• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.83-92
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• 2012

짐바브웨는 식량부족을 격어 오고 있으며, 이는 기후변화에 따른 수자원의 부족, 인구증가, 개발 및 환경보전 등으로 인하여 앞으로는 더욱 심화될 것으로 보인다. 3가지 배출시나리오 (A2, A1B, B1)에 대한 13개의 GCM 기후자료로부터 상세화한 기후예측값과 AquaCrop 작물모형을 이용하여 기후변화가 짐바브웨의 주곡인 옥수수의 수확량에 미치는 영향과 모형예측값의 불확실성을 분석하였다. 작물생육환경이 잘 유지된다고 가정하고 옥수수 잠재생산량을 모의한 결과 기준년도 (1970s)에 비해 2020s, 2050s and 2090s 년대에 평균 (범위) 8 % (6-9 %), 14 % (10-15 %) 및 16 % (11-17 %) 증가할 것으로 예측되었다. 같은 기간에 대한 물의 생산성은 평균 (범위) 7 % (4-13 %), 13 % (6-30 %) 및 15% (6-23 %) 증가할 것으로 예측되었다. 기온의 꾸준한 상승과 대기중 이산화탄소 농도 증가로 인한 시비효과로 인하여 미래에는 옥수수 단위 생산량과 물의 생산성이 증가할 것으로 예측되었으며 증가 범위를 보면 모형간의 변동성이 상당히 큰 것을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구결과는 기후변화가 짐바브웨의 옥수수 생산량에 미치는 영향과 변동성을 제시하므로서 장기적인 식량계획의 기초자료로 이용될 수 있을 것이다.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.11 no.7
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• pp.7-17
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that enhance the effectiveness of bulk text message advertising on consumer attention in the telecommunications industry in Zimbabwe. Research design, data and methodology: The study collected data using structured questionnaires. The study attracted 293 responses from consumer subscribers of the Zimbabwean telecommunications industry. Data was analysed using SPSS and measures of association, direction, strength and significance were used. Results: The study found out that the examined variables of bulk text messaging (Simplicity, Frequency and Informativeness) had a positive significant impact on consumers' attention (β= 0.645; p-value < 0.05). The study examined four bulk text advertising determinants, namely frequency, simplicity, informativeness and credibility. Only credibility was found to be statistically insignificant (p-value > 0.05), whilst frequency had an inverse effect on consumer attention. Simplicity of bulk text advertisements recorded a high positive and significant impact whilst informativeness was also positively, and significantly affecting consumer attention. Conclusions: The study concluded that for bulk text advertising to be effective, text messages should be informative, easy to understand and dispatched less frequently. It was further concluded that bulk text advertising should follow permission marketing where consumers consent before hand to be recipients of commercials.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2011

기후변화는 피할 수 없으며 다음 세기에도 계속될 것이다. 이는 생태계와 토지와 물과 같은 자연자원의 이용에도 영향을 미칠 것이다. 연구 결과에 의하면 아프리카는 낮은 경제수준과 지역적 다양성으로 인하여 기후변화에 가장 취약한 지역 중의 하나이다. 짐바브웨는 한계농지가 황폐화가 되는 등 농업분야가 특히 기후변화에 취약하다. 본 논문에서는 짐바브웨의 주요 옥수수 재배지역에 대하여 기후변화가 옥수수의 필요수량에 미치는 영향을 공간적 및 시간적으로 분석하였다. 미래 기후예측은 HadCM3 전지구 모형 결과에 change factor를 곱하여 추정하였다. 배출가스 시나리오는 A2b 및 B2a를 선정하였고, 시간대는 2020s, 2050s 및 2080s 각각 30년간에 대하여 분석하였다. 기준작물 증발산량은 Penman-Monteith 공식으로, 순관개량은 CROPWAT 모형을 이용하여 구하였다. 순관개량의 공간적인 분석은 GIS를 이용하였다. 분석 결과 대상지역은 강우량이 감소하고 관개의 필요성이 크게 증가할 것으로 나타났다. 2080s의 필요수량은 기준년도 (1961-1990)에 비하여 93 내지 115 % 증가할 것으로 예측되었다. 이 증가는 기온의 증가와 강우량의 감소에 기인한다. 대상 지역에 대한 기후변화 대응 전략 수립과 영향 저감대책에 대한 추가적인 연구가 필요하다고 하겠다.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.15-26
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• 2022

