A Historical Transformation of Socio-Economic Life of Small Scale Traders of Mulungushi Community from 1972 to 2020

Abstract

Background: The study sought to examine socio-economic life of the small scale traders of Mulungushi University because little is known about economic development of small scale businesses since the transformation of the institution from PCC-1972 to Mulungushi University 2008-2020 and this necessitated the study.(Mulungushi University policy, 2014).
Methods: The study employed the descriptive design. Purposive sampling was used to select key participants/traders who were present from the onset of the institution from 1972 to 2020 and at the time of the study were still active in business. While snowball was used to select the main vendors; vegetable, grocery, butchery, saloon, restaurant and boarding house owners.
Results: Findings revealed that as the learning institution transformed from being a President’s Citizenship College (1972-1994) to National College (PCC-1994-2007) through to Mulungushi University (MU-2008-date), the socio-economic life of the small scale traders also transformed upwards. Further findings showed that when the institution transformed into Mulungushi University, boarding houses emerged and all the other businesses blossomed.

Conclusion: In conclusion, a study of the small scale trading could provide some insight into the stage of development from PCC to National and to Mulungushi up to date. In additional, such a research could help identify the challenges small scale entrepreneurs faced, if any, and what other stakeholders could do to help mitigate such challenges.