i PROGRAMME & BOOK OF ABSTRACTS International Conference on Business Management and Entrepreneurial Development (ICBMED) Keynote Speaker: Mr. Solomon King Adiyiah – CEO, eSoluons Consulng Chairman: Prof Abednego Okoe Feehi Amartey- Vice Chancellor, UPSA Date: 20th-21st April 2017 Venue: LBC Auditorium, UPSA THEME: ‘Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Development in Africa: Information Communication Technology (ICT) as a Strategic Tool’ Time: 8:00am each day ICBMED International Conference on Business Management and Entrepreneurial Development
Transcript
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PROGRAMME & BOOK OF ABSTRACTS
International Conference on Business Management
and Entrepreneurial Development (ICBMED)
Keynote Speaker: Mr. Solomon King Adiyiah – CEO, eSolutions Consulting
Development in Africa: Information Communication Technology (ICT) as a Strategic Tool’
Time: 8:00am each day
ICBMED
International Conference on Business Management and Entrepreneurial
Development
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Mrs. Ethel Coffie CEO, EDEL Technology Consulting
Mr. Derek AppiahCountry Director, Microsoft Corporation
Dr. Charles WilliamsCEO, Galaxy Oil
Mr. James Ami-Narh IT Consultant and Senior Lecturer, UPSA
Prof. Abednego Okoe FeehiVice Chancellor, UPSA
Mr. Solomon King Adiyiah CEO, eSolutions Consulting
ICBMED 2017
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Planning CommitteesOrganizing Team
Prof. Abednego Okoe Feehi (Chairman)Dr Ibrahim MohammedDr. Emmanuel S. AsamoahDr. Andrews Adugudaa AkolaaDr. Ben OcraMr. Collins Badu Agyemang Mr. Akwasi Sarfo KantankaMr. Augustine Awuah PeprahMr. Majeed IddrisuMr. Edward Odjidja
Scientific and Editorial TeamProf. Charles Barnor (Chairperson, University of Professional Studies, Accra)Dr Ibrahim Mohammed (University of Professional Studies, Accra)Prof. Goski Alabi (University of Professional Studies, Accra)Emeritus Prof. Kwame Gyekye (University of Professional Studies, Accra)Prof. John K. Akokpari (University of Cape Town, South Africa)Prof. David Lackland Sam (University of Bergen, Norway)Dr. Emmanuel S. Asamoah (University of Professional Studies, Accra)Mr. Ben Ocra (University of Professional Studies, Accra)Mr. Collins Badu Agyemang (University of Professional Studies, Accra)Mr. Augustine Awuah Peprah (University of Professional Studies, Accra)Dr. Ernest Mensah Abraham (University of Professional Studies, Accra)
Sessional CoordinatorProf. Albert Puni (University of Professional Studies, Accra)
Awards CommitteeRev. Stephen AcheampongMr James Ami-Narh
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Protocol Mr. Gerald J.N. Nyanyofio (Lead) Mr. Ibrahim Monipaak Mrs. Beatrice Akosua Adjapong Mrs. Patience TackieMrs. Leticia AkyeampongMrs. Dinah Nana AyensuMrs. Harriet Adzowu
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Keynote Speaker’s Profile Mr. Solomon King Adiyiah
Solomon King Adiyiah is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Principal Consultant of eSolutions Consulting, a leading business and IT consultancy firm established in Ghana to assist organisations in Africa to improve their performance through the introduction of innovative solutions. He has over 30 years of consulting experience in strategic IT planning and business transformation. As an enterprise
architect and IT service management advisor, he has provided extensive support to both local and international enterprises to improve their business operations.
Over the years, Mr. Adiyiah has served as a solutions director for leading global IT firms such as CSC, Unisys, Sema Consulting, and EDS. His immeasurable experience and expertise in business solution led him to initiate and direct major strategic business and IT transformation programmes in global organisations including British Telecom, AMRO, ABN, Allianz Credit Suisse, Vodafone Ghana, BP, Telekurs, Citigroup, The Royal Mail Group, DHL, La Caixa, Aviva, AngloGold Ashanti, Barclays, COCOBOD, UK Government, Ghana Statistical Service, Volta River Authority, Gridco, Petroleum Commission and many others.
Solomon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Master of Science degree in Information Systems Management. As a visionary entrepreneur, empowering others especially the youth has been his armband. His empowering strides are evident from his youth-ladened team of employees and benevolent thirst to share ideas with young and promising entrepreneurs.
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PROGRAMME OUTLINEDAY 1: THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017
MORNING SESSION
08:00 – 09:00 Arrival and Registration of Participants
09:00 – 09:05 Formal Welcome – MC
09:05 – 09:10 Introduction of Chairman
09:10 – 10: 25 Remarks by Chairman, Prof. Abednego Okoe Feehi Amartey - Vice Chancellor, UPSA
10:25 – 10:30 Remarks by Prof. Charles Barnor - Pro VC/ Chair- Editorial Committee
10:30 – 11:10 Keynote Address: Mr. Solomon King Adiyiah Chief Executive Officer, eSolutions Consulting Limited
11:10 – 11: 30 Acknowledgements & Presentation of Awards- Dr Ibrahim Mohammed, Director- Research & Consultancy
11:30 – 12: 10 Lunch / Poster Sessions
MC – Mr. Collins Badu Agyemang Psychologist/Research Officer
Nana Kwame Ampadu vrs Shatta Wale - Where lies the difference? Digital Entrepreneurship among Music Production Firms in Ghana Helen Kwansema Arkorful
Teleworking in SMEs: A Review, Lessons and Integrative Framework for Implementation in Ghana - Mercy De Souza and Richard Bawulenbeug Zoogah
Becoming Your Own Boss and SME Management Practices: Socio-Contextual Nuances and Psychological Oddities Collins Badu Agyemang
10:20 - 11:40: Panel Discussion
Theme: “ICT Relevance for SME Development –The Strategic Connection.”
Panellists:
Dr Charles Williams, CEO- Galaxy Oil
Mrs. Ethel Coffie – CEO, EDEL Technology Consulting Mr. James Ami-Narh – IT Consultant and Senior Lecturer, UPSA Mr. Derek Appiah- Country Director, Microsoft Corporation Mr.Ben Ocra - Director & Philanthropist, Oxford Research Group
Moderator: Akwasi Sarfo Kantanka (Marketing Lecturer & Business Consultant)
11:40am- 12:00 pm: Concluding Ceremony
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Musical Interlude: UPSA Choir
Chairman’s Concluding Remarks: Prof. Abednego Okoe Amartey - VC,UPSA
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMSChair (s): Dr. Helen K. Ahulu, Mr. Samuel O. Pimpong, Mr. Christopher
Quaidoo1 The effect of lending rate on loan portfolio of banks in
Ghana -Christine Avortri, David Aboagye, Francis W. Abugre , Yahaya M, Nuredeen and Faith A. Azumah
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2 Financial transparency of high performance organizations in Ghana - Redeemer Krah and Richard Amankwa Fosu
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3 Efficiency and competition in the banking industry: recent evidence around the globe-Gladys A. A. Nabieu and Charles Barnor
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4 Efficacy of pre-auditing and post-auditing in the prevention and detection of fraud in some selected public institutions in Ghana-John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor
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5 Using value-at-risk to examine financial returns distributions of selected Ghanaian SMEs-Kofi Afriyie Nyamekye
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6 Investigating customer attrition in bank-Anas Sulemana and Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid
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SESSION 2: BUSINESS PSYCHOLOGY, HUMAN RESOURCES, & ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Chair (s): Dr. (Mrs) Mary Naana Essiaw, Mr. Collins B. Agyemang, Ms. Esther J. Attiogbe
7 Quality of work life and work engagement of paid NGO staff: the moderating role of perceived prestige - Mercy Naa Merley De Souza
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8 Leadership style and staff commitment: a study of selected senior high schools in Volta Region of Ghana -Evans Quaku Amenyo
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9 Leaders personality traits and employee performance in the telecommunication industry in Ghana-Joseph Kwadwo Tuffour and Irene Ockrah-Anyim
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10 Gender and work-life balance on academic performance of working students at the University of Professional Studies -Esther Julia K. Attiogbe, Edward N. Tetteh, Enoch K. Bonny, Manford V. Asiedu, Emmanuella Armah and Lydia Boadi
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11 On managing millenials in the workplace: the role of culture-Inusah Abdul-Nasiru and Sandra Awewonu Bakidamteh
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12 The psychology of absenteeism: its effects on individuals and organization-Thomas Appiah Kubi Asante
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13 The result of organizational culture on employee commitment at a specific public-sector organization in Ghana: empirical evidence- Hannah E. A. Acquah, Enoch Baffoe, Adams Lennox, Djanie Benjamin Nii Amon and Joseph Nunoo
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14 Getting Employees Involved: Ethical Leadership and Organizational Climate as a Hinge -Samuel Bright Kaitoo, Albert Puni, and Collins Badu Agyemang
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15 ‘‘Personality, Gender and Career Choice: A Study among UPSA students -Okyere Darko Agyemang, Barbara Atiah, Bright Akosah, Dennis Afriyie & Collins Badu Agyemang.
