A critical assessment of the implementation of community development projects in mitigating youth unemployment: A case of Mashonaland West province Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mafa, Dennyford
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- Evaluation Poverty -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17473 , vital:41079
- Description: The aim of the study was to critically assess the implementation of community development projects in mitigating youth unemployment in Mashonaland province of Zimbabwe. The study used the mixed method which dwells beneath a social phenomenon in order to draw substantiated findings. Data was collected using three method and these include, individual face-to- face interviews, focus group discussion and questionnaire administered to youth, government officials and the local authorities. The study was underpinned by the asset based community development theory and sustainable livelihood approach. Findings highlighted that the participants and the respondents meet the characteristics and criterion for selected community development projects aimed at mitigating youth unemployment. The study revealed that there has been lack on youth involvement in the planning and initiation of the youth community development projects which aim to mitigate youth unemployment and poverty eradication. It has been found out that the implementation process of the youth community development projects was surrounded by lack of knowledge and lack of the involvement of the youths, which resulted in the failure of mitigating youth unemployment and eradication of poverty. Although accessibility (to youth) of these community development projects was for all the community youth who were unemployed, it emerged that the access was not as indicated due to factors like, lack of funding, partisan distribution of resources. The study also realized that due to lack of involvement and proper implementation, the youth community development projects were not sustainable, which was evidenced by the high rate of youth unemployment and poverty levels. Furthermore, the study revealed that effectiveness of youth community development projects in v alleviating youth unemployment in the province has also been marred with pitfalls. Thus, there has been an increase of youth unemployment and poverty. Last but not least, the findings of the study revealed that there were a couple of challenges, which are rooted in partnerships, lack of youth inclusion and involvement, as well lack of involvement of other stakeholders with expertise on implementation of youth community development projects to eradicate poverty and alleviate youth unemployment. Regardless of the brilliant ideas and strategic interventions, the government lacks the practicality of the implementation of these intervention strategies. The study found that interventions were there. However, intervention entails a process which has different facets and obligates the government to function systematically to avoid default in the process of service delivery. It is recommended amongst others that the government and various stakeholders should take cognizance and develop mechanisms and strategies for poverty alleviation, growth, development and employment creation for the youth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mafa, Dennyford
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- Evaluation Poverty -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17473 , vital:41079
- Description: The aim of the study was to critically assess the implementation of community development projects in mitigating youth unemployment in Mashonaland province of Zimbabwe. The study used the mixed method which dwells beneath a social phenomenon in order to draw substantiated findings. Data was collected using three method and these include, individual face-to- face interviews, focus group discussion and questionnaire administered to youth, government officials and the local authorities. The study was underpinned by the asset based community development theory and sustainable livelihood approach. Findings highlighted that the participants and the respondents meet the characteristics and criterion for selected community development projects aimed at mitigating youth unemployment. The study revealed that there has been lack on youth involvement in the planning and initiation of the youth community development projects which aim to mitigate youth unemployment and poverty eradication. It has been found out that the implementation process of the youth community development projects was surrounded by lack of knowledge and lack of the involvement of the youths, which resulted in the failure of mitigating youth unemployment and eradication of poverty. Although accessibility (to youth) of these community development projects was for all the community youth who were unemployed, it emerged that the access was not as indicated due to factors like, lack of funding, partisan distribution of resources. The study also realized that due to lack of involvement and proper implementation, the youth community development projects were not sustainable, which was evidenced by the high rate of youth unemployment and poverty levels. Furthermore, the study revealed that effectiveness of youth community development projects in v alleviating youth unemployment in the province has also been marred with pitfalls. Thus, there has been an increase of youth unemployment and poverty. Last