Abstract
This paper was anchored on a pragmatic research paradigm. The study used a cross-sectional survey where a self-semi structured questionnaire was administered to collect the primary data from the target population who were youth-owned SMEs. The study was limited to 135 youth-owned enterprises where 357 employees were selected randomly to form the study sample; the key respondents of the study were limited to owner-managers of small and micro enterprises and top management employees. The questionnaires were tested for reliability and validity. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between youth-owned. The study revealed that entrepreneurship networking has a significant effect on the performance of the agro-processing SMEs owned by the youths. However, there is a need for SMEs to further establish networks outside their business circle and seek networks with other bigger firms in the market. The study, therefore, recommends that there is a need for SMEs to invest more in social media marketing and networking of the SMEs for improved performance.
Highlights
IntroductionNetworks are strategic for development and expansion of new ideas and innovations because innovation is key to the creation of a firm’s competitive advantage
The general objective of the study was examine influence of entrepreneurial networking on performance of youth owned agroprocessing small and micro enterprises performance in Kenya
In Kenya, entrepreneurial venture has a low survival rate as entrepreneurs begin to run businesses yet can't transform them into maintainable organizations this is because in Kenya, despite the critical role played by the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country, most of the business startups are faced with many challenges where over 90% of the businesses fail at their third year (Njoroge and Gathungu, 2013)
Summary
Networks are strategic for development and expansion of new ideas and innovations because innovation is key to the creation of a firm’s competitive advantage. Business innovation and competitive advantages don’t arise in isolation from other companies. According to Waita, (2014) in Kenya, it is estimated that 64% of unemployed persons in Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Muranga and Nyandarua Countiesare youth while the rest 34% is attributed to be adults. This shows the need to support the informal sector to create employment and despite its contributions the SMEs in informal sector faces myriad of challenges but contribute to growth of economy all over the world
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