MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL
https://research.mu.ac.zm/research/index.php/mu
<p><strong>JOURNAL OVERVIEW </strong></p> <p>The <strong>Mulungushi University Multidisciplinary Journal (MUMJ) </strong>is a bi annual journal whose focus is to pursue the frontiers of knowledge. It provides a platform for sharing and communicating of knowledge from research and development issues from within Zambia and globally. It aspires to make use of research and development information that may inform policy direction on various issues, enhance national development and help transform the livelihoods of people. The journal offers opportunities for world scholars and individuals to contribute their knowledge and innovations to respond to developmental challenges facing the globe today.</p> <p>The Journal focuses on multidisciplinary areas including: agriculture, environment and natural resources; business law and human resources development, humanities and social sciences, science, engineering and ICT, technology, medicine and health sciences and education. The journal invites academicians, researchers, and innovators to contribute their knowledge and communicate your insights in the world of knowledge. This is a bi-annual peer reviewed online journal.</p> <p><em><strong>Vision of the Journal</strong></em></p> <p><strong>“To be a </strong><em><strong>high quality research publications journal of integrity for sharing outstanding</strong></em><em><strong> knowledge, </strong></em><strong><em>relevant, responsible and innovative journal for Africa and globally”</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Aims:</strong><br>• To provide a platform for researchers, scholars, and practitioners from diverse disciplines to publish and disseminate their work.<br>• To promote the integration of different perspectives and methodologies to address complex problems and advance knowledge.</p> <p><strong>Scope:</strong><br>The journal welcomes submissions from a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to natural sciences, social sciences,humanities, engineering, and health sciences. It encourages research articles, reviews, perspectives, and other scholarly contributions that demonstrate an interdisciplinary focus or the integration of multiple disciplines, with an emphasis on combining theoretical frameworks, methodologies, and techniques from different fields to shed light on complex phenomena or solve real-world problems.</p> <p><strong>ISSN:</strong> 2958-3926</p> <p><strong>Open Access Statement and Creative Common License:</strong><br>MUMJ is an open access journal committed to making high-quality research freely available to readers worldwide. We believe that unrestricted access to scholarly literature fosters knowledge sharing, promotes innovation, and enables the advancement of scientific, technological, and societal progress.<br>• All articles published in MUMJ are freely and permanently accessible to anyone, without any subscription or paywall barriers.<br>• Authors retain the copyright of their work and grant MUMJ a license to publish the article under a Creative Commons Attribution License. This allows others to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the work, even for commercial purposes, as long as they give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source of publication.<br>• The journal follows a rigorous peer review process to ensure the quality and integrity of the published research.<br>• We encourage authors to deposit their preprints or post prints in recognized repositories and databases to maximize the visibility and impact of their work.</p> <p><strong>Funding and Sustainability:</strong><br>MUMJ may require article processing charges (APCs) or other forms of funding to cover the costs associated with the publication process, including peer review, editing, hosting, and archiving. However, we are committed to ensuring that the ability to pay does not hinder the publication of high-quality research. Waivers or discounts may be available for authors from low-income countries or researchers facing financial constraints. Please refer to our website for detailed information on any applicable charges and funding options.</p> <p><strong>Publication ethics</strong><br>Ethical standards for publication exist to ensure high-quality scientific publications, public trust in scientific findings, and that people receive credit for their work and ideas.</p> <p><strong>Article assessment</strong><br>All manuscripts are subject to peer review and are expected to meet standards of academic excellence. If approved by the editor, submissions will be considered by peer reviewers, whose identities will remain anonymous to the authors.<br>Our Research Integrity team will occasionally seek advice outside standard peer review, for example, on submissions with serious ethical, security, biosecurity, or societal implications. We may consult experts and the academic editor before deciding on appropriate actions, including but not limited to recruiting reviewers with specific expertise, assessment by additional editors, and declining to further consider a submission.</p> <p><strong>Peer Review Statement</strong><br>MUMJ Journal implements a peer review process with an average duration of 6 weeks from submission to final decision. During this time, experts in the relevant field evaluate the manuscripts and provide valuable feedback.<br>Authors are expected to address the reviewers' comments within an average period of 5 working days. Following the revision, the editorial team conducts a final quality check. Once a revised manuscript is accepted, it usually takes an average of about a week for typesetting and online publication.