• Login
    View Item 
    •   SU+ Home
    • Research and Publications
    • Strathmore Business School (SBS)
    • SBS Projects, Theses and Dissertations
    • MBA Theses and Dissertations
    • MBA Theses and Dissertations (2012)
    • View Item
    •   SU+ Home
    • Research and Publications
    • Strathmore Business School (SBS)
    • SBS Projects, Theses and Dissertations
    • MBA Theses and Dissertations
    • MBA Theses and Dissertations (2012)
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Factors influencing growth of informal businesses in Kenya : a survey of the metal work businesses in Nairobi

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Complete Thesis (4.849Mb)
    Date
    2012
    Author
    Mimba, George Magak
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    The aim of this study was to establish factors influencing the growth of metalwork businesses in Nairobi, Kenya. Data for the study was collected from a sample of214 metalwork artisans from Kamukunji and Kariobangi Jua Kali centers using a structured questionnaire and analyzed mainly using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and factor analysis. Increased profits, number of products produced, variety products, number of tools, number of employees and sophisticated tools were used to measure growth. The following were identified as the main drivers of growth in the sector: (1) management skills, (2) marketing strategy, (3) uniqueness of products manufactured, and (4) quality of the products sold. The preceding factors were internal to the firm. Those that were external to the firm and, beyond the control of the business owners, were (l) low product demand, (2) limited marketing information, (3) stiff competition from (cheap) imports, and lack of access to foreign markets. In addition, the study found that majority of the metal work businesses were not formally organized and registered. Consequently their ability to access and leverage opportunities for growth such as debt financing is limited. The main reason for the high number of un¬registered businesses was found to be limited knowledge of the of business owners of the importance of such registration and/or incorporation. The reason for this is, in part, due to the level of formal education of the metal work business owners - majority of them were found to have at most a primary or secondary school level of education with no vocational training. These findings suggest that any policy intervention aimed at improving performance and growth of metal work businesses should include a training component to enhance the skills and knowledge of the Jua Kali artisans. However, such training should take into account the level of education in the sector.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/11071/1760
    Collections
    • MBA Theses and Dissertations (2012) [29]

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Thumbnail

      History of Kenya to 1900 : a synopsis of the history of Kenya before Colonisation 

      Njenga, George
      Wisdom@Strathmore series
    • Thumbnail

      Assessing realization of gender rule in parliament: in light of the political history of Kenya and the advisory opinion no. 2 of the supreme court of Kenya [2012]. 

      Kimere, Ivy Nyokabi (Strathmore University, 2017-01)
      Women in Kenya have struggled historically to be included in politics. For a long time, women’s rights have been sidelined because the male population have been the majority players in politics. Furthermore, the society ...
    • Thumbnail

      The Rights to land of indigenous peoples’ in Kenya: a case study of the Ogiek community and the conflict of articles portrayed in the constitution of Kenya 

      Ochien’g, Diana Achien’g (Strathmore University, 2017-01)
      The Ogiek are believed to be the first people to have settled in Eastern Africa and were found inhabiting all Kenyan forests before 1800AD. Due to domination and assimilation, the community is slowly becoming extinct with ...

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2016  DuraSpace
    Contact Us | Send Feedback
    Theme by 
    Atmire NV
     

     

    Browse

    All of SU+Communities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    Login

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2016  DuraSpace
    Contact Us | Send Feedback
    Theme by 
    Atmire NV