MICROFINANCE SERVICES AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES CASE STUDY: KATAKWI TOWN COUNCIL
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Date
2024-08-31
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The research purpose was to make an investigation on the relationship between services provided by microfinance entities and the resultant SMEs financial performance in Katakwi Town Council. The objectives that directed the study were specifically three. Namely: To examine the relationship that exists between loan services and SMEs financial performance in Katakwi Town Council, to analyze the relationship that exists between saving services and SMEs financial performance in Katakwi Town Council, and to investigate the relationship that is existent between training and advisory services and SMEs financial performance in Katakwi Town Council. The study applied a descriptive design due to its ability to embrace fact finding inquiries of dissimilar kinds without controlling any variables. The target population for the study was 120 micro and small enterprises spread across the 2 divisions of Katakwi Town Council. A formula generated by Krejcie and Morgan was used to make selection of 92 respondents to take part in the research. The method of purposive sampling was used in data collection. Questionnaires that were structured were used to collect data from SMEs. key informants’ data was obtained qualitatively through interviews. The study findings revealed that loans, savings, and training and advocacy services have a positive relationship with the financial performance of SMEs in Katakwi Town Council. Specifically, the study revealed a very strong positive relationship between Loan services and financial performance of people with disability owned micro and small enterprises in Katakwi Town Council (r = .932 p<0.01). A relationship which was moderate and positive was also obtained between saving services and SMEs financial performance in Katakwi Town Council (r= .450 p<0.01). Also, a relationship which was strong and positive was obtained between training and advocacy services and financial performance (r = .607 p<0.01). The study recommends that MFIs ought to reinforce their saving products to be in position to attract other SMEs to engage in savings, reduction of loan interest rates for SMEs on loans available. The study also recommends robust strategies to assimilate SMEs who dislike attending training. Most notable is invention of self-study manuals to enable SMEs to substitute time wasted in classrooms learning financial management skills to practically engage in their businesses to step up their sales, production levels and profits respectively.