Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Growth of Women-owned Enterprises in Nairobi City County

Abstract

The objective of the study is to assess the role of entrepreneurship and innovation on the growth of women-owned enterprises. Entrepreneurship and innovation play3an important3role in economic3development, poverty alleviation3and job creation.3The study is anchored on four theories namely; Entrepreneurship Innovation theory, Social Role theory, Shapero and Sokol’s Entrepreneurial Event Model (EEM) and the McClelland’s Theory of Achievemnt Motivation. This study3adopted3a3cross-sectional3survey3design3as3it3utilizes3elements3of quantitative research methodologies. The3enterprise background was analyzed as well as the parameters that lead to the growth of enterprises. This was followed up by innovative strategies employed by enterprises to drive business growth. The study3utilized3primary3and3secondary3data3obtained3from women business owners. Frequency tables and figures were used to analyze data and report the findings for the study. The study established that women owned enterprises employ a number of innovation strategies to counter the constraints faced during business execution. Women have increasingly become involved in entrepreneurial initiatives though most3are3only3in3the3small3and medium3enterprise3sector. Growth in this sector is driven by innovation in the business environment. The growth of small enterprises is dependent on many internal and external factors but a firms’ innovation strategy greatly determines its survival and growth. The study also established that micro-enterprises3are especially3important to women3since it gives3them a chance3to be self-employed3and also run3their household3chores. The study3recommends3that3more3investment3 should3be3made3on3women3education and3training which3will3give3them more3skills3and3also3increased their chances3of building more3networks in3the business environment. Women are3involved3in3economic activities such3as promotion3of education, capacity3building, health, 3provision of water through3sinking of boreholes, 3construction of3dams, pans3and sand3dams and rehabilitating3of the3nutrition and3disaster response.