Showing papers in "International Journal of Social Economics in 2011"
TL;DR: The regression results reveal that utilization of maternal health services and intensity of use of antenatal services are influenced by age of mother, type of birth, education ofmother, ethnicity, economic status, geographic location, residence, an...
Abstract: Purpose – The study aims to examine the socio‐economic determinants of maternal health services utilization in Ghana.Design/methodology/approach – Probit and ordered probit models are employed in this study.Findings – The results generally indicate that most women in Ghana undertake the required visits for antenatal services and also take both doses of the tetanus toxoid vaccine as required by World Health Organization. However, the results show low levels of usage in terms of the other maternal health care services (i.e. prenatal care, delivery at a health facility, and postnatal care). There is clearly an urgent need to develop innovative strategies that will help upscale intervention especially for improvement in the use of these services by women in Ghana. The regression results reveal that utilization of maternal health services and intensity of use of antenatal services are influenced by age of mother, type of birth, education of mother, ethnicity, economic status, geographic location, residence, an...
151 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a study of low female work participation rate in Pakistan due to the religious, traditional, cultural values, the colonial ideology and the evolution of social institution that restrain women entry into the labour market is presented.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper is an attempt to analyze the study of low female work participation rate in Pakistan due to the religious, traditional, cultural values, the colonial ideology and the evolution of social institution that restrain women entry into the labour market.Design/methodology/approach – In order to explore the objectives, the paper develops the classification of male and female age groups into three main categories, and analyze with the help of descriptive and mean methodology.Findings – The findings of this paper show that the women are suffering from market discrimination and hence are pushed to separate low‐paid and low‐status jobs. Majority of women are employed in the unorganized sectors. Mostly, women are concentrated in sector known for low level of productivity, less income stability and low security of employment due to their dual role at home and workplace. Organized services sector is mostly government services, and provides employment to a small proportion of women. The rate of unem...
64 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the dynamic relationship between tourist arrivals, inflation, unemployment, and crime rates in Malaysia, using multivariate Johansen-Juselius cointegration test to examine the potential long run equilibrium relationship.
Abstract: Purpose – The main purpose of this study is to examine the dynamic relationship between tourist arrivals, inflation, unemployment and crime rates in Malaysia. This study covered the annual data from 1970 to 2008.Design/methodology/approach – The multivariate Johansen‐Juselius cointegration test is employed to examine the potential long‐run equilibrium relationship. While the Granger causality test within the vector error‐correction modelling (VECM) framework is applied to determine the causal relationship between crime rate and its determinants.Findings – The Johansen‐Juselius cointegration test result reveals that the variables are cointegrated and the dynamic ordinary least squares estimator suggest that unemployment, inflation and tourist arrivals are positively related to crime rates in Malaysia. For Granger causality, in the long‐run tourist arrivals, inflation and unemployment rates Granger cause crime rate in Malaysia. However, in the short run we find bilateral causality between unemployment, crim...
56 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the link between institutional quality and economic performance in 27 Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries during the period 1984-2003 and found that the institutional variables assume a key role in the process of economic development whereas the control variables display a limited effect.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the alleged link between institutional quality and economic performance in 27 Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) countries during the period 1984‐2003Design/methodology/approach – Four institutions' quality indicators, namely government stability, corruption, ethnic tensions and socioeconomic conditions, along with other control and policy variables, are employed in a panel data analysisFindings – The institutional variables assume a key role in the process of economic development whereas the control variables display a limited effect Thus, the “conventional variables” of economic theory may not be able to fully explain the SSA experienceResearch limitations/implications – Future research efforts should explore how the vast changes experienced by the countries in that region influenced their economic evolution during the last decadesPractical implications – Policy makers should primarily focus on improving institutional quality, which is likely to positively af
48 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the profile of the educated Iranian emigrants particularly in the last two decades, internal and external socioeconomic and political forces and processes that have facilitated emigration, and costs and benefits for both sending and receiving countries.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on “brain drain,” or emigration of educated and skilled individuals to the USA from one Southwest Asian nation, Iran, which has experienced fundamental social changes since the early 1970s. The author examines the profile of the educated Iranian emigrants particularly in the last two decades, internal and external socio‐economic and political forces and processes that have facilitated emigration, and costs and benefits for both sending and receiving countries.Design/methodology/approach – Building on earlier world‐system and dependency theories the author traces the roots of center‐periphery relations that have triggered emigration, and applies David Harvey's analysis of the new phase of globalization (post‐Fordist flexible production) to distinguish the emigration dynamics of Iran's educated individuals during the 1950‐1980 period from those of the last three decades (since the 1979 Iranian revolution).Findings – The findings indicate that while in the form...