<br>The journal emphasizes rigorous academic standards and a fair, streamlined peer review process. Each manuscript undergoes thorough evaluation by at least two independent reviewers, ensuring the highest quality and providing valuable feedback and recommendations to the authors.</p> <p><strong>Plagiarism</strong><br>Authors must not use the words, figures, or ideas of others without attribution. All sources must be cited at the point they are used, and reuse of wording must be limited and be attributed or quoted in the text.<br>Manuscripts that are found to have been plagiarized from a manuscript by other authors, whether published or unpublished, will be rejected and the authors may incur sanctions. Any published articles may need to be corrected or retracted.</p> <p><strong>Duplicate submission</strong><br>MUMJ considers only original content, i.e. articles that have not been previously published, including in a language other than English. Articles based on content previously made public only on a preprint server, institutional repository, or in a thesis will be considered. In such cases, the preprint or thesis must be cited and discussed within the article.<br>Manuscripts submitted to MUMJ must not be submitted elsewhere while under consideration and must be withdrawn before being submitted elsewhere. Authors whose articles are found to have been simultaneously submitted elsewhere may incur sanctions.<br>If authors have used their own previously published work, or work that is currently under review, as the basis for a submitted manuscript, they must cite the previous articles and indicate how their submitted manuscript differs from their previous work. Reuse of the authors’ own words outside the Methods should be attributed or quoted in the text. Reuse of the authors’ own figures or substantial amounts of wording may require permission from the copyright holder and the authors are responsible for obtaining this.</p> <p><strong>Citation manipulation</strong><br>Authors whose submitted manuscripts are found to include citations whose primary purpose is to increase the number of citations to a given author’s work, or to articles published in a particular journal, may incur sanctions.<br>Editors and reviewers must not ask authors to include references merely to increase citations to their own or an associate’s work, to the journal, or to another journal they are associated with.</p> <p><strong>Fabrication and falsification</strong><br>The authors of submitted manuscripts or published articles that are found to have fabricated or falsified the results, including the manipulation of images, may incur sanctions, and published articles may be retracted.</p> <p><strong>Authorship and acknowledgements</strong><br>All listed authors must have made a significant scientific contribution to the research in the manuscript, approved its claims, and agreed to be an author. It is important to list everyone who made a significant scientific contribution. Author contributions may be described at the end of the submission, optionally using roles defined by CREDIT statement. Submitting authors must provide an ORCID and we encourage all authors to provide one. Changes in authorship must be declared to the journal and agreed to by all authors.Submissions by anyone other than one of the authors will not be considered.</p> <p><strong>Conflicts of interest</strong><br>Conflicts of interest (COIs, also known as ‘competing interests’) occur when issues outside research could be reasonably perceived to affect the neutrality or objectivity of the work or its assessment. This can happen at any stage in the research cycle, including during the experimentation phase, while a manuscript is being written, or during the process of turning a manuscript into a published article.<br>If unsure, declare a potential interest or discuss with the editorial office. Undeclared interests may incur sanctions. Submissions with undeclared conflicts that are later revealed may be rejected.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITYen-USMULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL2958-3926Optimizing BIM adoption and utilization among Small and Medium Construction Enterprises in Luapula Province, Zambia
https://research.mu.ac.zm/research/index.php/mu/article/view/234
<p>Zambia’s construction sector is a key driver of economic growth, with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) playing a crucial role in infrastructure delivery. However, the sector faces persistent challenges, including low productivity and frequent project delays. Building Information Modelling (BIM) offers a promising solution through improved planning, coordination, and lifecycle efficiency, yet its adoption among SMEs remains limited, especially in regions like Luapula Province. This study examines the feasibility of BIM adoption and identifies strategies to enhance its effective use among SMEs in Luapula’s construction sector. Data were collected via structured questionnaires targeting industry professionals to assess BIM awareness, usage patterns, adoption barriers, training needs, and organizational readiness. Results indicate that while BIM tools such as ArchiCAD are widely recognized, there is limited awareness of national policies and frameworks supporting their implementation. BIM is primarily utilized during the design and pre-construction phases, appreciated for boosting efficiency and client satisfaction, but remains underused in execution and post-construction stages. Key barriers include a shortage of skilled personnel, lack of industry standards, and minimal government support. The study also highlights strong demand for structured training to close existing capacity gaps. The findings underscore the under-utilization of BIM among SMEs in Luapula Province and point to the need for coordinated policies, targeted training, and phased integration strategies to support broader BIM adoption and accelerate the digital transformation of Zambia’s construction industry.</p>Emmanuel NyoniGoodson MashekaBennie HamunzalaProsper Ng’anduGreyard Tembo
