Greatest potentials in driving economies of the developing countries such as Kenya are within the... more Greatest potentials in driving economies of the developing countries such as Kenya are within the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector which account for almost over 90% of the businesses in these countries. Information asymmetries however, raise the pricing of credit to MSMEs in developing countries and Kenya in particular as well as the high levels of informality within the sector and inadequate systems of collateral verification which hinder the lending. In this 21st century MSMEs should focus beyond bank financing to meet their capital structure needs if they are to fully realize growth and job-creation potential. Via a descriptive survey this study examined the influence of venture capital financing on the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with a focus on venture capital firms in Nairobi-Kenya that have financed MSMEs in the country. Findings indicated that indeed both the venture capital finances and the capitalist expertise were crucial in fast growth of the MSMEs. However information asymmetry gap need to be bridged so as to ensure that MSMEs get a fair operation ground in comparison with the other big players in the developing economies that they operate such as Kenya. This however requires better policies setting by governments so as to encourage the venture capitalist and business angels’ environment. This study provides resource information on venture capital financing and its influences on growth of MSMEs that the government and other stakeholders need in generation of appropriate policy actions that enhance economic development and growth for the achievement of the millennium development goals as stipulated in the vision 2030. Keywords: Venture Capital Financing, Growth, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Kenya, Nairobi County.
and capital to provide goods and services for the market. The government provided the necessary i... more and capital to provide goods and services for the market. The government provided the necessary infrastructure for the country to function. In the last nine years Kenya has made remarkable strides in development of infrastructure, so it can position itself to be the preferred destination for business investment in East Africa.
The Kenyan Small Enterprises sector is a very competitive sector, and they need strategic plannin... more The Kenyan Small Enterprises sector is a very competitive sector, and they need strategic planning to stay put competitive. Kenyan Small businesses which include agriculture and rural businesses, have contributed greatly to the growth of the economy, mostly in the provision of employment. Hitherto there have been high failure rates and poor show levels. Many are confronted with the threat of failure within the first few years. Many SMEs perform well after start up, but only a few experience sustained growth through the full lifecycle and become large firms. It has been established that lack of strategic planning may thwart them from achieving their potential. There is very little evidence however indicating whether SMEs in Kenya engage in strategic planning, and if they do how it impacts on their general performance. This study attempts, through a literature review, to find out how strategic planning impacts their performance. The study established that the most successful businesses use strategic planning, and there is a high failure rate for those who do not. The recommendation is that the owner or entrepreneurs of the SME to be trained in the skills of strategic planning.
Customer loyalty schemes have flourished in the era of consumer retention and stiff competition f... more Customer loyalty schemes have flourished in the era of consumer retention and stiff competition for the customers by the supermarkets and have been eagerly embraced by retailers and consumers alike. The loyalty schemes as we see it today are a replica of the AAdvantage Programme; a frequent flier programme instigated by American Airlines in 1981. The rapid expansion of the Kenyan economy over the last eleven years in spite of the post election violence of 2007/2008 have led to a retail boom in the country which in turn has encouraged the entry of new players and aggressive approaches by existing retailers such as the introduction of loyalty cards and innovative marketing strategies. The primary purpose of this paper is to evaluate the extent to which loyalty schemes enhance performance of the supermarkets in Kenya. In order to do this, the researcher underscored various categories of loyalty schemes employed in Kenya as identified in the literature. The study established that loyalty schemes spur the growth of supermarkets in terms of market share, sales and revenue in Kenya.
