From Apprenticeship to Enterprise Growth: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Master¿Hairdressers in Accra’s Informal Economy

Date of Award

Summer 2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Committee Chair

Bora Pajo

Committee Member

Kathy Richie

Committee Member

Lori Salgado

Abstract

The vast majority of Ghana's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) remain locked in subsistence mode, with fewer than 3% achieving sustained growth. Existing scholarship highlights credit constraints and weak infrastructure, but pays little attention to how traditional apprenticeship programs (TAP)—the principal pathway into entrepreneurship for many women—might cultivate, or fail to cultivate, growth-oriented capabilities. Guided by human capital and experiential learning theories, this exploratory qualitative study investigates how master hairdressers in Accra translate TAP practices into managerial mind sets and business strategies that enable enterprise growth. Using purposive and snowball sampling, 25–30 master hairdressers who have operated their own salons for at least three years will be interviewed in depth. Semi-structured interviews will probe training routines, decision making, and post-apprenticeship trajectories. All conversations will be audio recorded, transcribed, and subjected to inductive thematic analysis. Trustworthiness will be reinforced through reflexive memos, peer debriefing, and member checking. Findings are expected to identify apprenticeship practices that differentiate growth-oriented from non-growth-oriented salons, illuminating how experiential learning and social capital can be leveraged to move MSMEs beyond survival. Insights will inform policymakers and vocational training organizations seeking scalable, gender responsive strategies for enterprise development in Ghana’s informal economy.

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