Working Capital Management and Financial Performance of Private Hospitals in Western Uganda: The Mediating Effect of Competitive Advantage

Purpose: This study aimed at examining the mediating effect of competitive advantage in the relationship between working capital management (WCM) and the financial performance of private hospitals in Western Uganda. Methodology: The study adopted a positivist approach and a cross-sectional research design to collect data from 32 Private hospitals in Western Uganda. A closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data from hospital administrators, accountants, storekeepers and pharmacists in private hospitals who were purposively selected. Hierarchical multiple regression was used for data analysis. Findings: Results indicate that competitive advantage is a significant mediator in the relationship between working capital management and private hospitals' financial performance in Western Uganda. Unique Contribution to practice and policy: The study has deep-rooted the urgent need for private hospitals to adopt more innovative strategies to attain a competitive edge and hence superior financial performance. However, the study was positivistic, thus subject to methods bias that could have affected the results' validity. Keywords: Working Capital Management, Competitive advantage, financial performance