This study sought to determine factors that militate against men’s participation in the current Zimbabwean functional literacy programme. The research utilized the case study design and the data collecting instruments included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. Twelve adults, seven males and five females aged between thirty-nine and sixty-five years of age were interviewed by the researcher on “Why men were not participating in the functional literacy programme”. No similar research had ever been conducted in Zimbabwe since the inception of the programme in 1992. The definitive findings of the study include a grounded research theory which was extrapolated from the data. After a thorough scrutiny of the data collected, it was possible to conclude that while many of the barriers to literacy participation are similar, the bread and butter issues need to be acknowledged by literacy providers when aiming to attract men into and retain them within the programme. The research also found that poverty, past negative experiences during the early school days, and stigma related issues, were the major inhibiting factors against men’s participation in the programme in the Mazowe district. Although the research had time related and operational limitations, these were however, repulsed by controls effected by the researcher. The diversity of qualitative data collecting instruments played a positive role in ensuring checks and balances in the type and authenticity of data collected. In order to retain male participants in the programme, a supportive environment is recommended. This can be achieved if voluntary literacy tutors are trained in design and delivery of instruction as well as in mobilizing strategies, so that they are sensitive to male participants’ circumstances. The income generating projects in which men are currently involved, need to be made more viable in order to boost their morale. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Detta examensarbete handlar om hur ett möbelproducerande företags råmaterialförsörjning går till. Företaget som har varit värd för arbetet är ett möbeltillverkande företag som heter Stolab och ligger i Smålandstenar. Studiebesök och intervjuer har hos Stolab och deras leverantörer legat till grund för det arbete som vi har utfört. Ämnen som är behandlade är kvalitetsaspekter på råmaterialet samt hur relationerna mellan kund – leverantör fungerar. Arbetet fokuserar främst på den sista punkten, hur relationerna ser ut mellan kund leverantör, vilka möjligheter man har att förbättra kommunikationen mellan företagen och hur inköp och lagerhållning kan fungera. För att kunna förbättra kvaliteten på det råmaterial som kommer till företaget så är en viktig del i det att öka förståelsen för de krav som ställs. Kraven måste också kommuniceras på ett effektivt sätt. Vi har utarbetat en modell för hur detta samarbete kan gå till samt gett en del andra förslag till åtgärder för att kunna förbättra kvalitet på materialet och förbättra relationerna. / This final thesis deals with the hardwood raw material procurement in a furniture producing company. The company that has been our host is a furniture producing company called Stolab situated in Smålandstenar. The study visits and interviews we have completed has been the base of this work and the theory studies that we have made. Subjects that have been treated in this report are quality aspects on the raw material and also the relationships between customer and the supplier. The discussion is focused on the latest mentioned part, which possibilities there are to improve the communication between the companies and how purchase and store-keeping can work. To be able to improve the quality of the raw material that is being delivered to the company an important part is to gain the understanding of the demand that is set. The demands also need to be communicated in an efficient way. We have worked out a model which gives suggestions to motions to be made to improve the quality of the raw material and the relationships between customers and suppliers.

<p>Detta examensarbete handlar om hur ett möbelproducerande företags råmaterialförsörjning går till. Företaget som har varit värd för arbetet är ett möbeltillverkande företag som heter Stolab och ligger i Smålandstenar. Studiebesök och intervjuer har hos Stolab och deras leverantörer legat till grund för det arbete som vi har utfört. Ämnen som är behandlade är kvalitetsaspekter på råmaterialet samt hur relationerna mellan kund – leverantör fungerar. Arbetet fokuserar främst på den sista punkten, hur relationerna ser ut mellan kund leverantör, vilka möjligheter man har att förbättra kommunikationen mellan företagen och hur inköp och lagerhållning kan fungera. För att kunna förbättra kvaliteten på det råmaterial som kommer till företaget så är en viktig del i det att öka förståelsen för de krav som ställs. Kraven måste också kommuniceras på ett effektivt sätt. Vi har utarbetat en modell för hur detta samarbete kan gå till samt gett en del andra förslag till åtgärder för att kunna förbättra kvalitet på materialet och förbättra relationerna.</p> / <p>This final thesis deals with the hardwood raw material procurement in a furniture producing company. The company that has been our host is a furniture producing company called Stolab situated in Smålandstenar. The study visits and interviews we have completed has been the base of this work and the theory studies that we have made. Subjects that have been treated in this report are quality aspects on the raw material and also the relationships between customer and the supplier. The discussion is focused on the latest mentioned part, which possibilities there are to improve the communication between the companies and how purchase and store-keeping can work. To be able to improve the quality of the raw material that is being delivered to the company an important part is to gain the understanding of the demand that is set. The demands also need to be communicated in an efficient way. We have worked out a model which gives suggestions to motions to be made to improve the quality of the raw material and the relationships between customers and suppliers.</p>

This study sought to determine factors that militate against men’s participation in the current Zimbabwean functional literacy programme. The research utilized the case study design and the data collecting instruments included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. Twelve adults, seven males and five females aged between thirty-nine and sixty-five years of age were interviewed by the researcher on “Why men were not participating in the functional literacy programme”. No similar research had ever been conducted in Zimbabwe since the inception of the programme in 1992. The definitive findings of the study include a grounded research theory which was extrapolated from the data. After a thorough scrutiny of the data collected, it was possible to conclude that while many of the barriers to literacy participation are similar, the bread and butter issues need to be acknowledged by literacy providers when aiming to attract men into and retain them within the programme. The research also found that poverty, past negative experiences during the early school days, and stigma related issues, were the major inhibiting factors against men’s participation in the programme in the Mazowe district. Although the research had time related and operational limitations, these were however, repulsed by controls effected by the researcher. The diversity of qualitative data collecting instruments played a positive role in ensuring checks and balances in the type and authenticity of data collected. In order to retain male participants in the programme, a supportive environment is recommended. This can be achieved if voluntary literacy tutors are trained in design and delivery of instruction as well as in mobilizing strategies, so that they are sensitive to male participants’ circumstances. The income generating projects in which men are currently involved, need to be made more viable in order to boost their morale. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)