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African microentrepreneurship: The reality of everyday challenges

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  • DeBerry-Spence, Benet
  • Elliot, Esi Abbam

Abstract

This research explores the everyday challenges to microentrepreneurship in Ghana, West Africa. Everyday challenges are problems, including events, conditions, and people, that impair the ability to conduct daily business operations and are characterized by frequent occurrence, disruption, and idiosyncrasy. A qualitative study of arts and crafts microentrepreneurs (ACMs) was conducted and the findings from this study expose the relationship between everyday challenges and long-term barriers and how the approaches entrepreneurs use to ameliorate daily problems may hinder their ability to overcome long-term barriers. They also demonstrate the need for a broader theoretical framework for the study of microentrepreneurial problems—one that extends beyond current macro-level barriers to incorporate the micro-level, tactical difficulties of microentrepreneurship that are an essential component of the African entrepreneur's experience.

Suggested Citation

  • DeBerry-Spence, Benet & Elliot, Esi Abbam, 2012. "African microentrepreneurship: The reality of everyday challenges," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 65(12), pages 1665-1673.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:65:y:2012:i:12:p:1665-1673
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2012.02.007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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