A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Award of the Degree of Master of Business Administration in Corporate Management (MBA-CM) of Mzumbe University
Small and Medium Enterprises create opportunity for individuals as well as the country economy through creating job opportunities. SMEs performance has been still a debate among practioners and researchers on what factors influence SMEs performance. As to such situation, there is little data thus, this study aimed at examining the factors influence SMEs performance in Tanzania specifically at Kinondoni Municipal Council in Dar es Salam region. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the influence of entrepreneurs characteristics on SMEs performance; secondly, to determine the influence of SMEs characteristics on SMEs performance; lastly, to identify the relationship that exists between management experience and SMEs performance. The study used survey research design. Data were collected questionnaires and documentary review. The sample size of the study was 50 SMEs owners was included in this study through convenience sampling technique. .
The findings revealed that some of the factors like willingness to take risks, ability to overcome setbacks and ability to adopt business strategies have a positive significant on SMEs performance. However, the regression analysis also indicates the negative significant influence of management experience on SMEs performance. The study recommended that entrepreneurs should be motivated to enhance their entrepreneurship spirit which should start at a premature stage but also the government should start offering basic business and financial management skills as this will enable the SMEs owners to make informed investment decisions