Contract flexibility and conflict resolution: evidence from African manufacturing.

This paper examines the contractual practices of African manufacturing firms using survey data collected in Burundi, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Descriptive statistics and econometric results are presented. They show that contractual flexibility is pervasive and that re...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: Bigsten, A, Collier, P, Dercon, S, Fafchamps, M, Gauthier, B, Gunning, J, Oduro, A, Oostendorp, R, Pattillo, C, Söderbom, M, Teal, F, Zeufack, A
Format: Working paper
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: CSAE (University of Oxford) 1998
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:This paper examines the contractual practices of African manufacturing firms using survey data collected in Burundi, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Descriptive statistics and econometric results are presented. They show that contractual flexibility is pervasive and that relational contracting is the norm between manufacturers, their suppliers, and their clients. The existence of long-term relations between firms helps them deal with contract non-performance through negotiation. Confrontational methods such as lawyers and courts are used when negotiations fail. Whenever confrontation can be avoided, business is resumed.