Motivations, Networks, and Strategies of Ghanaian importers of Chinese goods.

Abstract

The discourse on economic development in Africa today is incomplete without the mentioning of China's growing influence on the continent, particularly, in the areas of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), infrastructure development and trade. Trade and the consumption of Chinese products, nonetheless, remain the key areas that most Africans today identify and associate with China. Using data collected in Ghana and China through in-depth interviews and other qualitative data collection tools, this paper highlights the motivations, networks and strategies of Ghanaian transnational traders who import items from China for sale in Ghana. The findings of the study indicate that key to accomplishing the business objectives of the trader in China is the procurement of a trusted network. Bibliogr., notes, sum.