There is no consensus on aid effectiveness and the resulting policy recommendations have been con... more There is no consensus on aid effectiveness and the resulting policy recommendations have been conflicting. Foreign aid to developing countries is a subject of heated debate among politicians, economists, and development specialists. Over the past 50 years Kenya has received several billions of foreign aid, the equivalent of several Marshall Plans. Some of this has been extremely useful: Treatments for HIV/AIDs, food to prevent starvation, and support for immunization programs. A large amount of the literature on foreign aid on economic development in Kenya is based on cross-country analysis and therefore simply yields some patterns that hold on average. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the role of World Bank aid in economic development in Kenya. We find that World Bank aid has strong beneficial effects on per capita income in Kenya. We established a very strong statistical association between sound economic policies and the performance of the World Bank aid in Kenya in our period of study. The study has presented ample evidence that with sound track record of macroeconomic policy management that is by keeping inflation modest, prudent fiscal policy and good financial policy World Bank aid can spur economic growth. The implication for policy is that in order for Kenya to foster and sustain growth, closer attention should be given to increase of World Bank aid, stable macroeconomic stability and sectors where the aid is directed.
The banking sector comprises of 49 institutions, 42 of which are commercial banks, 3 mortgage fin... more The banking sector comprises of 49 institutions, 42 of which are commercial banks, 3 mortgage finance companies, one non-bank financial institutions and one building society as at December 2008, according to CBK annual reports. Despite the long existence of commercial banks in Kenya, local, international and multinational, they have shied away from lending to small-scale businesses. It is a well-established fact that access to finance is a major determinant of economic growth (Beck, Levine, and Loayza, 2000). Therefore, access to finance, which has been one of the core topics in development for quite some time, has emerged on the agenda of nearly all governments. The important policy question is: what measures must be taken to foster access to finance? This study therefore attempted to find out lending conditions by commercial banks that affect small-scale business in Kisii County. The study found out that competition, pricing, Commercial banks tight bank requirement as important factor that affect accessibility of loans by SMEs by commercial banks. The study concludes that Majority of the population are locked out of the formal financial sector due to the many strict requirements and stringent conditions required by the banks for one to open an account or access credit because their information is not captured. Consequently, the study recommends that CBK should influence the interest rate.
Globally, University education is known to be essential for social, economic and political transf... more Globally, University education is known to be essential for social, economic and political transformation of society. This recognition has caused heavy investment in this sector in Africa and Kenya in particular. However, this rapid expansion has brought many challenges in service delivery and customer satisfaction by universities. Among these is employee capacity that can add value to the strategic intent of the universities in the face of intense competition in the university training services value chain. Through a cross-sectional survey, this study evaluated the role of employee capacity and the strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities, with specific reference to Laikipia University in Kenya. Results indicate that employee capacity was crucial for sustainable competitive advantage of the University. It was apparent that the University had a workforce that had fairly good capacity to contribute to its strategic intent through their cooperation, commitment and involvement in the activities of the University. However, the University needs to invest more in building the capacity of its entire human resource to elevate the current position and to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. Employees need to be empowered through increased opportunities for scholarships, training and mentoring activities. This would require training and development needs assessment and methods to be effective in boosting employee capacity. Moreover, employee motivation through better remuneration, and appreciation and recognition of efforts of employees would be desireable to enhance chances of strategic positioning of the Universty. This study contributes to information on employee capacity and its role in strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities that university managers and policy makers would need tto employ to achieve sustainable competitive advantage among universities in the country.
