Browsing by Author "Kenneth Bulwa"

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    Digital Transformation, Intellectual Capital and Sustainability Performance of The Financial Services Firms in Uganda.
    (Makerere University Business School, 2021-10-21) Kenneth Bulwa
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between digital transformation, intellectual capital, and sustainability performance among financial services firms in Uganda. The problem that guided this research was the continued underperformance of the sector in meeting sustainability targets, despite growing regulatory pressure and global trends encouraging the integration of environmental, social, and governance practices. Financial institutions in Uganda have struggled with limited adoption of digital technologies and weak intellectual capital, factors that have undermined efficiency and increased operational risks. This study was therefore designed to assess how these internal capabilities jointly influence sustainability outcomes, with the aim of filling a clear gap in existing scholarship. The study was guided by the Resource-Based Theory, and a cross-sectional survey design was used, focusing on 60 financial institutions in Uganda. The sample size was 156 targeted respondents, drawn from senior staff such as managing directors, risk officers, and compliance officers, although 111 responses were received, giving a response rate of 71 percent. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire, which was pilot-tested to ensure validity and reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha values for all constructs exceeding the 0.70 threshold. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis through SPSS. Findings revealed that digital transformation was positively and significantly associated with sustainability performance, particularly when institutions had a clear digital vision and demonstrated agility in adopting technological changes. Intellectual capital also showed a significant and positive relationship with sustainability, with structural and relational capital being stronger predictors than human capital. The regression analysis showed that digital transformation and intellectual capital together explained 36.5 percent of the variation in sustainability performance (Adjusted R² = 0.365). Intellectual capital emerged as the stronger contributor (β = 0.420, p < .001) compared to digital transformation (β = 0.331, p < .001). This indicates that while technology plays an important role in efficiency and adaptability, it is the intellectual resources, policies, systems, skills, and networks, that provide the backbone for sustaining environmental, social, and economic outcomes. Based on these findings, the study recommends that financial institutions strengthen their digital vision and agility while also reinforcing structural systems, staff competencies, and stakeholder relationships. Managers should ensure that investments in digital tools are accompanied by