Huria: Journal of the Open University of Tanzania

Investigating tourists’ satisfaction with infrastructures located proximal to attractions

Joshua M. Mwankunda — 2024-05-07

There is limited information concerning relationship between tourists' satisfaction and awareness of infrastructure locations, particularly with regard to associated impacts to the Outstanding universal values (OUVs). The study was conducted in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) World Heritage Site (WHS) in Tanzania employing a quantitative research approach. Theoretically, the study employed Expectancy-Disconfirmation model and Dissonance Theory on customer satisfactions. The study was guided by two null hypotheses: H01: Demographic characteristics (age, education, nationality and sex) do not influence tourist’s satisfactions with infrastructures located proximal to attractions; and H02: Tourists’ awareness of potential consequences of infrastructures located proximal to attractions do not influence their satisfactions. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the 210 responses to investigate the relationships between tourists’ demographic characteristics and awareness of potential consequences and satisfactions. Both hypotheses (H01 and H02) were rejected, indicating that tourists are satisfied with infrastructures located proximal to attractions despite being aware of the potential consequences. In addition, tourists who were aware were twice as likely as those who were not to be satisfied. However, highly educated tourists (Masters and PhD) were less likely to be satisfied of infrastructures located proximal to attractions compared to tourists with lower education levels. This study recommends that infrastructure developers and NCA WHS conservators collaborate to develop monitoring and evaluation strategies to constantly balance conservation and tourism objectives because tourists are more satisfied with infrastructure proximal to attractions. Future research should focus on new construction materials, designs and technology to safeguards WHS OUVs.

Challenges of Tourism Business Partnerships in Wildlife Management Areas around Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania

Ruth W. John — 2024-05-07

This article analyses how tourism development in Tanzanians' Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) is structured based on the political-ecological factors governing African countries. The article seeks to ascertain the variables that have triggered conflicts among stakeholders in tourism business partnerships. A total of 133 household heads and 74 key informants were examined, utilising a semi-structured questionnaire and an interview guide, respectively, to gather data. The findings indicate that tourism business partnerships provide challenges to local community. Their participation in business is undermined in the WMAs due to the deprivation of the benefits from wildlife resources. It is therefore important to integrate specific community-based business strategies in the policies, which can facilitate the development of tourism and provide mutual help in Wildlife Management Areas in Tanzania.

Does Election Observation Matter? Examining the Implementation of Election Observation Recommendations in Tanzania and Uganda

Rodrick Henry — 2024-05-07

Electoral observation has become an integral part of the democratic and electoral processes in Africa. In the short term, international and local election observers enhance the transparency and credibility of elections and the acceptance of results in the continent. Moreover, in the long term, proposals issued by observers are critical in improving the quality of future elections. This paper is concerned with the long-term goal of election observation. Focusing on Tanzania and Uganda, it examines the extent to which reforms that observers propose are considered in improving subsequent elections. The paper relied on a desk review of documentary sources. The review paid particular attention to the recommendations issued in each election, focusing on how often they have been repeated across elections. The paper notes that the proposed reforms in the two countries are, by design, not adequately implemented. Addressing the lapses identified by election observers is uninteresting among political actors since it threatens the electoral advantage and the status quo. The paper recommends the formation of inclusive coalitions and networks that will strategically push for implementing election observers' recommendations.

Experiences of Academic Staff Towards Promotion and Professional Development in Selected Public Universities in Tanzania: A Situational Analysis

Ombeni Msuya — 2024-05-07

There has been a constant debate regarding fairness during the promotion process and academic growth among the academic staff in higher education around the world. In the context of Tanzania, higher education depends on the academic qualifications, ranks, experience and level of job satisfaction among their academic staff for quality teaching, research and consultancy works. This mixed study focused on the experiences and attitudes of 85 staff on promotion and motivation from a selected public university in Tanzania. Quantitative data were collected from 74 academic staff, 1 professor, 4 senior lecturers, 30 lecturers, 25 assistant lecturers and 14 tutorial assistants. Moreover, 3 staff from the human resources directorate and 8 heads of academic departments were interviewed. The results demonstrated that the majority of the academic staff (82%) were satisfied with the sponsorship process in local and overseas trainings (N = 61) and the duration of three years for new promotions (N = 65 and 88%). On the other hand, the majority of the academic staff were dissatisfied with being involved in decision-making for in-service training opportunities (N = 65, 88%). Similarly, academic staff were dissatisfied with the promotion criteria and promotion process (N = 60, 81%) and (N = 45, 60%) respectively. The qualitative data revealed the dissatisfaction of academic staff on awareness of the current institutional promotion criteria and standards that may open loopholes for rude administrations. It was concluded that promotion in various universities has been associated with some micro politics and hullabaloos. Since academic staff qualifications are global, criteria for promotions should remain homogeneous, fair and equal to all staff.

