| dc.description.abstract | This research intended to investigate the perception of entrepreneurial opportunities within the integrated East African Community by large scale manufacturing companies in Nairobi. The objectives of the study were to determine the perceived entrepreneurial opportunities within the East African Community countries and to identify factors influencing the exploitation of those opportunities by large scale manufacturing companies in Nairobi.
This study adopted a survey design, as it was most appropriate in the investigation of the perception of entrepreneurial opportunities within the integrated East African Community by large scale manufacturing companies in Nairobi. A sample size of 30 respondents was selected from the members registered by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers. Proportionate sampling was applied to select two groups of 15 respondents each. One comprised of companies, which perform cross border trade while the other comprised of companies, which do not perform cross border trade.
The researcher used both primary and secondary data. Secondary data was collected by use of desk search techniques from publications, journals, and annual reports. The study found out that the large-scale manufacturing companies in Nairobi have high business potential and the EAC provides an attractive investment zone for all companies. Business opportunities in the EAC exist in infrastructure, horticulture, agriculture, Information and Communication Technologies, Energy, manufacturing, mining, building, construction, housing and financial sectors.
The main restraints to entrepreneurship in the EAC are insufficient management, marketing, and technical knowledge, political instability, and corruption. The companies operating across the border should study the managers' past and current experiences with specific resource bundles, strategies, markets, technologies, and stakeholders to predict a firm's future directions and patterns of growth. Future research studies can examine how human and social capital of enterpreneur's influences the performance ofthe company in an integrated community. Research should also Be undertaken to reveal how an ntrepreneurial firm can change or renew the productive opportunity of the team by adding and subtracting members to the founding team. | en_US |