Purpose: There has been a consistent failure of businesses that are run by a single person. Most of these collapse at infancy prematurely and those that survive continue to operate at minimal capacity. The study thus sought to enhance growth of sole proprietors from being small entities to large corporates. Financial determinants of business growth were earmarked for research as they were amongst the grey areas of business growth research. Research design, data and methodology: The target population of the study was made up of groceries retail sole proprietors operating in Epworth, Zimbabwe. Questionnaires were used in a once-off cross-sectional survey using stratified random sampling. Through a deductive research approach, four financial determinants of business growth were established namely financial availability, financial management, financial evaluation and financial investment (AMEI). These constructs formulated the basis for the development of the model which linked financial factors to business growth. Results: The study found out that all four financial determinants were statistically significant (P < 0.05) in predicting business growth. Conclusions: The study concludes that the model tested was useful in explaining sole proprietor's business growth. Sole proprietors should have access to funding, manage received funds in an appropriate manner, invest into the business and evaluate their business processes.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.7-21
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• 2021

Purpose: Modern globalization and Western markets saturation has catalyzed the growth of culinary globalization into developing countries. The question was whether fast food consumers in frontier markets of Sub-Saharan Africa (Zimbabwe), either upholds national gastronomic tendencies in terms of consumer ethnocentrism and buy local or they adopt global fast food brands. Demographic consumer profiles were also analyzed as antecedents of consumer ethnocentrism. Research design, data and methodology: A sample size of 400 fast food-adult consumers was surveyed in the City of Harare. Data was captured on SPSS and Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS). Hypothesis testing was done using sample t test (H₁), logistic regression (H₂) and multiple regression (H₃, ₄, ₅) analysis. Results: Consumer ethnocentrism in Zimbabwe was marginally above average and no statistically significant relationship between the levels of consumer ethnocentrism and adoption of foreign fast food brands was noted. Age had an inverse relationship; income had a positive association whilst gender had no statistical significance with consumer ethnocentrism. Conclusions: Despite the Zimbabwean consumers being marginally ethnocentric, international restaurateurs should invest in the Zimbabwean fast food market since their nature of being foreign has got an exotic appeal to the Zimbabwean consumers thereby enhancing their likelihood of success.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.263-268
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• 2022

Health care workers (HCWs) are more than ten times more likely to be infected with coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) than the general population, thus demonstrating the burden of COVID-19 among HCWs. Factors that expose HCWs to a differentially high-risk of COVID-19 acquisition are important to elucidate, enable appropriate public health interventions to mitigate against high risk and reduce adverse outcomes from the infection. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize and critically analyze the existing evidence on SARS-CoV-2 risk factors among HCWs. With no geographical limitation, we included studies, in any country, that reported (i) the PCR laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 as an independent variable (ii) one or more COVID-19 risk factors among HCWs with risk estimates (relative risk, odds ratio, or hazard ratio) (iii) original, quantitative study design, and published in English or Mandarian. Our initial search resulted in 470 articles overall, however, only 10 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Out of the 10 studies included in the review, inadequate/lack of protective personal equipment, performing tracheal intubation, and gender were the most common risk factors of COVID-19. Based on the random effects adjusted pooled relative risk, HCWs who reported the use of protective personal equipment were 29% (95% CI: 16% to 41%) less likely to test positive for COVID-19. The study also revealed that HCWs who performed tracheal intubations were 34% (95% CI: 14% to 57%) more likely to test positive for COVID-19. Interestingly, this study showed that female HCWs are at 11% higher risk (RR 1.11 95% CI 1.01-1.21) of COVID-19 than their male counterparts. This article presents initial findings from a living systematic review and meta-analysis, therefore, did not yield many studies; however, it revealed a significant insight into better understanding COVID-19 risk factors among HCWs; insights important for devising preventive strategies that protect them from this infection.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.823-829
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• 2003

