The Livelihoods Reality of Micro and Small Enterprise Operators

The intent of this qualitative study was assessing the overall livelihoods situation of MSE operators specifically by examining their issues related to context capital assets role of institutions policies and processes and finally the livelihood outcomes of working in MSEs. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews key-informant interviews focused group discussion and non-participant observations while subsequent analysis was done in light of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. The studied operators were vulnerable to many contextual factors consequently had unequal access to and levels of various types of capital assets. A number of formal and informal governmental non-governmental private and commercial institutions have played helpful/hindering role during the establishment and operation of the enterprises. It was found that the problems challenging the targeted MSEs were market institution operator MSE and society-related. The study mainly suggests such measures as alleviating the market problem of the MSEs; improving the provision and current state of public infrastructures; and increasing the capacity of executives and the operators themselves.