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The main aim of this paper was to contribute to the development of a robust destination image (DI) recovery model for enhancing performance of the tourism sector in Zimbabwe. While the developed world generally enjoys both a strong DI and sound economic performance of the tourism sector, many destinations especially in the developing world desperately require sustainable DI recovery so that they can maximize tourism’s contribution to GDP, employment creation, exports generation, poverty alleviation and the destination’s happiness index. DI is thus an important antecedent of destination performance. In fact, evidence exists to suggest a link between DI and travelers’ purchasing habits. Africa’s image and tourism’s economic performance, like Zimbabwe’s have been negatively affected by disease, the perception of serious corruption, political instability, violent conflicts, underdevelopment, severe droughts, and extreme poverty. These dimensions have contributed to Zimbabwe’s weak DI and poor performance of the tourism sector over the years. A structured and semi-structured questionnaire as well as a semi-structured interview guide were used respectively to collect data from international tourists, service providers and key informants in Zimbabwe. Data was collected from various locations from a sample of 311 and NVivo, AMOS and SPSS were used to analyze the data. The study revealed the major causes of the unfavorable DI and poor tourism performance and also proffered turnaround strategies. The implications of the study were that the overall value attached by the tourist to a destination was pivotal, together with the cognitive and affective images, in developing a sustainable model for DI repair which would be instrumental for the enhancement of performance of the tourism sector in Zimbabwe.

The study sought to establish the effect of vehicle maintenance on service delivery within State-Owned Enterprises, (SOEs). The study used a mixed-method research strategy and a pragmatic research philosophy. In addition, 344 respondents from 86 SOEs were given standardized questionnaires to complete. The researchers employed stratified and purposive sampling. Statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) version 20 was used to generate descriptive statistics. All study items were subjected to exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and research hypotheses were assessed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) in AMOS version 21. The study established that there is sufficient evidence for the effect of vehicle maintenance on service delivery. It is evident from the results that vehicles are not regularly serviced, genuine spare parts ordered are not properly tracked to the intended vehicles, there is vehicle parts cannibalisation and that vehicle faulty components are not replaced until failure occurs. The study recommended that there is need to consider preventive maintenance as a way to reduce vehicle breakdowns and improve the lifecycles of vehicles. In addition, SOEs should strive to deal with accredited vehicle dealers in order to reduce the possibility of using counterfeit spare parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the influence of road transportation infrastructure on tobacco smallholder competitiveness in the Northern Region of Zimbabwe. The study was guided by the agricultural marketing theory and a post positivist philosophy. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was utilized. Data was gathered from respondents using structured questionnaires. Reliability of data was checked using Cronbach's alpha (α). Five Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling having satisfied the validity and normality tests. SPSS® version 21 and AMOS® version 21 was used for data analysis. The research found a statistically significant correlation between transport cost, travel distance, and transport price. As the distance of the trip grows, the cost of transportation per ton-km lowers due to considerations like economies of distance. The poor quality of rural roads and limited vehicle utilisation were blamed for the extremely high transportation costs over small distances. Crop yields tend to be greater for farmers that have access to larger markets. The analysis also showed that the reductions in road user costs were nearly three times larger than the benefits to agriculture. In order to promote agricultural growth, the research suggested building and expanding road infrastructure in the Northern Region using local resources and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport system has always been closely linked to urban development. This study was motivated by the growing concerns over rising fuel prices, vehicle ownership and greenhouse-gas. There has been considerable interest on the effect of residential density on vehicle miles travelled (VMT). While this issue has been extensively researched, there remains uncertainty regarding how effective land-use planning might be used as an arsenal in reducing VMT. The study population was comprised of 530 668 households in Harare Metropolitan. Conferring to Krejcie and Morgan's (1970) formula the sample size for this study was 384 households at 95% confidence level. The study used stratified, convenience and purposive sampling. The researchers used a household survey to collect data from respondents. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to test the validity of all the items used in the study. While the research hypothesis was tested using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) in Amos version 21. The study concludes that residential density positively influences vehicle miles travelled. The fact that travel is a derived demand should encourage planners and policy-makers to consider residential development as an alternative approach to reducing vehicle miles travelled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted within the Zimbabwean Freight Forwarding Industry. The study sought to investigate the effects of globalization on Zimbabwean Freight Forwarding Companies. The main objective of the study was to make an investigation into the effects of globalization within the freight forwarding industry and find possible ways of manipulating the resultant opportunities and mitigating the negative effects of globalization to the industry. The study was motivated by; an increase in the amount of cross border trade in goods and services thereby allowing an increased flow of foreign currency, a rise in corruption activities due to increased trade relationships within the world economy, exploitation of labour, increased competition which led local industries to be taken over by foreign multinationals thereby posing serious threats on the Zimbabwean political environment and moreover the need to create the concept of out sourcing, customer support and insurance. The study used only registered local freight forwarding agencies and a few of foreign-owned freight forwarders since their efforts are influenced by changes brought by globalisation. A descriptive research design was used for this study; convenience sampling was used to acquire respondents for this study. Questionnaires, field visits, documentary analysis and in-depth interviews were used for collecting data. The study found out that, globalization has resulted in; increased competition, high demand of goods from customers, increased need for capital investments to improve operations, insurmountable requirements by the government such as tracking devices for trucks and also congestion at ports and borders due to high traffic volumes. On the other hand, the study also found out that globalisation has led to creation of partnerships in trade, increased business activities, foreign investments in local exploration increase export forwarding, increased technological advancement, for example, Chirundu One- Stop Border Post and the advent of the Asycuda World for all customs operations. Moreover the study suggests measures that can be taken by freight forwarders in order to capitalise on or mitigate the effects of globalisation. The study also recommended that, in order to operate sustainably and to survive in a global village, the Zimbabwean Freight Forwarders should move along with the shift in trend in the freight forwarding industry, maintain and improve the company market position through differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]