Journal Articles (Business & Management)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12280/224

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Teamwork and employee performance in micro deposit institutions: a case of Finca Uganda Limited
(Academic Inn International, 2024-08-02) Wamani, Robinson Fabulous; Okello, Apollo; Kaggwa, Charles Richard
The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of teamwork on employee performance of FINCA in Kampala Uganda. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; i) to determine the effect of team spirit on employee performance in FINCA Uganda ii) to evaluate the effect of team trust on employee performance in FINCA Uganda and iii) to evaluate the effect of team leadership on employee performance in FINCA Uganda. With 45 respondents, the study used a cross-sectional design and included qualitative and quantitative methods. The results indicated that Team spirit has a positive significant association with Employee performance (r = 0.631; p<0.01). Whereas team trust exhibits a positive significant association with employee performance indicated by a correlation index of r =0.453; p<0.01 and team leadership has a positive significant association with Employee performance given a correlation index of r = 0.749; p<0.01 Similarly, results indicate Team spirit, team trust as well as team leadership exhibit positive contributions on employee performance of 14.7%, 10.1% and 60.8% respectively. On the overall, teamwork predicts 57.7% of positive variation on employee performance. According to the research's findings, when teams with clearly defined responsibilities are permitted to function, employees perform effectively, which is reflected in the effectiveness of the company as a whole. Additional results include the fact that team spirit, team trust, and team leadership have all significantly improved employee performance. This indicates that each of these factors is a reliable indicator of worker performance. The following suggestions are made by the researcher; a condition when a group of people collectively depend on one another is called team spirit. The staff at FINCA Microfinance must put in place methods to build trust among team members; doing so will increase their operational capabilities, which will boost employee performance.
Fuelwood collection: does it matter for rural households’ labour force participation in the labour market
(Elsevier, 2024-04-25) Kaddu, Milly; Sseruyange, John; Senyonga, Livingstone; Musekese Wabukala, Benard; Watundu, Susan; Turyareebama, Muhammed
The study explores the effect of time spent collecting fuelwood on rural labour force participation in the labour market. We use the Uganda National Household Survey data (2019/20) and employee the instrumental variable profit model to address the potential selection bias associated with fuelwood collection and the joint decision making for fuelwood collection and labour market participation. We observe that rural labour force participation rate in paid activities is 25.34%, and a minute increase in time spent gathering fuelwood for home use reduces the odds of rural labour force participation in the labour market by 0.8%. However, fuelwood collection for market in Northern, Eastern and Western Uganda significantly increases the odds of labour force participation in the labour market. In addition, household income, sickness from inhaling fumes, cooking technology and marital status significantly increases the odds of rural labour force participation in the labour market. We recommend upscaling agro-forestry practices and improved cookstoves to facilitate rural livelihood sustenance in the short run. For the long- and medium-term employment sustainability, the government should plan for alternative income options for rural dwellers to augment their productivity and enroll them to the global sustainable supply chains.
Revisiting trade, energy and growth nexus in Portugal: an empirical evidence from ARDL approach
(Bigedu Foundation - Centre for Research on Poverty and Attitude, 2024-03) Riaz, Sabahat; Saeed, Arifa; Naushahi, Muhammad Mudassar; Nakitende, Marie G.
This research is aimed at revisiting the trade, energy, and growth nexus for Portugal. This nexus will be tested by considering the cointegration test developed by Pesaran et al. (2001). An annual data series from 1986-2022 will be used for analysis. The empirical results suggest that trade openness significantly increases economic activities in Portugal. The results further show that capital formation, energy consumption, and consumer prices also elevate domestic production. Among all these factors, trade openness strongly impacts economic growth. It is further stated that these findings are robust based on all the applied diagnostic tests. Based on these findings, investments should be enhanced to boost trade, capital, and energy so Portugal can enjoy increased economic activities. Besides this, domestic prices may be boosted in such a way that it may not harm the buying power of the buyers but may help improve domestic production and economic growth.
