MJAMR

Effect of Business Environment Regulations on Enterprise Competitiveness: A Case Study of Mbarara Industrial Park

Irumba Alex, Asiimwe Prisca


Abstract

Business environment regulations constituted critical determinants of enterprise competitiveness in industrial settings, particularly in emerging economies where regulatory frameworks were evolving. Mbarara Industrial Park, established in 2019 as part of Uganda's industrialization strategy, provided a unique context for examining how regulatory environments influenced competitive capabilities of enterprises. The park hosted 47 registered enterprises across manufacturing, agro-processing, and light industry sectors as of December 2023. This study investigated the effect of business environment regulations on enterprise competitiveness within Mbarara Industrial Park, conducted between October 2023 and March 2024. Regulatory frameworks examined included tax regulations, labor laws, environmental standards, licensing requirements, import-export procedures, and quality certification standards. Enterprise competitiveness was conceptualized as the ability to maintain and expand market share while achieving profitability and operational efficiency. The research employed a descriptive cross-sectional design utilizing mixed methods approaches. The entire population of 47 registered enterprises in Mbarara Industrial Park constituted the study's sampling frame, from which 42 enterprises participated, representing an 89.4% response rate. Purposive sampling selected key respondents including general managers, operations directors, and compliance officers from participating enterprises. Data collection instruments included structured questionnaires administered to 42 enterprise representatives and in-depth interviews with 8 regulatory officials from Uganda Revenue Authority, National Environment Management Authority, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, and Mbarara City Administration. Secondary data were obtained from enterprise performance reports and regulatory compliance records. The questionnaire demonstrated reliability with Cronbach's Alpha of 0.876. Data analysis employed SPSS version 28, utilizing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Findings revealed that business environment regulations significantly affected enterprise competitiveness (r=0.694, p

Keywords

Business environment regulations enterprise competitiveness industrial park Mbarara regulatory compliance tax policy environmental regulations labor laws
Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research

Cite This Article

Irumba Alex & Asiimwe Prisca (2026). Effect of Business Environment Regulations on Enterprise Competitiveness: A Case Study of Mbarara Industrial Park. Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research, 5(3). https://journals.miu.ac.ug/pages/article.php?article_id=302

More in This Issue

View full issue →
1
Adoption of Digital Tax Systems: Evidence from SMEs’ Awareness and Use of EFRIS in Kampala, Uganda
Balisanyuka Paul Mulunzi
Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS); Digital Tax Systems; SME Performance; Tax Compliance; Technology Adoption; Uganda
2
COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SMALL-SCALE BUSINESSES IN KAKOBA DIVISION, MBARARA CITY
JACKSON BALINURA
COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SMALL-SCALE BUSINESSES IN KAKOBA DIVISION MBARARA CITY
3
DIGITAL BANKING ADOPTION AND LOAN PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS IN MUKONO DISTRICT
AKANKWATSA ANNITAH
Digital Banking Adoption and Loan Performance in Selected Microfinance Institutions in Mukono District
4
Effect Of Employee Involvement (El) On Organizational Performance. A Case Study Of Mukwano Industries
Niwahereza Joan1 , Otim John William2
Employee involvement organizational performance participative decision making employee empowerment
5
Effect of Internal Control Systems on Financial Performance: A Case Study of Commercial Banks in Kampala City
Asiimwe Isaac Kazaara1 , Ahumuza Audrey2
Internal control systems financial performance commercial banks Kampala