FACTORS AFFECTING GROWTH OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES OWNED BY WOMEN IN RURAL AREAS IN KENYA. A CASE STUDY OF GATUNDU WARD LOCATION

Abstract

The study's goal was to look into the factors that influence women's participation in SME in Gatundu ward. The descriptive survey research design method was used in the study, with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study used a combination of cluster and simple random sampling; the study area was clustered based on geographical location, and businesses owned by women was clustered based on business type within each location. The sample was consisting of 138 female entrepreneurs from Gatundu ward. The Central bank of Kenya should set up good acquiring guideline which will empower MSME to get to credit offices, modest advances and data linkages to enhance seriousness. Management of the organization requires adequate capital to ensure smooth operation and running therefore individual factors should be considered. The legislature of Kenya ought to decrease the expenses of working together to make more open doors for ladies by making great condition to empower them get from banks and other monetary establishments rather than the current instance of obtaining among themselves to make it more practical this will altogether lessen cost of capital explicitly for ladies claimed MSME ventures to encourage admittance to speculation and working capital. The legislature of Kenya should set up preparing focuses to grant pioneering aptitudes and information in business the board to build high achievement and improve execution on socio-cultural factors. The skills are the most important aspect in effective management and operation of organization thus sociocultural factors should be the first priority. The administration of Kenya should set up preparing focuses to grant enterprising abilities and information in business the board to expand high achievement and improve women’s execution on level of instruction. Competitive advantage of an organization is very important and therefore business should have elaborate planning to ensure continuity. Children requirements should be well catered for to avoid taking funds from business which may lead to fall and premature death of business. Ladies should be sustained socially by husbands, family and friends in order to take advantage of the available resources to promote economic empowerment. The government should support women micro entrepreneurs to form co-operatives to save and access credit more rapidly to improve their enterprises. Women entrepreneurs are encouraged to join stakeholder network groups to socialize and benefit from contacts. Women should be encouraged to form business clubs or women only business organization where they can exchange ideas and experiences. This will help them to have access to more knowledge and customers. The Government should develop policies that protect women from harm and danger from illegal activities. Further, it should do away with strict Bureaucracy in reporting incident as it hinders SMEs growth. The current study was done at Gatundu; similar study can be conducted in the in other counties while maintaining same variables. Equally, introduction of a moderating variable can be considered in future studies. Studies have been carried out in competitive approaches to management leaving a gap in the area of non-profit making government services. Strategic project selection is the beginning of project success. However, further studies need to be undertaken in the field of sustainability of the selected projects.