The role of university programs and the performance of community businesses in Uganda

Abstract

This study examines university programs and performance of community businesses in Uganda looking at the case study as business and management program at Uganda Martyrs University. It was based on three specific objectives which are: To find out the role of teaching and learning in the performance of community businesses, to establish the effect of research and innovation on the performance of community businesses, to examine the role of community engagement in the performance of community businesses. The researcher applied a case study research design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches and also based on previous literature. A sample size of 44 people was selected from a total population of 60 people. The researcher used interview guide and questionnaires for data collection. The findings of the study show that teaching and learning, research and innovation plus community engagement play a big role in the performance of community businesses of Uganda martyrs university such as practical problem solving in the business world, equipping business people with necessary skills to meet their goals and objectives such as profit maximization in business operation. The researcher concludes that amidst the various university programs that affect the performance of community businesses, community engagement is more practical in that it involves more of the community people to participate and it is easier for those who do not know how to read and write to understand better mainly if it involves training activities. The study therefore recommends that universities should continue to improve on the performance of community businesses through efficient and effective running of their programs since its performance can be determined through graduates in their fields of work in respective communities.