Effect of Entrepreneurial Skills in the Operation and Success of Outdoor Catering Ventures in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The catering and hospitality industry include businesses such as hotels, pubs and restaurants, contract caterers in various industrial and commercial premises, fast food takeaways, cafes and bistros. The industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing event-based food services. Outdoor catering is a sector in the catering and hospitality industry that has gained momentum as a new way of vending food in Nairobi. The purpose of this study was to determine effect of entrepreneurial skills in the operation and success of outdoor catering ventures in Nairobi, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to identify the entrepreneurial skills related to operation of outdoor catering and alsoto find out the effect of entrepreneurial skills on outdoor catering ventures in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was carried out in Nairobi where 30 outdoor catering MSEs were randomly selected from a population of 300 for the study. Data was largely quantitative and was analyzed using descriptive analysis such as frequency count and percentages describing the distribution of the findings. Findings from the study revealed that there was an indication of a high skill base involved in these business ventures. It emerged that attachment or on-the-job training was far the most common form of training in these enterprises. However, onlya few of the respondents had business skills in accounting. In addition, majority of the respondents had benefited from their training. Further, all the respondents were of the opinion that training on entrepreneurship skills would improve their business management skills. Recommendations made from findings emphasize the need for propagation of the enterprise culture through the educational system, promotion of the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills within the MSEs sector, establishing a network of regional enterprise/ Business, workshops, conferences and resource centers to offer a platform for exchanging skills and experience. Finally, there is need to equip students in entrepreneurship with more practical skills as opposed to theory so that graduates can readily practice both in informal and formal employment.