Community lending with external capital: evidence from a randomized evaluation in Uganda
(Elsevier, 2024-04-23) Guzman, Danice; Brooks, Wyatt J.; Byaruhanga, Br. Aloysius; Kaboski, Joseph P.; Nakitende, Sr. Marie; Nambuubi, Juliet; Oluoch-Aridi, Jackline; Ssekijjo, Francis
Community-based savings groups (SGs) both provide credit to the poor and incentivize repayment by allowing community members to borrow from their neighbors. Available capital is typically limited by members' savings, however. We study an intervention relaxing this constraint by exogenously adding initial capital to SGs. Unlike traditional bank loans, this outside money is paid back with the same timing and formula as the other members of the SG, greatly simplifying the process for the SG. Using a randomized experiment in rural Uganda, we find this increases both loans made to SG members and payouts received by SG members. We find no evidence that the intervention compromises the functioning of the SGs. It has no significant effect on the quantity of savings and no effect on SG functioning as measured by disbandment, defaults or failure to repay loans. Cost-benefit calculations indicate a high social rate of return to the intervention.
The impact of energy consumption, financial development, and foreign direct investment on environmental quality: fresh insights from static and dynamic panel models
(Springer Nature Link, 2024-07-10) Orach, Henry; Qianling, Shen; Adhikari, Salina; Twumasi, Martinson Ankrah; Chandio, Abbas Ali; Anita Afra, Arthur; Ocheng, Peter; Masangah, Buteme Irene; Amone, William
The current global trend shows that there is a tremendous increase in CO2 emission and that the level of emission is increasing with various development factors such as consumption of non-renewable energy, financial development, and FDI. However, very few studies have examined the impact of development factors that increase CO2 emissions, especially for African Countries. Therefore, this study contributes to the existing literature by examining the impact of these development factors (i.e., renewable energy consumption, non-renewable energy consumption, FDI, and financial development) on CO2 emission while also considering the importance of institutional quality and technical advancement in African countries. The study also addresses the issues of whether institutional quality and technological advancement have a role in protecting the environment and achieving faster economic growth. A panel between 1996 to 2020 and a model for estimation is used. Results of the analysis indicate that using renewable energy is a fundamental tool in promoting sustainable development by reducing environmental pollution. However, Financial developments and Foreign Direct investment positively impact CO2 emissions. Nevertheless, the majority of the institutional quality estimates are significant for reducing environmental pollution. Technological innovation is revealed as environmental degradation reducer and encourages sustainable growth. The findings call for African policymakers to formulate policies that encourage the use of renewable energy, fund renewable energy projects, and promote technology innovation through financial institutions to achieve sustainable development.
Life insurance service-quality and customer satisfaction in the life insurance industry in Uganda: a case of UAP Old Mutual Life Assurance Uganda Limited
(Technoscience Academy, 2024-07-26) Kilameri, Ivan; Segawa, Edward Katumba; Namuli, Josephine
The purpose of this paper was to assess the effect of life insurance service quality on customer satisfaction in the life insurance industry in Uganda. UAP Old Mutual Life Uganda Limited was used as a case since it registered the highest number of customer complaints amongst the life insurance companies over the period 2017-2019 according to the Insurance Regulatory Authority Annual Insurance Market Report of 2019. Study Design: The paper adopted a cross-sectional field survey design employing mixed methods approaches in collecting and analyzing data. Methodology: Primary data was collected from 317 life insurance policy holders and 30 staff of UAP, both descriptive and inferential statistics were generated. Findings: The findings indicated that life insurance service quality has a positive effect on customer satisfaction (R-square value of 0.670). Therefore assurance, reliability, and responsiveness of a life insurance service are paramount in explaining customer satisfaction of the policyholders. Conclusion: UAP and other life insurance companies ought to pay attention to timely customer claim settlement, ensure compliance with the industry claim settlement guidelines, prompt handling of complaints, increase staffing for its technical areas, implement the annual training program for agents in order to avoid miss-selling and reward professional staff who meet customer expectations. In this way customer satisfaction will be guaranteed.
