MMA Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing MMA Theses and Dissertations by Author "Gwada, M. N."

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    The Influence of entrepreneurial competencies on the growth of agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprises in Kiambu County
    (Strathmore University, 2023) Gwada, M. N.
    Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are the foundation of most economies. They provide a source of dynamism, economic growth, and flexibility in developed and developing countries. Despite the rising number of SMEs in these developing nations, gross domestic product (GDP) contribution is below 50%. Moreover, only 70% of SMEs pass the five years milestone. Therefore, this study sought to examine the influence of entrepreneurial competencies on the growth of agribusiness SMEs in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following specific objective: To determine the influence of strategic competencies on the growth of agribusiness SMEs in Kiambu County; To assess the effect of relationship competencies on the growth of agribusiness SMEs in Kiambu County; To determine the influence of leadership competencies on the growth of agribusiness SMEs in the Kiambu County; To determine the influence of innovative competencies on the growth of agribusiness SMEs in the Kiambu County. The study was guided by the entrepreneurial competency theory which emphasizes the necessity for a mix of skills to achieve entrepreneurial objectives. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted. 290 agribusiness SMEs in Kiambu County made up the target population. The study used a census sampling technique where 290 entrepreneurs of agribusiness SMEs in Kiambu County were sampled. Data was collected from 290 SMEs through structured questionnaires, providing insights into the role of entrepreneurial competencies in the Kenyan agribusiness sector. A limitation faced during data collection was that some of the entrepreneurs were not willing to participate in the study, therefore, the researcher educated them on the study objectives and assured them that confidentiality would be maintained. The research employed a quantitative approach, using simple linear regression analysis to investigate the impact of these competencies on the growth of agribusiness SMEs. The results revealed that strategic, leadership, and innovative competencies had a significant positive impact on the growth of agribusiness SMEs in Kiambu County. However, relationship competencies were not found to have a significant influence on business growth. The findings suggested that fostering strategic, leadership, and innovative competencies among entrepreneurs could contribute to the growth and success of agribusiness SMEs in the region. This study contributed to the understanding of entrepreneurial competencies in the context of agribusiness SMEs and provided valuable insights for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and educators to develop targeted interventions and training programs that enhanced the growth potential of SMEs in the agribusiness sector. Additionally, the research identified potential avenues for future investigation such as examining the impact of entrepreneurial competencies in different industries and the use of robust research designs.