Simeon Wanyama, Bruce Burton and Christine Helliar
The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions about the nature and role of corporate governance in Uganda, with the emphasis on accountability within a stakeholder framework.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions about the nature and role of corporate governance in Uganda, with the emphasis on accountability within a stakeholder framework.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs interviews and questionnaires to gauge the views of key players in Uganda about the way the nation's firms are governed, in the context of the stakeholder notion and the need for corporate accountability.
Findings
The results suggest that the research participants take a broad view of the corporate governance concept, with recognition of a wide range of stakeholders evident. However, issues relating to corruption and the de‐facto legal framework mean that practices depart markedly from any reasonable understanding of what might represent “best‐practice”.
Practical implications
The results suggest that there is a gap between the theory and practice of corporate governance in Uganda, and regulators need to address this issue and deal with the endemic corruption and extant legal weaknesses that have given rise to this situation.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies to explicitly examine perceptions about governance standards within an accountability framework in a developing nation.
Details
Keywords
Ram A. Cnaan, Ganesh Bhat, Lucas C.P.M. Meijs and Femida Handy
This article aims to examine the history, mechanisms, interconnectedness and effectiveness of the jasmine-growing enterprise in coastal Karnataka. This article investigates the…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to examine the history, mechanisms, interconnectedness and effectiveness of the jasmine-growing enterprise in coastal Karnataka. This article investigates the formation and ongoing successful operation of a community enterprise that is locally originated and administered. The case of the jasmine flower growers in coastal Karnataka is a case of small-scale growers who for 75 years have operated a long-standing local community-based enterprise. Using trust, repeated interactions and efficient mechanisms of pricing and distribution, this enterprise has prevented poverty among its participants for three generations.
Design/methodology/approach
This article provides a descriptive analysis of the enterprise as well as results from an empirical study of 700 growers. The article used cluster analysis of local villages to represent the 7,000 participating households.
Findings
Studying local growers who are the producers of the flowers and who are living off of it, this article found a high level of satisfaction and trust towards those running the enterprise. For many people in the region, this ongoing enterprise is the difference between poverty and hunger and living well.
Research limitations/implications
The article is based on one local community that is lucky to have a desired resource (one type of jasmine flower) coveted by many users.
Practical implications
Combined, this article provides an account of a unique and successful sustainable enterprise, initiated and run at the grassroots level, which serves as a model for future economic development. In addition, it lists the features that are most relevant for the ongoing success of the enterprise and suggests how a new social and economic development project can learn from this enterprise.
Originality/value
This is an amazing enterprise that was not studied before and can be a role model for many adaptations.