but not least, the findings of the study revealed that there were a couple of challenges, which are rooted in partnerships, lack of youth inclusion and involvement, as well lack of involvement of other stakeholders with expertise on implementation of youth community development projects to eradicate poverty and alleviate youth unemployment. Regardless of the brilliant ideas and strategic interventions, the government lacks the practicality of the implementation of these intervention strategies. The study found that interventions were there. However, intervention entails a process which has different facets and obligates the government to function systematically to avoid default in the process of service delivery. It is recommended amongst others that the government and various stakeholders should take cognizance and develop mechanisms and strategies for poverty alleviation, growth, development and employment creation for the youth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Analyses of Retail and Transport Geography of Liquefied Petroleum Products in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria
- Authors: Ajayi, Adeyinka Peter
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Petroleum products
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19065 , vital:40090
- Description: This study analyzed the effects that spatial arrangement of petroleum products retail outlets and the supply chain management techniques employed for products distribution (for both intra city and intercity shipments) have on the retailing dynamism of petroleum products within built environment and peripherals of Ibadan metropolis over the years. Specifically, the study investigated the differentials in the spatial configurations of petroleum products retail outlets between the core and periurban zones of the metropolis. An attempt was made to determine the explanatory variables that influence the spatial distributional decisions of petroleum products retail outlets in the metropolis. The study equally examined how the supply chain management (SCM) techniques by the different categories of the retail outlet owners influence the efficient and cost effective distribution of petroleum products. Lastly an attempt was made to analyze the relationship between the socio-economic attributes of the haulers and the achievement of compliance to the HSE stipulations guiding the conveyance of petroleum products. The theoretical underpinnings for the research were a derivative of the amalgamation of normative and psychological theories from geography, psychology, SCM and retailing science. Specifically, Expectation Disconfirmation Theory (EDT), Distributive Justice, Central Place Theory (CPT) Theories of Urban Impact (TUI) and Theory of Constraint (ToC) were the theories utilized in the study. For the achievement of the first objective which was to investigate the possible differential in the compliance rate between spatial pattern of fuel retail outlets in the core and peripheral zones of Ibadan metropolis, the first hypothesis of the study (which examined if there was no significant difference in the rate of compliance to the planning authority stipulations guiding the location pattern of petroleum product retail outlets between those located in the built up and xxiv peripheral zones of the city), was tested through the use of buffering and proximity analyses in the ArcMap environment of ArcGIS 10.1, while inferential statistical tool of an independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare the rate of compliance to the stipulations guiding the locations of these outlets in both the core and the peripheral zones. The result from the GIS analysis indicated that 33 (15.56%) out of the 220 outlets in the core zone of the metropolis complied with the planning stipulations guiding the location of fuel retail outlets. For the peripheral zone, out of the 220 fuel retail outlets 24 (10.90%) complied with the stipulations. The result from the t- test which was employed to test the hypothesis indicated that no significant difference existed in the rate of compliance t (263) =-2.66, p = 0.08 between fuel retail outlets in the core zone (M=3.9, SD=1.4) and peripheral zone (M=4.5, SD=1.79). The alternate hypothesis which stated that ―no significant difference existed in the compliance rate between fuel retail outlets located in the two zones‖ is accepted. For the achievement of the second objective of the study which was to analyze the factors which determine the location of fuel retail outlets both in the core and peripheral zones of Ibadan metropolis. All the managers/owners of the 432 fuel retail outlets in the metropolis were sampled out of which 256 questionnaires were retrieved for the purpose of this analysis. The breakdown of the socio-economic characteristics of the sampled respondents showed that the gender distribution showed that 194 (75.78%) of the respondents were males, while 64 (24.22 %) were females. The average age of the sampled population was 33.70 years. The mixed method was employed for the achievement of the second objective of this study. Logistic Regression Model (LRM) was employed to test the hypothesis and the result revealed that the inclusion of the independent variables in the model increased the overall level of it accuracy. The overall significance revealed that the Model Chi- xxv Square, derived from the likelihood fitted is also accurate (X2 = 43.47, df=5, p>.05). The model chi-square value of 