41 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify specific factors that increase success in sports in developing countries by means of several econometric specifications using cross sectional data for African countries, and find evidence that Africa's performance in sports is dependent on a range of socio-economic factors, which in some respects confirms worldwide studies.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this study is to develop insight into the socio‐economic determinants of African sports performance. Previous studies have argued that a country's success in sports is directly related to the economic resources that are available for those sports. However, factors that are used to determine the levels of success for developed countries are not necessarily the same, or bear the same weight, as for developing countries.Design/methodology/approach – The premise of this study is to identify specific factors that increase success in sports in developing countries by means of several econometric specifications using cross sectional data for African countries.Findings – This study finds evidence that suggests that Africa's performance in sports is dependent on a range of socio‐economic factors, which in some respects confirms worldwide studies. Money does indeed matter: GDP was the overwhelmingly consistent dependent variable in all four models tested. Interestingly, important shades of ...
38 citations
36 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the link between religiosity and labour market outcomes and found that a negative correlation between religious belief and practice and earnings was found controlling for demographic, behavioural and human capital variables.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between religiosity and labour market outcomes.Design/methodology/approach – Using the Ethnic Diversity Survey, the author: examines how religious belief and practice relate to earnings in Canada; considers the impact of the degree of religiosity using a composite index constructed by means of survey questions; and uses this index as an explanatory variable in the estimation of standard human capital‐earnings function.Findings – A negative correlation between religiosity and earnings is found controlling for demographic, behavioural and human capital variables. Examining the cross‐religion differential in earnings and human capital return, Muslims' earnings are found to be significantly lower compared to the average. Muslims' wage gap is explained by their immigrant status.Originality/value – This paper is the first to use a composite, score‐based index standing for the degree of religiosity instead of a single survey question or unique observ...
34 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the affordability of private tertiary education for households in Malaysia and found that the per capita average is more than three times the national average, which points out the non-affordability of students from low and average earning households to afford private education in Malaysia.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the affordability of private tertiary education for households in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approach – The relevant literature is reviewed to provide an overview of the affordability of private tertiary education. Data are obtained randomly from a private university in Malaysia and the results are analyzed using the one‐sample t‐test and one‐way ANOVA.Findings – The proxy of affordability, which is the average household income, reveals the per capita average is more than three times the national average, which points out the non‐affordability of students from low and average earning households to afford private tertiary education in Malaysia. Financial assistance of students at the tertiary level is insufficient and may warrant further policy and administrative improvements to reach deserving students. There is also difference in income and hence affordability between urban‐rural households, a perspective that demands changes in the current income distri...
31 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used the scrambled sentence task to prime participants with religious words before they were asked to make a one-shot/three-person public goods game decision.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how subtle religious representations affect prosocial behavior. The authors study the impact of religious representations on prosocial behavior in terms of cooperation in a one‐shot/three‐person public goods game.Design/methodology/approach – The authors used the scrambled sentence task to prime participants with religious words before they were asked to make a one‐shot/three‐person public goods game decision.Findings – Both in the raw data and when controlling for factors such as age, gender and religious beliefs, the authors found that priming of religious representations increased cooperation in the experiment, that is, increased contributions to the public good. The authors found no significant interaction effects between priming and self‐reported measures of religiosity, suggesting that the priming effect was present among both self‐reported religious and nonreligious participants. Self‐reported measures of religiosity were not correlated with coo...
