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VOL. 12, ISSUE 12 (2025)
Social constructions of the scarcity of small change and conflicts in public transport by minibuses in Abidjan
Authors
Lohoues Olivier ESSOH
Abstract
The mobility of the vast majority of Abidjan’s
population is provided by public transport operated by private citizens. However,
it is important to note that there are recurring situations of discomfort in
those vehicles that carry commuters around the city’s boroughs and
neighbourhoods. The methodology we chose for this paper is essentially based on
the qualitative approach. To achieve this, the study required a field work and
we used an interview guide and an observation grid, which allowed us to collect
the relevant information. The collection of data took place precisely at
the minibus stations of Yopougon-Siporex, in Adjamé Texaco, and in
Adjamé-Liberté. The research required in-depth interviews with thirty-five (35)
social agents likely to provide reliable and relevant information. Three
theories of analysis were used to interpret the data collected (Andrean and
Conchon, 2015), including the theory of perverse effects (Boudon, 1977;
Gosselin, 1998) and the social change theory which were both used in this study
to analyse the results. This study presents the results from the field. In the
first place, the study shows the manifestation of the phenomenon of the
scarcity of small change in such a way that there are demands for the exact
change from the customers. Some customers ask fellow passengers for change to
help them pay for their fare without argument. Many a time, passengers are
associated against their will. Apprentice drivers then hand them a single bank
note and require them to share it between themselves. These are factors that
explain the conflicts observed on the road. Secondly, the root causes of the
scarcity of small change are to be looked for in the coin trafficking, the
saving of coins and the collective irresponsibility of the minibus apprentice drivers
and the passengers that use public transport. Thirdly, it shows that social
construction leads to consequences such as the display of aggressiveness
onboard the minibuses. Here we mean verbal and physical aggression as well as
theft. Finally, the study proposes solutions to the crucial scarcity of small
change in the public transport sector.
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Pages:202-208
How to cite this article:
Lohoues Olivier ESSOH "Social constructions of the scarcity of small change and conflicts in public transport by minibuses in Abidjan". International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, Vol 12, Issue 12, 2025, Pages 202-208
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