The African Manufacturing Firm: An Analysis Based on Firms in Sub-Saharan Africa (Routledge Studies in Development Economics, 31)

The African manufacturing sector continues to face many problems as it struggles to progress from its presently underdeveloped state. If the countries that make up Africa are ever to raise the living standards of the vast majority of its population to a more acceptable level, then the economic growth that would result from an enlarged and improved manufacturing sector may hold an important key.The book provides a useful source of greater understanding of African manufacturing firms and the perplexing lack of widespread industrial growth during the post-colonial decades. The comprehensive coverage includes such themes as:\*the size and distribution of firms in Africa\*entrepreneurship, labour and the regulatory and business environments in Africa\*the dynamic problem of growth and investment of firmsAny reader wanting to understand the economic problems of Africa will need to read this book, and any student, academic or policy-maker working in the areas of development and industrial economics will find it to be a most useful guide. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 6 Copyright......Page 7 Contents......Page 8 Figures......Page 10 Tables......Page 12 Preface......Page 20 Part I Introduction......Page 22 1 The Economies of the Survey Countries in Africa......Page 24 Part II The Economic Structure and Production Relations......Page 44 2 Size Distribution of Firms in African Manufacturing and Market Structure......Page 46 3 The Production Function in African Manufacturing: Relative Productivity of Small and Large Firms......Page 84 Part III Factors of Production......Page 106 4 Entrepreneurial Firms in Africa......Page 108 5 Capital Markets – Finance......Page 130 6 Labor as a Factor of Production......Page 172 7 The Impact of Regulations and Infrastructure Relative to Other Problems Facing the Firm......Page 206 8 Contract Flexibility and Enforcement......Page 230 Part IV Dynamics of Firm Behavior......Page 250 9 The Analysis of Capacity Utilization......Page 252 10 Technical Efficiency of Manufacturing Firms in Sub-Saharan Africa......Page 262 11 Investment......Page 304 12 The Growth of Firms......Page 338 Part V Competitiveness and Exports......Page 368 13 African Competitiveness in World Markets......Page 370 14 Characteristics and Performance of Export Oriented Firms: Evidence from RPED Surveys......Page 400 Part VI Conclusions......Page 430 15 Conclusions......Page 432 Bibliography......Page 456 Index......Page 466 Humanities Book Cover 1 Title 6 Copyright 7 Contents 8 Figures 10 Tables 12 Preface 20 Part I Introduction 22 1 The Economies of the Survey Countries in Africa 24 Part II The Economic Structure and Production Relations 44 2 Size Distribution of Firms in African Manufacturing and Market Structure 46 3 The Production Function in African Manufacturing: Relative Productivity of Small and Large Firms 84 Part III Factors of Production 106 4 Entrepreneurial Firms in Africa 108 5 Capital Markets – Finance 130 6 Labor as a Factor of Production 172 7 The Impact of Regulations and Infrastructure Relative to Other Problems Facing the Firm 206 8 Contract Flexibility and Enforcement 230 Part IV Dynamics of Firm Behavior 250 9 The Analysis of Capacity Utilization 252 10 Technical Efficiency of Manufacturing Firms in Sub-Saharan Africa 262 11 Investment 304 12 The Growth of Firms 338 Part V Competitiveness and Exports 368 13 African Competitiveness in World Markets 370 14 Characteristics and Performance of Export Oriented Firms: Evidence from RPED Surveys 400 Part VI Conclusions 430 15 Conclusions 432 Bibliography 456 Index 466 Pt. I. Introduction -- 1. The Economies Of The Survey Countries In Africa -- Pt. Ii. The Economic Structure And Production Relations -- 2. Size Distribution Of Firms In African Manufacturing And Market Structure -- 3. The Production Function In African Manufacturing: Relative Productivity Of Small And Large Firms -- Pt. Iii. Factors Of Production -- 4. Entrepreneurial Firms In Africa -- 5. Capital Markets -- Finance -- 6. Labor As A Factor Of Production -- 7. The Impact Of Regulations And Infrastructure Relative To Other Problems Facing The Firm -- 8. Contract Flexibility And Enforcement -- Pt. Iv. Dynamics Of Firm Behavior -- 9. The Analysis Of Capacity Utilization. Dipak Mazumdar And Ata Mazaheri. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [435]-443) And Index. Surveys took place in Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe