Abstract:
The aim of this study is to investigate the factors that affect the performance of women
entrepreneurs in Micro and Small Enterprises in Debre Berhan Town. In this study,
explanatory research design and mixed research methods were used. In the study the
factors that affect the performance of women entrepreneurs in Micro and Small
Enterprises were categorized as demographic characteristics, women enterprises
characteristics, economic factors, socio-cultural factors and legal and administrative
factors. The study has employed explanatory and descriptive research design with
quantitative and qualitative methods. The sample of 325 women MSE‟s leaders were
selected by random sampling method and grouped by stratified sampling method from
each sectors. Questionnaires were used in order to collect primary data. Moreover,
Key informant interviews were also held with urban job creation opportunity & food
security office and microfinance and experts whereas secondary data were collected by
reviewing different literatures regarding the research subject. The collected data were
analyzed by descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. This revealed
results indicates that out of eighteen predicted variables used eleven variables were
found being significant. These significant variables are; marital status of leaders,
enterprises leader education level, enterprises business experience, access to finance,
market accessibility, business training, accessibility of infrastructures, access to inputs
and social networking were positively influence the performance of women
entrepreneurs in Micro and Small Enterprises whereas enterprises members size and
tax levied were negatively influenced the performance of women entrepreneurs in
Micro and Small Enterprises in study area. Based on the findings, the study
recommends that the existence of market access results the higher probability of getting
profit and the greater level of enterprises performance. Therefore, MSEs should work
hard to have market demand for their products and services by preparing of different
market exhibitions, which help enterprises to get market access and market linkages for
their products and services as well as share good habits of work among them that leads
enterprises to sustain in the business. In addition town administration, culture and
tourism bureau, women and children bureau, micro and small enterprise office, women
entrepreneurs and community must play their own roles to improve the performance of
women enterprise in Debre Berhan town.
