Extract: This study treats small scale industry in Kenya. It is common wisdom that small production units possess a number of virtues and that special effort is warranted to promote the growth of this subsector. Such a view is acceptable, but in need of some refinement. It is the argument of this paper that for each country there exists an optimum size distribution of firms. This optimum is determined at any point in time by technological factors and by the pattern of demand. Owing to market imperfections and government policies that are biased with respect to scale, observed shares of output and employment in many underdeveloped countries are heavily skewed toward large scale enterprise. This malproportionality is strikingly evident in the case of Kenya.

Seventeen in a series of annual reports comparing business regulation in 190 economies, Doing Business 2020 measures aspects of regulation affecting 10 areas of everyday business activity.

The official records of the proceedings of the Legislative Council of the Colony and Protectorate of Kenya, the House of Representatives of the Government of Kenya and the National Assembly of the Republic of Kenya.

Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) have been recognized as a major contemporary source of employment and income in a growing number of developing countries. Yet, relatively little is known about the characteristics and patterns of change in these enterprises. This volume examines the dynamics of MSEs in the development process. Drawing on a unique set of surveys conducted in twelve countries in Africa and Latin America the authors map the patterns of change in MSEs in the developing world. Subjects covered include: * significance of new start and closure rates of MSEs * factors involved in expansion rates and growth patterns of MSEs * the role of gender in MSEs evolution.

This timely and important work studies Kenya's small scale manufacturers. What makes the book unique is Gray's sub-sector approach, which focuses on the particular industries of tailoring, woodwork and metalwork. Gray investigates the development of these sub-sectors by taking a strategic management approach. Such an approach allows the author to assess enterprise competitiveness and profitability within industries. Readers will find that the information in this book serves as a well-needed supplement to the literature on the World Bank's July 1995 decision to focus more on micro-enterprise development. The book will appeal to many different audiences including development agencies concerned with the economic development community and the international academic community. Business and social science students who are interested in how work is organized in the family and the effects of modernization on traditional society will also benefit from reading this book.

A deep dive into a success story in African business development, this book provides a multi-layered perspective on the realities of doing business in Kenya. The book’s detailed information about the economic, social, technological, and cultural dimensions of Kenyan society enables a greater understanding of the major issues affecting business development, and actionable recommendations clarify the possible paths to starting and developing a business venture in Kenya. Given Africa’s heterogeneity, it cannot be perfectly represented by one country. Still, Kenya closely mirrors Africa’s major economic trends and cultural values: understanding Kenya’s business landscape provides invaluable skills to do business throughout Africa. Businesspeople, policymakers, investors, students, and scholars will value this book’s in-depth first-hand knowledge to help them make informed decisions about doing business in Africa or Kenya specifically.