Generally, University education is recognized as neccesary for socio-economic and political devel... more Generally, University education is recognized as neccesary for socio-economic and political development of society. With this appreciation, Kenya has invested heavily in expansion of University education in the recent past. However, a major pre-occupation of universities in the country today is how to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in a complex and challenging context of the higher education sector. Universities need to strategically re-position themselves to attract and retain students, win research grants and make optimal use of their resources by striving to be efficient and effective, and engaging in continuous improvement to ensure their survival and sustainability. The role of senior management support and leadership in this is core. However, the support and leadership of senior management in strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities in Kenya has not been documented. Through a cross-sectional survey, this study determined the role of senior management support and leadership in strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities. Results indicate that the University’s senior management support was crucial for the execution of strategic objectives of the University. The University’s senior management was at the conceptual and strategic levels that guided policy decisions and controlled requisite resources of the University. If the University’s senior management leadership skills are good, it can provide competitive advantage but loss if inadequate. Human resource management was one of the most critical elements for the University to respond to environmental factors of competition from other institutions of higher learning. Generally, it was apparent that support and leadership of the University’s senior management in the strategic positioning of the University was fairly strong. However, the University’s senior management would benefit more from training on soft skills as well as benchmarking with other universities in the country and the region to improve on the quality of their leadership. The findings of this study provide information that managers of newly chartered public universities and policy makers would
The Kenyan Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector is a very competitive environment, and they... more The Kenyan Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector is a very competitive environment, and they need strategic planning to remain competitive. Kenyan SMEs, which include agriculture and rural businesses, have contributed greatly to the growth of the economy, mainly in the creation of employment. Yet there have been high failure rates and poor performance levels. Many are faced with the threat of failure within the first few months. Many SMEs perform well after start up, but only a few experience sustained growth through the full lifecycle and become large firms. Lack of strategic planning may prevent them from achieving their potential, or even surviving. There is very little evidence however indicating whether SMEs in Kenya engage in strategic planning, and if they do how it impacts on their general performance. This study endeavours, through a literature review, to find out how strategic planning impacts their performance. The study established that the most successful businesses use strategic planning, and there is a high failure rate for those who do not. The recommendation is that the owner or entrepreneurs of the SME to be trained in the skills of strategic planning.
Past research has shown that excellent strategies have been written, but few have been successful... more Past research has shown that excellent strategies have been written, but few have been successfully implemented. Crafting the best strategy is not the end in itself as ultimate results will only be realised once the plan is successfully implemented. A strategic plan is a management tool used to transform organisational objectives into actions. This study carried out an analysis of factors influencing the implementation of strategic plans in selected secondary schools in Kisii County. The focus of was on institutional policies and resources allocation, and the views of teaching staff. There have recently been challenges like increased student enrolment and declining performance in national examinations. A descriptive survey design using stratified sampling was used. The study population comprised of school managers including teachers, principals and deputy principals serving in selected schools. Primary data was collected through questionnaires. Key words: Strategic Plans, Implementation, Schools
and capital to provide goods and services for the market. The government provided the necessary i... more and capital to provide goods and services for the market. The government provided the necessary infrastructure for the country to function. In the last nine years Kenya has made remarkable strides in development of infrastructure, so it can position itself to be the preferred destination for business investment in East Africa.
Greatest potentials in driving economies of the developing countries such as Kenya are within the... more Greatest potentials in driving economies of the developing countries such as Kenya are within the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector which account for almost over 90% of the businesses in these countries. Information asymmetries however, raise the pricing of credit to MSMEs in developing countries and Kenya in particular as well as the high levels of informality within the sector and inadequate systems of collateral verification which hinder the lending. In this 21st century MSMEs should focus beyond bank financing to meet their capital structure needs if they are to fully realize growth and job-creation potential. Via a descriptive survey this study examined the influence of venture capital financing on the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with a focus on venture capital firms in Nairobi-Kenya that have financed MSMEs in the country. Findings indicated that indeed both the venture capital finances and the capitalist expertise were crucial in fast growth of the MSMEs. However information asymmetry gap need to be bridged so as to ensure that MSMEs get a fair operation ground in comparison with the other big players in the developing economies that they operate such as Kenya. This however requires better policies setting by governments so as to encourage the venture capitalist and business angels’ environment. This study provides resource information on venture capital financing and its influences on growth of MSMEs that the government and other stakeholders need in generation of appropriate policy actions that enhance economic development and growth for the achievement of the millennium development goals as stipulated in the vision 2030. Keywords: Venture Capital Financing, Growth, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Kenya, Nairobi County.
and capital to provide goods and services for the market. The government provided the necessary i... more and capital to provide goods and services for the market. The government provided the necessary infrastructure for the country to function. In the last nine years Kenya has made remarkable strides in development of infrastructure, so it can position itself to be the preferred destination for business investment in East Africa.
