MICROFINANCE MOBILE SERVICES AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE ENTERPRISES IN TRANS-NZOIA COUNTY, KENYA
Ecla Nekesa Wanyama - Master of Business Administration Student, Department of Accounting and Finance School of Business, Economics and Tourism, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Moses Odhiambo Aluoch (PhD) - Lecturer, Department of Accounting and Finance, School of Business, Economics and Tourism, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Small and medium-sized enterprises are major drives of economies worldwide constituting more than ninety percent of the industries in both developed and developing economies. However the financial performance for most small and medium-sized enterprises is declining in most economies including Kenya due various factors including shift from being product-drive to market-driven to meet their complex financial needs. Globalization, technological advancements, competition, capital adequacy and lack of financial inclusion pose significant challenges to financial viability and growth of the enterprises. Despite several challenges small and medium-sized enterprises continue to play major roles to economies. This study investigated mobile microfinance services and financial performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in Trans-nzoia County in Kenya. The specific objectives included mobile credit facilities, mobile savings services and mobile money transfer or payments on financial performance of small and medium-sized enterprises. The study further explored how entrepreneurial training moderated the relationship between mobile microfinance services and financial performance of the small and medium-sized enterprises. The study was anchored on the resource-based view theory, modern portfolio theory, Modigliani and Miller’s capital structure theory, and the financial growth nexus theory from 2018 to 2023. The study employed descriptive research design, targeting 197 small and medium-sized enterprises in Trans-nzoia County. Small and medium-sized enterprises owners served as the unit of analysis, and respondents were selected through simple random sampling methods. Primary data was collected using a closed-ended, semi-structured questionnaire utilizing a five-point Likert scale. The study ensured validity by achieving a satisfactory construct score of 0.7 or higher. Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive, correlation and multiple linear regressions, and all ethical considerations were adhered to. The study revealed significant relationships between mobile microfinance services and small and medium-sized enterprises financial performance. The moderating effect of entrepreneur training was also tested and confirmed to influence this relationship. The recommendations highlighted the need for further studies to explore additional factors influencing small and medium-sized enterprises performance, as well as the importance of enhancing financial literacy and entrepreneurial training to maximize the benefits of mobile financial services for small and medium-sized enterprises.