26 citations
TL;DR: The authors explored the ethical foundations of economics in ancient Greece, focussing on Socrates and Xenophon and found that human flourishing (eudaimonia) was the goal, rather than great accumulation of material goods.
Abstract: Purpose – Economics had a strong linkage to ethics up to the 1930s but this has virtually disappeared today. Amartya Sen first sketched the historical relationship in his book On Ethics & Economics. This article seeks to explore the ethical foundations of economics in ancient Greece, focussing on Socrates and Xenophon.Design/methodology/approach – Various ancient Greek primary sources are used to investigate the foundations of economics as an ethical enterprise. For Socrates, the primary sources are the reports of his conversations by two students: Plato and Xenophon. For Xenophon, one has to rely upon his own writings, which are extensive and have survived in good condition.Findings – For Socrates, human flourishing (eudaimonia) was the goal, rather than great accumulation of material goods. Xenophon accepts private property and the division of labour within certain ethical limits. In his work, the development of the ethical approach to household management (oikonomia or oikonomikē), or microeconomics, w...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors highlight the determinants of malnutrition of primary school-age (five to ten years) children in urban and slum areas, and frame policy proposals for children's nutritional welfare.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the determinants of malnutrition of primary school‐age (five to ten years) children in urban and slum areas. The ultimate objective is to frame policy proposals for children's nutritional welfare.Design/methodology/approach – In this empirical study, logit model is applied to 882 observations of primary data. The composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) is constructed to use an indicator of malnutrition.Findings – The probability for anthropometric failure increases by age, birth‐order, female sex and activity of the child (child labor or home‐care activity) other than schooling. The parents' education, specifically mothers' education, can play an important role for child's nutritional status. Malnutrition is positively related with congestion in the household (number of household members per room), while provision of electricity, safe drinking water and underground drainage turns out to be negatively affecting children's malnutrition. The childr...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the economic managerial indexes of human development based on HRM from the viewpoint of Islam and The Quran, and proposed human development economic managersial indexes among other required indexes through planning an acceptable economic quasi-system.
Abstract: Purpose – Human development is the most modern development approach. However, the proposed human development indexes for implementation of Islamic human resource management (HRM) do not suffice to realize the Islamic developed society. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the economic‐managerial indexes of human development based on HRM from the viewpoint of Islam and The Quran.Design/methodology/approach – This paper applies the hermeneutic method and considers the question: “what are the proper human resource (HR) economic‐managerial indexes from the viewpoint of Islam?”.Findings – Referring to the Islamic development basics and goals, it analyzes economic interaction among Muslim activists in an objective situation of the human development from the viewpoint of Islam and finally, it proposes human development economic‐managerial indexes among other required indexes, through planning an acceptable economic quasi‐system.Originality/value – In the Islamic approach, human development occurs when a p...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the linkages between child work and both school attendance and school attainment of children aged 5-17 years using data from a survey based in rural Bangladesh.
Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to examine the linkages between child work and both school attendance and school attainment of children aged 5‐17 years using data from a survey based in rural Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approach – This paper first looks at school attendance as an indicator of a child's time input in schooling; then it measures the “schooling‐for‐age” as a learning achievement or schooling outcome using logistic regression models.Findings – The results from this paper show that school attendance and grade attainment are lower for children who are working. The gender‐disaggregated estimates show that probability of grade attainment is lower for girls than that of boys. The results further reveal that child work has the highest impact on schooling of Bangladeshi children, followed by supply side correlates (presence of a school in the community), parental education and household income, respectively.Practical implications – The results obtained in this paper are of interest to policy ma...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors extended the formal model of economics of crime developed by Becker to account for catch uncertainties and found that less skillful fishers are more likely to violate effort-limiting fishing regulations.
