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This paper aims to develop a critical approach to the conceptualization of start-ups in emerging markets from a Kenyan perspective. This study used a theoretical route to conceptualize start-ups in emerging markets like Kenya. From the findings, it is important to note that the conceptualization of start-up is based on western concepts and might be flawed and poorly applicable to businesses in Kenya. Hence in the Kenyan context, a start-up should be viewed as an innovative business entity, which is scalable and has survived up to 3-5 years. To support the growth of the start-up ecosystem in Kenya, policymakers should promote start-ups through the formation of relevant legislation and provide incentives that stimulate their survival and growth. The study has brought out some interesting findings which can generate more debate. The study used an exploratory research design which is not conclusive in nature therefore future research should consider using a research design that is conclusive in nature and robust.

This paper was anchored on a pragmatic research paradigm. The study used a cross-sectional survey where a self-semi structured questionnaire was administered to collect the primary data from the target population who were youth-owned SMEs. The study was limited to 135 youth-owned enterprises where 357 employees were selected randomly to form the study sample; the key respondents of the study were limited to owner-managers of small and micro enterprises and top management employees. The questionnaires were tested for reliability and validity. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between youth-owned. The study revealed that entrepreneurship networking has a significant effect on the performance of the agro-processing SMEs owned by the youths. However, there is a need for SMEs to further establish networks outside their business circle and seek networks with other bigger firms in the market. The study, therefore, recommends that there is a need for SMEs to invest more in social media marketing and networking of the SMEs for improved performance.

Worldwide, startup businesses are essential for any country's economic development. Despite the rapid growth of start-ups, their likelihood of success and viability remain low. This trend is more observed in developing countries due to the low uptake of business incubation services such as Kenya. The aim of the current study was to determine the effect of networking services, physical incubation, and management mentoring on the growth of start-ups in Kenya. The study was based on the social network theory, the theory of the firm, the stochastic theory and the trait theory of entrepreneurship. A cross-sectional research design was used. A sample size of 227 respondents was selected from a total population of 567 respondents using proportionate stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed with multiple linear regression with the help of SPSS. The finding of the study indicated that there was a positive and significant effect between networking services, physical incubation infrastructure and management mentoring and growth of startups. The study suggests that startups should join associations like the Associations of Startups and SME Enablers of Kenya and the Association of Countrywide Innovation Hubs to access incubation infrastructure. This will allow access to investor networks, civil society programs, and government agencies, accelerating business growth. Additionally, business incubators can partner with universities for specialized research in areas like health, agriculture, and climate change through the triple helix model.

Firms are driven to maximize profits, requiring specialized techniques to improve performance. Firms can handle chaotic conditions by acting strategically. Global studies show high early-stage SME death rates. Hospitality studies have not examined how lean-green methods boost performance and competitiveness. Lean-green methods affect the entrepreneurial spirit and performance of medium-sized hotels in Kenyan cities. The paper relies on discovery and dynamic capability theory. The article used mixed-methods, concurrent triangulation, and pragmatic philosophy. 534 medium hotel managers in Mombasa, Nairobi, and Kisumu were studied, and 229 were sampled using stratified random sampling. Data was collected by questionnaire and saved in MS Excel for case-variable screening and cleaning. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis. Pearson's correlation and regression models analyzed quantitative data. In Kenyan cities, entrepreneurial attitude positively affects medium hotel performance (=.775, t = 17.499, p.05). Lean-green synergy positively impacted performance (? =.527, t = 12.497, p ?.05) and moderated the connection between entrepreneurial mentality and business performance. The study found that lean-green techniques boost performance. Lean-green production strategies are recommended by the study. These findings benefit hotel entrepreneurs, managers, academia, and legislators. The study proposes studying other industries besides hospitality to see whether comparable findings are found.

The study explores the impact of entrepreneurial passion on process innovation and firm performance, based on self-efficacy theory. Relevant hypotheses were proposed, and the promotion mechanism of entrepreneurial passion on process innovation and enterprise performance was analyzed. A survey of 150 Kenyan firm owners/managers was conducted, and the results showed that process innovation has a significant positive effect on performance. Entrepreneurial passion is a significant moderator of the relationship between process innovation and performance, with firms with higher levels of passion achieving greater performance from implementing process innovation. This suggests that entrepreneurial passion can guide entrepreneurial persistence and promote enterprise performance by stimulating positive emotions and creativity. The study suggests that effective management of process innovation can enhance performance and encourage more entrepreneurial behavior in competitive business environments.

