Factors affecting the performance of women small and medium enterprises in Mombasa central business District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore factors that undermine the performance women small and medium enterprises in Mombasa central business district which is in Mombasa County. Financial institutions like IFC bank, Equity bank, and KWFT among other financial Institutions have come out with schemes to grow women in their business enterprises. This has relatively created business climate for business women leading to ownership of a multimillion enterprises. However, amidst of all these financiers and good climate to conduct business, the small and medium enterprises projects are seen collapsing or deserted completely and yet people still need the services provided by these projects. The stalled projects include halfway built real estates, poorly managed schools, poorly equipped shops, broken water pipes, to mention just a few. Factors undermining performance of women small and medium enterprises have been blamed for stagnation of most of the entrepreneurial projects. In this study, ‘factors’ undermining women small and medium will have both negative and positive impact. Negative in such a way that if not well addressed, the project will be a forgone case. Alternatively, the factors can as well act as an opportunity for these entrepreneurs. If well tackled, sustainability of small and medium enterprises’ projects would lead to economical and social development. The study proposes to determine the factors that undermine performance of women small and medium enterprises in Mombasa central business district. In particular, the study will explore how leadership, availability of resources, cultural practices and training will influence the success of these small and medium enterprises. Three data collection methods will be employed in the study, namely the questionnaires, interviews and observation methods. The target population consists of members chosen through simple random sampling technique from various women small and medium enterprises’ projects in the Mombasa central business district, Kenya, who have the experience on manning business enterprises. Random sampling technique will be employed to capture the in-depth information required for the study. Questionnaires, Interview guides and Focused Group Discussions are to be administered to get information from target population