'We don't deal with courts': Cooperation and alternative institutions shaping exporting relationships of small and medium-sized enterprises in Ghana

Through an investigation of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) exporting in contexts which lack a formalised institutional environment in a less developed country, this article shows how entrepreneurs cope with institutional deficiency. By drawing on an analysis of 12 SMEs exporting from Ghana to other West African countries, the findings reveal how entrepreneurs and their organisations avoid recourse to the courts and instead, use culturally specific relationships to settle disputes when exporting. Institutional forms operating in parallel to the formal legal system are examined. These are shown to be hybrid forms drawing on traditional cultural institutions such as chieftaincy and religion, combined with forms of corporations and cooperatives. Assumptions around the different roles of family and kinship also are explored. The study contributes to the ongoing development of a theoretical understanding on trust and relationship building in international entrepreneurship, and the importance of understanding cultural context. © The Author(s) 2013

Comparing sustainability disclosures on corporate websites: A case study of Newmont Mining Corporation’s plant sites in Ghana

The purpose of this paper is to analyse sustainability reporting information reported by two plant sites of a multinational mining firm operating in Ghana. It draws on institutional theory and firm characteristics to compare and contrast the sustainability reporting contents on the websites of two plants of a multinational mining company in the same country. The study uses case study approach with qualitative content analysis to benchmark the sustainability information found on the websites of the two plants of Newmont Mining Corporation, Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd at Ahafo and Newmont Golden Ridge Ltd at Akyem based on the Global Reporting Initiative and the United Nations Division for Sustainability Development models. It was discovered that even though both plants reported on all aspects of sustainability - economic, environmental and social, the plant sites vary in the contents and details of reports even though the websites had the same headings. These variations are arguably due to the institutional pressures and variations in the characteristics of the two plants. This paper contributes to an understanding of how on site-specific institutional pressures from stakeholders such as community and regulatory bodies and the size and age of subsidiaries may impact on sustainability reporting

The Role of Technology Innovation in Shaping the Student Learning Experience in Higher Education

The role of technology innovation as the driving force in today’s learning environment cannot be under-emphasized. It is now changing the way in which learning and teaching occur in higher education. Over the years, preparing students for the world of work from higher education has been a difficult task. With the majority of students venturing into the world of work without work experience to help them understand and develop the skills to succeed in business is perturbing. Hence, for academic institutions charged with the responsibility to equip and develop students in the knowledge economy, technological innovations hold the key to several possibilities such as distance learning and sophisticated learning management tools and systems. Amongst the sophisticated learning management systems and tools is the use of business simulation which assists students to grasp, understand and apply theories in the real business world. Furthermore, these tools help them to develop the soft skills that are difficult to nurture during lectures. This paper, therefore, examines the role of technology in shaping the development of business and practical skills of the student’s transition from the university into the world of work. This study adopted a mixed method approach. Primary data were collected from MBA and MSc students who participated in the use of the business simulation tool on their perception over ten semesters. This was aimed at explaining the development of business skills using the business simulation technology. The preliminary results show a positive relationship between business simulation game participation and improvement of both hard and soft business skills of students such as; high quality learning, development of critical thinking, decision making, teamwork and analytical skill

Preparing Freelancers of the Future: A teaching Case study

This teaching case study focuses on a method developed by the Centre for Entrepreneurship at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) for preparing students to enter the workforce as a Freelancer or Independent Consultant. This method has been carefully crafted, based on student feedback and calls for this type of training, bringing in to sharp focus the balance of policy, pedagogy and practice. The starting point is a reflection on constructivist philosophies of education, tested models that inform entrepreneurship education, and an evaluation of students’ demand for a specific skill-set to face the freelancing economy. The questions that were posed and answered throughout the case study provide trigger points for reflection, where both educators and researchers can ask the same questions to evoke results at their own institutions. The model that emerged from this case study can also be applied, and adapted in its current form, providing educators with a robust pro forma for their own curriculum development. This model has implications for entrepreneurship education and pedagogy and for students hoping to freelance