Abstract: Purpose – The formal model of economics of crime developed by Becker is based on the assumption that a miscreant knows with certainty the benefit that accrues to a criminal activity. The purpose of this paper is to relax this assumption and establish a link between technical efficiency and commission of fishery crimes in a developing country where fishing techniques are rudimentary making catch volumes uncertain.Design/methodology/approach – The paper extends the neoclassical model of crime developed by Becker to account for catch uncertainties. The extended model predicts that, in addition to the risk and severity of punishment, less skilful fishermen are more likely to violate effort‐limiting fishing regulations. Primary data were obtained through a survey of 258 artisanal fishermen from the Central and Western Regions of Ghana to test the predictions of the model.Findings – The prediction that less skillful fishers are more likely to violate effort‐limiting fishing regulations is confirmed by the data....
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the valuation of human needs within a given hierarchy and make a distinction between private utility and social relevance of needs, and find that if agents are unable to form an accurate forecast on the social value of a future need, distortions will eventually occur.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the valuation of human needs within a given hierarchy. An important distinction is made between private utility and social relevance of needs.Design/methodology/approach – The authors consider a generic hierarchy of needs in a world of similar agents. For the assumed pyramid, agents have to predict the current social value of a need that they will try to fulfill only at some future date. Several possibilities are explored about the way agents predict the social value of future needs.Findings – It is found that if agents are unable to form an accurate forecast on the social value of a future need, distortions will eventually occur. Complex dynamics may emerge when agents try to learn future social values and use inaccurate learning algorithms.Research limitations/implications – The paper discusses how individuals measure the value of a need that is fulfilled in some future date. Results are dependent on the assumed learning algorithm. Different learning alg...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors derive operational principles from environmental ethics for business organizations to achieve sustainability, and analyze different levels on which business affects the natural environment, including individual biological creatures, ecosystems, and the Earth as a whole.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to derive operational principles from environmental ethics for business organizations to achieve sustainability.Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses different levels on which business affects the natural environment. Individual biological creatures are affected by business via hunting, fishing, agriculture, animal testing, etc. Natural ecosystems are affected by business via mining, regulating rivers, building, polluting the air, water and land, etc. The Earth as a whole is affected by business via exterminating species, contributing to climate change, etc.Findings – Business has a natural, non‐reciprocal responsibility toward natural beings affected by its functioning. At the level of individual biological creatures, awareness‐based ethics is adequate for business. At the level of natural ecosystems, ecosystem ethics is relevant for business. At the level of the Earth as a whole, Gaian ethics applies to business.Practical implications – A business activi...
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of childhood deprivation on health at the later stages of the working age were investigated for individuals aged between 50 and 65 in six European countries using purpose build questionnaires.
Abstract: Purpose – Although the link between socioeconomic deprivation and health status has been identified by many researchers, not much attention has been paid to the intergenerational effect of poverty on physical and psychological health status. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of childhood deprivation on health at the later stages of the working age.Design/methodology/approach – Data for individuals aged between 50 and 65 in six European countries are collected using purpose build questionnaires. The dataset provides information on issues such as physical and mental health status, past working experiences, socioeconomic and occupational background, incidence of diseases and sense of well‐being. Ordinary least squares (OLS) and ordered logit models are utilised to estimate the effect of childhood deprivation on health status indices. Logit models are also used to investigate the effects of childhood deprivation on the likelihood of an individual suffering from specific disease.Findings ...
TL;DR: In this paper, a 65-item inventory which measures seven conceptually and empirically distinct facets of the work ethic construct, i.e. the multi-dimensional work ethic profile (MWEP) was used to critically distinguish between the Chinese and South African workforces.
