Journal
Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research
MJAMR
Effect of Business Environment Regulations on Enterprise Competitiveness: A Case Study of Mbarara Industrial Park
Irumba Alex, Asiimwe Prisca
| Journal | Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research (MJAMR) |
| Volume / Issue | Vol. 5, No. 3 |
| Published | 31 March 2026 |
| ISSN | 3006-4384 |
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
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 →
26
ONLINE SHOPPING ON BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY: A CASE OF KASESE DISTRICT, UGANDA
ONLINE SHOPPING ON BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY: A CASE OF KASESE DISTRICT
UGANDA
27
PARENTS’ SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS AT UCE IN SELECTED PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BUSHENYI DISTRICT, UGANDA
PARENTS’ SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS AT UCE IN SELECTED PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BUSHENYI DISTRICT
UGANDA
28
PARISH DEVELOPMENT MODEL (PDM) POLICY AND LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN KAMPALA DISTRICT, UGANDA
PARISH DEVELOPMENT MODEL (PDM) POLICY AND LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN KAMPALA DISTRICT
UGANDA
29
Rapid Urbanization and Its Effects on Social Welfare and Living Conditions in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, Uganda
Rapid urbanization
social welfare
living conditions
Nansana Municipality
30
Rapid Urbanization and Its Effects on Social Welfare and Living Conditions in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, Uganda Dr Mategeko Betty Avance International University Abstract Rapid urbanization has emerged as one of the most defining demographic a
Rapid urbanization
social welfare
living conditions
Nansana Municipality