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16 Ethical leadership, Personal Values and Organizational Whistle blowing: an Empirical Study among Employees in the Insurance Sector of Ghana-Patience Banibensu, Albert Puni & Collins Badu Agyemang
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SESSION 3: COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC RELATIONSChair (s): Dr. Kweku Rockson, Mr. Patrick Y. Mahama,
Mrs. Theodora Adjin-Tettey17 ‘Full of sound and fury signifying nothing’ in a paradox
of business drive: an evaluative study of language on bill boards and posters in Ghana as a marketing strategy-Brian S. Akrong
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18 The future and prospects of online journalism in Ghana: a case study of media houses with online presence-Harrison Kofi Belley
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19 CSR and brand loyalty in the telecom sector of Ghana -Linda Narh, Mahmoud Abdulai Mahmoud, and Enerst Yaw TweneboahKodua
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20 Supervisory coaching, self-efficacy, and employee work engagement: empirical evidence from some selected media companies in Ghana -Christian Yeboah, Georgina Takyi, Mavis Tetteh, Augustina Kwakyewaa Asiedu, and Collins Badu Agyemang
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21 Internal branding and the competitive performance of private universities in Ghana-Emmanuel Selase Asamoah and Albert Puni
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22 Outdoor (billboard) advertisements the case of Adentan municipality -Fiona Araba Gibson
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SESSION 4: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, LEADERSHIP, & LAW
Chair (s): Dr. Emmanuel Asamoah, Mr. Gerald J. Nyanyofio, Mr. Albert Quashigah
23 What is social responsibility? Or perhaps what is individual social responsibility and corporate social responsibility? -Kweku Rockson
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24 Public-sector accountability in a quandary: a path towards renaissance-Joseph Gerald Nii Tetteh Nyanyofio
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25 Corporate social responsibility reporting in the telecommunications sector in Ghana-Abdul Jelil Abukari and Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid
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26 Assessing the effect of governance arrangements on faculty staff performance: evidence within universities in Ghana.-Hannah E. A. Acquah
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27 An empirical evidence of the effect of leadership styles on faculty staff performance within universities in Ghana.-Hannah E. A. Acquah,
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28 Corporate governance and financial performance of listed banks in Ghana-John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, Mensah Edward Oppong, Boakye Clement Nertey, Askew Kathrieba Nana K. & Asante Derrick Boateng
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29 Talent is not enough: managing intellectual property in the creative industry-Samuel Opoku Pimpong and Samuel Obeng Manteaw
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30 The role of women on public institutions boards -Patience Obeng Ahwireng and Michael Kubi
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31 Towards scholarship and professionalism of public administration in Ghana: does the 1992 Constitution matter?-Patrick Yin Mahama
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32 Regulation of employment termination under Ghana’s labor ACT 2003: proposal for reform-Godwin Adagewine
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SESSION 5: ICT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENTChair (s): Dr. John D.K. Bosco, Dr. James Mensah,
Mr. Akwasi Sarfo Kantanka 33 Assessing the impact of the Ghanaian environment on social
entrepreneurship- Abdallah Abdul-Rahaman , Kwame Adom and Daniel Quaye
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34 Grounded theory in entrepreneurship research: Challenging the dominant research designs-Gerald Dapaah-Gyamfi and Joshua Ofori Essiam
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35 A critical analysis of the use of mobile devices in the classroom and its implication for effective teaching and learning -Theodora Dame Adjin-Tettey and Vincentia Abui Akrobotu
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36 A proposal for applied entrepreneurship course at UPSA-Emmanuel H. Dougan
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37 Personnel and ICT records management: a strategic tool in sustaining small and medium scale enterprises - a case of Koko King in Ghana-Gifty Akosua Kpodo, Derrick Quarshie, Albert Owusu, Neematu Kotomah , and Collins Badu Agyemang
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37 Internet adoption by SME exporters and its impact on their participation in export associations in Ghana-Albert Martins
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SESSION 6: INFORMATION SYSTEM, E-BUSINESS & SOCIAL MEDIA
Chair (s): Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed, Mr. Isaac Asampana, Mr. Albert A. Akanferi
38 Social media and business productivity: making a case for photography business in Ghana-Joshua Ofori Essiam and Gerald Dapaah-Gyamfi
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39 Social media use and academic performance of accounting students in a Ghanaian public university-Redeemer Krah and Richard Amankwa Fosu
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40 Integration of national information systems for socio-economic development in Ghana- Edwin T. Ayernor
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41 Electronic pension management systems and the sustainability of pension schemes in Ghana-Damnyag K. John Bosco, Der Edmund and Lawrence K. Aziale
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42 A review of the electrticity company of Ghana metering and billing system-Akwetey Henry Matey and Solomon Kutiame
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SESSION 7: SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
Chair (s): Mr. Frederick Doe, Mr. Emmanuel Dougan , Mrs. Mercy De Souza
43 Becoming your Own Boss and SME Management Practices: Socio-contextual Nuances and Psychological Oddities -Collins Badu Agyemang
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44 Green business practices and competitive advantage: perspectives of small business owners -Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid and Andrews Adugudaa Akolaa
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45 Factors influencing the performance of small scale entrepreneurs in the garment industry in the tamale metropolis of Ghana- Ibrahim Sulemana and Samuel C. K. Buame
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46 Teleworking in SMEs: a review, lessons and integrative framework for implementation in Ghana-Mercy De Souza and Richard Bawulenbeug Zoogah
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47 Repackaging claims settlements in Ghana: an initiative to attract SMEs and promote customer confidence in insurance-Cyndy Baaba Banson, Emmanuel Baah-Adinkrah, Dorcas Asare, Jonathan Dowuona-Owoo, and Collins Badu Agyemang
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48 Market liberalization and growth of Local Small and Medium Scale Enterprise in Ghana-Emmanuel Agyapong Wiafe and Holy Kwabla Kportorgbi
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SESSION 8: TOURISM & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTChair (s): Dr. Alexander Preko, Dr. Ampem Darko Aniapam,
Mr. Edward Koomson 49 Conceptualizing sustainability marketing practices in banks-
Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid, Robert Ebo Hinson, Mahmoud Abdulai Mahmoud, and Ernest Yaw Tweneboah-Koduah
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50 Galamsey, livelihoods and local ecologies-Dickson Armstrong TUMAWU
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51 Predicting the direction of room rate change in the Hong Kong hotel industry-Ibrahim Mohammed, Basak Denizci Guillet, and Rob Law
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52 Green business awareness and green business process utilization in Ghana-Fidelis Quansah, Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid and Andrews Adugudaa Akolaa
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53 Towards a social sustainable, gender-aware and innovative mining among multinational Ghanaian mines-Rufai Haruna Kilu
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54 The influence of consumer lifestyle on purchase intention of local restaurant-Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid and Munkaila Abdulai
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55 Implementation of global development agendas: the case of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Ghana-Patrick Tandoh-Offin
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56 A comparative study of customer-based brand equity across selected hotels in Ghana-Emmanuel Selase Asamoah and Abednego Okoe Amartey Feehi
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57 Crying Over the Flames? Saving the Tears of Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Owners in Commercial Market Settings in Ghana: An Evaluative Study-Abigail Appiah, Peggy Quarcoo-Ayitey, Kelvin Ntumy, Allen Morttey, and Collins Badu Agyemang
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SESSION 9: SPECIALIZED MANAGEMENT AREAChair (s): Dr Ummu Markwei, Rev. Fr Dr. Cletus Kwame Forson,
Mrs. Fedilis Quansah58 The influence of electrical power outage on teaching and
learning: a case of a public university in Ghana-Ernest Abraham Mensah
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59 Assessment of the influence of green trust on consumer green purchase intentions-Andrews Adugudaa Akolaa and Alexander Preko
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60 An evaluation students’ satisfaction with academic programmes in a university in Ghana-Ibrahim Mohammed
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61 Firms based in developed countries entering emerging markets: the influence of institutional voids on firms’ resource commitment-Augustine Awuah Peprah and Claudio Giachetti
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62 The impact of rebranding on firm performance-Anas Sulemana and Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid
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63 Dissertation supervision process: experiences of past UPSA students- a qualitative study -Frank Frimpong, Caleb Kwesi Aidoo, Esther Esinam Fummey, Joana Ababio, and Collins Badu Agyemang
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64 University students’ perception of company secretarial practice: my professional experience-Okai- Anderson, Effie. Kwaaba
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65 The socio-cultural antecedents of negative managerial behavior: an introspective view of selected Ghanaian universities-Frederick Doe
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66 Social protection in Ghana and its impacts on citizenship-Robertson Neequaye Kotey
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SESSION 10: DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP & BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Chair (s): Dr. (Mrs.) Helen Arkorful, Dr. Andrews Adugudaa Akolaa, Dr. Justice Salifu
67 Branding universities on the internet: an analysis of the dialogic potential of university websites-Rhodalene Amartey
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68 Challenges and barriers of cloud computing adoption: evidence from Ghana-James Ami-Narh and Ben Ocra
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69 Analysing the attitude of SMEs towards the adoption of social media tools for communication and marketing- Rejoyce Esi Asante
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70 Students and mobile money a case of UPSA-Mrs. Patience Obeng – Ahwireng.
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71 Attitude and behavioral intentions of the youth towards mobile marketing -Mustapha Iddrisu
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72 Online Tourism and Travel in Ghana: Analysing Trends from Marketing Perspective -Harrison Kofi Belley
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73 Nana Kwame Ampadu Vrs Shatta Wale - Where lies the difference? Digital Entrepreneurship among Music Production Firms in Ghana -Helen Kwansema Arkorful
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SESSION 11: Graduate Students PresentationsChair (s): Dr. Joseph Tuffuor, Mr. Redeemer Y. D. Krah ,
Mr. Alhassan Bunyaminu
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ABSTRACTSParallel Sessions
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SESSION 1: ACCOUNTING, FINANCE, & ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
THE EFFECT OF LENDING RATE ON LOAN PORTFOLIO OF BANKS IN GHANA
Christine Avortri. David Aboagye , Francis W. Abugre , Yahaya M. Nuredeen and Faith A. Azumah
Banking and Finance Department, University of Professional Studies, P.O. Box LG 149, Legon, Accra, Ghana
Over the past years, the country has witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of the Universal banks in the country. With this happening, one will expect bank pricing (lending rate) to be competitive low. However, the reverse is what is being witness in the country. This has been of great concern to all, especially the business community. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of lending interest rates on the loan portfolio of Universal Banks in Ghana. The study adopted quantitative research approach and secondary data from the annual financial reports of the seven listed banks over 7-year period between 2009 and 2015. The study population was drawn from universal banks currently listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. Since the number of banks is not so large, all the 7 banks were targeted in the study. Panel data analysis techniques were employed. The findings showed that lending rate had negatively significant effect on both loan portfolio size and portfolio quality of the listed banks in the country. We therefore concluded that high lending rate of banks reduces their loanable assets. The result also showed that the control variable, operating cost also had negatively significant effect on loan portfolio size. The major recommendation was that, Great efforts should be made by banks management to manage their operational cost which will reduce lending rate and consequently reduce non-performing loans and
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increase portfolio size.
Keywords: Lending rate, portfolio size and portfolio quality
FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY OF HIGH PERFORMANCE ORGANIZATIONS IN GHANA
Redeemer Krah and Richard Amankwa FosuDepartment of Accounting,
University of Professional Studies AccraP. O. Box LG 149, Legon, Accra.
Abstract
Financial Transparency is generally acknowledged as indispensable element of corporate governance but very difficult to achieve by most organisations. High performance organisations are organisations of excellence in all aspects of corporate governance and are therefore expected to display high level of financial transparency to the public through the internet, even when not mandatory. The purpose of the study is to examine the internet reporting practices of Ghana Club 100 companies, a proxy for financial transparency. Data was gathered from the web sites of the companies and analyses using descriptive statistics, and correlation. It was found that 85% of the companies have functioning websites. The study also found a strong positive relationship between GC 100 ranking and level of financial transparency via internet. The study concludes that high performance organisations are transparent in their financial matters. We recommend that companies that plans to be among the GC 100 must invest in internet reporting in order to increase their transparency hence their chances of qualification.
