Abstract:
The study was conducted to examine the effect of SMEs on self-reliant of women entrepreneurs in Burayu City Administration. Descriptive and explanatory research design was employed to present and analysis the data collected. Questionnaires and semi-structured interview were used for the data collection. Quantitative data was collected from 320 participants and supplemented with triangulation of qualitative data collected from district experts of SMEs development and Job creation. Frequency distribution, percentage, mean and standard deviation, correlation and regression, ANOVA test among others, were used to present, analyze and interpret data in line with each research questions and qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis methods and supplemented to quantitative data analysis. Major findings revealed most of the women entrepreneurs most likely, are entrusted with family responsibilities and were not economically active before they started the enterprise. SMEs operators of Burayu City Administration were highly satisfied by selected SMEs dimensions (socioeconomic conditions, empowerment and future prospects). The finding of the study also indicates that, SMEs operators were relatively less satisfied with the SMEs increasing their future prospects and expanding their business. However, SMEs operators were highly satisfied with the roe of SMEs in empowering and improving socioeconomic conditions of women entrepreneurs’. The study also revealed that there was significant correlation between the independent variables since all the p-values were less than 0.05. In the study, a multiple regression found out that the overall independent variables- self-reliant of women entrepreneurs’ model was satisfactory as it is supported by coefficient of determination (also known as the R-square) of 0.872. This means that all the factors contribute to 87.2% of the variations in the dependent self-reliant of women entrepreneurs. The study established that SMEs have a positive effect on self-reliant of women entrepreneurs in selected study area. As per findings, strengthening the follow-up and monitoring works of governmental sector offices must be made a point. The government needs to empower and help women entrepreneurs through business training and financial support to improve their current business and expand their business. Facilitating appropriate selling and display places is necessary. Therefore, establishing specialized micro finance services that benefit women entrepreneurs must be encouraged. Also easing the unfavorable policies of banks and MFIs in a way that suits the tangible situation and needs of MSEs must be considered