The Kenyan Small Enterprises sector is a very competitive sector, and they need strategic plannin... more The Kenyan Small Enterprises sector is a very competitive sector, and they need strategic planning to stay put competitive. Kenyan Small businesses which include agriculture and rural businesses, have contributed greatly to the growth of the economy, mostly in the provision of employment. Hitherto there have been high failure rates and poor show levels. Many are confronted with the threat of failure within the first few years. Many SMEs perform well after start up, but only a few experience sustained growth through the full lifecycle and become large firms. It has been established that lack of strategic planning may thwart them from achieving their potential. There is very little evidence however indicating whether SMEs in Kenya engage in strategic planning, and if they do how it impacts on their general performance. This study attempts, through a literature review, to find out how strategic planning impacts their performance. The study established that the most successful businesses use strategic planning, and there is a high failure rate for those who do not. The recommendation is that the owner or entrepreneurs of the SME to be trained in the skills of strategic planning.
Customer loyalty schemes have flourished in the era of consumer retention and stiff competition f... more Customer loyalty schemes have flourished in the era of consumer retention and stiff competition for the customers by the supermarkets and have been eagerly embraced by retailers and consumers alike. The loyalty schemes as we see it today are a replica of the AAdvantage Programme; a frequent flier programme instigated by American Airlines in 1981. The rapid expansion of the Kenyan economy over the last eleven years in spite of the post election violence of 2007/2008 have led to a retail boom in the country which in turn has encouraged the entry of new players and aggressive approaches by existing retailers such as the introduction of loyalty cards and innovative marketing strategies. The primary purpose of this paper is to evaluate the extent to which loyalty schemes enhance performance of the supermarkets in Kenya. In order to do this, the researcher underscored various categories of loyalty schemes employed in Kenya as identified in the literature. The study established that loyalty schemes spur the growth of supermarkets in terms of market share, sales and revenue in Kenya.
There is no consensus on aid effectiveness and the resulting policy recommendations have been con... more There is no consensus on aid effectiveness and the resulting policy recommendations have been conflicting. Foreign aid to developing countries is a subject of heated debate among politicians, economists, and development specialists. Over the past 50 years Kenya has received several billions of foreign aid, the equivalent of several Marshall Plans. Some of this has been extremely useful: Treatments for HIV/AIDs, food to prevent starvation, and support for immunization programs. A large amount of the literature on foreign aid on economic development in Kenya is based on cross-country analysis and therefore simply yields some patterns that hold on average. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the role of World Bank aid in economic development in Kenya. We find that World Bank aid has strong beneficial effects on per capita income in Kenya. We established a very strong statistical association between sound economic policies and the performance of the World Bank aid in Kenya in our period of study. The study has presented ample evidence that with sound track record of macroeconomic policy management that is by keeping inflation modest, prudent fiscal policy and good financial policy World Bank aid can spur economic growth. The implication for policy is that in order for Kenya to foster and sustain growth, closer attention should be given to increase of World Bank aid, stable macroeconomic stability and sectors where the aid is directed.
The banking sector comprises of 49 institutions, 42 of which are commercial banks, 3 mortgage fin... more The banking sector comprises of 49 institutions, 42 of which are commercial banks, 3 mortgage finance companies, one non-bank financial institutions and one building society as at December 2008, according to CBK annual reports. Despite the long existence of commercial banks in Kenya, local, international and multinational, they have shied away from lending to small-scale businesses. It is a well-established fact that access to finance is a major determinant of economic growth (Beck, Levine, and Loayza, 2000). Therefore, access to finance, which has been one of the core topics in development for quite some time, has emerged on the agenda of nearly all governments. The important policy question is: what measures must be taken to foster access to finance? This study therefore attempted to find out lending conditions by commercial banks that affect small-scale business in Kisii County. The study found out that competition, pricing, Commercial banks tight bank requirement as important factor that affect accessibility of loans by SMEs by commercial banks. The study concludes that Majority of the population are locked out of the formal financial sector due to the many strict requirements and stringent conditions required by the banks for one to open an account or access credit because their information is not captured. Consequently, the study recommends that CBK should influence the interest rate.
