INFLUENCE OF ENTERPRISE CHARACTERISTICS ON SUSTAINABILITY OF SMALL TEA ENTERPRISES IN KENYA.
Paul Maina Mathenge
School of Business,
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kenya.
Corresponding Author email:
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Prof. Muruku Waiguchu
School of Business,
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kenya.
Prof. Mwita Marwa
School of Business,
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kenya.
CITATION: Mathenge, P., M., Waiguchu, P., Marwa. M. (2018) Influence of Enterprise Characteristics On Sustainability of Small Tea Enterprises in Kenya. International Journal of Arts and Entrepreneurship. Vol. 7 (1) pp 42 – 61.
ABSTRACT
This study presents findings on factors that influence sustainability of small tea enterprises in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to assess the influence of enterprise characteristics on sustainability of small tea enterprises. The population of the study is an estimated 420,000 small tea entrepreneurs who are members of Kenya Tea Development Agency spread in the seven tea-growing regions in Kenya. The study was a cross-sectional survey, and descriptive in design, carried out in the seven tea-growing regions. The study used a mixed method, which involved both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Self-administered questionnaires were used for primary data collection while journals, books and the Internet were used for secondary data collection. Factor analysis was used to measure the variability among the variables. For test statistics, p-value less than 5% was considered significant. Cronbach’s analysis was used to test the equality of means of all independent variables. A regression model was also developed to establish the strength of the relationship between the dependent variable and independent variables. Presentation of information was done using mean scores and percentages and standard deviation. The findings indicated that four out of five hypotheses of the study were supported. These findings, it is hoped, will bridge the gaps in literature, identify and articulate alternative models for assessing sustainability of small tea enterprises for adoption, and will be used in the academia, agribusiness and by policy makers to improve the tea sector in Kenya.
Key words: Enterprise Characteristics, sustainability of small tea enterprises
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