There has been a great attention by the government of Kenya on women entrepreneurship over the last nine years. Several policies have been enacted that could support the growth and performance of women entrepreneurship in Kenya. The Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) was established in 2007 to assist women in the development of their enterprises. One condition of funding by WEF is that beneficiaries must first undergo capacity building before getting the funds. However, the effects of WEF’s training remains unexplored in Kenya and in particular Thika Sub-County.
This study sought to bridge the gap by establishing the effects of WEF’s training on performance of women grocery micro-entrepreneurs in Thika Sub-County in Kenya. The study examined the effects of WEF’s training on the indicators of performance that is, sales, profit, labour and capital. It focused on four specific objectives to: identify the effects of WEF’s training on profits, sales, labour and capital among women grocery micro-entrepreneurs. A cross-sectional descriptive survey research design was used. The sampling technique used was simple random sampling, since it produced the most productive sample to test the research hypotheses.
A sample size of 111 women entrepreneurs was used out of a population of 371 women entrepreneurs. Data was collected using structured questionnaires from the respondents. The study was guided by the human capital theory. Paired t-test and ordinate logistic regression were used to analyze quantitative data collected at 5% significance level with the help of STATA software. Validity of the instruments was achieved through expert judgement of the research supervisors and WEF’s officials. Reliability was tested by subjecting the instruments to a pilot study through the test-retest technique.
The study established that the type of training had significant effect on the performance of women grocery micro-entrepreneurs. While the frequency of training had no significant effect on the sales of women grocery micro-entrepreneurs. From the study results, the researcher recommends for the performance of women micro-entrepreneurs to improve drastically WEF has to focus more on providing quality training especially market access skills. It is therefore, hoped that the outcomes and recommendations of this study will be of help to WEF and other women entrepreneurship stakeholders to address the performance challenges in Thika Sub-County and the nation at large.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Chapter One: Introduction
- 1.1 Background to the Study
- 1.2 Statement of the Problem
- 1.3 Purpose of the Study
- 1.4 Objectives of the Study
- 1.5 Hypotheses of the Study
- 1.6 Significance of the Study
- 1.7 Scope of the Study
- 1.8 Limitation of the Study
- 1.9 Assumptions of the study
- 1.10 Definition of Terms
- Chapter Two: Literature Review
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 Women Entrepreneurs in the World and Africa
- 2.3 Women Entrepreneurs in Kenya
- 2.4 The Women Enterprise Fund in Kenya
- 2.5 Profits Among Women Entrepreneurs
- 2.6 Sales Among Women Entrepreneurs
- 2.7 Labour Resource Among Women Entrepreneurs
- 2.8 Capital Resource Among Women Entrepreneurs
- 2.9 Theoretical Framework
- 2.10 Conceptual Framework
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to determine the effects of the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF)'s training program on the performance of women grocery micro-entrepreneurs in Thika Sub-County, Kenya. The research investigates whether the training impacts key performance indicators such as sales, profits, labor utilization, and capital investment.
- Impact of WEF training on the performance of women micro-entrepreneurs.
- Analysis of the relationship between training type and frequency and business performance indicators.
- Examination of the role of WEF training in improving various aspects of business operations.
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of the WEF's capacity-building program.
- Identification of areas for improvement in WEF's training program to enhance the performance of women micro-entrepreneurs.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter One: Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the research by providing background information on women entrepreneurship in Kenya, highlighting the role of the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF), and stating the problem that the study addresses—the unexplored effects of WEF's training on the performance of women micro-entrepreneurs. It clearly defines the study's purpose, objectives, hypotheses, significance, scope, limitations, assumptions, and key terms. This lays a solid foundation for the subsequent chapters by establishing the research context and clearly outlining the scope and parameters of the investigation. The chapter's detailed explanation of the research problem effectively establishes its relevance and sets the direction for the entire study.
Chapter Two: Literature Review: This chapter delves into existing research on women entrepreneurs, focusing specifically on global, African, and Kenyan contexts. It explores the role of the WEF in supporting women entrepreneurs in Kenya and examines the literature on various aspects of women's entrepreneurship, including profits, sales, labor resources, and capital resources. The chapter also presents the theoretical and conceptual frameworks that guide the study, drawing upon established theories to provide a context for understanding the relationship between WEF training and entrepreneurial performance. By critically reviewing existing literature, this chapter establishes a strong theoretical foundation for the empirical investigation that follows in subsequent chapters and provides a clear roadmap for the analytical approach the researcher takes.
Frequently Asked Questions: Comprehensive Language Preview of a Study on Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) Training
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a research study. It includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The purpose is to give a clear overview of the study's scope and findings before reading the full text.
What are the main topics covered in the study?
The study focuses on the impact of the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) training program on the performance of women grocery micro-entrepreneurs in Thika Sub-County, Kenya. Key topics include the effects of WEF training on sales, profits, labor utilization, and capital investment. The research also analyzes the relationship between training type and frequency and business performance indicators.
What are the study's objectives?
The study aims to determine the effects of WEF training on women micro-entrepreneurs' performance, analyze the relationship between training and business performance indicators, examine the role of WEF training in improving business operations, evaluate the effectiveness of the WEF's capacity-building program, and identify areas for improvement in the WEF's training program.
What chapters are included in the study?
The preview shows two main chapters: Chapter One (Introduction) which sets the research context, defines the problem, and outlines the study's objectives, and Chapter Two (Literature Review) which reviews existing literature on women entrepreneurship, focusing on the WEF's role and relevant theories.
What key themes are explored in the literature review?
The literature review explores women entrepreneurship globally, in Africa, and specifically in Kenya. It examines the role of the WEF, and analyzes existing research on profits, sales, labor resources, and capital resources among women entrepreneurs. The review also presents the theoretical and conceptual frameworks guiding the study.
What is the significance of this study?
The study's significance lies in its contribution to understanding the impact of the WEF training program on the performance of women micro-entrepreneurs in Kenya. The findings can inform the design and implementation of more effective capacity-building programs to support women's economic empowerment.
What are the limitations of this study (as mentioned in the preview)?
The preview mentions that the study has limitations, but it doesn't specifically state what those limitations are. The full study would likely detail these limitations in Chapter One.
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- Michael Muraguri (Author), 2016, Effects Of Women Enterprise Fund’s Training On Performance Of Women Grocery Micro-Entrepreneurs In Thika Sub-County, Kenya, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/353191