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2025-08-072025-08-0761113Linguistic modality and self-expression in digital discourse: a qualitative study of Whatsapp responses in Yochi village, Zambia
https://research.mu.ac.zm/research/index.php/mu/article/view/235
<p>This study examined the role of linguistic modality in self-expression among residents of Yochi Village in Zambia. Modality is a semantic feature that reflects a speaker’s attitude or opinion toward a propositions, assertions, desires, hypotheses, and obligations. The study analyzes 29 participants’ WhatsApp reactions to a local radio report about the fatal shooting of a notorious thief by police. An exploratory qualitative design coupled with a thematic and contextual analysis revealed that participants primarily employed deontic, epistemic, bouletic, and teleological modalities, further categorized into necessity, possibility, obligation, desire, and opinion. Findings indicate that opinion and desire were the most frequent modal expressions, highlighting modality’s role in shaping social interactions and truth-value negotiations. Generalizability requires further research in diverse contexts within and beyond Zambia. </p>Ireen Moonga
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2025-08-072025-08-07611429Lamba-Lamba healer-diviners in Mbala District, Zambia: the intermingling of Christianity with African indigenous spiritual flair, 2021-2023
https://research.mu.ac.zm/research/index.php/mu/article/view/219
<p>This article aims to establish the relationship between Christianity and the Lamba-Lamba Healer-Diviners in Mbala District of Zambia. The study objectives were to find out the challenges experienced by Christians and healer-diviners, respectively, based on values and spiritual differences between them and establish what influence modernisation and socioeconomic changes have on the Healer-Diviners’ existence in the area. To explore these, the study used descriptive techniques of the qualitative strategy, where a Phenomenological Research Design served as the foundation for data collection. The research drew upon a sample of 28 participants who were selected using purposive and snowballing methods. In-depth interview techniques were applied to obtain the required primary data, which were analysed thematically. Findings: It was revealed that there was a relationship between Christians and Healer-diviners, as evidenced by some respondents who could not differentiate between being a Christian and consulting the traditional Healer-Diviners. Despite the services of traditional healer being cast in a negative light; viewed as embodiments of a disgraceful legacy equated to paganism, some sections of the Christian community welcomed the services of the traditional divers (Ng’anga) in the district and believed in their efficacy to cleanse the society of witchcraft. The changing socioeconomic life in society prompted by modernity greatly affected the Healer-diviners. Through propaganda, agents of modernity, mostly the mass media and the Church, campaigned against the presence of the Healer-diviners. The study recommends the need for community education on exploitative religious practices, strengthening partnerships between authorities and faith organisations, and context-specific culturally sensitive spiritual guidance.</p>Joseph Kayuni Hachintu
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2025-08-072025-08-07613043Disablers of teaching mathematics to visually impaired learners: a case of Sefula School in zambia
https://research.mu.ac.zm/research/index.php/mu/article/view/190
<p>This study aimed to identify the disablers of teaching and learning Mathematics to Senior Secondary School learners with visual impairment (VI) in an inclusive classroom at Sefula Special School Zambia. Many developing countries face obstacles in implementing inclusive education which poses a challenge in delivering quality educational services to learners with special educational needs. Common barriers that constitute the main disablers in this case may range from inclusive policies to assistive technologies for inclusive education currently in place. In Zambia, the challenges may be exacerbated by inadequately trained Special Education teachers. To explore such disablers, the study applied the qualitative approach. It purposively drew a sample of 11 participants, i.e. 8 visually impaired Senior Secondary School learners and 3 teachers of mathematics in an inclusive classroom. The in-depth interviews and focus group discussion (FGD) qualitative methods of collecting primary data were applied, using open-ended and semi-structured interview guides as instruments for data collection. Secondary data were also collected existing literature. The data were analysed thematically. Lack of resource material, lack of access to ICT, teachers’ negative attitude towards learners with Visual impairment and the lack of trained Special Education teachers in school, inflexible teaching methods and rigid assessment methods emerged as main themes in the study. The study contributes to the practice of teaching and learning as the findings would enhance the teaching and learning of the mathematics through modified teaching methods, creation of inclusive classroom environments and mentorship and coaching programmes among teachers. Assessment and evaluation would be enhanced through modified assessments and assistive devices to meet the diverse needs of learners. The study has an impact on the policy and advocacy as its absence result in draining tremendous efforts made towards inclusive teaching of mathematics. Researchers recommended to the Ministry of Education the need to devise a curriculum for learners with VI, to invest more in producing mathematics material for learners with VI, enhance CPDs by TCZ to equip teachers with inclusive teaching methodologies so as to improve teacher preparedness to deliver inclusive lessons to meet diverse needs of learners</p>Joe ZangiJoseph Kayuni HachintuPrisca Phiri Sulo
