THE MODERATING EFFECT OF SOCIAL NORMS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMS AND WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT IN UASIN-GISHU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to assess the moderating effect of social norms on the relationship between public procurement programs and women entrepreneur’s participation in government procurement in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya. The specific objective of the study was to assess the moderating effect of social norms on the relationship between capacity building programs and women entrepreneurs participation in government procurement The study adopted institutional theory. Correlational and Cross-sectional survey research design was used in the study. The target population for the study was approximately 10000 respondents registered under AGPO. The sample frame for this study was 384 participants from Uasin-Gishu County. Simple random sampling method was used since it reduces bias by giving equal and independent chance to every member of the population. The researcher adopted the use of semi structural questionnaire as the main tool of data collection. This study used content validity and used Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient to test the reliability of the instruments. Cronbach’s Alpha of more than 0.7 was taken as the cut off value for being acceptable. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 and Microsoft version of Excel. The coded data was entered into SPSS program to generate measures of central tendency (mode and mean) and measures of dispersion such as percentages and ranks. For inferential statistics, the study used multiple linear regressions to show how the independent variables and dependent variable relate. The data analysis was presented in form of tables. The study results found out that capacity building programmes has a positive and significant influence on women entrepreneur’s participation in government procurement in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya. (R=585, p<0.05). The study concluded government has not come up with sufficient capacity building programs on tendering to empower women and this translated to the few women who have the necessary expertise and experience in the public procurement tendering process to compete effectively with large established firms with vast experience  The study recommends that government should come up with training and sensitization programs so as to improve the capacity of the stakeholders to carry out public procurement in an efficient, effective, transparent and accountable manner.

KEY WORDS: Procurement Programs, Social norms, capacity building programs, government procurement, women entrepreneur participation