Effects of Entrepreneurship Training on Performance of Women Owned SMEs In Uganda: A Case of Kampala

Abstract

This study was set out to determine the effects of entrepreneurship training on performance of women owned SMEs in Uganda a study of Kampala. The objectives were to;examine the relationship between sales and marketing training on the performance of women owned SMEs in Kampala, assess the extent to which customer care and human resource training influences the performance of women owned SMEs and assess the empirical knowledge of the effectiveness of financial planning and management training on the performance of women SMEs in Kampala. The study population included all women owned enterprises in Kampala. A sample was chosen using the Yemen’s formula to come out with 110 respondents of which 100 complied while the rest declined to respond. The researcher conducted the study using questionnaires upon which the respondents gave out their opinions concerning SMEs owned by women. The variables under study were analyzed at a univariate level using frequency tables and descriptive statistics accordingly. Relationship between these variables were sought through bivariate relationships so as to establish significance in relationship among them. In the study carried out,majority of the women save money since 64% of the respondents save money on a daily basis. Astonishingly, the researcher found discovered that is no relationship between the entrepreneurship training and the Sales of the respondents which when sought deeper was found out that the respondents found difficulty in incorporating the theoretical knowledge to the practical part of work as regards to customer retention.More than half of the respondents had received entrepreneurship training making 56% of the responses.In terms of marketing,it was found out that the common tehcnique of markeing used by th Women running SMEs was through social media making 45% of the responses. Given the findings above, the researcher found it pertinent for savings groups to be created among these women so as to pass financial skills unto them and also strengthen their savings culture. Follow ups were also encouraged, in terms of monitoring and evaluation, this helps to check whether the objectives and impact of these trainings are being met and also inform the actions to be taken at different points of time.