Main Characteristics of Small and Medium Sized Agrifood Enterprises in Selected Regions of Cameroon

Noumbissi Duplex; Fon Dorothy Engwali; Eloundou Etoundi Christian; Soh Wenda Boris Dinictri

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12

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Main Characteristics of Small and Medium Sized Agrifood Enterprises in Selected Regions of Cameroon

Noumbissi Duplex, Fon Dorothy Engwali, Eloundou Etoundi Christian, Soh Wenda Boris Dinictri

Published in International Journal of Science, Technology and Society (Volume 10, Issue 3)

Received: 28 April 2022 Accepted: 12 May 2022 Published: 26 May 2022

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Abstract

In a context characterised by low competitiveness of agrifood enterprises in Cameroon, a socio-economic study on Small and Medium-Sized Agrifood Enterprises (SMAE) in the Cameroon cities of Yaoundé in the Centre region, Douala in the Littoral region, and Bafoussam in the West region was carried out between March and September 2021. This was with the aim of analysing the main characteristics of these enterprises. Data were collected from 300 managers of SMAE selected through a purposive sampling method. Descriptive statistical were used to analyse the data. The results revealed that SMEA in Cameroon are mostly Very Small Enterprises (VSE) (89.7%) with less than 10 years of existence, and self-funded without external sources of finance. Their production systems are essentially artisanal (69%) and their personnel are not qualified (72%). In addition, they are mostly organised in the form of Common Initiative Groups (CIGs), cooperatives or enterprises without legal status. These SMAE are mainly run by married (66,7%), female (56%) and higher level graduate (60%) managers with ages ranging from 41 to 50 years. The decision-making process in these enterprises is centred on the managers with a structure based on group work and very few employees with a job description. However, meetings are held frequently in these enterprises, and employees are most often consulted and informed of any developments. Furthermore, the main marketing strategy used by these enterprises is word of mouth, while informal observation is the main business intelligence strategy. Very few SMAE have Research and Development (R&D) activities. Nevertheless, they rely mainly on training to stay technologically alert. In addition, they generally collaborate with customers and suppliers. These characteristics mainly predispose Cameroonian SMEA to be unprofitable and inefficient. Therefore, the paper recommend to sensitize SMAE to the advantages of being formal, to put in place fiscal measures that match up with SMAE’s activities, to develop financial systems adapted to SMAE’s reality, to empower women and reduce gender inequalities in order to improve their managerial performances, to raise young entrepreneurs awareness of the importance of perseverance and the benefit of marriage on business, to help SMAE managers and their personnel to continuously build their capacity, to support SMAE financially and technically, to help SMAE in developing well defined business strategies, to sensitize SMAE managers to the importance of decentralisation in their activities and to promote collaboration between SMAE and strategic partners in their environment.

Published in	International Journal of Science, Technology and Society (Volume 10, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12
Page(s)	93-106
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Small and Medium-Sized Agrifood Enterprises, Characteristic, Competitiveness, Manager, Strategy

References

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APA Style

Noumbissi Duplex, Fon Dorothy Engwali, Eloundou Etoundi Christian, Soh Wenda Boris Dinictri. (2022). Main Characteristics of Small and Medium Sized Agrifood Enterprises in Selected Regions of Cameroon. International Journal of Science, Technology and Society, 10(3), 93-106. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12

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ACS Style

Noumbissi Duplex; Fon Dorothy Engwali; Eloundou Etoundi Christian; Soh Wenda Boris Dinictri. Main Characteristics of Small and Medium Sized Agrifood Enterprises in Selected Regions of Cameroon. Int. J. Sci. Technol. Soc. 2022, 10(3), 93-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12

