Factors Influencing The Growth Of Youth Owned Micro And Small Entreprises In Tigania West Division, Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influenced the growth of youth owned micro and small enterprises in Tigania West Division of Meru County- Kenya. The study was guided by five research objectives. Research objective one sought to determine the influence of business environment on growth of youth owned micro and small enterprises. Research objective two sought to assess the influence of business characteristics on the growth of youth owned micro and small enterprises. Research objective three sought to assess the influence of social networks on the growth of youth owned micro and small enterprises. Research objective four established the relationship between demographic characteristics on the growth of youth owned micro and small enterprises while objective five sought to determine how accesses to financial resources affect the growth of youth owned micro and small enterprises. The study employed descriptive design and targeted 163 youth entrepreneurs aged between 18-35 years from Tigania West Division of Meru County. Findings revealed that there was a significant relationship between age and growth of youth owned micro and small enterprises. There was a significant relationship between the gender of the youth and growth of youth owned micro and small enterprises. There was a significant relationship between highest level of formal education and growth of youth owned micro and small enterprises. Young entrepreneurs should be provided with education on how to be effective in their business; the government should reduce taxation and provide youth entrepreneurs with starting business fund. There is need to cultivate in the youth positive attitude towards self employment enable them understand that formal employment is not the only way of self development. The study also recommended that the education curriculum should assess the need of including entrepreneurship subjects so that the youth can be prepared to take up entrepreneurship and there is need to empower the youth in identifying their abilities in the entrepreneurship. The study suggested that an analysis on the factor that influences implementation of youth development policy among young entrepreneurs and a study on the effects of formal training on the effectiveness of youth entrepreneurship to be carried out for further studies.