3rd International Conference on Business Mgt. & Entrepreneurial Development (ICBMED)
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Session One: ACCOUNTING, FINANCE, & ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
EFFICIENCY AND COMPETITION IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY: RECENT EVIDENCE AROUND THE GLOBE
Gladys A. A. Nabieu and Charles BarnorDepartment of Banking and Finance,
University of Professional Studies, AccraP. O. Box LG 149, Legon, Accra.
Abstract
This paper examines recent publications on the link between efficiency and competition in the banking industry. This review mainly assesses the conceptual issues, methodological gaps, issues and evidence, and future research directions that requires attention in the banking industry. The review examines one hundred and two (102) research articles published on the topic from 2008 to 2017. The review finds that the main frameworks that most authors adopted for research in the banking industry are either efficiency in banking; competitive conditions in banking; competitiveness and efficiency in banking; and the determinants of efficiency and competition in banking. Similarly, the few studies that considered the effects and nexus between competition and efficiency in the banking industry is inconclusive because while some studies suggest that the competition have improved the efficiency in the banking sector other studies finds no evidence of any relationship between these frameworks. We observed that, factors such as social responsibility, managers’ behavior, level of financial market development, legislation, macroeconomic variables as well as environmental characteristics of the firms which could help explain the efficiency and competitions in the industry were overlooked. Ninety-five percent (95%) of the articles used quantitative approach especially with application of regression methods. Based on these findings, the review concludes that there is the continuous need to extend the frontier of research on competition and efficiency in the banking sectors by examining the theories that underpin the relationship between these concepts. These gaps require further studies to explore realities of efficiencies and competitiveness since banks are general accepted as engine for economic growth and development in every economy.
Keywords: Bank, Efficiency, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), Competition, Panzar Rosse, Intermediation.
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3rd International Conference on Business Mgt. & Entrepreneurial Development (ICBMED)
EFFICACY OF PRE-AUDITING AND POST-AUDITING IN THE PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF FRAUD IN SOME
SELECTED PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN GHANA
John Kwaku Mensah MawutorSchool of Graduate Studies
University of Professional Studies, AccraP.O.Box LG 149, Legon-Accra; Tel:+233243287242:
The purpose of this study is to establish the efficacy of adopting a pre-auditing or post-auditing strategy to prevent and detect fraudulent activities in the public sector of Ghana’s economy. To achieve this aim, a conceptual framework was developed to test the vulnerability of public institutions to fraud in view of their decision to adopt pre-auditing or post-auditing of transactions. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from Ninety three (93) district and municipal assemblies in seven different regions of Ghana. Using the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests, the study established the difference between pre-auditing and post-auditing of transactions in the selected public institutions. The results of the study showed that there is no significant difference between the adoption of pre-auditing and post-auditing of transactions to prevent and detect fraud however, post-auditing of transactions has the likelihood of detecting fraud. Other variables such as “setting the tone at the”,
Keywords: pre-auditing, post-auditing, fraud, public sector, strategy, prevention, detection
Session One: ACCOUNTING, FINANCE, & ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Abstract
The IMF, Central Banks as well as the Basel Committee, calls for a tighter regulation with respect to financial institutions encouraged to report on a daily basis downside risks. To this respect, the Value -at-Risk (VaR) with the expected shortfall (ES) as risk measures for the selected probabilities (95%, 99% and 99.9%) are computed respectively for selected SMEs in Ghana with the best model chosen for investment decision. To do this, R was used to model financial risk of comparative global stocks such as Microsoft, which recorded for a time period a Value at Risk of $37725.86 with a corresponding expected Shortfall of $43221.18. The VaR for the next 10 trading days for Microsoft gives $119,299.6. This figure is considered to be useful for Microsoft management in planning and budgeting for their businesses. Comparing this to the VaR computerd for SMEs in Ghana, the SMEs are encouraged to create portfolios of securities to reduce financial risk associated in their operations (diversification), and take a cue from how big Companies model risk globally. This Paper contributes to lietrature on risk management by showing how SMEs in Ghana can contain and manage risks in their operations.
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banking industry. The study investigated customer attrition in banks. The study contacted 172 customers and 12 staffs of a Universal bank in Ghana. Questionnaires were administered to dormant / ineffective customers of the case bank. The study found that customer attrition is influenced by product limitation, service charges, unpopular bank policies, product competition, and limited branch network. The study suggests that banks adopt standardization of products through patent rights to minimize attrition. Future research attention could be directed at attrition in non-bank financial institutions in northern Ghana.
SESSION 2: BUSINESS PSYCHOLOGY, HUMAN RESOURCES, & ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
QUALITY OF WORK LIFE AND WORK ENGAGEMENT OF PAID NGO STAFF: THE MODERATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED
PRESTIGE
Mercy Naa Merley De SouzaUniversity of Professional Studies, Accra
P. O. Box LG 149, Legon, Accra.
Abstract
This study examined the moderating effect of perceived external prestige (PEP) on the relationship between quality of work life (QWL) and engagement in Non - Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Ghana. The novelty of this study rests in its choice of paid staff of NGOs. Though NGOs are on the increase in Ghana, and have proven so far to be significant agents in the social and economic development of the country, there is a dearth of empirical research on how human capital is managed in these organizations. In today’s “war for talents” NGOs are not exempted. They have to attract their permanent staff from the same labor market as their profit- making counterparts and endeavor to retain them. They also have to keep their staff fully engaged to work effectively and efficiently under very minimal extrinsic provisions. Thus, there is the need to find out which intrinsic factors can be combined effectively with the minimal extrinsic provisions to influence staff work engagement. 205 workers from 15 NGOs participated in the Study. Drawing on the Job Demand and Resources model, and the Social Identity theory, it was hypothesized that QWL will predict work engagement: and, that workers psychological identification and pride in the organization (PEP) will impact the strength of this relationship. A significant positive relationship was found between QWL and engagement. However a moderated regression analysis revealed that the hypothesized moderating interaction with PEP was not significant. The findings extend previous research by establishing the relationship between quality of work life
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and work engagement. The implications of results for policy and practice is that NGOs need to establish an organisational culture that promotes good quality of work life if they want to boost paid employees work engagement to retain them.
Keywords: Quality of Work Life, Work engagement. Non-Governmental Organizations
LEADERSHIP STYLE AND STAFF COMMITMENT: A STUDY OF SELECTED SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN VOLTA REGION OF
GHANA
Evans Quaku Amenyo and Ibrahim MohammedUniversity of Professional Studies, Accra
P. O. Box LG 149, Legon, Accra.
Abstract
Leadership as organizational concept has undergone several research. This study examined the effect of leadership styles on employee commitment using three emerging leadership styles: transformational, transactional and laissez-faire in assessing the dominant leadership style of leaders and determines leader’s gender moderation relationship between leadership styles and commitment. Out of 240 respondents (heads and teachers) sampled using convenience and simple random samplings respectively, and quantitative approach with standardized questionnaires, a significant positive correlation was found between leadership style and employee commitment. Transformational Leadership style was found to be the best predictor of employee commitment. Age affects leadership style of a leader. Female leaders significantly exhibit better leadership styles compared to the male leaders. Transformational Leadership style was found to be the best predictor of employee commitment after gender, age and educational background have been controlled for. This study employed spearman correlation, standard multiple regression, One-way ANOVA and independent t-test analyses.
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Session Two: BUS. PSYCHOLOGY, HUMAN RESOURCES, & ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENTSYSTEMS
LEADERS PERSONALITY TRAITS AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN THE TELECOMMUNICATION INDUSTRY IN
GHANA
Joseph Kwadwo Tuffour and Irene Ockrah-AnyimUniversity of Professional Studies, Accra
P. O. Box LG 149, Legon, Accra.
Abstract
In the last few years, there has been intense competition in the mobile telecommunication industry. As competition has escalated among the operators, it is necessary for the companies to sustain an organizational success standard to avoid being dragged out of the competitive race. To achieve this, the leaders’ personalities are hypothesised to play a significant role. The study examines the effect of leader’s personality traits on job performance in the telecommunication industry in Ghana. A cross sectional survey was adopted using structured questionnaires to collect data from a sample size of 350 employees and leaders/managers in four selected telecommunication firms. The findings indicated that leaders in the telecommunication industry in Ghana possess organized and structured traits with scheduled plans which connote the feeling personality trait as the most dominant personality trait. Also, it was revealed that, there is a fairly strong positive relationship between leaders’ personality traits and employee job performance with experience and education as mediating factors. The implication is that, the personality traits of leaders are what explains their way of behavior which in turn also affects the way they are perceived by their subordinates. Age of leaders could not make a meaningful impact on the personality of the leader, however, leader’s education played a significant role in assessing their personality traits. The study recommends among other things that formalized leadership training programmes should be instituted in the telecommunication industries in Ghana to train leaders and employees on leaders’ personality traits and it effect on employee performance.
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GENDER AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF WORKING STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Esther Julia K. Attiogbe, Enoch K. Bonny, Manford V. Asiedu,
Emmanuella Armah and Lydia BoadiDepartment of Business Administration, University of Professional Studies,GhanaEmail: [email protected]
Edward N. TettehDepartment of Human Resource Management and Management Studies,
This study explored how working university students in Ghana are able to balance work and the effect this has on their academic performance. It was hypothesised that there would be a negative correlation between time spent at work and academic performance. The second hypothesis stated that there would be no difference between male and female working students and academic performance. The Pearson’s correlation technique would be used to test data from 120 working students purposefully selected from the University of Professional Studies. It expected that both hypotheses would be supported. Recommendations would be made upon analysis of the data.
Keywords: Work-life balance, working university students, gender, job and academic performance.
ON MANAGING MILLENIALS IN THE WORKPLACE: THE ROLE OF CULTURE
Inusah Abdul-Nasiru and Sandra Awewonu BakidamtehDepartment of Psychology, University of Ghana
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Session Two: BUS. PSYCHOLOGY, HUMAN RESOURCES, & ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENTSYSTEMS
Abstract
With the increasing presence of millennials on the labour market worldwide, there is currently a concern in organizational psychology and management studies about how to manage employees of varying generations. The focus mainly is on those who fall within the category which has become known as ‘iGeneration’, or ‘Generation Y’, given their unique characteristics. Different scholars have observed that the current generation has the need for flexibility, are quick to seek feedback, expect to be well engaged at work, among other things. This conceptual paper reviews studies done worldwide on the presence of millennials in organizations and the implications for productivity, management, organizational culture and development. Based on our review, we propose various strategies that managers and practitioners can adopt in order to effectively attract, retain and manage millennials in their organizations. The implications are discussed and recommendations made appropriately.
