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Internationalisation of West African Transport-Logistics SMEs Facing the Crushing Weight of MNCs

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Abstract

The objective of this chapter is to analyse the factors influencing the strategic internationalisation choices of small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) transport and logistics in the West African port hinterland dominated by multinational corporations (MNCs). The empirical study uses quantitative data collected from 42 managers of transit SMEs. It is complemented by qualitative data based on nine interviews in two local international SMEs. The empirical results show the existence of enormous difficulties for the SMEs studied to deploy their interregional strategy because of the integration strategies of the activities developed by the multinationals. However, they reveal the career path of the SME manager as a key strategic dimension for internationalisation in the West African port business ecosystem. This dimension is seen as a source of differentiation and value creation for customers and SMEs themselves.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin

    Messan Lihoussou

  2. University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France

    Suzanne M. Apitsa

  3. Roro Terminal Benin, Cotonou, Benin

    Clément J. Godonou

Authors
  1. Messan Lihoussou
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  2. Suzanne M. Apitsa
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  3. Clément J. Godonou
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France

    Suzanne M. Apitsa

  2. University of Nantes, Nantes, France

    Eric Milliot

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Lihoussou, M., Apitsa, S.M., Godonou, C.J. (2021). Internationalisation of West African Transport-Logistics SMEs Facing the Crushing Weight of MNCs. In: Apitsa, S.M., Milliot, E. (eds) Doing Business in Africa. Palgrave Studies of Internationalization in Emerging Markets. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50739-8_6

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