GLOBALIZATION: DO AFRICAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS MATTER?

Even with the increased number of women enterprises and efforts to help women entrepreneurs in Africa exploit the potential benefits globalization, gender inequalities (perception and treatment of women in Africa) still stand in their way.   This paper seeks to address three questions:  First, what the literature suggests with respect to re-thinking alternative analytical approaches to a new understanding of globalization, entrepreneurship and gender equality in global commerce.  This will be followed by the question on how Africa conceptualizes women entrepreneurship and lastly, if the current African conceptualization of women entrepreneurs could precipitate exploitation of opportunities that the emerging global order presents.  The literature suggests that women still have a long way to go in changing environmental forces and perceptions to fully exploit their potential in the global stage.  A new theoretical way of analyzing their progress is imperative

Linkage Dynamics between Small and Large firms in Kenya

This paper is concerned with small enterprise development in developing countries, focusing on the question of the potential for using linkages with large enterprises as part of a strategy for the development of the small business sector. The paper will review existing literature and policy experience on this topic, whilst also reporting some results from a longitudinal pilot investigation, undertaken in Kenya in 2005 and in 2014. The paper will draw on empirical evidence from a longitudinal pilot investigation in Kenya. At least five large firms from different industries were purposively selected and a series of qualitative interviews conducted in 2005 and in 2014 to determine: 1) their experiences in collaborating with micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and their assessment ofthe potential for doing so in the future; (2) groups of MSEs that they work with; 3) how they built the relationships and (4) whether or not the relationship has worked and the factors influencing this, fromtheir perspective. The potential benefits of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to host economies is summarised here and five main types of linkage and spillover effects, by which MNCs can affect the development of businesses in the host economy are identified: Backward linkages with suppliers, which can range from arms length market transactions to deep, long-term inter-firm relationships; Forward linkages with customers, such as marketing outlets, which may be outsourced, such as petrol stations and restaurant chains; Linkages with competitors, since foreign investors may set new standards, which local firms may seek to compete with; Linkages with technology partners, since some MNCs may initiate common projects with indigenous SME partners, which are an important potential source of technology and know-how for local firms; Other spillover effects, including demonstration effects, as inward investors demonstrate new and better ways of doing things to local firms and human capital spillovers,when, for example, trained personnel leave the inward investor to work for a local enterprise and/or set up their own business. The evidence of positive spillovers, where it exists, is strongest in the case of backward linkages, with local suppliers in developing countries. Positive benefits stem from the information, technical assistance and training provided by MNCs to help raise the quality of supplier's products and services. More generally, empirical evidence suggests that the positive spillover effectsfrom FDI do not necessarily occur in practice, influenced by the specific conditions pertaining in the host country as well as the rationale for the foreign company making the investment. The implications for policy will be considered, paying attention to the potential role of national governments, in both developing and developed countries, as well as international development agencies.Whilst this is not a new topic, a number of recent trends suggest there may be greater scope for developing such linkages inthe future than in the past. These include the emergence of new sources of FDI in developing and emerging economies themselves, increasing signs of SMEs internationalising their operations rather than simply exporting from their domestic base, as well as a continued increase in outsourcing byMNCs.Key Words: FDI; SME; Developing Economies, Impact of MNCs on SMEs, SME Linkages

Entrepreneurial Orientation as Antecedent of Business Model Innovation among Medium Enterprises in Kenya

This study investigated the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on business model innovation in medium enterprises in Kenya. The study was grounded on the dynamic capabilities view. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was adopted to achieve the study’s objective. The sampling frame was the Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) East Africa and the Nation Media Group annual Top100 companies in Kenya.  Stratified random sampling was utilized to derive 221 companies that were used in the study. Primary data were collected from single respondents comprising senior managers of the participating firms. A total of 134 questionnaires were analysed. Ordinary least squares regression analysis revealed that entrepreneurial orientation is an antecedent of business model innovation among medium enterprises in Kenya. On the basis of the results, this study concluded that entrepreneurial orientation is necessary for enterprises to benefit from business model innovation. The study recommends that managers of medium enterprises in Kenya embrace entrepreneurial behaviour and attitude to enhance business model innovation practices.   It is further recommended that policymakers should develop and implement policies that encourage innovation and entrepreneurial behaviour. The study clarifies the position of entrepreneurial orientation in relation to BMI. Additional studies are recommended

Entrepreneurial Orientation as Antecedent of Business Model Innovation in Medium Enterprises in Kenya

This study investigated the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on business model innovation in medium enterprises in Kenya. The study was grounded on the dynamic capabilities view. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was adopted to achieve the study’s objective. The sampling frame was the Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) East Africa and the Nation Media Group annual Top100 companies in Kenya.  Stratified random sampling was utilized to derive 221 companies that were used in the study. Primary data were collected from single respondents comprising senior managers of the participating firms. A total of 134 questionnaires were analysed. Ordinary least squares regression analysis revealed that entrepreneurial orientation positively and significantly influenced business model innovation in medium enterprises in Kenya. On the basis of the results, this study concluded that entrepreneurial orientation is necessary for enterprises to benefit from business model innovation. The study recommends that managers of medium enterprises in Kenya embrace entrepreneurial behaviour and attitude to enhance business model innovation practices.   It is further recommended that policymakers should develop and implement policies that encourage innovation and entrepreneurial behaviour. The study clarifies the position of entrepreneurial orientation in relation to BMI. Additional studies are recommended

