Effect of Entrepreneurial Networking Practice on Performance of Small and Medium Agro Based Youth Enterprises in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to analyse the effect of entrepreneurial practices on performance of small and medium agro based youth enterprises in Kenya. The study was guided by the following specific objective; to evaluate the effect of entrepreneurial networking practice on performance of small and medium agro based youth enterprises in Kenya. This study employed mixed research which included both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population in the study was small and medium agro based youth enterprises in Kenya, cases of Trans Nzoia, Kakamega and Bungoma Counties as represented by Kiminini, Nzoia and Ndalu wards respectively. In total there are 48registered agro based youth SMEs in these wards comprising of 1,500 youths within the ages of 18-35 years. The sample size for the study was 306 respondents. This study adopted stratified sampling then simple random sampling. The study used structured questionnaires as data collection instruments. The study employed the use of descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages. Inferential statistics including correlations and regression was employed. The findings indicated that entrepreneurial networking has a positive and significant effect on performance of small and medium agro based youth enterprises in Kenya. From the results, the study recommends that entrepreneurs should configure valuable entrepreneurial networking to complement Small and Medium Agro Based Youth Enterprises resources to enhance performance.