Managerial practices for small construction companies in Masvingo City: Lessons for entrepreneurship in Zimbabwes higher education sector

This qualitative case study explored the managerial practices of small construction companies in Masvingo city with a view to relating findings to the newly introduced education 5.0 in Tertiary institutions in Zimbabwe. The study was motivated by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development’s thrust to introduce innovation and industrialisation hubs in universities in the country culminating in the setting up of production units at these institutions. The study was conducted at small construction enterprises in Masvingo city because production units were at their infancy stage in the country at the time. Hence it was felt that universities could draw lessons from the private sector after the study. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were used to generate data on the views of building inspectors, workers and owners of the small construction enterprises as well as residents of Masvingo city, towards the small enterprises’ managerial practices. Participants felt that the financial management practices were sound but no formal marketing strategies or quality control systems were said to be in place in the enterprises. The study recommended small construction enterprises in Masvingo city to market as well as improve on their quality management skills for their enterprises to remain viable. In that vein, production units at universities should work towards improving their management styles in areas such as financial management, marketing strategies as well as quality control systems.