Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Ghana: Enterprising Africa

This study adopts a multi-level theoretical framework to examine data from 496 entrepreneurs in Ghana. Seven types of innovation activity are analysed against three categories of variables: the characteristics of the entrepreneur, the internal competencies of the firm, and firm location. Across all...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Small business economics 2009-03, Vol.32 (3), p.331-350
Main Authors: Robson, Paul J. A., Haugh, Helen M., Obeng, Bernard Acquah
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Business and Management
Business development
Business growth
Business innovation
Business structures
Competitive advantage
Correlation analysis
Developing countries
Development economics
Economic activity
Economic development
Economic growth
Education
Employment
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship
Ghana
Human capital
Industrial Organization
Industrialized nations
Innovation
Innovations
LDCs
Management
Microeconomics
Product innovation
R&D
Research & development
Small & medium sized enterprises-SME
Small businesses
Social innovation
Studies
Technological change
Technological innovation
Upper class
Work organization
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Summary:This study adopts a multi-level theoretical framework to examine data from 496 entrepreneurs in Ghana. Seven types of innovation activity are analysed against three categories of variables: the characteristics of the entrepreneur, the internal competencies of the firm, and firm location. Across all respondents, the incidence of incremental innovation was far greater than novel innovation. The extent of innovation was related to the education level of the entrepreneur. Firm size and involvement in exporting were positively related to innovation, but firm growth is less systematically so. Innovation was greater in firms located in conurbations compared to firms located in large and small towns. We conclude with suggestions for policy to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in Ghana.
ISSN:0921-898X
1573-0913
DOI:10.1007/s11187-008-9121-2