Entrepreneurship In Kenya Research Articles

Influence of Access to Credit on Women Entrepreneurship Development in Turkana Central Sub-County

The role of micro and small-scale enterprises sector in the development process has been at the Centre of Women's Entrepreneurship in Kenya. Women's access to credit has been of concern but studies have not been conclusive creating a need for a study to be done. The purpose of study was to investigate the socioeconomic factors influencing women’s entrepreneurship development in Turkana Central Sub-County. The objectives of the study were to examine how access to credit influences women’s entrepreneurship development. The study was anchored on Liberal Feminist Theories. The study used a descriptive survey research design. The study employed simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The target population was 39,427. Krejcie and Morgan's table of 1970 was utilized to determine a sample size of 380 respondents. A questionnaire and Interview guide were used to collect data. Supervisors and peers from the Department of Social Work and Development studies ascertained validity of the instruments. 10% of the target population was used for the purpose of pilot study to ascertain the reliability of research instruments, by use of Cronbach Alpha, which was r=> 0.7. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis whereby qualitative data was grouped together, organized into emerging themes and reported. Findings were presented using frequency distribution tables. The findings of this study indicate that 80% of the respondents agreed that women entrepreneurs were facing challenges in accessing credit. The study concluded that access to credit, has an influence on women entrepreneurship development. The study recommends that the government should enhance women entrepreneurs access credit. The findings are useful to the national government, county government, financial institutions and the community in terms of policy formulation in promoting women’s entrepreneurship development

Human Resource Management Practices and Firm Innovation: A Study of Technology Startups in Kenya

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the human resource management practices and firm innovation: a study of technology startups in Kenya. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: In technology startups in Kenya, recruitment strategies drive product innovatio44n by attracting diverse talent, while training initiatives enhance process innovation by improving technical skills. Performance appraisals promote organizational innovation by recognizing innovative contributions, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Resource-based view (RBV) theory, social exchange theory & diffusion of innovation theory may be used to anchor future studies on the human resource management practices and firm innovation: a study of technology startups in Kenya. Technology startups should prioritize employee development and learning initiatives to nurture a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Policymakers should create a supportive regulatory environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship in Kenya's technology startup ecosystem.

SWOT analysis of the models used by social enterprises in scaling effective refractive error coverage to achieve the 2030 in SIGHT in Kenya

Uncorrected refractive error has predominantly been delivered through commercial entrepreneurship in Kenya. However, to achieve the 2030 IN SIGHT, integration of other forms of entrepreneurship such as the social entrepreneurship is desirable to supplement the efforts of the dominant commercial entrepreneurship. Therefore, this study intended to undertake a SWOT analysis of the current models used by social enterprises in scaling effective refractive error coverage to achieve the 2030 IN SIGHT in Kenya. A review of the seven national strategic plans for eye health in Kenya was undertaken to get a glimpse on the efforts directed towards uncorrected refractive error in achieving the 2030 IN SIGHT. The review was inclined towards assessing the efforts directed by the strategic plans towards scaling human resource, spectacle provision and refraction points. A SWOT analysis was undertaken based on the financial, impact and the approach report for each model. A key informant interview was conducted with a representative and three to five members of the social enterprise about the model. Thereafter, the modified SWOT analysis based on the review and the interview was presented to the representatives of the social enterprises. Purposive sampling was used to identify seven models used by social enterprises in the delivery of refractive error services in Kenya. Finally, the recommendations were presented to key opinion leaders for an input through a Delphi technique. Out of the seven national strategic plans for eye health reviewed, only the strategic plan 2020–2025 intends to establish optical units within 15 different counties in Kenya. Of the seven models currently utilized by social enterprises, only the Kenya Society for the Blind has integrated the telemedicine concept. On application of mHealth, all of the social enterprises models tend to embrace the approach for screening activities. None of the models has a strengthened referral pathway utilizing telereferral and telemedicine. Out of all the models, only Operation Eyesight Universal, Fred Hollow Foundation and Peek Acuity do not depend on sales of subsidized spectacles for sustainability. Every model has the capacity to propel the delivery of refractive error services depending on its comprehensiveness. However, for the 2030 IN SIGHT to be achieved, models prioritizing human resource through telemedicine integration, service provision across all sectors, awareness creation and enhancing cost efficiency are desirable.

