| dc.description.abstract | There is global recognition that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have become major engines of growth in many national and local economies. The number of women owned businesses continues to grow year on year. Much progress has been made in raising awareness and increasing women's visibility in business. However attention of policy makers must now turn to women owned small and medium enterprises to ensure that their contribution to economic growth is progressive and that their access to entrepreneurship is not hampered in any way. Access to finance in all its forms continues to be an issue for many (SMEs). The background information to this study explains how microfinance institutions have tried to intervene through provision of financial services to women entrepreneurs.
The main objective of this study was to establish the factors that influence the performance of women owned business enterprises especially those financed microfinance funding in lmenti South District. The literature reviewed has shown that despite interventions by MFls, women representation in entrepreneurship remains low as compared to men.
The study explored factors influencing performance of micro-financed enterprises owned by women. This study was a descriptive research by use of survey. This design was selected because it is very versatile, particularly in collecting primary data. Simple systematic random sampling was used to obtain a sample size of 150 businesses. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented using frequency tables. study results demonstrate that finance was less available and inaccessible from a number of MFls and commercial banks operating in the sector. Conditions to be fulfilled, including the terms of repayment for most loans to MSEs, were said to pose major challenges to the entrepreneurs, especially at the micro level.
The study also showed that there was no significant relationship between business location and business performance an indication that business location did not influence business performance. The study also established that competition did not influence business performance in lmenti south district and this could imply that the district market is not exhausted and still has business opportunities and potential for growth and development.
Study recommends that financial institutions should engage in deliberate efforts to develop financial and support programmes that meet the needs of women entrepreneurs. Existing financial and business development institutions, donors and NGOs should be encouraged to develop specialized programmes and schemes to address the needs women. | en_US |