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THE PSYCHOLOGY OF ABSENTEEISM: ITS EFFECTS ON INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATION
Thomas Appiah Kubi AsanteFaculty of Law, University of Professional Studies, Accra
The business environment has evolved to the extent that every area of organizational performance is significantly important to achieve competitiveness. Employee attendance at work, productivity, service delivery, and organizational commitment are critical components of optimal human resource performance and efficient human resource management. The management of absenteeism in the workplace has, therefore, become a focus in the field of human resources and an area of importance. The purpose of this study is to examine the consequences of absenteeism on the individual worker, adjacent workers, work groups, the organization, and society as a whole. A literature-based approach was used for
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the study. The findings of the study indicate that absenteeism has both positive and negative consequences on the individual workers, adjacent workers, work groups, the organization, and society. This study contributes to literature on absenteeism and job performance by showing how absenteeism impacts on the performance of employees and the organization.
Organisational culture from the literature plays a major role in employees’ effectiveness. In this study, we explored organisational culture at a particular public sector organisation in Ghana. The aim was to provide an empirical evidence of the influence of culture on employee commitment at Environmental Protection Agency; a public sector organisation in a developing country. The study was exploratory and data was collected from 126 employees by using an adopted questionnaire which identified; training and development, reward and recognition, teamwork, and organizational communication as culture types. The data processes used Statistical Package for Service Solutions (version 21) for the analysis. The results showed that all the four dimensions of culture existed and that there is a positive effect between organizational culture and employee commitment. The study contributes to the knowledge on organizational culture
Session Two: BUS. PSYCHOLOGY, HUMAN RESOURCES, & ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENTSYSTEMS
types and its practice especially in a public sector organisation and their implications to employee commitment. It also opens up the discussion on the place of these organizational culture types on staff commitment at private sector organisations in future research.
Keywords: Corporate culture, training and development, reward and recognition, teamwork, organizational communication and organizational commitment.
Getting employees involved in the operations and management of contemporary business is not just a reflection of the ideals but a practical initiative to ensure productivity. This research examined the influence of ethical leadership, organizational climate on employee job involvement within the financial services sector in Accra, Ghana. The research was underpinned by the social learning and norm of reciprocity theories. Using a cross sectional survey design, 192 financial sector employees were purposively sampled. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistical method such as frequency mean, standard deviation as well as inferential statistical tools such as Pearson product moment correlation, standard multiple regression, independent sample t-test and one way ANOVA to analyze the 5 hypotheses. The analysis of the results shows that ethical leadership and organizational climate independently have a significant positive relation on employee job involvement. However, organizational climate accounted for a more variance in predicting employee job involvement than ethical leadership. Between managers and non-managers, there was no significant difference in their job involvement and finally there was no support
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for the hypothesis that employees with more years of experience will likely be more involved than employees with less number of years of experience. The study provides insight for human resource managers and industry leaders with the revelation on how or the extent at which employees are affected by ethical leadership and organizational climate in their job involvement.
Keywords: Ethical leadership, organizational climate, employee job involvement, norm of reciprocity, social learning theory, Ghana
The personality and gender of every individual constitute the very key aspects of their being in existence. This inspired the study to ferret into the relationship between Personality, Gender and Career Choice of students in an academic institution in Ghana. Using the cross-sectional survey, 200 students from the University of Professional Studies, Accra were purposively and conveniently sampled. Two hypotheses were tested and analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and independent t-test. Analysis of data revealed that in the Ghanaian context, personality and gender does not have any significant effect on career choice. However, other factors like culture, parental influence, family business, course grades, peer influence, economic hardship rather were the standing reasons why there was this insignificance. The contradiction in findings of this study compared to those of the western literature exposes the inconsistencies in this area and may require that, future researchers adopt a qualitative approach to discover the possible factors that led to these findings in the Ghanaian setting. Parents, teachers, mentors are therefore urged to develop appropriate means that can help them appreciate students interest, skills and
Since the enactment of the Whistleblower Act in 2006 (Act 720), it has not been a practice in Ghana to hear of reported cases of organisational whistleblowing. This study investigated the relationship between ethical leadership and the intention of blowing the whistle in Ghana and the moderating role of personal values on this relationship. The study further sought to find out the extent of employees’ knowledge on the Whistleblower Act 2006 (Act 720) of Ghana. Using across-sectional survey design, 227 respondents made up of 137 Males and 90 females, were purposively sampled from 6 Insurance companies in the Accra Metropolis in Ghana. Five hypotheses were tested using Correlation, Standard Multiple Regressions and ANOVA. Results from the findings indicate that there is no relationship between ethical leadership and organisational Whistleblowing (p=0.88); Personal Values moderated the relationship between Ethical Leadership and organisational Whistleblowing (p=0.000) no significant difference was established between males and females in relation to organisational Whistleblowing (p=0.84). Long serving employees were more likely to blow the whistle than their short tenure counterparts and there was no significant difference between highly educated employees and lower educated employees when it comes to Organisational whistleblowing. The study also found out that of the 227 respondent, 127 representing 55.90% had knowledge of the Whistleblower Act in Ghana (Act 720) and 100 respondent representing
This paper examines the language on billboards and posters as forms of mass communication and advertisement in Ghana. Language in this paper refers to verbal and non- verbal communication. The study draws on theories of communication, marketing and education. Social norms are expected to influence the conduct of people in a society or setting and while descriptive norms specify acceptable conduct, injunctive norms indicate what is particularly accepted in a society or setting. None of these — such as the inscriptions on bill boards and posters – can have a meaningful impact on audience if not communicated suitably. Rather than employing social or market segmentation, the paper proposes an integrated approach by which symbolic communication is employed with bilingual or trilingual interpretations of the same message. The study was conducted in Accra where bill boards and posters were examined to ascertain how far they communicated to their intended audience using discourse analysis. A pre-recorded video by a private television station was also analysed. It was found that the language used on some of the posters and billboards was not understood by most of the target audience. The paper argues that the language on bill boards and posters for advertisements must be a medium which the larger population or target audience will understand, since the basic function of communication is to persuade or influence audience with the use of symbols. Hence, flamboyant incomprehensible English and symbols which do not communicate the intended message to the audience will be mere noise ‘full
of sound and fury, signifying nothing’. The study is relevant to businesses in their bid to enhance productivity, and municipal and district assemblies as well as health authorities in their quest for effective social communication.
Keywords: Marketing, social communication, advertisement.
Online journalism is a relatively new medium in mass journalism. It has progressed rapidly in recent years since the development and widespread use of the Internet and World Wide Web. Technology changes rapidly, and thus the future of online journalism is exciting and virtually limitless. This study aimed at determining the future and prospects of online journalism in Ghana, case of media houses with online presence (websites). The study also sought to establish how adoption of online journalism influences efficiency in the media industry, investigate the challenges facing adoption of online journalism in the mass media industry and determine the benefits of online journalism in mass media industry. The design of this research is a content analysis of the websites of the various media houses in the country. The target population of this study was the administrators of the websites of the media houses. This study used simple random sampling to select 50 administrators. This study therefore recommends that the government should reduce tax on webhosting and internet services so as to increase the availability of internet services in the country. This will increase the accessibility of online services in most parts of the country. The study also recommends that the media industry should fully adopt online journalism so as to increase competition, which will subsequently
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Session Three: COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
CSR AND BRAND LOYALTY IN THE TELECOM SECTOR OF GHANA
Linda Narh, Mahmoud Abdulai Mahmoud, and Enerst Yaw Tweneboah-Kodua
University of Ghana Business School, University of Ghana
Abstract
The role of Corporate Social Responsibility is increasingly becoming integral in business decision making. That notwithstanding, knowledge of how CSR impacts on brand loyalty; in Ghana is scanty. The purpose of this exploratory study was to understand the impact of CSR on brand loyalty within the telecommunications sector in Ghana; and to develop a model on how CSR can be used to build brand loyalty in Ghana’s telecommunication sector. In pursuance of this, a qualitative study was conducted; with primary data collected via face to face interviews with brand managers of the five mobile operators in Ghana, focus group discussions with mobile phone users and a collection and review of secondary data. Data was analysed by first segmenting them into themes before meaningful inferences were generated. The findings revealed that CSR impacts positively on brand loyalty through moderating factors such as service quality, affordable pricing and integrated marketing communications. Based on these findings, a model on how CSR can be used to build brand loyalty was developed using Keller’s customer based equity model. The major limitation to this study was the absence of empirical tools to scientifically test and determine the significance of each of the moderating factors. Nonetheless, this study provides the basis for an empirical study to statistically test the significance of each of the moderating factors. Further studies could also test the relationship between CSR and brand loyalty using the model developed.
Supervisory coaching and self-efficacy is gradually becoming a crucial initiative in preparing and grooming younger potential employees. It is in this light that the study was conducted to determine the influence of supervisory coaching and self-efficacy on employees’ work engagement. Using a cross sectional survey design, 200 (131 males and 69 females) from 3 media houses within the Accra-Metropolis were purposively sampled. Statistical tools used for the analysis of the 4 hypotheses were Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Independent t-test. A significant positive relationship was observed between supervisory coaching and work engagement. Also, there was a significant positive relationship between self-efficacy and work engagement. Managers did not vary on work engagement from non-managers. It was further found that employee’s gender had no effect on work engagement as female employees had the same level of engagement as males. The findings were subsequently discussed with related literature and theories and implications with insight into how the entire media industry can make their employees more engaged. The study thus urges supervisors and managers of small and medium scale enterprises to take keen interest in coaching their employees as such mentorship support enables them to exhibit their innovative capabilities that ripple on their engagement levels.
Keywords: Supervisory coaching, Self-efficacy, Employee Work Engagement, Mentorship, Media Industry, Ghana
Abstract Due to the increasingly complex and highly competitive nature of private universities among private universities in Ghana, it is important to study whether the building of brand equity significantly affects the performance of private universities to warrant attention (in terms of resource allocation) from managers and owners of private universities. The objectives of this paper is to examine the inter-relationship between internal branding and performance of private universities. The study also seeks to examine customer-based brand equity (CBBE) antecedents in predicting the performance of private universities. Also, the study examines the effect of internal branding on the performance of private universities when brand loyalty levels are high among students. The sample comprises 213 male and 234 female students studying at various private universities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The convenience sampling method was used to collect data from undergraduate students in the private universities sampled. The result of the study indicated that the dimensions of brand equity and private universities’ performance are positively related. The regression analyses indicate that there is a positively related predictive power of private universities performance by brand association and brand loyalty. However, the study did not find brand awareness and perceived quality to be positively related. The conclusion of the study is that the performance of private universities’ and brand equity depends on the high loyalty among students.
