The rise and fall of a dot-com pioneer in a developing country

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Effah
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Developed World ◽  
Dot Com

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the experiences of dot-com pioneers in developing countries to complement the experience of their counterparts from the developed world as documented in the dot-com boom and bust literature. Beginning from this literature, dot-com phenomenon in the developed world has attracted much research. However, despite some entrepreneurial attempts to promote the innovation in the developing world, less is known about dot-coms there. Design/methodology/approach – The study follows interpretive case study methodology and actor-network theory to understand the formation, initial success and final failure of a dot-com pioneer in the developing country of Ghana. Findings – The developing country dot-com pioneer transferred e-tail technology from the developed world. The under-developed infrastructure in the developing world forced the technology to be adapted to local context. The firm managed to succeed temporarily by engaging with actors from both the developed and the developing world. It, however, collapsed largely due to inflation in its developing country context, which rendered its stockless business model with purchasing on order to deliver economically unfeasible as purchasing prices outrun sales prices. Research limitations/implications – The findings are based on historical reconstruction of events which may differ from current circumstances. The study, however, demonstrates how pioneer dot-coms in developing countries may have fared and offers implications for research and practice. Practical implications – Stockless e-business model with purchase on order to supply may not be economically feasible under inflationary conditions as purchase prices may outstrip sales prices. Entrepreneurs need to pay attention not only to the virtual world but also the physical world which equally contribute to e-business practice. Originality/value – The paper is the first attempt to offer insight into the experiences of developing country dot-com pioneers to complement the literature from the developed world.

Board involvement in corporate performance: evidence from a developing country

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaminda Wijethilake ◽  
Athula Ekanayake ◽  
Sujatha Perera
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Corporate Performance ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Corporate Boards ◽  
Ceo Duality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the understanding of the relationship between board involvement and corporate performance within the context of developing countries. Design/methodology/approach – A number of aspects related to board involvement, including board’s shareholdings, frequency of board meetings, availability of independent board committees, board size, CEO duality, and CEO is being a promoter, were examined in order to explore their influence on corporate performance measured in terms of earnings per share. The study mainly draws on agency theory, and is supplemented by resource dependence and stewardship theories. Multiple regression analysis is utilized to analyze the data gathered from a sample of 212 publicly listed companies in 20 industries in the Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka. Findings – Among the aspects of board involvement considered, board’s shareholdings, board meetings frequency, independent committees, and CEO duality showed a positive influence on corporate performance. However, two other aspects, namely CEO being a promoter, and the size of corporate boards showed a negative effect. The findings also suggest that the use of multiple theories, rather than depending on a single theory, is more effective in understanding the relationships examined in this study. Further, the study highlights the need to be cautious in utilizing the theories that are more applicable to matured western economies when analyzing issues relating to developing countries. Originality/value – This study makes an original contribution to corporate governance literature by examining the relationship between board involvement and corporate performance in a developing country, namely Sri Lanka. The study also adds to the existing literature by utilizing multiple theories to examine the issue under investigation.

Self-Reliance in Africa

1968 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Ewing
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Foreign Aid ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Economic Situation ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
Self Reliance ◽  
Developed World

The sombre picture of the economic situation in most developing countries, and not least in Africa, has become increasingly familiar in the last two or three years. Foreign aid is at best not increasing and the terms on which it is offered are hardening. There has been little or no relaxation of the obstacles to increased trade between the developed and the under-developed world. The growth of many poor countries has been limited; and, indeed, within the developing world, the gap between those at the top and those at the bottom is growing, as is that between the developed and the under-developed world as a whole.

Impact of corruption on Chinese investment in African countries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilin Yuan ◽  
Haiyang Chen ◽  
Wei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Host Countries ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Control Variables ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Evidence

Purpose This paper aims to examine the impact of host country corruption on foreign direct investment (FDI) from China to developing countries in Africa. With the opposing arguments that corruption is detrimental to or instrumental in FDI and mixed empirical evidence, this paper contributes to the literature by providing new evidence on the issue. Additionally, little research has been done on the impact of corruption on FDI made by developing country multinationals to developing countries. This paper fills a void in this area. Design/methodology/approach Based on the published literature, as well as China and Africa contexts, the authors develop hypotheses that host countries with low corruption receive more FDI and resource-seeking investments weaken the relationship. The annual stock of Chinese FDI in 35 African countries, host country corruption data and other control variables from 2007 to 2015 are collected. Feasible generalized least squares models are used to test the hypotheses. Additional robustness tests are also conducted. Findings The findings support the hypotheses. Specifically, Chinese investors make more investments in host countries with low corruption except for resource-seeking investments in resource-rich host counties. The results are statistically significant accounting for various control variables. The results of the robustness tests show that the main findings are robust. Originality/value First, this study provides new evidence on the impact of corruption on FDI. Second, this study also fills a void by examining FDI from a developing country, China to other developing countries in Africa. Finally, this study also has a practical implication for Chinese multinationals investing in Africa.

