Trade associations and trust in weak institutional contexts: exploring SME relationships in Nigeria

Omeihe, K., Simba, A. ORCID: 0000-0002-0276-8211, Gustafsson, V. and Omeihe, I., 2021. Trade associations and trust in weak institutional contexts: exploring SME relationships in Nigeria. International Review of Entrepreneurship, 18 (4): 1640, pp. 583-610. ISSN 2009-2822

[img]
Preview
Text
1439107_Simba.pdf - Published version

Download (237kB) | Preview

Abstract

This article examines the institutional logics of entrepreneurial behaviour. It investigates how institutional contexts affect entrepreneurial behaviour, especially in challenging environments. By drawing on a rich qualitative study of 14 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, the paper uncovers how indigenous institutional forms such as trade associations have evolved to replace dysfunctional formal institutions. The institutional logics perspective was useful in understanding the effects of culture on trade associations. Our interview data reveal how entrepreneurs take advantage of institutional-based trust to enforce trade agreements in the absence of formal institutional trust. The major findings show that trade associations were necessary for enforcing trade agreements, in conditions where actors cannot rely on formal institutional arrangements. The results facilitate a better understanding of how trade associations reduce the room for opportunism and serve to promote trust across members. This study contributes to the field of entrepreneurship concerning SMEs and trade associations, by examining issues in relation to economic-institutional contexts that have been largely neglected.

Item Type: Journal article
Publication Title: International Review of Entrepreneurship
Creators: Omeihe, K., Simba, A., Gustafsson, V. and Omeihe, I.
Publisher: Senate Hall Academic Publishing
Date: 14 April 2021
Volume: 18
Number: 4
ISSN: 2009-2822
Identifiers:
NumberType
1439107Other
Divisions: Schools > Nottingham Business School
Record created by: Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added: 04 Jun 2021 10:58
Last Modified: 14 Apr 2023 03:00
URI: https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/42975

Actions (login required)

Edit View Edit View

Views

Views per month over past year

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year