Research Articles

Job sharing practices and organisational performance in higher education

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Job sharing practices and organisational performance in higher education Buberwa, Erick The study investigates how job-sharing practices influence academic staff’s perceived organisational performance of universities in Tanzania. Guided by Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, the study conceptualises job sharing through three responsibility configurations; shared responsibility, divided responsibility, and unequal ratio splits, and tests their effects on perceived organisational performance. A positivist cross-sectional survey design was employed. The institutional study frame comprised operational universities in Tanzania, while the analytical unit was academic staff; usable data were obtained from 306 academic staff drawn from 11 public and 17 private universities. Data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4. The measurement model demonstrated satisfactory indicator reliability, internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The structural model showed that shared responsibility, divided responsibility, and unequal ratio splits all had positive and signifi cant effects on perceived organisational performance. A substantial proportion of the variance in perceived organisational performance was explained by the model, and blindfolding results showed adequate predictive relevance. The findings indicate that col laboration in accountability, clear division of tasks, and transparent workload allocation are performance-supportive ways of organising shared academic work. The study adds to job sharing theory by modelling job sharing in the form of a multidimensional responsibility structure as opposed to a generic flexible work strategy and demonstrating that unequal ratio divisions are not always performance destructive. The study recom mends that universities establish formalised job-sharing structures that align work distri bution with expertise, transparency, and coordination in shared academic work.

Reimagining rural development policies through a co-perative lens

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Reimagining rural development policies through a co-perative lens Kumburu, Neema P.; Nchimbi, Alfred J. Reimagining rural development in Tanzania through a co-operative lens is vital for fostering inclusive, sustainable economic transformation. Despite numerous policy interventions, rural areas continue to experience persistent underdevelopment, largely due to top-down approaches that neglect local contexts, indigenous institutions, and socio-cultural dynamics. This study bridges the policy practice gap by examining how co-operatives can serve as effective vehicles for community empowerment, equity, and institutional trust. A total of 40 peer-reviewed articles and policy documents were systematically reviewed to identify key trends, successes, and structural challenges. Findings reveal that co-operatives when grounded in local knowledge systems, traditional governance structures, and culturally rooted values promote deeper community participation, enhance rural innovation, and foster shared economic growth. However, challenges such as limited infrastructure, weak policy implementation, and financial exclusion continue to hinder transformation. The study recommends adopting hybrid policy frameworks, investing in co-operative capacity, and embedding participatory governance to align development policies with rural realities. Ultimately, repositioning co-operatives at the centre of rural development strategy offers a viable and culturally grounded pathway to sustainable economic transformation in Tanzania. Proceedings of the 8th CUK Annual Scientific Conference, 2025, on Co-operatives Build a Better World: Re-energizing the Collective Power of Co-operatives in Africa.

Performance appraisal mechanism and employee productivity in public hospitals in Mbeya – Tanzania

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Performance appraisal mechanism and employee productivity in public hospitals in Mbeya – Tanzania Lupenza, Evans .J.; Kilima, Fredy T.; Kumburu, N.P. Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of performance appraisal mechanisms on employee productivity in public hospitals in Mbeya – Tanzania, when mediated by working environment and management style. Design/methodology/approach – Using a sample of 338 employees, a cross-sectional design was adopted; questionnaires and interviews were used to collect primary data. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to determine the relationship between the variables, and Sobel’s test was performed to test the mediation effects. Findings – Astudy found a strong association between performance appraisal mechanisms and employee productivity (p < 0.05). Goal setting significantly enhanced employee productivity (p < 0.05). Performance planning negatively impacted employee productivity, especially when combined with the working environment (p < 0.05). Assessment criteria had a significant positive effect on employee productivity when mediated by working environment and management style (p < 0.001). Originality/value – This is the first study to examine how a performance appraisal system influences the productivity of public hospital employees in Tanzania. The study further explores the potential mediating effects of the work environment and management style on this relationship. By analysing the interplay between these variables and their impact on productivity, organizations can develop targeted strategies to boost employee performance and achieve superior results. Research Article

Believe a friend or the University? Students' satisfaction with service personnel and Word-of-Mouth in Tanzanian Higher Education

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Believe a friend or the University? Students' satisfaction with service personnel and Word-of-Mouth in Tanzanian Higher Education Kazungu, Isaac; Shillingi, V.; Kubenea, H. The increasing competition among higher education institutions underscores the need to understand how service personnel influence student satisfaction and, consequently, word consequently, word of mouth. To fill this knowledge gap, this study seeks to comprehend the link between university service quality and student referrals, with the long-term goal of improving student engagement and satisfaction. It determines how University students’ satisfaction mediates the nexus between service personnel and word of mouth. This research study adopted a cross-sectional research design. Both stratified and simple random sampling methods were employed to reach a total of 201 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, and Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modelling (CB-SEM) was used to analyse the relationships in Amos 26. This study finds that the provision of quality service in universities relies on two characteristic features: service personnel and consumers’ usage experiences, as expressed through the word of Specifically, the findings reveal that University students’ satisfaction serves as a direct mediator of the relationship between university service personnel and word of mouth. This study offers policy implications and insights into service encounters and word of mouth based on university students’ service experiences. Universities should set policies and strategies to help them understand students' expectations and build strong relationships with them. Building strong, beneficial relationships with students and understanding their expectations are crucial for universities to fulfil their commitments and foster satisfaction through effective interactions with service personnel. The contribution of this research study to the body of knowledge lies in its efforts to advance the policies and literature on effective marketing strategies in university education. It makes another innovative contribution to the body of knowledge by linking the expectation disconfirmation theory to the nexus among university service personnel, customer satisfaction, and word-of-mouth in the higher education industry. Research Article