Drivers of Innovation in the Agro-Food Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of Uganda
Loading...
Date
2023
Authors
Ajer, Basil
Ngare, Lucy
Macharia, Ibrahim
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Emerald publishing
Abstract
Purpose – With focus on Uganda, this study assessed the factors influencing agro-food micro, small and
medium enterprises (MSME) innovations. Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono and Jinja districts were the locations of
the research.
Design/methodology/approach – Primary cross-sectional data was collected using structured
questionnaire for a sample of 521 agro-food MSMEs in Uganda. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor
analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were used to examine the data in SPSS.
Findings – The findings indicate that MSME innovation levels were usually high, at roughly 80%. The
presence of rules that encourage innovation and reward creative people would enhance innovation that is
customer-focused. On the other hand, policies and principles that encourage innovation and the conduct of
internal product and process improvement research would promote system-focused innovation.
Research limitations/implications – Encouraging agro-food MSMEs to develop policies that support
innovation would improve the overall level of innovation, while building the capacity of agro-food MSMEs to
conduct product and process improvement research would increase the level of systems-focused research.
Originality/value – This study assessed the drivers of innovation in agri-food MSMEs in a developing
country. The uniqueness of this study is in assessing the effects of innovation support services on customerfocused and systems-focused innovations.
Description
Article
Keywords
Agri-food sector, Customer-focused innovation, System-focused innovation, Innovation policy, Employee reward, Uganda
Citation
Ajer, B., Ngare, L., & Macharia, I. (2023). Drivers of innovation in the agro-food micro, small and medium enterprises of Uganda. Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies.