INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISE VENTURES ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS GROWTH
Keywords:
Social Enterprises, Entrepreneurship, BusinessAbstract
Purpose: The main objective of the study was to establish the role of social enterprises in promoting entrepreneurship and business growth for the members. Riziki Kenya social enterprise was used as the case for the study.
Methodology: This study used a descriptive survey design which was qualitative in nature. In this type of research, respondents describe their feelings, characteristics and how it affects their performance. The study collected primary data owing to the fact that the data represented the whole population. The use of interviews enabled the researcher to solicit the required information from supported entrepreneurs, key informants and group micro-enterprises. The target population for this study was Riziki managers and staff as the key informants, the 230 supported entrepreneurs (households) and 22 supported micro-enterprises groups in Kibra Sub-County. The purposively selected informants were well informed; exhibited deep knowledge and a clear understanding of the study area. The study employed multi-stage sampling which included purposive and simple random sampling. Interviews were conducted by the researcher using key informant interview guide to get information from the key informants on the demographic information, the conceptualization of the study topic and on obtaining solutions to the problem study. The key informants were a good source of first-hand knowledge from the identified study community. They provided honest information, sensitive and confidential issues which cannot be discussed in focus groups. In this study, Key Informants included Riziki Kenya managers and staff members. The researcher interviewed six key informants. Statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze quantitative data from questionnaires and the results presented in tables, graphs, charts and narratives so as to answer the research questions. Qualitative data was organized into themes and patterns categorized through content analysis to capture emerging thoughts.
Results: It was found that social enterprises improve the business performances and entrepreneurship of households. This was reflected in the rise of new businesses which showed increased entrepreneurship spirit and growth of businesses.
Contributions to theory, policy and practice: Government should commission public services to promote social innovation or social enterprises. This is because social entrepreneurs are more in touch with people needs on the ground and therefore able to spearhead them to business and entrepreneurship spirit.
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