AN INVESTIGATION OF INFORMATION NEEDS OF YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS IN ICT SECTOR IN THE KIBERA SLUM IN KENYA

Authors

  • Caroline Kimuna Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
  • Dr. Mike Iravo Kenyatta University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47672/ije.259

Keywords:

Information needs, young entrepreneurs, information service

Abstract

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the information needs of youth entrepreneurs in ICT sector in the Kibera slum in Kenya.

Methodology: A descriptive research design based on survey techniques was used because it is appropriate in describing and portraying characteristics of variables of the study. The target population of this study composed of youth ICT entrepreneurs in Ayany, Kibera slum. The employees ranged from the owners of the business to the staff working in the business. The researcher used questionnaires, personal interviews and review of documentary materials to collect data for this research study. Analysis of data was both descriptive and inferential. Quantitative and qualitative data presentations methods were used.

Results: What came out from the findings is that finance was the greatest constraint to the growth of SMMEs. The other constraints identified include access to information, training needs and sufficient skills to run the SMMEs. The results show that there is need for further training for the entrepreneurs to be able to run their business enterprises effectively. From the research findings, only 21% of the respondents had had graduate and post-graduate training whereas the majority, at 53% were secondary school dropouts

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: There is need for the establishment of an information Centre or a library in the slum area by the ministry of home affairs, under which the Kenya National Library services fall.

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Author Biographies

Caroline Kimuna, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology

Senior Librarian at Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha

Dr. Mike Iravo, Kenyatta University

Lecturer, Kenyatta University

References

Duncombe, R and Heeks, R (2001) "˜ICTs and Small Enterprise in Africa: Lessons from Botswana'. Manchester: University of Manchester, IDPM.

Durrance, J. C.( 1988) `Information needs: old song, new tune', Rethinking the library in the information age, VolII :Issues in library research proposals for the I990s,Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

Eaton, J. J. and Bawden. D.(1991) `What kind of resource is information?' ,International Journal of Information Management, vol. 11, pp 156-165.

Gordon, G. (2003, February 16) "˜SME survey'. Sunday Times Business Times, 15

Hayes, R.L. and Radoscvich, R.(1990)`Designing information systems for strategic decisions' in Planning for information as a corporate resource, ed. A. Collins, Pergatnon, Oxford, pp 11-14.

Kombo, D.K. & Tromp, D. L.A. (2006) Proposal and Thesis writing. Nairobi: Pauline's Publications.

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Published

2017-06-13

How to Cite

Kimuna, C., & Iravo, D. M. (2017). AN INVESTIGATION OF INFORMATION NEEDS OF YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS IN ICT SECTOR IN THE KIBERA SLUM IN KENYA. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 1(1), 72–87. https://doi.org/10.47672/ije.259

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2016)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2017 Caroline Kimuna, Dr. Mike Iravo

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.