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Abstract.  The main objective of this paper is to illuminate social and cultural preconditions for networking and success in business in an African context. By in‐depth studies of small‐scale entrepreneurs in the wood business in Tanzania, we find that people belonging to an Asian subculture probably have a better standing for entering and thriving in business, due to group cohesion, mobility, and level of education. Through high‐quality social networks, characterized by a high number and variety of relations, certain groups seem to be in a better position to enact their business environment and raise entrepreneurial resources such as motivation and ideas, information, capital, and trust. To reduce social discontent and inter‐ethnic and religious conflicts in this area, we suggest that policy measures be taken to enhance levels of education and access to information for all citizens to create a "level playing field" in economic affairs.

In Indonesia, positions in the Civil Service are subject to hidden market transactions. The demand for stable sources of income is high, and lack of transparency makes sales possible by government officers in core positions. The recent decentralization reforms have blurred borders of responsibility and lines of reporting in the bureaucracy and facilitated increasing rent-seeking at local levels. The article reports from a study of payment for government positions in an urban and a rural district in a province in Indonesia, Nusa Tenggara Barat. The survey reveals that prices for positions are rising and vary among departments in accordance with available opportunities to boost their income. Prices are higher where many projects are available and the compensation is good. The article concludes that current practices are unethical and hurt the society and that increased transparency in employment procedures must be in place before things can get any better. (Contemp Southeast Asia/GIGA)

In Indonesia, positions in the Civil Service are subject to hidden market transactions. The demand for stable sources of income is high, and lack of transparency makes sales possible by government officers in core positions. The recent decentralization reforms have blurred borders of responsibility and lines of reporting in the bureaucracy and facilitated increasing rent-seeking at local levels. The article reports from a study of payment for government positions in an urban and a rural district in a province in Indonesia, Nusa Tenggara Barat. The survey reveals that prices for positions are rising and vary among departments in accordance with available opportunities to boost their income. Prices are higher where many projects are available and the compensation is good. The article concludes that current practices are unethical and hurt the society and that increased transparency in employment procedures must be in place before things can get any better.

This article aims to assess the impact of decentralization and deregulation reforms in Indonesia on security and law enforcement. The research draws on qualitative and quantitative data from interviews, focus group discussions and household surveys in four selected districts. The main conclusions are that local security guards are developed without control by the central government or democratic bodies at the local level. There is a total lack of transparency and accountability in security affairs and much power is concentrated in the hands of the district heads, the bupati. Policy recommendations include increased central government control over policing, security organizations and law enforcement.(Contemp Southeast Asia/DÜI)

This paper aims to identify determinants of entrepreneurial intention among young people. The empirical basis is formed by surveys among Indonesian and Norwegian students. The main objective is to compare the impact of different economic and cultural contexts. Independent variables in the study include demographic factors and individual background, personality traits and attitudes, and contextual elements such as access to capital and information. The individual perceptions of self-efficacy and instrumental readiness are the variables that affect entrepreneurial intention most significantly. Age, gender and educational background have no statistically significant impact. Generally, the level of entrepreneurial intention is higher among Indonesian students. The lower level of entrepreneurial intention among Norwegian students is explained by the social status and economic remuneration of entrepreneurs in comparison with those enjoyed by employees in the Norwegian context.

The main objective of this paper is to contribute to explaining the outstanding business success among the Asian diaspora in East Africa as compared to the native African population. Taking an actors's point of view, the business context is analysed against a theoretical background of alien entrepreneurship and a presentation of the history of Asians in the region. A main argument is that the alien entrepreneurs are in a better position to enact their business context in a manner favourable for success, based on ethnic resources such as kinship, education and price, mobility and communication and social networking. The main policy recommendations include mechanisms to improve information flows and networking capabilities of indigenous business people. (AAS/DÜI-ASDOK)

ABSTRACT
The main objective of this paper is to contribute to explaining the outstanding business success among the Asian diaspora in East Africa as compared to the native African population. Taking an actor's point of view, the business context is analysed against a theoretical background of alien entrepreneurship and a presentation of the history of Asians in the region. A main argument is that the alien entrepreneurs are in a better position to enact their business context in a manner favourable for success, based on ethnic resources such as kinship, education and pride, mobility and communication and social networking. The main policy recommendations include mechanisms to improve information flows and networking capabilities of indigenous business people.

As in many Asian, African, and Latin American countries, democratization and devolution reforms have characterized the recent development of public management in Indonesia. This article analyses the current development of "good governance" in Indonesian local government. The main objective is to assess the level of transparency, the mechanisms for hiding, and the extent of corruption in district budgeting and accounting. The empirical data consists of 200 in-depth interviews with members of the executive, legislative and civil society institutions in six districts. The article concludes that national systems and traditions of politics and bureaucracy have a strong negative impact on local administrative procedures, leaving only marginal space for regional variance and improvements. There is a remarkable lack of transparency, and checks and balances in public financial affairs are largely absent in all districts. (Contemp Southeast Asia/GIGA)