http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/858 This is an online archive of Theses and Dissertations for Postgraduates students 2026-04-16T14:33:11Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1009 Title: The Impact Of Quality Service For Third Party Route Distribution On Perfomance – A Case Of Carslberg Malawi Authors: Katunga, James Chimwemwe Abstract: This study was carried out to assess the impact of quality of service of third party route distributors on company performance a case of Carlsberg Malawi Limited (CML) for Blantyre urban routes. The current problem within CML is that there business is growing, and the growth is being attributed to better service quality of in areas which are being served by Third Party (3PL) distributors as compared to areas being served by CML. The examination of the impact of quality service helps not only Carlsberg Malawi but also other organisations that are in this business or other Fast Moving Consumer Goods business to compete and grow sales and market share. The study was necessary because the business environment is becoming very competitive and only the fittest will survive. The impact of better quality service cannot be over emphasised as it will led to customer satisfaction which will motivate customers to stay and do business with the organisation. This study was carried out using 421 out of 500 selected distributors of CML from Blantyre City with replacement to act as a sample which was selected by using a scientific table representing 1% margin of error. Every second respondent was sampled and interviewed. This sample, also included 10 managers from Sales and Distribution who were selected at random. The sample was taken from a population which was sourced from CML customer data base. Data was collected by using a questionnaire which was administered using personal and telephone interviews wherever necessary. The questionnaire contained the following as measures of service quality on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); competence of staff, knowledge of products and services, customised services being offered, reliability, convenience, helpfulness, accessible, communication, confidentiality, untimely delivery of orders, unfriendliness, and appearance. Once the data was collected, about demography, quality of service and their barriers by Third Party Route Distributors on performance of Carlsberg, it was captured and analysed by SPSS using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. The study found that competence of staff, knowledge of products and services, customised services being offered, reliability, convenience and helpfulness of 3PL Distributors were significant and important in provision of service quality as it affects the performance of sales and market growth of CML. However, lack of being accessible, communication, vi confidentiality, untimely delivery of orders, unfriendliness, and appearance of 3PL sales staff as well as their vehicles as premises acted as barriers to service quality of 3PL distributors. Description: A dissertation submitted to the Department of Management Studies, Faculty of Commerce, The Malawi Polytechnic, University of Malawi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Business Administration 2018-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1008 Title: Impact Assessment Of Topography On Infrastructure Development And Mobile Communication Service Delivery: Case Study Of Kunenekude In Neno Authors: Momba, Chisomo Abstract: The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector is crucial for sustainable infrastructure development and plays a key role in the socio-economic development and overall poverty reduction. Among the technological advances of the last 50 years, the expansion and technological improvements of telecommunications infrastructure have been some of the most crucial interventions in the society. The introduction of mobile communications especially the global system for mobile (GSM) communication technology provided a huge landmark for personal communications. However, the deployment of infrastructure to provide such communications services is faced by several challenges among them the topography of areas where such infrastructure must be deployed which impacts efficient service delivery. The main objective of this thesis is to assess the impact of topography on infrastructure and mobile communication service delivery with a particular focus on Kunenekude. The thesis examines the relationship between topography and mobile communication service coverage by using the telecommunications management system (TEMS) investigation analytical tool in relation to the socio-economic impact arising out of the limited service delivery. The assessment shows that topography reduces effective service coverage and impacts mobile service delivery by almost 40% thereby increasing the costs of providing the service. Additionally, the socio-economic benefits arising from mobile communication services are affected when service coverage is limited. This study through the findings recommends a coordinated infrastructure sharing deployment plan to address the topography challenges in infrastructure development and the use of household settlement statistical data to effectively plan coverage for mobile communication services Description: A Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Infrastructure Development and Management 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1007 Title: Factors Affecting The Implementation Of Water And Sanitation Projects In Primary Schools In Zomba Rural