TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION IMPEDIMENTS ON BUSINESS IDEA SCREENING AND SUSTAINABILITY OF AGRO-BASED YOUTH OWNED SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN MERU COUNTY Peter Gituma Kimathi Faculty of Business Studies, Chuka University, P. O. Box 109-60400. Chuka, Kenya.

Abstract

This paper is focused examining some of the challenges faced by youth in applying modern technology in screening business ideas before implementation to enhance management of sustainable agri-based small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in a competitive economy particularly these hard times of unemployment and unpredictable social distress like Covid -19. This study explored the phenomenon of idea screening which expands current understanding of how youth perceive ideas for innovative agro-based projects in determining quality production and value addition. The study critically and contextually examined the best practice among youth in screening business ideas which will not only help Kenyan small and medium scale enterprises to survive and sustain the hard times but rather grow steadily and so become strong enough to contribute their quota to sustainable development in Kenya. Some of the impediments on idea evaluation/screening among youths which sets out objectives includes limited capital, absence of innovation, poor networking. The study applied descriptive survey design. The target population was 20agri-based youth owned enterprises registered under Meru county Government. 40 Respondents were sampled from owners of 20 SMEs meaning each enterprise contributed 2 respondents. Data was collected using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire to gather perception from the respondents. Based on the findings the following were revealed impediments: in access to seed capital, poor networking and lack of innovation. Some of the key recommendations includes sourcing for cheap and reasonable capital, capacity building, enhancing forums for interactions, and platforms for innovation, benchmarking, exchange programmes. Keywords: idea screening, SMEs, Sustainability, Limited Capital, Innovation, Networking,