Organisational Factors and the success of Free zones in Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between organizational factors and the success of the Free Zones in Uganda. The study was anchored on Michael Porter’s Competitive Five Forces Model (1979) and had three specific objectives which it sought address. The three objectives were; To examine the relationship between Corporate Governance and the success of Free Zones in Uganda, To investigate the relationship between Financial Management and the success of Free Zones in Uganda and To examine the relationship between Human Resource Management and the success of Free Zones in Uganda. To deliver answers to the above objectives, the study adopted a cross sectional survey design to guide the whole study process. The questionnaires and the interview guides were used as methods of data collection. Twenty five (25) questionnaires were administered with a response rate of 100%, and 3 Interview guides were administered to the sampled respondents with a response rate of 100%. The findings of the study revealed that; Human Resource Management greatly impacted positively on Success 93.4%, Financial Management 72.3% and Corporate Governance 63.4%. Due to time constraints, the study was centered on organizational factors (corporate governance, financial management and human resource management) as potential variables relating to the success of Uganda Free Zones. However, there were other variables like employment motivation, resource utilization, administrative policies and management practices which may relate to organizational success. Therefore, research needs to be carried on those factors to see how related to organizational success. Based on the findings therefore; the key recommendations of the study are; Uganda Free Zones Authority (UFZA) should adopt and strengthen Human Resource Management in order to improve on Success.