Impacts of Internet accessibility and cost on SMEs in Ghana
Ankapong, Emmanuel (2023)
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023053116509
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023053116509
Tiivistelmä
The goal of the research was to investigate the extent to which the accessibility of internet impact small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. The motivation for the research was driven by researcher’s role in the case company and a personal interest in doing business in Ghana, especially in the digitally transformed world.
The theoretical framework of the study was internet accessibility across Ghana and Africa at large as well as the cost of internet services. A literature of small and medium sized enterprises was also overviewed, especially in the context of sub-Saharan Africa and with focus on Ghana. Another vital theory in this thesis was the concept of digital business.
The case company for this research was Achiinks Consult. The company has been in existence since 2010 and has provided services of visa assistance, holiday packages and study abroad opportunities. It expanded into other business sectors such as driving school and rentals.
The main method used in the empirical part of the research was quantitative method. In the empirical study, an online questionnaire survey was used to collect data from the respondents. The respondents were owners and managers of small and medium sized enterprises. The data was electronically analysed and presented in the findings.
The results of the study validated the theory that entrepreneurs in Ghana are gradually catching up with the digital evolution of the world. The use of internet helped in the advertisements and communications between businesses and their customers. Nevertheless, they faced challenges in accessing a quality internet at an expensive price. To make an accessible and cheaper internet service for SMEs in Ghana, it is a shared responsibility of the government and the mobile service providers. Once there is an improvement in the accessibility of internet for SMEs, the result would be increased in turnover.
The theoretical framework of the study was internet accessibility across Ghana and Africa at large as well as the cost of internet services. A literature of small and medium sized enterprises was also overviewed, especially in the context of sub-Saharan Africa and with focus on Ghana. Another vital theory in this thesis was the concept of digital business.
The case company for this research was Achiinks Consult. The company has been in existence since 2010 and has provided services of visa assistance, holiday packages and study abroad opportunities. It expanded into other business sectors such as driving school and rentals.
The main method used in the empirical part of the research was quantitative method. In the empirical study, an online questionnaire survey was used to collect data from the respondents. The respondents were owners and managers of small and medium sized enterprises. The data was electronically analysed and presented in the findings.
The results of the study validated the theory that entrepreneurs in Ghana are gradually catching up with the digital evolution of the world. The use of internet helped in the advertisements and communications between businesses and their customers. Nevertheless, they faced challenges in accessing a quality internet at an expensive price. To make an accessible and cheaper internet service for SMEs in Ghana, it is a shared responsibility of the government and the mobile service providers. Once there is an improvement in the accessibility of internet for SMEs, the result would be increased in turnover.