Social enterprise business development services' programs and business sustainability in Isiolo county, Kenya

Abstract

This study focuses on social enterprise business development services' programs and business sustainability in Isiolo County, Kenya. This study is crucial for understanding the role of social enterprises in the economic empowerment of businesses in Isiolo County, an area facing significant socio-economic challenges. The following specific objectives guide the study: to examine the effect of access to financial resources provided by social enterprises in Isiolo County, to assess the effect of training programs provided by social enterprises in Isiolo County, to evaluate the effect of community engagement initiatives implemented by social enterprises in Isiolo County, and to investigate the effect of technology integration by social enterprises in Isiolo County. Theoretically, the study is guided by resource-based review, diffusion of innovations theory, human capital theory, and dynamic capabilities theory. Each theory provides a framework for understanding the effect of social enterprises on businesses in Isiolo County. The target population consists of business owners, managers, and employees involved in various sectors, including agriculture, retail, tourism, and renewable energy, whom social enterprises in Isiolo County support. This study employed primary data from businesses in Isiolo County and adopt the descriptive design to analyze data. The study took six months and was conducted between December 2024 and June 2025, using structured questionnaires to gather primary data. This study explored the factors influencing business sustainability in Isiolo, focusing on four key areas: financial resource support, capacity-building programs, community engagement, and the adoption of digital technologies. The findings indicate that financial resources (β = 0.75, p < 0.05), training programs (β = 0.68, p < 0.05), community involvement (β = 0.72, p < 0.05), and digital technology adoption (β = 0.70, p < 0.05) significantly contribute to business sustainability. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of robust policies, organizational commitment, and strong community collaboration in achieving sustainability. Recommendations suggest enhancing policy frameworks, supporting social entrepreneurs to integrate sustainability, guiding researchers in studying broader contexts, and increasing community engagement. The study’s limitations include reliance on primary data and its focus solely on Isiolo, which may not fully represent the broader regional dynamics. For future research, expanding to other regions and assessing long-term sustainability impacts would provide valuable insights.