STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION AND GROWTH OF REGISTERED SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) IN MOMBASA COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of Study: The study analyzed the effect of strategy implementation on growth of registered Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Mombasa County, Kenya.
Problem Statement: Many SMEs in Mombasa County continue to experience weak and uneven growth despite operating in a commercially strategic environment supported by port trade, tourism, logistics, retail activity and service-based commerce.
Methodology: The study employed a descriptive survey design targeting 49,500 registered and actively operating SMEs in Mombasa County. A sample size of 437 SME proprietors and managers was drawn using Yamane's formula and proportionate stratified random sampling, of whom 401 responded, giving a response rate of 91.8%. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis and simple linear regression analysis.
Result: Strategy implementation recorded a strong, positive and statistically significant correlation with business growth (r = 0.702, p < .01) and accounted for significant proportion of the variation in business growth of registered SMEs in Mombasa County (β = 0.702, t = 19.690, p = .000), such that a unit improvement in strategy implementation produced a corresponding increase in business growth.
Recommendation: SME owners and managers in Mombasa County should institutionalize structured implementation monitoring systems, including simple tracking dashboards, regular implementation review meetings, and clearly assigned responsibilities and timelines, to strengthen the translation of strategic plans into measurable business growth.
Keywords: Strategy implementation, Action planning, Budget alignment, Implementation monitoring, Business growth.
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