Four different types of silage from new cultivars of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), cv. NG 1 and NG 2, were fed to eight wethers in order to evaluate their preference and intake by sheep. The silages were prepared from direct-cut NG 1 herbage; pre-wilted NG 1 herbage; NG 1 herbage with maize meal (5% inclusion) and NG 2 herbage with maize meal (5% inclusion). All silages were palatable to sheep. Maize-treated silage had high quality fermentation, characterized by high Fleig scores and low pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammoniacal nitrogen contents. The pH, Fleig score, in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOMD) and ammoniacal-N contents for maize-treated cv. NG 1 silage were 3.7, 78, $540g\;kg^{-1}$ dry matter (DM ) and $0.18g\;kg^{-1}$ DM whereas, in maize-treated cv. NG 2 they were 3.6, 59, $^458g\;kg{-1}$ DM and $0.18g\;kg^-1$ DM, respectively. The superior quality of maize-treated silages made them more preferable to sheep. Among the maize-fortified silages, palatability and intake were significantly (p<0.001) greater with cv. NG 1. Although direct-cut silage had better fermentation quality compared to wilted silage, wilted silage was significantly (p<0.001) more preferable to sheep. However, there were no significant differences (p<0.05) in the levels of preference and intake of wilted silage compared to maize-treated cv. NG 2 silage, even though the latter tended to be more palatable. There were indications that high pH (4.6 vs 3.5) and IVDOMD content (476 vs $457g\;kg^{-1}%$ DM) of wilted silage contributed to higher intake, compared to direct-cut silage. It was generally concluded that pre-wilting and treatment of Napier grass with maize meal at ensiling enhances intake and palatability.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.262-265
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• 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) poses an important occupational health risk to health workers (HWs) that has attracted global scrutiny. To date, several thousand HWs globally have been reported as infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus that causes the disease. It is therefore a public health priority for policymakers to understand risk factors for this vulnerable group to avert occupational transmission. A rapid review was carried out on 20 April 2020 on Covid-19 risk factors among HWs in PubMed, Google Scholar, and EBSCOHost Web (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE with Full Text, CINAHL with Full Text, APA PsycInfo, Health Source-Consumer Edition, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition) and WHO Global Database. We also searched for preprints on the medRxiv database. We searched for reports, reviews, and primary observational studies (case control, case cross-over, cross-sectional, and cohort). The review included studies conducted among HWs with Covid-19 that reported risk factors irrespective of their sample size. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Lack of personal protective equipment, exposure to infected patients, work overload, poor infection control, and preexisting medical conditions were identified as risk factors for Covid-19 among HWs. In the context of Covid-19, HWs face an unprecedented occupational risk of morbidity and mortality. There is need for rapid development of sustainable measures that protect HWs from the pandemic.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.308-313
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• 2018

Background: A behavior-based safety initiative card-issuing system was introduced at a cement-manufacturing company in Zimbabwe in 2008 to try and curb accident occurrence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Behaviour Based Safety Initiative card system as a tool used for reducing accident frequencies. Methods: A mixed-method approach that involving administering piloted questionnaires to 40 out of 244 randomly selected employees, making observations, and reviewing secondary data were done to collect data from different sources in the organization in 2013. A paired t-test was conducted to test whether there was significant difference in accident occurrence before and after the implementation of the BBSI. Scatterplots were also used to establish the correlation between the issuance of cards and the accident and injury occurrence. Results: The findings suggest that the introduction of the card system brought a significant decrease in accident and injury occurrence. A negative correlation between card issuance and accident occurrence was observed, i.e., the greater the number of cards issued, the fewer the number of accidents. It was also noted that the card system positively influenced the mindset of workers towards safe work practices. Conclusion: The card system had an influence on the reduction of accidents and injuries. The organization should leverage on issuing more cards to further reduce the number of accidents and injuries to zero.

• Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.82-103
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• 2023

The Zimbabwean healthcare sector faces huge challenges due to increased demands for improved services for a growing number of patients with fewer resources. The use of information and communications technologies, prevalent in many industries, but lacking in Zimbabwean healthcare, could increase productivity and innovation. The adoption of health management information systems (HMISs) can lead to improved patient safety and high-level patient care. These technologies can change delivery methods to be more patient focused by utilising integrated models and allowing for a continuum of care across healthcare providers. However, implementation of these technologies in the health care sector remains low. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the advantages to be attained by using HMISs in healthcare delivery and to ascertain the factors that influence the uptake of such systems in the public healthcare sector. A conceptual model, extending the technology, organization, and environment framework by means of other adoption models, underpins the study of adoption behavior. A mixed method methodology was used to conduct the study. For the quantitative approach, questionnaires were used to allow for regression analysis. For the qualitative approach, thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data. The results showed that the critical success factors (namely, relative advantage, availability, complexity, compatibility, trialability, observability, management support, information and communication technology expertise, communication processes, government regulation, infrastructure support, organizational readiness, industry and competitive support, external support, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, and intention to use) influenced adoption of HMISs in public hospitals in Zimbabwe.