http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/871 SoBES 2026-04-16T16:06:38Z 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/123456789/1006 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 http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1005 Title: Factors Affecting The Succesful Implementation Of Strategic Plans In Parastatals In Malawi: The Case Of Malawi Posts Corporation Authors: Kasiya Masauli, Eluby Catherine Abstract: The growing importance of successful implementation of strategic plans by public organisations cannot be underestimated. The main objective of this area of study was to assess the factors that affect successful implementation of strategic plans in parastatal organisations in Malawi. The study involved one organisation, the Malawi Posts Corporation, a parastatal involved in Postal and Financial Services. The research study adopted a descriptive survey approach. Data was collected from secondary and primary sources. Secondary data was useful for generating additional information for the study from already documented data or available reports especially from websites Secondary data was also collected for this study. Primary data was collected from a target population was 136 senior managers. A sample of 102 staff was drawn representing 75% of the target population. This was to ensure that the sample size is large enough to represent the views of the total population targeted. This sample covered Northern, Central and Southern Regional Offices because this is where these senior managers are working. The data was analyzed by use of tables, graphs and charts. The study revealed that successful implementation requires that top management must demonstrate willingness to give energy and loyalty to the implementation process and the involvement of the middle managers who are responsible to increase commitment with involvement and integration of employees from the lower level. It is important for any organisation to have a vision and mission in place and MPC has it in place. But much as the mission and vision are in place, the study revealed that MPC is very hesitant to make some strategic decisions in fear of prospective risks. The study concludes that top level management does not always facilitate employee participation in decision making. It also concludes that for implementation of strategy to be a success, management must ensure that only suitable people are given key positions. Suitable people mean those people with prerequisite skills and understanding of the set strategic goals. The study suggests that further studies be carried out on external factors like organizational environment and type of industry to give a better aspect of these factors. It also recommends that similar studies be carried out on other parastatals within the country. 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 2021-02-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1004 Title: Effects Of Entrepreneurship Training, Education And Loans On Performance Of Youth Owned Enterprises In Malawi The Case Of Dowa District Authors: Kaonga, Naomi Abstract: Youth entrepreneurship is one of the key ingredients in job creation in Malawi. It is the gateway from being an employee to self-employed. However, there are several factors that affect youth entrepreneurship. These are entrepreneurship social cultural, training, education, and business loans among others. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of entrepreneurship training, education, and loans on the performance of youth owned enterprises in Dowa. Specifically, the study analysed the training programmes and education for youth entrepreneurship, assessed the impact of loans accessed by youth entrepreneurs as well as the relationship between entrepreneurship training and performance of youth-owned enterprises. A survey of 80 youth-owned enterprises was undertaken using self-administered questionnaires to collect data. The results showed that youth entrepreneurs have adequate technical skills because of the vocation training provided but the training did not have much emphasis on entrepreneurship. The study further showed that few youths had access to loans and those that accessed the loans, used the loans to make initial capital expenditures of the business, which in-turn did not boost their businesses. It was also revealed that poor financial management skills and family background hampered the performance of their enterprises at large. The findings demonstrate that it is imperative for finance lending institutions to develop deliberate policies to provide substantial capital to youth-owned enterprises which can cater for initial business set-up and subsequent trading. To enhance the performance of youth owned enterprises, the study recommends the provision of financial management and entrepreneurship training, as well as financial support to youth entrepreneurs. Description: A Dissertation Submitted to Management Studies Department, Faculty of Commerce, in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of a Degree of Master of Business 2022-09-01T00:00:00Z