AN EVALUATION OF THE CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN OWNED SMALL TO MEDIUM ENTERPRISES AND THEIR IMPACT ON ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY OF KATTER INCUBATION CENTRE, THOMAS REGION, NAMIBIA

Abstract

Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a dynamic role of driving a country’s economic growth by contributing significantly to the economy through creating more employment opportunities, generating higher production volumes, introducing innovation and entrepreneurship skills. Competitive pressures are exerted on SMEs arising from factors such as globalization, loosening of
trade barriers and market expansion due to advances in technology and innovation. The area of female entrepreneurship has gained attention worldwide especially in developed countries but research in developing countries is lagging behind mainly due to scarcity of information on women entrepreneurship. The aim of this research was to investigate whether the women owned SMEs at Katutura Incubation Centre faced any challenges in their business operations and the impact any resultant challenges had on organisational performance. The research instrument used to gather data was a questionnaire. The study targeted the total population of eighteen respondents at the incubation centre and achieved a 100% response rate.