Relationship between autonomy aspect of an entrepreneur and the performance of agro-based manufacturing small and medium enterprises in Kiambu Count-Kenya Waithaka Rachel W.*, Prof. Bwisa Henry M.**, Prof. Kihoro John M.*** *Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya **Professor of Entrepreneurship, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya ***Associate Professor of Applied Statistics, Co-operative University College of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya Online published on 20 May, 2017. Abstract The study sought to establish the relationship between the entrepreneur's autonomy and performance of SMEs in the agro-based manufacturing sector in Kiambu County in Kenya. To achieve the objectives, the study used descriptive survey research design. The target of the study included the 250 registered agro-based manufacturing SMEs in the food subsector in Kiambu County. Stratified random sampling techniques were used to draw a sample size of 69 enterprises. To collect the data a questionnaire with both closed ended and open ended questions were administered. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 21 to generate descriptive statistics including percentages, frequency tables and mean scores. Correlation coefficient was used to determine the magnitude and direction of relationship between autonomy and the performance of the SMEs. Regression procedure was used to determine the nature of the relationship. The correlation analysis revealed that there is a significant linear relationship between autonomy and performance of the SMEs. The correlation Coefficient index is at P value less than 0.001 (r = 0.652, P < 0.001). The regression model of the study indicated that autonomy explains 69.4% of the variation in performance of the agro-based SMEs. For one unit increase in autonomy, performance increases by 1.062 units. From the findings of this study, there is a significant relationship between autonomy of the entrepreneur and the performance of the agro-based manufacturing SMEs. Top Keywords Autonomy, Entrepreneur, Small and medium Enterprises, Agro based, Performance. Top |