Where do they go for advice? Entrepreneurs' advice-seeking behavior in Africa. Issue 1 (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adomako, Samuel; Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph; Kesse, Kwabena; Ning, Ernestine
• Is Part Of: International studies of management & organization. Volume 52:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 44
• Page End: 62
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Africa -- entrepreneurs -- environmental dynamism -- external advice seeking -- internal advice seeking; Management -- Periodicals; Management; Periodicals; 658.005
• DOI: 10.1080/00208825.2021.2023441
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-8825

Abstract

Abstract: Using time-lagged primary data from entrepreneurs in two developing countries (Ghana, N = 261 and Ethiopia, N = 166), we examine how institutional voids drive entrepreneurs' advice seeking behavior. Our findings show that higher levels of institutional voids in these developing countries are negatively related to internal advice-seeking but positively associated with external advice-seeking. The results also show that a heightened perception of environmental dynamism negatively moderates the relationship between institutional voids and internal advice-seeking but positively moderates the effect of institutional voids and external advice-seeking. Furthermore, we find that the negative relationship between institutional voids and internal advice-seeking is positive when entrepreneurs develop ties with politicians. The positive relationship between institutional voids and external advice-seeking is amplified when political network connections are stronger. Implications and direction for future research are discussed.