Dr. Martin Baluku

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Department: 
Educational, Social and Organizational Psychology
Position: 
Senior Lecturer & Dean, School of Psychology
Qualification: 
Ph.D. in Natural Sciences (Work Psychology)
About Me: 

Name:             Dr. Martin Baluku (Ph.D.)

Department:   Educational, Social and Organizational Psychology

Position:        Senior Lecturer and Dean, School of Psychology

Qualification:

  • Bachelor of Community Psychology
  • Master of Organizational Psychology
  • Ph.D. in Natural Sciences (Work Psychology)

Body:

Personal Description:

Dr. Baluku is one of the growing researchers in the area of entrepreneurship psychology, refugee economic integration, and employee mental health. His research broadly concerns career progression, work behavior, workplace environment and process, and mental health outcomes. He specifically conducts field studies on entrepreneurship and the mental health of entrepreneurs as well as how everyday work experiences affect employee mental health. He is specifically interested in research on workers in the informal or unregulated sectors and rather illegal work situations. Exploring the tough work realities and exploitation in these work environments and the consequences on mental health. He also studies the interrelationships between career development and mental health, that is, how career development affects mental health and how mental health or mental health problems influence career development. Dr. Baluku is increasingly interested in the psychological antecedents and outcomes of moral potency and behavior. A common thread in his research is a focus on positive psychological constructs, especially psychological capital, mindfulness, and psychological flexibility. He uses various methods, including survey approaches, in-depth interviews, and experimental interventions. Dr. Baluku is enthusiastic about creating knowledge that has implications for solving real-life psychosocial problems and policy action.,

Dr. Baluku has made significant contribution to science as an editor and reviewer for scientific journals. He is an Editor for Frontiers in Psychology (Organizational Psychology specialty). He has also reviewed papers for Psychological reports (Sage), The International Journal of Human Resource Management (Taylor & Francis), Career Development International (Emerald), Journal of Global Mobility (Emerald), Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (Taylor & Francis), Journal for Global Entrepreneurship Research (Springer), International Journal for Entrepreneurship Behavior and Research (Emerald), and International Small Business Journal (Sage), among others.

Areas of expertise/ Courses taught: Entrepreneurship/ business psychology, Change management, Organizational development, Training and Development, Research methods and academic writing, Experimental psychology, Organizational behavior, Personnel psychology, Organizational theory, Human factors psychology.

Other responsibilities:

  • Course Coordinator, Master of Organizational Psychology
  • Coordinator – School of Psychology Ph.D. Program

Research interests:

  • Entrepreneurship psychology (entrepreneurial cognition, personality, culture, entrepreneurial resilience, entrepreneurial outcomes)
  • Refugees’ careers, integration into the labor force, and work outcomes
  • Career management, career transition and career success
  • Organizational politics and change
  • Ethics and workplace deviance
  • Exercise and employees’ work outcomes

Publications:

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles/ Book Chapters

Balikoowa, R., Ojiambo, D., Emuron, L., Siu, G., Mbabazi-Mpyangu, C., Julius, K., Mugambwa, J., Nuwagaba, R. D., Baluku, M. M., & Onen, D. (2023). Children’s lived experience and perceptions of community member’s influence on their schooling: A study in Uganda. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1045737. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2023.1045737

Baluku, M. M. (2023). Psychological capital and quality of life of refugees in Uganda during COVID-19 pandemic: A serial mediation model. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00091-9

Baluku, M. M., Nansubuga, F., Kibanja, G. M., Ouma, S., Balikoowa, R., Nansamba, J., Ruto, G., Kawooya, K., & Musanje, K. (2023). Associations of psychological inflexibility with posttraumatic stress disorder and adherence to COVID-19 control measures among refugees in Uganda: The moderating role of coping strategies. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 28(April 2023), 278–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2023.05.002

Matagi, L., Baguma, K. P., Baluku, M. M. (2022). Age, job involvement and job satisfaction as predictors of job performance among local government employees in Uganda. Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance 9(3), 489-505. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOEPP-06-2020-0099

Baluku, M. M., Bantu, E., Namale, B., & Otto, K. (2022). Maintaining high eudaimonic wellbeing despite ambiguity intolerance among three employment status groups: Examining the buffering effects of positive psychological attributes. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 7(1), 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-021-00051-1

Oflu, C., Baluku, M. M., & Otto, K. (2022). Career success in the university setting: Examining the role of narcissism facets. Current Psychology, 41(2), 877–887. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00614-6

Baluku, M. M., Groh, J., Dalbert, C., & Otto, K. (2021). Cultural differences in geographic mobility readiness among business management students in Germany and Spain ahead of graduation. SN Social Sciences, 1(7), 161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-021-00171-0

Baluku, M. M., Onderi, P., & Otto, K. (2021). Predicting self-employment intentions and entry in Germany and East Africa: an investigation of the impact of mentoring, entrepreneurial attitudes, and psychological capital. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 33(3), 289–322. https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2019.1666337

