Factors Affecting the Performance of Importing and Exporting Small and Medium Enterprises in Mombasa County, Kenya

Abstract

The research study was to the factors affecting the performance of importing and exporting small and medium enterprises in Mombasa County, Kenya. The research looked at various factors cited as regulatory and policy framework, technology, marketing information, finances, high tax costs and management skills. The study was guided by the research objective: to determine the factors affecting the performance of importing and exporting small and medium enterprises in Mombasa County, Kenya. The research adopted descriptive survey design to collect quantitative by use of primary data questionnaires, this was preferred as it could enable the researcher to obtain complete and possible accurate information. The population was 50 firms and the response rate was 64% of the small and Medium Enterprises. The data collected was then analyzed by use of SPSS. The presentation of data was by tables with frequencies, mean and percentages to show the statement rate under study.The findings indicated factors affecting the performance of SMEs are policy and legal framework and market information are most influential, followed by high tax costs, technology, finances and management skills and will in the long run determine their survival and the firms cannot operate without since they affect the importing and exporting of the firms the this in effect the firms cannot operate without and they affect the importing and exporting of the Small and Medium Enterprises. The overall study recommendation should be that the firms should act fast and ensure the factors affecting performance are mitigated since there are potential factors to the performance of the firms.