CONSTRAINTS TO ACCESSING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND SUPPORT (BDSS) AMONG THE URBAN STREET VENDORS IN DAR ES SALAAM TANZANIA

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined constraints to accessing Business Development Services and Support (BDSS) among the urban-based informal street vendors in Dar es Salaam-Tanzania. Design/Methodology/ Approach: This study employed qualitative methods with purposive and simple random sampling techniques being used to obtain 110 vendors and officials from various organizations who participated in this study. The researcher employed in-depth interviews, observations and the review of different documents. Collected data was later analysed through thematic analysis run through MAXQDA 10. Findings: Findings revealed several issues constraining informal vendors to access BDSS services. These included financial constraints, lack of BDSS organisations and professionals, lack of relevant policies and regulations, vendors' inability to abide by policies and regulations, lack of vendors' involvement in BDSS decision-making, lack of physical address, vendors' informal and illegal status and lack of statistics on the street vendors. Research Limitation/Implication: This study mainly focused on street vendors in the urban settings of Dar es salaam and specifically in the three municipalities of Ilala, Kinondoni and Ubungo. Practical Implication: Mitigating the BDSS constraints among the vendors will guarantee an increase in sales and profitability in street vending hence protecting vendors' livelihoods and contribution to national development. Social Implication: The study recommends improvement in policy options related to alleviating BDSS-related constraints among vendors including empowerment of vendors on financial matters as well as being provided with reliable sources of business capital, knowledge and skills. Originality / Value: Moreover, this study is more adds to more innovative and inclusive strategies for empowering urban street vendors on BDSS, considering that previous works on BDSS have not provided rich solutions to street vendors to access Business Development Services and Support. While some of these studies are quantitative, some other studies have only focused on only registered businesses leaving the informal street vendors unattended.