The Impact of Small to Medium Enterprises to the Zimbabwean Economy and the Challenges They Face. A Case Study on Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Zimbabwe

The discussion of the contribution of SMEs businesses to the Zimbabwean economy has been subject of debate over recent decades. This study examines the impact of small to medium enterprises to the Zimbabwean economy and the challenges they face. This study also aimed at critically assessing the roles of Small and Medium Enterprises in the Zimbabwean Economy, establishing the major challenges or constraints which are being faced by the SMEs and how affect the Zimbabwean economy, to suggest how the challenges faced by SMEs be addressed and to assess how managers of manufacturing SMEs apply principled management. A comprehensive international literature study was undertaken. The data were collected from the 300 owners/managers and employees of the SMEs of using five-point Likert scale through the survey of 30 small and medium-sized units. The data were analysed by using descriptive statistics. The results of this study revealed that SMEs are playing a positive and significant role for the economic progress of Zimbabwe, fundamental role in foreign exchange earnings and GDP of Zimbabwe. The present study further suggested that SMEs are also providing job opportunities in the country and have a major contribution in export sub-sector of Zimbabwe