ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS AND GROWTH OF ORGANIC MICRO AND SMALL AGRIBUSINESS ENTERPRISES IN KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA

Rogers Mugambi, Prof. Purity Gatobu

Abstract


The purpose of this study was to assess entrepreneurial skills and growth of organic micro and small agribusiness enterprises in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study utilized a descriptive survey research design. The population consisted registered organic micro and small agribusiness enterprises in Kiambu County, Kenya. According to CIDP (2019) Kiambu County has a total of 2,647 SMEs and over 50,000 Micro Enterprises. Purposive sampling was applied as the sampling technique to determine the study sample from the twelve sub-counties including Gatundu North, Gatundu South, Juja, Kabete, Kiambaa, Kiambu, Kikuyu, Limuru, Lari, Ruiru, Thika East and Thika West. The study sample size was 384 as calculated using Yamane Formula. Primary data was used in this study and was collected using questionnaires. The research adopted drop and pick later method to issue the questionnaires and leaving them with the participants and later pick them after they were duly completed. The questionnaire was tested for validity proof and reliability by discussing with fifteen randomly selected respondents and applying the most common internal consistency measure known as Cronbach’s Alpha (α) which was assessed using SPSS. The recommended value of 0.7 was used as a cut–off measure. From the pilot findings, all the variables had attained the minimum threshold of 0.7 and hence were qualified and thus accepted to be used in the study. Data was analyzed mainly by use of frequencies, descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics to be used included mean and standard deviation. Inferential statistical techniques to be employed in data analysis included correlation and regression analysis which was used to draw a causal relationship between the independent variables and client satisfaction. Data was presented using tables and figures. For the study findings all of the independent variables were all well fit as proxy variables for entrepreneurial skills and growth of organic micro and small agribusiness enterprises in Kiambu County, Kenya. Further, the study findings showed that growth was well fit as a response/dependent variable for assessing its relationship with entrepreneurial skills as indicated by majority of the respondents. All the independent variables did have an influence on growth of organic micro and small agribusiness enterprises in Kiambu County, Kenya. Additionally, all the independent variables were statistically significant and positively linked to growth of organic micro and small agribusiness enterprises in Kiambu County, Kenya. They were all qualified as important determinants of growth of organic micro and small agribusiness enterprises in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study recommends that another study can be carried out to determine other factors explaining these remaining factors in relation to growth of organic micro and small agribusiness enterprises in Kiambu County, Kenya in view of the study context and scope to establish if the findings will hold true.

Key Words: Entrepreneurial Skills, Growth, Organic Micro and Small Agribusiness Enterprises, Leadership, Innovation and Creativity 


Full Text:

PDF

References


Adam, N.A. & Alarifi, G. (2021). Innovation practices for survival of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the COVID-19 times, Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 10 (15) 1-22

Damanpour F. (1991), Organizational Innovation: A Meta-Analysis of Effects of Determinants and Moderators, Academy of Management Journal, 34(3): 555-590.

Davila, T., Marc J.E., and Robert S. (2006), Making Innovation Work: How to Manage It, Measure It, and Profit from It, Wharton School Publishing: Upper Saddle River, New York.

Erikson, T. (2002). Entrepreneurial capital: the emerging venture's most important asset and competitive advantage, Journal of business venturing, 17 (3), 275-290.

European Commission. (1999), Promoting Innovation Management Techniques in Europe, European Commission Publishing: Luxembourg.

Ferreira, J. & Coelho, A. & Moutinho, L. (2020). Dynamic capabilities, creativity and innovation capability and their impact on competitive advantage and firm performance: The moderating role of entrepreneurial orientation, Technovation, Elsevier, 92 (1) 1-15.

Jensen, M. & Meckling, W. (1976), Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and Ownership Structure, Journal of Financial Economics, 3, (4) 305-360.

Jong, De J.PJ and Kemp, R. (2003), Determinants of Co-Workers' Innovative Behaviour: An Investigation into Knowledge Intensive Services, International Journal of Innovation Management, 7(2), 189-210.

Juliana, N., Hui, H., Clement, M., Solomon, E. & Elvis, O. (2021) The Impact of Creativity and Innovation on Entrepreneurship Development: Evidence from Nigeria. Open Journal of Business and Management, 9, 1743-1770.

Juliana, N., Hui, H., Clement, M., Solomon, E. & Elvis, O. (2021) The Impact of Creativity and Innovation on Entrepreneurship Development: Evidence from Nigeria. Open Journal of Business and Management, 9 (4), 1743-1770

Kimathi, M., Mukulu, E. & Odhiambo, R. (2019). Effect of Innovation on the Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya, International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 2 (1) 15-28

Kotler, P. (2009), Marketing Management, 13th Edition, Prentice Hall Inc.: New Jersey, USA.

Minniti, M. (2020) Entrepreneurship: The Engine of Growth, in Greenwood Publishing Group. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1569, 22-41.

Mitra, A. & Hamed, T. (2018). Role of Leadership in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), International Journal of Economics and Management Systems, 2 (1) 240 – 246

Pfeiffer, R. (1979). The scientific concept of creativity. Education Theory 29 (2), 133.

Qudah, M. (2018). The Impact of Entrepreneurship Initiatives in Enhancing Creativity and Innovation, International Journal of Business and Management,13 (7), 157-169

Setyaningrum, R.P., & Muafi, M. (2022). The effect of creativity and innovative behavior on competitive advantage in womenpreneur. SA Journal of Human Resource Management/SA Tydskrif vir Menslikehulpbronbestuur, 20(0), a2069.

Shane, S. (2010). Reflections on the 2010 AMR decade award: Delivering on the promise of entrepreneurship as a field of research, Academy of Management Review, 37, (1), 10-20

Steiner E., Weber R. (1993), Ekonomika i organizacja produkcji, nr 3

Sunday (2018). Effect of leadership style and entrepreneurial orientation on the business performance of small and medium enterprises in Nigeria, Journal of International Business and Management, 3(1), 22-38

Timmons J. A., Spinelli, S., & Tan Y., (2004). New venture creation: Entrepreneurship for the 21st century. McGrawHill/Irwin New York.

Tope, S. & Musa, D. (2020). An Examination of the Relationship between Entrepreneurial Creativity and Firm Performance, Journal of International Business and Management, 3(2), 1-18

Wiklund, J. and Shepherd, D. (2003), Knowledge-based Resources, Entrepreneurial Orientation, and The Performance of Small and Medium Sized Businesses, Strategic Management Journal, 24 (1), 1307-1314.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.