Browsing by Author "Mukasa, Norbert"

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    Innovation and Commercialization Characteristics of Techno-Business Firms in Uganda: An Overview of Firm Processes, Strategies, and Challenges
    (East African Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2024) Jjagwe, Ronald; Kirabira, John Baptist; Mukasa, Norbert
    The role of techno-business firms in shaping the innovation and commercialization processes in Uganda has been the focus of extensive research and analysis. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the contributions of techno-business firms to the innovation and commercialization landscape in Uganda. To accomplish this, qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed using interviews and observational approaches. These methods involve gathering evidence, including observations and interviews with techno-business entrepreneurs. By examining the various factors that influence the growth of these firms, such as their approaches to Research and Development (R&D), marketing, and partnerships, this study sheds light on the ways in which techno-business firms drive innovation and commercialization in Uganda. This study indicates that R&D and Intellectual Property (IP) protection are vital components of firms’ innovation and commercialization initiatives. The study underscores the importance of grants or subsidies as the primary financing mechanism for firm activities. The study highlights that product or innovation development depends on collaborative agreements, adjustments to current products, and internal idea generation. This study reveals innovation and commercialization disparities and proposes remedies to bridge these gaps. This ultimately fosters transformative growth by enhancing industrial production and strengthening the connections between techno-business firms and the industrial sector
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    Role of Intangible Assets in the Adoption of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMT’s) in Developing Countries: Case Study of Uganda.
    (Second International Conference on Advances in Engineering and Technology, 2011) Mukasa, Norbert; Okure, Mackay A.E.; Elvenes, Bjørn Otto
    This study analyses the machine tool driven industry in a developing country. It models the relationships between measures of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) penetration, adoption trends and three sets of predictor variables that are intangible. The study was carried out in 39 firms found to be using machine tools. The results show that education levels of blue collar workers, engineers and managers were instrumental to the investment in systems, devices and stations (SDS), while clerical employees are instrumental in integrating these technologies. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and environmental issues were strong influences. The strongest single strategic motivation that drove Ugandan firms to invest in AMT’s was the superior image of the firm followed by reduction in labour costs. Finally the study provides interesting insights into the relatively atypical parameters that characterize this industry in a developing country. .
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    The drivers and barriers influencing the commercialization of innovations at research and innovation institutions in Uganda: a systemic, infrastructural, and financial approach
    (Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2024-10-22) Jjagwe, Ronald; Kirabira, John Baptist; Mukasa, Norbert; Amanya, Linda
    Research and innovation (R&I) institutions must commercialize their innovations to remain competitive in a knowledge-based economy. While R&I institutions in Uganda have the potential to drive socioeconomic development, a clear understanding of the commercialization pathway is lacking. This study aims to bridge this gap by analyzing the systemic, infrastructural, and financial factors that drive and hinder the commercialization of innovations at R&I institutions in Uganda. This study offers the first comprehensive examination of the systemic, infrastructural, and financial dimensions influencing innovation commercialization within Uganda's R&I ecosystem, presenting new empirical evidence on the prioritized barriers and drivers as perceived by key stakeholders. Employing a mixed-method approach, this study uniquely combines quantitative surveys with qualitative case studies and key informant interviews, enabling a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted drivers of and barriers to innovation commercialization in Uganda. The study employed the Delphi technique to identify consensus among key informants. The findings highlight the urgent barriers to address, including fragmented R&I ecosystems, inadequate support infrastructure, such as technology transfer offices, and significant gaps in innovation financing. These issues underscore the urgent need for targeted policy interventions. Based on our findings, we recommend the establishment of a national innovation fund, enhancement of public private partnerships for R&D infrastructure development, and formulation of a cohesive national policy framework to streamline commercialization processes at R&I institutions. This study provides policymakers with a data-driven foundation to craft targeted interventions aimed at removing the identified barriers, thereby catalyzing the commercialization of innovations in Uganda's R&I institutions.