Authors: Thawani, Lemelani Davidson Sebastian Abstract: The aim of the study was to explore the factors affecting the implementation of WASH projects in primary schools in Zomba Rural. The specific objectives of the study were to: critically analyse factors that enhance the implementation of water, sanitation and hygiene projects in primary schools in Zomba Rural; examine the challenges facing the implementation of water, sanitation and hygiene projects in primary schools in Zomba Rural and; propose the possible solutions for dealing with the challenges affecting the implementation of WASH projects in primary schools in Zomba Rural. The study adopted an inductive approach since it involved theory development using interpretivism philosophy. Data collection was done using mixed methods, for instance qualitative and quantitative techniques were adopted. Focus group discussions were conducted to learners and school management committees while in-depth interviews and questionnaires were conducted to sanitation teachers and officials from implementing agencies, respectively. The variables were subjected to principal component analysis with varimax rotation. The results revealed that the involvement of school management committees, child-friendly designs, commitment and support by leaders at different levels, and availability of strong development policies and implementation plans, were major contributing factors for the successful implementation of WASH projects in primary schools in Zomba Rural. The same study revealed that financial resource constraints, poor learners’ hygiene practices, lack of operation and maintenance mechanisms and poor supervision of the latrines were major challenges facing the implementation of WASH projects. It is thus recommended that the District Education Management Unit should include, in their budget, funds for the operation and maintenance of WASH facilities. In addition, implementers of WASH projects should provide trainings to learners in behaviour change intervention to curb the learners’ poor sanitation and hygiene practices so as to sustain proper hygiene behaviours. Further research aimed at examining causal relationships between the identified factors and the success or failure of the WASH project is also recommended. Description: Submitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Infrastructure Development and Management) 2016-08-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1006 Title: Evaluating The Role Of Joint Consultative Committee On The Promotion Of Employees’ Welfare In The Tea Industry. A Case Of Selected Tea Estates In Thyolo District Authors: Sambo, Joseph Godfrey Abstract: The Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) is an indirect employee voice mechanism that is preferred and widely used in the tea estates in Malawi. The extensive use of JCC at the expense of Trade Unions in the tea industry and beyond has triggered the curiosity in the industrial relations circles that seek to understand the actual effectiveness of JCC to promote the wellbeing of workers. However, available literature on the notion of JCC, particularly in the tea sector in Malawi, lacks detailed information on the actual strength and weaknesses regarding JCC practices in the promotion of employee welfare. As such, it becomes overwhelmingly necessary to explore thoroughly the JCC practices in terms of strength and weaknesses. This study, therefore, was purposed to evaluate the role that JCC plays in the promotion of employee welfare in tea industry. The study had set three specific objectives. First, was to evaluate JCC ability/power to influence management decisions to the advantage of employees. Second, was to explore how JCC practices were managed in the tea industry for the benefit of employees. Finally was to examine the effectiveness of consultation process between management and JCC on matters affecting employees. The study used qualitative method. Three (3) Human Resources Managers were purposefully sampled to provide qualitative data through one to one interviews. Additionally, fifteen (15) JCC members were conveniently sampled to also provide qualitative data through one to one interviews. Finally, sixty (60) workers not in JCC membership were conveniently sampled to provide qualitative data through staged Focus Group Discussions. The study data were qualitatively analysed using thematic and content analysis. The results revealed that JCC was a useful forum for communication between management and employees that significantly contributed to industrial peace in the tea estates. However, JCC was found to be less effective employee voice mechanism to promote employees welfare, largely due to management persistent threats and dominance towards JCC practices and lack of legal framework to legitimise JCC actions. It was also found that the role of JCC, in relation to promotion of employee welfare, was deficient of real substance of what it takes for any effective employee voice to possess. In view of this, it was recommended that legal framework should be put in place to support JCC practices; Management should create enabling working environment for JCC to function; JCC to be fully capacitated; appropriate and effective communication channels be in place between management and JCC members and between JCC members and workers and last, was to enhance JCC regular meetings and frequent monitoring by relevant regulatory stakeholders. Description: A Theses Submitted to the Department of Management Studies, Faculty of Commerce in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA) 2022-12-01T00:00:00Z