Keywords: Internal Branding, Brand Equity, Performance, and Private
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Universities
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OUTDOOR (BILLBOARD) ADVERTISEMENTS: THE CASE OF ADENTAN MUNICIPALITY
Fiona Araba GibsonDepartment of Public Relations
Faculty of Communication University of Professional Studies, AccraE-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Outdoor billboard advertisement is a strategic marketing tool used around the world by both large corporate bodies and small businesses to attract audience or consumer attention. This study explores the use of outdoor billboards advertisement and their effects on public obstruction such as blocking drivers view in Ghana, The study is a cross-sectional survey, descriptive in nature and employed both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The qualitative research is based on the knowledge, observation, opinions, and perception that people hold about billboard advertisement, while the quantitative technique focused on the representation of organizations and businesses that used billboards to advertise their products and services. The study focused on 100 organizations and businesses in the Adentan Municipality, a suburb of Accra in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study is still in progress and expected finding may include the displeasure of the public, especially on the disorganized ways billboards are mounted in the Adentan Municipality causing pedestrians’ obstruction and drivers view from oncoming vehicles on the blind side of the drive or the pedestrians, resulting in accident. In addition, the study also believes that there is no law governing the mounting of billboards in the Adentan Municipality.
This paper is aimed at explaining corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a phenomenon and also provide some insights into social responsibility (SR). SR is characterised by the commitment of an entity to incorporate social and environmental imperatives in the decision –making process. Also this author conceptualises individual social responsibility (ISR), his creation, for explaining how well-endowed individuals can contribute to society’s socio-economic prerogatives. After conceptualising CSR, ISR and SR, there is now a focus on CSR and to some extent Sustainability, in detail, the various types, discussions and then the tracing of the evolutionary path of CSR theories. One major take out is the identification of the trends in theoretical thinking. Another major theoretical path deals with mapping the territory of CSR theories along the four groups: instrumental, political, integrative and ethical. As a counter to the mainstream thinking, the critical dimensions of this management concept will be examined. A section is also dedicated to CSR/Sustainability Reporting, where the specific guidelines are explained. In order to construct the discussion within a national regulatory framework, some aspects of the National Corporate Social Responsibility Policy (NCSRP) are examined. The paper then focuses on Vodafone as a case study. Finally the paper looks into the future and offers eleven recommendations on how to optimise the benefits of CSR.
Key Words: Social responsibility (SR), corporate social responsibility (CSR), individual social responsibility (ISR), sustainability, National Corporate Social Responsibility Policy (NCRSP), corporate financial performance (CFP)
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SESSION 4: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, LEADERSHIP, & LAW
PUBLIC-SECTOR ACCOUNTABILITY IN A QUANDARY: A PATH TOWARDS RENAISSANCE
Joseph Gerald Nii Tetteh NyanyofioUniversity of Professional Studies, Accra
P. O. Box LG 149, Legon, Accra.
Abstract
Given the significant growth in their functions and the existence of bureaucratic discretion, it has become problematic whether Ghanaian public officials will serve the public interest rather than their personal interests. The paper explores how bureaucrats could be held accountable or be made to act responsively in promoting the public interest. Drawing from both classic and contemporary literature, the paper explains how various scholars have tried to reconcile the need for bureaucratic discretion with the imperative for bureaucratic responsiveness and accountability. Using a qualitative comparative approach, the paper critically examines the challenges that characterize various accountability models. Adopting an evidence-based approach, the author contends that despite its frequent attacks, the legal-rational system of management remains promising in promoting bureaucratic responsiveness and accountability in Ghana’s public sector. Thus, the value of the legal-rational system of management as an instrument for responsive governance and an effective tool for the promotion of the public value is significantly reinforced, notwithstanding the active role of legislation and accountability institutions in protecting the public interest. The paper recommends that government adopts a preventative rather than a curative approach using the ideals of the Weberian system of management to promote accountability in Ghana’s public sector.
Keywords: Bureaucracy, discretionary power, accountability, public sector, Ghana.
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Session Four: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, LEADERSHIP, & LAW
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORTING IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR IN GHANA
Abdul Jelil AbukariDepartment of Marketing,
Tamale Technical University, Tamale
Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid Department of Marketing
University of Professional Studies, Accra
Abstract
Many corporations today have come to the realization that there are enormous benefits to be derived from being socially responsible in the societies they operate. Today, the argument is no longer about being a good corporate citizen on the part of businesses but the ability of businesses to communicate their social contributions to stakeholders. A number of mediums can be employed by businesses to report on their corporate social responsibility (CSR) to stakeholders: including annual reports; community reports; press releases among others. This study looked at CSR reporting in the telecommunications sector in Ghana, using websites as a disclosure medium. The study adopted a content analysis approach to review the websites of the telecommunications companies under this study. Drawing inspirations from prior studies, this study looked at corporate social responsibility reporting (CSRR) in five thematic perspectives: environment; human resource; product and customer; community and ethical aspect. Findings from this study indicate that the telecommunications companies in Ghana are committed to CSR and are enthused on communicating same to stakeholders. The community involvement category dominates on the websites of these telecommunications companies in Ghana, which supports earlier studies that that most organizations are committed to corporate philanthropy. The findings also show that two telecommunications companies have dedicated department solely for CSR (MTN Ghana and Vodafone Ghana), known as CSR Foundation with separate vision statement, mission statement; objectives; aims as well as independent board different from the mother entity. The study makes relevant contribution in the area of CSRR in the context of Ghana, judging from the fact that the concept CSR and CSRR are relatively knew and also adds literature to a fairly growing area of CSR communications via websites which are fast becoming a medium of corporate communication for corporations in
3rd International Conference on Business Mgt. & Entrepreneurial Development (ICBMED)
ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS ON FACULTY STAFF PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE WITHIN
UNIVERSITIES IN GHANA
Hannah E. A. AcquahDepartment of Business Administration,
University of Professional Studies, Accra- GhanaEmail: [email protected]
Abstract
Globally, university governance have been undergoing a process of unprecedented transformation and Ghana is no exception. This paper provides empirical evidence of governance structures employed by universities within Ghana and its effect on faculty staff performance in Ghana The study adopts an exploratory approach by practically analyzing governance structures most often used within universities and university colleges’ in Ghana. Ten public and private universities were sampled. The study revealed that among the three components of Governance Arrangements, the regression results portrays a positive significant relationship between trusteeship and Employee Performance. Further, traditional governance arrangement also showed statistically positive significant relationship with employee performance. This study details the findings of an empirical work into governance arrangements at universities in Ghana( public, private and quasi ) and is hopeful that it will be of much concern to entrepreneurs, churches, policy-makers and similarly other people interested in establishing universities in the near future.
Session Four: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, LEADERSHIP, & LAW
AN EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE OF THE EFFECT OF LEADERSHIP STYLES ON FACULTY STAFF PERFORMANCE WITHIN
UNIVERSITIES IN GHANA
Hannah E. A. AcquahDepartment of Business Administration,
University of Professional Studies, Accra- GhanaEmail: [email protected]
Abstract
Over the last few decades worldwide, tremendous growth has been observed in tertiary education and leadership role in the effective functioning of higher education as well as universities has been of great concern to many academics, business men, entrepreneurs’, researchers and policy makers. This paper is an empirical evidence of the effect of leadership styles on faculty staff performance within universities in Ghana. About 300 respondents sampled from ten public and private universities responded to questionnaires. A quantitative research paradigm was employed and data was analyzed using regression. It is evident from the study that different leadership styles affect faculty staff performance and that leadership skills truly do matter in improving performance of staff of universities and it is highly likely that the optimum leadership style is an integrated one. The results portray positive and statistically insignificant relationship between Autocratic Leadership Style and Employees’ Performance. Further, the study showed a positive and statistically significant relationship between Authentic Leadership Style and Employees’ Performance at one percent alpha level among others. Suggestions for universities in Ghana are presented and finally future studies are highlighted in the study.
Keywords: Leadership, faculty staff performance, university
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED BANKS IN GHANA
John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, Mensah Edward Oppong, Boakye Clement Nertey, Askew Kathrieba Nana K.
& Asante Derrick BoatengSchool of Graduate Studies, University of Professional Studies, Accra
Abstract
The challenges confronting businesses in contemporary global governance has generated a ravening interest in the issue of corporate governance. Ironically, this phenomenon has plunged several businesses into turbulent moments leading to their extinction. In this regard, this quantitative study explored the possibility of establishing a relationship between corporate governance and financial performance of firms, using of some selected banks in Ghana. To achieve this intent, Pearson Correlation and the regression analysis were used to find out whether there is a relationship between the corporate governance variables and financial performance. Out of 33 banks listed on the Ghana Stock exchange, 8 banks were sampled to observe the relationship between their board size, audit committee, CEO tenure and return on asset. Data was collected from annual reports of banks within a five-year period from 2011 to 2015. The findings revealed an inverse relationship between board size, audit committee, CEO tenure and return on asset whilst a positive relationship between board composition, remuneration committee and board meetings and return on asset after the regression analysis. On the other hand, the study also observed an inverse relationship between board size, audit committee, remuneration committee, board meeting and return on equity whilst a positive relationship between board composition, CEO tenure and return on equity after the regression analysis.
Session Four: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, LEADERSHIP, & LAW
TALENT IS NOT ENOUGH: MANAGING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY
Samuel Opoku Pimpong Department of Accounting
University of Professional Studies, Accra
Samuel Obeng ManteawFaculty of Law, University of Ghana, Legon
Abstract
This paper presents a synopsis on the need to manage, develop and benefit from talent in the Creative Industry. It focuses on Intellectual Property (IP) and lays particular emphasis on copyright and neighbouring rights. It explains some basic principles, concepts, approaches and essence of Copyright and IP generally. It suggests that copyright plays an important role in a person’s ability to effectively utilize and create value for talent and aptitude. It thus advises creative industry players to integrate IP in all aspects of their activities. It however cautions that IP rights such as copyright can only enhance value for talent if it is deployed in tandem with attitude, business sense, and constant consultation.