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2025-08-072025-08-07614459Development of low-cost plastic-modified concrete pavers for applications in Zambia
https://research.mu.ac.zm/research/index.php/mu/article/view/236
<p>This study investigated the use of shredded Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic waste as a partial replacement for fine aggregates in concrete pavers, addressing both environmental concerns about plastic pollution and the need for affordable construction materials. The study developed M30-grade concrete mixes with plastic replacements of 10%, 20%, and 30% by volume, testing their workability, compressive strength, and aggregate properties using standardized protocols. The results revealed that although increasing the plastic content reduced compressive strength, pavers incorporating 10% to 20% fine plastic aggregates still achieved an average compressive strength of 20 MPa and a minimum of 17 MPa, making them suitable for equipment parking or light-traffic applications. The incorporation of plastic also decreased workability and material density while improving water resistance. This study demonstrates the potential of utilizing waste plastics in concrete paver production to promote environmental sustainability and reduce construction costs. A 10–20% plastic content is recommended for pedestrian pathways, with standardized preparation methods for plastic waste and field trials in tropical climates essential to ensure consistency and assess long-term performance.</p>Goodson MashekaBennie HamunzalaCarlos Mwansa
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2025-08-072025-08-07616071Cultural values in shaping the educational aspirations of female pupils in a few selected communities in Chisamba District
https://research.mu.ac.zm/research/index.php/mu/article/view/206
<p> </p> <p>This study explored the impact of cultural values on the educational aspirations of female pupils in selected communities within Chisamba District, Zambia. The primary objective was to identify the cultural factors that shape educational aspirations. Social-Cultural Theory, as developed by Lev Vygotsky (1978), provided the theoretical framework for the study. In a context where traditional beliefs often restrict girls’ education, understanding these cultural influences is essential for designing effective interventions to promote gender equality. A qualitative research design with a case study approach was employed, utilising interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis to gather data from female pupils, parents, teachers, and community leaders. Simple random sampling was employed to select 36 participants, while purposive sampling was used to ensure the collection of relevant data. Thematic analysis, guided by the literature review and study objectives, was employed to analyse the data. Findings revealed that cultural practices such as early marriages and gendered labour divisions significantly impede girls’ educational progress. However, positive factors such as community support, family encouragement, and the presence of female role models were identified as crucial in fostering educational aspirations. The study concluded that addressing cultural barriers through community engagement, policy reforms, and improvements in school infrastructure is vital for enhancing girls’ educational opportunities. The study offers recommendations for communities, policymakers, and NGOs to create a supportive environment that promotes female education and empowerment.</p>Vashit ChisengaRosemary MulengaBeatrice Mumbi Mwansa
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2025-08-072025-08-07617284Association between unintended pregnancy and stillbirth among women in Zambia: analysis of the Zambia demographic and health survey 2018 data
https://research.mu.ac.zm/research/index.php/mu/article/view/185
<p>In 2021, Zambia’s stillbirth rate stood at 14.8 per 1,000 births, surpassing the global target of fewer than 12 stillbirths per 1,000 total births by 2030 (National Institute for Health Research, 2021). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between unintended pregnancy (UP) and stillbirth among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in Zambia. Unintended pregnancy was defined as pregnancies reported as mistimed or unwanted, while stillbirth was defined as fetal death occurring at or after 28 weeks of gestation. Using secondary data from the 2018 Zambia Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS) with a sample size of 7,672 births, this study applied bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression to identify factors associated with stillbirth. Results showed that UP was significantly associated with a lower risk of stillbirth (AOR = 0.072, p-value = 0.037, 95% CI: 0.006, 0.849). In line with the study's objectives, further analysis revealed significant findings on the interactions between UP, background characteristics, maternal health, and their effects on stillbirth. The interaction between UP and maternal occupation (AOR = 2.949, p-value = 0.027, 95% CI: 1.133, 7.678) and intimate partner violence (AOR = 2.852, p-value = 0.018), was found to significantly increase the risk of stillbirth. Additionally, the interaction between UP and maternal health characteristics, such as limited antenatal care visits (AOR = 7.718, p-value = 0.020, 95% CI: 1.200, 6.779) and smoking (AOR = 38.851, p-value = 0.004, 95% CI: 3.166, 476.714), were found to increase the risk of stillbirth among women with UP. These findings underscore the importance of addressing socio-economic and maternal health factors when tackling stillbirth risk, particularly among women with unintended pregnancies. Interventions aimed at improving antenatal care, reducing intimate partner violence, and implementing tobacco cessation campaigns for pregnant women are essential for reducing stillbirth rates. Further research is necessary to explore the mechanisms linking unintended pregnancy with adverse birth outcomes and to refine public health strategies.</p>Shadrick Kahilu KayeyeMapoma Christopher Chabila
