Utilization of Mobile Telephones by Women in Support of Informal Business in Rural and Urban Markets in Kiambu County - Kenya

Abstract

We are currently living in an era of technological revolution where information, communication, and technology (ICT) has become a panacea for most of the undertakings across human divide and operations. While the elite and the rich may have access to varieties of technologies, modern computers and mobile telephones, majority of the poor and less educated in rural or urban settings, mostly access mobile telephones as the most readily available form of technology. Globally, a mobile telephone provides several technological functions in a variety of settings. This study focused on the utilization of mobile telephones in boosting informal business by women in rural and urban markets. The study assumed the existence of different dynamics in rural and urban markets that dictate the forms of mobile telephone functions that women in informal business utilize to navigate different business transactions. The study approach was guided by the theory of change. Women in informal business in rural and urban markets were the target population. The inclusion criteria were those that were involved in the informal business, dealing in varieties of foods, cereals, fruits and vegetables. To complement sources of secondary data, primary data was generated by use of guided questionnaires for the selected women. A qualitative research design was adopted. Qualitative data was analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics, while quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Both sources of data were coagulated to inform the findings based on the study objectives.