No abstract

This paper investigates the effects of person-, firm-, industry-, and business strategyspecific characteristics on the survival of youth-owned urban micro and small enterprises in Ethiopia. It employs nonparametric and semi-parametric methodologies using a retrospective data. The hazard rate reaches the highest point at business 2 years for micro enterprises and 4 years for small enterprises. Owner-, firm-, and industry-specific characteristics are important factors for micro and small enterprises' (MSEs') survival. Marketing and financial management strategies are playing a crucial role on extending MSEs' survival duration. The study implies there should be more effective and longer period of support for micro than small enterprises.

This article seeks enhanced understanding of the dynamics of open innovation and knowledge appropriation in African settings. More specifically, the authors focus on innovation and appropriation dynamics in African micro and small enterprises (MSEs), which are key engines of productivity on the continent. The authors begin by providing an expansion of an emergent conceptual framework for understanding intersections between innovation, openness and knowledge appropriation in African small-enterprise settings. Then, based on this framework, they review evidence generated by five recent case studies looking at knowledge development, sharing and appropriation among groups of small-scale African innovators. The innovators considered in the five studies were found to favour inclusive, collaborative approaches to development of their innovations; to rely on socially-grounded information networks when deploying and sharing their innovations; and to appropriate their innovative knowledge via informal (and, to a lesser extent, semi-formal) appropriation tools.

Purpose -With the objective of trying to understand and assess the status of delivering business development services (BDS) and identifying the constraints, the Ethiopian Development Research Institute conducted a survey of randomly selected 974 MSEs (551 micro and 423 small enterprise operators) in 2003. Design/methodology/approach -Random, anonymous survey of MSE operators in BDS in Ethiopia. Findings -The results of the survey indicated that there were very limited BDS providers in the sector, which delivered limited services to few MSE operators (very low outreach). MSE operators had very limited vocational and technical training (before starting business), received few short-term training, extension and counselling, and marketing services. The most important constraints were mainly related to access to markets and finance. Networks or associations in the MSE sector were not used as useful instruments to promote joint marketing. The results of the survey reveal that there is not significant difference based on size (micro and small) and gender in accessing BDS in the MSE sector. Addressing the constraints of delivering BDS requires clarity regarding the roles of facilitator and providers and the use of subsidies during the transition phase. The interventions should focus on delivering BDS on sustainable basis by responding to the needs in the market and providing incentives to the BDS providers, particularly the private sector. Originality/value -Very few systematic studies of this nature have been carried out in developing countries. The paper offers clear implications for policymakers involved in economic development and poverty reduction.

This chapter examines assessment of the policies, strategies and regulatory framework and the meso-level players that affect the delivery of financial services to smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. Data is based on Afrint I and II surveys.