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Manji, Aabid (2008) Chai: More than just Tea! Toward a Critical Approach to the Dialectics of Corruption and Social Capital: A Journey through Stories of Kenyan Entrepreneurs. [Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This paper seeks to apply a traditionally lacking critical approach to the corruption and social capital literatures investigating the dialectical relationships therein through the eyes of Kenyan entrepreneurs. It is envisaged that significant insight is missed out on in the traditional approaches to the concept of corruption through its treatment as merely an economic problem, rather than a socially complex phenomenon. Therein, this paper draws from the social capital literature and the corruption literature to investigate and give credence to contextually constructed knowledge.

It is suggested that the conventional lack of criticality in both, the corruption and social capital literatures as well as the predominantly Eurocentric approach has seen the emergence of policy often failing to understand the underpinning of developing world countries. Furthermore, this paper stresses the importance of a qualitative inquiry to emancipate the often neglected voice of those struggling to do business in the developing world, against the backdrop of weak institutions and illegitimate states and increasingly

misguided international donor policy.

Therein, by working closely with Kenyan entrepreneurs this study�������¢���¢�������¬���¢�������¢s additions to the literature are manifold. The findings deepen the corruption and social capital literatures by exploring their dialectical interrelationships, bringing new insight into different types of what is perceived traditionally to be simply corruption by exploring emerging dimensions within corruption. It is suggested that the specific type of corruption at play studied seems to counter higher level defrauding corruption and may be a response to an ill functioning government. Therein, it is suggested that corruption may act as an efficiency correction. It is further suggested, most contradictory to the literature, that the concept of Chai�������¢���¢�������¬�������� a

Kenyan cognition comprising a complex interplay of dimensions one of which being petty corruption�������¢���¢�������¬�������� may actually represent a social counter to defrauding corruption; provide the opportunity for Kenyan entrepreneurs to compete more effectively in a market favoring

powerful multinational enterprises; create a wider sense of social entrepreneurship and philanthropy. This paper aims to show that both corruption and social capital are complex concepts that deserve a more critical approach than are currently being given, especially so because donor policy is shaped by the academic literature.

Item Type:	Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
Keywords:	Chai, Social Capital, Entrepreneurship, Corruption, Strategy, Kenya, Qualitative Research, Reciprocity, Development, Critical
Depositing User:	EP, Services
Date Deposited:	07 Jan 2009
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2018 12:49
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/22437

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