Globally, University education is known to be essential for social, economic and political transf... more Globally, University education is known to be essential for social, economic and political transformation of society. This recognition has caused heavy investment in this sector in Africa and Kenya in particular. However, this rapid expansion has brought many challenges in service delivery and customer satisfaction by universities. Among these is employee capacity that can add value to the strategic intent of the universities in the face of intense competition in the university training services value chain. Through a cross-sectional survey, this study evaluated the role of employee capacity and the strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities, with specific reference to Laikipia University in Kenya. Results indicate that employee capacity was crucial for sustainable competitive advantage of the University. It was apparent that the University had a workforce that had fairly good capacity to contribute to its strategic intent through their cooperation, commitment and involvement in the activities of the University. However, the University needs to invest more in building the capacity of its entire human resource to elevate the current position and to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. Employees need to be empowered through increased opportunities for scholarships, training and mentoring activities. This would require training and development needs assessment and methods to be effective in boosting employee capacity. Moreover, employee motivation through better remuneration, and appreciation and recognition of efforts of employees would be desireable to enhance chances of strategic positioning of the Universty. This study contributes to information on employee capacity and its role in strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities that university managers and policy makers would need tto employ to achieve sustainable competitive advantage among universities in the country.
Generally, University education is recognized as neccesary for socio-economic and political devel... more Generally, University education is recognized as neccesary for socio-economic and political development of society. With this appreciation, Kenya has invested heavily in expansion of University education in the recent past. However, a major pre-occupation of universities in the country today is how to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in a complex and challenging context of the higher education sector. Universities need to strategically re-position themselves to attract and retain students, win research grants and make optimal use of their resources by striving to be efficient and effective, and engaging in continuous improvement to ensure their survival and sustainability. The role of senior management support and leadership in this is core. However, the support and leadership of senior management in strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities in Kenya has not been documented. Through a cross-sectional survey, this study determined the role of senior management support and leadership in strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities. Results indicate that the University’s senior management support was crucial for the execution of strategic objectives of the University. The University’s senior management was at the conceptual and strategic levels that guided policy decisions and controlled requisite resources of the University. If the University’s senior management leadership skills are good, it can provide competitive advantage but loss if inadequate. Human resource management was one of the most critical elements for the University to respond to environmental factors of competition from other institutions of higher learning. Generally, it was apparent that support and leadership of the University’s senior management in the strategic positioning of the University was fairly strong. However, the University’s senior management would benefit more from training on soft skills as well as benchmarking with other universities in the country and the region to improve on the quality of their leadership. The findings of this study provide information that managers of newly chartered public universities and policy makers would
The Kenyan Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector is a very competitive environment, and they... more The Kenyan Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector is a very competitive environment, and they need strategic planning to remain competitive. Kenyan SMEs, which include agriculture and rural businesses, have contributed greatly to the growth of the economy, mainly in the creation of employment. Yet there have been high failure rates and poor performance levels. Many are faced with the threat of failure within the first few months. Many SMEs perform well after start up, but only a few experience sustained growth through the full lifecycle and become large firms. Lack of strategic planning may prevent them from achieving their potential, or even surviving. There is very little evidence however indicating whether SMEs in Kenya engage in strategic planning, and if they do how it impacts on their general performance. This study endeavours, through a literature review, to find out how strategic planning impacts their performance. The study established that the most successful businesses use strategic planning, and there is a high failure rate for those who do not. The recommendation is that the owner or entrepreneurs of the SME to be trained in the skills of strategic planning.
