Micro and Small Scale Enterprises play a major role in strengthening the Kenyan economy. The Sessional Paper No. 2 of 1992 on Small Scale and Jua Kali Development in Kenya focused on the role of Micro and Small Enterprises and stressed the potential of the MSE sector to function as a catalyst of growth for the country’s development. The Micro and Small Enterprises and especially those owned by women are a useful tool for Poverty reduction (45%), Promotes Rural Urban balance and stimulate Entrepreneurial spirit and development. Despite their significance, past statistics indicate that three (3) out of five (5) businesses fail within the first few months of operation. The study aimed at determining the influence of Legal and Regulatory Framework on the Performance of Women Owned enterprises. Literature related to the variables of the study was reviewed in relation to Performance of Women Owned Enterprises. The Social Cultural Theory of Entrepreneurship was used in the study. The study employed a cross sectional descriptive research design and employed a positivism philosophy. The study sample size was 260 respondents identified through two stages of probabilistic sampling techniques; stratified and simple random sampling because of the population’s homogenous characteristics. Data was collected using structured questionnaire and interview guide. Reliability testing was carried out using Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha test, which was found to be above 0.7, it indicated satisfactory reliability. Descriptive and inferential Analysis was carried out. Inferential Statistics used the simple linear regression model and ANOVA. For the specific objective, the decision to reject or fail to reject the null hypothesis was based on the significance of coefficients (p < 0.05) of the variable in the fitted regression. The study found the influence of Legal and Regulatory Framework on firm performance to be insignificant. The findings of this study supports and add knowledge to previous studies on entrepreneurship. The results support the Social Cultural Theory, that entrepreneurship can develop in an environment when its regulation, ethos, philosophies, standards and code of practices permits a variety of choices and where social, political and economic processes and procedures are not rigid and in a situation which encourages the development of personalities interested with enterprises. The study recommends all stakeholders in entrepreneurship, policy and practice and women entrepreneurs to enhance the application of Legal and Regulatory Framework in the Women Owned Enterprises in Embu County.
Ader, H., Mellenbergh, G., & Hand, D. (2008). Advising on research methods: A consultant’s companion. Belgium: Johannes van Kessel Publishing.
Afza, T., and Rashid, M. A. (2009) Marginalised Women Social Wellbeing through Enterprise Development. A glimpse of remote women status in Pakistan. Pakistan: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Agarwal, B. (2009). Basic Statistics, (5th ed.). New Delhi: New Age International.
Ahmad, S. Z. (2011). Evidence Of The Characteristics 0f Women Entrepreneurs in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: An empirical investigation. Saudi Arabia: Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Akinboade, O. A., & Kinfack, E. (2012). Regulation, awareness, compliance and SME performance in Cameroon's manufacturing and retail sectors. International Journal of Social Economics, 39(12), 933-950.
Allen, K. R. (2010). New Venture Creation, International Edition. South-Western: Cengage Learning.
American Statistical Association (ASA). (1997). How to conduct pre-testing: section on survey research methods. Alexandria: American Statistical Association.
Anderson, M., & Shaw, R. (1999). A comparative evaluation of qualitative data analytic techniques in identifying volunteer motivation in tourism. Journal of Tourism Management, 20(1), 99-106.
Barringer, B. R., & Duane, I. R. (2013). Entrepreneurship- Successfully Launching New Ventures (4th ed.). New Delhi: Pearson Education Limited.
Bird, J. B. (1989). Entrepreneurial Behaviour, Illinois – London: Glenview.
Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2011). Business Research Methods, (3th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press
Buzzard, S., & Edgcomb, E. (1987). Monitoring and evaluating small business projects: a step by step guide for private development organizations. Pact. Wageningen: Wageningen University
Bwisa, H. M. (2011). Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice: A Kenyan Perspective. Nairobi: The Jomo Kenyattta Foundation.
Churchill, N. C., & Lewis, V. L. (1983). The five stages of small business growth. Harvard business review, 61(3), 30-50.
Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. S. (2009). Business Research Methods. New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited.
Covin, J. G., & Slevin, D. P. (1991). Entrepreneurial Versus Conservative Firms: A Comparison of Strategies and Performances. Journal of Management Studies, 28,439-462.
Dondo, A. (1994). Credit to the Informal Sector Approaches and Models Experienced in Kenya. Occasional Paper. No. 27. Kenya Rural Enterprise Program. Nairobi, Kenya.
Drucker, P. F. (2007). Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Principles and Practices. New York: Elseviert Book Aid International.
Fatoki, O. O. (2011). The Impact of Human, Social and Financial Capital on the performance of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa. Journal of Social Sciences, 29(3), 193-204.
Feeri, P., Deakins, D., & Whittam, G. (2009). The measurements of Social Capital in the Entrepreneurial Context. Journal of Enterprising Communities, People and Places in the Global Economy, 3(2), 138-151.
Fening, F. A., Pesakovic, G., & Amaria, P. (2008). Relationship between quality management practices and the performance of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, 61(3), 30-50.
Fontana, A., & Frey, J. H. (2000). The interview: From structured questions to negotiated text. In K. Denzin and Y.S. Lincoln, (Eds.). Handbook of qualitative research (2nd ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Gall, M. D., Gall, J. P., & Borg, W. R. (2007). Educational Research, (8th edition.) Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Gill, A., & Biger, N. (2012). Barriers to small business growth in Canada. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 19(4), 656-668.
Government of Kenya. (1986). Economic Management for Renewed Economic Growth. Sessional Paper No 1 of 1986. Nairobi: Government Printer.
Government of Kenya. (1992). Sessional Paper No. 2 of 1992 on Small Enterprise and Jua Kali Development. Nairobi: Government Printer.
Government of Kenya. (1996). Sessional Paper No. 2 of 1996 on Industrial Transformation by the Year 2020. Nairobi: Government Printer.
Government of Kenya. (2005). Sessional Paper No.2 of 2005 on Development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for Wealth and Employment Creation for poverty Reduction. Nairobi: Government Printer.
Government of Kenya. (2007). Kenya Vision 2030: A Competitive and Prosperous Kenya, Nairobi: Government Printer.
Government of Kenya. (2013). Public Private Partnership Act.National Council for Law Reporting, Nairobi: Government Printer.
Government of Kenya. (2014). Economic Survey 2014, Nairobi: KNBS.
Halkias, D., Nwajiuba, C., Harkiolakis, N., & Caracatsanis, S. M. (2011). Challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Management Research Review, 34(2), 221-235.
Harris, L., Rae, A., & Misner, I. (2012). Punching above their weight: the changing role of networking in SMEs. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 19(2), 335-351.
Harris, L., Rae, A., & Misner, I. (2012). Punching above their weight: the changing role of networking in SMEs. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 19(2), 335-351.
ILO. (1999). National Micro and Small Enterprises. Baseline Survey. Geneva: International Labour Organisation.
ILO. (2008). Women entrepreneurs in Kenya. Factors affecting women entrepreneurs in Micro and Small Entreprises in Kenya. Geneva: International Labour Organisation.
Jacobs, R. M. (2009). Educational Research: Causal-Comparative Studies. Washington DC.: OSA.
Johnson, S., & Rogaly, B. (1997). Micro finance and Poverty Reduction. London: Oxfam and Action Aid.
Kao, J. J. (1989). Entrepreneurship, creativity and organisation. USA: Prentice Hall.
Khandker, S. R., Khalily, M. B., & Khan, Z. H. (1995). Grameen Bank: performance and sustainability (Vol. 306). Geneva: World Bank Publications.
Khanka, S. S. (2012) Entrepreneurial Development. New Delhi: S Chand and Company Ltd.
Kibas, B. P. (1997). Women Operated Micro-Enterprises. Eldoret: Moi University.
