Business Incubation in Uganda, Services, Processes and Incubatee Perceptions- A case study

Purpose-This paper examines the nature of services and processes of business incubation. Its specific objectives are to establish the nature of services offered by business incubation centers in Uganda, examine the incubation process and to establish the perception of business incu- batees about business incubation services using a case of FinAfrica a private social enterprise. Methodology-This paper presents findings from one incubation center FinAfrica as a case study. Ethnographic design is adopted while observation and interview methods are used to collect data. Results-Key services offered by FinAfrica incubation center include entrepreneurial training, provision of office space, legal and accounting services, mentoring, coaching, entrepreneurial networks and general office administration. The centre has a unique business incubation model which starts with motivating people to start businesses, capacity building, business registration, and ends with graduation after attaining capability for self-sustainability. Incubatees perceive the services offered by the incubation centre as helpful through training, affordable office space, entrepreneurial ecosystem and opportunities for a lean startup. Implications- While this study does not offer statistical inferences for generalisation because of the qualitative design and single case, the exploration of FinAfrica provides insights about how Incubation centers need to plan for positive and sustainable entrepreneurial impact for startups. There is need for more Government and other development partners’ involvement in business incubation and post incubation support for competiveness and growth. Originality/value- This study provides insights about the key services offered in the incubation process and provides insights into the perceived benefits of business incubation. It also contributes to literature about business incubation with practical evidence from an emerging economy whose focus is on private sector development and innovation promotion.

Corporate Social Responsibility Implementation - Lessons from Uganda

Purpose: This paper presents aspects of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Implementation Success Model to guide CSR engagements. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative case methodology is used to investigate two CSR companies in Uganda. Semi-structured interviews with managers and stakeholders are conducted. Data triangulation includes reviewing CSR reports and documents, and visiting communities and CSR activities/projects mentioned in the case companies’ reports. Grounded theory guides the data analysis and aggregation. Findings: The findings culminate into a “CSR Implementation Success Model. ” Key aspects of CSR implementation success are identified as: (i) involvement of stakeholders and management (i.e., co-production) at the start and during every stage of CSR implementation; (ii) management of challenges and conflicts arising within/outside of the company itself; and (iii) feedback management or performance assessment—i.e., accountability via CSR communications and reporting. Stakeholder involvement and feedback management (accountability) are pivotal, though all three must be considered equally. Research limitations: The studied companies were large and well-established mature companies, so it is unclear whether newer companies and small and medium-sized enterprises would produce similar findings. Practical implications: Successful CSR implementation starts with a common but strategic understanding of what CSR means to the company. However, CSR implementation should (i) yield benefits that are tangible, and (ii) have a sustainable development impact because these two aspects form implementation benchmarks. Additionally, top management should be involved in CSR implementation, but with clear reasons and means. Originality/value: This paper unearths a CSR Implementation Success Model that amplifies views of “creating shared value” for sustainable development. It guides organizations towards strategic CSR, as opposed to the responsive CSR (returning profits to society) that largely dominates in developing countries. Additionally, it explains how to add value to the resource envelope lubricating the entire CSR implementation process

Religiosity and Islamic Banking in Uganda

Purpose: The objective of this paper was to examine the extent to which religiosity matters in explaining existing bank customers’ propensity to patronise Islamic banking in the context of a predominantly non-Islamic country freshly adopting Islamic Finance and Banking. Methodology: Underpinned by the Theory of Reasoned Action we use pre-existing scales for attitudes of customers and subjective norms and integrate religiosity in the model to predict propensity to patronise Islamic banking. We collected data from 382 existing commercial bank customers and carried out a factor analysis to examine the scales validity and reliability. We answer the main question of whether religiosity matters using two approaches: we test for mediation effects of religiosity and also use a hierarchical regression analysis to determine the additive effect of religiosity in explaining propensity to Patronise Islamic Banking (PIB) in a predominantly non-Islamic country. Findings: Results of the Sobel, Aroian and Goodman tests show that religiosity mediates the predictive potential Behavioural Intentions (BI) of existing bank customers’ propensity to patronise Islamic banking. Hierarchical regression analysis also showed that after controlling for the variance accounted for by control variables, namely religion, age and education; religiosity had a significant additive effect in the model and positively relates with PIB. In the final model religiosity together with subjective norm and attitude predict 71% of the variance in Patronising Islamic Banking. Our study therefore shows religiosity is important and does matter in patronising Islamic banking. Originality/Value: This empirical study answers the pertinent question of whether religiosity matters in the propensity to use and patronise Islamic banking. It contributes to a better understanding of the factors that ought to be taken into account when a country is adopting Islamic banking principles. In particular the findings will be useful to commercial banks in Uganda when designing and marketing Islamic banking products to their existing and potential customers.

Social Networks and Subjective Norms: The Mediating effect of financial self efficacy on Financial Inclusion

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of financial self- efficacy on the relationship between social networks, subjective norms and financial inclusion among individuals in Uganda. Design/Methodology/Approach: We used a quantitative approach and cross sectional research design with a sample of 400 individuals from urban Central and rural Northern Uganda. Structural equation modeling was used to establish and test the hypothesized relationships and mediation effects between social networks, subjective norms and financial inclusion. Findings: The results suggest that financial self-efficacy is a mediator of the relationship between social networks, subjective norms and financial inclusion. Furthermore, significant relationships between social networks, subjective norms and financial inclusion were found. Research Limitations: The study was assessed using both potential and actual consumers of financial services collectively. However, if separately assessed, possibly there would be a variation in perceptions or behavioral responses towards financial inclusion. Practical Implications: There is a need to develop and sustain high levels of financial confidence among individuals to enable them use formal financial services through the social networks and subjective norms in which they are embedded and social values they uphold. Originality/Value: The results contribute towards the limited empirical and theoretical evidence regarding the mediating role of financial self-efficacy in explaining financial behaviour.

Organizational Trust, Collectivism and Goal Congruence

Purpose: The study addresses the building blocks of goal congruence among local governments by presenting a conceptual study on the impact of collectivism on the organizational trust - goal congruence relationship. Methodology: We apply structural equation modeling (AMOS) to test the hypotheses. Findings: The study finds that organisational trust and collectivism are positively and significantly associated. The study also finds that collectivism is positively correlated with goal congruence. The study did not find a direct significant association between organizational trust and goal congruence, except through collectivism. Implications: This study demonstrates that organizational trust on its own may not influence goal congruence among local government except through collectivism. Originality: The results provide initial evidence that enrich stewardship studies by confirming that variations in organizational trust enhance collectivism for goal congruence in the delivery of public services.Organizational Trust, Collectivism and Goal Congruence