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Determinants of Profitability and Sales Growth Among Women-Led Broiler Poultry SMEs in Chongwe District, Zambia: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed-Methods Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Sitali, Davies Mike

    (University of Zambia)

  • Mwelwa, Attridge

    (Independent Scholar)

Abstract

This study examined the performance of women-led broiler poultry SMEs in Chongwe District, Zambia, with a focus on profitability, sales growth, and business survival beyond 12 months. Four objectives guided the research: to establish enterprise performance levels and patterns; determine the influence of access to finance on profitability, sales growth, and survival; examine the effect of market access on enterprise outcomes; and analyse the influence of socio-cultural responsibilities on business performance. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design (QUAN = QUAL), the study first analyzed survey data from women-led broiler poultry SMEs in Chongwe District (n = 35), followed by semi-structured interviews with a purposive subsample (n = 30). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression, and logistic regression, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings revealed moderate but uneven enterprise performance, with mean profitability of 25.87% and sales growth of 25.25%, while 84.4% of businesses survived beyond 12 months. Access to finance significantly improved profitability (β = 0.425, p

Suggested Citation

  • Sitali, Davies Mike & Mwelwa, Attridge, 2026. "Determinants of Profitability and Sales Growth Among Women-Led Broiler Poultry SMEs in Chongwe District, Zambia: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed-Methods Case Study," African Journal of Commercial Studies, African Journal of Commercial Studies, vol. 7(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:cwk:ajocsk:2026-89
    DOI: 10.59413/ajocs/v7.i3.19
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • Q13 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness
    • M21 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - Business Economics

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