All We Need Is Trust: Trust In West African Cross Border Networks

Omeihe, Kingsley Obi; Gustafsson, Veronika; Amoako, Isaac O; Saud Khan, Mohammad

Abstract

This paper aims to develop an understanding of trust in cross border trade networks dominating West African markets. To date most of the literature on trust and network relationships reveal a paucity of studies about West African traders. This paper attempts to address this gap by examining a range of relationships that have evolved as a result of weak formal institutions. Within the remit of this paper, we make an attempt to establish the role of trust in overcoming barriers to the survival of small businesses in West Africa. As this is a development paper, the organisation of this paper is three fold: firstly we commence by examining the topicality of trust from relevant literature. (2) we attempt to bring these conceptualisations to bear by examining the various complex economic and social relationships that shape cross border trade.(3) our discourse will be elucidated with the case of twelve traders operating between Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and Bukinafaso.

Citation

Omeihe, K. O., Gustafsson, V., Amoako, I. O., & Saud Khan, M. (2018). All We Need Is Trust: Trust In West African Cross Border Networks. In Proceedings of the 32nd British Academy of Management Conference

• Conference Name: 2018 British Academy of Management Conference
• Conference Location: Bristol, UK
• Start Date: Sep 4, 2018
• End Date: Sep 6, 2018
• Publication Date: 2018
• Book Title: Proceedings of the 32nd British Academy of Management Conference
• ISBN: 978-0-9956413-1-0
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2339356
• Publisher URL: https://conference.bam.ac.uk/BAM2018/htdocs/index.php