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Mobile Phone Usage by Micro and Small Scale Enterprises in Semi-Rural Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Paul Adjei Kwakwa

    (Department of Business Economics,Presbyterian University College Ghana, Akuapem Campus, Ghana.)

Abstract

This work looked at the use of mobile technology among entrepreneurs/managers of micro and small scale businesses in the Akuapem North district of Ghana. The major findings were that entrepreneurs/business managers would use more than one mobile phone and/or subscribed to more than one network in order to make affordable calls, to enjoy excellent service from other network providers, for business purposes, security reasons and to have a place for their many contact numbers. Apart from marketing/sales purposes, the managers/entrepreneurs used phone for the gathering of information, for product delivery/procurement and managing internal affairs among others. A Chi square test confirmed that mobile phone has helped businesses improve customer services, improve communication with suppliers/customers, open up new branch, keep up with competitors and help increase profit. However, the respondents identified a number of occasional challenges such as no reception, poor sound/breaking up of sound and calls ending unexpectedly.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Adjei Kwakwa, 2012. "Mobile Phone Usage by Micro and Small Scale Enterprises in Semi-Rural Ghana," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 2(3), pages 156-164.
    • Handle: RePEc:eco:journ3:2012-02-16
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Steve Esselaar & Christoph Stork & Ali Ndiwalana & Mariama Deen-Swarray, 2007. "ICT Usage and Its Impact on Profitability of SMEs in 13 African Countries," Information Technologies and International Development, MIT Press, vol. 4(1), pages 87-100, October.
    2. Jenny C. Aker & Isaac M. Mbiti, 2010. "Mobile Phones and Economic Development in Africa," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 24(3), pages 207-232, Summer.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Amos Nkrumah, 2018. "Immigrants’ Transnational Entrepreneurial Activities: the Case of Ghanaian Immigrants in Canada," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 195-211, February.
    2. Malm, Meagan K. & Toyama, Kentaro, 2021. "The burdens and the benefits: Socio-economic impacts of mobile phone ownership in Tanzania," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 21(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mobile phones; Semi-rural; Ghana; MSEs;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • L3 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise

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