CREDIT AVAILABILITY, SOCIAL NORMS AND WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT IN UASIN-GISHU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to assess the moderating effect of social norms on the relationship between public procurement programs and women entrepreneurs’ participation in government procurement in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya. The specific objective of the study was to assess the relationship between capacity-building programs and women entrepreneurs’ participation in government procurement in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya, and to assess the moderating effect of social norms on the relationship between credit availability and women entrepreneur’s participation in government procurement The study adopted empowerment theory. Correlational and Cross-sectional survey research design was used in the study. The target population for the study was approximately 10000 respondents registered under AGPO. The sample frame for this study was 384 participants from Uasin-Gishu County. A simple random sampling method was used since it reduces bias by giving equal and independent chance to every member of the population. The researcher adopted the use of semi structural questionnaire as the main tool of data collection. This study used content validity and used Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient to test the reliability of the instruments. Cronbach’s Alpha of more than 0.7 was taken as the cut off value for being acceptable. The data was collected using questionnaires. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 and Microsoft version of Excel. The coded data was entered into SPSS program to generate measures of central tendency (mode and mean) and measures of dispersion such as percentages and ranks. For inferential statistics, the study used multiple linear regressions to show how the independent variables and dependent variable relate. The data analysis was presented in form of tables. The study results found out that credit availability has a positive and statistically significant influence on women entrepreneur’s participation in government procurement in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya. (R=867, p<0.05). The study concluded that gender imbalance and inequality in access to finance have continued to limit the capacity of women to participate in Government procurement.  The study recommends that Government funding should be expanded to adequately build the financial muscle of women entrepreneurs to participate in government tenders. Further, lending institutions should not make their risk evaluation criteria and security requirements unfavorable for SMEs to encourage more women to qualify for such funds.

KEYWORDS: Procurement Programs, Social norms, credit availability, government procurement, women entrepreneur participation