| dc.description.abstract | The global business environment is tremendously changing encompassing myriad of
dynamisms driven by the increasingly changing innovations in the area of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICT). As a result of the significant innovations that have taken
abyss in the business environment, the rules of doing business have significantly been
modified. In the modernized information and communication age, there is rapid growth in
mobile phone use as a significant component of this vital catalyst of the economic growth
globally. In the wake of these important changes, it is undeniable that SMEs play an
important role in advancing economies including the Kenyan economy. That notwithstanding
the SMEs faces a mix of opportunities and challenges that could steer or impede respectively
their performance of this important role in the economy.
It is against this background that this research sought to identify the key success factors for
SMEs and how they can leverage on the mobile phone use to enhance their competitiveness
in this epically competitive globalised business environment. The research sought to answer
the questions and consequently achieve the objectives outlined in the introduction chapter. A
case study of SMEs offering financial services within the Kiambu sub-county was used for
the purpose of the research. Seven SMEs were selected as sample elements through a
purposive sampling technique. Data collection was done mainly through questionnaires and
was analysed through Excel statistical applications which included measures of central
tendency and regression analysis. The research found that the number of mobile phone uses,
the frequency of their use and the support facilities and activities offered by SMEs have a
significant positive impact on the critical success factors. In addition, the research identified
provision of support facilities, staff training, customer training and promotional activities are
important in enhancing the effective contribution of mobile phone uses on the success of the
SMEs | en_US |
