14.0 What Needs to be Done - Producing Useable Knowledge: Entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in Africa

(Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, Oct 2002 by Kiggundu, Moses N)

Producing Useable Knowledge Table 1 summarizes key correlates of entrepreneurial success and failure in Africa as they relate to the entrepreneur, the entrepreneurial firm, and the external environment. Taken together, these factors provide a holistic entrepreneurial knowledge system, which, if taken seriously, should guide future research, public policy, and support programs. At the outset, we need to heed the advice of dedicated researchers of African entrepreneurship. For example, Frese's (2000) suggestions for further research; McGrath and King's (1999) call for learning to grow by emphasizing the importance of education and training, and Mead and Liedholm's (1998) implications of what is known for entrepreneurial policies and projects must be taken seriously.

Also, we need to address what Pfeffer and Sutton (1999) call the knowingdoing gap. There is a need for closer working relationship and better communication between researchers, the political and civic leadership, policy makers, financial institutions and the front-line entrepreneurs. The research findings need to be written without jargon and the most promising and useable research findings should be translated into key African languages. Foreign researchers should ensure local ownership of research findings, and avoid doing extractive research (Kiggundu, 1989). For example, Frese (2000) and his associates should have provided evidence of how they made sure that the results of their research were made locally useable. The African entrepreneurial research community must learn to produce useful and useable knowledge (Kilmann, Thomas, Slevin, Nath, & Jerrell, 1983). To learn more about this author, visit Journal of Development Entrepreneurship's Website.

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