Increasing customer brand loyalty for hospitality organizations practicing sustainable marketing: a case study of Café Javas, Uganda
(SAS Publisher, 2023-10-29) Muheebwa, Prescah, Florence
The purpose of this research is to discover the effect of sustainable marketing of hospitality services on consumers’ attitudinal and behavioral brand loyalty. Additionally, this research also aims to discover the mediating effect of brand trust and brand affect on this relationship. A combination of descriptive and causal research was used, for which data was collected from 582 respondents and processed using structural equation modeling to establish multivariate relationships. The process method was used to approximate mediation effects. A reasonably valuable insight that arose is the significant role that brand trust and brand affect play in engendering attitudinal and behavioral brand loyalty among consumers, for hospitality organizations adopting sustainable marketing practices. Findings revealed that sustainable marketing practices result in enhanced brand trust, which further translates into higher levels of brand affect, thereby leading to attitudinal brand loyalty and further resulting in behavioral brand loyalty. This study also highlights the importance of brand affect in developing enduring behavioral brand loyalty. Research limitations/implications – Consumers today are changing their consumption habits, preferring to satisfy ideological and symbolic needs rather than just rational needs. So, hospitality marketers practicing sustainable marketing should aim to leverage brand trust and brand affect to ensure lasting behavioral brand loyalty. The examination of the effect of sustainable marketing practices on brand-related variables in hospitality organizations has contributed to a better understanding of the mechanism that underlines the operation of emotion-based enduring loyalty. The vast majority of studies that provided insights about sustainable marketing practices and consumer behavior thereof were dominated by European and American perspectives and very few studies exist with a focus on developing economies such as Uganda.
Contract management and operational performance of the road construction sector in Uganda: Evidence from the Uganda National Roads Authority
(Centre for Research Implications and Practice, 2023) Muheesi, Alex; Kasenge, Martin; Ssebagala, Cyprian; Namuli, Josephine
The study examined the effect of contract management on operational performance of the road construction sector in Uganda, a case of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) paying attention to three objectives: to examine the effect of contract administration; relationship management and contract monitoring on operational performance of UNRA. A cross sectional research design was used on a sample of 108 participants from whom questionnaires were used to collect data. SPSS (version 25) was adopted to process data while analysis was done through descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that all tenets of contract management studied are positively related to operational performance (contract administration: r = 0.53; p < 0.01, relationship management: r = 0.644; p < 0.01 and contract monitoring: r = 0.469; p <0.01). Results revealed that contract management explains 41.3% of the variation in operational performance of UNRA and that contract administration, relationship management and contract monitoring have a positive effect on operational performance with net contributions of 42%, 34.7% and 24.6% respectively. The researchers conclude that contract management positively predicts operational performance. The researchers recommend that the authorities at UNRA should pay keen attention to all dimensions of contract management adopted in the study since they all positively relate with and equally positively influence operational performance of the organization. By doing so, any occurrences that would jeopardize smooth flow of activities and works will be eliminated, hence harnessing operational efficiency.
Managing Church Financial Stability in the Wake of COVID-19 vis-à-vis Impact on Church's Mission: A Case Study of Parishes in Masaka Diocese, Uganda
(St. Augustine University of Tanzania, 2020) Tebitendwa, Antony; Ssendege, James
This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on church financial stability and its impact on church apostolate using a case study of catholic parishes in Masaka Diocese. The study employed three objectives: i) to understand the impact of COVID-19 on catholic parish apostolate and its eventual impact on the contribution from Christians as a major source of finances; ii) to examine the existing alternative sources of finance and their role in supporting a catholic parish apostolate, and iii) to determine the role of financial management skills towards achieving financial stability in the wake of COVID-19. In-depth interviews were used with the aid of a semi-structured interview guide which targeted key parish leaders, i.e., parish priest and laity leaders in 26 parishes. Lockdown adversely affected the collection of financial contributions from Christians, which is a major source of finances for many catholic parishes. The study also found out that many parishes have projects as alternative sources of finances, however, there is lack of focus which leads to low project returns. For parishes that are focused on a few projects which they can do well, they reported the importance of projects during the lockdown because they acted as a substitute for contributions. Almost all parish leaders knew what to do, but the existing personal ideologies prohibited some of these church leaders to practice some financial management skills. Practical implication: All catholic parish churches, need to confront the reality of achieving financial stability if they are to achieve success in their apostolate. If they are unable to obtain the financial resources they need for their apostolate, their ability to fulfill that apostolate is likely to be compromised.