Kimberly, J. R. (1981). Managerial innovation. In Nystrom, P.C., and Starbuck, W.H. (Eds.), Handbook of Organization Design (pp. 84-104). London: Oxford University Press.
King’oriah, G. K. (2004). Fundamentals of Applied Statistics. Nairobi: The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.
Kiunga, M. (2009). The Art of Entrepreneurship. Strategies to Succeed in Competitive Market. New York: Queenex Publishers Ltd.
Kothari, C. R. (2004). Quantitative Techniques. New Delhi: New Age International publishers.
Kuratko, D. F., & Hodgetts, R. M. (2007). Entrepreneurship in the New Millennium. New Delhi: Cengage Learning India private limited.
Kuratko, D. F. (2009). Introduction to Entrepreneurship 8th Edition South –Western Cengage Learning India private limited.
Kuriloff, A. J., Hemphill, J. M., & Cloud, D. (1999). Starting and Managing the Small Business. (3rd edition). New York: McGraw-Hill Inc.
Leary, M. R. (2001). Introduction to Behavioral Research Methods (3rd ed.) Boston, USA: Allyn and Bacon.
Leonier, S., & Guerin, C. D. (1991). Barriers Facing Self Employed Women in Australia. London: Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Lumpkin, R. D., & Dess, G. G. (1996). Clarifying the Entrepreneurial Orientation Construct and Linking it to Firm Performance, Academy of Management Review, 21,135-172.
Lussier, N. R., & Achua, F. C. (2007). Effective Leadership. New York: Thomson South Western.
Mahmood, R., & Hanafi, N. (2013). Entrepreneurial Orientation and Business Performance of Women Owned Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia: Competitive Advantage as a Mediator. International Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 4(1).
Man, T. W. Y. (2012). Developing a behaviour-centred model of entrepreneurial learning. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 19(3), 549-566.
Maragia, I. ((2008) Factors that Determine Entrepreneurial Behaviour in Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in Kenya. Nairobi: Scangraphics Kenya Ltd.
McCormick, D. (1992). Why Small Firms Stay Small: Risk and Growth in Nairobi’s Small Scale Manufacturing. IDS Working Paper No. 483. Nairobi: University of Nairobi.
Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. G. (2003). Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches, Nairobi: Acts Press.
Mwituria, S. M. (2012). Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods Simplified, Nairobi: Frajopa Printers Mall.
Namusonge, G. S. (1998). Determinants of Growth-Oriented Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi, Kenya". Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Juja: JKUAT.
Namusonge, G. S. (2006). Entrepreneurial Finance and Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises (MSME) Innovations in Kenya. Technology and industrialization conference, JKUAT.
Neuman, W. L. (2009). Understanding Research. Boston: Allyn and Bacon Inc.
Newman, I., and Benz, C. R. (1998). Qualitative-Quantitative Research Methodology : Exploring the Interactive Continuum. Southern Illinois Press. Illinois
Ngugi, P. (2012) Challenges Hindering Sustainability of SME family Enterprises after the Exit of their Founders in Kenya, Unpublished PhD thesis, Juja: JKUAT.
Njeru, S. (2010). Factors Affecting the Adoption of Best Practices at KMTC, Unpublished PhD thesis, Juja: JKUAT.
Nthuni, S. K. (2014) Influence of Social Capital on the Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya. International Journal of Social Sciences and Entrepreneurship. (2).
Nunnally, J. C., & Benstein, R. (1994). Psychometric theory. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Nwugballa, E.A.A, Elom, M. E. & Onyeizugbe, C.U (2016). Evaluating the relevance of Entrepreneurial Orientation to the Performance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, 6(3), 221–230.
Omwenga, J. Q., Mukulu, E., & Kanali, C. (2013). Business Networking and Performance of Women-Led Enterprises: An empirical investigation in Nairobi County, Kenya. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research, 11(1), 10-17.