Trust at the heart of the issue: Towards the building of trust organisations

This paper examines the role of trust in the shaping of rules and relationships within and between organisations. Firstly, we examine strands of literature on how trust constitutes an organising principle for intra- and inter-organisational trust levels to exist. Then we examine the downside of organisational trust when violated and not achieved. We then propose a model which examines the interplay between the developments of trust within and between organisations. Finally, we surmise by promoting explicitly the broader societal impact and relevance of organisational trust

All we need is trust: Trust in West African cross border networks

This paper aims to develop an understanding of trust in cross border trade networks dominating West African markets. To date most of the literature on trust and network relationships reveal a paucity of studies about West African traders. This paper attempts to address this gap by examining a range of relationships that have evolved as a result of weak formal institutions. Within the remit of this paper, we make an attempt to establish the role of trust in overcoming barriers to the survival of small businesses in West Africa. As this is a development paper, the organisation of this paper is three fold: firstly we commence by examining the topicality of trust from relevant literature. (2) we attempt to bring these conceptualisations to bear by examining the various complex economic and social relationships that shape cross border trade.(3) our discourse will be elucidated with the case of twelve traders operating between Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and Bukinafaso

We Know their House, Family and Workplace:Trust in Entrepreneurs' Trade Credit Relationships in Weak Institutions

This study explores the processes of trade credit relationship development and enforcement by SME entrepreneurs and the role of trust in a developing economy context. Drawing on institutional, trade credit and trust theories data was collected and analysed from 16 SMEs owner/managers trading across cultures using qualitative interview approach and thematic analysis. The results show that SMEs develop and enforce trade credit relationships through their embeddedness in institutional contexts. Secondly, they use personal trust and specific social-cultural norms in the enforcement of trade credit agreements in absence of formal institutional trust. Conclusion, implications, limitations and further studies are delineated

Corruption as a Source of Government Project Failure in Developing Countries: Evidence from Ghana

This study explores how corruption impacts the failure of government projects in developing countries with evidence from the Ghanaian context. This study solicits the perceptions of project management practitioners (14), contractors (6), government officials (clients; 5), and the general public (5) on the subject. The findings indicate that corruption influences government project failure on all the failure criteria that were used for the evaluation. However, corruption influences failure at two different levels: project management and product phase. At the project management level, corruption has direct influence, while at the product phase level, the influence is indirect

Corruption as a source of government project failure in developing countries: Evidence from Ghana

This study explores how corruption impacts the failure of government projects in developing countries with evidence from the Ghanaian context. This study solicits the perceptions of project management practitioners (14), contractors (6), government officials (clients) (5) and the general public (5) on the subject. The findings indicate that corruption, influence government project failure on all the failure criteria used as the evaluating tool. However, corruption influences failure at two different levels: project management and product phase. At the management level, corruption has direct influence whilst at the product phase level, the influence is indirect

Trust and Distrust in Nigerian Supply Chain Relationships

Abstract Purpose- To date, most of the literature on trust and distrust reveal a paucity of studies about Nigerian Supply chain relationships. Specifically, this paper attempts to address this gap by examining how trust is developed and repaired in supply chain relationships. Design/methodology/approach- Within the scope of this paper, an interpretivist approach was adopted in response to calls for qualitative studies on supply chain relationships. Face to face semi-structured interviews with 12 supplier/customers active in Nigerian trade provided insights into the importance of trust and distrust in enduring supply chain relationships. Data was analysed using iterations from interviews held with the respondents. These iterations demonstrate the key role trust plays in developing and maintaining supply chain relationships whereas distrust deters cooperative relationships. Findings- Key factors were considered in developing an understanding of how trust and distrust mechanisms affect the coordination of supply chain performance. Three distinct types of trust-calculus based trust (CBT), identification based trust (IBT) and knowledge based trust (KBT) are considered to play an important role in maintaining and developing fruitful relationships. Conversely, the repair of two levels of distrust-calculus based distrust and identification based distrust is crucial to enduring supply chain relationships. Research limitations/implications- The importance of taking trust and distrust seriously stems from its unique contextual embeddedness. This study fills a gap in the literature by providing insights into how potential customers and suppliers can leverage on trust to improve their supply chain capacities while suggesting remedial actions when trust is violated. Originality- The paper enriches the view that trust and distrust are crucial in explaining Nigerian supply chain relationships. In a broader context, the complementary relationships between both mechanisms highlight the social advantage of trusting behaviour in overall performance of supply chains