Educational Inequality and Quality of life: A comparative Study of Secondary Schools in Central and Northern Uganda
(2017) Nabasumba, Sylvia; Naamara, Winfred; Nabadda, Christine
Drawing on a comparative analysis from central and northern regions of Uganda, we identified the factors that are associated with educational inequality and quality of life in secondary schools in both regions. Our sample comprised of 358 students and 72 key informants, primary data were mainly collected through interviews and structured questionnaires. Thematic analysis of qualitative data was done by identifying common themes based on the objectives of the study, while quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Most of the factors that were identified applied to both regions as the central region has a significant number or people from other parts of the country including the northern region. However, some factors were more prevalent in the northern region. Among the factors that were found to bring about inequality in both regions included gender-based inequality, family economic status and policy related factors. Overall, the study concluded that the central region is better equipped to offer quality education due to availability of a better infrastructure and staff remuneration, however, efforts are being made to improve the quality of education in the northern region as well.
Motivation and Perseverance of Women in Education Leadership in the United States of America
(2019) Nakitende, Marie Goretti
This study examined executive women leaders in higher education administration in the United States of America. It examined factors influencing women to attain leadership positions. It also looked at the challenges facing female leaders and established strategies women use to overcome these challenges. A sample of 11 women leaders in higher education was selected purposively based on experience, seniority and roles. Multiple sources of data collection were utilised including interviewing, observation and document analysis, which served as a way of triangulation. The nature of the study was exploratory. The qualitative phenomenological method was utilised to organise and analyse the data. The researched data was collected from both primary and secondary sources such as journals, interviews and observations. Findings reveal that senior women leaders in higher education positions are intrinsically moved by a great desire to make a positive difference and a need to help others. External forces influencing women to leadership include mentoring, self-efficacy, networks, prior experience, leadership training, and career planning. The results indicated that the women desire is to achieve personal growth and development. The results are consistent with both leadership and motivation theories (Maslow, 1970; Burns, 1978; Bandura, 1997). The findings are limited to women leaders in the education sector; they cannot be generalised to other business sectors.
Researching the Reintegration of Formerly Abducted Children in Northern Uganda Through Action Research: Experiences and Reflection
(2010) Angucia, Margaret; Zeelen, Jacques; De Jong, Gideon
This paper presents experiences and reflections on the use of a participatory research methodologyunder the difficult conditions of a war situation in northern Uganda. We draw from two compli-mentary approaches in action research to explain our methodology while doing research on thereintegration of formerly abducted children. First, the experience oriented approach, which empha-sizes the need to articulate experience as a basis for learning and knowledge. Second, the exemplaryparticipatory approach which highlights the importance of enhancing empowerment and the need tofind solutions for social problems. We find these two approaches useful for doing action research in aconflict area because of their emphasis on experience and empowerment respectively. In our research,experience is important because of the children’s encounter with the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)rebels that both needs to be understood and justifies reintegration. On the otherhand, empowerment isimportant for our assumption that the children’s experience and encounter with the LRA hasdisempowering effects on them. We demonstrate the use of the approaches in our research byenhancing participation, balancing power relations and being aware of ethical issues while at thesame time attempting to make the research valid inspite of the challenges. Copyright#2010 JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cash Management and Performance of Small Scale Businesses in Mbale Municipality, Uganda
(2017) Nalela, Kizitod; Okware, Samuel; Kutosi, Godfrey; Phinnehas, Kuka; Eric, Mabongaa
Abstract This paper intended to determine the relationship between cash management and profitability in small businesses in Mbale municipality. Mixed methods were employed; survey design was employed with a sample of 167 small businesses determined statistically. Interviews were conducted to support data collected by questionnaires. Results indicate that there is efficient management of cash collection and cash payment in small businesses in Mbale municipality. Results further revealed a significant relationship between cash management and profitability in small businesses. Researchers therefore, concluded that small businesses are efficient in managing cash; efficient cash management is significantly associated with profitability in small businesses. Recommendation, small scale business owners should embrace the use of improved technology to enhance higher levels of efficiency in managing cash. Different methods of cash collection should be used such as; mobile money, direct deposit and fund transfers services.
