Denis Hyams-Ssekasi

This chapter delves into a detailed exploration of the crucial interplay between social enterprises and economic growth. The primary aim is to conduct a thorough investigation of the multifaceted relationship between these entities. The authors analyse the challenges and advantages inherent in this relationship and propose strategies for policymakers to harness the profound impact that social enterprises can exert on both societal and economic progress. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of this subject, qualitative research methods have been employed throughout this chapter. The research methodology involves an extensive literature review, which serves as a foundation for gathering insights and knowledge pertaining to social enterprises and their intricate ties with economic growth. Recognising social enterprises as catalysts for economic expansion necessitates the formulation of a comprehensive policy framework. Consequently, it becomes imperative to address these challenges. This approach is not only crucial for ensuring the growth and sustainability of social enterprises but also for fostering a form of economic growth that embodies inclusivity, equity, and sustainability. The recommendations presented in this chapter advocate for the establishment of an enabling environment where social enterprises can thrive and make substantial contributions to economic development, all while addressing urgent social and environmental challenges.

The study explores Ghana Textile Printing company’s (GTP) adoption of the brand equity model to attract and retain customers to their brand in the face of the high influx of imported substitutes in Ghana. The researcher used a descriptive research method directed at the case study of GTP to explore how their strategies aligned with the four brand equity constructs: brand awareness, brand loyalty, brand associations, and perceived quality to make consumers aware of the brand products, knowledge about brand price, and quality, among others, to attract consumers to boost patronage of their fabrics. Convenience sampling was used to select GTP customers for the study, and they agreed to participate. The study used qualitative research methods with interviews, questionnaires, and secondary data as the instruments for data collection. Interviews were conducted with top management and retailers of GTP products, and archival information was used in data collection. The study found that the company’s attention is on improving the brand in terms of bringing out new designs in vibrant colours, social media presence, and collaborations with garment producers and media houses to project the GTP brand to consumers. In addition, the company is investing in technological applications for accessing and authenticating product quality to improve patronage of the company’s products. Apart from quality, the company did not label their strategies accordingly to the other constructs of brand equity, but the researcher classified the company’s strategies under the four brand equity constructs in line with the literature. The study suggests that local textile companies in Ghana give attention to the four brand equity constructs and adopt them to generate loyal customers, boost patronage and profitability to help ensure sustainability in business growth and development.

The influx of migrants in foreign countries is often misconstrued, disenchanted, and perceived as a mistake. There is a growing conjecture that migrants are creating more problems in the hosting countries. Such thinking is contested as studies are increasingly recognising the importance of migrants and their contributions to the domestic economy. As such, this study seeks to unravel the notion of migrant entrepreneurship mainly focusing on the UK. Using the qualitative data, collected from the literature from 2000 to 2023, the findings indicate the impact of migrant entrepreneurship in developed economies is still debated upon, and new theories are still emerging. The evidence suggests that migrants in the UK are widely conceded. Despite the penetration in the new country, migrant entrepreneurs still face various challenges and limited support is accorded to them. At a national level, the preliminary analysis suggests that migrants have to some extent the entrepreneurial skills which are beneficial in terms of productivity, innovation, creativity, and income generation. In addition, migrants are more successful as they grapple with work and provision of economic and social benefit to hosting and home countries. These require courage, determination, and resourcefulness. Hence, there is a significant revelation in relation to the landscape for migrant entrepreneurs which shows the influence they have on the host economy and environment. The study concludes that migrant entrepreneurship has the prospects to offer financial and societal benefits an aspect that should be embraced by all hosting countries.

While there is a plethora of literature about migrants and their economic activities, there is a dearth of information about intra-African migrants. Nevertheless, intra-African migrant entrepreneurship is theoretically gaining momentum and is noted as a critical driver for economic development and poverty alleviation on the African continent. Some African countries have become more attractive than others due to advanced infrastructure and high economic growth and have experienced a surge in immigration. However, increased migration on the African continent has sparked xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks on migrants, creating unfavourable environments for migrant entrepreneurship. The Eastern Cape Province in South Africa is perceived as a home to a growing number of intra-African migrant entrepreneurs. Hence, this chapter examines the socio-economic integration of migrant businesses in the Eastern Cape Province to ascertain the challenges and opportunities these emigrant entrepreneurs face. Particular attention is given to the role they play in promoting economic development and social integration. A cross-sectional research design is adopted involving qualitative data collection as well as analysis. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with a sample of nine intra-African migrant entrepreneurs (n = 9) from three towns Alice, Fort Beaufort, and Middledrift. These towns are selected due to the high poverty level and high concentration of small migrant businesses by purposive sampling. Given this, the study has noticed a significant increase in intra-African migration, with many African countries becoming both sending and receiving countries. The research found a wide range of factors that influence the socio-economic integration of intra-African migrant businesses, including access to finance, language proficiency, and cultural factors. Moreover, safety, permits, and a sense of belonging are considered to be impediments. This study concludes that there is a need for a better understanding of the role that migrant entrepreneurship plays in promoting economic development and social integration in the region. Intra-African migration and entrepreneurship are here to stay, and the movements of people driving economic activity across the continent should not be ignored but embraced by all.

