Research Papers ( A & F))

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Assessing the impact of corporate social responsibility spending on performance of water supply and sanitation authorities in Tanzania
(Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 2023) Mwandu, Rosemary; Kihanga, Ernest; Komba, Gabriel
This paper assesses the impact of corporate social responsibility spending on the performance of water supply and sanitation authorities in Tanzania, using revenue collection efficiency and non-revenue water as proxies of performance. The study employed a retrospective longitudinal research design with a quantitative research approach, using secondary data from 114 water supply and sanitation authorities over five years from 2015 to 2019. We applied both the random and fixed effect estimation techniques to assess the impact of corporate social responsibility spending on performance. The findings reveal that corporate social responsibility spending significantly influences the performance of water supply and sanitation authorities. In particular, corporate social responsibility spending increases revenue collection efficiency and decreases non-revenue water. Also, we found that control variables organization size, organization age, number of employees and customers’ complaints significantly influence performance. The paper provides an in-depth and contextual understanding of how spending on corporate social responsibility activities for not-for-profit organizations in the public sector such as water supply and sanitation authorities enhances revenue collection efficiency and reduces non-revenue water. The practical implications of this study lies on the importance of corporate social responsibility investment by organizations in the water sector and advocate for policies that encourage corporate social responsibility activities to enhance their performance.
Capability, social capital and opportunity-driven graduate entrepreneurship in Tanzania
(Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 2018) Wakkee, Ingrid ; Hoestenberghe, Karel ; Mwasalwiba, Ernest
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into the reasons why most Tanzanian graduates do not consider entrepreneurship as an attractive career option despite dire labor market conditions, while a small number of them are able to benefit from local opportunities. Design/methodology/approach Utilizing insights from capability and social capital perspectives, a qualitative investigation based on interviews, group discussions and document analysis was undertaken to explore how this phenomenon can be explained and remedied. Findings This study shows that many graduates value entrepreneurship as a potential career but many find their way to be act upon these aspirations blocked. Indeed, actual entrepreneurial capability is only available to a minority of graduates with access to powerful connections who are able to benefit from technological and financial conversion factors. Most graduates cannot benefit from these conversion factors due to the lack of the necessary social capital to break through to the legal, tax, financial and cultural systems. Hence, the authors argue that social capital itself is actually a critical conversion factor toward developing entrepreneurial capability. Research limitations/implications The insight formulated in this study are based on a qualitative analysis of the Tanzanian context and formulated specifically for this particular context. At the same time, the country shares many characteristics with other countries in Africa, many of which are struggling to move toward a more entrepreneurial society. Hence, the recommendations may partially be transferable beyond the specific Tanzanian situation. Theoretically, the notion that social capital should be considered as a key conversion factor enabling aspiring entrepreneurs in translating valued functionings into actualized functionings and thus toward enhancing entrepreneurial capability opens up novel avenues for empirical research into how entrepreneurship can be stimulated. Social implications This study searches for conversion factors from the actual “functioning” toward the real “capability” allowing to succeed as a new graduate and find that social capital itself might act as the critical conversion factor. That brings the authors to the recommendations for policy makers, educators and media, argued in such a way that the entrepreneurial capability of young graduates and their ability to tap into relevant social capital can be enhanced. Originality/value The combination and integration of the Sen’s capability approach with social capital perspectives offers a novel way to explain difference in responses to the Tanzanian institutions and their ability to act upon a valued functioning such as opportunity-driven entrepreneurship.
Customers' experiences with e-banking: A case of academic staff at Mzumbe University, Tanzania
(East African Journal of Management and Business Studies, 2024) Komba, Gabriel Vitus; Komba, Mercy Mlay
This study investigated the customers' experiences with e-banking. The study was conducted at Mzumbe University because the faculty members, especially those from the Faculty of Science and Technology, have the ICT know-how required to offer insightful analyses of e-banking systems. The study employed a qualitative research approach, using the case study design. Through purposive sampling, the researchers selected 12 knowledgeable participants in technology-related fields. ICT expertise was required to ensure participants could provide insightful comments during the effective discussion on e-banking systems. Their technological expertise improved the overall quality, credibility, and relevance of the research findings. The study used an interview guide as the source of data, in-person and telephone-based. The study used the thematic approach in analyzing data. The study revealed that most of the respondents used e-banking platforms, which helped people manage their accounts more efficiently and reliably while also saving money. The convenience of executing transactions and obtaining account information prevailed, which increased the perceived value and general convenience of e-banking platforms. On the other hand, a few individuals reported hesitance due to prevailing security issues. The study recommends that banks should create user-friendly interfaces and improve the efficiency and convenience of online banking platforms. Furthermore, there is a need for strong security protocols that address the prevailing security issues.