General Practice Patients Treated for Substance Use Problems: Acrossnational Observational Study in Belgium
(2016) Wanyama, Simeon; Boffin, Nicole; Antoine, Jerome; Moreels, Sarah; De Ridder, Karin; Peremans, Lieve; Vanmeerbeek, Marc; Van Casteren, Viviane
General Practitioners (GPs) are well placed to care for patients with (chronic) substance use problems. This pilot was carried out to study the feasibility and usefulness of a continuous surveillance of substance use problems among general practice patients. The objectives were (i) to describe variables with missing values exceeding 1% and whether patients were reported without substance-related problems; (ii) the profile and the magnitude of the patient population that is treated for substance use problems.Observational study by the Belgian Network of Sentinel General Practices (SGP) in 2013. Baseline (at the first encounter) and 7-month follow-up data were reported of all patients treated for substance use problems. Two main measurements were type of substance use and patient status at follow-up. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine patient status at follow-up. Of 479 patients, 47.2% had problems with alcohol alone, 20.3% with prescription drugs, 16.7% with illicit drugs other than heroin or methadone and 15.9% with heroin or methadone. Problems with alcohol alone were more prevalent in Flanders (53.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 46.8–59.1%) than in Wallonia-Brussels (39.8%; 95% CI33.1–46.8%), while problems with heroin or methadone were more prevalent in WalloniaBrussels (27.0%; 95% CI 21. 1–33.5%) than in Flanders (7.1%; 95% CI 4.3–10.9%). At followup, 32.8% of the patients had dropped out, 29.0% had discontinued GP treatment and 38.2% had continued GP treatment. Overall, 32.4% of 479 patients had continued GP treatment for substance use problems during the study period. In Wallonia-Brussels, this proportion was higher (42.7%; 95% CI 35.9–49.6%) than in Flanders (24.3%; 95% CI 19.2–29.8%). A continuous surveillance of the general practice population treated for substance use problems seems to be feasible and useful. The latter is suggested by the specific profile and the relative magnitude of the population. Inter-regional health system differences should be taken into account to estimate the epidemiology of substance use problems among general practice patients.
History and Evolution of Public Procurement Reforms in Uganda
(2016) Wanyama, Simeon
This chapter discusses the history and evolution of public procurement in Uganda and presents a thorough review of the laws and regulations, audit and investigation reports, as well as the opinions of the practitioners about the relative success and failure of reform. Wanyama demonstrates that political interference and economic bilateralism between Uganda and China are shifting the preferential schemes from local to foreign companies rather than abolishing them as international discourse on competition would want it.
Utilization of Teaching Resources and Academic Performance in Technical Colleges in Oyo State, Nigeria.
(Uganda Martyrs University, 2012) Ssempebwa, Jude
The debate on technical education in Nigeria has centred on access to and the quality, funding and benefits of technical education. Questions relating to differences in the resources allocated to technical colleges; and the relationship between the availability and utilization of resources and academic performance in these colleges have remained unanswered. Taking the case of Oyo State, therefore, this study was conducted to examine the variations in the resources allocated to these colleges; and the relationship between the availability and utilization of resources and academic performance in the colleges. Data were collected using documentary analysis, questionnaire and observation. Analysis of variance in the resources allocated to the colleges indicated that there were variations in the resources allocated to the colleges. Notwithstanding, all the colleges studied were under-facilitated. Pearson Product Moment Correlation and regression analysis indicated significant relationships between the availability and utilization of resources and academic performance in the colleges.
