Title: Project evaluation practices, learning and collaborative organisation culture and firm growth of technology start-ups: evidence from developing economies

Authors: Osman Light; Daniel Agyapong; Edmond Yeboah Nyamah; Gloria K.Q. Agyapong; Evelyn Lamisi Asuah

Addresses: Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, 00233, Ghana ' Department of Finance, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, 00233, Ghana ' Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, 00233, Ghana ' Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, 00233, Ghana ' Department of Business Administration, University of Professional Studies, Accra, 00233, Ghana

Abstract: This study investigated how learning and collaborative organisational culture moderates the relationship between evaluation practices and firm growth among technology start-ups in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Grounded in the Theory of Change and Schein's Theory of Organisational Culture, data were collected from 304 owner-managers of tech start-ups across these four countries. Data processing utilised SPSS version 25 and SmartPLS version 3, with partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) as the main analytical tool. The findings reveal that tech start-up growth in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa is significantly influenced by both formative and summative evaluations, with learning organisational culture playing a crucial role in shaping these impacts. Specifically, a culture that emphasises continuous learning, openness to new ideas, developmental support, collaboration, and regular feedback greatly enhances the effectiveness of formative evaluation, promoting adaptive and progressive growth. Therefore, fostering a culture that prioritises learning and collaboration is essential for maximising the benefits of evaluations and achieving sustainable growth in tech start-ups.

Keywords: formative evaluation; organisational culture; summative evaluation; technology start-ups growth; evaluation practices; technology start-ups; learning and collaborative organisational culture.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2026.152567

International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 2026 Vol.26 No.1, pp.63 - 87

Received: 11 Mar 2025
Accepted: 08 Jul 2025
Published online: 27 Mar 2026 *

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