43.47 (approximately 44% ) was significant. Thus, the indication is that the model has a good fit in predicting the possibility of a fuel retail outlet being located in the core or peripheral zone of the metropolis as determined by the explanatory variables (the independent variables accounted for about 44% of possible factors which determined whether a fuel retail outlets is located either within the core or peripheral zones of the metropolis. The remaining 56% are factors not considered in the study). The result gotten from the in depth interview sessions corroborated the findings from the tested hypothesis. The third objective was to examine the effects which the supply chain technique employed (either vertically integrated model or third-party arrangement) has on the achievement of efficient and effective distribution of the products. In order to achieve this objective, all the 389 registered members of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) association who are members of the PTD in the metropolis were sampled, 265 (around 70%) of the distributed questionnaires were retrieved and used for the analysis. In depth interview sessions were also conducted with three different managers of the three major conglomerates in the downstream sector of the Nigerian petroleum sector. The result of one-way between subjects (ANOVA) which was conducted to compare differences in the management and performances of haulage services outsourced to the 3PLS and those run under VIM showed that there was a significant effect of ownership type on management performance (F (2,262) = 60.26, p<.05). The null hypothesis was therefore rejected while the alternate hypothesis was accepted. The findings from the interview sessions posted similar results. The fourth and final objective was to analyze the effect that the socio-economic attributes of the participants (haulers and managers of retail outlets) involved in the distribution of xxvi petroleum products has on the safe, efficient and cost-effective distribution of product and this was done through the use of descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and incisive analysis of the interview sessions. A total number of 265 (70%) out of the 389 registered members of Petroleum Tanker Driver Association (PTDA) participated in the study. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) was used to test this hypothesis. The result from the statistical analysis show that the use of stimulant, work condition, marital status and educational attainment/literacy level have joint influence on compliance (R2 = 0.31, F (4,260) = 29.72, p<.05). On the basis of the foregoing, the hypothesis is thus accepted. The result from the interview sessions confirmed the existence of strong relationship between the explanatory variables and the hypothetical dependant variable. The study recommended a review of the planning processes guiding the establishment of fuel retail outlets. The study also advocated that retailers should endeavour to have stronger control over the supply chain of their products this could done by investing more in VIM rather than outsourcing such functions to 3PLs. This will help in better business performances. Government agencies in charge of monitoring drug abuse among haulers are advised to be more proactive by the duo of prevention and punishment strategies. This should include advocacy campaign against drug abuse. Different ranges of punishments should also be meted out for individual haulers found culpable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ajayi, Adeyinka Peter
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Petroleum products
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19065 , vital:40090
- Description: This study analyzed the effects that spatial arrangement of petroleum products retail outlets and the supply chain management techniques employed for products distribution (for both intra city and intercity shipments) have on the retailing dynamism of petroleum products within built environment and peripherals of Ibadan metropolis over the years. Specifically, the study investigated the differentials in the spatial configurations of petroleum products retail outlets between the core and periurban zones of the metropolis. An attempt was made to determine the explanatory variables that influence the spatial distributional decisions of petroleum products retail outlets in the metropolis. The study equally examined how the supply chain management (SCM) techniques by the different categories of the retail outlet owners influence the efficient and cost effective distribution of petroleum products. Lastly an attempt was made to analyze the relationship between the socio-economic attributes of the haulers and the achievement of compliance to the HSE stipulations guiding the conveyance of petroleum products. The theoretical underpinnings for the research were a derivative of the amalgamation of normative and psychological theories from geography, psychology, SCM and retailing science. Specifically, Expectation Disconfirmation Theory (EDT), Distributive Justice, Central Place Theory (CPT) Theories of Urban Impact (TUI) and Theory of Constraint (ToC) were the theories utilized in the study. For the achievement of the first objective which was to investigate the possible differential in the compliance rate between spatial pattern of fuel retail outlets in the core and peripheral zones of Ibadan metropolis, the first hypothesis of the study (which examined if there was no significant difference in the rate of compliance to the planning authority stipulations guiding the location pattern of petroleum product retail outlets between those located in the built up and xxiv peripheral zones of the city), was tested through the use of buffering and proximity analyses in the ArcMap environment of ArcGIS 10.1, while inferential statistical tool of an independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare the rate of compliance to the stipulations guiding the locations of these outlets in both the core and the peripheral zones. The result from the GIS analysis indicated that 33 (15.56%) out of the 220 outlets in the core zone of the metropolis complied with the planning stipulations guiding the location of fuel retail outlets. For the peripheral zone, out of the 220 fuel retail outlets 24 (10.90%) complied with the stipulations. The result from the t- test which was employed to test the hypothesis indicated that no significant difference existed in the rate of compliance t (263) =-2.66, p = 0.08 between fuel retail outlets in the core zone (M=3.9, SD=1.4) and peripheral zone (M=4.5, SD=1.79). The alternate hypothesis which stated that ―no significant difference existed in the compliance rate between fuel retail outlets located in the two zones‖ is accepted. For the achievement of the second objective of the study which was to analyze the factors which determine the location of fuel retail outlets both in the core and peripheral zones of Ibadan metropolis. All the managers/owners of the 432 fuel retail outlets in the metropolis were sampled out of which 256 questionnaires were retrieved for the purpose of this analysis. The breakdown of the socio-economic characteristics of the sampled respondents showed that the gender distribution showed that 194 (75.78%) of the respondents were males, while 64 (24.22 %) were females. The average age of the sampled population was 33.70 years. The mixed method was employed for the achievement of the second objective of this study. Logistic Regression Model (LRM) was employed to test the hypothesis and the result revealed that the inclusion of the independent variables in the model increased the overall level of it accuracy. The overall significance revealed that the Model Chi- xxv Square, derived from the likelihood fitted is also accurate (X2 = 43.47, df=5, p>.05). The model chi-square value of 43.47 (approximately 44% ) was significant. Thus, the indication is that the model has a good fit in predicting the possibility of a fuel retail outlet being located in the core or peripheral zone of the metropolis as determined by the explanatory variables (the independent variables accounted for about 44% of possible factors which determined whether a fuel retail outlets is located either within the core or peripheral zones of the metropolis. The remaining 56% are factors not considered in the study). The result gotten from the in depth interview sessions corroborated the findings from the tested hypothesis. The third objective was to examine the effects which the supply chain technique employed (either vertically integrated model or third-party arrangement) has on the achievement of efficient and effective distribution of the products. In order to achieve this objective, all the 389 registered members of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) association who are members of the PTD in the metropolis were sampled, 265 (around 70%) of the distributed questionnaires were retrieved and used for the analysis. In depth interview sessions were also conducted with three different managers of the three major conglomerates in the downstream sector of the Nigerian petroleum sector. The result of one-way between subjects (ANOVA) which was conducted to compare differences in the management and performances of haulage services outsourced to the 3PLS and those run under VIM showed that there was a significant effect of ownership type on management performance (F (2,262) = 60.26, p<.05). The null hypothesis was therefore rejected while the alternate hypothesis was accepted. The findings from the interview sessions posted similar results. The fourth and final objective was to analyze the effect that the socio-economic attributes of the participants (haulers and managers of retail outlets) involved in the distribution of xxvi petroleum products has on the safe, efficient and cost-effective distribution of product and this was done through the use of descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and incisive analysis of the interview sessions. A total number of 265 (70%) out of the 389 registered members of Petroleum Tanker Driver Association (PTDA) participated in the study. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) was used to test this hypothesis. The result from the statistical analysis show that the use of stimulant, work condition, marital status and educational attainment/literacy level have joint influence on compliance (R2 = 0.31, F (4,260) = 29.72, p<.05). On the basis of the foregoing, the hypothesis is thus accepted. The result from the interview sessions confirmed the existence of strong relationship between the explanatory variables and the hypothetical dependant variable. The study recommended a review of the planning processes guiding the establishment of fuel retail outlets. The study also advocated that retailers should endeavour to have stronger control over the supply chain of their products this could done by investing more in VIM rather than outsourcing such functions to 3PLs. This will help in better business performances. Government agencies in charge of monitoring drug abuse among haulers are advised to be more proactive by the duo of prevention and punishment strategies. This should include advocacy campaign against drug abuse. Different ranges of punishments should also be meted out for individual haulers found culpable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Charting freedom: inequality beliefs, preferences for redistribution, and distributive social policy in contemporary South Africa
