IBMRD's Journal of Management & Research

Mitku Assefa Argaw ¹, Hamed M. S. Ahmed ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Management, Wollo University, ET
2 Management Department, Wollo University, ET

Abstract

Since the wireless communication service introduced in Ethiopia, a dramatic growing of a cellular phone communication device market is a one which attract firms to import and assembled such devices for local market. These imported and locally assembled handsets are computing for the same market using defined strategies and business objectives. The intent of this study was that to assess consumers’ tendency related to locally assembled mobile phone handset. The main aim of this study was knowledge contribution for local assembler related to their customer behavior and generation of reliable data for further study also an important focus. Descriptive quantitative research method was utilized therefore it would be convenient to imply decision characteristics, demographic association with preference and brand preference related to this study. Close –ended 5 point Likert scale questioner was used to gather primary data from 385 respondents. Secondary data collected from books, journals, magazine, websites and others relevant sources. The entire respondent should have their own mobile phone. Non probabilistic convenience sampling was implemented to select the respondents. Collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools including logistic regression and chi-square test to understand the association between demographic variables with preference of mobile phone between local and international brand to understand situation and draw conclusion and recommendation of the findings. From the analysis, product price was identified as dominant factor followed by product quality. Price also had significant effect on mobile preference between local and foreign brands. TECNO mobile was identified dominant brand using by consumers. These studies suggest that local assemblers should consider these and additional factors to understand the true picture of their market environment. All the above mentioned quantitative data were computed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS-20).

Keywords

Locally Assembled Mobile Handset, Consumers’ Behavior, Demography, Decision Factors.

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Hamed M. S. Ahmed ¹, Mulugeta Chane Wube ², Teshome Tessema ³

Affiliations
1 Management Department, Wollo University, ET
2 Wollo University, ET
3 Head of Management Department, Wollo University, ET

Abstract

In recent years, entrepreneurship has become a topic of interest in Ethiopia. This study is designed to assess the entrepreneurial intension of TVET trainees and the attributing factors that affect the entrepreneurial intension of TVET traineesin Wro.Siheen Polytechnic College. The fact that majority of TVET graduates are not self-employed against TVET's basic mission forced the researcher to study the factors affecting the entrepreneurial intension of TVET trainees. For this, a sample of 164 trainees in 6 sectors, 6 sector coordinators and 3 deans were taken for the study using proportional stratified and comprehensive sampling Techniques. In the process of answe ring the basic questions, a questionnaire that include demographic profiles, factors that affect the entrepreneurial intension of TVET trainees and entrepreneurial intension indicators was designed in a Likert scales. Moreover, interviews and focus group discussions were held with sector coordinators and college deans. After the data has been collected, it was analyzed using simple statistical techniques (tables and percentages), descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviations), inferential statistics (correlation and regression) and descriptive narrations. The results of the study indicate the entrepreneurial intension of TVET trainees is poor. It is also found that training facilities, leaders commitment and concern, leaders relationship with stakeholders are major administrative factors that hinder entrepreneurial intension of TVET trainees. Education/trainees related factors are more or less related with curriculum quality, trainers' competence and training delivery techniques. The trainees' attitude such as low concern and interest to entrepreneurship, underestimating entrepreneurship training as compared to other major courses and limited role in the training are major determinants for their entrepreneurial intension. The study also found that there is a significant correlation between administrative support, training/education support, trainees' attitude and entrepreneurial intension of TVET trainees. Based on the major findings, it is recommended that TVET leaders and educators should revise their training methodology, curriculum and entrepreneurship trainers so as to achieve the desired results. Moreover Ethiopian government should establish a system through which entrepreneurship training is started at an early age i.e Entrepreneurship education should be part of the Ethiopian education curriculum from elementary to higher education in a continuous and adaptive manner taking students level of education in to account since entrepreneurial intension cannot be built overnight.

Keywords

Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurial Intension, TVET, Intension Determinants.

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Hamed M. S. Ahmed ¹, Teshome Tessma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Management, Wollo University, ET

Abstract

The Practitioners of every business fields are claiming that graduates have little practical knowledge while the academic institutions will defend their right by setting educational objectives. The aim of the study is to find out the employers' perceptions and expectations of the graduates' competency. The research study employed a descriptive research design with a quantitative research approach. The target population of the study was all the general managers and HR managers of all organizations in South Wollo and Oromiya Zone in Ethiopia. The study sample size was 327 by using a purposive sampling technique. The study revealed that there is a big gap between employers' expectations and the graduates' competency of business and economic college in Ethiopia. The results showed that the respondents said there is a lack of skills, knowledge, and abilities among graduates. Furthermore, the analysis has shown that there is a good and significant relationship between the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the graduates. In addition to that, the study has shown that there is no matching between the university curriculum and market demand. Improving and updating the university curriculum to match the market demand and to fill the gap as well as to provide practical training to the graduates are recommended.

Keywords

Competencies, Ethiopia, Expectations, Employer Perception, Graduates.

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