Factors Influencing The Growth Of Entrepreneurial Ventures Among Women In Mbooni Constituency In Makueni County

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the factors influencing the growth of women entrepreneurial ventures in Kisau Division of Mbooni Sub-County. The study conducted in the month of April, 2014 was guided by five objectives namely: the extent to which financial availability, gender roles, property ownership rights, the level of education, government policy and regulations influence the growth of women entrepreneurial ventures. The population consisted of all the 100 women operating small businesses in Kisau Division. From the population of 100 people, a sample of 80 women was drawn from the population to constitute the sample size. Simple random sampling was used to select the women to participate in the study. All business women operating small businesses on JuaKali shades and fixed premises were targeted. A research authorization permit was obtained from the National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation in order to be able to collect data. Qualitative and Quantitative approachesware applied in collecting data. Questionnaires and Interview guides were used as data collection tool and were administered by research assistants to consented participants. Data collected through the questionnaires and interviews was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics to enable the researcher to infer the sample results to the whole population. Data was analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Scientists) software and presented using frequency tables, mean and standard deviation values followed by explanations of the study results per table. Tests on data revealed that there was a significant strong relationship between availability of finance,gender roles, property ownership rights,the level of education, government policy and regulations ,and growth of women entreprenurial ventures.The results led to rejection of the null hypotheses that there is no significant relationship between the independent and dependent variables in the study.Based on the research findings the researcher recommended that: The Central and County Governments to come up with modalities of helping women entrepreneur‟s financially to be on equal footing with their male counterparts for the benefit of the Country‟s economic well-being, the study also recommended that men need to be educated on the need to help their women counterparts in realizing their potential in as far as work-related activities are concerned. This is both in the work place and at home. Some equality in sharing household roles should be encouraged to educate men against devaluing their wives abilities in the performance of their businesses, the study also recommended that women should be made aware of their constitutional right to own property. This will encourage them to acquire property including land from their parents through inheritance reduce inequality in access of family resources, enactment of stringent laws and methods of dealing with those who still adhere to the outdated cultures impacting negatively on the upbringing of girls such as early and forced marriage, FGM which limit young women‟s engagement in both education and economic activities and the study recommends the Government should come up with fair policies on taxation and licensing of businesses to encourage women entrepreneur‟s operating in micro-enterprises to grow and expand their business activities.