Managerial perception of barriers to internationalization: an examination of sub-Saharan Africa SMEs along the Belt and Road

Samuel Gyamerah (), Zheng He and Emmanuel Etto-Duodu Gyamerah
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Samuel Gyamerah: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Zheng He: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Emmanuel Etto-Duodu Gyamerah: University for Development Studies

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 2023, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Abstract What barriers constrain the international trade of sub-Saharan African (SSA) small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) along the Belt and Road? This study examines the perceptions of international trade barriers expressed by managers and executives of SMEs in SSA. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 435 SMEs. The study focused on SMEs involved in international trade with China and other nations along the Belt and Road and are operating in the manufacturing, construction, trade, and service industries. The data was analyzed using a structural equation modeling technique. Analysis of the data revealed four significant barriers: organizational capability barriers, information/knowledge barriers, networking barriers, and governmental barriers. Furthermore, the study uncovered that SMEs in the three sectors experience varying extents of perception of the identified barriers. Surprisingly, we did not find resource-specific barriers and political-legal barriers to significantly influence the international trade of SMEs along the Belt and Road. This implies that SMEs internationalizing along the Belt and Road may not be subject to similar traditional trajectories experienced by their counterparts internationalizing outside the Belt and Road region. We discussed the theoretical, policy, and practical implications of this study.

Keywords: Belt and Road Initiative; Internationalization; Barriers; Sub-Saharan Africa; SMEs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s40497-023-00370-4

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