Profitability and Export Volumes of Certified Organic Dried Fruits of Selected Companies in Central Uganda

ABSTRACT 

The study intended to establish the relationship between Profitability and Export Volumes of Certified Organic Dried Fruits of Selected Companies in Central Uganda. It was guided by the following objectives which included determining: Demographic profile of the respondents; level of profitability; level of export volumes of certified organic Dried Fruits and whether there is a significant relationship in level of Profitability and Export Volumes of Certified Organic Dried Fruits of Selected companies in Central Uganda. Researcher made questionnaire were used to collect data from 140 respondents selected purposively. A descriptive corelational, cross-sectional and expost-facto design were used. Data analysis was done using frequencies, percentages, means, and Pearson linear correlation coefficiency (PLCC) were used to analyse data. The findings indicated that there is a high level of profitability in certified organic dried fruits, there is a high level of export volumes of certified organic dried fruits and a significant relationship in the level of profitability and export volumes of certified organic dried fruits of selected companies in central Uganda. Leading to a conclusion that profit significantly explains the high rates of export volumes in selected export companies in central Uganda. The researcher recommended that the certified organic dried fruits of selected companies in central Uganda should thoroughly ; Make their business distinctive and carry merchandise the competitors donTt have; price merchandise according to what is appropriate; focus on buying more named brand promotional and off-price merchandise; test different aspects to promote business; identify vendor performance regarding sales, mark-up, turnover, and profits; use sales forecasts, expense sheets, and financial statements on regular basis; develop a tracking system for those products that are your best-sellers; buy closer to the selling season to minimize the risk of making a bad buy; attend trade shows and join buying groups to find better values; seek suggestions from vendors on ways you can boost business; use a store questionnaire to aid you in determining customersT wants and needs. Export volumes ; develop a timely markdown strategy to dispose of out-of-season inventory, avoid shortages of your most popular and profitable classifications; promptly return substandard and problem merchandise; offer customers better prices, more values, wider selections, and add-ons; specify delivery and completion deadlines for all initial orders and future reorders; display merchandise to make it easier for customers to see, feel, touch, and buy; look for new opportunities to increase prices on items your competitors don’t carry.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preliminaries

Declaration A

Declaration B ii

Approval iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Abstract vi

Table of Content iv

List of Tables ix

Acronyms x

Chapter Page

One THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 2

Purpose of the Study 3

Research Objectives 3

Research Questions 4

Hypothesis 4

Scope 5

Significance of the Study 6

Operational Definitions of Key Terms 6

Two REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 8

Concepts, Ideas, Opinions from Authors/Experts 8

Theoretical Perspectives 12

Related Studies 13

Three METHODOLOGY 22

Research Design 22

Research Population 22

Sample Size 23

Sampling Procedure 23

Research Instrument 23

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 24

Data Gathering Procedures 25

Data Analysis 26

Ethical Considerations 26

Limitations of the Study 27

Four PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 28

Five FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 36

Findings 36

Conclusion 38

Recommendations 38

References 41

Appendices 43

Appendix IA : Transmittal Letter from CHDR 43

Appendix lB : Transmittal Letter for the Respondents 44

Appendix II : Clearance from Ethics Committee 45

Appendix III : Informed Consent 46

Appendix IVA : Demographic characteristics of the Respondents 47

Appendix IVB: Questionnaire to determine the level of Profitability 48

Appendix IVC: Questionnaire to determine the level of Export Volume 50

Appendix VII Sample size Determination 51

Researcher's Curriculum Vitae 52