Browsing by Author "Constant, Okello Obura"

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    Financial inclusion and the growth of small medium enterprises in Uganda: empirical evidence from selected districts in Lango sub-region
    (Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 2021) Eton, Marus; Fabian, Mwosi; Constant, Okello Obura; Abanis, Turyahebwa; Gilbert, Uwonda
    The growth and failure of small and medium enterprises has been a topic of discussions world over among policymakers and researchers. This study was guided by the following objectives: to examine the contributions of small medium enterprises (SMEs), to determine the challenges affecting small medium enterprises, to examine how financial inclusiveness supports the growth of small medium enterprises, and to establish the relationship between financial inclusion and growth of small medium enterprises. The study used a cross-sectional research design. Descriptive design was used and supplemented by inferential statistics. Correlation and regression analysis were adopted. The study revealed that financial inclusion is significant in supporting SME growth. The study further also revealed that the cost of acquiring and servicing financial services is high; there is also difficulty in using some of the financial services, and the way financial providers treat financial users, some lacked some degree of respect and dignity. The study recommends that financial providers should continue sensitizing the public on the available financial services beyond credit services, which are common and known. Digital financial service providers should encourage their clientele to use digitalized financial services which are cheap, secure, and risk averse. The cost of capital should also be reduced to encourage borrowing while SMEs should innovatively produce goods that can be competitive at both domestic and international markets.
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    Globalization and Its Implications on the Growth of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Western Uganda: A Case of Selected Districts in Western Uganda
    (International Journal of Research in Management, Economics and Commerce., 2019) Eton, Marus; Ayiga, Natal; Constant, Okello Obura; Fabian, Mwosi; Gilbert, Uwonda
    Globalization, characterized by greater economic, political and cultural integration and dependence, has been widely discussed and practiced in the last two decades. The study sought to investigate the implications of globalization on the growth of SMEs in western Uganda, Particularly how globalization affected the productivity and innovation of SMEs in western Uganda. The researcher adopted a cross sectional study design. The Data was collected by the use of structured and closed ended questionnaire. The findings revealed that businesses dealing in imported commodities are fast-growing and register tangible growth results compared to those dealing in locally manufactured commodities. Imported commodities seem not to suit the interests of most Ugandans, perhaps because some are not durable. The study further established that government finds it very difficult to control all the commodities that enter the Ugandan market. The study therefore recommends that Uganda Revenue Authority, under its Anti-Smuggling Unit, should ensure vigilance at border points to reduce the inflow of unauthorized commodities which flood Ugandan market. The Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Industry should step out to protect local firms against competition from foreign producers, particularly those dealing in similar products. Government should lower interest rates through her fiscal and monetary policies to allow SMEs access credit at affordable rates. There is also need to examine the extent to which Uganda’s membership to the East African Community boosts growth of SMEs since all the member countries have almost similar competitive economic advantages. Keywords: Globalization, growth, SMEs, Western Uganda
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    Information and Communication Technology Adoption and the Growth of Small Medium Enterprises in Uganda: Empirical Evidence from Kampala City Council Authority
    (Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, 2019) Eton, Marus; Constant, Okello Obura; Fabian, Mwosi; Benard, Patrick Ogwel; Mary, Ejang; Francis, Ongia
    The study used cross sectional study design and data were collected from business owners operating within the divisions of Kampala Capital City Authority. The study found out that the level of ICT adoption in Kampala Capital City Authority was moderate. ICT adoption was mostly marked with establishment of separate IT department, use of bulk SMS, printers, scanners and photocopiers. Specialized ICT skills, regular updates and outsourcing of ICT functions appeared to be a key challenge businesses face in ICT adoption. The findings however, indicated that growth of SMEs is a conglomeration, of which adoption of ICT is a microcosm. The study recommends that Government of Uganda through Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation and Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development should consider promoting ICT business growth by sponsoring business software development, and distributing the same at subsidized costs. Training institutions should strengthen the ICT training programs by aligning them to the required job demands as dictated in the field of business. Government should also promote the application and adoption of ICT e-business by slashing the exorbitant taxes charged on the use of these products. Government should stimulate entrepreneurship development training to curb the shortfalls in staff competence, individual job creation and profitability skills.