Past research has shown that excellent strategies have been written, but few have been successful... more Past research has shown that excellent strategies have been written, but few have been successfully implemented. Crafting the best strategy is not the end in itself as ultimate results will only be realised once the plan is successfully implemented. A strategic plan is a management tool used to transform organisational objectives into actions. This study carried out an analysis of factors influencing the implementation of strategic plans in selected secondary schools in Kisii County. The focus of was on institutional policies and resources allocation, and the views of teaching staff. There have recently been challenges like increased student enrolment and declining performance in national examinations. A descriptive survey design using stratified sampling was used. The study population comprised of school managers including teachers, principals and deputy principals serving in selected schools. Primary data was collected through questionnaires. Key words: Strategic Plans, Implementation, Schools
and capital to provide goods and services for the market. The government provided the necessary i... more and capital to provide goods and services for the market. The government provided the necessary infrastructure for the country to function. In the last nine years Kenya has made remarkable strides in development of infrastructure, so it can position itself to be the preferred destination for business investment in East Africa.
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Papers by abel anyieni
and Medium Enterprises sector which account for almost over 90% of the businesses in these countries.
Information asymmetries however, raise the pricing of credit to MSMEs in developing countries and Kenya in
particular as well as the high levels of informality within the sector and inadequate systems of collateral verification
which hinder the lending. In this 21st century MSMEs should focus beyond bank financing to meet their capital
structure needs if they are to fully realize growth and job-creation potential. Via a descriptive survey this study
examined the influence of venture capital financing on the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs), with a focus on venture capital firms in Nairobi-Kenya that have financed MSMEs in the country.
Findings indicated that indeed both the venture capital finances and the capitalist expertise were crucial in fast
growth of the MSMEs. However information asymmetry gap need to be bridged so as to ensure that MSMEs get
a fair operation ground in comparison with the other big players in the developing economies that they operate
such as Kenya. This however requires better policies setting by governments so as to encourage the venture
capitalist and business angels’ environment. This study provides resource information on venture capital financing
and its influences on growth of MSMEs that the government and other stakeholders need in generation of
appropriate policy actions that enhance economic development and growth for the achievement of the millennium
development goals as stipulated in the vision 2030.
Keywords: Venture Capital Financing, Growth, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Kenya, Nairobi County.
Kenyan Small businesses which include agriculture and rural businesses, have contributed greatly to the growth of the
economy, mostly in the provision of employment. Hitherto there have been high failure rates and poor show levels. Many are
confronted with the threat of failure within the first few years. Many SMEs perform well after start up, but only a few
experience sustained growth through the full lifecycle and become large firms. It has been established that lack of strategic
planning may thwart them from achieving their potential. There is very little evidence however indicating whether SMEs in
Kenya engage in strategic planning, and if they do how it impacts on their general performance. This study attempts,
through a literature review, to find out how strategic planning impacts their performance. The study established that the
most successful businesses use strategic planning, and there is a high failure rate for those who do not. The recommendation
is that the owner or entrepreneurs of the SME to be trained in the skills of strategic planning.
society. With this appreciation, Kenya has invested heavily in expansion of University education in the recent
past. However, a major pre-occupation of universities in the country today is how to achieve sustainable
competitive advantage in a complex and challenging context of the higher education sector. Universities need to
strategically re-position themselves to attract and retain students, win research grants and make optimal use of
their resources by striving to be efficient and effective, and engaging in continuous improvement to ensure their
survival and sustainability. The role of senior management support and leadership in this is core. However, the
support and leadership of senior management in strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities in
Kenya has not been documented. Through a cross-sectional survey, this study determined the role of senior
management support and leadership in strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities. Results
indicate that the University’s senior management support was crucial for the execution of strategic objectives of
the University. The University’s senior management was at the conceptual and strategic levels that guided policy
decisions and controlled requisite resources of the University. If the University’s senior management leadership
skills are good, it can provide competitive advantage but loss if inadequate. Human resource management was
one of the most critical elements for the University to respond to environmental factors of competition from
other institutions of higher learning. Generally, it was apparent that support and leadership of the University’s
senior management in the strategic positioning of the University was fairly strong. However, the University’s
senior management would benefit more from training on soft skills as well as benchmarking with other
universities in the country and the region to improve on the quality of their leadership. The findings of this study
provide information that managers of newly chartered public universities and policy makers would
A descriptive survey design using stratified sampling was used. The study population comprised of school managers including teachers, principals and deputy principals serving in selected schools. Primary data was collected through questionnaires.
