Thesis:

Contributions Of Women Owned Smes Entities To Economic Growth. A Case Study Of Women-Led Smes In Kilifi North Subcounty, Kilifi, Kenya

Globally, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have a substantial standing in the economic growth of a nation. Globalization has placed Small businesses right in the glare of publicity. Women's roles in entrepreneurship as the fundamental approach to economic growth, especially the small and medium-scale entrepreneurs who effectively take advantage of small-scale industrial and commercial opportunities, cannot be ignored and have long been acknowledged. This study aimed to establish the contributions of women-owned SMEs entities to economic growth in Kenya through a case study of women-led SMEs in the Kilifi North Sub-County, which was the general objective. The study borrowed from Neo-Classical Theory and Institutional Theory to advance a better understanding of the contributions of women to the economy. It was based on Women's innovativeness in SME entities, Job Creation, Savings Mobilization, and Management efficiency. v A descriptive research design was used to conduct the study, which was done among 160 Women entrepreneurs who own licensed SMEs in defined premises within Kilifi North Sub-County. A 20% proportion was employed to choose a sample. The respondents were chosen using a basic random sampling procedure. Data collection was done using both open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires, and key informant interviews were utilized to triangulate the findings. The validity and reliability of the questionnaires were assessed and retested using a subset of respondents from pilot research. Descriptive Statistics and content analysis were used to analyze data. The analyzed data was presented in tables and figures. The study found that women entrepreneurs significantly contribute to economic development in Kilifi North Sub-County. Women's innovativeness in both process and product was viewed as a mark of a successful women Entrepreneur, and it improved enterprise productivity and its ability to create more jobs. Additionally, the women felt that their Saving mobilization and Management Efficiency enabled them to start more businesses, creating more jobs and generating personal wealth. Findings show that women-led SMEs significantly influence economic growth. Women's innovativeness in SMEs has a positive impact with a t-value of 2.280 and a p-value of 0.024, making it statistically significant. Women-led SME job creation also contributes positively with a t-value of 3.529 and a p-value of 0.001, indicating a strong effect. Financial savings mobilization by women-led SMEs is significant, with a t-value of 2.311 and a pvalue of 0.023. The most impactful factor is management efficiency, with a t-value of 16.446 and a p-value of 0.000, showing the strongest effect on economic growth. From the results, the study concludes that these factors collectively drive economic growth, with management efficiency being the most influential. Policies should prioritize improving management efficiency in women-led SMEs to enhance economic growth. Additionally, encouraging innovation, job creation, and financial savings mobilization in these businesses will further boost their economic contributions.