Extent of Adoption And Usage of Mobile Phone Services in Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the extent of adoption and usage of mobile phone technology to empower women entrepreneurs in Machakos County. The study adopted the use of Uses and Gratifications theory. Mixed method design was used. Systematic random sampling was used to select 350 respondents. Survey method was used to collect quantitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and then presented in tables, figures and bar graphs. Purposive sampling was used to select 8 key informants and participants in the focus groups discussions. In-depth interviews and interview guide were used to collect qualitative data. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and presented in narrative form. The study found that women entrepreneurs in Machakos had adopted and used the mobile phone services for business matters but they had only adopted the basic functions of the mobile phone and specially voice communication at (53.6%) and SMS at (21.1%) of the respondents. Most women entrepreneurs rarely used the advanced applications of the mobile phone with e-banking having the least used service in the mobile phone. Service like the internet had below average users at 17.5% of the respondents. The findings showed that the mobile phone has changed the way of doing business. Women entrepreneurs have been increasingly turning to the mobile technology services which aid in business transactions and hence increased profits. On mobile phone accessibility and increase of profits due to mobile phone use showed that 77.1% of the women entrepreneurs said that using mobile phone technology services for their businesses had led to increased profits. The study established that social media had gained a rapid acceptance and popularity among the women entrepreneurs although their use was below average. Facebook was the most popular social medium amongst the entrepreneurs at 37%. Its popularity among women entrepreneurs can be attributed to the fact that Facebook provides interactive and immediacy, two things that are highly desirable to entrepreneurs. The study concluded that women entrepreneurs have accepted the mobile phone as an important tool for running their businesses but they have not fully adopted all the services of the mobile phone and especially the advanced functions. It was recommended that women opinion leaders should encourage and support their members to adopt and use mobile phone technology services, and do a follow up to make sure the members adopt it fully.