Strengthening small and medium enterprises performance using electronic-business: a case study of small and medium enterprises in Naguru
Abstract
There are key problems Small & Medium Enterprises face which affect their survival and growth, it is evident that only minority of SMEs survive in operation for more than a few years and that very few achieve sustainable growth reflecting lack of profitability.
The problem is that many of them are still in the ancient operational system which has limited performance especially because of lack of innovation which prompts the researcher to look into SMEs performance in relation to electronic business. A total of 90 respondents participated in the study of which 55 were male and 35 business women. These were categorized into manufacturers, service providers and those who engaged themselves in both activities.
Purposive and random sampling techniques where used and the main data collection instrument was structured questionnaires. This study analyzed the benefits of operating Small & Medium Enterprises with Electronic Business, The expected challenges that Small & Medium enterprises can be experienced with Electronic Business and how Electronic business can enhance performance of Small & Medium Enterprises. Results of the study confirmed that there are numerous benefits of operating Small & Medium Enterprises with Electronic Business like global marketing, bringing the market closer to clients, cheapest advertising program etc,. Some of the expected challenges resolved are technical problems, International Internet laws among others and the recommends a need for small & medium enterprises to develop a stand by technical team, connect S&MEs to electronic platforms that are familiar with the market managers need to segment their market for easy and quick selection of the massage and program to use.