Assessment of small business success factors in Tanzania: a case study of Moshi municipality

SMEs in the world play a significant contribution to economic development of many countries. The objective of this study was to assess small business success factors in Tanzania using Moshi municipality in Kilimanjaro region as the case study. This study used descriptive design because the main objective was on the discovery of ideas and gaining insight into the problem. The descriptive study used a quantitative approach of research. The philosophical orientation used in this study was positivism paradigm. Moreover, the study involved a sample of 70 small business entrepreneurs in Moshi municipality and for that case non probabilistic- judgmental sampling technique was used to obtain respondents for the study. Both primary and secondary data were used to collect data. Primary data collection involved the use of personally administered questionnaire whereas secondary data were collected from the documents available at UDBS and UDSM main libraries, internet and other research reports. Data were analyzed by using software package for science studies (SPSS) version 16. The study found out that entrepreneurial characteristics, characteristics of the enterprise and external factors influenced success of small businesses in Kilimanjaro region. From the findings of the study, the study provided recommendations which if implemented will lead to the growth of SMEs.