JAB+final.pdf (133.13 kB)
Download fileYoung entrepreneurs in the mobile telephony sector in Ghana: From necessities to aspirations
journal contribution
posted on 08.09.2017, 12:07 authored by Robert L. Afutu-Kotey, Katherine V. GoughKatherine V. Gough, George OwusuDespite increasing research interest in the mobile telephony sector, only a few studies have devoted attention to informal businesses in the sector. Using qualitative field data collected on young mobile telephony entrepreneurs in Accra, this paper argues that despite the businesses being ‘informal’, they cannot be dismissed as ‘necessity’ enterprises unworthy of support. On the contrary, many young entrepreneurs have aspirations which are influencing their desire to stay in business. The article thus questions the bifurcated nature of entrepreneurial motivations, using the burgeoning mobile telephony sector as a case study, and draws out implications for policy support for youth-run businesses in the informal sector generally.
Funding
This work was supported by the Consultative Research Committee for Development Research (FFU) under Danida [Project No 09-059KU]
History
School
- Social Sciences
Department
- Geography and Environment