86 Book Reviews
To be included here the article should have focused on the accounting application
of computers.
Finally, part seven deals with legal aspects of management. Perhaps the article
on insurance could have been included in this part, or separately treated as
management of risk.
This book has four basic strengths. First is that the authors are professionals with
versed experiences, hence their presentation of information is quite good. Second,
the more complex management subjects are divided into small articles which can
easily be digested or understood. Third, the language used is quite simple to
understand. This has been achieved by avoiding technical terms as much as
possible. Fourth, a comprehensive glossary and in some cases illustrations have
been provided. This makes it easier to follow and check up terms which are not
explained in the text Other than the problem of some articles being shorter due to
different approaches by some of the of authors, the book is quite useful to those
wishing to start and manage small enterprises. The book provides an alternative
solution to wage employment, which is self-employment Kenya, as such, is not
able to provide adequate solutions to employment except through self-employment:
this view is supported by policy documents such as sessional papers and development
plans. It is in this regard that this book makes essential reading.
Reviewed by G S Namusonge, Director Regional Centre for Enterprise
Development, lomo Kenyatta University College of Agriculture and Technology,
Nairobi.
African Entrepreneurs: Pioneers of Development, Keith Marsden, International
Finance Corporation, Discussion Paper No 9, The World Bank, Washington DC,
1990, 66pp, ISSN: 1012-8069. No price given.
This Discussion Paper highlights the problems and needs of modem African
entrepreneurs, based on its interview findings of 36 entrepreneurs in six sub-
Saharan African COuntries. Its findings are said to be intended for policy-makers,
donors and advisers who have African development in their hearts. However, I also
~ee~tha~ the Paper is beneficial to future African entrepreneurs as they will gain an
IOs1ght mto what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
The author's decision to write the Paper arose from an awareness of the neglect
and undermining of modem African entrepreneurs. In the 66 pages, divided into
two. major sections, the author successfully demonstrates the role of modem
Afncan entrepreneurs in the development process. African entrepreneurship has
been down-played in many African countries for some time because indigenous
Book Reviews 87
entrepreneurs were presumed to be scarce, whilst at the same time foreign
entrepreneurs were not trusted. The widespread belief was that entrepreneurship
flourished in the Western world but not in Africa. However the Paper fmds that
entrepreneurship is 'alive' and well in Africa and has flourished where there has
been both supportive policies and even hostile environments.
The author points out the importance of entrepreneurship in Africa, ie it creates
employment for jobless people. He also stresses that successful enterprises have
expanded from informal to formal enterprises as their owners have acquired
experience and accumulated capital. However the author criticises the informal
sectorforits on-the- job training. It is pointed out that training is repetitive and does
not take cognisance of issues concerning both the obsolescence, and, conversely,
the increasing sophistication of machines.
Of major importance is that the author points out that although the governments
generally did not encourage foreign entrepreneurs into Africa, these entrepreneurs
have not blocked local entrepreneurship. Moreover, foreign entrepreneurs have
benefited indigenous entrepreneurs by imparting to them their technical skills of
running enterprises.
Perhaps the other factor worth mentioning is the shortage of funds available to
African entrepreneurs. African enterprises are said to be retarded by inadequate
access to bank credits, and high rates of interest imposed by banks which also
limits the number of borrowers.
The second section deals with the findings of the interviews carried out Thirtysix
entrepreneurs in six countries were interviewed. the majority of which were
selected from a list of people who received assistance from the Africa Project
Development Facility (APDF), an institution founded in 1986 on the initiation of
the International Finance Corporation. APDFprovides advisory services to private
entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa, including assistance in preparing market,
technical and other feasibility studies.
Some interviewees were suggested by financial institutions and other contacts
in the field. The criteria were African nationality, a track record of performance and
coverage of a range of activities.
The author presents the interviewees' appreciation of the assistance they
receive from the APDF in spite of the limited funds it offers. Commercial banks
were found not to be willing to assist if the individual had no collateral. Female
entrepreneurs have been severely affected by this, such that one had to have her
truck (obtained with an end-of-service gratuity from the Ghanaian army) used as
collateral in order to solicit funds from the Agricultural Development Bank. She
then pUJ'Chaseda second-hand wooden fishing boat which gave her the opportunity
to break eventually into the market for canned tuna fish. A few interviewees
88 Book Reviews
claimed to have links with foreign partners and financial institutions. Assistance
from governments as acknowledged by the author is said to be limited. However,
some entrepreneurs started their enterprises from their own savings whilst some
inherited them.
Aparticular strength of this section is highlighting the contributory factors to the
successes of the African entrepreneurs. Factors are said tobe personal characteristics
such as social, educational backgrounds and age groups. It is also pointed out that
enterpreneurs often tend to set up enterprises in fields they are familiar with. For
instance some pursue similar businesses to those of previous employments. Large
numbers of African entrepreneurs employ wage labour and run enterprises on
modem lines.
Perhaps the other contributory factors to the success of the enterprises could be
better understood if they were given as advice to future entrepreneurs. These
include hard work, thrift, desire for self-improvement, shrewd business sense and
undoubtedly entrepreneurial drive. The author, however, points out that the flfSt
few years are difficult as only a few things proceed according to plan. Perseverance
and good management skills are therefore important. Finally, in cases of risk, the
entrepreneurs should diversify their enterprises further.
In conclusion, the author deserves a pat on the shoulder for a well-researched
study on entrepreneurs. However, the title "African entrepreneurs" is misleading,
as one is bound to expect information about the whole of Africa, yet the study is
only on sub-Sahara Africa. The author therefore should have ooen more specific.
Despite thisshortcoming the Discussion Paper fairly represents African situations
as a whole. The information presented is clear and useful and is to be recommended.
Multigenerational Family Therapy, David S Freeman, University of British
Columbia, Canada,The Haworth Press, New York, 1992, ISBN: 1-56024-125-X
(bib), 1-56024-126-8 (p/b), 389pp + index, $49,95 (bib), $24,95 (p/b).
"Nofamily therapist- whether experienced practitioner, student. teacher.
or supervisor - will want to miss Mulligenerational Family Therapy.
Anyone who has. ever struggled to shift responses from content to the
l!roce~s of a family's thinking will be delighted to have this method of
indUCinggrowth and and change illustrated and demystified. After setting
forth the ~oals and assumptions that guide his therapeutic interventions.
F~eema~ tllustrates these with transcripts of actual sessions in the beginmng.
muMle. and ending phases of therapy involving adult couples. The
cle~ annotatio.nsof these cases not only shows the importance of including
theirp~rents. SIblings.and other significant persons. but also demonstrates
how this ~an be done effectively" Carolyn LAllneave. PhD. SciD. Professor
Emeruus. University of Washington.