Influence of Knowledge and Skills On Growth of the Small – Scale Women Owned Businesses in Awendo Sub – County, Migori County, Kenya

There has been an increase in the number of businesses owned by women, however most women businesses are stuck in micro and small levels failing to scale up to medium sized or large enterprises. The objective of the study was to determine the Effects of knowledge and skills on the growth of small-scale women owned businesses in Awendo sub county, Migori county Kenya. The study was supported by Marxist and socialist feminism theory by Karl Marx and human capital theory. The study employed a cross-sectional survey and was purely qualitative study. The study targeted 364 registered women businesses at Awendo Municipality. The sampling frame was created by employing purposive sampling techniques. This study utilized an interview guide enhanced by direct observation to collect the required qualitative data. The focus group discussions were used in the study and comprised of a minimum of 4 groups. The study adopted the content analysis approach to analyses data. The study sought to collect data from 110 respondents. From the samples participants 92 respondents took part in the study. This represented a response rate of 83.63%. Bryman and Bell (2014) contend that a response rate of at least 50% to a research instrument is satisfactory to proceed with statistical analyses; a rate of 60% is good enough and 70% is excellent. From the data collected, the inadequate knowledge by the women entrepreneurs hindered the growth and their expansion of the businesses. The study recommended that the policy makers at both County and National level need to institute proper policies that support small-scale businesses and more so those operated by women. The study also recommends that the government needs to facilitate and encourage training and awareness campaigns on entrepreneurship and digital innovation for rural development at Awendo sub-County and other Counties.