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AMA Style

Noumbissi Duplex, Fon Dorothy Engwali, Eloundou Etoundi Christian, Soh Wenda Boris Dinictri. Main Characteristics of Small and Medium Sized Agrifood Enterprises in Selected Regions of Cameroon. Int J Sci Technol Soc. 2022;10(3):93-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12,
  author = {Noumbissi Duplex and Fon Dorothy Engwali and Eloundou Etoundi Christian and Soh Wenda Boris Dinictri},
  title = {Main Characteristics of Small and Medium Sized Agrifood Enterprises in Selected Regions of Cameroon},
  journal = {International Journal of Science, Technology and Society},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {93-106},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsts.20221003.12},
  abstract = {In a context characterised by low competitiveness of agrifood enterprises in Cameroon, a socio-economic study on Small and Medium-Sized Agrifood Enterprises (SMAE) in the Cameroon cities of Yaoundé in the Centre region, Douala in the Littoral region, and Bafoussam in the West region was carried out between March and September 2021. This was with the aim of analysing the main characteristics of these enterprises. Data were collected from 300 managers of SMAE selected through a purposive sampling method. Descriptive statistical were used to analyse the data. The results revealed that SMEA in Cameroon are mostly Very Small Enterprises (VSE) (89.7%) with less than 10 years of existence, and self-funded without external sources of finance. Their production systems are essentially artisanal (69%) and their personnel are not qualified (72%). In addition, they are mostly organised in the form of Common Initiative Groups (CIGs), cooperatives or enterprises without legal status. These SMAE are mainly run by married (66,7%), female (56%) and higher level graduate (60%) managers with ages ranging from 41 to 50 years. The decision-making process in these enterprises is centred on the managers with a structure based on group work and very few employees with a job description. However, meetings are held frequently in these enterprises, and employees are most often consulted and informed of any developments. Furthermore, the main marketing strategy used by these enterprises is word of mouth, while informal observation is the main business intelligence strategy. Very few SMAE have Research and Development (R&D) activities. Nevertheless, they rely mainly on training to stay technologically alert. In addition, they generally collaborate with customers and suppliers. These characteristics mainly predispose Cameroonian SMEA to be unprofitable and inefficient. Therefore, the paper recommend to sensitize SMAE to the advantages of being formal, to put in place fiscal measures that match up with SMAE’s activities, to develop financial systems adapted to SMAE’s reality, to empower women and reduce gender inequalities in order to improve their managerial performances, to raise young entrepreneurs awareness of the importance of perseverance and the benefit of marriage on business, to help SMAE managers and their personnel to continuously build their capacity, to support SMAE financially and technically, to help SMAE in developing well defined business strategies, to sensitize SMAE managers to the importance of decentralisation in their activities and to promote collaboration between SMAE and strategic partners in their environment.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Main Characteristics of Small and Medium Sized Agrifood Enterprises in Selected Regions of Cameroon
AU  - Noumbissi Duplex
AU  - Fon Dorothy Engwali
AU  - Eloundou Etoundi Christian
AU  - Soh Wenda Boris Dinictri
Y1  - 2022/05/26
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12
T2  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
JF  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
JO  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
SP  - 93
EP  - 106
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7420
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12
AB  - In a context characterised by low competitiveness of agrifood enterprises in Cameroon, a socio-economic study on Small and Medium-Sized Agrifood Enterprises (SMAE) in the Cameroon cities of Yaoundé in the Centre region, Douala in the Littoral region, and Bafoussam in the West region was carried out between March and September 2021. This was with the aim of analysing the main characteristics of these enterprises. Data were collected from 300 managers of SMAE selected through a purposive sampling method. Descriptive statistical were used to analyse the data. The results revealed that SMEA in Cameroon are mostly Very Small Enterprises (VSE) (89.7%) with less than 10 years of existence, and self-funded without external sources of finance. Their production systems are essentially artisanal (69%) and their personnel are not qualified (72%). In addition, they are mostly organised in the form of Common Initiative Groups (CIGs), cooperatives or enterprises without legal status. These SMAE are mainly run by married (66,7%), female (56%) and higher level graduate (60%) managers with ages ranging from 41 to 50 years. The decision-making process in these enterprises is centred on the managers with a structure based on group work and very few employees with a job description. However, meetings are held frequently in these enterprises, and employees are most often consulted and informed of any developments. Furthermore, the main marketing strategy used by these enterprises is word of mouth, while informal observation is the main business intelligence strategy. Very few SMAE have Research and Development (R&D) activities. Nevertheless, they rely mainly on training to stay technologically alert. In addition, they generally collaborate with customers and suppliers. These characteristics mainly predispose Cameroonian SMEA to be unprofitable and inefficient. Therefore, the paper recommend to sensitize SMAE to the advantages of being formal, to put in place fiscal measures that match up with SMAE’s activities, to develop financial systems adapted to SMAE’s reality, to empower women and reduce gender inequalities in order to improve their managerial performances, to raise young entrepreneurs awareness of the importance of perseverance and the benefit of marriage on business, to help SMAE managers and their personnel to continuously build their capacity, to support SMAE financially and technically, to help SMAE in developing well defined business strategies, to sensitize SMAE managers to the importance of decentralisation in their activities and to promote collaboration between SMAE and strategic partners in their environment.
VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Noumbissi Duplex

Department of Rural Socio-Economics and Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
Fon Dorothy Engwali

Department of Rural Socio-Economics and Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
Eloundou Etoundi Christian

Department of Rural Socio-Economics and Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
Soh Wenda Boris Dinictri

Department of Rural Socio-Economics and Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon

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Noumbissi Duplex, Fon Dorothy Engwali, Eloundou Etoundi Christian, Soh Wenda Boris Dinictri. (2022). Main Characteristics of Small and Medium Sized Agrifood Enterprises in Selected Regions of Cameroon. International Journal of Science, Technology and Society, 10(3), 93-106. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12

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ACS Style

Noumbissi Duplex; Fon Dorothy Engwali; Eloundou Etoundi Christian; Soh Wenda Boris Dinictri. Main Characteristics of Small and Medium Sized Agrifood Enterprises in Selected Regions of Cameroon. Int. J. Sci. Technol. Soc. 2022, 10(3), 93-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12