Public institution boards worldwide have attracted a great deal of attention in the past decade because of institutional failures and concerns about the
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performance of public institutions and the way they are governed. The study investigates the direct and indirect effects of women on public institutional boards with respect to firm performance. The research tackles the diversity, and the role women play on public institutions boards. Population for the study comprised of twenty public institutions out of which eight were selected due to convenience and availability of data. The main data used were collected from firms’ annual reports, supplemented by questionnaires and interviews. Multiple regression, correlation and analysis of variance were employed to determine the degree of relationship. The results showed that there is an advocacy for an increase in the representation of women in public institutions boards of directors to better reflect the gender and racial diversity of their customers, employees and stakeholders. And also with women board members, it was ascertained that women have a positive role associated with greater influence on profitability and are responsible for better and favorable negotiation on behalf of the company. Value-maximizing firms should choose the composition of their boards on the basis of their potential to increase shareholder value nevertheless we urge public institutions to make it a priority to develop the talents and advance the careers of female staff who have been identified as potential leaders. This means providing such women with the experiences and background needed to rise to the top, advocating their promotion to higher levels of responsibility, and showing visible results of these efforts made.
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TOWARDS SCHOLARSHIP AND PROFESSIONALISM OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN GHANA: DOES THE 1992 CONSTITUTION
MATTER?
Patrick Yin MahamaUniversity of Professional Studies, Accra,
P.O.Box LG 149,Accra.
Abstract
This paper sought to make a contribution to the discourse, which evolved among
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Session Four: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, LEADERSHIP, & LAW
scholars in the U.S and elsewhere in recent scholarship in public administration about making the U.S Constitution the normative basis for public administration scholarship and practice. These scholars argued that the U.S constitutional tradition and the rule of law characterize American public administration. Following the advocacy by Fred Riggs in his article in 1980 on the ecology and context of public administration, this paper sought to discuss the implications for making a constitution of a developing country and the Ghanaian constitution for that matter, the normative basis for public administration scholarship and practice in the face of the mutation and fluidity of constitutions in developing countries, not neglecting the fact, that the Ghanaian constitution stands out as one of the most enduring constitutions in modern Africa. Having examined the various configurations among the constitution, management and politics in public administration studies in the African and developing contexts, the paper acknowledged that making the constitutions the normative basis for public administration scholarship and practice in Ghana, Africa and most developing countries for that matter, presents very interesting dynamics, which could stir up more debate in the search for the way forward. The study concluded that it seems premature to very strongly argue that Ghana and for that matter Africa and other developing countries make their constitutions the normative base for public administration scholarship and practice. It was further noted that the focus should be toward designing more enduring constitutions and democracies while empowering public administrators to be able to discharge their roles effectively and efficiently in a free society.
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REGULATION OF EMPLOYMENT TERMINATION UNDER GHANA’S LABOR ACT 2003: PROPOSAL FOR REFORM
Godwin AdagewineFaculty of Law and Faculty of Information Technology
& Communication Studies, University of Professional Studies, AccraP. O. Box LG 149, Legon, Accra.
Abstract
This paper examines provisions of Ghana’s Labour Act 2003 on termination of
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employment. The goal is to ascertain whether provisions of the Act relating to termination promote a coherent system of labour market regulation. The paper adopts a black letter methodology that entails an analysis of the Labour Act and case law. The paper establishes that the relevant provisions of the Act exhibit contradictory labour market regulatory policy directions that suggest a case of regulatory dilemma on whether to pursue a policy of labour market regulation that promotes flexibility or a policy that promotes fairness in termination practices. The paper points out that some provisions of the Act purport to protect workers against unfair termination practices but other provisions promote flexible termination practices that undermine the goal of a fair system of termination. Some other provisions of the Act deregulates the labour market thereby deepening its segmentation into a protected class and an unprotected class of workers, with the latter set to increase. The paper concludes that termination provisions of the Labour Act lack policy coherence on the subject of the regulation of termination practices. The paper recommends reform of the Labour Act to ensure coherence in the provisions regulating termination.
Keywords: Labour, termination, regulation, employment, triangular forms of employment
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE GHANAIAN ENVIRONMENT ON SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Abdallah Abdul-Rahaman , Kwame Adom and Daniel QuayeDepartment of Marketing and Entrepreneurship
University of Ghana Business School
Abstract
Social entrepreneurship has become more popular among academics, researchers, professionals and policy makers in both developed and developing countries; particularly after the publication of “The Rise of the Social Entrepreneur”. However, despite its’ increasingly popularity, there is less certainty of the constituents of social entrepreneurship; hence calls among researchers for a more rigorous definition. The concept has generated enormous debate among scholars especially in the 21st Century. This excessive debates over the contextual boundaries of social entrepreneurship like entrepreneurship has led to scholars proposing the need for both theoretical and practical definitions of the concept. Generally, social entrepreneurship combines profitability with social and environmental goals that distinguish it from the traditional concept of entrepreneurship which is wholly profit oriented. As such, there appear a nexus between social entrepreneurship and the environment. The concept influences the environment and society, thus the existence of some level of impact that the environment exerts on the success of social entrepreneurship. Contextual dimensions such as acute poverty, informality, colonial history and ethnic group identity has been proposed as environmental factors of social entrepreneurship in sub–Saharan Africa. Cultural heritage, colonial history, poverty dimensions, education, social and cultural expectations, experiences and challenges are dominant factors of the concept. The success levels of social entrepreneurship also depend largely on the world view of the principal actors. On the African continent, there is seemingly limited literature on this developing concept of social entrepreneurship. Against this background, incorporating the
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environmental impact into the empirical literature of social entrepreneurship could help better explain why different types of social enterprises seem to exist around the world. This could also settle the proceeding arguments about what constitutes social entrepreneurship. Thus, this study aims at integrating the environmental impact and its level of influence on social entrepreneurship. The focus of the study will specifically be on assessing the environmental impact of sub-Saharan Africa on social entrepreneurship with Ghana as a case study. In this context, the variables of interest of this study are political, economic, social, and technological (PEST). The study will be done in collaboration with social enterprise organizations in Ghana.
GROUNDED THEORY IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESEARCH: CHALLENGING THE DOMINANT RESEARCH DESIGNS
Gerald Dapaah-GyamfiDepartment of Business Administration
University of Professional Studies, Accra – Ghana
Joshua Ofori EssiamDepartment of Business Administration
University of Professional Studies, Accra – Ghana
Abstract
After the birth and the development of Grounded Theory (GT) in 1967, considerable number of studies has been in the social science disciplines. This paper attempts to review and make a case for the inductive approach to theory discoveries in entrepreneurship research as against the well-established method of logico-deductive approach to scientific inquiry. Grounded Theory primarily gathers data from interviews and field notes and then analysed through the use of coding structures and theoretical sampling techniques. GT is best known for generating meaning from the data of human actions rather than the dominant nomothetic methods of scientific inquiries that focus on the data itself.
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Session Five : ICT & ENTREPRENUERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Keywords: Grounded Theory, Entrepreneurship, Dominant and Data
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF MOBILE DEVICES IN THE CLASSROOM AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR EFFECTIVE
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Theodora Dame Adjin-Tetteyand Vincentia Abui AkrobotuFaculty of IT and Communication StudiesUniversity of Professional Studies, Accra
Abstract
The use of mobile devices, especially, by teens has been looked at with much apprehension and suspicion with some saying that it can be used to acquire information which can be detrimental to their social and psychological growth. Some teachers complain that it affects teens’ studies as these teenagers stay up late in the night browsing, chatting, watching movies and playing games which cause them to sleep in class or pay little attention because of tiredness. In Ghana students up to Senior High School are not allowed to use personal mobile phones, laptops and other mobile gadgets in school because of implications such as those enumerated above. On the other hand, some, including those in prominent positions in government, have called for a rethink of such a directive by the Ministry of Education. This paper critically looks into previous literature on the use of mobile devices in the classroom and suggests ways in which it can be effectively used to advance academic work in the classroom.
Keywords: Mobile Devices, Mobile-Learning, Mobile device Integrated learning, Education Technology, BYOD
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A PROPOSAL FOR APPLIED ENTREPRENEURSHIP COURSE AT UPSA
Emmanuel H. Dougan Department of Business Administration
University of Professional Studies, Accra P. O. Box LG 149, Legon-Accra, Ghana
Abstract
Unemployment among university graduates is on the increase, and has been described as a time bomb by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER). One way of diffusing this time bomb is through entrepreneurship education. At UPSA, the course is taught at four different levels, and there is a student population of about three thousand in each academic year. There is little evidence to suggest that students are prepared to start their own ventures. In other words students are not applying knowledge acquired on the entrepreneurship course, which is at variance with the UPSA motto: Scholarship with Professionalism. The literature affirm the problem of entrepreneurship courses not attaining the intended learning outcomes of preparing new graduates to start new ventures to be generally, as ineffective course design, and specifically, as inappropriate teaching and learning practices. The purpose of this paper is to re-design the entrepreneurship course at UPSA to become an applied course; shifting the focus from just teaching students about entrepreneurship to teaching them for entrepreneurship. The re-design will adopt the learning outcome approach to curriculum design; underpinned on learning outcomes, teaching and learning methods, and assessment methods. It is proposed that the applied entrepreneurship course will take the dissertation/project work approach and will be spread over two semesters. Lecturers would adopt the role of coaches to help students through the entrepreneurship process, just as lecturers play the role of supervisors in the students’ dissertation/project work. Re-designing of the course will bring practical meaning to: 1) Lecturers of entrepreneurship would provide hands-on support to students in developing their business ideas into business plans, and 2) Students of entrepreneurship would be prepared to start their own ventures.
Keywords: applied entrepreneurship, learning outcomes, teaching and learning, assessment.
PERSONNEL AND ICT RECORDS MANAGEMENT: A STRATEGIC TOOL IN SUSTAINING SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES - A CASE OF KOKO KING IN GHANA
Gifty Akosua Kpodo, Derrick Quarshie, Albert Owusu, Neematu Kotomah ,
and Collins Badu Agyemang
Department of Business Administration, University of Professional Studies, Accra – Ghana
Abstract
Koko king is a young but fast growing small and medium scale business noted to be one of the fastest growing innovative minds in producing fast, safe, hygienic and healthy breakfast on a large scale. It has received a number of awards for the quality and safety of food produced in the past decade in Ghana. Having chalked all these successes, it has encountered issues related to maintaining and retaining its workers and keeping its records in an effective manner. Using in-depth interviews, on-site observations, and annual reports examinations as diagnostic tools, a number of issues emerged as key challenges of Koko King. As a case approach, the present study principally geared toward understanding the current situation at Koko King and suggests possible management strategies to realign the business. High employee turnover rates, the poor management style, and ineffective records management appears to hamper the study growth of the company. Using the thematic content analysis technique, all six (6) participants engagement interviews were transcribed, coded, analysed. Interview guide was designed using SWOT analysis strategic tool. The researchers unveiled high employee turnover rates, inadequate motivation, unsatisfactory salaries, inadequate of working equipment, little or no records management systems were the main themes discovered from our study. Underpinned by the Paper Cow theory, the researchers recommends deploying electronic records management system to Koko King. The researchers also recommends Koko King management implement non-cash incentives such as holidays and trips for staff, training, supervision and control, practical and in-depth motivation, provision of sufficient tools and equipment and provision of satisfactory salaries would do a lot of good to Koko king if implemented. The recommendations from this study have mammoth implications for sustaining SMEs in Ghana.
