Moderating Effect of Financing Dynamics on the Relationship between Supply Chain Management Functions and Operational Performance of the Uganda Police Force
According to the Uganda Police Force (UPF) Annual Crime Reports (2018–2023), crime increased by 15%, crime clearance rates declined from 60.8% to 60.3%, and average emergency response time remained at 45 minutes compared to the global benchmark of 15 minutes. While these performance challenges may arise from multiple organizational, operational, and environmental factors, effective supply chain management functions remain critical in facilitating timely deployment of resources and service delivery. Existing studies on supply chain management have not adequately addressed the UPF context and have given limited attention to financing dynamics as a moderating variable. This study examined the moderating effect of financing dynamics on the relationship between supply chain management functions and operational performance of the Uganda Police Force. Guided by the Resource-Based View theory, the study adopted a positivist philosophy and a quantitative approach using a correlational research design. The target population comprised 10,141 police officers from regional police headquarters and divisions within Uganda’s four major cities. A sample of 370 respondents was selected using stratified sampling, while a pilot study was conducted among 50 officers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression. Reliability results yielded Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from 0.80 to 0.85. The findings revealed that financing dynamics significantly moderated the relationship between supply chain management functions and operational performance (interaction β = 0.342, ΔR² = 0.092, p < 0.05), indicating that the positive effect of supply chain management functions is strengthened when adequate financial resources are available. The study extends the Resource-Based View by demonstrating that financing dynamics function as a strategic enabling resource that enhances the effectiveness of supply chain management functions in improving operational performance.