Community Engagement and Sustainability of Faith-Based Social Enterprises: A Study of Consecrated Women in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Social enterprises managed by consecrated women (Catholic religious sisters) play a vital role in education, healthcare, hospitality and community development. However, their long-term sustainability remains a challenge, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This study examined the influence of community engagement on the sustainability of social enterprises managed by Consecrated Women in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya. The study was anchored on Sustainability Theory, which explains how stakeholder participation enhances long-term organisational viability through shared responsibility and resource mobilisation. A concurrent mixed-methods design was employed, combining a cross-sectional survey and a phenomenological inquiry. Data were collected from 69 respondents (administrators, finance managers, assistant administrators, and regional superiors) using structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (SPSS v.29), while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Community engagement had a moderate, positive, and statistically significant relationship with sustainability (R = .595, R² = .354, β = 0.584, p < .001). Qualitative findings revealed that Community engagement fosters ownership, trust, resilience, and beneficiary participation in decision-making, which in turn enhances project relevance and long-term viability. Community engagement is a key driver of sustainability for faith-based social enterprises. Strengthening participatory approaches, feedback mechanisms, and stakeholder collaboration is recommended to enhance impact and continuity.
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204199223