An apposite framework for green cities development in developing countries: the case of Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caleb Debrah ◽  
De-Graft Owusu-Manu
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
City Development ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Green Cities ◽  
Green City

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a framework to guide green cities development in developing countries. The study adapted and validated indicators that can be adopted, to predict, estimate, depict and measure green city development in developing countries. In using a covariance-based structural equation model (CBSEM), the study developed a framework for green cities development in developing countries using Kumasi city (Ghana) as a case study. Design/methodology/approach To test the proposed framework, a quantitative methodology was used, in which, data was collected using research questionnaires that targeted a sample of 200 green city experts. In total, 154 useable questionnaires were retrieved, representing a response rate of 77%. The confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were adopted in a CBSEM. Findings The indices reported were indicative that the model/framework is a good fit for the data. This points to the direction that the model for measuring green city development was statistically significant and acceptable. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis revealed a robust fit of the indices, as they met the standardised cut-off points and as such the model fits the data. Practical implications This novel research is one of the few studies investigating green cities development in Ghana which could serve as a lesson for other developing countries. The proposed green city framework will serve as a guide to stakeholders in identifying the key indicators/factors that are critical to green city development in developing countries, especially Ghanaian cities. Originality/value This study proposed a green city framework to guide the development of green cities based on the local context of Ghana.

The Heifer International Model of Sustainable Adult Education

2013 ◽  
pp. 1150-1163
Author(s):  
Carrie J. Boden McGill ◽  
Lauren Merritt
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Adult Education ◽  
Developing World ◽  
International Model ◽  
Self Reliance ◽  
The World ◽  
Developed World ◽  
And Training

Heifer International, an organization devoted to ending hunger and poverty through sustainable development, has worked throughout the world by giving “living loans” of gifts of livestock and training while empowering individuals and communities to turn lives of hunger and poverty into self-reliance and hope. To train a country’s population is to increase that country’s “human capital,” and educating the population while expanding the human capital is a necessity in order for developing countries to benefit from globalization. The Heifer model of adult sustainable education demonstrates the importance of education and training for people of the developing world, and not only can this model be adopted in developing countries for emerging “learning societies,” but it may be used to inform policies and practices in the developed world as well.

The Role of Media in Perpetuating or Obstructing Gender Equality in the Context of Developing World

2018 ◽  
pp. 723-733
Author(s):  
Prabartana Das
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Bias ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Gender Biases ◽  
The Media ◽  
Developed World

Media engineers subtle ways in which gender bias can persist in society and ensures the perpetuation of women subjugation in the society. In this chapter I want to excavate the various factors which contributes to the augmentation of gender biases by the media and how the media in developing countries strengthens the cause patriarchy masquerading in the façade of preserving traditions and customs? I also intend to unravel how perennial problems like illiteracy and abject poverty further dents the project of women empowerment and how deeply entrenched patriarchal values manipulate the media to withhold emancipation in true sense. How women even after being qualified suffers from several negative effects undermining her own status? It will also be interesting to delve into the ways in which gendered media is far more subversive and ubiquitous in the developing world than developed world. And lastly how the gender bias in media can be curbed in the light of social and political awakening in women in particular and the development of human ingenuity and consciousness in general.

scholarly journals Determinants of capital structure for firms in an Islamic equity index: comparing developed and developing countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-191
Author(s):  
Evrim Hilal Kahya ◽  
Hüseyin Yiğit Ersen ◽  
Cumhur Ekinci ◽  
Oktay Taş ◽  
Koray D. Simsek
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Capital Structure ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Muslim Country ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Muslim Majority ◽  
Equity Index

