The importance of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in contributing to job creation and output growth is widely accepted in both developed and developing countries, of particular interest is the process of expansion from micro to small that growth oriented
make their most tangible contribution to economic growth and job creation. .Women-Owned micro enterprises are a powerful force for growth and development thus making important contributions to the economy as workers and as entrepreneurs to the welfare of their
families. The researcher investigated why Women-owned enterprises remain the same way year in year out without, an increase in number of employees or any other sign to indicate graduation from one level to another. The researcher wanted to find out why enterprises owned by women operate under significant constraints which greatly inhibit
realization of their full potential. Many developing countries have attempted to put in place various intervention programmes to address factors that affect the graduation of women owned micro-enterprises; unfortunately many of them are policies yet to be implemented. Through the assistance from Nyeri municipal-council, the researcher
acquired the target population of Micro-Enterprises within Nyeri town which was the survey under study. The research design that the researcher used was the descriptive survey research design. Variables, for instance financial accessibility was looked at
among others and their influence on graduation of micro-enterprises. The instruments that the researcher used was the Questionnaire and Interviews. The researcher came up with comprehensive results that can be useful to women in micro-enterprises and the Government at large. Pre-testing procedure was carried out to ensure the validity and reliability of the data to be collected. A descriptive statistic procedure was used to carry out the data analysis. Bar-charts, tables and pie-charts are used for data presentation.
Some of the major findings in this research include the fact that many women operating micro-enterprises started their enterprises with personal savings as they could not access loans from formal institutions due to lack of collateral- Due to their low level of
education, majority of them exhibited challenges in record keeping as well as marketing which are very essential for graduation of an enterprise from micro to small.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Research Background
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3The purpose of the Study
1.4 The Objectives of the Study
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Research Scope
1.8 Assumptions
1.9: Definition of Terms
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Theoretical Review
2.2 Entrepreneurship Theories
2.3 Empirical Review
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population
3.3 Sample and Sampling Procedure
3.4: Instruments
3.5 Validity and Reliability
3.6. Data Collection Procedure
3.7: Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Descriptive Results
4.2: Financial Accessibilities
4.3 Multiple Responsibilities
4.4: Business Skill
4.5: Education and Training
4.6: Technology
4.7. Data Analysis
4.8: Hypothesis Testing
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5. 0 Introduction
5.1. Summary of the major findings
5.2 CONCLUSION
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
5.4 Gap for Further Studies
Research Objectives and Themes
The research investigates the factors influencing the graduation of women-owned micro-enterprises to small enterprises in Nyeri Town, Kenya. It examines why many such businesses remain stagnant and identifies key constraints inhibiting their growth, specifically focusing on the intersection of socio-economic barriers and policy effectiveness.
- Financial accessibility and its impact on enterprise scaling.
- The role of women's multiple household and social responsibilities in business performance.
- Impact of business skills and entrepreneurial training on growth.
- The influence of modern technology adoption on market expansion.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Research Background
The definition of a micro and a small enterprise depends on a number of factors such as the purpose of the definition, the nature and activities of the business, the level of development in the country the definition is being used, the interest of the perceiver, the turn-over rate in the enterprise, the annual level of wages or the salary expenditure, the legal structure of the firm and even the amount of energy consumed in the firm.
In the Kenyan context, an enterprise employing 0-9 people is considered as micro and one employing 10-49 is considered a small enterprise, Sessional paper No. 2, (Gok.2005). In developing countries which Kenya is inclusive, there is evidence of slow graduation of women owed micro enterprises to small enterprises. This is generally attributed to hidden and largely in advertent biases the economic policies of these countries that militate against the gradual and organic growth of their enterprises. According to the department of MSE Development, the MSE sector experienced substantial growth from 2000-2002 increasing to 2.8 million enterprises and MSE employment of 5.1 million persons, accounting for 74.2 per cent of total employment in 2002, Economic survey (Gok, 2003).
Women constitute the bulk of players in the micro and small business enterprises despite encountering diverse impediments in their venture. For instance, micro enterprises owned by women in Nyeri town seem stagnant with very minimal signs of growth. (Lois, 2006) acknowledges that women in micro-enterprises have the potential to move into the 'economic grid' but they need support, encouragement, visibility and economic empowerment.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: Provides the foundation for the research by discussing the study background, problem statement, objectives, and significance in the context of women-owned micro-enterprises.
CHAPTER TWO: Offers a comprehensive review of literature, covering entrepreneurship theories, empirical studies, and international trends relevant to micro-enterprise development.
CHAPTER THREE: Details the research methodology, including the descriptive survey design, target population, sampling procedures, and the instruments used for data collection and analysis.
CHAPTER FOUR: Presents the primary data collected, including descriptive statistics, correlation analyses between variables, and hypothesis testing regarding factors influencing graduation.
CHAPTER FIVE: Discusses the research findings, offers conclusions, proposes recommendations to support micro-enterprise growth, and identifies gaps for future studies.
Keywords
Micro-enterprises, Women-owned, Graduation, Nyeri Town, Financial accessibility, Entrepreneurship, Small enterprises, Business skills, Technology, Multiple responsibilities, Socio-economic constraints, Economic growth, Kenya, Policy, Training
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research explores why women-owned micro-enterprises in Nyeri Town, Kenya, struggle to graduate into small-scale enterprises and identifies the specific factors hindering this process.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include financial accessibility, the impact of multiple social/family responsibilities on women, the role of business skills, the importance of formal education and training, and the influence of technology on business performance.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The primary objective is to investigate how variables like finance, skills, and socio-cultural responsibilities influence the growth and transition of micro-enterprises to a higher operational scale.
Which research methodology was utilized?
The researcher employed a descriptive survey research design, using questionnaires and personal interviews to collect data, which was then analyzed using quantitative inferential statistics, specifically Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
What aspects does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers a theoretical review of entrepreneurship, detailed research methodology, presentation of findings through charts and tables, and a concluding discussion on findings with policy-oriented recommendations.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include micro-enterprises, graduation, women-owned, Nyeri Town, financial accessibility, and entrepreneurial training.
How do multiple responsibilities affect women entrepreneurs?
The research highlights that women often face "role conflict," where domestic duties and family requirements divert time and capital from their businesses, thereby limiting their ability to focus on growth and attend training sessions.
Does the lack of collateral hinder business growth?
Yes, the study concludes that financial accessibility is a primary challenge because formal institutions require collateral, which most women in micro-enterprises do not have due to cultural factors and property registration issues.
What role does technology play in this research?
Technology is identified as a critical tool for performance and market access, though the research notes that many women in the sector lack the necessary education or infrastructure to adopt modern technologies effectively.
Are entrepreneurs considered "born" or "made" in this study?
The research touches on this debate, suggesting that while personality traits play a role, the acquisition of business skills and a supportive environment are crucial for graduation, and it calls for further research into this specific dichotomy.
- Quote paper
- Tabitha Karanja (Author), George Kimani (Author), Michael Kiama (Author), 2011, An investigation into the factors influencing the graduation of women-owned micro-enterprises, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/189232