The need to assess the migrant entrepreneurship realm among scholars and practitioners worldwide is gaining strength to strength. Hence, there has been an increasing interest in understanding migrant entrepreneurship communities and migration drivers (Vershinina & Cruz, 2021). Despite such interests, little has been done to respond to the challenges of migrant entrepreneurs and the ways to deal with pertinent issues. Migrant entrepreneurs are not always given the right opportunities to succeed and advance their quality of life. They intend to co-exist and get integrated gradually in each society. The whole notion of migrant entrepreneurship is not a new phenomenon and neither considered exhaustible. Questions about migrant entrepreneurs and their economic and social activities are continually debated upon. Notably, migration and entrepreneurship as a global phenomenon is still perceived as one of the most prominent issues in today’s world shaped by history and prehistory. Generally, migration as a concept has always been part of human activity engineered by various forms including fragmented markets, social, economic, political instabilities, and scarcity of resources (Mihi-Ramirez & Kumpikaite, 2014; Agyeman, 2011). The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) indicates that in 2020, the global estimate of international migrants was about 281 million which compares to 3.6% of the global population (IOM, 2022). The United Nations (2020) argues that most international migrants reside in Asia and Europe (31% each), followed by Northern America (21%), Africa (9%), Latin America and the Caribbean (5%), and Oceania (3%) (UN, 2020). According to the Office for National Statistics (2023), net migration comprised of 606,000 people in 2022 with 1.2 million entering the UK of which 925,000 were non-EU natives. Such influx of migrants came from countries torn apart by war, i.e. Ukraine and the wave of immigration from Hong Kong. As the demographic figures increase and shifts in global economy take place including the labour market, the standards of living rise and the number of global migrants will continue to grow all the time.

In the world of work where demands and pressure are prevalent, personal stress is inevitable. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has noted work-related stress as a medical condition that requires attention. Professionals have coined the term occupation stress to denote to what employees experience in the workplace. Such stress at work can have a toll on the employees' productivity and well-being. In the academic work, there have been high levels of stress caused by the job demands, and this has caused an adverse effect on the individuals. A semi-structured interview of 30 variable hour teaching staff was utilised in the UK Higher Education. The findings indicated that most variable staff experienced job stressful elements. Overall, this chapter provides insights into the determinants of occupation stress among variable hours teaching staff.

The manifestation of stress affects every aspect of the workplace. A plethora of research examines the sources and the effects of work-related-stress on employees' health and productivity. Occupational stress very often causes an imbalance and decrease in overall performance. Non-profit organisations are notoriously known to live in a precarious financial position. A review of the literature in the UK indicates that non- profit organisations are not immune to occupational stress and therefore managers have a duty of care to ensure that stress levels are mitigated to keep employees motivated.

Hotels have experienced competitive pressures, customer preferences and unpredictable economic changes on account of challenges linked to the pandemic. In view of these changes, the hotel industry has been forced to adopt new strategies, resulting in a diverge execution and performance, in order to stay afloat. This has necessitated hotel managers to indulge in innovative entrepreneurship decisions and new approaches to sustain their businesses. This chapter examines the innovative entrepreneurship environment in the Cyprus hotel industry. Consideration is given to managers’ ability, skills and ingenuity to operate during the hard times brought about by the pandemic. Research findings from semi-structured interviews with hotel managers reveal the use of soft and hard skills to bring about innovation. The selected hotels have been able to create organisational cultures that are atypical for Cyprus standards. In this respect, novel entrepreneurship practices have supported business optimisation during the economic crises.

This empirical study aims to examine the customer awareness and experience in both commercial and Islamic banks in the UK. It pays attention to the quality of services and the available support given to the customers. Banks pride in their financial services and support for customers. The banks’ mantra is about treating customers as priced assets and providing them with all the necessary support and guidance. Undoubtedly, the customers’ awareness of what the banks offer to them in terms of money safety, transfers, loans and interest rates are very important. The study utilises a questionnaire and focus group of 18 respondents with customers who use both banks to gain an understanding of their experiences. Evidence suggests that there is a general understanding of the banks’ services and commercial banks in particular expose their services more widely using various communication channels. The study found that some customers are aware of the specific charges and the interest rates. However, some were unaware of the services offered by the Islamic banks in relation to mortgage and interest rates and this had impact on customers’ satisfaction and loyalty. The study concludes that both commercial and Islamic banks need to do more to increase their customers services provisions in order to attract and retain existing customers. Offering customers and making them aware of a range of products and services tailored to their needs is way forward to acquire new and to increase customer retention.