African Journals Online
Eastern Africa Social Science Research Review
(EASSRR)

Vol. XVIII No. 2 June 2002

Technical Efficiency of Small- and Medium- Scale Enterprises: Evidence from a Survey of Enterprises in Tanzania

Assefa Admassie, Francis A.S.T. Matambalya

Abstract: The significance of small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) is acknowledged worldwide. SMEs form the vanguard of the modern enterprise sector and present the propelling force of economic modernization and growth in developing economies. But it is imperative to examine their efficiency levels in order to formulate appropriate policies for the development of SMEs. In this study, the level of technical efficiency of SMEs in Tanzania has been examined using a Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier production function. The findings indicate that high levels of technical inefficiency, which reduce their potential output levels significantly, characterize the Tanzanian SMEs. Assisting these firms to improve their technical efficiency through adequate supply of inputs, markets, and credit facilities, and undertaking extensive infrastructural development and training could be important measures.

Factors Related to the Morale OF Agriculture Teachers in Machakos District

John Gowland Mwangi and Kimu Augustino Mwai

Abstract: A well-functioning education system is necessary for sustained socio-economic development and rapid progress in science and technology. Such a system requires well-trained teachers with high morale, who are good role models. This study, designed to determine agriculture teachers' morale and factors affecting it, explains why low morale leads to teachers' apathy, poor job performance, increased value for material rewards, dissatisfaction with school authorities, low turnover and constant shortage. This correlational study (N = 95, reliability = 0.91, -level = 0.05) shows a gender imbalance favouring male teachers. Besides qualification, personal characteristics were not significantly related to teachers' morale as morale factors, which were also related to teachers' stress in England. They include inadequate pay; poor career structure, lack of promotion opportunities, poor school facilities, inadequate school disciplinary policy, attitudes and behaviour of the school head and of other teachers, and pupils' poor work attitudes and lack of interest in school. Lack of trained teachers had forced schools to hire untrained agriculture teachers, which was likely to lower the quality of education. The researchers concluded that teachers' morale could be improved by giving them pay that matches inflation, job tenure, improved teaching facilities, promotion opportunities, managerial responsibilities and administrative support.

EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DETERMINANTS OF DEMAND FOR CHILDREN IN JIMMA CITY, ETHIOPIA

An Application of Count Data Model

Bedassa Tadesse and Sisay Asefa

“Bless you with 24 children: 12 boys and 12 girls.”

(Traditional Oromo blessing)

Abstracts: Using cross-section data on urban households from Jimma city, Southwestern Ethiopia, in this paper we apply the economic theory of consumer choice and examine some endogenous household characteristics that affect the demand for children among urban households in Ethiopia. Based on parameter estimates derived from a count data model, we also simulate the average number of children desired by a woman of median urban household characteristics and assess the extent to which an exogenously set population policy goal of lower fertility can be achieved. The results of our study indicate that enhancing paternal and maternal education, altering the economic value of children, increasing household income, and delaying the marriage age as important policy measures that should be pursued to reduce fertility. Institutional approaches that involve “faith-based initiatives” are also relevant. An important implication of the study is that by using measures that target these socio-economic variables via market incentives, fertility levels among urban households in Jimma and other urban areas of Ethiopia with similar demographic features can be reduced.

A Methodology for Estimating the Income Poverty Line with Application to Sudan

Nagat A. Elmuluthum

Abstract: This paper develops a procedure for estimating an income poverty line with application to Sudan. The methodology we propose here is based on the idea of viability embodied in Jorgenson's (1961) model of the development of a backward economy which consists of only one sector, namely, agriculture. Using GDP, we estimated a subsistence level of income necessary for food and non-food consumption at the level of per capita gross domestic product necessary for the population to grow at a maximum (and not the maximum) rate. The estimated subsistence level of income is used as synonymous with the income poverty line estimated on the basis of the ordinary approach. Our results show that the nominal value of this subsistence income is increasing from one year to another. The values of the estimated subsistence income are not significantly different from the values of the income poverty lines obtained by Ali (1994), using the ordinary approach, for a number of years.