Abstract

This study was designed to assess the performance driver of women own entrepreneurs in Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs), the factors affecting play a vital role in economic development, and in Kenya, women-owned businesses account for over 48% of them all. The purpose of the study was to establish factors affecting growth of women-owned SMEs. Four affecting factors were considered; financing option, owners’ entrepreneur skills, working capital management and government regulations. Descriptive survey was adopted and the target population was 708 managers of registered women owned SMEs in Ukunda, Kwale County. A sample of 45 respondents was acquired through stratified sampling technique. The data collected was analyzed to provide both descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSS Version 21. The results indicated that inadequate capital, lack of business skills and lack of access to credit facilities were the main factors affecting the growth of women owned SMEs as well. The study concluded that financing options and owners’ entrepreneur skills had a positive influence on growth of women led SMEs. The study recommended that commercial and social lenders and even government institutions funding SMEs should comprehensively train the owners and managers before providing loans. For further research, the study recommended that studies should be conducted on the micro and macro environment factors affecting SMEs.

Click here to download full paper