Abstract: Purpose – South Africa is a developing country, and within this context, it is essential to be economically competitive and proactive. Various sources reveal that the national productivity has been traditionally low, and continues to remain low. Within the context of the international arena, this is unacceptable. If South Africa is to become a recognised role player in the international arena, it is imperative to increase productivity like China. This paper aims to focus on the issues involved.Design/methodology/approach – A 65‐item inventory which measures seven conceptually and empirically distinct facets of the work ethic construct, i.e. the multi‐dimensional work ethic profile (MWEP) was utilised to critically distinguish between the Chinese and South African workforces. The samples approximated 150 subjects in each grouping. Findings which emanate from this study have distinct ramifications for the South African economy.Findings – It appears as if a linkage exists between productivity and work ethic,...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the analysis of the self-perceived social stratification in the low-income countries of the South Caucasus by using data from the recent multi-country comparative survey conducted in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Abstract: Purpose – Against a background of rising inequalities in transitional countries, the purpose of this study is to focus on the analysis of the self‐perceived social stratification in the low‐income countries of the South CaucasusDesign/methodology/approach – Using data from the recent multi‐country comparative survey conducted in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, this study examines the factors explaining self‐perceived stratification in the region Ordered logit regression model is fitted to assess the determinants of the stratificationFindings – One of the most important findings of this paper is that the majority of the people in the examined region consider themselves as middle class, although a considerable share of the general population are actually at the lowest level of society Self‐perceived social stratification in the countries of this region can largely be explained by a set of factors within the direct social policy domainPractical implications – Active promotion of job intensive economic
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show how CO2 equivalent emissions are closely linked with economic development, over time and also across countries, and the only way to stabilise CO2 emissions is to focus upon the conversion factor linking energy to output to pollution.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how CO2 equivalent emissions are closely linked with economic development, over time and also across countries.Design/methodology/approach – Emissions data from energy information administration were subjected to macro analysis, regressed upon GDP data, longitudinally and cross‐sectionally.Findings – The conversion factor linking energy to output to pollution is estimated over time and between economies. It is today far too high, making global climate change almost certain.Practical implications – Global environmental coordination is very difficult to achieve, given the nature of this gigantic PD game in combination with weak institutions for policy making and implementation. The only way to stabilise CO2 emissions is to focus upon the conversion factor linking energy to output to pollution.Originality/value – The paper shows the clear and Juggernaut type connections between energy‐economic output‐CO2 emissions.
TL;DR: In this paper, the determinants of three domain satisfactions, focusing on volunteer work supplied in official non-profit service associations, were analyzed using the data from the Multiscopo Survey of Households (MSH) conducted by the Italian Central Statistical Office for the years 1993, 1995, 1998, and 2000.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the determinants of three domain satisfactions, focusing on volunteer work supplied in official non‐profit service associations.Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses the data from the Multiscopo Survey of Households (MSH) conducted by the Italian Central Statistical Office for the years 1993‐1995‐1998‐2000 for empirical investigations with ordered probit and ordinary least square estimations. A statistical matching procedure to impute missing values on household income in MSH is also performed.Findings – The paper finds that volunteering is positively correlated with satisfaction with leisure, with relationships and economic well‐being. These findings are interpreted as an indication that the benefits gained from volunteering are a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations as well as the production and consumption of relational goods. In addition, results for Italy confirm findings gathered from domain satisfaction studies for other Europe...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that macroeconomic policy-mixes pursued by many developing countries as part of conditions to receive support from international financial institutions and the donor community have been largely restrictive and have failed, in most cases, to generate high enough growth to have significant impacts on poverty reduction.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to shed some light on the role of macroeconomic policy‐mix in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially the goal of poverty reduction.Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs descriptive approach and provides an analytical narrative of historical experience.Findings – It is argued that macroeconomic policy‐mixes pursued by many developing countries as part of conditions to receive support from international financial institutions and the donor community have been largely restrictive. They have failed, in most cases, to generate high enough growth to have significant impacts on poverty reduction. The poverty reducing impact of growth has also been weakened by the rise in inequality due to associated policy reforms promoting market liberalization and deregulation.Practical implications – The paper argues in favor of using full and productive employment, which is one of the core MDGs, as the goal of macroeconomic policies.Originality/value – T...