Research Articles[FSS-Eco]

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E-Government in marketing a country: A strategy for reducing transaction cost of doing business in Tanzania
(International Journal of Marketing Studies, 2011) Kachwamba, Muhajir; Sæbø, Øystein
There are limited studies examining the role of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPA’s) and their respective marketing techniques used in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Using an exploratory case study approach, this article addresses this research gap by exploring the role of e-government as a promotion technique in eliminating barriers to FDI inflows in Tanzania; particularly barriers related to information accessibility and bureaucratic procedures facing foreign investors in acquiring relevant licenses and business permits. The findings indicate that foreign investors utilize information to create knowledge of business environment in the host country, though some additional information may not be found due to informational specificity of a particular investment project. In addition, the findings indicate that implementation of e-government has reduced some monetary and non-monetary transaction costs of complying with government authorities. The article contributes to the existing body of knowledge in the field of marketing by examining the role of e-government services in the public sector marketing within a macro-marketing domain.
Internet-based information and foreign direct investment (FDI) location decision making: An information cost perspective
(Acadenic journals, 2012) Kachwamba, Muhajir; Sæbø, Øystein
Information and communication technology (ICT) is considered to play an important role to reduce information cost for potential foreign investors. While a growing body of literature has suggested such connections, conceptual clarity is yet to be achieved. This study introduces a conceptual framework based on the Information-theoretic approach and transaction cost perspective to explore how ICT may reduce information cost. To illustrate our proposed framework, we apply it to examine the role of Internet-based information, published by the Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) on the information needs for foreign investors intending to invest in Tanzania. The findings indicated that general information on investment opportunities and regulatory entry procedures is mainly accessible through IPA´s web pages. Nevertheless, the findings revealed that more specific information on industry competitiveness is not found, although it is important for strategic investment location choice. Public information is combined with alternative sources of information to meet the information requirement for potential investors. Our findings indicate that Internet-based sources of information can reduce part of the information cost facing foreign investors, if properly organized. Our proposed framework extends the discourse on how ICT may influence information cost for foreign investors and contributes to our knowledge on the impact of ICT in the business sector focusing on the Government to business domain. Based on our findings we propose insights into studying and developing ICT-based services for IPAs in their efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment.
Microcredit, micro enterprising and repayment myth: The case of micro and small women business entrepreneurs in Tanzania
(World Scholars, 2013) Tundui, Charles S.; Tundui, Hawa P.
The aim of this article is to examine the sources and determinants of loan repayment among women microcredit clients in Tanzania. We surveyed a random sample of 286 business owners who were PRIDE microfinance programme clients in Morogoro and Iringa towns. The study focused on loan conditions, household characteristics and business management experience, skills and management practises by the business owners. Loan repayment difficulties were reported among 19.6 per cent of borrowers. Logistic regression results have shown that loan size, interest rate and duration of membership in the programme do not predict loan repayment. Instead the results have demonstrated that business skills and management practises play a very significant role. We also found household size, the number of household members with fixed salaries and decision making regarding loan use to have a significant influence on loan repayment. From the results, it is established that the factors that limit growth of women businesses are also liable for their repayment difficulties. These results may imply that for the borrowers to increase their avenues for loan repayment, it is imperative that the measures used by microfinance programmes to ensure that borrowers repay their loans they also include support services that enable clients to expand their businesses; increase profit levels and generate enough surplus for loan servicing and re-investment in the business. Such services could include training in business skills and management. This further suggests that there is a need for an integrated and holistic policy approach in supporting and promoting micro enterprising among the women rather than piecemeal initiatives
Social capital and willingness to pay for community based health insurance: Empirical evidence from rural Tanzania
(Science and Education Centre of North America, 2014) Tundui, Charles; Macha, Raphael
This study examines the effect of social capital on willingness to pay (WTP) for health services provided through community based health insurance schemes (Community Health Fund) in Tanzania. The study covered 274 household heads. We use prohibit regression analysis to model the relationship between the predictors and our outcome variable. Our results have shown that with the exception of religion, all other social capital variables have a positive and significant impact on the WTP for the Community Health Fund (CHF). Specifically, membership in social organizations and networks, trust among community members and trust of community members on scheme management are positively and significantly related to WTP. On the other hand, the age, education level, household size and number of children and participation in health insurance are not predicting WTP for CHF. Taken together, these results suggest that enhancing access to health care services in the rural areas and the sustainability of CHF would require building appropriate forms of social capital at individual and community levels. Specifically, CHF may increase enrolment through the existing social organizations and associations. Similarly, CHFs may well increase their membership if the avenues for trust building are created and nurtured
Engaging the Tanzanian diaspora in national development: What do we know and what are the gaps?
