SEE Change Evaluation– impacts of a personal agency focused business intervention on livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and well-being in Uganda: a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

Abstract

Introduction: Recent research in entrepreneurship indicates that traditional business training is insufficient to equip entrepreneurs to overcome the internal and external barriers hindering their business success. A growing body of literature is emerging, emphasizing programs that delve deeper into developing entrepreneurs' personal empowerment and their sense of social and self-responsibility. Interventions centering on personal agency have shown promise in enhancing business metrics and overall well-being when compared to conventional business skills trainings, yet gaps remain. There is a need to effectively address the effects of larger socio-cultural norms, gender-related bias, and challenges resulting from the multiple roles individuals have beyond their business that may ultimately hold them back from success.

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to examine how strengthening individual agency through in-person training referred to as Self-Empowerment and Equity for Change Initiative- Agency-Based Leadership and Empowerment Training for Entrepreneurs (SEE Change-ABLE), followed by digitally delivered mentoring support and bi-monthly phone check-ins, can lead to greater proactivity and resilience.

This study, to be conducted in Western and Central regions of Uganda with 800 micro entrepreneurs (with at least 50% women) is anticipated to result in enhanced business success and improved livelihoods and overall well-being, even within populations grappling with significant resource constraints. SEE Change-ABLE training uses exercises and inputs from cognitive science, positive psychology, and behavioral economics, applies a gender-lens, and uses a human centered design process that allowed adaptations to the specific Ugandan context.

Participant recruitment for study the began in September 2023, and the data collection period is anticipated to end in the Fall of 2024.

The SEE Change-ABLE study represents a significant stride towards understanding and harnessing the power of personal agency to drive entrepreneurial success and societal transformation. Through this rigorous study, we hope to understand the potential of targeted, culturally informed interventions to effect change that resonates on both a personal and business level. The insights garnered from this study will be importing in refining approaches to training, with the promise of empowering individuals not just as entrepreneurs, but as proactive contributors to the Sustainable Development Goals and architects of their futures.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID number NCT05958225, July 14, 2023 https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05958225