Key words: Strategic Plans, Implementation, Schools
and Medium Enterprises sector which account for almost over 90% of the businesses in these countries.
Information asymmetries however, raise the pricing of credit to MSMEs in developing countries and Kenya in
particular as well as the high levels of informality within the sector and inadequate systems of collateral verification
which hinder the lending. In this 21st century MSMEs should focus beyond bank financing to meet their capital
structure needs if they are to fully realize growth and job-creation potential. Via a descriptive survey this study
examined the influence of venture capital financing on the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs), with a focus on venture capital firms in Nairobi-Kenya that have financed MSMEs in the country.
Findings indicated that indeed both the venture capital finances and the capitalist expertise were crucial in fast
growth of the MSMEs. However information asymmetry gap need to be bridged so as to ensure that MSMEs get
a fair operation ground in comparison with the other big players in the developing economies that they operate
such as Kenya. This however requires better policies setting by governments so as to encourage the venture
capitalist and business angels’ environment. This study provides resource information on venture capital financing
and its influences on growth of MSMEs that the government and other stakeholders need in generation of
appropriate policy actions that enhance economic development and growth for the achievement of the millennium
development goals as stipulated in the vision 2030.
Keywords: Venture Capital Financing, Growth, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Kenya, Nairobi County.
Kenyan Small businesses which include agriculture and rural businesses, have contributed greatly to the growth of the
economy, mostly in the provision of employment. Hitherto there have been high failure rates and poor show levels. Many are
confronted with the threat of failure within the first few years. Many SMEs perform well after start up, but only a few
experience sustained growth through the full lifecycle and become large firms. It has been established that lack of strategic
planning may thwart them from achieving their potential. There is very little evidence however indicating whether SMEs in
Kenya engage in strategic planning, and if they do how it impacts on their general performance. This study attempts,
through a literature review, to find out how strategic planning impacts their performance. The study established that the
most successful businesses use strategic planning, and there is a high failure rate for those who do not. The recommendation
is that the owner or entrepreneurs of the SME to be trained in the skills of strategic planning.
society. With this appreciation, Kenya has invested heavily in expansion of University education in the recent
past. However, a major pre-occupation of universities in the country today is how to achieve sustainable
competitive advantage in a complex and challenging context of the higher education sector. Universities need to
strategically re-position themselves to attract and retain students, win research grants and make optimal use of
their resources by striving to be efficient and effective, and engaging in continuous improvement to ensure their
survival and sustainability. The role of senior management support and leadership in this is core. However, the
support and leadership of senior management in strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities in
Kenya has not been documented. Through a cross-sectional survey, this study determined the role of senior
management support and leadership in strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities. Results
indicate that the University’s senior management support was crucial for the execution of strategic objectives of
the University. The University’s senior management was at the conceptual and strategic levels that guided policy
decisions and controlled requisite resources of the University. If the University’s senior management leadership
skills are good, it can provide competitive advantage but loss if inadequate. Human resource management was
one of the most critical elements for the University to respond to environmental factors of competition from
other institutions of higher learning. Generally, it was apparent that support and leadership of the University’s
senior management in the strategic positioning of the University was fairly strong. However, the University’s
senior management would benefit more from training on soft skills as well as benchmarking with other
universities in the country and the region to improve on the quality of their leadership. The findings of this study
provide information that managers of newly chartered public universities and policy makers would
A descriptive survey design using stratified sampling was used. The study population comprised of school managers including teachers, principals and deputy principals serving in selected schools. Primary data was collected through questionnaires.
Key words: Strategic Plans, Implementation, Schools