(African Journal of Economic Review, 2015) Utouh, Harold L.M.; Mutalemwa, Darlene K.
Over the past ten years, there has been a significant change in African governments’ perception of their diasporas. In the previous three decades, diasporas were not seen as a resource that countries of origin could tap into for their development needs. This is no longer the case. Now, diasporas are increasingly seen as positive actors: as countrymen and women abroad who can contribute to development efforts in their homelands. In this context, this paper reviews the literature on the major policies and initiatives used by countries to help support and promote diaspora engagement. To be specific, countries which have successfully engaged their diaspora in the national development process. The paper also highlights key factors of the success of Tanzania’s neighbouring countries and other countries. It attempts to relate these practices to the case of Tanzania, given the current social, economic, political and cultural contexts. The Tanzanian experience reveals a wide range of interventions taken to facilitate participation by its diaspora in national growth efforts. While these interventions are highly laudable- especially considering financial limits - there remain important weaknesses. Suggestions to improve existing measures are provided
Institutional context, household access to resources and sustainability of river basin resources in Tanzania:Towards an analytical framework
(University of Antwerp, 2015) Shitima, Christina M.
River basin resources contribute in diverse ways in the livelihoods of rural people in Tanzania. People living around these areas depend on small scale agriculture, subsistence forestry, artisanal shing, livestock keepings, artisanal mining and small-scale trade as sources of livelihoods. While it was expected that these important livelihood assets would be used in sustainable ways, the destructive practices behaviour related to the use of basins resources are increasing. Increase of population, declining of agricultural productivity without increase of employment in industrial sector are among the factors that lead to competition for the use of river basin resources. This paper aims at providing an analytical framework that elaborates the relationship between people’s access to and control over resources and sustainability of River basin resources in Tanzania. It uses the concept of livelihood framework, together with insti- tutional theories to build the analytical framework that elaborates multiplicity of factors that affect sustainability of river basin resources in Tanzania. The livelihood framework is modi ed to include the concept of Ostrom’s polycentric governance system to study how different institu- tions interact in the governance of river basin resources in Tanzania to affect the sustainability of River basin resources. This is the rst paper to link the concept of polycentric governance sys- tem with the livelihood framework. This paper is part of the literature review that will feed into the PhD research on household development strategies and their linkage to RBR degradation in Tanzania.
Engaging the Tanzanian diaspora in national development: What do we know and what are the gaps?
(African Journal of Economic Review, 2015) Utouh, Harold M ; Mutalemwa, Darlene K.
Over the past ten years there has been a significant change in African governments’ perception of their Diasporas. In the previous three decades, Diasporas were not seen as a resource that countries of origin could tap into for their development needs. This is no longer the case. Now, Diasporas are increasingly seen as positive actors: as countrymen and women abroad, who can contribute to development efforts in their homelands. In this context, this paper reviews literature on the major policies and initiatives used by countries to help support and promote diaspora engagement. To be specific, countries which have successfully engaged their diaspora in the national development process. The paper also highlights key factors of success of Tanzania’s neighbouring countries and other countries. It attempts to relate these practices to the case of Tanzania, given the current social, economic, political and cultural contexts. The Tanzanian experience reveals a wide range of interventions taken to facilitate participation by its diaspora in national growth efforts. While these interventions, are highly laudable- especially considering financial limits - there remains important weaknesses. Suggestions to improve existing measures are provided.
Comparative analysis oftrading Between East Africa Community member states and local markets by Tanzanian small and medium agroenterprises
(International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 2016) Mkuna, Eliaza; Temu, Andrew E.