PurposeThe paper aims to identify the differences between developed and developing country firms with respect to firm-specific and country-level determinants of their capital structure. For this purpose, all constituent firms in one of the oldest Islamic equity indices, Dow Jones Islamic Market World Index (DJIM), are considered and the Muslim-majority status of each firm's domicile country is recognized.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs Hausman–Taylor random effects regression with endogenous covariates to explain the debt ratios of firms in DJIM by separating them into developed and developing country subsamples in an unbalanced panel data setting. Developing country subsample is further split into two based on the Muslim-majority status of each firm's domicile country.FindingsConsistent with the previous literature, this study finds that firm-specific characteristics are the main determinants of their capital structure. Additionally, the paper shows that country-level characteristics have an impact on the debt ratio, however, the types of factors vary across developed and developing countries. Debt ratios in developing country firms are lower than those in developed country firms, largely due to the significantly smaller leverage ratios of firms in Muslim-majority countries. Although the debt ratios of DJIM firms are higher in “non-Muslim” countries, the set of firm-level capital structure determinants are not statistically explained by operating in a “Muslim” country. The study also documents that, before the global financial crisis of 2008, companies in developing countries have gradually become less leveraged worldwide.Originality/valueThis paper provides a new perspective into the differences between developed and developing country firms' capital structures by focusing on a relatively homogeneous data set restricted by leverage screening rules of an Islamic equity index and recognizing the Muslim-majority status of each firm's domicile country.

Fentanyl market set to spread globally

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Health Services ◽  
New Products ◽  
Opioid Epidemic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
Developed World

Subject Fentanyl. Significance The synthetic painkiller fentanyl has become central to the US opioid epidemic and is spreading throughout the rest of the developed world and beyond. Highly potent, and easy to produce and hide, it offers strong highs for users, huge profits for dealers, and poses serious challenges for health services and law enforcement. Impacts As governments introduce restrictions on drug ingredients, manufacturers will tweak recipes, developing new products. Developing countries will be slow to tackle fentanyl manufacturing, particularly if the drug is not perceived as a domestic threat. The spread of synthetic opiates is unlikely to hit global heroin demand, which will remain strong.

Can developing countries benefit from export promotion?

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangkang Yin ◽  
Xiangshuo Yin
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Social Welfare ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Analytical Model ◽  
Foreign Exchange ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Export Promotion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Improve Efficiency ◽  
Efficiency And Social Welfare

PurposeAlthough economic theory generally does not support government intervention in international trade, casual observation shows that many developing countries adopt certain trade policies to promote their exports. The objective of this paper is to answer the question that whether developing countries can benefit from export promotion.Design/methodology/approachThis paper considers a developing country which has to import new technology from the world market to improve its productivity. If it has certain economic rigidities, the country is short of foreign exchange and domestic firms cannot import an adequate amount of new technology. Even if there is no rigidity, domestic firms may not have sufficient incentive to invest in new technology. Therefore, the government can step in to subsidize exports. Through an analytical model, this paper investigates in what conditions the measures of export promotion can stimulate production and employment, and improve efficiency and social welfare.FindingsThis paper analyzes two effects of export promotion: raising the incentive of capital investment and reducing capital goods shortage caused by foreign exchange constraint. These effects might be the economic rationale for developing country governments to promote exports. It is found that export promotion can definitely raise employment and productivity, but whether these measures can stimulate the supply to the domestic market and improve domestic welfare depends on the sufficient and necessary condition given in the paper.Originality/valueEstablishes an analytical model to investigate in what conditions the measures of export promotion such as export subsidies and domestic currency devaluation can stimulate production and employment, and can improve efficiency and social welfare.

Social business model design and implementation in developing countries

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Sabatier ◽  
Ignace Medah ◽  
Peter Augsdorfer ◽  
Anthony Maduekwe
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Model Design ◽  
Social Business ◽  
Value Capture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
The Social ◽  
Business Model Design

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the emergent research on social business models by revealing challenges encountered by the design and implementation of such business models. Design/methodology/approach Case study of the development of FACA, an affordable medicine used to treat sickle cell disease, from traditional medicine to market in Burkina Faso. Findings Social business models present important challenges in terms of value capture for all stakeholders. The social profit equation and the profit equation suggested by Yunus et al. are difficult to apply in practice, and therefore, social business model design should consider the social and profit equations jointly. Originality/value Developing countries are seeking different approaches to innovation and healthcare. Social business models appear as one of the potential solutions to bring value to society, organizations, and individuals. The identification of challenges raised by social business models can help policymakers and executives in the design and implementation of these social business models.

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