Baluku, M. M., Nansubuga, F., Otto, K., & Horn, L. (2021). Risk aversion, entrepreneurial attitudes, intention and entry among young people in uganda and germany: A gendered analysis. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, 7(1), 31–59. https://doi.org/10.1177/2393957520960567

Baluku, M. M., Mugabi, E. N., Nansamba, J., Matagi, L., Onderi, P., & Otto, K. (2021). Psychological capital and career outcomes among final year university students: The mediating role of career engagement and perceived employability. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 6(1), 55–80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-020-00040-w

Baluku, M. M., Kikooma, J. F., Otto, K., König, C. J., & Bajwa, N. ul H. (2020). Positive psychological attributes and entrepreneurial intention and action: The moderating role of perceived family support. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 3461. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.546745

Baluku, M. M., Matagi, L., & Otto, K. (2020). Exploring the link between mentoring and intangible outcomes of entrepreneurship: The mediating role of self-efficacy and moderating effects of gender. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1556. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01556

Otto, K., Baluku, M. M., Fasbender, U., & Klehe, U.-C. (2020). Human rights in business and employment: Promoting the right to decent work. In P. Hagenaars, M. Plavšić, N. Sveaass, U. Wagner, & T. Wainwright (Eds.), Human Rights Education for Psychologists (1st Editio, pp. 121–133). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429274312-11

Baluku, M. M., Balikoowa, R., Bantu, E., & Otto, K. (2020). Applying self-determination theory to explaining differences in career commitment between self-employed and salaried employees: The role of basic psychological needs. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 12(5), 593–619. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-05-2019-0051

Otto, K., Baluku, M. M., Hünefeld, L., & Kottwitz, M. U. (2020). caught between autonomy and insecurity: A work-psychological view on resources and strain of small business owners in Germany. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 2287. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.525613

Baluku, M. M., Kikooma, J. F., Bantu, E., Onderi, P., & Otto, K. (2019). Impact of personal cultural orientations and cultural intelligence on subjective success in self-employment in multi-ethnic societies. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 9(1), 8–30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40497-018-0144-0

Baluku, M. M., Schummer, S. E., Löser, D., & Otto, K. (2019). The role of selection and socialization processes in career mobility: explaining expatriation and entrepreneurial intentions. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 19(2), 313–333. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-018-9382-5

Otto, K., Sobiraj, S., Schladitz, S., Vásquez, M. E. G., Roe, R., & Baluku, M. B. (2019). Do social skills shape career success in the psychology profession? Zeitschrift Fur Arbeits- Und Organisationspsychologie, 63(2), 88–99. https://doi.org/10.1026/0932-4089/a000293

Baluku, M. M., & Otto, K. (2019). Impact of personal cultural orientations and moral potency on self-employment intentions: The moderating role cognitive styles. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 37(4), 545–572. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJESB.2019.101701

Baluku, M. M., Matagi, L., Musanje, K., Kikooma, J. F., & Otto, K. (2019). Entrepreneurial socialization and psychological capital: Cross-cultural and multigroup analyses of impact of mentoring, optimism, and self-efficacy on entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy, 2(1), 5–42. https://doi.org/10.1177/2515127418818054

Baluku, M. M., Kikooma, J. F., Bantu, E., & Otto, K. (2018). Psychological capital and entrepreneurial outcomes: the moderating role of social competences of owners of micro-enterprises in East Africa. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 8(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40497-018-0113-7

Baluku, M. M., Kikooma, J. F., & Otto, K. (2018). Positive mindset and entrepreneurial outcomes: the magical contributions of psychological resources and autonomy. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 30(6), 473–498. https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2018.1459017

Baluku, M. M., Bantu, E., & Otto, K. (2018). Effect of locus of control on entrepreneurial attitudes and self-employment intentions: The moderating role of individualism. Journal of Enterprising Culture, 26(03), 251–283. https://doi.org/10.1142/s0218495818500103

Baluku, M. M., Leonsio, M., Bantu, E., & Otto, K. (2019). The impact of autonomy on the relationship between mentoring and entrepreneurial intentions among youth in Germany, Kenya, and Uganda. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research, 25(2), 170–192. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-10-2017-0373

Baluku, M. M., Löser, D., Otto, K., & Schummer, S. E. (2018). Career mobility in young professionals: How a protean career personality and attitude shapes international mobility and entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Global Mobility, 6(1), 102–122. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGM-10-2017-0041

Otto, K., Roe, R., Sobiraj, S., Baluku, M. M., & Garrido Vásquez, M. E. (2017). The impact of career ambition on psychologists’ extrinsic and intrinsic career success: The less they want, the more they get. Career Development International, 22(1), 23–36. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-06-2016-0093

Baluku, M. M., Kikooma, J. F., & Kibanja, G. M. (2016). Psychological capital and the startup capital–entrepreneurial success relationship. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 28(1), 27–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2015.1132512

 

