The Influence of Entrepreneurial Orientation on the Development of Registered Youth-led Enterprises in Kibera Slum in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

This research was intended to investigate two objectives namely establishing the impact of entrepreneurial orientation on the development of registered youth led enterprises in Kibera slums in Nairobi county and also the extent of entrepreneurship practices among the registered youth led enterprises in Kibera slums. Data was collected from various registered youth led enterprises within Kibera slums. Those interviewed included the founders of these enterprises and their business partners. A questionnaire was used to collect the primary data. The questionnaire covered general information about the various youth led enterprises, various variables of entrepreneurial orientation and the various aspects of youth development. The findings of the study revealed that risk taking greatly influenced the development of registered youth led enterprises. Other variables of entrepreneurial orientation such as competitive aggressiveness, pro-activeness, innovativeness and autonomy also influenced the development of registered youth led enterprises to a large extent. It was also noted from the findings that the registered youth led enterprises greatly contributed to positive development in the various areas they operated at. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the government take certain initiatives to protect the upcoming youth led enterprises from unfair competition in the market place. Such competition could be from unethical businessmen or other established entities which may engage in business practices that can lead to collapse of the young upcoming youth led enterprises. It is also recommended that upcoming young entrepreneurs must positively engage on the various aspects of entrepreneurial orientation such as risk taking, pro-activeness, competitive aggressiveness, autonomy and innovativeness if they expect to gain sustainable competitive advantage in the various markets in which they operate.