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Debt Financing and Proprietor Experience in Relation to Retail SME Performance

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  • Nephat Kithaka Njeru

Abstract

This paper examines whether financing scores from commercial banks, microfinance institutions (MFIs), savings and credit co-operative societies (SACCOs), and government credit programmes were associated with retail small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) performance in Tharaka South, Kenya. It also assessed the additional association of proprietor experience after accounting for the four financing scores. A quantitative cross-sectional survey targeted 269 proprietors from 922 registered businesses in Marimanti and Nkondi wards; 266 usable questionnaires were analysed. The reported joint financing model accounted for 42.2% of the observed variance in the performance score, F(4, 261) = 47.688, p

Suggested Citation

  • Nephat Kithaka Njeru, 2026. "Debt Financing and Proprietor Experience in Relation to Retail SME Performance," Journal of Business and Finance in East and Horn of Africa, HRL Journal Service, vol. 2(1), October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eom:jbfhea:a:110
    DOI: 10.66699/kwvdcf94
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Battisti, Martina & Beynon, Malcolm & Pickernell, David & Deakins, David, 2019. "Surviving or thriving: The role of learning for the resilient performance of small firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 38-50.
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