Browsing by Author "Malima, Gabriel"

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    Farmers' Acceptance Behaviour in Using Mobile Phones for Agricultural Marketing in Iringa Region, Tanzania
    (2015-02) Malima, Gabriel; Chachage, Bukaza; Kamuzora, Faustine
    Agriculture plays a unique role in reducing poverty and is an important engine for growth in developing countries, especially Tanzania. This is, in part, due to the large numbers of poor people engaged in it; the sector employs 80% of Tanzanians. For years, poor farmers have faced difficulties marketing their produce. They are often forced to sell their produce at very low prices because they have little, or no choice about whom they sell to or at what price. Farmers have been disconnected from consumers and policy-makers. Mobile phones can be used as great facilitators in agricultural marketing by providing connectivity between farmers and buyers. Unfortunately, prior studies indicated that mobile phones have been used merely for social communication and not for business purposes by many people living in rural areas. The study used Unified Theory of Usage and Acceptance of Technology (UTUAT) to identify determinants for the acceptance and use of mobile phone technology for agricultural marketing in Tanzania. This study was conducted in Iringa; Southern Highlands of Tanzania. It involved 250 farmer households. Performance Expectancy (β=.227), Social Influence (β=.295) and Facilitating Conditions (β=.318), were found to uniquely, significantly and positively influence the prediction of behaviour intention to accept and use a mobile phone for agricultural marketing. Influence of effort expectancy was significant when moderated by experience, meaning farmers with relative higher experience in using mobile phones are more sensitive to the effort needed to use technology than those with little experience.
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    An Investigation of the Dynamics of Unethical Accounting Practices in the Government Organizations in Tanzania
    (2016-01) Mtandi, Erick; Chachage, Bukaza; Malima, Gabriel
    Tanzania has been experiencing difficulties in managing public financial resources from both internal and donor sources. Repeatedly, auditing reports have indicated the existence of a wide prevalence of unethical practices in the government organizations. The major objective of this study was to investigate the dynamics of the unethical accounting practices in the government organizations in Tanzania. Specifically, the study examined the influence of the perception of the accountants towards their required role to the public on ethical practices, the influence of the perception of accountants towards their professional code of conduct on ethical practices, the influence of political pressure on accountants' ethical practices and the influence of accountants' ethical orientation on accountants' ethical practices. Methodologically, the study was quantitatively influenced and data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The study involved a sample of 151 accountants from 19 government ministries in Tanzania. The data were analyzed quantitatively using SPSS as a tool. The internal reliability of the study showed an acceptable Cronbach's alpha (α) of >0.7. Empirical findings indicate that the awareness of the accountants towards their role to the public (p.0.923) and perception towards their professional code of conduct (p.0.392) did not have any significant effect towards the way they behave and practice. However, pressure from politicians (p.0.004) and ethical orientation of individual accountants (p.0.020) influenced the accountant's ethical practices. The study recommended the creation of the environment in the government offices that minimizes the political pressure from the politicians who are are decision makers in the government entities, in most cases.