- Authors: Roberts, Benjamin J
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: South Africa -- Economic conditions South Africa -- Economic policy South Africa -- Social policy , Democracy -- Economic conditions -- South Africa Race discrimination -- South Africa Poverty -- South Africa Equality -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64999 , vital:28644
- Description: While the transition to democracy in South Africa extended civil and political rights and freedoms to all South Africans, there has been disagreement over the preferred nature and scope of social rights within post-apartheid society, reflecting debates over the trajectory of economic policy. Appreciable developmental gains have been made by the state over the last quarter-century, yet the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality persist, coupled with mounting popular discontent with the pace of transformation and political accountability. This has led to fundamental questions about social justice, restitution, and the kind of society we wish to promote. Appeals for a more inclusive, transformative social policy have also emerged, arguing that a wider vision of society is required involving multiple government responsibilities and informed by an ethic of equality and social solidarity. Against this background, in this thesis I study the views of the South African public towards economic inequality, general preferences for government-led redistribution, as well as support for social policies intended to promote racial and economic transformation. The research has been guided by several overarching questions: To what extent do South Africans share common general beliefs about material inequality? Does the public exhibit a preference for government redistribution in principle? And how unified or polarised are South Africans in their support for specific redress policies in the country? Responding to these questions has been achieved by drawing on unique, nationally representative data from the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS), which has enabled me to chart social attitudes over a period of almost fifteen years between late 2003 and early 2017. Use has also been made of social citizenship as a guiding conceptual framework to understanding social policy predispositions and analysing attitudinal change. The results demonstrate that the public is united in its awareness of and deep concern about economic inequality. Since the early 2000s, a significant majority has consistently expressed the view that the income gap in the country is too large, articulated a strong preference for a more equitable social structure, and acknowledged the class and social tensions that economic inequality has produced. There is also a preference for a narrowing of earnings disparities, a more generous minimum wage, and regulatory limits on executive pay. While this suggests a desire for fair and legitimate remuneration, the analysis also reveals that South Africans are willing to tolerate fairly high levels of inequality. Nonetheless, these beliefs are generally interpreted as a desire for a more equitable and fair society. This preference for change is reflected in a fairly strong belief that government should assume responsibility for reducing material disparities. One’s social position, mobility history, awareness of inequality, political leaning and racial attitudes all have a bearing on how weak and strong this predisposition is, but the normative demand for political redistribution remains fairly widely shared irrespective of these individual traits. Greater polarisation is however evident with respect to redistributive social policy, especially measures designed to overcome historical racial injustice (affirmative action, sports quotas, and land reform). These intergroup differences converge considerably when referring to class-based policy measures. One surprising finding is the evidence that South Africa’s youngest generation, the so-called ‘Born Frees’, tend to adopt a similar predisposition to redress policy as older generations, thus confounding expectations of a post-apartheid value change. I conclude by arguing that there seems to be a firmer basis for a social compact about preferences for interventions designed to produce a more just society than is typically assumed. Intractably high levels of economic inequality during the country’s first quarter-century of democracy is resulting in a growing recognition of the need for a stronger policy emphasis on economic inequality in South Africa over coming decades if the vision enshrined in the Freedom Charter and the Constitution is to be realised. South Africans may not be able to fully agree about the specific elements that constitute a socially just response to economic inequality. Yet, the common identification of and concern with redressable injustice, coupled with a broad-based commitment to government redistribution and classbased social policies, could serve as a foundation on which to rekindle the solidaristic spirit of 1994 and forge progress towards a more equitable society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Roberts, Benjamin J
