Dissertations and Theses (Master's & Doctoral)

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    Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, Entrepreneurial Alertness, Entrepreneurial Orientation and Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nakawa Division in Kampala District.
    (Makerere University Business School, 2021-09-29) Walulumba, Samuel
    Small and Medium Enterprises are considered as drivers of economic growth most especially in developing economies. The study examined the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy, entrepreneurial alertness, entrepreneurial orientation and performance of SMEs in Nakawa Division in Kampala district. The study was premised on the following research objectives: to examine the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and performance of SMEs, to examine the relationship between entrepreneurial alertness and performance of SMEs and to examine the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and performance of SMEs. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design along with a quantitative research approach. In this study, the researcher distributed 375 questionnaires of which only 262 questionnaires were returned representing a response rate of 70%. Quantitative data analysis was done using regression and correlation analyses. Study findings revealed a positive relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy, entrepreneurial alertness, entrepreneurial orientation and performance of SMEs in Nakawa Division in Kampala district. Findings revealed that entrepreneurial self-efficacy helps managers to believe in their ability to execute activities which largely improve their performance. It was further observed that entrepreneurial orientation is essential when exploring opportunities, starting businesses as well as improving the competitive position of businesses and enables managers to gain greater efficiency in performance. Study findings further revealed that entrepreneurial alertness puts a business in a more competitive and innovative position and yet, innovation is instrumental in improving performance. It was recommended that managers need high levels of entrepreneurial self-efficacy when planning and allocating organizational resources. Finally, SMEs managers should keep alert on profitable opportunities so that they make informed decisions.
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    Founder Characteristics, Entrepreneurial Passion and Success of Incubated Businesses in Kampala District, Uganda.
    (Makerere University Business School, 2025-11-21) Nsimbe, Akiram
    The ongoing growth of business incubators in Uganda has not fully resolved persistent challenges with success rates among incubated businesses. This research explores how founder characteristics like education and experience and the presence of entrepreneurial passion collectively influence the success of enterprises nurtured in Kampala's incubation programs, using the Dynamic Capabilities Theory as a guide. A cross-sectional, quantitative approach was applied, sampling 113 incubates via stratified random techniques. Primary data were obtained using structured surveys, analyzed using the latest SPSS software, and examined through descriptive and inferential analytics. The results uncovered a significant positive relationship between founder characteristics particularly education, experience, and gender and business success indicators such as new product development, financial performance, and market entry (r = .473, p < .01). Entrepreneurial passion measured through inventing, founding, and developing passion showed an even stronger correlation with business success (r = .746, p < .01). Furthermore, regression analysis indicated that the combination of founder characteristics and entrepreneurial passion explained 34.4% of the variance in incubated business success. Entrepreneurial passion emerged as the most influential predictor. The study comes to a conclusion that, both founder attributes and entrepreneurial passion play essential roles in determining the success of incubated enterprises. It recommends that incubators prioritize the assessment and development of these traits through tailored mentorship, training, and selection processes.
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    Social Capital, Entrepreneurial Passion, Entrepreneurial Competencies and Performance of Women Enterprises in Nakawa Market.
    (Makerere University Business School, 2021-09-29) Ninsiima, Eunice
    The study examined the relationship between Social Capital, entrepreneurial passion, entrepreneurial competencies and performance of women enterprises in Nakawa Market in Kampala District. The study asserted that women enterprises contribute to economic growth and development however their performance is low. Hence the study was grounded on the following study objectives: to examine the relationship between social capital and Performance of women enterprises, entrepreneurial passion and Performance of women enterprises and finally entrepreneurial competencies and performance of women enterprises. A cross-sectional research design was adopted along with a quantitative research approach. In this study, 217 respondents were sampled; however, only 180 respondents returned the questionnaires representing a response rate of 83%. The data was collected using questionnaires. Quantitative data analysis was done using regression and correlation analysis. Study findings revealed a significant positive relationship between Social Capital, entrepreneurial passion, entrepreneurial competencies and performance of women enterprises in Nakawa Market in Kampala District. Findings revealed that social capital enables women entrepreneurs to obtain access of information from their social networks which reduces several expenses which may be incurred when gathering such information. It was further observed that Entrepreneurial passion creates and encourages an innovative culture which is critical for the performance of women enterprises. Study findings further revealed that entrepreneurial competencies can positively affect the expansion and competitiveness of women enterprises. It was recommended that women entrepreneurs need to ensure that Social capital is given significant consideration to obtain information in a cost efficient and reliable manner. It is also recommended that women entrepreneurs should embrace entrepreneurial passion and competencies while adopting knowledge, attitude and skills along with Intense Positivity and Identity Centrality in their areas of operations.
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    Entrepreneurial Motivation, Innovation and Resilience Among Tours and Travel Enterprises in Kampala District.
    (Makerere University Business School, 2023-11-07) Namugenyi, Jamila
    The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurial motivation, innovation and resilience of tours and travel enterprises in Kampala. This study was a cross-sectional research design along with a quantitative research approach. A sample of 103 tours and travel enterprises was used. Data were obtained from business owners and top manager using questionnaire instrument. Validity of the questionnaire was tested using Content Validity Index, while reliability through pretesting and Cronbach Alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed using SPSS (v25) from which frequency tables, correlation and regression analyses were obtained to interpret results. This study found a positive and significant relationship between entrepreneurial motivation and business resilience. The study also established a positive and significant association between innovation and business resilience among tours and travel enterprises. Furthermore, the study found that entrepreneurial motivation and innovation positively and significantly predict business resilience. Moreover, this study ascertained that entrepreneurial motivation is the better predictor of business resilience among tours and travel enterprises in Kampala. The study concludes that motivations or drives which propel entrepreneurial activity are crucial in ensuring business resilience. It further concludes that innovation plays a crucial role in ensuring business resilience. The study recommends tours and travel enterprises engagement in innovation; and entrepreneurship education to stimulate business resilience. This research suggests future researchers to examine relationship between entrepreneurial motivation and business resilience focusing on motivations other than locus of control, risk taking propensity, and achievement oriented; comparative study examining entrepreneurial motivation, innovation and business resilience; and quantitative and qualitative approach examining entrepreneur motivation, innovation and business resilience among tours and travel enterprises in Uganda.
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    Adoption of E-commerce Among Small-Scale Traders with Special Attention to Perceived Benefits and E-Commerce Skills.
    (Makerere University Business School, 2023-11-03) Nalwoga, Amina
    This study was guided by three main objectives namely, to explore the possible contribution of Perceived benefits in explaining E-commerce adoption, to explore the possible contribution of E-commerce skills in explaining E-commerce adoption, and to explore the interaction effect between Perceived benefits, E-commerce skills and E-commerce adoption. A qualitative approach was employed to collect data from representatives of 14 souvenir shop traders in Kampala. The traders had to have been doing business in the same location for at least three years. Data collection was done through semi-structured interviews and was done inductively. The results indicated that both Perceived benefits and E-commerce skills were considered to be instrumental in E-commerce adoption. Other factors that emerged as important included, cost of E-commerce infrastructure, ease of use, testimonials and the level of security. With the above results, the study can be said to have identified some of the success factors that can explain the adoption of E-commerce among souvenir shop owners.