Foreign Direct Investment and Development of Local Firms: Highlighting the Need to Build Absorptive Capacity
(Uganda Martyrs University, 2012) Lugemwa, Peter
Many developing countries are investing a lot to attract FDI. As a consequence of the linkages between FDI and the local firms and the resultant technological spillovers, local firms are expected to experience growth. However, there is evidence to suggest that FDI does not necessarily lead to the growth of local firms. Rather, local firms may be competed out of business. It is therefore imperative that local firms build absorptive capacity to benefit from FDI. A minimum threshold of absorptive capacity is necessary for FDI to contribute to the growth of local firms. In this context absorptive capacity is the technological gap between the domestic and foreign firm. Evidence suggests that the wide technological gap between local and foreign firms is impediment to the technological transfer between them.
Neglected Outcomes of Customer Orientation in Urban Public Water Utilities in Uganda and Tanzania
(African Journals Online, 2012) Mukokoma, Maurice; Ssemwogere, Edward Anselm
We used 30 decision making units (DMUs) of National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) in Uganda and Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Corporation [DAWASCO] in Tanzania to collect data from customers and workers/regulators of the two utilities. We also collected secondary data on the performance of the utilities in 2010. We used this data to calculate the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for the DMUs. The results indicate high adoption of customer orientation in NWCS’ DMUs (mean score = 86%) while in DAWASCO’s DMUs the mean score is 44%. The results from DEA analysis show a mean efficiency score of 93% for NWSC and 71% for DAWASCO. Also, the findings indicate a service quality gap of -1.98 for NWSC and -2.81 for DAWASCO. We found that there is a positive correlation between customer orientation and efficiency (0.58 [p<0.01]); a positive correlation between customer orientation and customer satisfaction (0.36 [p>0.01]); and an inverse correlation between customer satisfaction and efficiency (0.043% [p>0.01]). These results imply that increased adoption of customer orientation reforms enhances technical efficiency albeit the resultant improvement in customer satisfaction is statistically insignificant.
The ‘People’s Budget’ and Budget Effectiveness: the Case of Local Governments in Uganda
(African Journals Online, 2010) Mukokoma, Maurice
All over the world, participatory budgeting is being advocated. This is based on the belief that stakeholders’ participation in the budgeting process improves transparency, accountability and service delivery. Using evidence from 105 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Kabalore and Kamwenge district local governments, therefore, this study set out to analyse the participation of CSO’s in the budgeting process and the effectiveness of the budget process, as a result of such participation. The findings were that the participation of CSOs in the budgeting process is still very low and that the relationship between this participation and effectiveness of the budget process is very weak (spearman’s correlation coefficient = .08). Therefore, it is recommended that relevant organisations build the capacity of CSOs to participate in the budgeting process, to secure the benefits of budget effectiveness associated with such participation.
Application and Effectiveness of New Public Management in National Water and Sewerage Corporation
(African Journals Online, 2009) Mukokoma, M. Maurice
Worldwide, public uti liti es are undergoing reforms, including the adopti on of New Public Management (NPM)—a managerial strategy that departs from monopolisti c forms of public uti liti es to argue for the adopti on of market-oriented approaches to the provision of social services. In Uganda, Nati onal Water and Sewerage Corporati on (NWSC) is reported to be applying principles of the strategy. Hitherto, however, research had not been conducted into whether the corporati on’s management typifi es the applicati on of these principles and, if it does, what the results of doing so have been. This study was, therefore, conducted to examine the applicati on of these principles in the corporati on and assess the level of customers’ sati sfacti on with the corporati on’s services, with the view to highlight the link between the two, if any. Data were collected through documentary analysis; survey of the corporati on’s customers’ sati sfacti on with its services; and interview, of some of the corporati on’s managers. The fi ndings were that, with a few excepti ons, the corporati on applies the principles of NPM (i.e. autonomy, accountability, customer orientati on and market orientati on); and that the applicati on of these principles has enhanced customer sati sfacti on. It is, therefore, recommended that the corporati on increases its adhere

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