Browsing by Author "Mang'ana, Kulwa"

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    Financial management practices and performance of agricultural small and medium enterprises in Tanzania
    (Elsevier Ltd., 2023-03-29) Mang'ana, Kulwa; Ndyetabula, Daniel; Hokororo, Silver
    Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in agriculture sector, contribute significantly to economic change in developing countries by addressing a wide range of unemployment, nutrition, income poverty, and food security issues. Despite their critical role and contribution to economic growth, they have received a great deal of criticism for their poor performance. Most of the challenges confronting these agro-enterprises, however, are the result of poor financial management practices. Previous research studies have indicated generally that financial management practices have an impact on the performance and success for small businesses, yet scholarly research shows there is limited empirical evidence on which financial management practices have an influence on the agri-SMEs performance, which is why it was critical to examine this phenomenon. A total of 427 SMEs in Tanzania's agricultural sector were surveyed and examined. The developed hypotheses were evaluated using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Smart PLS 4 to determine the effect of implementing financial management practices on the performance of agri-SME. Findings from the empirical study shows that working capital management practices and financing management practices have significant positive influence on both financial and organizational performance of the surveyed agro enterprises, while the accounting, financial reporting practices and capital budgeting management practices have insignificant influence on the performance agri-SMEs performance. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the government and regulatory authorities such as the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) must continue to emphasize their policies for improved agri-SME performance and sustainability while directly or indirectly encourage managers (venture owners) to consider working capital and financing practices as core to their financial management strategies.
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    Unlocking the potential of Tanzania's cashew processing industry: A comparative analysis with Côte d’Ivoire and Mozambique [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]
    (FIOOOResearch, 2024-02-16) Mang'ana, Kulwa; Ngaiza, Revelian; Paul, Michael
    Cashew processing is a vital contributor to economic growth in Tanzania, renowned for its cashew nut production. However, despite the country’s historical prominence in cashew production, only 5% of raw cashews undergo local processing, resulting in substantial economic losses. This paper explores the challenges and opportunities within Tanzania’s cashew processing industry, focusing on limited local processing capacity, inefficient tools, raw material availability, market access, and government support. Comparative insights from Côte d’Ivoire and Mozambique further enrich our understanding of the cashew sector. It recommends increasing local processing capacity, enhancing technical expertise through training, ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality raw materials, improving market access via information systems, and strengthening government support with tailored policy frameworks. Notably, the paper emphasizes regional collaboration among African cashew- producing nations as a crucial strategy for collective growth and knowledge exchange. By drawing upon their experiences, this study aims to provide guidance for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and investors to revitalize and sustain Tanzania’s cashew processing sector.