| dc.description.abstract | SMEs adopt innovations in order to protect themselves from escalating competition, need to
reduce cost and satisfy consumer needs. Thus SMEs adopt innovations in order to improve their
overall performance and sustainable competitiveness. Hence the main purpose of the study was
to investigate the effect of innovations on the financial performance of SMEs in Nairobi County,
Kenya. The specific objectives included establishing how product\service, process and market
innovations affect the financial performance of manufacturing SMEs. The researcher used
stratified random sampling, to obtain a sample size of 180 registered manufacturing small and
medium enterprises within Nairobi County. Questionnaires were used for collecting data which
were analyzed using descriptive and regression statistical tools and presented using tables. The
study established that there is a significant relationship between product/service innovation,
process innovation and market innovation and financial performance of manufacturing SMEs in
Nairobi County The study found out that manufacturing small medium enterprises have
introduced more innovative products and services, have developed and implemented new
business methods and services which have improved productions and delivery of services and
that innovative marketing and promotion campaigns to find new markets have had significant
implication on financial performance of SMEs. There is need for the government to foster
innovation amongst SMEs through creation of a business environment conducive for
entrepreneurship, creation of awareness and implementation of relevant policies. In terms of
improving process innovation manufacturing SMEs need to focus on improving their core
competences. Manufacturing SMEs need to pursue market innovation strategies that focus on
product customization and customer intimacy in delivering their products and services | en_US |
