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Abstract:
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The modern business operates in an environment that has become highly volatile following increased competition and ever changing customer tastes and preferences. The main objective of this study was to establish the effect of entrepreneurial skills on gaining competitive advantage among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kawangware Division of Nairobi County. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was 1020 SMEs located in Kawangware division, Nairobi County and a sample constitute of 102 SMEs representing 10% of the total population using stratified random sampling. Primary data was obtained using questionnaires while data collected from the field was edited, coded and using SPSS software for processing then presented in frequency tables. The study found that the entrepreneurs had innovative skills of doing business, good networking among its stakeholders. The study established that SMEs had motivation as self–drive to start and ran this business; some skills identified became redundant with new government policies. The businesses experienced increase in market share of their products which meant increased market share and their competitiveness. The businesses continued to receive new customers regularly while new markets developed in the last three years. The study recommended that all SMEs in Kenya should encourage entrepreneurs who are self- motivated to start and ran their own business, emphasize on online platforms to increase their customer bases, enhance personal and managerial entrepreneurial skills so as to gain competitive advantage and finally the government should come up with proper policies that support the growth of SMEs in Kenya. |