Factors That Account For Occupancy Rates In Hostels: A Case Of Students Hostels Hosting Makerere University Business School Students

ABSTRACT

Hostels play a significant role in the lodging industry throughout the world and even in some locations in the Uganda where there is a university. In recent years a preference of staying in hostels has increased rapidly among university students and parents in Uganda, currently according to the National Council for Higher Education the number of registered universities is 47. This study explored the factors that affect the occupancy rates in hostels in Uganda’s a case of Makerere Universities Business School Nakawa. The study objectives included examining the rates of occupancy among the hostels, identifying reason why students stay or leave a hostel and classifying the affecting factors according to their importance. The theoretical framework applied in this study was the systems theory explains that a business is affected by its environment since it is made up of different parts. The study adopted a qualitative approach. In assessing the objectives a checklist, semi structured interview and a focus group discussion where used, the respondents were selected through purposive approach. The sample size was established through the point of data saturation principle. Data was collected from students who reside in the selected hostels and the results of the interviews were analyzed and coded to form themes. Review of documents and property observations provided supporting information that corroborated the findings of the interviews. Methodological triangulation and member checking were used to interpret and analyze the data. According to the data collected the following theme collations were identified; dissatisfaction physical evidence, flexible alternatives, avoidance of social costs and peer pressure, changes in customer preferences and status, high prices, negative publicity as factors affecting the occupancy rates in hostels. A model inform of a conceptual framework was developed form the results which can be used for conducting a quantitative study. Research should be conducted with a larger and more geographically diverse sample other than Makerere University Business School students in Nakawa Division. The study therefore makes a significant scholarly contribution that provides an insight of hostel services in the Ugandan context.