Entrepreneurial Orientation as Antecedent of Business Model Innovation among Medium Enterprises in Kenya

This study investigated the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on business model innovation in medium enterprises in Kenya. The study was grounded on the dynamic capabilities view. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was adopted to achieve the study’s objective. The sampling frame was the Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) East Africa and the Nation Media Group annual Top100 companies in Kenya.  Stratified random sampling was utilized to derive 221 companies that were used in the study. Primary data were collected from single respondents comprising senior managers of the participating firms. A total of 134 questionnaires were analysed. Ordinary least squares regression analysis revealed that entrepreneurial orientation is an antecedent of business model innovation among medium enterprises in Kenya. On the basis of the results, this study concluded that entrepreneurial orientation is necessary for enterprises to benefit from business model innovation. The study recommends that managers of medium enterprises in Kenya embrace entrepreneurial behaviour and attitude to enhance business model innovation practices.   It is further recommended that policymakers should develop and implement policies that encourage innovation and entrepreneurial behaviour. The study clarifies the position of entrepreneurial orientation in relation to BMI. Additional studies are recommended

Entrepreneurial Orientation and Firm Innovativeness in Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises: The Moderating Effect of Environmental Dynamism

In spite of firm innovativeness being identified as essential for firm performance and growth, there exists a dearth of studies that relate entrepreneurial orientation and firm innovativeness in manufacturing small and medium enterprises in Kenya. A cross sectional survey approach was adopted to study this effect. Environmental dynamism as a moderating variable was identified as affecting the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm innovativeness in this model. The unit of analysis was the manufacturing small and medium enterprise firm within Nairobi County, Kenya. Stratified Random Sampling was applied to obtain 363 samples, followed by a series of descriptive and inferential analysis on the collected data. Entrepreneurial orientation was confirmed as having a significant effect on firm innovativeness. It was further confirmed that environmental dynamism had a moderating effect on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm innovativeness. The study recommends further studies for the construct of innovativeness in small and medium enterprises. It further recommends that active decision-making on the basis of internal and external circumstances are very important for a firm to be innovative. The study also recommends a raft of policy considerations that seek to address the diffusion of innovation across various enterprises segments

Assessing sustainability of faith-based enterprises in Kenya

Purpose – This paper is concerned with sustainable development (supporting profit-making enterprises as alternatives to providing relief efforts in developing countries) of faith-based enterprises in Kenya focusing on the question of measuring social enterprises as a strategy for the developing the sector. The purpose of the paper is to review existing literature and policy experience on this topic, whilst also reporting some results from a pilot investigation, undertaken in Kenya in 2004. Design/methodology/approach – The paper used five theoretical foundations to advance discussions on sustainable social enterprises as a component of economic development in the country. Eleven social enterprise programs were selected using church networks and a series of qualitative interviews conducted to determine sustainability measures and motivations for commitment to developing such enterprises. A modified design of ethnography for listening and asking questions in the context of sociological and anthropological studies was applied. Findings – Findings show that indeed there are other important measures of social enterprises and that the faith-based organizations (FBOs) embrace the idea of supporting profit-making enterprises as alternatives to providing relief. Incubating enterprises for older project beneficiaries yields better outcomes as they tend to be more motivated to build their enterprises, while younger ones see the projects as a step to something else. Enterprises succeed in part because FBOs provide a support structure that includes marketing (local and international), micro-finance and training. The lack of monitoring and evaluation constrains the development of this emerging sector. Research limitations/implications – In view of the qualitative, in-depth nature of this research, the author recognizes that the small sample size, and the regional focus of the study, mean that the findings must be viewed in context. As a consequence, the study does not seek to generalize the findings, but rather treat the cases as individual events from which evidence and themes can be drawn. Originality/value – Whilst this is not a new topic, a number of recent trends suggest there may be greater scope for developing an understanding of social enterprises in the future than in the past. These include: a paradigm shift towards creating sustainable development programs, new sources of micro-financing and social enterprises themselves, increasing signs of micro and small enterprises internationalizing their operations rather than simply exporting from their domestic base, emergence of creative marketing networks, as well as a continued increase in globalization.Kenya, Small enterprises, Sustainable development

Political Entrepreneurialism: Reflections of a Civil Servant on the Role of Political Institutions in Technology Innovation and Diffusion in Kenya

This paper narrates how an innovative political institution in Kenya gained support from private sector players in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. The paper is centered on the reflections of a top civil servant who leveraged Lewin’s theoretical foundations and leadership to propel Kenya from obscurity to global renown in the ICT arena. The paper details the leadership of key players in the political system explaining on how their tolerance for risk encouraged ICT diffusion and innovation in Kenya. The paper delves into the details of executive decision making and how those decisions influence different stakeholders. The analysis reveals why Kenya succeeded where its neighbours did not. It shows that Kenya’s continued success in ICTs depends upon its stability – endemic corruption and previous political decisions could threaten this. The paper will also highlight the emergence of a new crop of innovators developing new applications across all sectors including education, health, agriculture and financial services