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Keywords: Personnel management, ICT records management, Small and medium scale enterprise, Paper Cow Theory, Koko King, Ghana
The Non-Traditional Export (NTE) sector is central to Ghana’s export growth and socio-economic development. Dominated by SME exporters, the sector has historically underperformed, leading to the establishment of Export Associations (EAs) to boost the NTE sector’s productivity. EAs are ‘horizontal’ product-based Associations established to promote the business interests of its SME members to ensure their international competitiveness. This research examined the extent to which the adoption of the internet by SME exporters affects their membership and participation in Export Associations. The NTE sector and the export market provided the internal and external research contexts. The study adopted the mixed-methods approach. This involved the collection of qualitative data from 19 EAs employing the semi-structured method and thematic analysis, and survey data from 259 SME exporters analysed statistically using SPSS software. Main findings reveal that internet adoption by SME exporters in Ghana is only at a peripheral level and not significantly making SME exporters independent of EAs. Adoption of Internet by SME exporters is therefore not disintegrating EAs. Nevertheless, the study highlights the potential threat of the internet to dismember horizontal EAs. Findings from this research offer network management insight to EA managers, research practitioners and policy makers. The study provides a framework for policy-making in Ghana and other developing countries on export sector management and organization of small export firms.
Keywords: SME exporters; Export Associations; Export Networks, Internet Adoption; Non-Traditional Exports
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SESSION 6: INFORMATION SYSTEM, E-BUSINESS & SOCIAL MEDIA
SOCIAL MEDIA AND BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY: MAKING A CASE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS IN GHANA
Joshua Ofori EssiamUniversity of Professional Studies, Accra – Ghana
University of Ghana, Legon
Gerald Dapaah-GyamfiUniversity of Professional Studies, Accra – Ghana
Abstract
In today’s social media driven environment, it is essential that small businesses understand Facebook, Twitter, and the strategies behind using social media for growing their business. Unfortunately, many small businesses do not have a strategy when they begin using social media. The purpose of this study was to explore how owners of small photography business enterprises can use social media to grow their business by continuously engaging the customers and potential clients at the market space. This study adopted the case study approach that utilized the in-depth interview with the business owner of a photography enterprise and observation of the business social media sites. Findings of the study revealed different strategies employed by owner to build and maintain relationships with consumers by posting interesting content on Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, and Twitter to promote excitements and interactions among the customers. The study concluded that social media provides a formidable platform for small business enterprises to survive the competition. The study recommended an increase social media coverage by creating awareness of innovative platforms among customers and potential clients.
Keywords: Social media, Photography, Business and Enterprise
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SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ACCOUNTING STUDENTS IN A GHANAIAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
Redeemer Krah and Richard Amankwa FosuDepartment of Accounting, Faculty of Accounting and Finance
University of Professional Studies, Accra
Abstract
Information and communication technology has evaded all aspects of human life in recently times. The invention of social media has created visual platform that encourages and stimulates social interactions and engagements which limitation. The use of social network required ICT equipment, service provider and internet access. Use of social network has become a way of life of university students who are eager to know what is trending in the social space in real time. This may place a high demand on the time of students thereby reducing the time available for their studies. The Purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of social media participation on academic performance of accounting students. A quantitative research design was carried out where 450 accounting student where surveyed using self-administered questions. The finding suggests that both social media visibility of the student and social media activity has a negative relationship with academic performance. We recommend that students exercise high level of self-discipline in the use of social media when school is in session.
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National information systems (NIS) are information systems usually operated and managed by governmental organisations to collect, process and manage data about persons or any given set of database entities to generate relevant information or intelligence for the provision of essential public services, and for planning and decision making processes by central governments and various organisations. In Ghana, NIS institutions are required to implement identity management systems and to issue documents to individuals as prove of a person’s identity and citizenship. They collect personal data including biometric data as the basic resource for their operations. Even though these institutions collaborate among themselves, however, they operate independently and are un-integrated, thus causing duplication of efforts and activities, ambiguities in data/information usage, severe cost implications on IS implementation, poor delivery of public services, and invariably affecting planning and decision making processes. This study aimed at exploring the extent to which the NIS can be integrated for socio-economic development in Ghana. Using a multiple case study design with qualitative approach, the data were collected by close interactions with those who manage and operate the NIS including information systems and information technology experts, end-users and key administrators from the eight public institutions through interviews at various stages. Document reviews also served as vital data source to meet the objectives of the study. This paper therefore presents models for integration of national information systems and discusses the effects of un-integrated national information systems on socio-economic development; factors that inhibit integration of national information systems; factors that can influence integration of national information systems; and the functional requirements for integration of national information systems in Ghana.
ELECTRONIC PENSION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND THE SUSTAINABILITY OF PENSION SCHEMES IN GHANA
Damnyag K. John Bosco, and Lawrence K. AzialeUniversity of Professional Studies, Accra,
Department of Information Technology Studies, P. O. Box LG149, Accra Ghana.
Der EdmundSchool of Medical Science,
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Session Six : INFORMATION SYSTEM, E-BUSINESS & SOCIAL MEDIA
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
Abstract
The study sought to examine the role of electronic pension scheme management systems on the efficient and sustainable management of pension schemes in Ghana. The recent challenges with who manages what component of the three tier pension scheme, mode of payment of contribution, the determination of what benefit is due a contributor at any point in time and the sustainability of the scheme posed a worry to the contributors and other stakeholders. This work focused on the conversion of manual pension operations into electronic form through off the shelve (bespoke) or in-house development of pension management packages. The study revealed that the deployment of only electronic management of pension scheme in Ghana will deprive the rural folks who do not have access to internet and other electronic support systems. Never the less, it was observed that the electronic pension management will ensure transparency, ease of doing business and reduce the operational cost of pension schemes in Ghana thereby making the scheme sustainable. The study recommended that the parallel approach to system conversion should be deplored to cater for the rural folks. Management should ensure that there is adequate physical and non- physical system security controls.
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the key interventions of the company has been the deployment of a metering system expected to efficiently compute the actual power consumptions of customers thereby mitigating the challenges with the old billing system and provide value for services to customers. In 1994, the prepaid metering devices were introduced by the electricity company and until this day has undergone several innovative phases. Although the metering system has undergone several phases due to technological advancements, customers continue to face billing challenges. This study seeks to identify the various brands of prepaid meters deployed to customers, their associated challenges in relation to credit lost; what account for the frequent faulty meters and the overbilling of customers by the prepaid metering billing system. Both qualitative and quantitative research techniques of data collection tools would be deployed in the study to enhance the quality and validity of the results. Subjects of the study will be stratified based on types of meters used, through the non-probabilistic sampling method.
SESSION 7: SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
BECOMING YOUR OWN BOSS AND SME MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: SOCIO-CONTEXTUAL NUANCES AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL ODDITIES
Collins Badu AgyemangDepartment of Business Administration,
University of Professional Studies, Accra- GhanaEmai : [email protected]
Abstract
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are central to almost all economies in the world, especially in developing countries. In the last few decades, there appears to be an increasing recognition of the role SME plays in developing economies such as Ghana. A content analysis of discourses by many social entrepreneurs, motivational speakers, “womenpreneurs”, and active business owners suggest that being your own boss, doing something you love, having control over your own schedule and compensation as well as averting abuse especially from male associates, are few reasons why people choose to start their own businesses. While it is ideal to fancy the seeming superficial advantages of small business owners, not much research attention has been given to their mental health concerns. Although a number of workplace-based mental health intervention programmes exist, most of them target large companies with hundreds of employees, to the neglect of those running small businesses. Foremost, the present paper attempts to highlight some pervasive psychological eccentricities of being your own boss as extracted from available literature. The paper further emphasises some Ghanaian-centered nuances which potentially deepen the mental health concerns of small business owners. The paper submits meaningfully by proposing a pathway for mental health professionals and SME consultants, with the goal of optimally enhancing the psychological health of small business owners while accentuating “Realistic business Ownership
GREEN BUSINESS PRACTICES AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: PERSPECTIVES OF SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid and Andrews Adugudaa AkolaaDepartment of Marketing
University of Professional Studies, Accra
Abstract
The debate on practicing green business strategies is ongoing with varied arguments for or against the concept. This study explores the nexus of green business practices and competitive advantage from a Ghanaian small business owner perspective. The small business context, due to its relative low resource ability and other characteristics affords some newness to the discussion on green business practices. Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) are known to be very important players even in developed economies. Ghanaian SMEs operating in a developing economy makes it imperative to adopt and practice green business practices. A quantitative research is used to highlight the blessings of practicing green business strategies and the delivery of competitive advantage to firms who practice green business practices. One hundred and fifty respondents were targeted for inclusion in this study. A cross sectional survey was applied with questionnaires developed based on extant literature or existing scales. The study used means, correlations and regressions to examine the relationship between green business practices and competitive advantage. The findings showed that SMEs that adopt green business practices benefits from the strategy which leads to achieving competitive advantage. Although adopting green business practices comes with an initial cost, firms are encouraged to implement green business processes. The initial cost should be considered as an investment with high returns when implemented appropriately. Green business practices
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Session SEVEN : SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
should be one of a developing economy SME strategy to achieving competitive advantage as more consumers become more aware of the green phenomena.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL SCALE ENTREPRENEURS IN THE GARMENT INDUSTRY IN THE
TAMALE METROPOLIS OF GHANA
Ibrahim Sulemana Department of Marketing, Tamale Technical University, Tamale
Samuel C. K. BuameDepartment of Marketing and Entrepreneurship,
University of Ghana, Legon
Abstract
We investigated the factors that influence the performance (success) of Small Scale Entrepreneurs (SSEs) in the garment industry in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana. SSEs contribute immensely to the socio-economic development of Tamale. They provide employment, create wealth and generate tax and other revenue for government projects. A conceptual framework was developed and Pearson correlation matrix was employed to establish relationships between the independent and dependent variables using SPSS software (version 16.0). Results revealed that there was a positive relationship between some dimensions of Entrepreneur characteristics; specifically gender and age. Furthermore, a positive relationship was observed between some dimensions of nature (characteristics) of an enterprise (size and location) and Entrepreneurial performance (increase sales, and increase number of employees). Similarly, there was a positive relationship between some categorical variables of external influence (environment, market base, and access to information) and performance. Notwithstanding, other dimensions of entrepreneur characteristics (gender and education), nature of enterprise (origin and source of capital) and the external influence (legal environment) showed no significant relationship with entrepreneur performance. As policy intervention measure, government should provide reliable source of marketing information for entrepreneurs in the SSEs sector to enhance their performance (success) to ensure reduction in unemployment and poverty reduction for a sustained socio-economic
3rd International Conference on Business Mgt. & Entrepreneurial Development (ICBMED)
TELEWORKING IN SMES: A REVIEW, LESSONS AND INTEGRATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN
GHANA
Mercy De Souza Department of Business Administration, University of Professional Studies, Accra
Richard Bawulenbeug Zoogah, University of Ghana Business School, Legon
Abstract
Telework also known as telecommuting is the practice of working partially or completely from a location other than the traditional office space. Telework is becoming increasingly important Human Resource Management practice due to the benefits it offers to both employees and employers in the United States, Europe and some African countries. Potential benefits of implementing telework as shown by extant research include increasing employees’ satisfaction and retention, reducing operational costs to firms, and reducing environmental pollution in society. Despite the increasing attention accorded to telework in organizations in developed societies leading to its continued growth, there is low commitment to the use of telework in organizations in developing societies like Ghana. With the rapid pace of technological innovations, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana have to rethink not only their technology investment strategies but also how to link their human resource management practices to benefits offered by technology in order to remain competitive. A systematic review of relevant literature on telework implementation in the United States, Europe and some African countries shows that with the availability of enabling technologies, especially mobile phones, SMEs in Ghana can also benefit from telework. Adopting Telecommuting in Ghanaian SMEs may help to ease the rush hour vehicular traffic, reduce cost of maintaining office space and further create employment for highly skilled and yet marginalized groups
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like the physically challenged and nursing mothers. Drawing on lessons learned from the telework literature, recommendations to guide SMEs in providing managerial support, offsite technologies and ergonomically safe offsite work spaces for tele-commuting adoption are discussed. The paper concludes with a proposed framework to explore SMEs readiness for telework in Ghana.
