International Journal of Technology and Management

Full Paper Responses to COVID-19 By Selected East African Governments

Noel Kiiza Kansiime (Ph.D) — 2024-05-06

COVID-19 has caused immeasurable and untold social, political, economic, and emotional suffering around the globe. It has pushed millions of people into extreme poverty and has brought devastating and everlasting impact on the already fragile health system around world. It has accentuated inequalities as was witnessed in vaccine distribution between global South and global North. The study process consisted of a desk study of available documentation on Covid 19. The main findings indicate that the world should embrace the fact that COVID-19 is here to stay, we need to learn and prepare how to live with it. Many countries that have struggled should learn from countries that have managed the pandemic well. In East Africa, Rwanda has done a tremendous job in curbing the impact of COVID-19 and may be worth emulating by African countries.

Does Collateral Security Still Determine Performance of SMEs? An empirical Study from Arua Municipal Council, Uganda

Rashid Onzima — 2024-05-06

Collateral security is viewed by many scholars as factor that has a direct influence on the performance of SMEs. This paper therefore examined the relationship between collateral security and the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Arua Municipal Council, Uganda. A cross sectional design adopting both the qualitative and quantitative approaches was utilized. With a population of 224 SMEs, a sample of 149 respondents was drawn using both purposive and simple random sampling techniques and this yielded a response rate of 87.3%. Validity and reliability of instruments was taken care of, and data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and interview guide. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS while the qualitative data was based on the content analysis. The results indicated that, there is a positive relationship between collateral security and the performance of SMEs in Arua Municipal council with insignificant correlation coefficient (r = 0.052, sig = 0.01). In conclusion, the paper established that though collateral security does not influence SMEs performance, it hinders SMEs access to financial services as MFIs prefer collateral security as precondition for loan disbursement. Though collateral security plays an insignificant role in SMEs performance, SMEs’ access to microfinance is vital for its performance and should be softened through government guarantee.

Interest Rates and SMEs: A Study of Performance Dynamics in Arua Municipal Council, Uganda

Rashid Onzima — 2024-05-06

Interest rate is viewed by many scholars as factor that has a direct influence on the performance of SMEs. This paper therefore examined the relationship between interest rate and the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) in Arua Municipal Council, Uganda. A cross sectional design adopting both the qualitative and quantitative approaches was utilized. With a population of 224 SMEs, a sample of 149 respondents was drawn using both purposive and simple random sampling techniques and this yielded a response rate of 87.3%. Validity and reliability of instruments was taken care of, and data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and interview guide. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS while the qualitative data was based on the content analysis. The results indicated that, there is a positive significant relationship between interest rate and the performance of SMEs in Arua Municipal Council with a significant correlation coefficient (r=0.270, sig= 0.01). In conclusion, the paper established that interest rate influences SME’s performance. In order to enhance SME’s performance, it’s important for government to strengthen mechanisms for controlling the interest rates in order to strengthen SME’s performance.

The Efficiency of a Framework to Enhance Confidentiality and Privacy of Data in Motion

Ahamya William — 2024-05-06

Using a descriptive cross-sectional research design, this study sampled 44 participants comprised of top managers and directors; experts in car tracking and sensor installers, and FMS Clients. Data was collected using structure questionnaires and analyzed quantitatively. Various analysis and test including correlation and regression were conducted. The findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between consent and the effectiveness of the designed framework of data in motion (r=.686**); implying that consent enhance trust and honesty, and empower the users to have the final say on who retrieves their data unlike before when the service provider and other third parties would without seeking permission from the client. It was noted that there is a significant effect of confidentiality on the effectiveness of the designed framework of data in motion (r=.342**). This implies that anonymity of the users shall build trust, protects reputation and prevents misuse of confidential data. Study findings noted that there is a significant effect of privacy on the effectiveness of the designed framework of data in motion (r=.589**). This implies that in privacy, there is respect for individuals’ reputation and movement, enhance trust and individuals has a reasonable desire to keep something private. Undertaking mediation and interaction effects amongst variables and well as establishing the longitudinal results of the relationship between study variables are recommended in further studies.