Quality Management Practices and Export Competitiveness of Coffee Exporting Firms in Uganda.
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Date
2023
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Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between Quality Management Practices and export competitiveness of coffee exporting firms in Uganda. The research problem was that Uganda’s coffee exports are still characterized by low quality and limited value addition. This may be attributed to low prices, low revenue, and low exchange earnings for the firms involved and the country despite the various initiatives by the Uganda government to improve the coffee sector which have not translated into tangible results to date. Hence, the study objectives were; to determine the relationship between customer focus and export competitiveness of coffee exporting firms in Uganda, to determine the relationship between SRM and export competitiveness of coffee exporting firms in Uganda, to determine the relationship between process control and export competitiveness of coffee export firms in Uganda and to determine the relationship between top management support and export competitiveness of coffee exporting firms in Uganda. Cross-sectional research design was used with a quantitative approach. From the population of 38 licensed coffee exporting firms, a sample of 34 was determined for the study. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Findings show that there is a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between customer focus and export competitiveness (r = .761, p < .01), there is a notably strong and statistically significant relationship between SRM and export competitiveness (r = .814, p < .01), there is a robust, positive, and significant correlation between process control and export competitiveness (r = .741, p < .01) and that there is a moderate yet statistically significant correlation between top management support and export competitiveness (r = .564, p < .01). Based on these findings, it was recommended that: firms should invest in advanced CRM systems, as well as SRM Software. They should also conduct Regular Supplier Audits for Quality Assurance, institutionalize continuous training programs focused on process control, invest in leadership development programs and put in place a comprehensive performance monitoring system.
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A Dissertation Submitted to Makerere University Business School (Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research) in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of Degree of Master of International Business of Makerere University. (PLAN A).
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Judith, N (2023) Quality Management Practices and Export Competitiveness of Coffee Exporting Firms in Uganda. Unpublished Masters Dissertation Makerere University Business School. Kampala, Uganda.