INFLUENCE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL INNOVATIVENESS ON THE GROWTH OF YOUTH OWNED ENTERPRISES IN KENYA
Abstract
Background: Youth enterprises play a key role in poverty alleviation and if they are ran based on entrepreneurial management skills. Despite their significance, statistics however show that in Kenya, three out of five of the youth run small enterprises fail within the first three years of operation, and those that continue 80 percent fail before the fifth year. This study sought to investigate the effect of entrepreneurial innovativeness on the growth of youth owned enterprises in Kenya.
Methodology: The target of the study included 397 youth led micro and small enterprises in Kenya. The research design used followed a cross sectional survey. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and linear regression analysis.
Results of the Study: The findings indicated that entrepreneurial innovativeness (β=.302, P <.000) had a positive and significant influence on the growth of youth owned enterprises in Kenya. The study concluded that creativity and innovativeness contribute positively to the growth of youth owned enterprises in Kenya.
Recommendations: The study recommends that owners of youth enterprises should strengthen aspects relating to entrepreneurial innovativeness including introduction of new products, implementation of improved processes and provision of quality and unique services.
Keywords: Entrepreneurial Innovativeness, Growth, Youth Owned Enterprises
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