African NGO Collaborations And Networks As A Strategy For Resource Mobilization

NGOs re confirmed to be key actors in Africa’s developing economies as they address both social and economic aspects of life. There are cherished studies on their strategies and in regard to resource mobilization recent studies allude to declining donor resource envelop. An examination of the outcomes of different factors influencing NGOs in the context of developing countries provides fresh insights. Using the configuration theory, this study examined how Ugandan NGOs are using collaborations and networks to mobilize resources. Results showed that clusters of both tangible and intangible are critical in their operations. We propose a typology through which NGOs will continue to strengthen their collaborations and networks in view of their resource mobilization capabilitie

The Contribution Effect of the Elements of Psychological Capital on Self-Employment

This study investigates the contribution effect of psychological capital elements on self-employment among university graduates. A questionnaire survey of 311 of self-employed graduates was employed. Factor analysis, correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were performed. Results show that the contribution effect of psychological resources, self-efficacy, optimism and resilience significantly and positively influence self-employment among graduates in Nigeria. The study was conducted in North central region of Nigeria. Further research could be conducted to cover other regions in the country. The study employed a cross-sectional approach. A longitudinal approach should be employed to study the trend over a period of time. Finally, the four factors identified in motivating self-employment behaviour may not be sufficient in explaining the phenomenon. Hence, other factors should be considered in subsequent study. Since self-employment is a crucial activity to meet basic needs, economic growth and job creation, it is relevant for the graduates to strengthen their self-regulatory mechanisms. Hence, with diverse programmes offered by the government to encourage self-employment, the graduates should have a positive mind-set to take advantage of opportunities to start business for a living. This study contributes to the dearth of evidence of psychological capital elements on self-employment among graduates in Nigeria and adding to the body of literature by investigating individual behavioural attributes. Keywords: Self-employment; Psychological capital; Self-efficacy; Hope; Optimism and Resilienc

Human Resource Practices and Teacher Engagement in the Rural setting of Ugandan Schools

The study sought to examine the relationship between human resource practices andteacher engagement in secondary schools in the far north district of Arua. The study waspremised on the counter- productive work behaviors of some secondary school teachersworking in the rural setting of Uganda. There was however, lack of local empirical studieson the factors driving this trend. Cross sectional research design was adopted for thepurpose of the study using a sample of 226 respondents out of the total population size of514 teachers in the selected local government. Pearson Correlation and regression analysiswere used to find out the extent to which HR practices predict teacher engagement. Theresearch findings showed a positive Correlation between the study variables. The studyconcludes that there is need for the policy makers and school administrators to introduceand effectively apply HR practices namely recruitment and selection, reward, performancemanagement, staff development programmes and employee involvement aimed at inducingteachers’ engagement despite the upcountry setting in which they work. An earlier versionof this paper was presented at the 19thAnnual international management conference ofMakerere University Business School, September 2 -5, 2014

The Mediating Effect of Stakeholder Commitment in the Relationship between Stakeholder Participation and Project Sustainability

This study examines the mediation effect of Stakeholder Commitment in the Relationship between Stakeholder Participation and Project Sustainability. A self administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 86 NGOs in Uganda. Data was analyzed using Baron and Kenny’s Approach to mediation (1986). Results revealed that Stakeholder Participation is a significant predictor of the Project Sustainability. This can be seen from the Beta value which was significant, showing a significant model (Beta = .619, p<.01). Results also revealed that the Stakeholder Participation is a significant predictor of Stakeholder Commitment and therefore the two are practically related variables (Beta = .464, p<.01). Results also show that Stakeholder Commitment is a predictor of project sustainability and therefore the two are statically significant with a Beta Value of (Beta = .569, p<.01). Overall, multiple regression model is significant with a Beta value of .457**. However, there was a significant decrease in the beta value from .619** to .457** when we introduced Stakeholder Commitment. This study provides empirical evidence from health projects to the effect that Stakeholder Commitment plays partial mediation role on the relationship between Stakeholder participation and project sustainability. Keywords: Stakeholder participation, Stakeholder commitment, Project sustainability

The 3rd annual international conference on industry and higher education Knowledge management for industrial innovation and development

A journal article by Dr. Juliana Namada, an Assistant Professor of Strategic Management at the Chandaria School of Business in USIU - AfricaThis study sought to establish the influence of internal and external environment factors on the level of strategic planning. The study was premised on the increasing focus on strategic planning in Ugandan organisations. There was however, lack of local empirical studies on whether this trend is driven by internal organisational factors or external forces. Data was obtained from organisations in various sectors that included government institutions, private and family business organisations. The findings confirmed that organisations are involved in a significant level of strategic planning. The internal environment had a weaker coefficient of determination to strategic planning process while it was stronger for external environment factors in our model. The implication of the findings for management is to assess how external factors influence organisations and work to minimize the negative effect. The study opens interest for more analytical researches into the growing field of strategic management in Uganda and other similar poor economies

Strategic Management in Africa: Tracing Gaps in Sustainable Business Development

A journal article by Dr. Juliana Namada, an Assistant Professor of Strategic Management at the Chandaria School of Business in USIU - AfricaSustainable business development in Africa is a debatable issue. Different theoretical frameworks have been advanced to explain the phenomena. This paper explores studies to argue that the late and slow adoption of strategic management perspectives could explain the low business development. Models that accounted for growth of businesses in other parts of the world like firm internationalization, market liberalization, strategic planning became common in Africa much later. The business landscape was characterized by colonial legacy, state controls and unexploited resources. Recent environmental changes have seen great transformation. This paper contends that strategy tools could enhance sustainable business development in Africa

An Investigation into Work-Family Balance and Employee Resilience among Female Bankers

Purpose- Work-family balance has increasingly become the epitome of scholarly investigation. This study was motivated to contribute to the growing debate from the Ugandan setting and particularly with a female sample by studying employee resilience. Methods- This study adopted data triangulation conducted among 397 female bankers; where a sample size of 196 was determined. Data was collected using a structured five-point Likert-type scale questionnaire. The instrument was tested for validity using expert opinion and content validity. We also used exploratory factor analysis. For reliability, we used the Cronbach alpha coefficients. The data were collected with the approval and consent of the Research Committee of MUBS, and the supervisors in the banks, and respondents were assured of confidentiality. Findings- Indeed, some organizations have mainstreamed gender into their operations in the footsteps of national gender policy. But work-life balance is beyond gender frameworks. This study found that organizational support has a partial mediation effect between work-family balance and employee resilience. This means that both factors are important in influencing the employee resilience of female workers in the banking sector. Originality-This study is grounded in the practical insights of female bankers in Uganda. While there may be similar studies none has taken a rigorous scholarly approach like this in conceptualization and methodology. This study was original in the context in which it was executed and the methodologies used.   We contend that this study has made a significant contribution to further delineating the life-balance debate for policy, practice, and academic advancements in the African context

Managerial Skills, Financial Capability and Strategic Planning in Organizations

A journal article by Dr. Juliana Mulaa Namada, an assistant professor in the Chandaria School of Business at United States International University-AfricaThis study sought to establish the relationship between managerial skills, financial capability and the level of strategic planning. The study was premised on the increasing focus on strategic planning in Ugandan organizations. There was however, a lack of local empirical studies on the factors driving this trend. Data were obtained from organizations in various sectors that included government institutions, private and family business organizations. The findings confirmed that organizations were involved in significant level of strategic planning. There was a positive and significant relation-ship with managerial skills. However, there was a very weak relationship with the financial capability. The implication of the findings for management was to give more attention to managerial skills to ensure congruence of operations