Conference Presentations

Alexander Newman, Katja Wehrle, Alexander Newman, Lisa E. Baranik, Lena Knappert, Renate Ortlieb, Kathleen Otto, Hans Van Dijk, Katja Wehrle, Martin M. Baluku, Petra Eggenhofer-Rehart, Liyue Fan, Jan Alexander Häusser, Roland Hosner, Mari Kira, Ute-Christine Klehe, Angela Kornau, Michael Landesmann, Sandra Leitner, Martina Maletzky, Florence Nansubuga, Renate Ortlieb, and Rachel Williamson Smith, 2020: Examining Best Practices in Fostering Refugees’ Careers and Labor Market Integration. Proceedings, 2020, https://doi.org/10.5465/AMBPP.2020.16675symposium

Baluku M.M., Straka, L., & Otto, K. (2019, September). Psychological Strengths, Cultural Adjustment, and Job Search Behaviors of Refugees: How the Intention to Stay in the Host Country Shapes Their Relationships. Tagung der Fachgruppe Arbeits-, Organisations- und Wirtschaftspsychologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie, Braunschweig, Germany

Baluku, M. M. & Otto, K. (2017, September). Impact of Mentoring, Attitudes, and Psychological Capital on Self-Employment Intentions and Entry: A Cross-Cultural Comparison. Paper presentation at the 12th European Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship 21 - 22 September 2017, Paris, France.

Baluku, M. M., Kikooma J. F. & Otto, K. (2017, September). Psychological Capital and Entrepreneurial Outcomes: The Moderating Role Social Competences. Poster presentation at the 12th European Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship 21 - 22 September 2017, Paris, France.

Baluku, M. M. & Otto, K. (2017, May). Applying self-determination theory to entrepreneurial intentions: The moderating role of autonomy in the mentoring – intentions relationship. Paper presentation at the 18th Congress of the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology, Dublin, Ireland.

Baluku, M. M. & Otto, K. (2017, May). Buffering against the effects of uncertainty intolerance on psychological wellbeing of unemployed Youth: The role of locus of control and psychological capital. Paper presentation at the 18th Congress of the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology, Dublin, Ireland

Baluku, M. M., Otto, K., & Bantu, E. (2016). Cultural orientation, cultural intelligence and subjective success in self-employment. 23rd Congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (2016), Nagoya, Japan.

Baluku, M. M., Otto, K., & Bantu, E (2016). Cultural Orientation, Entrepreneurial Attitudes and Intentions for Self-Employment Among Undergraduate Students in East Africa. 23rd Congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (2016), Nagoya, Japan.

Baluku, M. M., &Otto, K. (2016). The effect of Cognitive Styles, Cultural Orientation and Moral Propensity on willingness of Unemployed Youths to go into Self-employment. 23rd Congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (2016), Nagoya, Japan.

Baluku, M. M., Otto, K. & Nansamba J. (2015). Positive psychological capital, career engagement, career satisfaction, perceived employability and adjustment to school-to-work transition. 2nd East African Regional Conference of Psychology (EARCP2015, November 8th – 13th). Nairobi, Kenya. 23rd Congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (2016), Nagoya, Japan.

Baluku, M. M., Otto, K., Kikooma, J. F., & Nansamba J. (2015). Locus of control, cognitive styles, moral intelligence and job satisfaction as predictors of unethical employee behavior. 2nd East African Regional Conference of Psychology (EARCP2015, November 8th – 13th). Nairobi, Kenya.

Baluku, M. M., Kikooma F. J. & Kibanja G. M. (2013). Moderating effect of personality and psychological capital on the startup capital – entrepreneurial success relationship. The First Eastern Africa Regional Conference of Psychology (EARCP- 6th – 8th November, 2013), Kampala, Uganda

Ongoing research work/projects:

  1. Mak-RIF-COVID-19 Funding: “Investigating and Addressing COVID-19 Related Mental Health Challenges in Refugee Settlements and Host Communities in Uganda”. May - December, 2020. (Principal Investigator)
  2. Mak-RIF-COVID-19 Funding “Wandering along the COVID-19 corridors: Examining the social distancing prevention measure among the restless youth in Uganda. May – December 2020. (Co-investigator)
  3. Mak-RIF-COVID-19 Funding: “Children’s Tales: The Reality of COVID-19 Related Trauma on School Children in Rural Busoga, Uganda” May – December 2020. (Co-investigator)
  4. Mak-RIF1 Funding: “Refugee Entrepreneurship and Skilling for Self-Reliance – RESS-R” November 2019 – December 2020. (Principals Investigator)
  5. Mak-RIF1 Funding: “Embracing Soft Skills as the Building Blocks for the Realization of Decent Employment among Youth in Uganda” November 2019 – December 2020. (Co-Investigator)
  6. Immigration, trafficking and work: Sociocultural and psycho-historical analyses of experiences refugees and Ugandan returnees from the middle east. 
  7. Entrepreneurship education outcomes: evaluating the innovations and entrepreneurship course offered to the industrial and organizational psychology students at Makerere University
  8. The dark triad, motivation and career success in the academic sector
  9. Moral potency and workplace deviant behaviors in Uganda

Contact (phone, email or both):

martin.baluku@mak.ac.ug

mbaluku1@gmail.com

Tel. (Mobile) +256777676950