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Millions of used or worn-out tyres are disposed of by many countries annually. These tyres can be put to good use when recycled. Used tyres are among the most problematic and challenging sources of solid waste, especially in landfills. Therefore, the use of waste tyres for composite materials having desired performance properties can be used as a means of disposing of the tyres. Fibrous material-reinforced composites with enhanced physical and mechanical performance and incorporating sisal fibres were produced using waste tyre material, sisal, and polyester resin. The physical and mechanical properties of hybrid composite board panels, including flexural strength, compression strength, tensile strength, and water absorption, were determined according to ASTM Standards. The rubber tyre particles used in the study had a size of 1.00 mm, and the sisal used had an average length of 6mm. A systematic experimental design was formulated and worked accordingly in the fabrication of the composite. The hybrid composite produced has adequate mechanical properties to perform as a substitute for solid wood in several applications such as tabletops, general purpose, load-bearing boards, ceiling boards, furniture, door panels and partitioning boards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the link between implementation of electronic human resources management practices and effective human resources function in the private security sector in Zimbabwe. The research evaluated the effectiveness of electronic human resources practices on organisational performance, quality of human resources service, operational efficiency and the involvement of human resources in the business The post positivist paradigm was adopted for this cross sectional quantitative study, employing a deductive approach and mono method quantitative method as methodological choices. 18 research participants were selected from 3 security companies that had implemented electronic human resources management practices. Close ended questionnaires were used in data collection and SPSS software used for data analysis. Electronic human resources management practices were found to have an impact on effective human resources management performance for quality of human resources management service delivery, and operational performance with respect to cost and time saving. No significant impact on the strategic involvement of human resources management and organisational performance were identified. Challenges of implementing electronic human resources systems were found to include high cost concerns in licensing fees, maintenance and training expenses, and alignment to the business needs. Implementation of electronic human resources management was pointed out to require a change of management strategy which proved difficult to apply due to lack of support from senior management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The textile cottage industry is important in employment creation, income and profits generation and foreign currency earning for a country through exports. The pursuit of women entrepreneurship in the textile cottage industries acts as an instrument towards their emancipation, consistent with the MDG # 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women; and SDG #5: Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all Women and Girls. This paper focuses on how information and communication technology could enhance productivity in the cottage textiles in Zimbabwe. The study was qualitative in nature, employing non-probability sampling techniques. Semi structured interviews were administered to representatives of Ministries of Information and Communications Technology, Small-Medium Enterprises, and Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development to investigate policy issues. Focus group discussions were conducted on 67 participants selected from a total of 370 representatives of women entrepreneurs. The study primarily used thematic analysis tool for data analysis. Findings of the study showed that the textile cottage industry largely operated manual systems, had inconsistent connectivity, inadequate energy power systems, product innovations were inhibited, and disjoint information and communications technologies. To enhancing entrepreneurships and sustainable productivity it was recommended that textile cottage industry adopted robust information and communication technology strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]