The Effects of Socio-Cultural Factors on the Performance of Women Small and Medium Enterprises in Tanzania

Abstract

This paper assesses the effects of sociocultural factors (SCFs) on the performance of women Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The study was conducted in Dodoma urban and Chamwino districts in Dodoma region employing cross-sectional and case study research designs in which 80 women SMEs were surveyed using questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic model. Findings show that women immobility, poor support from society members and ethnicity affect negatively the performance of women SMEs. Conversely, family roles, level of education and role models were important factors in nurturing the performance of women SMEs. The study generally concludes that SCFs have negative effect on the performance of women SMEs. It was recommended that the government should formulate policies that encourage women participation in entrepreneurial activities