Effects of credit training skills on sales performance among women entrepreneurs in Elgeiyo Marakwet County, Kenya

Abstract

This research study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT) training skills on sales performance of women micro-enterprises in Iten town, Elgeiyo Marakwet in Kenya. The research objectives were; to identify the effectiveness of KWFT credit training skills on sales performance of women micro-enterprises; and to examine the effectiveness of financial skills on the performance of micro-enterprises. Relevant literature on training and women micro-enterprises was reviewed. The study was guided by social capital theory identified by Chibber A. (2000) as being the value of social networks, bonding and bridging between diverse people with norms of reciprocity. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The research instruments used were questionnaires and interviews. The instruments were developed and piloted before they were used. The study population comprised of ninety six women entrepreneurs. A sample size of thirty two women entrepreneur's respondents that represented 30% of the target population were selected through simple random sampling procedure. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics; mean scores, percentages pie-charts, histogram and tables. The findings show credit skills are pertinent to borrowing for any micro-enterprises, women micro-enterprises increased greatly with knowledge on credit skills, marketing and financial skills offered by KWFT institution. The importance of planning and management skills is strongly emphasized by the study. The study recommends emphasis on methods of training and integrating the intervening variables that influence training outcomes given to women entrepreneurs in Elgeiyo Marakwet County. The findings of this study provides useful knowledge to KWFT policy makers, contributes knowledge on the role of women in micro-enterprises, knowledge to scholars and researchers in the field of micro-enterprises and assists governments in formulating economic policies particularly in regard to challenges facing women micro-enterprises.