Do investors herd in frontier marker? Evidence from the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange
(Mzumbe University, 2020) Komba, Gabriel Vitus
The purpose of this study is to investigate the presence of herding effects at the Dar-es-Salaam Stock Exchange. It employs a dataset of daily closing prices and market capitalizations of companies composing the industrial and allied sectors, and those covering banks, finance, and investment sectors. The study used cross-sectional dispersion of stock return tests to examine the presence of herding for the two sectors. The findings provide evidence of herding in the banks, finance, and investment sectors throughout the full-sample period, with the herding being driven mainly by large-capitalization stocks. Furthermore, the results indicate clear presence of herding asymmetries conditional on the performance of the market and on the market’s volatility. On the case of the industrial and allied sector, herding is found to be stronger on days with low volatility only. The economic implication of this evidence is that the observed correlated trading patterns for the banks, finance, and investment sector may undermine financial stability.
Factors influencing implementation of accrual based international public sector accounting standards in Tanzanian local government authorities
(Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, 2019) Komba, Gabriel Vitus; Matekele, Charles K.
This research examined the factors influencing the implementation of accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in the Tanzanian Local Government Authorities (LGAs). The study adopted a survey design. Based on extant literature, a structured questionnaire was developed. Then a drop-and-pick method was employed to administer the survey instrument to accountants and auditors from the LGAs in Tanzania. We successfully obtained 150 useful responses and applied factor analysis to determine the factors followed by multiple regression analysis. According to the factor analysis performed, 15 factors were identified as the factors influencing the implementation of accrual-based IPSAS. Such factors include staff experience, understanding, and skills, in-house training necessity, involvement of professional accountants with high ethical conduct and hope for future business opportunities including attraction of development partners. The study also examined how the identified factors affect the implementation of accrual-based IPSAS in the LGAs. Our findings show that staff experience, in-house training necessity, understanding and skills, involvement of professional accountants and publication of financial statements with standardized format; significantly influence implementation of accrual-based IPSAS in the LGAs. Other factors like sanctions by regulatory authorities, pressure from development partners and adequate implementation policies were also reported to have significant impact. Since this research involved 7 LGAs out of 185 found in Tanzania Mainland, we recommend further studies to take into account the rest of the LGAs in Tanzania and abroad.
Herding in frontier markets: Evidence from African stock exchanges
(Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions & Money, 2017) Komba, Gabriel Vitus; Guney, Yilmaz; Kallinterakis, Vasileios
We investigate herding in eight African frontier stock markets between January 2002 and July 2015, given the limited evidence on herding in frontier markets. Herding appears significant throughout the 2002-2015 period for all markets, with smaller stocks found to enhance its magnitude. Herding entails no clear asymmetries conditional on market performance; conversely, it appears notably asymmetric when conditioned on market volatility, as it is significant (or stronger) mainly during low volatility days, without this pattern, however, surviving when accounting for the 2007-2009 crisis. The US and South African markets motivate herding on a small number of occasions only, while the return dynamics of a regional economic initiative’s member markets are found to induce herding in each other very rarely, thus demonstrating that investors’ behaviour in markets with low integration in the international financial system is not significantly affected by non-domestic factors.
Herding in frontier markets: Evidence from African stock exchanges
(JEL classification, 2016) Komba, Gabriel Vitus; Komba, Gabriel Vitus; Yilmaz Guneya,; Vasileios Kallinterakisb
We investigate herding in eight African frontier stock markets between January 2002 and July 2015, given the limited evidence on herding in frontier markets. Herding appears significant throughout the 2002-2015 period for all markets, with smaller stocks found to enhance its magnitude. Herding entails no clear asymmetries conditional on market performance; conversely, it appears notably asymmetric when conditioned on market volatility, as it is significant (or stronger) mainly during low volatility days, without this pattern, however, surviving when accounting for the 2007-2009 crisis. The US and South African markets motivate herding on a small number of occasions only, while the return dynamics of a regional economic initiative’s member-markets are found to induce herding in each other very rarely, thus demonstrating that investors’ behaviour in markets with low integration in the international financial system is not significantly affected by non-domestic factors.
