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

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