Building the city of champions: an examination of the motivations and impacts of athlete entrepreneurship in Kenya

ABSTRACT Purpose This paper examines the under-explored phenomena of athlete entrepreneurship in Kenya. Methodology Semi-structured interviews with current and retired athletes, and Athletics Kenya representatives. Findings Athlete investments are personally and societally important and have led to significant social and economic development. We uncover the pivotal role of associated stakeholders, such as coaches, in influencing and educating athletes about investments. Furthermore, we show that elite athlete entrepreneurship and investment comprise a unique form of athlete-led entrepreneurship that is driven by necessity, but also opportunity from their sporting career. Practical implications There are lessons for local government and athletic federations about how best to support athletes non-sport lives through education. Research contribution There has been growing interest in sport-based, and athlete-led entrepreneurship over the last decade. Very little has focused on how athletes make investment decisions, who the main influencers are, and the potential social and economic impacts of investment activity on athletes and local communities. Very little, if any, of this work has centralised athletes from the Global South. Originality This paper makes a significant contribution to this phenomena through an examination of athlete investments and entrepreneurship by high-profile Kenyan middle- and long-distance runners.

Constraints to Growth Transition of Micro Enterprises into Small Enterprises in Kisii County, Kenya

This study intends to explore the constraints facing entrepreneurs in the micro enterprises sector. Micro enterprises play a significant role in the country’s economy. Many countries in the world have realized the importance of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and therefore are working to improve their performance and competitiveness. In Kenya, MSEs cut across all sectors of the country’s economy and provide one of the most prolific sources of employment not to mention the breeding ground for small, medium and larger industries, which are critical for industrialization today. These enterprises are found in every corner of Kenya and they have great potential for creating a variety of jobs, while generating widespread economic benefits. It is in the light of the above that the study is designed to establish the challenges facing growth of microenterprise. The study was a descriptive study and was limited to Kisii County, Kenya. Questionnaires were used for data collection and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data obtained. In view of the findings as well as the conclusion deduced from the study some recommendations were made.F irstly, the study suggests that institutional support should be extended to the MSE sector to help build capacity of the owners/Managers as far as strategic planning is concerned. The recently created MSE Authority in Kenya should urgently provide this support as stipulated in the MSE Act of 2012. Secondly, the MSE owners/managers through their associations should encourage networking amongst its members in order to learn best practices which include developing strategic plans.The development partners in their efforts to spur entrepreneurship in Kenya should support programs that will create awareness and attitude change among entrepreneurs as to the benefits of strategic planning in business

Refugee Entrepreneurship

Purpose: This paper sought to examine the multifaceted term refugee entrepreneurship from a global level, to a more focused view of the Kenyan context. As such, the authors of this paper examined the general understanding of refugee entrepreneurship in Kenya, assessed the effect of talent displacement with regards to refugee entrepreneurship in Kenya and analyzed the effect of integration and social economic inclusion in relation to refugee entrepreneurship in Kenya.
 Design/methodology/approach: The paper utilized qualitative research where available secondary data on refugee entrepreneurship was analyzed.
 Findings: The study found that there appeared to be no clear-cut understanding of refugee entrepreneurship in the Kenyan context, no systematic approach to tackle talent displacement with regards to refugee entrepreneurship in Kenya, and there continued to be barriers to full integration and social economic inclusion with regards to refugee entrepreneurship in Kenya.
 Research limitations/implications: This study also noted that there is no current global solution to the issue of the ever-increasing number of internally displaced persons, asylum seekers or refugees. On the contrary, the year 2022 has seen an increase in civil strife around the world including; the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Tigray-Ethiopia war and the more than 20-year-old ongoing conflicts in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Other conflicts of concern on the African continent include; South Sudan, Somalia, Mozambique and other West African nations, while Libya and other North African states have suffered similar civil strife. Despite these ongoing challenges, this study established that there are significant socio-economic contributions of refugee entrepreneurship to host communities.
 Practical implications: Consequently, the study recommended a more in-depth understanding of refugee entrepreneurship in the context of Kenya, nurture refugee talents and skills while enacting and enabling policies that foster integration and social economic inclusion with regards to refugee entrepreneurship in Kenya. The Government and people of Kenya stand to reap the benefits of refugee entrepreneurship, which in turn reduced refugee talent displacement and continued government handouts that have promoted dependency, rather than self-reliance. Refugee entrepreneurship, if well cultivated, is an avenue for adding to Kenya’s bread basket through taxation, employment and investment.
 Paper type: Research paper