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: South Africa -- Economic conditions South Africa -- Economic policy South Africa -- Social policy , Democracy -- Economic conditions -- South Africa Race discrimination -- South Africa Poverty -- South Africa Equality -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64999 , vital:28644
- Description: While the transition to democracy in South Africa extended civil and political rights and freedoms to all South Africans, there has been disagreement over the preferred nature and scope of social rights within post-apartheid society, reflecting debates over the trajectory of economic policy. Appreciable developmental gains have been made by the state over the last quarter-century, yet the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality persist, coupled with mounting popular discontent with the pace of transformation and political accountability. This has led to fundamental questions about social justice, restitution, and the kind of society we wish to promote. Appeals for a more inclusive, transformative social policy have also emerged, arguing that a wider vision of society is required involving multiple government responsibilities and informed by an ethic of equality and social solidarity. Against this background, in this thesis I study the views of the South African public towards economic inequality, general preferences for government-led redistribution, as well as support for social policies intended to promote racial and economic transformation. The research has been guided by several overarching questions: To what extent do South Africans share common general beliefs about material inequality? Does the public exhibit a preference for government redistribution in principle? And how unified or polarised are South Africans in their support for specific redress policies in the country? Responding to these questions has been achieved by drawing on unique, nationally representative data from the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS), which has enabled me to chart social attitudes over a period of almost fifteen years between late 2003 and early 2017. Use has also been made of social citizenship as a guiding conceptual framework to understanding social policy predispositions and analysing attitudinal change. The results demonstrate that the public is united in its awareness of and deep concern about economic inequality. Since the early 2000s, a significant majority has consistently expressed the view that the income gap in the country is too large, articulated a strong preference for a more equitable social structure, and acknowledged the class and social tensions that economic inequality has produced. There is also a preference for a narrowing of earnings disparities, a more generous minimum wage, and regulatory limits on executive pay. While this suggests a desire for fair and legitimate remuneration, the analysis also reveals that South Africans are willing to tolerate fairly high levels of inequality. Nonetheless, these beliefs are generally interpreted as a desire for a more equitable and fair society. This preference for change is reflected in a fairly strong belief that government should assume responsibility for reducing material disparities. One’s social position, mobility history, awareness of inequality, political leaning and racial attitudes all have a bearing on how weak and strong this predisposition is, but the normative demand for political redistribution remains fairly widely shared irrespective of these individual traits. Greater polarisation is however evident with respect to redistributive social policy, especially measures designed to overcome historical racial injustice (affirmative action, sports quotas, and land reform). These intergroup differences converge considerably when referring to class-based policy measures. One surprising finding is the evidence that South Africa’s youngest generation, the so-called ‘Born Frees’, tend to adopt a similar predisposition to redress policy as older generations, thus confounding expectations of a post-apartheid value change. I conclude by arguing that there seems to be a firmer basis for a social compact about preferences for interventions designed to produce a more just society than is typically assumed. Intractably high levels of economic inequality during the country’s first quarter-century of democracy is resulting in a growing recognition of the need for a stronger policy emphasis on economic inequality in South Africa over coming decades if the vision enshrined in the Freedom Charter and the Constitution is to be realised. South Africans may not be able to fully agree about the specific elements that constitute a socially just response to economic inequality. Yet, the common identification of and concern with redressable injustice, coupled with a broad-based commitment to government redistribution and classbased social policies, could serve as a foundation on which to rekindle the solidaristic spirit of 1994 and forge progress towards a more equitable society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
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