Intra-Africa trade is one of the most upcoming approaches of economic growth within the continent of Africa through regional economic integrations established. East Africa Community is one of the newly upcoming strong regional integration with the aim of creating a harmonious trade environment among its member countries and propels economic growth among them. This study was done to compare the trading costs and benefit between Tanzanian small and medium agro- enterprises (SMAEs) trading to EAC countries and those trading locally within Tanzania. The study collected a sample of 105 SMAEs trading to EAC countries and 105 SMAEs trading locally. Costs and Benefit Analysis tool and descriptive statistics were used and three regions of Tanzania namely Arusha, Kagera and Mwanza were involved with three types of agricultural crops Beans, Maize and Rice. Results indicate that trading to EAC member countries is more benefit than trading locally. Moreover there are number of obstacles such as unstable agricultural export policy, infrastructural problems such as roads, police stops and other non-tariff-barriers that hinder the smoothness of the trade. However the study recommended that more assistance is required by EAC Secretariat, East African Business Council and ministry of agriculture in Tanzania to support these growing SME so as to tap more benefits and acknowledge their contributions such as enabling proper infrastructures such as roads from the remote to the market areas as well as flow of information and access to finance so as SMAEs can obtain enough capital to expand their business.
Farmer’s perceptions on climate change impacts in different rice production systems in Morogoro Tanzania
(International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 2016) Mugula, Victoria Jovin; Mkuna, Eliaza
This study was done to assess farmers’ perceptions on climate change impacts in different rice production systems in Morogoro Tanzania. In specific the study analyzed farmers socio-economic characteristics in different rice production systems in Morogoro Tanzania and also examined farmers perceptions on climate change impacts in different rice production systems in Morogoro Tanzania. Both secondary and primary data using a structured questionnaires and focus group discussion were collected from Morogoro rural and Mvomero Districts in Morogoro Region, Tanzania. The study employed cross sectional research design by which data were collected at one point in time. However the sample size involved was 150 respondents. The analyses were done using descriptive statistics to analyze farmers socio-economic characteristics and Likert scale was used to assess respondents’ perceptions on the climate change impacts in different rice production systems. The results indicate that socio-economic factors such as age, education level, household size and main activities of the household affect the climate change adaptation and coping strategies perception of rice farmers. Moreover small number of respondents believed that the climate change is threat to future food security, and also majority of farmers perceived that climate change might lead to crop failure, unpredicted seasons, drought and floods. The study suggested that there is a need for upscalling of awarewness, education and capacity building on good agricultural practices which will assist farmers to cope with climatic changes.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) and its impact on employment creation: The case of manufacturing sector in Tanzania
(International Journal of Current Innovation Research, 2016) Utouh, Harold M.L.; Rao, M Koteswara
The purpose of this paper is to provide an analytical insight into Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on employment creation in Tanzania, centring on the manufacturing sector which is held as a conduit for social economic development. It analyses the concerted efforts on the part of the government in attracting conspicuous FDI, and in particular, the relationship between the increase in FDI and employment generation. Tanzania started to adopt economic reforms and open policy in the mid-1980s. However, the speed of the Tanzanian government's established policy to attract FDI was more felt in the 1990s and since then the degree of successful efforts to attract FDI has increased. Methodology - The data used in this study consists of total employment, GDP and inward foreign direct investment (FDI). These annual data covered the period from 1980 to 2012 because it is only in this period that the data is available. The methodology to test the effects of the variables i.e., FDI, GDP and Employment creation has been confined to the least squares technique. The co-integration of the variables has been ascertained via the application of the Augmented Dickey-Fuller Test and is found to hold in the long run. Findings – the findings indicate that FDI has a positive and significant effect on employment generation in Tanzania and GDP is translated to have influenced the economic growth. Practical implications – A conducive business environment, a more liberalised economy, institutional restructuring and enhanced private sector-led development will lead to an increase in foreign investment. Local entrepreneurial capacity should be empowered if the country wishes to have sustainable growth and employment creation. Originality - The paper presents original findings based on research related to FDI and employment creation in the sector of manufacturing industries.
