Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences

PhD Public Defense by Mr. Bashir Rajab Kagere
2025-11-20 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Conference Hall, Block B, CoBAMS, Conference Room, Block B, CoBAMS, Kampala, Uganda
INVITATION: PhD Public Defense
The Dean, School of Economics under the College of Business and
Management Sciences (CoBAMS), cordially invites you to the PhD Public
Defense of the following candidate:
Name of the Candidate: Bashir Rajab Kagere
Title of Thesis: Firm Innovation Behaviour and Performance
Date: Wednesday 20th November 2025.
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Venue: CoBAMS Conference Hall at Makerere University

Supervisors:
1.Dr. Thomas Mwebaze
2.Dr. Nicholas Kilimani
TITLE: FIRM INNOVATION BEHAVIOUR AND PERFORMANCE
Abstract
Manufacturing firms in developing countries operate under structurally weak conditions, characterized by limited regulatory enforcement, pervasive informality, shallow financial markets, inadequate intellectual property protection, and minimal Research and Development (R&D) investment, all of which constrain innovation and firm performance. In Uganda, the scarcity of locally developed innovations reinforces dependence on imported goods, eroding domestic initiative, undermining value addition, employment creation, and long-term competitiveness. This dissertation examines how Ugandan manufacturing firms address these innovation challenges and whether their innovation behavior translates into performance gains. Specifically, it (1) examines the effects of competition from the informal sector (CIS) and access to finance on firm innovation behaviour, (2) identifies the product innovation strategies employed by manufacturing firms, and (3) analyses the impact of these strategies on firm performance. To guide the analysis, the study draws on five interrelated theoretical frameworks: dual economy, pecking order, institutional theory, and both the resource-based and knowledge-based views. The first objective employs World Bank Enterprise Survey data and a multivariate probit model, revealing that exposure to CIS stimulates product innovation, with financing sources shaping firm innovation choices. The second objective categorizes product innovation strategy into four groups: product innovation is internally developed (Make), sourced externally (Buy), created through collaboration (Ally), or developed by modifying original innovations (Imitate). It utilizes the Uganda National Innovation Survey (NIS) dataset, indicating that product innovation strategies differ according to firm innovation expenditures, obstacles, information sources, and objectives. Firms investing in external R&D and machinery acquisition are more likely to innovate. The third analysis, based on PLS-SEM and using the NIS dataset, reveals that product innovation strategy has no direct effect on firm performance, suggesting mediation by other firm capabilities, including product novelty and, to a lesser extent, internationalization. The study suggests improvements in regulatory enforcement, encouraging formalization of informal businesses, and expanding affordable long-term financing. Additionally, there is need to enhance firm R&D capacity and external technology acquisition, strengthen existing policies such as “Buy Uganda Build Uganda” (BUBU) to promote locally manufactured goods’ consumption, and strengthen the intellectual property rights (IPR) framework to incentivize firms to develop new products. Finally, prioritizing novelty is vital for fostering firm performance.
Keywords: innovation, finance, informality, manufacturing, strategy, & firm performance
Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.

PhD Public Defense by Mr. Faustino Byanyima
2025-11-20 09:00 - 12:00
INVITATION: PhD Public Defense
The Dean, School of Economics under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), cordially invites you to the PhD Public Defense of the following candidate:
Name of the Candidate: Faustino Byanyima
Title of Thesis:
THE EFFECT OF INTERNET USE ON DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS IN SELECTED SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRIES
Date: Wednesday, 20th November 2025.
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Venue: CoBAMS Conference Hall at Makerere University
Supervisors:

Associate Professor John Bosco Nyanzi
Professor Bruno Lule Yawe

ABSTRACT
Sub-Saharan Africa has long faced persistently low educational attainment, poor health outcomes, and limited incomes, reflecting a significant development gap. This dissertation examines whether greater internet use can help improve these outcomes. It aims to evaluate the effect of internet use on development indicators by (i) assessing its effect on education attainment, (ii) analyzing its effect on life expectancy, and (iii) examining its effect on income per capita. The dissertation uses panel data from international sources such as UNESCO for literacy rates, ITU for internet use, and World Bank Development indicators for control variables. The first objective utilizes a common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG). The results show significant negative link between internet use and educational attainment, likely due to high disruptive potential. The control variables of institutional quality, pupil-teacher ratio, and the GDP share of agriculture have positive effects. The second objective employs full information maximum likelihood (FIML) and results indicate that internet use has a clear positive effect on life expectancy, likely because better connectivity expands access to health information, telemedicine, and knowledge of healthy practices. Education, institutional quality, and urbanization also have significant positive effects, whereas disease incidence has a significant negative effect. The third objective also adopts FIML and its results reveal that internet use affects income growth indirectly via internet-driven improvements in health. These findings lead to important policy recommendations: governments should promote digital inclusion while investing in complementary sectors like education and healthcare to ensure connectivity translates into higher literacy, longer lives, and economic growth. Initiatives to bridge digital disparities and strengthen institutions are vital so that all communities can share in the benefits of internet-enabled development.

Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.
