Research Repository :: Browsing by Author "Kundi, Beatus A. T."

Browsing by Author "Kundi, Beatus A. T."

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5.0 Building Innovation Networks in Dried Cassava Value Chain: Qualitative Evidence from Innovation Brokerage
(2015) Mgumia, Athman H.; Mattee, Amon Z.; Kundi, Beatus A. T.
Agricultural development in developing countries is challenged by weak innovation systems and lack of innovation capacities among key actors. Integration of agricultural innovation perspectives and value chain approach for development have made the interaction between a wide range of actors of innovation to become more complex demanding different sets of knowledge, environment and incentives. The traditional homogeneous intermediary layer of agricultural extension appeared to be ineffective to this situation. As a result the majority of smallholder farmers are facing exclusion from participating in supplying the long value chains. In countries characterized by mature innovation systems, a specialized innovation-brokering role emerged as an alternative to deal with innovation challenges in agricultural sectors (market and system failures). This study, using a case study approach, intended to offer empirical evidence of the roles of innovation brokerage implemented on cassava value chain by NGOs in the setting of developed countries and where the innovation brokerage is not recognized by the agricultural knowledge infrastructure (R&D institutions and extension services). Important outcome of this analysis was that innovation brokerage roles were crucial in agricultural innovation as it is beyond the capacity of R&D extension service. Hence, the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperative and other relevant stakeholders should recognize the innovation brokerage roles and establish an institutional framework for its functioning within the agricultural knowledge infrastructure.
The Application of the Agricultural Innovation System Approach in Technology Development in Tanzania: Researchers' Perceptions and Practices
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) Mgumia, Athman H.; Mattee, Amon Z.; Kundi, Beatus A. T.
This paper examines the perceptions of researchers towards features of the innovation system approach. It also examines the extent of incorporation of these features into Tanzania's existing National Agricultural Research System (NARS). Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 100 purposefully selected researchers from 13 public and three private research institutes, and one university. Most (81%) of the researchers perceive end-users (farmers) as an important actor. Other actors such as intermediary organisations (extension), regulatory bodies and entrepreneurs are perceived as important by half (50%) of the researchers. On the other hand, most of the researchers perceive the roles of these actors to be similar to the traditional roles of actors under NARS. The indicators used in measuring the success of agricultural innovation were mainly associated with the pattern of adoption and productivity potential of technologies, suggesting that a linear model of innovation is still dominant in NARS. We conclude that the mode of agricultural innovation under NARS in Tanzania is in transition from a linear to a system model of innovation. The study suggested that policies should be redesigned to include wider participation of stakeholders in agricultural innovation; the mandate and capacity of extension services should be expanded to include facilitation of innovation; and indicators of monitoring and evaluation should be all-inclusive to include technical and social changes.
Characteristics of Agriculture Technology and Application of an Agricultural Innovation System in Tanzania
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) Mgumia, Athman H.; Mattee, Amon Z.; Kundi, Beatus A. T.
The globalisation of the world economy and advancements in science, including the use of biotechnology for agricultural production has subjected agricultural technologies to market forces for their generation and dissemination. It is evident, however, that while some technologies are more amenable to commercialisation, there are other technologies that may still need strong participation of public institutions for their generation and dissemination. This study analysed a total of 87 agricultural technologies in crop, food, and soil thematic areas with respect to the extent of incorporation of innovation systems in the process of technology development, multiplication and commercialisation. Each of the technologies was assessed in terms of its characteristics, actors involved and their roles at each stage of innovation. The study found that the economic features and multiple dimensional characteristics of agricultural technologies determine actors involved in the development and dissemination of the technologies through commercialisation. While 40% of the technologies were commercialised by business enterprises, 60% needed intermediation interventions. Features of agricultural innovation system have been incorporated particularly under ‘projects’ implemented by R&D or NGOs, which is an indication that the coverage and sustainability is subjective. Thus, government interventions in promoting agricultural innovations should focus on both operations and policy issues for effective incorporation of innovation system.
Contribution of Innovation Intermediaries in Agricultural Innovation: The Case of Agricultural R&D in Tanzania
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) Mgumia, Athman H.; Mattee, Amon Z.; Kundi, Beatus A. T.
With the current global economic reforms and advances in science, the move has been towards privatisation of the agricultural knowledge infrastructure. However, inadequate capacity of agricultural entrepreneurs and the diversity in the characteristics of the agricultural technologies have created market and system failures, resulting in imbalances of the supply and demand of technologies and hampering private agricultural business development. Experience from countries with mature innovation systems indicates the emergence of innovation intermediaries that facilitate agricultural entrepreneurs to innovate. Using a case-study approach, the present study identified and mapped the recipients of technologies from agricultural research institutions in Tanzania and analysed the extent to which ‘innovation intermediation roles’ have been applied by recipients in relation to demand articulation, network brokerage and innovation process management. Through an in-depth analysis of twelve cases, the study revealed the role of innovation intermediation performed by NGOs and R&D as project interventions not as their core activities. The study demonstrates the potential contributions of innovation intermediaries in agricultural innovation processes and recommends official recognition and government support in the establishment and implementation of innovation intermediation activities outside the project set-ups.
Exploring GIS in Tanzania
(2003-12) Kundi, Beatus A. T.; Ngereja, Zakaria R.
GIS was introduced in Tanzania in line with global developments in IT applications. All over the world GIS is influencing the performance and functions of many organisations, be they governmental or private due to its unique capability in handling spatial and non-spatial data. The use and application of this technology in Tanzania is inevitable and has already begun. The beauty of GIS is that it provides a mechanism that allows the user to visualise information in new and revealing patterns, relationships and trends not feasible with other information systems. In Tanzania, the use of GIS technology is still in its infancy. Many organisations in Tanzania are now using IT facilities and a considerable amount of money has been spent on the procurement of hardware, software and training in Information Technology. However, very little has been realised in terms of effective use of these investments. GIS technology, which underlies IT facilities, has not come into wide organisational use. The role of GIS in data management and decision-making is yet to be explored by potential end-users. It is therefore thought that technical barriers exist to adoption, implementation and management, due in part to lack of GIS knowledge or awareness and understanding of the technology and its functional capabilities. There are a few GIS projects in the country led by local or overseas organisations. These too are hampered by problems ranging from non-existent expertise, little IT experience and lack of awareness from upper management to low-level users of geo-database concepts. Generally speaking, there is very little understanding and awareness of GIS technology in the country as a whole. No adequate efforts were initiated to make GIS available to the extent this has been done for the Information and Communication Technology sector in Tanzania.
Human Resource Competency Structure For Organizational Innovation Leadership In Engineering-Based Research And Development Institutions In Tanzania
(2015-07) Kerefu, Lawrence J.; Kundi, Beatus A. T.; Mjema, Emanuel A.; Ndalila, Petro
The unique pace of today’s globalization process, with a huge impact on innovation, has attracted much attention in recent years. Literature show that Research and Development plays a vital role in innovation since it functions as the technological ‘gatekeeper’ in organizations. Many studies show a considerable relationship between innovation and R&D activities. Innovation needs competent leadership to make it happen. However, there are limited and disjointed studies on innovation leadership competencies and in the available body of knowledge, the importance appears to be discipline rather than a broad review of the core competencies required for innovativeness. This article proposes a human resource competency structure for organizational innovation leadership derived from research in engineering-based Research and Development institutions in Tanzania. The structure includes human resource competencies identified in a core sample of leaders whose leadership resulted in the successful technology adaptation or development, and the adoption of these by intended recipients in public applications, commercial and non-commercial. The study proposes a competence structure which may become a model through further research. Beneficiaries from this study, include innovation leaders, trainers of innovation leadership and the authorities who appoint innovation leaders.
Knowledge of Diabetes and Hypertension among Members of Teaching Staff of Higher Learning Institutions in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
(2014) Mbuya, Faida E.; Fredrick, Francis; Kundi, Beatus A. T.
Diabetes and hypertension are among the most common non-communicable diseases (NCD) that contribute to a large number of adult morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine knowledge of diabetes and hypertension and the associated risk factors among members of teaching staff of Higher Learning Institutions in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A cross sectional community based study was conducted in 10 higher learning institutions including universities. A structured pretested questionnaire was utilized. A total of 139 teaching members of staff from higher learning institutions participated in the study. The majority (74.8%; n=104) of the participants were males. Mean age of the participants was 40.7 ± 12.6. Over half (56.8%; 79/139) of the respondents correctly identified failure of body to use insulin as one of the causes of diabetes. Of the respondents, 43.2% (60/139) were able to identified heredity as cause of hypertension. Increasing age was correctly identified as one of risk factors for diabetes by 38.1% (53/139) and for hypertension by 36.7% (51/139) respondents. In conclusion, the majority of teaching staff in the higher learning Institutions in Dar es Salaam were aware of the diabetes and hypertension. However the knowledge of the causes, signs and symptoms, risk factors and complications was not as high as expected. It is important that this group of professionals is appropriately informed as regards to diabetes, hypertension and other non-communicable diseases as they may serve as key advocacy group to the community and policy makers in Tanzania.