Farmer’s perceptions on climate change impacts in different rice production systems in Morogoro Tanzania
(International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 2016) Mugula, Victoria Jovin; Mkuna, Eliaza
This study was done to assess farmers’ perceptions on climate change impacts in different rice production systems in Morogoro Tanzania. In specific the study analyzed farmers' socio-economic characteristics in different rice production systems in Morogoro Tanzania and also examined farmers' perceptions on climate change impacts in different rice production systems in Morogoro Tanzania. Both secondary and primary data using a structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were collected from Morogoro rural and Mvomero Districts in Morogoro Region, Tanzania. The study employed cross sectional research design by which data were collected at one point in time. However the sample size involved was 150 respondents. The analyses were done using descriptive statistics to analyze farmers socio-economic characteristics and Likert scale was used to assess respondents’ perceptions on the climate change impacts in different rice production systems. The results indicate that socio-economic factors such as age, education level, household size and main activities of the household affect the climate change adaptation and coping strategies perception of rice farmers. Moreover small number of respondents believed that the climate change is threat to future food security, and also majority of farmers perceived that climate change might lead to crop failure, unpredicted seasons, drought and floods. The study suggested that there is a need for upscalling of awarewness, education and capacity building on good agricultural practices which will assist farmers to cope with climatic changes.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) into Tanzania manufacturing sector for promotion of employment : A demystification
(Int. Journal of Management and Development Studies, 2016) Utouh, Harold M. L.; Rao, M Koteswra
Lately, the African Sub–Saharan nations have witnessed massive inflows of FDI, Tanzania inclusive. This calls for the need to evaluate the effect of the FDI on the economy of the recipient nations. A range of theoretical and empirical literature suggests various links through which FDI exert a positive impact on the economy of the recipient country, including the positive effect that FDI have on growth and employment creation. This paper used secondary data and time series data from 1990 to 2012 and argues that there exists a positive relationship between FDI inflow and Economic growth. This means that the FDI inflows in the industrial sector have a direct positive impact on economic growth in Tanzania. The study also confirms that there exists a positive relationship between FDI inflow in the manufacturing sector and employment creation.
Intersections of gender and age in accessing river basin resources in Tanzania: A comparative analysis of fishing and agro-pastoralist communities in rural areas of Tanzania
(Africa Focus, 2018) Shitima, Christina
This paper applies intersectionality theories to investigate how informal social relations factors in terms of age and gender interact to affect people’s access to river basin resources (RBR) in Tanzania. Access to RBR is defined as practical rights to use RBR and benefits that are accrued from the use of RBR. Data were collected from a survey conducted among households living along the Kilombero River in Tanzania. Three villages that differ in cultural backgrounds i.e. a fishing community, an agro-pastoralist community and a village with people from multi-cultural groups were included in the survey. A multivariate probit model is used to determine access in terms of practical rights to use RBR, and a generalized ordered logit model is used to determine access in terms of benefits from the use of RBR. Findings show that both practical rights to use RBR and benefits from the use of resources are highly gendered, though their impact differs according to age groups and cultural groups. One common feature in all cultural groups is that the norms that deny women rights to use RBR result in a gendered distribution of labour, especially when access to RBR leads to income-generating activities. The findings also highlight that women are less likely to benefit from the use of resources. Within a single cultural group, a fishing community, the study found that benefits from the use of RBR vary according to age. In line with intersectionality theories, we conclude that, both men and women are heterogeneous groups in societies. While it is generally perceived that women in rural areas are the victims of norms that deny their development, this is not the case for all women. Findings also reveal the importance of distinguishing between practical rights to use resources and benefits derived from their use
Examining the effect of child labour in the profitability of women owned enterprises: A case of microcredit supported enterprises in Tanzania.
(Springer, 2018) Tundui, Charles S.; Tundui, Hawa P.
This paper examines the effect of child labor in the profitability of women owned enterprises. The study covered 429 women respondents who had access to microcredit in Morogoro and Iringa towns. We used the Ordered Prohibit to model the relationship between the predictors and the outcome variable. The findings show that the use of child labor plays a more significant role in the profitability of women businesses than any variable included in the analysis. Results have also shown that owners who possess business skills, who have access to markets and those who do not separate business resources from household resources are more likely to experience a profit increase in their enterprises than otherwise. On the other hand, access to loans doesn’t seem to translate into increases in enterprise profit. From these results, we gather that as a poverty alleviation strategy, microcredit access and micro enterprising are not a panacea, but will require other supporting policies and services to enable women to find their way out of poverty. It is also important that job creation and employment patterns of microcredit supported enterprises are studied and valued accordingly.
