Entrepreneurship is an engine for economic development worldwide (Kelley, Singer, & Herrington 2016). For developing economies, the importance of entrepreneurship is associated with increased productivity and reduction in the rising unemployment rates, particularly among the youths. Consequently, several models and support programmes have been designed to facilitate successful entrepreneurial activities amongst youth. The article discusses the business acceleration model of the Global Business Labs (GBL) which is replicated in Botswana, Namibia and Uganda based on a Swedish model, between 2012 and 2015 but failed in Mozambique and Zambia. Using a multiple case study method, this article presents the results of a crosscountry case analysis of the GBL programme with a view to understand the emergence of a business accelerator. Despite replication of the programme in respect of concepts, materials and operational systems, the cases reveal variations in operational experiences and acceleration performance across the five countries. Using the emergence theory, the article highlights these differences. The major contribution of the study to theory, in determining how business accelerators come into being, includes the duality of intentions and exchange between key stakeholders and the resource burst as a triggering mechanism in developing countries. The study further informs development of a model for successful business acceleration launch and subsequent performance for developing economies.
Although incubation is a well-known and accepted strategy for the growth of business start-ups in Uganda, little is known about its extent. What is known is that the majority of the start-ups fail in less than one year. This study explored the role of incubators on the growth of business start-ups in Uganda. The study interviewed managers of the incubation services and business starts-ups on how they received this support. The study is qualitative and respondents were purposively selected. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used to capture the perceptions of the services and how the support enabled the enterprises to grow. The findings show that various services were offered to support the growth of business start-ups. The services ranged from the creation of networks to other business development services such as mentorship, coaching, and marketing. The perceptions of the owners of business start-ups were somewhat mixed because while the majority viewed the support as crucial in the growth of their start-ups, a few others said they did not. Thus, a few owners of business start-up viewed incubators as playing a limited role. The findings are pertinent for policy formulation on the role of business start-ups and for streamlining incubation support processes in emerging economies.
Storage is a crucial link in the food supply chain. It helps to even-out fluctuations in food demand and supply. This ensures food availability during the lean periods. Despite the immense contribution of storage, a knowledge gap exists on the storage types used by smallholder maize farmers, how they are acquired, used, and their cost in Uganda. Storage affects the social and economic well-being of smallholder maize farmers. In this study, smallholder maize farmers in three districts of eastern Uganda (Iganga, Manafwa, and Katakwi) were interviewed during the maize storage season of 2014/2015. The aim was to: describe the different storage types; find out how they were acquired and used; the length of storage and the cost. The findings show that sacks were the most used storage type. Storage types were acquired through purchase; however, some were constructed by the smallholder maize farmers. Affordability and accessibility determined the storage type used. Some storage types were not used across all the districts; for example, the granary was used in two out of the three sampled districts. Thus, the findings show that maize storage is a challenge. We recommend that maize storage facilities should be improved with affordable to the farmers.
The aim of this study was to describe smallholder farmers' perception of household maize storage. Household storage plays a crucial role in supplying maize between seasons. Despite their continued usage, they are not safe enough and cause high losses to smallholder maize farmers, thus forcing them to sell immediately after harvest. Consequently, they have to buy maize at higher prices for household use. The description of the different storage types used by smallholder maize farmers and their perception of using household storage as a strategy to increase their earning was done qualitatively. Through focus group discussions (FGDs), data was gathered from nine focus groups from 108 respondents in eastern Uganda. The results show that smallholder maize farmers use eight different storage types acquired either through purchase, construction or contribution. Some storage types were specific to certain districts. The cost of acquiring the storage type varied according to the type, size and location. Farmers used these storage types due to accessibility, flexibility, affordability, and ancestral attachment. Finally, the study concludes that the farmers' perception of using storage for business was positive.
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