A Model of Organizational Commitment and a Comparative Study of Parastatal and Private Organizations in Tanzania.
(1993) Kundi, Beatus A. T.; Saleh, Shoukry D.
Organizational commitment is defined as the tendency, based on cognitive, affective, and normative forces on the individual, to behave in ways which place primacy on the promotion and protection of the interests of the organization rather than the immediate and/or direct personal or sub-group interests. This definition goes beyond instrumental and intrinsic motivation through its encouragement of employees to sacrifice their interests for the sake of those of the organization. The model based on this definition is made up of four extraindividual factors: job integration, employee investments, organizational support and role-model leadership. These factors are posited as influencing commitment through the intraindividual processes of responsibility to the organization, reciprocation, and organizational identification. Organizational values for performance and collectivism are shown in the model as important facilitators of the effects of the commitment factors. On the other hand, organizational conflicts and the complexity of organizational goals are posited as attenuators of the positive effects of the commitment factors. The model considered simultaneously task-oriented outcomes (e. g., productivity, product/service quality, innovation, and adaptability) and employee-related outcomes (e. g., work satisfaction). These outcomes are posited as positively feeding back to the antecedents, thus further increasing the influence of the commitment factors.
Modeling the Impact of Mine and Country Variations on the Cost and Country-Benefit of Gold Mining
(Scientific Research, 2011) Baruti, Karim R.; Massawe, Antipas T. S.; Kundi, Beatus A. T.
This paper dwells on regression models of cash-cost and country-benefit developed to enable accounting for the cumulative impact of the determinant parameters in the prediction of cash-costs and country-benefits of gold mining opportunities in the justification of taxation regimes and selection of investment targets worldwide. The data used in the generation of regression models include the total cash-cost and country-benefit per ounce vs the parameters of rock-mass (type of ore body, its dip angle, strike length and thickness), mine-design (rate of gold production, type of mine, depth of mine, gold price and age of mine) and country parameters (the Fraser Institute parameters: taxation regime, infrastructure, environmental regime, political stability, labor regulations and security) were generated from 160 gold mines in the top 20 gold rich countries for a period of 7 years from 2002 to 2008. The regression models show that the determinants account for 71% and 55% of the determinants of cash-cost and country-benefit respectively. Depending on the availability of data, the regression models generated in this study could be enhanced by adding into the parameters used in the regression analysis, the unaccounted for mine and country parameters. Also, Depending on the availability of data, the Regression models generated in this study could be enhanced further by replacing the parameters of Fraser Institute ranking used in the regression analysis with the actual parameters of country effect on cash-cost and country-benefit of the gold produced. Nevertheless, the regression models generated in this study could be used to predict the cash-costs and country-benefits of gold mining opportunities in the justification of taxation regimes and selection of investment targets worldwide.
Viable Approaches for Advancing Rural Livelihoods through Agriculture in Tanzania
(2016) Mushi, Deograsias P.; Kundi, Beatus A. T.
About 37.6% of people in rural Tanzania are poor and 28.2% are food Poverty is 9.7%. Economic growth has not translated into a notable reduction of poverty. The major issue is how to accelerate economic growth in rural areas, where agriculture remains the major source of livelihood. Purposefully, the current study selects to analyse crop chain and livelihoods in one pure cash-crop and one mixed crop; tobacco and paddy, respectively. The study argues that interventions in agriculture have concentrated on the up-stream levels of value chains; but critical gaps are downstream, involving marketing, reinvestment in agriculture and household expenditure patterns of the income earned. The study finds that hardware aspects (inputs, land, farming mechanics) are important but need to include agro-technoware (e.g. labour/time saving technologies), improved agro-human ware (education, modern agro-skills, credit and business skills) and organo-ware (functional cooperatives, networks, etc.). Multiple interventions for the entire crop value-addition chain should be applied.

Browsing by Author "Kundi, Beatus A. T."

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