Online First

Research Article

Survey of sweetpotato weevils (Clyas spp.) and white grub (Phyllophaga spp.) in Malawi

By: Willard Mbewe, Antony Nyirenda, Margaret Chiipanthenga, Kennedy Masamba, Obed Mwenye, Felistus Chipungu,

Although sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam.) contributes to household income, food, and nutritional security, its production continues to be threatened by a complex of biotic constraints, including insect pests. Sweetpotato weevils (Cylas spp.) and white grub (phyllophaga spp.) are among the most important sweetpotato pests in sub-Saharan Afri...

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Research Article

Embracing Service Innovation as a Competitive Differentiation Strategy in the Private Security Service Sector in Malawi

By: Sandie Mwiza Kumwenda, Priscilla Maliwichi,

Private security companies in Malawi have long provided services across various economic sectors, including individual households. These services are essential for ensuring sustainable peace and security, complementing government efforts to maintain a secure environment for businesses and investors as emphasized in the Malawi 2063 Agenda under enab...

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Research Article

Building a Business Model Framework for Natural Herbal Products Businesses: A Case Study of the City of Blantyre in Malawi

By: Mphatso Calvin Banda, Andrew Mtewa, Francis Masiye,

The herbal product industry is undeniably a lucrative business in the world market today. The main objective of the study was to investigate the existing business model framework of the herbal products industry in Malawi. Methodology/Design - The sample was drawn from Blantyre City covering central business areas of Blantyre Main City, Chichiri and...

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Research Article

Predictors of Post Start-Up Survival of SMEs in a Strained Economy: A Case of Blantyre, Malawi

By: Ruth Vanessa Makanani, Alfred Maluwa,

A study was conducted to establish the determinants of SMEs’ survival beyond start-up in a strained economy. The study was conducted in Blantyre targeting SMEs in both rural and urban areas. The study design was cross sectional and followed quantitative research methods of data collection and analysis. A total of 191 participants were sampled using...

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Research Article

SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF VILLAGE BANKS ON WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

By: Takondwa D. Msapato, Alfred O. Maluwa,

Safe help groups known as village banks have risen in prominence across the world and in Malawi. This study explored factors influencing women entrepreneurs in village banks in Malawi. The study was conducted in low-income, high-density populated areas in the district of Blantyre, Malawi. It was guided by the village bank group model. Four focus gr...

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Research Article

The Entrepreneurial Opportunity in Malawi’s Digital Transformation: Modelling Public Information Management Systems for Development

By: Nthanda Manduwi, Atikonda Mtenje-Mkochi, Alfred O. Maluwa,

The digital transformation in developing countries presents key entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly in public information management systems (IMS) for socio-economic development. This study explored the factors influencing IMS creation and adoption in Malawi using an extended Technology, Organizational, Environmental, and Individual Concept...

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Research Article

3D Density Heterogeneity of the Crust beneath Botswana and its Tectonic Implications

By: Chikondi Chisenga,

I present the first information on the 3-D crustal density structure across Botswana obtained from 3D tesseroid inversion of Bouguer anomaly data. Crustal density structure provides important information for understanding tectonic and geodynamic processes in Botswana. I applied the inversion algorithm in spherical coordinates and included cons...

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Research Article

In vitro cell specific effects of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and the active compound aspalathin on malignant and benign prostate cell lines

By: Thomson Msiska, TK Monsees,

Rooibos (A. linearis) may promote oxidative stress in malignant prostate cells through increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production but may protect normal prostate cells from ROS induced stress. To test this hypothesis, malignant LNCaP and benign RWPE-1 prostate cells were exposed to aqueous solutions of 125 - 50 000 µg/mL fermented rooi...

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Research Article

Antioxidant properties and safety of Paederia bojeriana (A.Rich. ex DC.) Drake used by traditional herbal practitioners to manage asthma in Malawi

By: Tuntufye Mwambyale, Ibrahim Chikowe, Anthony Mwakikunga, Mwapatsa Mipando,

This study assessed the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity and safety of Paederia bojeriana (A.Rich. ex DC.) Drake claimed to manage asthma by Malawian traditional herbal practitioners. Crude extracts were analysed for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-Diph...

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