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors introduce a framework of management control that accommodates phenomena found in literature, like the importance of social factors for coordinating behavior, rule-following behavior and the evolutionary nature of control.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce a framework of management control that accommodates phenomena found in literature, like the importance of social factors for coordinating behavior, rule‐following behavior and the evolutionary nature of control. Phenomena that the dominant economic view, based on self‐interested actors and financial incentives, cannot easily absorb.Design/methodology/approach – The framework characterizes control as the coordination of behavior in organizations. It is based on two‐stage rationality in which rule‐following behavior gives meaning to self‐interest, and in doing so, coordinates behavior.Findings – Management control of two‐stage rational behavior involves managing the various elements of the framework in combination. The evolution of the coordinating rules in an organization will be partly autonomous and partly formed within the organization. Therefore, management control entails influencing the development path of the organization. Although it is concerned ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present some basic conceptual aspects and empiric examples of urban mitigation and adaptation to climate change, of greening urban development, as there is strong need for further research and education on these issues.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present some basic conceptual aspects and empiric examples of urban mitigation and adaptation to climate change, of greening urban development, as there is strong need for further research and education on these issues.Design/methodology/approach – Starting with a review of the 4th IPCC report and the Stern Review, a strategy is developed on how to make cities main actors in fighting climate change. First examples of successful urban greening are presented.Findings – Cities are main drivers of climate change, and they are driven by climate change. Therefore, there is a strong need for “greening” urban development, i.e. for both mitigation and adaptation activities.Practical implications – Mitigation requires the reduction (more or less drastically) of urban energy and material flows. Adaptation requires restructure (more or less radically) of the established urban stocks.Originality/value – Until recently, cities and urban areas have not been in the focus of clima...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the relationship between changes in the business cycle (as indicated by the incidence and duration of unemployment) and the incidence of suicide and found that there is a negative impact with respect to the decline in economic activity.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between changes in the business cycle (as indicated by the incidence and duration of unemployment) and the incidence of suicide.Design/methodology/approach – A theoretical utility model with savings and consumption is used, while time series micro‐level suicide data and probit analysis is used to empirically test the implications of the model.Findings – With declining economic activity and the corresponding increase in unemployment the propensity to commit suicide rises among men for numerable reasons. The authors hypothesize that there is a negative impact with respect to the decline in economic activity and as the intensity increases with respect to the declining business cycle, female's suicides will tend to accelerate.Research limitations/implications – One of the primary limitations of this study is the amount of control variables to which the authors had access. There are many factors that would influence an individual when determini...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine two claims made by critical management studies (CMS): that CMS is emancipatory and that it has critical theory (CT) as its origin and prime theoretical base.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this conceptual‐theoretical review article is to examine two claims made by critical management studies (CMS): that CMS is emancipatory and that it has critical theory (CT) as its origin and prime theoretical base.Design/methodology/approach – Two theories are contrasted: CT and CMS. The paper analyses one of CMS' newest key publications: the Oxford Handbook of Critical Management Studies in great detail focusing on epidemiology and philosophy.Findings – The main finding is that CMS is a critical representation of mainstream MS. CT focuses on emancipation while CMS provides a system‐conforming interpretation of traditional MS that rarely presents alternatives to mainstream MS.Research limitations/implications – The key implication is that CMS assists mainstream MS as a corrective but, in general, does not enhance emancipation.Practical implications – The paper assists researchers in the field of management studies (MS) and its “critical” offspring of CMS in understanding the role ...
TL;DR: In this article, a multilevel investigation of the existence and relationship between severity of buyer-supplier contractual conflicts, emotional outcomes and disengagement behaviour arising out of the contractual disputes in Ugandan small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is presented.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a multilevel investigation of the existence and relationship between severity of buyer‐supplier contractual conflicts, emotional outcomes and disengagement behaviour arising out of the contractual disputes in Ugandan small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approach – This paper undertakes a large‐scale comprehensive survey covering 839 SMEs' buyers together with their corresponding suppliers using Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination criteria. Respondents were managers selected on the basis of their purchasing experience and knowledge of the subject matter under investigation. Data were subjected to a confirmatory factor analysis as a quasi‐judicial analytical approach to assess the goodness‐of‐fit of the latent structure underlying the constructs under investigation.Findings – The results demonstrate that both the confirmatory factor analysis and the structural equation model have a good fit. The direct effects of the severity ...