Connecting the dots

Purpose - Most research on networks of exporting SMEs has been conducted in developed economies. The present paper aims to apply this concept to a developing economy arguing that there is a combination of internal firm factors (human and physical capital, social and management team networks) that wi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:African journal of economic and management studies 2013-01, Vol.4 (1), p.74-94
Main Authors: Abban, Rita, Omta, S.W.F. (Onno), Aheto, John B.K., Scholten, V.E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Africa
Case studies
Chief executive officers
Developing countries
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship
Exports
Ghana
Government
Human capital
Institutions
Job satisfaction
LDCs
Networks
Policy making
Public officials
R&D
Research & development
Researchers
Small and medium sized enterprises
Social capital
Social networks
Studies
Sub-Saharan Africa
Supply
Supply chains
Teams
Tertiary education
Training
Citations: Items that cite this one
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Summary:Purpose - Most research on networks of exporting SMEs has been conducted in developed economies. The present paper aims to apply this concept to a developing economy arguing that there is a combination of internal firm factors (human and physical capital, social and management team networks) that will lead to higher (past) performance in terms of firm size given different contextual factors (such as institutions and supply chain complexity).Design methodology approach - Ten SME case studies are analysed in the non-traditional agricultural export (NTAE) sector in Ghana.Findings - The findings suggest that performance is highest for those SMEs where the CEO has received tertiary level education and has export experience for over five years, which export directly (no use of traders), make extensive use of Ghana's export institutions, use export contracts and are members of SME associations.Research limitations implications - Policy makers in Sub Saharan governments in general and Ghanaian government officials in particular can use these findings to focus their policy on these types of SMEs.Originality value - Whereas most research on networks of exporting SMEs has been conducted in developed economies, this paper seeks to apply this concept to a developing economy. Policy makers and officials in government can use the findings to focus their policy on the types of SMEs where performance is highest.
ISSN:2040-0705
2040-0713
DOI:10.1108/20400701311303168