Testing for the weak-form market efficiency of the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange
(Elsevier, 2016) Komba, Gabriel Vitus; Guney, Yilmaz
This paper investigates into the weak-form efficiency of the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), a frontier market, in Tanzania. The study covers the period from January 2007 to December 2014. To establish the consistency and robustness of the obtained conclusions, we employ different tests (i.e., Augmented Dickey-Fuller test, Variance-ratio test, and Ranks and Sign test) to examine the hypothesis that the returns based on the price and return indices follow a random walk process. The results provide convincing evidence that returns series based on price indices indeed follow a random walk. However, when the same tests are performed for the returns based on the return indices, the findings reveal that these series are not weak-form efficient, suggesting that investors might be able to predict future returns based on the current and past data.
The effects of board structure on corporate performance: Evidence from East African Frontier Markets
(Research in International Business and Finance, 2020) Guney, Yilmaz; Karpuz, Ahmet; Komba, Gabriel
The effectiveness of the well-known corporate governance practices may not be universal due to fundamental differences in the environments under which firms operate. By using hand-collected data from all the non-financial firms listed on the unexplored East African frontier markets (i.e., Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda), we examine the effect of board characteristics on the performance of firms. Our results show that board size has a negative and significant effect on firm performance. The presences of foreigners and civil servants on the board play positive roles on financial performance, where the agency and resource dependence theories apply. Further, we find that board members with higher education also contribute to firm performance. These findings still hold when we consider the 2008–2009 financial crisis period. Overall, we show that in a business climate where ownership is largely dominated by few shareholders, the conventional governance mechanisms do not work effectively.
The influence of demographic attributes in the implementation of accrual-based international public sector accounting standards
(The Asian Institute of Research, 2020) Komba, Gabriel Vitus; Matekele, Charles K.
This research examined the influence of demographic attributes in the implementation of accrual-based IPSAS in the Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in Tanzania. The survey technique was employed to collect data from 150 accountants and auditors from seven LGAs. To explore the relationship between demographic attributes and implementation of accrual-based IPSAS, multiple regression analysis was used. Gender, professional qualification and education level were found to have a positive significant influence while age and number of years of service in the LGAs hurt the implementation of accrual-based IPSAS. It is suggested that decision-makers and policymakers as well as accounting standards setters, should place much emphasis on individual accountants and auditors’ capacity building and training. To improve accounting education, accrual-based IPSAS should be part of the curriculum in universities and colleges. Employers must encourage accounting and auditing staff to attend professional seminars while improving their accounting knowledge. Also, individual accountants and auditors should place much effort into attaining professional certifications like CPA or ACCA. Our study is limited by considering only 7 LGAs out of 185 in the United Republic of Tanzania. Other research should be extended to the remaining LGAs
The trend of corporate social responsibility spending by public sector organisations: Evidence from Water Supply and Sanitation Authority in Tanzania
(2024) Komba, Gabriel Vitus; Mwandu, R. P; Kihanga, E.P.
Background: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has gained prominence as organisations increasingly recognise their role in contributing to social and environmental well-being. This study focuses on the CSR spending trends of Public Water Supply and Sanitation Authorities (WSSAs) in Tanzania, shedding light on their commitment to sustainable development through social and environmental initiatives. Objective: The study's aim was to assess the trends of CSR spending by WSSAs in Tanzania over five years (2015-2019). Specifically, the study aims to identify areas of CSR investment and assess the distribution of financial resources among various CSR activities undertaken by WSSAs. Method: Secondary data from 114 WSSAs were analysed using descriptive methods, specifically the line graphs to show CSR spending trends, and paired t-tests gauged significant changes over the five years. Results: The study finding reveals a gradual increase in CSR spending by WSSAs in Tanzania from 2015 to 2019. This upward trend indicates a sustained dedication to fulfilling social and environmental responsibilities, contributing to the broader goal of sustainable development. The study also indicates a preference for directing CSR resources towards social-oriented activities. Notably, the highest spending was observed in local educational programmes and health services, while the lowest spending was observed on sports and cultural festivals. Conclusion: The study emphasises fostering policies to encourage ongoing CSR spending by WSSAs, especially in impactful education and health areas. Collaborative frameworks with local communities can address social and environmental challenges, aligning initiatives with community needs for holistic regional development.

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