An analysis of the household development strategies and their linkage to river basin resources in Tanzania
(Mzumbe University, 2018) Shitima, Christina
More than a decade ago, the Tanzanian government reformed its policy on the governance of water resources from a predominantly centralized system to a more participatory approach. The implementation of the policy required a simultaneous consideration of both the ecological and social cultural context of the basin and involvement of different stakeholders during the planning and management of water resources. The policy implementation was expected to conserve basins resources without negatively affecting livelihoods of people who depend on river basin resources (RBR). Despite the water policy reform, RBR in Tanzania are still degrading. While the factors for the RBR degradation are well articulated in literature, there is still a knowledge gap in terms of individuals’ characteristics that govern their use of RBR in Tanzania. From this vantage point, our study sets out to investigate in more depth the factors that influence the uses of RBR in different socio-economic and cultural contexts to inform policies on the improvement of rural livelihoods while at the same time protecting the river basin natural resource bases. More specifically, we analyze household characteristics that govern decisions regarding RBR use and assess linkages between people’s access to RBR , choices of development strategies and degradation of RBR. The study uses data collected from households residing along Kilombero Basin and Simiyu Basin.Intra-household data were collected from different household members aged 18 and above who carry out different socio-economic activities. A mixed methods research design, the qualitative— quantitative—qualitative approaches, were used in a sequential manner to answer the research questions. Findings show that informal social relation factors influence both practical rights to use RBR and benefits from the use of resources, which further result in diversities in occupational choices. While almost everyone practices seasonal farming to provide food for household consumption, informal social relation factors and access to social and financial capitals, affect participation in activities that are used for income generation. Lastly, yet importantly, gender, participation in multiple activities and environmental awareness are important factors for people to practice pro-environmental behavior The study provides important contributions to the literature on access to resources as well as to the policy settings by showing the importance of distinguishing between practical rights to use resources and benefits derived from their use. Furthermore, the study confirmed intersectionality and intra-household theories by demonstrating that both men and women are heterogeneous groups in societies. The findings that show that access to social and financial capitals are important factors for people to diversify away from non-environmental to environmental friendly activities provide important information to policy makers and other practitioners dealing with conservation. The study also sheds light on the importance of providing people with environmental education and incentives to encourage pro-environmental behavior.
Large herbivore assemblages in a changing climate: Incorporating water dependence and thermoregulation
(Ecology Letters published by CNRS and John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2019) Veldhuis,M. P; Kihwele, E. S; Cromsigt, J. P; Ogutu,G. M; Hopcraft, J. O; Smith, J. G. C.; Owen, N.; Olff, H.
The coexistence of different species of large herbivores (ungulates) in grasslands and savannas has fascinated ecologists for decades. However, changes in climate, land-use and trophic structure of ecosystems increasingly jeopardise the persistence of such diverse assemblages. Body size has been used successfully to explain ungulate niche differentiation with regard to food requirements and predation sensitivity. But this single trait axis insufficiently captures interspecific differences in water requirements and thermoregulatory capacity and thus sensitivity to climate change. Here, we develop a two-dimensional trait space of body size and minimum dung moisture content that characterises the combined food and water requirements of large herbivores. From this, we predict that increased spatial homogeneity in water availability in drylands reduces the number of Ungu late species that will coexist. But we also predict that extreme droughts will cause the larger, water-dependent grazers as wildebeest, zebra and buffalo–dominant species in savanna ecosystems– to be replaced by smaller, less water-dependent species. Subsequently, we explore how other constraints such as predation risk and thermoregulation are connected to this two-dimensional framework. Our novel framework integrates multiple simultaneous stressors for herbivores and yields an extensive set of testable hypotheses about the expected changes in large herbivore community composition following climate change
Micro-credentials in higher education institutions: An exploratory study of its place in Tanzania
(IJEDICT , 2019) Ghasia, Mohamedi ; Machumu, Haruni; Smet, Egbert
Micro-credentials represent an alternative approach to career and professional development whereby an individual’s skills, achievements, and accomplishments get to be recognized. They offer the possibility to enhance skills, to manage career pathways as well as adding practicality in the academic content. Moreover, micro-credentials are the cost-effective professional development strategies that significantly minimize employees training cost and time. Also, micro-credentials in higher education institutions (HEIs), refers to the integration of digital badges within universities curricular and community engagement activities to inspire connected and lifelong learning for the professional development of students, educators and communities in formal learning settings. This paper explores ways in which micro-credentials can be offered in the Tanzanian Universities. Specifically, we explore educators’ perception, readiness and implementation strategies. The qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews with thirty-one lecturers, fifty-four students and twelve educational technologists were deployed. The four Tanzanian universities were purposively chosen whereas theoretical sampling was used to identify respondents. Data were analysed within NVIVO software in accordance with the Strauss and Corbin Grounded Theory. The results suggest that university lecturers and students are optimistic that micro-credentials stimulate lifelong and connected learning as well as expand the scope of the universities’ mandate. However, to leverage from these potentials, multi-level interventions are needed. We recommend the creation of micro-credentials ecosystem, formulation of strategies and policies, deployment of necessary infrastructure as well as building relevant skill-base. Implications, contributions and limitations of the study are discussed in line with the findings. Finally, the paper contributes to the literature on the implementation of micro-credentials in higher education (HE).
