Theoretical and methodological contributions

Although there are challenges to export growth and difficulties for individual NTAE SME growth, arguably some NTAE SMEs are exporting more successfully than others. In this thesis this is analysed, using the theoretical insights of the Resource Based View (RBV), Network theory and Supply Chain Management (SCM). However these theories which are very relevant to a firms' internationalization process, have not been previously combined to study the export of NTAE SMEs in Ghana, and, to determine any novel developments arising out of such a study. These two theories (Network and SCM) are relied upon because the RBV mainly looks at the internal firm capabilities and does not address the external network structure of the SMEs. The theories are used in a combined framework to show the RBV focus on the firms’ internal capabilities whereas the Network theory and SCM do not consider the internal capabilities of the firm. This is also similarly addressed by other authors such as Kwamega et al., 2018; Wanjiru & Makori, 2016; Sarkis et al., 2011; Miles & Snow, 2007. These studies however variously combined the RBV and networks with SCM, transaction cost economics, principal agent theory, property rights theory among others and in different and broader context of exporting SMEs. In this study, Network and SCM theories are combined with the RBV theory focusing on NTAE SMEs to build more theoretical insights related to the Ghanaian context.

The contextual factors of NTAE SMEs in developing countries, their internal capabilities, the logistic/chain and network characteristics, and the impact of (lack of) government support are often not addressed in the literature. This study discusses how these factors deriving from RBV on the one hand and network and SCM on the other, contribute to filling this gap.

This thesis first introduces the general business environment of the NTAE sector within the context of Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) policy frameworks (for agriculture and agribusiness) of AU countries and a case study on the shea sector in the Chapters 2 and 3. The case study describes the network arrangements in the upstream and downstream chain processes. For the upstream processes, forming trust and bonding ties are key to the network relationships. In the downstream processes bridging ties are useful to establish links and capitalize on opportunities with other networks. The findings support the literature on network trust, bridging and bonding ties (Granovetter, 1973; Kawachi et al., 1997; Lyon, 2000; Long, 2001). It also provides theoretical insights on networks in the shea subsector. There was a limitation by the company on how to strengthen the resource base in the absence of institutional support. Based on the RBV, a further study was conducted to better understand the internal capabilities of NTAE SMEs, and, the relationships with export performance which are provided in Chapter 4. The resources and internal capabilities of the firm described as tangible and intangible explain the extent they may be an aggregation of valuable, rare, inimitable and non-substitutable (VRIN) resources (Wernerfelt, 1984; Peteraf, 1993; Lin & Wu, 2014). Further, productivity is enhanced by the availability of resources and capabilities and the way these are mobilized (Barney, 1991). The study makes use of a quantitative approach applying PLS SEM analysis. The results are robust and contribute to the literature on developing economies and which factors are likely to support internationalization of NTAE SMEs. Particularly, the findings show that upstream supply capacity and export knowledge are the key drivers of the NTAE SMEs internal capabilities. Chapter 5 uses network theory to discuss form and type of networks found in both the upstream and downstream parts of the agri supply chains. The form of networks found by the study are discussed to include structural: dense or sparse, complex or simple, and, relational: weak or strong, bridging or bonding (Granovetter, 1973, 1983; Gulatti, 1998; Long, 2001; Newman & Newman, 2005). The case study approach provides more detailed insights in the nature of the networks in NTAE agri supply chains. Recent studies on SMEs in Ghana (Easmon et al., 2019; Abbey et al., 2016) discuss social capital in general and not specific to exporting NTAEs. The study shows that at different stages/phases of the agri supply chain the networks differ in form and type. For example, upstream network relations show dense networks, strong ties, and, trusted relationships; while downstream network relations are generally sparse and weak. Chapter 6 applies PLS SEM analysis and discusses the agri supply chain of NTAE SMEs in terms of resources and actors. Based on the RBV theory, the resources found to be most relevant to

the NTAE SMEs varies when the downstream actors of the agri supply chain are included in the analysis, compared to the study on internal capabilities. The PLS SEM analysis makes an important contribution by providing more analytical precision in results and interpretation. Export knowledge is consistently identified as key resource driver of NTAE SMEs. The study contributes to the literature by applying the RBV, network, and, SCM theories. The product development, corporate governance, and institutional service (professional and technical support) are the resources identified. A key contribution of the study is that it shows how the dynamics of the resource, network and SCM interaction varies for the NTAE SME (in/external) environment and internationalisation process.