Working capital management practices, organizational ethical compliance and patient satisfaction in Uganda: a case of public health facilities in Kampala.

Abstract

This study sought to find out the impact of working capital management practices on patient satisfaction in public health facilities in Kampala. This study employed a cross-sectional design and quantitative approach to establish the relationship between working capital management practices, organizational ethical compliance and patient satisfaction in public health facilities in Uganda. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics, correlations, logistic regression and moderation. The study revealed a significant strong positive relationship between Working Capital Management Practices and patient satisfaction in public health facilities in Kampala, Uganda (r=.852, p≤.01). All the additional variables were positive and significant, (Inventory management, b=0.341, p=0.00; cash management, b=0.317, p=.00; payables management, b=0.106, p=0.00). Additionally, organizational ethical compliance was found not to moderate the relationship between working capital Management and patient satisfaction as indicated by the interaction not being significant (b= -0.0210, p=.3849, 95%, [LLCL, ULCI] = [-.0685, .0265] and the lower and upper limit confidence limit being of different signs. The direct predictors of patient satisfaction in public health facilities in Kampala are Inventory management practices, Accounts payables practices and Cash management practices. Therefore, basing on the findings of the study, the researcher recommends that the public health facilities management team devise ways of efficiently managing current assets and current liabilities since this will improve the efficiency of the facilities’ service provision and consequently resulting in higher patient satisfaction. To enhance their working capital management, public health facilities should focus on maintaining a balanced cash flow, optimizing inventory levels and managing accounts payables efficiently. This ultimately ensures the availability of the different inventories and health supplies necessary for the management of patients.