Microfinance Services and Performance of Women Owned Business Enterprises in Busia County, Kenya

The main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of microfinance services on women owned enterprises in Busia County. The study specific objectives included, to establish the effects of credit on performance of women owned business enterprises in Busia County, determine the effects of financial training on the performance of women owned enterprises in Busia County, examination of the effects of savings on performance of women owned business enterprises ,conceptualization of the effects of social capital on the performance of women owned business enterprises and examine the effects of legal framework on the inclusive business enterprises performance of women owned enterprises in Busia County. The study was guided mainly by the resource - based view theory and institutional theory, among others. The study adopted a descriptive survey research designs while study target population was 500 women owned entrepreneurs in Busia County, Kenya. Stratified random sampling technique was used and the sample size constituted 20% of the total target population thus making a simple size of 100 respondents for this study. The respondents were purposively selected women entrepreneurs, customers of the specific selected microfinance institutions found within Busia county business ecosystem. The questionnaires were used as a tool for primary data collection respectively, both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methodologies were applied by use of spss version 23.0.The study findings revealed that, an increase in credit, finance training, social capital, savings and legal framework by one unit leads to an increase in performance by 0.502, 0.124, 0.081, 0.236, and 0.059 units respectively with a p –value of < 0.05 for each variable. Based on the study findings the researcher can conclude that, women owned enterprises are key drivers to the economic development in Kenya and the study recommends that training program should be emphasized to enhance the financial literacy management for exemplary performance of the enterprises. Savings, social capital, financial training, legal framework and credit services significantly influences performances of women-owned business enterprises. According to the research findings, the frequency of trainings should be increased to keep them abreast with modern methodologies for better performance and financial training programs for women owned business enterprises should be designed to meet the standards needs for women entrepreneurs’ and more so the aspiring new entrants.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN OWNING BUSINESSES IN INDIA

India happens to be the third largest startup ecosystem in the world, in spite of this only 9% of startup founders are women (Source: Forbes article). The statement is enough to stir thoughts regarding the state of women owned business in the country. Considering the gender prejudice prevalent in our society it is important that the challenges and problems of women owned business are paid its due attention. This descriptive study highlights the work contributing to the various aspects of state of women entrepreneurship and lists the various challenges faced by a women entrepreneur at various levels. Further the study suggests constructive suggestion to deal with the stated problems and challenges and promote women participation in Indian entrepreneurial system