INFLUENCE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ECONOMIC ORIENTATION ON PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM WOMEN LED ENTERPRISES IN KENYA
INFLUENCE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ECONOMIC ORIENTATION 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 entrepreneurial economic orientation on performance of small and medium women led enterprises in Kenya. The Sociological theory of entrepreneurship 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 aid of Statistical Package for Social Science version 26, both descriptive statistics such as the means, standard deviation, and inferential statistics (linear regression) were used in the analysis of data. The study confirmed that entrepreneurial economic orientation significantly influences the performance of women-led SMEs, with a strong regression coefficient (β = 0.762, p < 0.000) and an explanatory power of 49.7% (R² = 0.497). Even after introducing the legal regulation framework, the effect remained statistically significant (β = 0.175, p = 0.042), indicating that economic orientation sustains its predictive strength. However, the interaction term was not significant (β = -0.050, p = 0.225; β = -0.156, p = 0.110), affirming that regulatory conditions do not moderate this relationship, and that entrepreneurial economic orientation independently drives SME performance. The study recommends that policymakers should strengthen entrepreneurial economic orientation through targeted training, market access, and innovation support. Simplifying regulatory procedures and improving institutional responsiveness can foster a more enabling business environment. Expanding digital infrastructure and inclusive financing will further empower women-led SMEs to grow sustainably.