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2025-08-072025-08-076185122Effects of experiential storytelling approach on premarital sexual advance refusal assertiveness among Selected grade 11 pupils in Kabwe, Central province, Zambia
https://research.mu.ac.zm/research/index.php/mu/article/view/237
<p>In Zambia, the challenge to teachers to confront In-school adolescents’ failure to refuse premarital sexual advance aligns with the global efforts to eliminating new HIV infections. Thus, the purpose of study was to investigate the effects of the experiential storytelling approach on pre-marital sexual advance refusal and assertiveness among Grade 11 pupils in Kabwe, Central Province, Zambia. To the best of our knowledge, to date, no study on the improvement of in-school adolescents' pre-marital sexual Assertiveness in Kabwe, Central Province, Zambia, has been published. Based on the elements of Mezirow's 'transformative learning theory (2000), we used an experiential storytelling approach in an Assertiveness Training Program (ATP) led by a self-disclosed person living with HIV (sd-PLWHIV-led ATP) on 38 purposively sampled pupils with low assertiveness levels. A mixed-methods approach was employed in a quasi-experimental design, utilizing a pretest-posttest parallel convergent design to compare the effects against the control (N=34). Quantitative data analysis: We utilized SPSS version 25 to conduct ANCOVA analysis to observe the effects of the treatment while controlling for potential covariates. As an analytical lens, Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory (2000) explored and interpreted qualitative data using thematic analysis to gain deeper insights into quantitative analysis. Despite a few divergences, participants' self-reports, FGD, our observations and interviews converged and aligned with the positive findings revealed by ANCOVA analysis on the three proxies of anti-premarital sexual assertiveness. The study demonstrated impact with F(1, 69) = 145.776, p = 0.000, ηp² = 0.679 (67.9%) overall. The approach has shown that both girls and boys gained assertive skills to defend themselves against sexual abuse. These findings suggest that the approach could be a variable complementary strategy for developing anti-premarital sexual behaviour among pupils. This paper contributes to the literature on developing assertiveness for anti-premarital sexual behaviour with the use of the sd-PLWHIV and their lived experiences as departure points to extant ATPs. Social desirability responses and obtaining data from a single site remains limitations to generalizability. However, based on its practicality, favorable safety profile, reasonably high participants' acceptance and teacher endorsement, it is recommended that sd-PLWHIV-led ATP be carried out among secondary school adolescents to provoke, develop, and sustain pupils' anti-premarital sexual behaviour.</p>Vincent MudendaChristopher HaambokomaKabunga Nachiyunde
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2025-08-072025-08-0761123142Association between knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 among Kabwe residents in Central Province, Zambia
https://research.mu.ac.zm/research/index.php/mu/article/view/223
<p>The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, posed major global health challenges, including in Zambia. Transmission primarily occurred through respiratory droplets, with additional risks from contaminated surfaces and possible fecal-oral routes. With an incubation period of 2–14 days, diverse containment strategies were implemented. In Zambia, the Ministry of Health launched extensive public health campaigns promoting hand hygiene, mask use, physical distancing, and vaccination. Despite these efforts, variations in public response and adherence to preventive measures were observed across different regions, Kabwe District inclusive. This study examined the association between knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 among Kabwe residents. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in Kabwe’s Central Business District, purposefully selected due to its population density and public activity which was advantageous for accessing a diverse range of participants in a short period. Convenience sampling was employed to recruit participants who were readily available and willing to participate at the time of data collection, this approach was used to maximize participation in a busy urban setting while acknowledging limitations of non-probability sampling. The sample size was 384. Participants aged 18 years and above were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured questionnaires following informed consent. