FACTORS INFLUENCING PERFORMANCE OF YOUTH OWNED MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSME) IN KENYA

Anne Awino Odhiambo

Student, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

ABSTRACT

The study purposed to investigate the factors that affect the performance of youth owned micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya.MSMEs owned by youths in Kajiado North Constituency was chosen as a case study. The study sought to inquire illustrate if the following independent variables had on the performance of youth owned MSMEs: entrepreneurship training, leadership style used, use of social networks and the business owner or leader’s managerial skills. The research used a descriptive survey, and primary data was obtained through questionnaires targeting 43 MSMEs owned by youths in the target area. The field investigation revealed that all these factors under study had an effect on the overall entrepreneurial venture at various degrees. However, managerial skills were realized to be the most significant variable in this studyfollowed by networking, then entrepreneurial training and lastly leadership skills employed. Based on these results the study recommended that there is a need to develop more supportive systems and structures, including training programs to business entrepreneurial skills, programs to enhance leadership styles for greater performance and to enhance managerial skills for these youth owned enterprises in order to improve their performance. There is also need to put in place support systems that would allow youths to interact with fellow youths in business, business professionals as well as other key stakeholders who will aid them in achieving their goals. It thus recommends that for greater performance of youth owned MSMEs, there is critical to place these supportive systems. These aspects will have a tremendous impact on the performance and growth of these youth owned MSMEs in Kenya.

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