Displaced, excluded, and making do: a study of refugee entrepreneurship in Kenya

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to use the special context of the Kenyan encampment policy to interrogate the role of social capital as a driver of resourcing for entrepreneurial action in the resource-constrained environment of refugee entrepreneurship in Kenya.Design/methodology/approachThis paper takes conceptual and case study approaches to investigate how refugees deploy social capital to aggregate and recombine resources for entrepreneurial action and livelihood outcomes. It draws on 21 selected secondary sources and semi-structured interviews of 24 respondents from Kakuma camp and Kalobeyei settlement, as well as Nairobi city in Kenya.FindingsThis study proposes a new conceptual framework that illuminates the interaction between social capital, resource aggregation and resource recombination for entrepreneurial action and livelihood recovery. This framework was elucidated within the specific Kenyan context, where social capital was found to play a key role in enabling access to other resources such as financial and human capital to refugee entrepreneurs that would otherwise be inaccessible within the resource-constrained context. It also underlines the capacity of refugees to mobilise these resources in the creation of new ecosystems and institutions.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the conceptual contribution of the paper holds broad explanatory powers, the empirical aspect is limited in terms of its focus on the Kenyan contexts. Future studies can benefit from cross-country comparisons of empirical, including longitudinal, data.Social implicationsThis paper argues for a new approach that can enable better integration of refugees through the provision of opportunities for full economic participation for refugees. This will be a win-win outcome for both refugees and host communities.Originality/valueThis paper makes original contribution by proposing a new conceptual framework that explains the bricoleur’s resource process through the lense of social capital in a resource-constrained and challenging institutional environment. This framework is elucidated with empirical qualitative data from Kenya. This study also signposts new operational and policy directions for humanitarian action among refugees.

Effects of Women Enterprise Fund’s Training on Capital and Labour Resources of Women Grocery Micro-Entrepreneurs in Thika Sub-County, Kenya

There has been a great attention by the government of Kenya on women entrepreneurship over the last nine years. Several policies have been enacted that could support the growth and performance of women entrepreneurship in Kenya .The Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) was established in 2007 to assist women in the development of their enterprises. One condition of funding by WEF is that beneficiaries must first undergo capacity building before getting the funds. However, the effects of WEF’s training remains unexplored in Kenya and in particular Thika Sub-County. This study sought to bridge the gap by establishing the effects of WEF’s training on performance of women grocery micro-entrepreneurs in Thika Sub-County in Kenya. The study examined the effects of WEF ’s training on the indicators of performance that is, labour and capital. It focused on two specific objectives to establish the effects of WEF’s training on labour among women grocery micro-entrepreneurs and the effects of WEF’s training on capital among women grocery micro-entrepreneurs . A cross-sectional descriptive survey research design was used. The sampling technique used was simple random sampling, since it produced the most productive sample to test the research hypotheses. A sample size of 111women entrepreneurs was used out of a population of 371women entrepreneurs. Data was collected using structured questionnaires from the respondents. The study was guided by the human capital theory. Paired t-test and ordinate logistic regression were used to analyze quantitative data collected at 5% significance level with the help of STATA software. Validity of the instruments was achieved through expert judgement of the research supervisors and WEF’s officials. Reliability was tested by subjecting the instruments to a pilot study through the test-retest technique. The study established that the type of training had significant effect on the performance of women grocery micro-entrepreneurs. While the frequency of training had no significant effect on the sales of women grocery micro-entrepreneurs. From the study results, the researcher recommends for the performance of women micro-entrepreneurs to improve drastically WEF has to focus more on providing quality training especially market access skills. It is therefore, hoped that the outcomes and recommendations of this study will be of help to WEF and other women entrepreneurship stakeholders to address the performance challenges in Thika Sub-County and the nation at large.