Omwenga, J. Q., Mukulu, E., & Kanali, C. (2013). Towards improving the performance of women entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises in Nairobi County, Kenya: Policy recommendations. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 4(9).
Paton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods (3rd Edition). London: Sage Publications.
Pearce A. J., & Richard, B. (2009). Strategic Management: Formulation, Implementation and Control. New Delhi: McGraw-Hill International Edition.
Ranjit, K. (2009). Research Methodology. A Step by Step Guide for beginners, (2nd ed.). New Delhi: Pearson Education Publishers.
Robbins, S. P., Judge, T. A., & Campbell, T. T. (2010). Organizational Behavior, New Delhi: Pearson Education Publishers.
Rogers, E. M. (1995). Diffusion of innovations. (5th edition). New York: The Free Press.
Roomi, M. A., & Harrison, P. (2008). Training Needs for Women Owned Small and Medium Enterprises in England. London: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Roomi, M. A. (2009). Impact of social capital development and use in the growth process of women owned firms. Journal of Enterprise Culture, 17(4), 473-495.
Roomi, M. A., Harrison, J., & Kerridge, J. B. (2009). Women Owned Small and Medium Enterprises in England, Analyses of the factors influencing the growth process. London: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students. (4th ed.). London: Prentice Hall.
Scarborough, N. M. (2011) Essentials of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. The Global Edition. New Delhi: Pearson Education Publishers.
Sekaran, U. (2003). Research Methods for Business (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
Simon, M. K., & Goes, J. (2012). Dissertations and scholarly research: Recipes for success (2012 Ed.). Cottage Grove, OR: Dissertation Success LLC. Retrieved from: http\\www.dissertationrecipes.com
Singh, G., & Belwal, R. (2008). Entrepreneurship and SMEs in Ethiopia: Evaluating the role, prospects and problems faced by women in this emergent sector. Gender in management: An international journal, 23(2), 120-136.
Spinelli, S., and Adams, S. (2012) New Venture Creation. Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century.McGraw –Hill Timmons, J. A., & Spinelli, S. (1999). New venture creation: Entrepreneurship for the 21st century.
Stevenson, L. & St-Onge, A. (2005a). Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Kenya. Geneva: ILO.
Stokes, D., Wilson, N., & Mador, M. (2010). Entrepreneurship. South-Western: Cengage Learning.
Theocharides, S., & Tolentino, A. (1991). Integrated Strategies for Small and Micro Enterprises. A Policy Paper. Geneva: International Labour Organisation.
Wambugu, P. (2010). Effects of Labour Turn-over on SME Performance, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Juja: JKUAT.
Waruguru, M., Bwisa, H., & Kihoro, J. (2017). An Assessment of the Opportunity Component of Entrepreneurship Policy in the Youth, Women, and Uwezo Funds in Kenya. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 7(1), 283-305.
Women Enterprise Fund. (2009). Women Enterprise Fund Strategic Plan (2009 – 2012), Nairobi: Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development.
Women Enterprise Fund. (2012). Status of Women Enterprise Fund, 2012., Nairobi: Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development.
World Bank. (1995). Kenya Poverty Assessment. World Bank Report No. 13152. Geneva: WB.
World Bank. (2003). Importance of SMEs and the role of public support in promoting. Geneva: WB.
World Bank, (2007). Doing Business; How to Reform. Washington D.C: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank.
Yount, W. R. (2006). Research design and statistical analysis for Christian ministry. WR Yount.
Zikmund, W. G., Babin, B. J., Carr, J. C., & Griffin, M. (2013). Business research methods, (8th ed). Oklahoma: Cengage Learnin.
In-Text Citation: ( Kangethe et al., 2022)
To Cite this Article: Kangethe, A. T. W., Simiyu, D. N., Gacheru, E. N., & Gacheru, N. (2022). Legal Regulatory Framework and the Performance of Women Owned Enterprises in Kenya A Study of Embu County. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences. 12(7), 81– 103.
Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