Does Post-Harvest Losses Matter on Farmers Profitability? Evidence From Smallholder Grape Farmer’s in Dodoma, Tanzania

Mary Kulwijila — 2024-05-07

This study analysed post-harvest losses of grapes and their effects on profitability of smallholder grape farmers in Dodoma. Cross section survey using structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from 240 grape farmers who were selected through a random sampling procedure. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test, gross margin and multiple regression analysis were used to achieve the objectives of this study. Results show that, the average quantity of grape yields by smallholder grape farmers’ in Dodoma was 7.7 tonnes/ha. Out of these, 1.65 tonnes/ha equivalent to 20.9% of the total grape harvested were lost. Based on multiple regression model, results showed that post-harvest losses have significant effect on the profit of smallholder grape farmers in Dodoma (p<0.01) by 13.9%. The observation is implied by a lower profit with loss (1.8 million/ha) compared to profit without loss (2.9 million /ha) received by farmers’ from the gross margin analysis. The study concludes that a substantial proportion of grapes produced did not reach the final consumers due to post-harvest losses which had significant effect on farmers’ profitability. It is recommended that reduction in post-harvest losses in grape farming should be of utmost priority in any efforts of improving farmers’ profit. These efforts may entail provision of adequate training to farmers on post-harvest losses and handling techniques to create awareness among actors and investing in post-harvest technologies to prolong grapes’ shelf life, reduce post-harvest losses and increase profit of smallholder grape farmers.

Application of Mann Kendal Sen's Slope Estimator in Trend Analysis of Historical And Future Precipitation and Temperature in the Kilombero River Basin

Ghanima Chanzi — 2024-05-07

This study examines historical (1981-2020) and future (2020-2070) trends in rainfall and temperature in the Kilombero Basin using the Mann-Kendall method with Sen's slope estimator. Data were obtained from the Tanzania Meteorological Agency and from simulated historical and future climate data sourced from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6). The CMIP6 datasets were downscaled and bias-corrected using the CMhyd tool. The basin exhibited a bimodal rainfall pattern with an average of 1400 mm, peaking around April. The CMIP6 models successfully simulated monthly rainfall, Tmax, and Tmin at most stations. No definitive trends in rainfall were observed, but Tmax and Tmin showed significant increases under both SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. More warming is predicted under SSP5-8.5 by the mid-21st century, raising Tmax and Tmin at all stations. This rise in temperature could potentially increase evapotranspiration demand, negatively impacting freshwater availability. The average annual rainfall showed a slightly increasing trend post-2000, from 1403.96mm/year (1981-1999) to 1433.38mm/year (2000-2020), an increase of 2.05%. Sen's slope analysis, however, revealed varying trends across stations, with most showing a decreasing trend. Notably, only Ulanga Met Station showed a significant increasing trend with a slope value of 14.70 and a p-value below 0.05. The study concluded that both temperature and precipitation in the Kilombero Basin are on the rise

The Influence of the National E-Procurement System on Employees’ Performance in Selected Public Institutions in Tanzania

Mercy Mlay Komba — 2024-06-26

This study evaluates how the Tanzania National E-Procurement System (TANePS) affects worker productivity in a country’s public institutions. The Government Procurement Services Agency (GPSA) and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) were the two organizations where the study specifically investigated the adoption of TANePS and its impact on employee performance. With 200 employees from the chosen institutions participating in the study’s self-administered questionnaire survey, 66 percent of the respondents responded. According to the study, 84% of the respondents frequently used TANePS for e-tendering and e-payment, but only a small percentage utilized it for user registration and e-contract administration. While internal resistance negatively impacted management policies and system adoption, good software design and IT readiness promoted TANePS deployment. The introduction of TANePS was successful due to supportive policies and IT, increased performance, and enhanced procurement efficiency.

Friedrich Froebel’s Philosophy of Education and its Implications for Secondary School Education in Nigeria

Suleimon Lekan Gadaff — 2024-05-07

This study analysed Friedrich Froebel’s philosophy of education and its implications for secondary school education in Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to analyse Friedrich Froebel’s philosophy of education and its implications to secondary school education in Nigeria. Data were collected through the use of philosophical literature and interview schedule. The study sample was made up of executive selected from two associations namely; Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS). The data were analysed using philosophical analysis. The findings of the study revealed that Friedrich Froebel’s philosophy of education emphasises self-realisation, child’s natural abilities, child-centred approach, motivation for learning and discovery; Furthermore, Friedrich Froebel’s philosophy of education is relevant to Nigerian secondary education in policy and in practice; The implications of Friedrich Froebel’s philosophy of education on the Nigerian secondary education places emphasis on moral, social and spiritual developments, self-realisation, motivation for learning, education for unity of man and its relation with God. The study concluded that certain amount of emphasis on Friedrich Froebel’s philosophy of education is essential for secondary education and societal development in Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that Nigerian secondary education should pursue to a greater extent child-centered education that focuses on moral, social, spiritual developments and education for unity of man and its relationship with God.