INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS ON PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM WOMEN LED ENTERPRISES IN KENYA
INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS ON PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM WOMEN LED ENTERPRISES IN KENYA
Anne Usagi Kadenge - Ph.D Student, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Professor Gregory Simiyu Namusonge - Lecturer, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Dr. Elizabeth Nambuswa Makokha - Lecturer, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
ABSTRACT
This study is designed to explore the influence of technological innovations on performance of small and medium women led enterprises in Kenya. The Social Construction of Technology Theory was used. Mixed methods research was employed. The study target 880 SMEs owned by women entrepreneurs in Western region of Kenya who are registered by Ministry of Public Service, Youth & Gender Affairs in the region and licenced to operate businesses. A sample size of 275 women entrepreneurs was selected. Stratified random sampling was employed and data gathered by use of Questionnaires. Validity and Reliability of the instruments was tested using the test-retest methods. With the help of Statistical Package for Social Science version 26, both descriptive statistics such as the means, modes, standard deviation, variances and inferential statistics (linear regression) were used in the analysis of data. The coefficient of determination (R squared) of .637 showing that 63.7% of the variation in technological innovations was explained by performance of small and medium women led enterprises funded by women enterprise fund. There was a positive significant relationship between technological innovations and performance of small and medium women led enterprises (β1=0.847 and p value<0.05). The study concluded that there was a positive significant relationship between technological innovations and performance of small and medium women led enterprises. An increase in technological innovations inefficiencies led to a decrease in performance of small and medium women led enterprises. The small and medium women led enterprises should embrace technological innovations in order to increase their performance.