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used for analysis. Chi-square tests assessed associations, and multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of knowledge and perception. The study found that 87% of respondents had substantial knowledge of COVID-19, though 13% held misconceptions. Education level significantly predicted knowledge, with 91% of higher educated individuals demonstrating correct understanding compared to 61% of those with lower education (p = 0.044). Place of residence also influenced knowledge (p = 0.003). However, 89% of respondents exhibited poor perception of COVID-19, indicating limited recognition of the serious of COVID-19. Significant associations were found between perception and age (p = 0.0009), education (p=0.001), and employment (p = 0.001), Knowledge level was significantly associated with perception (p = 0.001). Despite high awareness, persistent misconceptions necessitate targeted health education and demographic specific strategies such as youth focused peer education and elderly centered counseling to promote accurate perceptions and improve compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures.</p>Jean B. NgalaHarriet M. SimaubiConceptor N. KwaleyelaJamia MilanziIsabel N. LuambiaHarrison NamoombaMelody H. Kusweje
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2025-08-072025-08-0761143165Exploring the barriers to Zambian SMEs’ global expansion: a review of literature
https://research.mu.ac.zm/research/index.php/mu/article/view/211
<p>This study explores the barriers to global expansion faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Zambia, a sector that plays a critical role in the country’s economic development. Despite their significant potential to contribute to employment generation and GDP growth, Zambian SMEs encounter various challenges that impede their internationalization efforts. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, this research identifies several key obstacles, including financial constraints that limit access to essential capital, regulatory and policy challenges that create a complex business environment, market access limitations that restrict entry into foreign markets, technological gaps that hinder competitiveness, and infrastructure deficiencies that increase operational costs. This research adopts a desk-based methodology, utilizing exclusively secondary data sourced from a variety of materials, including official reports, academic and industry research, international studies, and market analyses. The Boolean Search Method was employed to systematically locate relevant documents pertaining to the research objectives, with a specific focus on developing countries, particularly Zambia. The collected data was organized into themes and categories aligned with the study's aims, enabling the comparison of findings across sources to identify trends, patterns, and discrepancies. The findings of this study emphasize the urgent need to address these barriers in order to enhance the global competitiveness of Zambian SMEs. By identifying the specific challenges unique to this context, the research underscores the importance of tailored solutions. Additionally, the study offers targeted policy recommendations aimed at improving access to finance, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and fostering skills development among the SME workforce. These recommendations are designed to support SMEs in their quest for international markets. Overall, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced by Zambian SMEs and highlights the necessity for focused strategies to facilitate their successful integration into the global economy.</p>Choolwe MwiiyaJames Phiri
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2025-08-072025-08-0761166181Role of entrepreneurship education in developing international business competencies: a comparative TVET case study in emerging economies
https://research.mu.ac.zm/research/index.php/mu/article/view/210
<p>This study explores the impact of entrepreneurship education in developing international business competencies in TVET institutions, with a comparative focus on India and South Africa. The research employed a comparative case study and mixed method approach. It examined the entrepreneurship education curricula, teaching methodologies, and learning outcomes in selected TVET institutions in India and South Africa. The research investigated the extent to which entrepreneurship education equips students with essential skills such as cross-cultural dynamics, international trade regulations, global supply chains, foreign market entry strategies, strategic thinking, international market analysis, and global networking. Data was collected through surveys and interviews with students, educators, and industry stakeholders from selected TVET institutions in both countries. The study’s significance is in the unlocking of the needed understanding of how entrepreneurship education develops business competencies. The study was guided by Human Capital Theory argues that education and training increase individuals’ skills, knowledge, and competencies, ultimately leading to enhanced productivity and better economic outcomes The findings indicate that India's TVET system has a stronger emphasis on developing practical entrepreneurial skills, with a focus on business plan development, access to funding, and mentorship programs. In contrast, South Africa's TVET institutions tend to have a more theoretical approach, with a greater emphasis on developing an entrepreneurial mindset rather than practical business skills. In terms of Industry mentorship program, India is at 65% and South Africa at 22%. For business plan training, India is at 72% while South Africa is at 35%. lastly on mindset vs skills focus, India is at 38% and South Africa at 68% The paper concluded by offering policy recommendations to strengthen the role of TVET institutions in enhancing global business readiness among graduates in emerging economies.</p>Mujoni MweeneChoolwe Mwiiya
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2025-08-072025-08-0761182209