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Purpose – The major objective of the study is to investigate the effect of selected customer retention strategies (fair pricing, online marketing and frequent communication) on perceived service quality and organisational performance within the retail sector in Zimbabwe. Also, the study sought to understand the moderating role of ICT on the effect of customer retention strategies on perceived service quality and organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional survey of 280 employees within Zimbabwe's retail sector was adopted and respondents were selected using simple random sampling method. A structured questionnaire with Likert type questions was used to gather data. Findings – The study findings indicate that the performance of organisations within the retail sector is influenced by superior service quality, selected customer retention strategies and also moderated by the use of ICT. Originality/value – The study contributes to the business management body of knowledge by assessing the effect of selected customer retention strategies (fair pricing, online marketing and frequent communication) on perceived service quality and organisational performance within the retail industry of an emerging economy. The study is also unique in that it used ICT to moderate the effect of selected customer retention strategies on perceived service quality and organisational performance.

Studies focusing on the effect of graduates' perceived service quality, graduates' satisfaction and loyalty on graduates' perceived job performance are scarce. Therefore, this study was conducted to narrow this knowledge gap. A cross-sectional survey of 430 university graduates was carried out in Harare, Zimbabwe. Structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypotheses. Results show that graduates' perceived service quality and loyalty each positively influences graduates' perceived job performance. It was found that graduates' satisfaction does not significantly influence graduates' perceived job performance.

Purpose: The main purpose of this research is to investigate factors influencing rural women entrepreneurship development and sustainable rural livelihoods in Manicaland province of Zimbabwe. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research was conducted in Manicaland province in Zimbabwe. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 400 women entrepreneurs in various sectors. The participants were in vegetable vending, operating clothing flea markets and cross border trading. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents. Structural equation modeling in SmartPLS version 3 was used to test the research hypotheses. Findings: The study established that women entrepreneurship is driven by financial factors, positive environmental factors, positive psychological factors as well as positive sociological factors for a sustainable rural livelihood. Research limitations/implications: It is clear that if the discovered challenges are not addressed, sustainability of women entrepreneurship will remain a dream. Practical implications: The study came up with strategies for improving women entrepreneurship activities. Future research can be done in other areas of provinces to avoid generalization challenges. Social implications: Many challenges hinder the sustainability of women entrepreneurship. Major impediments to women entrepreneurship comprises inadequate support from government schemes, patriarchal societal structure of the community, lack of relevant entrepreneurial knowledge to manage businesses, lack of collateral security to access funding, time limitation or role conflict to balance family pressures and business. Originality/value: The study recommends proper entrepreneurship education and training, supportive government schemes and access to network affiliation/connection to sustain women entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superior service quality plays a crucial role within the services industry. The study examined the effect of employee training and empowerment on perceived service quality. Also, the study investigated the mediating role of employee motivation and internal communication on the effect of employee empowerment on perceived service quality. The study results confirm that both employee training and empowerment positively influence perceived service quality. Also, internal communication and employee motivation were found to partially meditate the effect of employee empowerment on perceived service quality. Theoretical, practical, and future research implications were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies focusing on the effect of graduates' perceived service quality, graduates' satisfaction and loyalty on graduates' perceived job performance are scarce. Therefore, this study was conducted to narrow this knowledge gap. A cross-sectional survey of 430 university graduates was carried out in Harare, Zimbabwe. Structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypotheses. Results show that graduates' perceived service quality and loyalty each positively influences graduates' perceived job performance. It was found that graduates' satisfaction does not significantly influence graduates' perceived job performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]