A generation of bricoleurs: digital entrepreneurship in Kenya

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore how the uptake of digital technologies influences youth entrepreneurship in Kenya.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilizes 28 semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs age 21–35 in Nairobi, Kenya. Interview transcripts were analyzed using open- and closed-coding.FindingsMillennial entrepreneurs embrace change and challenges by harnessing mobile technologies and social media. In doing so, they are engaging in what French sociologist Lévi-Strauss called “bricolage,” or “making do with what's at hand.”Originality/valueThis study explores a unique segment of entrepreneurs, Millennials in Kenya and identified the ways in which digital entrepreneurship represents a form of bricolage.

Sustainable energy for all or sustainable energy for men? Gender and the construction of identity within climate technology entrepreneurship in Kenya

As international climate and development policy and funding efforts accelerate, this article articulates an urgent new research agenda aimed at redressing the existing failure of policy and research to attend to gender in relation to climate mitigation (as opposed to adaptation). Focusing on the transfer and uptake of low carbon energy technologies, including a review of the literature on women and entrepreneurship and critical discourse analysis of the treatment of climate technology entrepreneurs by infoDev (World Bank) in Kenya, the prevalence of private sector entrepreneurial approaches to climate and development policy and practice in this field is demonstrated to be reinforcing gendered power imbalances.

The impact of female entrepreneurship on economic growth in Kenya

Purpose – This study aims to provide a better understanding of the barriers and constraints that are faced by women entrepreneurs in starting and running a business in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach – The study draws on primary research conducted through face-to-face interviews with female entrepreneurs in Kenya in a wide range of sectors, each having their own micro enterprise. It draws on the framework of Bates et al. (2007) and Baughn et al. (2006) to look at the entrepreneurship landscape in Kenya and the barriers and constraints faced by women entrepreneurs, as well as the support and opportunities available. Findings – It was found that female entrepreneurs in Kenya face far fewer barriers to starting micro-enterprises now than ever before. It is proving to be a widely successful model, which they use to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. There remain, however, a number of barriers to growth within the micro-enterprise sector. On the basis of these, the paper argues that for female entrepreneurship to have a greater impact on economic growth within Kenya, the country needs to introduce more effective policies, regulation of the informal sector and further support to women entrepreneurs. For example, support could take the form of business training, mentoring and financial support. Originality/value – The paper presents original research on the growing phenomenon of female entrepreneurship in Kenya as a means of alleviating poverty. It considers how this trend relates to the growing availability of microfinance.

Institutional Field Building in Adverse Environments: Technology Entrepreneurship in Kenya

We explore the puzzle of how new institutional fields are established in adverse environments. Locating our study in Nairobi, Kenya, where resource scarcity, cultural preferences for stability, and...

Female Entrepreneurship in Kenya: How do Female Micro-Entrepreneurs Learn to be Entrepreneurial?

