Green Entrepreneurial Practices Among Small and Medium Enterprises in Mombasa County, Kenya

Abstract

Environmental issues have influenced all human activities globally, and the world is seeing a growing market for sustainable and socially responsible products and services. Entrepreneurs are now making changes in their ways of doing business so as to address the society’s new concerns on environmentalism and other ecological problems as they affect their enterprises. Green entrepreneurs are being called upon to take leading roles in the transition to green economies. World evidence indicates that people are increasingly becoming concerned about the environment and are gradually changing their behaviors accordingly. The objectives of the study were to determine the extent of Green entrepreneurial practices among SMEs and also determining the factors that contribute to green entrepreneurial practices in Mombasa, Kenya. The research design of the study was a descriptive survey. Primary data was collected using self administered questionnaires. The findings of the study were that the SMEs had within their spheres of operation green entrepreneurial practices. This could be attributed to the importance with which green entrepreneurship is regarded in Kenya. With regard to the factors influencing green entrepreneurship, they were found to have variable effects on the practices. Since green entrepreneurial practices by SMEs in Mombasa County were still in nascent stage it was recommended that relevant stakeholders should put in place measures meant to spur adoption and implementation by most entities including SMEs. Also the government through its relevant authorities should enhance support for green product innovation and the investors in green entrepreneurship should form a lobby to enable them have strong negotiating ground with other stakeholders.