A study of returnee entrepreneurship ecosystem: the case of Ghana

Wilson, NAA, 2025. A study of returnee entrepreneurship ecosystem: the case of Ghana. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

Entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) consist of a range of elements
(individuals, organisations and systems) that provide essential resources, knowledge and support to facilitate entrepreneurial activities thereby fostering economic growth in many global regions. The literature on the entrepreneurial ecosystem concept mainly focuses on regions in developed countries treating entrepreneurs as homogenous, not accounting for different types and orientations of entrepreneurs like returnee entrepreneurs - those who have moved back to their home country after living abroad for a period. Therefore, knowledge about the entrepreneurial ecosystem in developing contexts where returnee entrepreneurs are embedded and conduct their business is limited. This study explores how returnee entrepreneurs interact with various elements within an entrepreneurial ecosystem and its influence on their entrepreneurial endeavours based on a case study of the Accra, Ghana entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This research employed an exploratory qualitative research design using multiple case approach. This involved 21 in-depth interviews with returnee entrepreneurs operating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The Gioia methodology was used to guide the process of analysing the data. Following this, the insights from the data and existing literature was used to extend the existing entrepreneurial ecosystem model that illustrates the elements (networks, support organisations, talents, finance, and informal institutions) influencing returnee entrepreneurship in a developing context. The study indicates that various networks and support systems in the EE provided returnee entrepreneurs' access to resources, information and opportunities to develop their enterprises. Further, informal financing arrangements served as alternative financing mechanisms for returnee entrepreneurs. Also, informal institutions actively shaped the rules and systems that govern returnee entrepreneurship in the developing context. The extended EE model enriches our understanding of the entrepreneurial journey of returnee entrepreneurs in the developing context. This contribution to knowledge is invaluable to stakeholders including researchers, returnee entrepreneurs and policymakers particularly in developing strategies and initiatives focused on improving entrepreneurial ecosystems that support returnee entrepreneurs in developing contexts.

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Wilson, N.A.A.
Contributors:	Name Role NTU ID ORCID Simba, A. Thesis supervisor INO3SIMBAA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0276-8211 Wang, Y. Thesis supervisor ACF3WANGY02 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5438-4255
Date:	September 2025
Rights:	You may copy up to 5 per cent of this thesis for the purposes of private study, personal or non-commercial research. Any other use of the information contained within this document should be properly referenced.
Divisions:	Schools > Nottingham Business School
Record created by:	Laura Borcherds
Date Added:	30 Jan 2026 08:57
Last Modified:	30 Jan 2026 08:57
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/55156

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