There is renewed interest in female entrepreneurship as policy makers recognize the importance of social inclusiveness in economic development. Women’s involvement in entrepreneurship is applauded as a necessary precursor to economic growth of developing nations despite women under-representation among business owners. Many factors have been blamed for this under-representation among them, socialisation and lack of motivation in choosing entrepreneurship as a career option. In Kenya, women entrepreneurs have low levels of education; are in need of business knowledge and skills yet unable to pay for business development services; and are affected strongly by patriarchal structures especially the role of husbands. Yet, some few women own growing businesses that contribute towards wealth and employment creation. This study sought to determine how women learn to be entrepreneurial and to establish hindrances to female entrepreneurial learning process. A survey was conducted on 106 women micro-entrepreneurs in the Kenyan dairy processing industry. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings showed that majority (76.9%) of the micro-entrepreneurs went into business without any prior business skills. Only 5.5% of them had training in business-related fields before starting their businesses. Another 17.6% had learnt some business skills from previous employment. Social contacts and relations were important sources of business knowledge and skills for 68.7% of them. Rarely did the respondents engage in active search of business knowledge and skills. Probably an entrepreneurship development curriculum weaved through the entire school syllabus would help in entrenching an enterprising culture among women.

Fostering Entrepreneurship in Kenya: The Role of Association

The importance of Total Quality Management (TQM) in today’s business environment is a sine qua non (an indispensable and essential action). This is due to the ever increasing tastes of customers who see service quality as a right owed them by businesses they chose to patronize. This study examined the relationship between total quality management and customer satisfaction in service industries. The aims among others were to evaluate the relationship between of top management commitments and customer retentions as well as to examine the influence of organizational reputation on customer’s continuous patronage. Relying solely on secondary data collected from various archival sources, findings shows that strong relationships exists between total quality management and customer satisfaction in the achievement of organizational goals especially in the current dispensation of globalization and stiff competitions. The analyzed data also revealed that total quality management and customer satisfaction have increased steadily over a period of time in some service industries but top management still have much to do in order to entrench TQM and customer satisfaction as policies in their organizations. The authors recommend a holistic adoption of TQM and customer services tenets and its entrenchment as policies in all organizations for quality customer services and satisfactions.

The Role of SACCO in Growth of Youth Entrepreneurship in Kenya: A Case of Nairobi County

The Role of SACCO in Growth of Youth Entrepreneurship in Kenya: A Case of Nairobi County

The Role of SACCO in Growth of Youth Entrepreneurship in Kenya: A Case of Nairobi County

This paper presents findings from a study that focused on establishing the role of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in the growth of youth entrepreneurship in Kenya. This study set out to determine whether access to finance, products and services and entrepreneurship education offered by SACCOs influence growth of youth entrepreneurship. The study used a descriptive research design where the target population comprised SACCOs that target youth owned enterprises. The findings indicate that there was increased growth of youth entrepreneurship as a result of different aspects employed by SACCOs to increase access to finance and that entrepreneurship education inculcated positive attitudes and improved business management skills. Products and services offered by SACCOs faced constraints and challenges that hindered growth of youth entrepreneurship. The study concludes that SACCOs play a key role in the growth of youth entrepreneurship and this can be enhanced through increased access to finance by youth entrepreneurs, provision of relevant entrepreneurship education and provision of quality products and services that address specific needs of youth entrepreneurs.

Gender, Culture and Entrepreneurship in Kenya

This study looked into how different cultural factors affect gender involvement in entrepreneurship in a multi-ethnic country, Kenya. A majority of previous similar studies have been done in Western, developed societies where national cultures have evolved and have dominated the literature on the ‘cultural perspective’ on gender and entrepreneurship. In the majority of sub-Saharan countries, ethnic cultures play a more dominant role in moulding the values and perceptions of its citizens than national cultures. The differential rate of gender involvement was compared among four Kenyan ethnic groups namely Luo, Kikuyu, Kalenjin and Kamba. A significant outcome of the study, is that there were neither significant gender differences on community perception of entrepreneurship nor the extent on the presence (or absence) of personality traits associated with entrepreneurship. From the study, it appears that for the communities studied, ethnic cultural influences play a larger role in women’s propensities towards entrepreneurship and their view of their community perception towards the same, than does gender. This is pronounced even when men and women from the same communities are compared along the same dimensions.

