A Survey Of Drivers Of Performance On Women-Owned Small And Medium Enterprises In Selected Markets In Nandi County Kenya

ABSTRACT

Women are becoming increasingly important in the socio-economic development of

both developed and developing economies as they account for significant percentage

of the operators of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This research study sought

to survey the drivers of performance on women-owned small and medium enterprises

in selected markets in Nandi county Kenya. The study was guided by the following

objectives: To determine how leadership styles affect performance, to find out the

effect of skills on performance and to establish the extent in which socio-cultural

factors affect performance of women-owned SMEs in selected markets in Nandi

County Kenya. The target population was 310 women and managers in tailoring,

retail kiosks and shops, food kiosks, hotels, salons and barber shops, green grocers

and cereals stalls. The sample of between 20% and 30% was adequate for a

population of below 1000; the researcher used 30% of the target population. This

implied that 93 respondents was the sample size for the study. The researcher

employed a simple random sampling technique in identifying the respondents.

Questionnaires were used to collect data, having both open and close ended questions.

The questionnaire was given to the business owners of the women enterprises in

selected markets in Nandi County. The researcher used expert and supervisors of

Kenyatta University to ascertain validity of the research. Reliability was ensured

through split-half method, where the instrument was pilot in two groups within

Eldoret town. The pilot tested scores was used to calculate Cronbach Alpha where a

value greater than 0.7 indicated that the instrument was reliable. Quantitative data was

analyzed in terms of themes, while qualitative data was analyzed through statistical

techniques using frequency counts and percentages. SPSS aided in coding and entry

analysis. Data was presented by use of bar graphs, pie charts and percentages.