Soft skills as a problem and a purpose for Tanzanian industry: Views of graduates
(Economic Insights – Trends and Challenges, 2020) Utouh, Harold; Mutalemwa, Darlene; Msuya, Norah
Recently, the aim of enhancing graduate employability for industries has been constantly on the Tanzanian policy agenda and has been defined as one of the priorities of higher education. Yet much evidence suggests the skills mismatch and hiring talent is of great concern to employers around the globe. When it comes to ‘hard’ data concerning ‘soft’ skills in the Tanzanian context, there is a dearth of empirically verifiable statistics from an academic standpoint. The study takes up this challenge to study what soft skills mean to the end-users – 391 postgraduate students who are completing their studies at a Tanzanian public university and are working and/or preparing to enter the labour market. Findings indicate that equipping graduates with the soft skills required in a particular job or industry for today and those of tomorrow is a global challenge, in Tanzania, it is even more worrisome. Based on the study findings, the study offers new insights into the importance of soft skills at the workplace as well as providing a foundation for universities to support the ‘job-readiness’ and ‘employability’ of graduates to meet industrial needs.
Performance drivers of women-owned microcredit funded enterprises in Tanzania
(Emerald publishing, 2020) Tundui, Charles S.; Tundui, Hawa P.
The purpose of this paper is to investigate performance drivers of women-owned businesses that are funded primarily through microcredit. It draws on Storey’s theory of small business growth and family embeddedness axiom to examine the factors that drive the performance of businesses that are funded primarily through microcredit. The paper uses a cross-sectional survey that covered 208 women business owners who had access to microcredit. The authors use a logistic regression analysis to model the relationship between independent variables and enterprise performance. The paper demonstrates that microcredit plays a significant role in business performance. The credit amount has the most significant influence on the enterprise capital base, whereas the effect on profits is insignificant. Also, owners are more likely to report growth in profits if they possess skills in business management. In addition, younger business owners and necessity entrepreneurs are more likely to report success in their businesses. Other factors that have a significant effect on business performance are product cycle, loan use and family support. Many women in Tanzania are entering business ownership and depend on microcredit as their primary source of capital for starting and growing their businesses. However, just a few businesses grow into small and medium-sized enterprises. For informed policy decisions, it is important that the factors influencing the performance of funded businesses are known and well understood. This understanding will help the government and development practitioners assist women in achieving business growth rates that could warrant their empowerment and poverty reduction prospects
Soft skills as a problem and a purpose for Tanzanian industry: Views of graduates
(Economic Insights – Trends and Challenges , 2020) Mutalemwa, Darlene ; Utouh, Harold; Msuya, Norah.
Recently, the aim of enhancing graduate employability for industries has been constantly on the Tanzanian policy agenda and has been defined as one of the priorities of higher education. Yet much evidence suggests the skills mismatch and hiring talent is of great concern to employers around the globe. When it comes to ‘hard’ data with reference to ‘soft’ skills in the Tanzanian context, there is a dearth of empirically verifiable statistics from an academic standpoint. The study takes up this challenge to study what soft skills really mean to the end-users – 391 postgraduate students who are completing their studies at a Tanzanian public university and are working and / or preparing to enter the labour market. Findings indicate that equipping graduates with the soft skills required in a particular job or industry for today and those of tomorrow is a global challenge, in Tanzania it is even more worrisome. Based on the study findings, the study offers new insights into the importance of soft skills at the workplace as well as providing a foundation for universities to support the ‘job-readiness’ and ‘employability’ of graduates to meet industrial needs.