Micro and Small Enterprise Sector and Existing Support System with emphasis on High-Tech oriented Entrepreneurship in Kenya

The significance of Kenya’s micro and small enterprises (MSE) activity has continued to grow since the sector was first brought to the limelight in 1972. In Kenya, it is now recognized that the promotion of the MSE sector is a viable and dynamic strategy for achieving national goals, including employment creation, poverty alleviation and balanced development between sectors and sub-sectors. Together, all this form the foundation of a strong national base and domestic production sector that is central to the government’s vision of achieving a newly industrialized country status by the year 2020. According to Kenya’s National Development Plan (1997), the MSE sector has been growing in importance both as a source of employment as well as innovative technologies. However, industrial technology development in Kenya is yet to take off. Kenya still relies heavily on imported technology. The plant and machinery that most MSEs use to produce goods and services have little technology (know-how) value. Due to the foregoing, the study reviews the current technological situation of the MSE sector in Kenya to determine the extent of government support services. The study also seeks to analyze how best this support can be delivered to help MSEs develop their technological capacities. The methodology that the study uses to achieve its objectives is documentary analysis and analytical narrative. The main finding of the study is that the major constraint in the MSE sector’s ability to upgrade its existing technological base is lack of national support. This weakness has undermined the development of indigenous labor intensive and local resource-using technologies. Key Words: micro and small enterprises, technology

Corruption and Entrepreneurship in Kenya

Africa has many bridges that dot the landscape with no roads to lead to them. This is because many projects are started but never get completed due to corruption. The bridge is completed but government often run out of funds to build the road. Corruption has become a common phenomenon in many developing and emerging economies. There are different views on the effects of corruption on entrepreneurship. What is clear is that entrepreneurship is paramount for economic growth. Entrepreneurship development is driven by a number of factors principally social, psychological and economic. All these factors are subject to corruption and consequently can deter entrepreneurship. This paper examines the impact of corruption on entrepreneurship in Kenya. The findings indicate that when formal institutions are inefficient corruption which subverts these institutions is beneficial in terms of economic development. Conversely, where formal institutions are relatively efficient, corruption is detrimental. Key words: corruption, business, entrepreneurship, Kenya, economy

Tourism and Poverty Alleviation: The Case for Indigenous Enterprise Development in Kenya

The World Tourism Organization (WTO) asserts tourism as a vehicle for economic development and poverty alleviation (EDPA) in developing countries. Among EDPA strategies, WTO highlights small enterprise development, stressing government support in such development. Tourism in Kenya is foreign owned, so economic benefits leak from the local economy. It emphasizes safari/coastal products and exploits the southern and coastal regions in an anachronistic and colonial model of tourism development. A new, postcolonial model of tourism development involving small indigenous enterprises and promoting cultural products to new markets would seem an obvious vehicle for EDPA in Kenya. Thus, Kenya's capacity to promote the development of indigenous enterprises is of interest. This study of 12 indigenously owned Kenyan tourism enterprises and six support organizations explores the challenges to tourism entrepreneurship in Kenya. The 12 enterprises fall into three categories: community-based enterprises (CBEs), and formal and informal individually owned enterprises (IOEs). Formal IOE managers had independent means and were well educated and appropriately experienced through public sector careers to deal with bureaucracy. CBEs (community initiatives offering products/services based on the natural environment) employed competent managers to address skills gaps. CBEs provide paths for skills development while raising community tourism awareness. However, community tourism development is externally driven, often by nongovernmental organizations, and can be regarded as a form of neocolonialism. Kenya's draft National Tourism Policy favors the development of CBEs as a way to enhance linkage. This article concludes that formalizing tourism enterprises in Kenya would require significant government investment in support mechanisms to provide sustainable tourism development opportunities for Kenyan communities.