Abstract
The present paper sought to confirm factors that are relevant to board role performance in Uganda and
as a corollary empirically tested the relationship between individual dimensions of the model of board
role performance. The study was cross-sectional and correlational and the analysis was conducted
using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) software on a
sample of 128 service firms in Uganda. Findings indicate that a four-dimensional model of board role
performance was determined to be the best fitting model for Ugandan service firms. From the results
we do claim, that board role performance causes the scores observed on the measured variables of
boundary spanning, effective partnership, environmental scanning and control of the organization. The
measured variables are the individual dimensions of the model of board role performance. The present
study provides one of the few studies that have analysed with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using
AMOS to test board role performance measurement model and provides a benchmark for Uganda’s
service firms wishing to leverage performance of their boards. However, using cross-sectional data
does not allow for testing of the process aspect of the model; still, it provides evidence that the model
can stand empirical tests of the four elements of the model. Additional research should examine the
process aspects of board role performance and also test our model in predicting firm financial
performance. The model in this paper might improve the quality of board role performance and apply to
other sectors of Uganda’s firms to avert the problem of ineffective boards as evidenced by consistent
firm failures in Uganda. By improving the quality of board role performance, boards will demonstrate
their relevance in company direction and improvement of company value to the benefit of all
stakeholders.
Key words: Board role performance, service firms, analysis of moment structures (AMOS), Uganda.
