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Metropolitan Journal of Business and Economics

Innovation Strategies And Business Performance Of SMEs In Wakiso District, Uganda

Authors: Akampurira Sarah1 , Ojok Alex2

Journal: Metropolitan Journal of Business and Economics (MJBE)

Volume/Issue: Volume 5 - Issue 4

Published: 09 May 2026


Abstract

This study examined the relationship between innovation strategies and the business performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Wakiso District, Uganda. Innovation had been widely recognized as a fundamental driver of business competitiveness and long-term performance, yet its adoption patterns and performance effects among Ugandan SMEs remained poorly documented. The study investigated four innovation strategy dimensions: product/service innovation, process innovation, market innovation, and organizational innovation. A cross-sectional survey of 284 SME owners, managers, and employees in Wakiso District was conducted between February and May 2023. Multiple regression analysis revealed that innovation strategies collectively explained 54.9% of the variance in SME business performance (R² = 0.549), with product/service innovation and market innovation emerging as the most powerful predictors. The study contributed to the innovation-performance literature in the SME context of subSaharan Africa and provided practical recommendations for SME operators, policymakers, and business development support organizations in Uganda.
Keywords

Innovation Strategies, SME Performance, Wakiso District, Uganda, Product Innovation, Market Innovation

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