Enterprise Factors and Enterprise Growth of the Cassava Industry in Akuapem-North Municipality of the Eastern Region, Ghana
Date
2020-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Several factors influence the establishment, effective management and success of enterprises. These factors can be categorised under pre- and post- establishment factors and although they affect the successful establishment and growth of enterprises, much attention have not been paid to them. The failure of some businesses could be linked with non-adherence to and inclusion of the factors in the establishment process as well as management practices. Pre-establishment factors include enterprise characteristics, knowledge of fund availability, knowledge of business information, and entrepreneur’s expertise whiles Post-establishment factors entail business survival objectives, sociocultural environment, business environment, and human resource development. This study sought to determine how enterprise factors contribute to the growth of enterprise and how this growth contributes to the attainment of improved livelihood outcomes in the cassava industry. A mixed method study design was used in this study. A total of 200 entrepreneurs from the cassava industry were interviewed. The study revealed that consumer need showed significant association (𝜌= 0.01, 0.01 and 0.01) with employment, sales and technology growth factors respectively. The type of agro enterprise (ρ= 0.01) and access to business information (ρ= 0.03) were significantly related to technology growth. Knowledge of fund availability (ρ= 0.01) was also significantly related to employment growth. Post establishment business environment (ρ= 0.01) was significantly related to sales growth. The findings of the study revealed a significant relationship between sales growth (ρ= 0.04) variables and improved health but was not significant with employment growth (ρ= 0.25) and technology growth (ρ= 0.05). The results also showed significant relationship between sales (ρ= 0.03), technology (ρ= 0.02) and employment (ρ= 0.02) growth factors. From the findings of this study, it is recommended that there should be technology training, and education on available funding sources.
Description
MPhil. Agricultural Extension
Keywords
Akuapem-North, Eastern Region, Ghana, Cassava