Effectiveness of Business Management Solutions Used by two Zimbabwe State Owned Enterprises to Address Business Challenges

Purpose: State enterprises in Zimbabwe are perceived by business and civic society as being inefficient and loss making causing heavy government expenditure to sustain their operations. The study sought to establish the effectiveness of business solutions used by two state enterprises namely, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopted mixed methods paradigm together with explanatory sequential design. The target population was 97 managers from both state enterprises and parent ministry. Forty-six respondents provided quantitative data from a structured questionnaire. Interviews generated qualitative. Findings: Major findings were that the current solutions were being hampered by lack of transparency, accountability, financial resources and retarded technological development. Implications/Originality/Value: The implications are that both parastatals should outsource some non-key services, work with reputable partners to build business growth, streamline performance management system to enhance production and align it with rewards, carry out research to enhance creativity and development, enforce prudent financial management systems, adopt good governance and organisational restructuring.