Telecommunications Industry in Zimbabwe - Research Proposal Example

RESEARCH PROPOSAL An Investigation into the relationship between project management maturity, business performance and project performance in the telecommunications industry in Zimbabwe Table of Contents 1. Introduction and background 2 1.2. Rationale of the research 3 2. Theory and research review 3 3. Research problem statement and research objectives 3 3.1. Problem statement 4 3.2. Research objectives 4 3.3. Type of research 4 3.4. Importance of the research problem 4 3.5. Limitations and assumptions of the study 4 4. Proposed research approach, strategy and schedule 4 5. Bibliography 1. Introduction and background This paper will discuss the relationship between project management maturity, business performance and project performance in the telecommunication industry in Zimbabwe, and also look into the implementation of efficient management in the industry. The telecommunications industry is of unique importance, and it has been argued that Zimbabwe is presently undergoing a telecommunications revolution, expressed in a proliferation of new technologies in communications and media. This revolution means that the country and indeed the whole world, is steadily becoming more and more dependent on electronic methods of communication. The situation may also have ushered in a phenomenon of globalization. The outcomes and implications of these changes have also gradually become the main focus of scholarly research, media technology and policy making. 1.2. Rationale of the research The telecommunications market in Zimbabwe and the world around is becoming increasingly consolidated, thus enabling the key players in the telecommunications industry to come out with products at a faster pace, so as to meet the demands of their customers and the trend of the market. The importance of investigating the relationship between project management maturity, business performance and project performance in the telecommunication industry in Zimbabwe cannot be overstated. A number of other studies have shown that the issue of what constitutes the most appropriate method of state policy restructuring as regards technological and industrial development is a matter of contention. Zimbabwe continues to open up its economy to market forces and as such more research and studies should be carried out about the country’s economic and political roles and also on the social implications of telecommunications reform and reforms in other sectors of the economy. In a study carried out about contemporary south African telecommunications, the researchers noted that “while much has been written about general industrial development in that country, there is no real detailed study of any of its major industries.” (Kaplan, 1990). It can be said that the same also holds in the case of Zimbabwe. This situation can lead to some critical deficiencies in understanding because most major economics development processes can only be discerned through such detailed studies. 2. Theory and research review It should be noted that there are very few, if any publications about the telecommunications industry in Zimbabwe. Although one may find an occasional paper that discusses physical road and air transportation and communication or books about the postal history of the country, there hasn’t been any prior real interest in the Zimbabwean telecommunications sector, even though this sector continues to grow in importance. As such, literature on telecommunications in Zimbabwe has mostly been manifested in papers presented at various economic, business or investment conferences. SWOT analysis: 3. Research problem statement and research objectives This study investigates the ways in which efficient management techniques can be implemented in the Zimbabwean telecommunication industry, as well as investigating the manner in which project maturity, business performance and project performance relate to one another in the industry. 3.1. Problem statement The major problems facing project maturity and performance in the telecommunications industry in Zimbabwe include inefficiency, lack of information and necessary analysis for explaining the prevailing conditions and this contributes to the blunting of proper assessment of the implications of a reform in the telecommunications sector, in regard to continued social and economic development 3.2. Research objectives By answering the research questions posed above, the objective of this study is to find out how proper interaction can be enhanced between project maturity and performance in Zimbabwe’s telecommunications industry. In order to properly address the research problem, it is proposed that steps are taken to upgrade the country’s telecommunications sector and define the strategies through which information technology will be used to foster economic and social development. 3.3. Type of research The research study will comprise of the following components: Theory building research Theory testing research Theory application research 3.4. Importance of the research problem This research is very important, as it deals with aspects of the telecommunication sector that are critical to the communications revolution evidenced by the rapid proliferation of new technologies in media and telecommunications in Zimbabwe. The general population and the key personnel in the Zimbabwean telecommunication industry stand to benefit a lot from this study, as it will help to enhance better interaction and operation between management techniques, project maturity and performance in the telecommunications sector. As a developing country, it is essential for Zimbabwe to upgrade the country’s telecommunications sector and define the strategies through which information technology will be used to foster economic and social development. Telecommunication is the ‘nervous system’ of the emerging global economy, and Zimbabwe must take advantage of this sector. In order to take part in the micro-electronics led industrial revolution, Zimbabwe is obliged to ensure that it has an adequately installed telecommunications network. 3.5. Limitations and assumptions of the study There is lack of information and necessary analysis for explaining the prevailing conditions and this contributes to the blunting of proper assessment of the implications of a reform in the telecommunications sector, in regard to continued social and economic development. Over the last 30 years, the Zimbabwean telecommunications industry has been undergoing a steady evolution. It is dismaying that the social history in this sector has not been adequately documented, especially with the recent tensions between the national and private operators in the country. In this information age, telecommunication is vital to social and economic development, as “functioning of markets, various productive activities in manufacturing, agriculture and services as well as political and social interaction of allsorts depend on a reliable telecommunications network. Telecommunications developments have caused a shift in the wealth creation paradigm,16 and evidence that an efficient, modern and widely disseminated telecommunications network is a significant determinant of the overall development prospects of any country has been accumulating, and is now widely accepted.” (Kaplan, 1990) 4. Proposed research approach, strategy and schedule The research approach will consist of a comprehensive literature review with substantiated field research and interviews, a workshop, etc. 5. Bibliography Project Management Journal Volume 40, Number 3 pg 14 to pg 26 (September 2009) PMI International Journal Of Project Management 21 (2003) 471 -478 IEEE journals PMI Project management journals A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Fourth Edition Kerzner, H. (2005). Using the project management maturity model (2nd Ed.) Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Grant, K.P., & Pennypacker, J.S. (2006) Project Management maturity: An assessment of project management capabilities among and between selected industries. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 51, 59-68. Nicholas, M J & Steyn, H Project Management for Business and Engineering, Third Ed, Butterworth-Heinemann,2007 Kaplan, (1990) Telecom Presentation. Bodie, Z. Kane, A. Marcus, A (2003), "Essentials of Investment", International Edition, McGraw-Hill/Irwin Business Report (March 13 2006), Harmony shares take a hit after buying into Western Areas. Chugh, D. Ngqula, K. (2004), "Chairman's and Chief Executive's Report" Available On: http://www.mittalsteelsa.com/investor_relations/2004/annual/index.asp?Page=chairreport.asp Accessed On: 14/05/06 Financial Mail, Global Risk Rises, (12/05/2006), Available from: http://free.financialmail.co.za/06/0512/ecomark/aecomark.htm, Accessed on: 16/05/2006 Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (2006) Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. Interim Results 2006 Kumba Resources Annual Report 2005. Retrieved from: www.kumbaresources.com Zimbabwe's Telecom Industry In Danger of Collapse. World IT Report. FindArticles.com. 22 Apr, 2010. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4175/is_20030929/ai_n12930800/ Read More