Firms are driven to maximize profits, requiring specialized techniques to improve performance. Firms can handle chaotic conditions by acting strategically. Global studies show high early-stage SME death rates. Hospitality studies have not examined how lean-green methods boost performance and competitiveness. Lean-green methods affect the entrepreneurial spirit and performance of medium-sized hotels in Kenyan cities. The paper relies on discovery and dynamic capability theory. The article used mixed-methods, concurrent triangulation, and pragmatic philosophy. 534 medium hotel managers in Mombasa, Nairobi, and Kisumu were studied, and 229 were sampled using stratified random sampling. Data was collected by questionnaire and saved in MS Excel for case-variable screening and cleaning. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis. Pearson's correlation and regression models analyzed quantitative data. In Kenyan cities, entrepreneurial attitude positively affects medium hotel performance (=.775, t = 17.499, p.05). Lean-green synergy positively impacted performance (? =.527, t = 12.497, p ?.05) and moderated the connection between entrepreneurial mentality and business performance. The study found that lean-green techniques boost performance. Lean-green production strategies are recommended by the study. These findings benefit hotel entrepreneurs, managers, academia, and legislators. The study proposes studying other industries besides hospitality to see whether comparable findings are found.

Worldwide, startup businesses are essential for any country's economic development. Despite the rapid growth of start-ups, their likelihood of success and viability remain low. This trend is more observed in developing countries due to the low uptake of business incubation services such as Kenya. The aim of the current study was to determine the effect of networking services, physical incubation, and management mentoring on the growth of start-ups in Kenya. The study was based on the social network theory, the theory of the firm, the stochastic theory and the trait theory of entrepreneurship. A cross-sectional research design was used. A sample size of 227 respondents was selected from a total population of 567 respondents using proportionate stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed with multiple linear regression with the help of SPSS. The finding of the study indicated that there was a positive and significant effect between networking services, physical incubation infrastructure and management mentoring and growth of startups. The study suggests that startups should join associations like the Associations of Startups and SME Enablers of Kenya and the Association of Countrywide Innovation Hubs to access incubation infrastructure. This will allow access to investor networks, civil society programs, and government agencies, accelerating business growth. Additionally, business incubators can partner with universities for specialized research in areas like health, agriculture, and climate change through the triple helix model.

The study explores the impact of entrepreneurial passion on process innovation and firm performance, based on self-efficacy theory. Relevant hypotheses were proposed, and the promotion mechanism of entrepreneurial passion on process innovation and enterprise performance was analyzed. A survey of 150 Kenyan firm owners/managers was conducted, and the results showed that process innovation has a significant positive effect on performance. Entrepreneurial passion is a significant moderator of the relationship between process innovation and performance, with firms with higher levels of passion achieving greater performance from implementing process innovation. This suggests that entrepreneurial passion can guide entrepreneurial persistence and promote enterprise performance by stimulating positive emotions and creativity. The study suggests that effective management of process innovation can enhance performance and encourage more entrepreneurial behavior in competitive business environments.

This paper aims to develop a critical approach to the conceptualization of start-ups in emerging markets from a Kenyan perspective. This study used a theoretical route to conceptualize start-ups in emerging markets like Kenya. From the findings, it is important to note that the conceptualization of start-up is based on western concepts and might be flawed and poorly applicable to businesses in Kenya. Hence in the Kenyan context, a start-up should be viewed as an innovative business entity, which is scalable and has survived up to 3-5 years. To support the growth of the start-up ecosystem in Kenya, policymakers should promote start-ups through the formation of relevant legislation and provide incentives that stimulate their survival and growth. The study has brought out some interesting findings which can generate more debate. The study used an exploratory research design which is not conclusive in nature therefore future research should consider using a research design that is conclusive in nature and robust.

This study sought to establish the moderating effect of social entrepreneurs’ gender on the contribution of social enterprises to social transformation in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study used a descriptive survey design guided by mixed methods research on 322 sampled social enterprises drawn from a target population of 1944 social enterprises distributed across the 12 sub-counties of Kiambu County. Data were collected using survey questionnaires and interview guide instruments.  A simple random sampling technique was used to get the proportionate sample for each stratum.  In data analysis, both descriptive statistics (mean, percentages, standard deviation and frequencies) and inferential statistics (correlation and regression analysis) were applied. The findings showed the influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable being explained by R of 0.568. The findings also revealed that social entrepreneurs’ gender was likely to have an effect on the relationship between social entrepreneurship and social transformation of R2 = 0.322. By the estimates of the F-test, social entrepreneurship was found to predict social transformation by F (3, 281) = 77.330, p<.05.