusive growth. The study was conducted in Dodoma City and employed mixed research methods using survey and interview data collection methods. Findings show that youth citizens mainly prefer using WhatsApp social media to discuss economic issues to promote inclusive economic growth in the study area. The study also found that youth citizens in the study area use WhatsApp social media to spot government actions and voice their opinions for inclusive growth. The study concludes that WhatsApp social media is a gateway to accelerate inclusive growth in the study area. It suggests a networked digital policymaking framework to encourage citizens to openly discuss and publish government issues on social media without fear to accelerate inclusive growth in the country. Also, it suggests an established framework for collecting citizens’ opinions on social media for government decision-making practices to imply that citizens’ views are considered for inclusive growth in Tanzania.

For generations, women in Tanzania have been undermined economically despite efforts from the government, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations. Besides all of them, the growth of digital communication is emerging, inseparable from transforming women’s empowerment economically, politically, and socially. However, how social media has empowered women financially as an aspect of economic empowerment remains understudied in Tanzania. This study assesses the role of social media in the digital economy to realize its contribution to women’s financial empowerment. Specifically, the study assesses the financial activities of women’s support groups through social media, examines how social media offer economic opportunities to women’s support groups and identify the challenges associated with social media women’s support groups. This study is qualitatively designed and employs in-depth interviews with leaders of women’s support groups in the city of Dodoma. The findings highlight the benefits of WhatsApp social media as a platform for digital economic practices, specifically in enhancing the performance of financial activities. The results also revealed a lack of binding principles among women’s support groups, making them fragile and affecting their growth and sustainability. The study recommends establishing government regulations that bind members who decide to help each other through social media sites. This practice ensures the sustainability of women’s financial groups and avoids online fraud thus, promote women’s financial empowerment and participation in the digital economy in Tanzania.

This study aimed to examine the factors that affect the procurement performance of Tanzania’s parastatal entities. It examined the impact of political interference and staff competency on procurement performance. The questionnaire was used to collect data from heads of departments from 93 state-owned organizations in the Dar es Salaam Region as part of an explanatory research approach. The sample of 258 respondents was randomly selected from the population of 712 heads of departments. However, 241 questionnaires were collected from the respondents. The data were descriptively evaluated to establish the mean and standard deviation. The data were compiled using frequency distribution tables before being analyzed using multiple regression analysis. This study shows that political interference has a negative influence on procurement performance, whereas staff competency has a positive impact on procurement performance. The study implied that political influence in the procurement process should be avoided to the greatest extent possible because of its adverse effects and that staff competency should be stressed to give staff members the new skills and competencies needed to solve procurement difficulties.