Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

The Influence of Proactiveness on the Performance of Textile-Based Manufacturing Small Enterprises in Kenya

Received: 30 October 2024     Accepted: 13 November 2024     Published: 23 December 2024
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Abstract

This study investigates the impact of proactiveness on the performance of textile-based manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya. With approximately 60.1% of the surveyed SMEs exhibiting moderate to high levels of proactiveness, the research employs regression analysis to assess the relationship between proactiveness and enterprise performance, measured through indicators such as sales turnover, profitability, and employee growth. The model demonstrates a strong fit, with an R-square value of 0.601, indicating that proactiveness explains 60.1% of the variance in SME performance. The ANOVA results confirm a significant relationship (F = 437.603, p < 0.05) between proactiveness and performance, reinforcing the hypothesis that a proactive approach is critical for enhancing business outcomes. Qualitative insights gathered from interviews reveal that proactive firms exhibit heightened market responsiveness, foster a culture of innovation, and engage in strategic networking, all contributing to superior performance metrics. Highly proactive SMEs reported average annual sales increases of 25% and profitability margins of 18%, significantly outperforming their less proactive counterparts. Despite these advantages, SMEs face barriers such as limited financial resources and inadequate market knowledge, which hinder their ability to capitalize on proactive initiatives. The findings underscore the importance of cultivating a proactive organizational culture within textile SMEs to drive competitiveness and sustained growth in a dynamic market environment. Recommendations for enhancing proactiveness include investing in employee training, facilitating access to financial support, and promoting networking opportunities within the textile industry. By addressing these challenges and fostering proactiveness, SMEs can better position themselves for success in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Published in Science Journal of Business and Management (Volume 12, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.sjbm.20241204.15
Page(s) 113-127
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Proactiveness, Performance, Textile Firms

References
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[3] Macharia, J. W., & Ng’ang’a, W. (2022). Proactiveness and its impact on innovation and performance of SMEs in Kenya: A focus on the textile sector. Journal of Small Business Management, 60(1), 115-134.
[4] Mureithi, S., & Njuguna, J. (2023). Proactive strategies for growth among textile SMEs in Kenya: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Business and Management Studies, 15(2), 203-218.
[5] Okunrobo, O., & Ogbari, M. E. (2022). The impact of entrepreneurial proactiveness on the performance of small enterprises: Evidence from the textile sector in Nigeria. African Journal of Business Management, 16(5), 159-173.
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Kiguru, S., Senelwa, W., Njeru, A. (2024). The Influence of Proactiveness on the Performance of Textile-Based Manufacturing Small Enterprises in Kenya. Science Journal of Business and Management, 12(4), 113-127. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjbm.20241204.15

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    ACS Style

    Kiguru, S.; Senelwa, W.; Njeru, A. The Influence of Proactiveness on the Performance of Textile-Based Manufacturing Small Enterprises in Kenya. Sci. J. Bus. Manag. 2024, 12(4), 113-127. doi: 10.11648/j.sjbm.20241204.15

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    AMA Style

    Kiguru S, Senelwa W, Njeru A. The Influence of Proactiveness on the Performance of Textile-Based Manufacturing Small Enterprises in Kenya. Sci J Bus Manag. 2024;12(4):113-127. doi: 10.11648/j.sjbm.20241204.15

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjbm.20241204.15,
      author = {Samuel Kiguru and Wilberforce Senelwa and Agnes Njeru},
      title = {The Influence of Proactiveness on the Performance of Textile-Based Manufacturing Small Enterprises in Kenya
    },
      journal = {Science Journal of Business and Management},
      volume = {12},
      number = {4},
      pages = {113-127},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjbm.20241204.15},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjbm.20241204.15},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjbm.20241204.15},
      abstract = {This study investigates the impact of proactiveness on the performance of textile-based manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya. With approximately 60.1% of the surveyed SMEs exhibiting moderate to high levels of proactiveness, the research employs regression analysis to assess the relationship between proactiveness and enterprise performance, measured through indicators such as sales turnover, profitability, and employee growth. The model demonstrates a strong fit, with an R-square value of 0.601, indicating that proactiveness explains 60.1% of the variance in SME performance. The ANOVA results confirm a significant relationship (F = 437.603, p < 0.05) between proactiveness and performance, reinforcing the hypothesis that a proactive approach is critical for enhancing business outcomes. Qualitative insights gathered from interviews reveal that proactive firms exhibit heightened market responsiveness, foster a culture of innovation, and engage in strategic networking, all contributing to superior performance metrics. Highly proactive SMEs reported average annual sales increases of 25% and profitability margins of 18%, significantly outperforming their less proactive counterparts. Despite these advantages, SMEs face barriers such as limited financial resources and inadequate market knowledge, which hinder their ability to capitalize on proactive initiatives. The findings underscore the importance of cultivating a proactive organizational culture within textile SMEs to drive competitiveness and sustained growth in a dynamic market environment. Recommendations for enhancing proactiveness include investing in employee training, facilitating access to financial support, and promoting networking opportunities within the textile industry. By addressing these challenges and fostering proactiveness, SMEs can better position themselves for success in an increasingly competitive landscape.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - The Influence of Proactiveness on the Performance of Textile-Based Manufacturing Small Enterprises in Kenya
    
    AU  - Samuel Kiguru
    AU  - Wilberforce Senelwa
    AU  - Agnes Njeru
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    T2  - Science Journal of Business and Management
    JF  - Science Journal of Business and Management
    JO  - Science Journal of Business and Management
    SP  - 113
    EP  - 127
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2331-0634
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjbm.20241204.15
    AB  - This study investigates the impact of proactiveness on the performance of textile-based manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya. With approximately 60.1% of the surveyed SMEs exhibiting moderate to high levels of proactiveness, the research employs regression analysis to assess the relationship between proactiveness and enterprise performance, measured through indicators such as sales turnover, profitability, and employee growth. The model demonstrates a strong fit, with an R-square value of 0.601, indicating that proactiveness explains 60.1% of the variance in SME performance. The ANOVA results confirm a significant relationship (F = 437.603, p < 0.05) between proactiveness and performance, reinforcing the hypothesis that a proactive approach is critical for enhancing business outcomes. Qualitative insights gathered from interviews reveal that proactive firms exhibit heightened market responsiveness, foster a culture of innovation, and engage in strategic networking, all contributing to superior performance metrics. Highly proactive SMEs reported average annual sales increases of 25% and profitability margins of 18%, significantly outperforming their less proactive counterparts. Despite these advantages, SMEs face barriers such as limited financial resources and inadequate market knowledge, which hinder their ability to capitalize on proactive initiatives. The findings underscore the importance of cultivating a proactive organizational culture within textile SMEs to drive competitiveness and sustained growth in a dynamic market environment. Recommendations for enhancing proactiveness include investing in employee training, facilitating access to financial support, and promoting networking opportunities within the textile industry. By addressing these challenges and fostering proactiveness, SMEs can better position themselves for success in an increasingly competitive landscape.
    
    VL  - 12
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Author Information
  • School of Entrepreneurship, Procurement and Management, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya

  • School of Entrepreneurship, Procurement and Management, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya

  • School of Entrepreneurship, Procurement and Management, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya

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