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AMA Style

Noumbissi Duplex, Fon Dorothy Engwali, Eloundou Etoundi Christian, Soh Wenda Boris Dinictri. Main Characteristics of Small and Medium Sized Agrifood Enterprises in Selected Regions of Cameroon. Int J Sci Technol Soc. 2022;10(3):93-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12,
  author = {Noumbissi Duplex and Fon Dorothy Engwali and Eloundou Etoundi Christian and Soh Wenda Boris Dinictri},
  title = {Main Characteristics of Small and Medium Sized Agrifood Enterprises in Selected Regions of Cameroon},
  journal = {International Journal of Science, Technology and Society},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {93-106},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsts.20221003.12},
  abstract = {In a context characterised by low competitiveness of agrifood enterprises in Cameroon, a socio-economic study on Small and Medium-Sized Agrifood Enterprises (SMAE) in the Cameroon cities of Yaoundé in the Centre region, Douala in the Littoral region, and Bafoussam in the West region was carried out between March and September 2021. This was with the aim of analysing the main characteristics of these enterprises. Data were collected from 300 managers of SMAE selected through a purposive sampling method. Descriptive statistical were used to analyse the data. The results revealed that SMEA in Cameroon are mostly Very Small Enterprises (VSE) (89.7%) with less than 10 years of existence, and self-funded without external sources of finance. Their production systems are essentially artisanal (69%) and their personnel are not qualified (72%). In addition, they are mostly organised in the form of Common Initiative Groups (CIGs), cooperatives or enterprises without legal status. These SMAE are mainly run by married (66,7%), female (56%) and higher level graduate (60%) managers with ages ranging from 41 to 50 years. The decision-making process in these enterprises is centred on the managers with a structure based on group work and very few employees with a job description. However, meetings are held frequently in these enterprises, and employees are most often consulted and informed of any developments. Furthermore, the main marketing strategy used by these enterprises is word of mouth, while informal observation is the main business intelligence strategy. Very few SMAE have Research and Development (R&D) activities. Nevertheless, they rely mainly on training to stay technologically alert. In addition, they generally collaborate with customers and suppliers. These characteristics mainly predispose Cameroonian SMEA to be unprofitable and inefficient. Therefore, the paper recommend to sensitize SMAE to the advantages of being formal, to put in place fiscal measures that match up with SMAE’s activities, to develop financial systems adapted to SMAE’s reality, to empower women and reduce gender inequalities in order to improve their managerial performances, to raise young entrepreneurs awareness of the importance of perseverance and the benefit of marriage on business, to help SMAE managers and their personnel to continuously build their capacity, to support SMAE financially and technically, to help SMAE in developing well defined business strategies, to sensitize SMAE managers to the importance of decentralisation in their activities and to promote collaboration between SMAE and strategic partners in their environment.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Main Characteristics of Small and Medium Sized Agrifood Enterprises in Selected Regions of Cameroon
AU  - Noumbissi Duplex
AU  - Fon Dorothy Engwali
AU  - Eloundou Etoundi Christian
AU  - Soh Wenda Boris Dinictri
Y1  - 2022/05/26
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12
T2  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
JF  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
JO  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
SP  - 93
EP  - 106
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7420
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20221003.12
AB  - In a context characterised by low competitiveness of agrifood enterprises in Cameroon, a socio-economic study on Small and Medium-Sized Agrifood Enterprises (SMAE) in the Cameroon cities of Yaoundé in the Centre region, Douala in the Littoral region, and Bafoussam in the West region was carried out between March and September 2021. This was with the aim of analysing the main characteristics of these enterprises. Data were collected from 300 managers of SMAE selected through a purposive sampling method. Descriptive statistical were used to analyse the data. The results revealed that SMEA in Cameroon are mostly Very Small Enterprises (VSE) (89.7%) with less than 10 years of existence, and self-funded without external sources of finance. Their production systems are essentially artisanal (69%) and their personnel are not qualified (72%). In addition, they are mostly organised in the form of Common Initiative Groups (CIGs), cooperatives or enterprises without legal status. These SMAE are mainly run by married (66,7%), female (56%) and higher level graduate (60%) managers with ages ranging from 41 to 50 years. The decision-making process in these enterprises is centred on the managers with a structure based on group work and very few employees with a job description. However, meetings are held frequently in these enterprises, and employees are most often consulted and informed of any developments. Furthermore, the main marketing strategy used by these enterprises is word of mouth, while informal observation is the main business intelligence strategy. Very few SMAE have Research and Development (R&D) activities. Nevertheless, they rely mainly on training to stay technologically alert. In addition, they generally collaborate with customers and suppliers. These characteristics mainly predispose Cameroonian SMEA to be unprofitable and inefficient. Therefore, the paper recommend to sensitize SMAE to the advantages of being formal, to put in place fiscal measures that match up with SMAE’s activities, to develop financial systems adapted to SMAE’s reality, to empower women and reduce gender inequalities in order to improve their managerial performances, to raise young entrepreneurs awareness of the importance of perseverance and the benefit of marriage on business, to help SMAE managers and their personnel to continuously build their capacity, to support SMAE financially and technically, to help SMAE in developing well defined business strategies, to sensitize SMAE managers to the importance of decentralisation in their activities and to promote collaboration between SMAE and strategic partners in their environment.
VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

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