| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of the study was to identify the factors that are associated with relatively good performance of women groups in Kenya, in particular those associated with the growing literature on social capital. The study was guided by the following objectives; to examine the characteristics of the groups and their members; to examine support.services are used among the groups which influence group performance; to establish the group members' perceived and actual benefits from their group; to determine the levels of social capital formation in the self help groups and lastly to determine the levels of overall group performance.
The target population included 16 women groups in Kibera, Nairobi County. These were groups assisted by Faulu Kenya and Action Now Kenya. For this study a sample of 5 groups was selected using purposive sampling design. The study adapted a descriptive research study design. Each group had an average of 9 members. The key informants were 2 officials from Faulu Kenya and 2 officials from Action Now Kenya. Both questionnaire and in depth interviews were used as data collection instruments. The raw data was computed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).
From the findings and discussions, the study concludes that successful women groups in Kibera use social capital resources in their day to day operations. Social capital is articulated and utilized in forms of networks, relationships, norms, values and collective action to facilitate the daily operations of the women groups. Women groups which perform better will had higher levels of social capital than those which had lower levels of social capital. Groups must of necessity be formed of homogeneous membership. This will occur if groups are formed around some concrete specific problem of interest.
The study also concludes that the levels of social capital were determined by latent variables or factors among observed variables, these are characteristics of the groups and their members, Support services used by the group, perception of the group members, actual benefits and achievement of objectives. The study recommended that there is urgent need for collective action when engaging group
activities was critical so as to cultivate a sense of togetherness and belonging among members. In addition women groups once established should at least have by laws or a constitution which members are trained and educated on. This would help members change from individual opportunistic behavior to collective action and solidarity in the group. | en_US |
