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The purpose of this paper was to determine which entrepreneurial ecosystem pillars matter most in enhancing the performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector of Uganda.

Descriptive cross-sectional survey of 310 SMEs in manufacturing sector were sampled. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were employed because of the population’s homogenous characteristics. Data was collected using a Self-Administered Questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS version 23.

The results indicate both institutional arrangements and resource endowments significantly influence performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector of Uganda. However, institutional arrangements have a stronger predictive power on performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector of Uganda as compared to resource endowments.

The data was cross-sectional in nature thus limiting monitoring changes in the performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector over a long period of time. Besides, the study concentrated on SMEs in the manufacturing sector which is just subset of the industrial sector leaving other sectors like trade and services.

An empirical study on entrepreneurial ecosystem pillars in a strategic and important sector – SMEs manufacturing sector, at a micro-level, and being done in Uganda is a contribution to existing literature. This is because, most entrepreneurial ecosystem studies are largely conceptual and are normally done at macro and meso-levels targeting SMEs generally and mostly in developed countries which have completely different business environment compared with developing countries.

This study aims to examine the moderator effect of religiosity on the relationship between halal brand awareness and habit towards purchasing decisions of halal products.

The quantitative method is used in this study. Descriptive and statistical (multiple and moderated regression) analyses are employed to test the hypothesis according to the research model. The data is collected using a cross-sectional design from 197 respondents consisting of business owners in North Sumatera, Indonesia.

It is found that both halal brand awareness and habit have a positive and significant effect on the purchasing decision of halal products. Meanwhile, religiosity significantly acts as a moderating variable in the relationship between awareness and purchasing decisions, as well as habit and purchasing decisions.

This study revealed the important factor of religiosity as a moderating factor in purchase decisions of halal products. The government may need to collaborate with Islamic educational institutions to raise awareness of the halal concept and product awareness. It is assumed that individuals who know about the Islamic religion will have a higher degree of awareness of halal products compared to individuals with limited knowledge of Islam; thus, providers of Islamic education play a crucial role in raising the level of awareness of halal products. Schools may serve as catalysts for the dissemination of knowledge of halal products.

Developing halal product markets can be done by enhancing the religiosity level of consumers, one of them through attending formal or informal religious classes.

This study aims to address educational setbacks and public spending using Islamic social finance tools such as waqf (Islamic endowment) and zakat (alms) to accelerate the educational sector from an underprivileged situation to prosperity in Northern Nigeria.

This study follows quantitative research techniques to achieve its objectives. The data for this research were compiled through a survey of 302 respondents following a convenience sampling approach using covariance-based structural equation modeling and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software to analyze the data.

The study shows that waqf and zakat are found to be positively related to enhance the education sector through direct and mediating variables.

The result of this study proposed an integrated model of waqf-zakat microfinance as a sustainable source of funding for accelerating and promoting the educational system in Northern Nigeria.

Zakat and waqf in Northern Nigeria were only given to needy individuals; no standard organization or model was developed based on waqf and zakat for the society. This study investigates the efficiency of waqf and zakat and proposes a model for developing a sustainable educational sector and public spending in Northern Nigeria.