Learning methods, entrepreneurial knowledge, spouse support and entrepreneurial effectiveness of women-owned agribusinesses in Uganda.

Abstract

This study examined the contribution of learning methods, entrepreneurial knowledge, and spouse support in fostering entrepreneurial effectiveness of women-owned agribusinesses in Uganda. The research sought to understand how women entrepreneurs can achieve entrepreneurial effectiveness in their businesses using a multi-theoretical approach that integrates Kolb’s experiential learning theory and social learning theory. The research methodology used a quantitative approach, with a sample of 324 women-owned agribusinesses operating in Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institutes (ZARDI) in Uganda. Multi-stage sampling was used to select the women-owned agri-businesses and questionnaires were used to collect data from the women entrepreneurs. SPSS and SmartPLS structural equation modelling version 4 supported data analysis. The research findings indicate that 75.1% of the variation in entrepreneurial effectiveness of women-owned agribusiness in Uganda is attributed to active experimentation, entrepreneurial knowledge, and instrumental support. The study revealed that active experimentation as a learning method positively affects entrepreneurial knowledge. Relatedly, entrepreneurial knowledge serves as a mediator in the connection between active experimentation and entrepreneurial effectiveness. However, instrumental support did not moderate the relationship between active experimentation (learning methods) and entrepreneurial effectiveness. As such, study results indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between; learning methods and entrepreneurial effectiveness; entrepreneurial knowledge and entrepreneurial effectiveness; instrumental support and entrepreneurial effectiveness; and learning methods and entrepreneurial knowledge. The study also confirmed that entrepreneurial knowledge mediates the relationship between learning methods and entrepreneurial effectiveness. However, instrumental support does not moderate the relationship between learning methods and entrepreneurial effectiveness. It is therefore important for women entrepreneurs to get instrumental support in the form of material, such as land and capital, from their spouses to boost entrepreneurial effectiveness of their businesses. It is also essential for women entrepreneurs to prioritise active experimentation as a learning method to acquire relevant skills in attaining the entrepreneurial effectiveness of their businesses. Policymakers may use these results to develop efficacious policies promoting the entrepreneurial effectiveness of women-owned agribusinesses through continue providing hands-on training to women entrepreneurs; equipping women entrepreneurs with varied skills and incorporate spouses in all interventions to support women while operating their businesses as vital interventions in promoting entrepreneurial effectiveness of women-owned agribusinesses in Uganda.

Keywords: Learning methods, Entrepreneurial knowledge, Spouse support, Entrepreneurial effectiveness, Agribusinesses, Women entrepreneurs, Uganda