Keywords: Telework, Telecommuting, Electronic Human Resource Management, Tele-activities
REPACKAGING CLAIMS SETTLEMENTS IN GHANA: AN INITIATIVE TO ATTRACT SMES AND PROMOTE CUSTOMER
CONFIDENCE IN INSURANCE
Cyndy Baaba Banson, Emmanuel Baah-Adinkrah, Dorcas Asare, Jonathan Dowuona-Owoo, & Collins Badu Agyemang
Department of Business Administration, University of Professional Studies, Accra- Ghana
Abstract
Insurance dates back to the second and third millennia BC which was brought up by the Chinese and Babylonian traders and claims settlement has since played a major role in this process. The response to claims settlement has been slow in most developing countries of which Ghana is no exception but has virtually received very little empirical research attention. This study resorted to qualitative approach to address the need to repackage claims settlement in Ghana to attract SMEs and explored its many benefits in promoting customer confidence. Seven participants (three insurance managers and 4 insurance customers) were engaged in in-depth interviews. Recorded data was transcribed and coded as primary data and reports from the National Insurance Commission (NIC) utilised as secondary data. Using SWOT strategic tool, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of two insurance (one private
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and one public) players in the insurance industry, specifically Star Assurance and SIC Insurance Company were weighed. The present study unveiled critical challenges such as; delays in providing relevant documents for claims settlement, distortion of information by agents of insurance companies to clients, and the complexity of the insurance claims settlement process. Awareness campaign and sensitization of even those who seem to know what insurance really is and how it works is thus necessary to heighten customer interest in insurance. The National Insurance Commission per the findings of this study is urged to step up their constitutional mandate to make players in the small and medium scale enterprise (a section of whom may be formally illiterate) sector understand that insurance is a risk averting initiative to replace lost assets and not a profiteering expedition. The researchers thus urge industry players to decongest the usage of technical terminologies in dealing with clients and provide motivational packages to clients who have been loyal to them.
Keywords: Claims settlements, Repackaging insurance, National Insurance Commission, Small and medium scale enterprises, Ghana
MARKET LIBERALIZATION AND GROWTH OF LOCAL SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISE IN GHANA
Emmanuel Agyapong WIAFE and Holy Kwabla KPORTORGBIBusiness School
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration
Abstract
Growth of local Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) is touted as panacea for economic stability and growth of the economy of Ghana. Amidst the argument for promoting local SME friendly policies comes unprecedented drive towards trade liberalization. A school of thought believes that trade liberalization stifles SMEs growth as they are unable to compete favorably with global conglomerates and large multi-national firms. On the other hand, it is
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argued that trade liberalization policies provides new markets opportunities for SMEs and enhances the growth of local SMEs. This arguments for and against trade liberalization leaves the need for a study on impact of trade liberalization on SMEs begging. To this end, the study examines the effect of trade liberalization on growth of local SMEs. The study employs the World Bank’s Enterprise Survey Data for this purpose. The results of the study reveals that minor proportion of the SMEs are engage in export and (or) import either directly or indirectly. The regression result reveal that trade liberalization has a negative association with growth of the firms. This may be attributed to inability of the local SMEs to leverage on internal strengths to take advantage of opportunities presented through trade liberalization drive. It is therefore recommended to government and governmental agencies to include SME empowerment programmes in various trade policy drives. One way is to improve local content regulations and another to promote effective firewall for critical sectors where local SMES nurture their competitive advantage.
Keywords: SMEs, growth, productivity, Small Enterprises, exports and import, trade liberalization
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SESSION 8: TOURISM & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
CONCEPTUALIZING SUSTAINABILITY MARKETING PRACTICES IN BANKS
Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid, Robert Ebo Hinson, Mahmoud Abdulai Mahmoud, and Ernest Yaw Tweneboah-Koduah
Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship University of Ghana Business School
Abstract
The strategic and competitive advantages secured from engaging in sustainability practices have made sustainability marketing practices a strategic imperative for banks. Due to the uniqueness of the banking services, sustainability practices may be different from other sectors of the economy. Consequently, there is the need for a clear description of what entails sustainability marketing in a bank. Although, there are previous attempts to examine sustainability marketing practices, the banking sectors seem not to have received much investigation. This might be due to the unavailability of clear description of the components / dimensions of sustainability marketing. Among the extant literature, sustainability marketing practices comprises of corporate social responsibility, green marketing, and social marketing. This study provides some initial perspectives on bank sustainability practices. A qualitative research methodology was used to examine current bank sustainability practices and match them with the components of sustainability marketing practices from the extant literature. The study found that MNE banks in Ghana have policy guides lines on sustainability practices whiles Ghanaian owned banks do not have policies on sustainability but engages in some sustainability in the form of corporate social responsibility.
Ghana has several natural resources which includes minerals with gold being the most important among them. Existing evidence indicates that artisanal small-scale mining (ASGM) in Ghana provides employment directly for about one million people (with 60 to 80% operating illegally without a license) and equally supports about 4 to 5 million related service industries and markets. By 2014, the sub sector’s gold output has increased to 1.5 million ounces constituting 35.5% of the national gold output. ASGM plays a central role in the country’s gold production much of which is through galamsey. Yet, galamsey appears as one economic activity in Ghana in recent times that has received so much denunciation and upbraid than any other occupation or livelihood activity. There is hardly a single day without someone, an expert, a group and an organization commenting on or accusing galamsey of one ill or another. With data from ethnography gathered in December 2011, November 2015 to August 2016, from the erstwhile Wasa West District, this paper examines the intricacies of the complex socio-economic and governance processes that shape and create environmental change/harm, loss of land and the uncertainties of local livelihoods inherent in the present resource governance regime. The study unearths contrary to the general perception that galamsey operators are nuisance and destroy the environment without any benefit for society and nature. Evidence from the research reveals that local community members view galamsey operations positively and attribute the socioeconomic survival of their community to their work. Yet that does not pretext the various socio-ecological challenges associated with their activities. The paper argues that to address the challenges of sustainable local livelihoods in mining areas and also to ameliorate socio-ecological implications of mining, requires a profound understanding of the anatomy of galamsey. This will allow for the governance mechanisms to be entirely refitted to align them with the realities of mining communities.
Session Eight : TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
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PREDICTING THE DIRECTION OF ROOM RATE CHANGE IN THE HONG KONG HOTEL INDUSTRY
Ibrahim MohammedDepartment of Banking and Finance,
University of Professional Studies, Accra GhanaE-mail: [email protected] /
Basak Denizci GuilletSchool of Hotel and Tourism Management,
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaE-mail: [email protected]
Rob Law School of Hotel and Tourism Management,
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaE-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
With revenue management (RM) pricing strategy, a positive association between occupancy (demand supply ratio) and room rate change can be expected. Beyond this demand-supply-price relationship, it is not unreasonable to expect that the direction of room rate change could also be related to hotel characteristics given that the final decision to alter prices in a certain direction must be based on broader considerations apart from RM software prediction. Analysing the pricing patterns of 126 hotels in Hong Kong, this study employs binomial regression techniques to identify the specific hotel attributes that can be combined with market demand to envisage the aggregate direction of room rate change for different hotel categories. Noting some differences in mid-weekday (Tuesday) and weekend (Saturday) price adjustments, the findings generally demonstrate that, much as increasing or decreasing room rate patterns are related to market demand, size of hotel and location accessibility also influence the probability of an aggregate increase or decrease in room rate. Further, the findings indicate that, all other things being the same, 5-star hotels when compared to 3-star hotels are less likely to have an aggregate increase in their room rates, suggesting that perhaps the highest-star rated hotels are maintaining a certain price image. With these findings, consumers and revenue
GREEN BUSINESS AWARENESS AND GREEN BUSINESS PROCESS UTILIZATION IN GHANA
Fidelis Quansah, Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid and Andrews Adugudaa Akolaa
Department of Marketing
University of Professional Studies, Accra
Abstract
Several authors are calling for the utilization of green business processes. Contributions on green business stems from firm awareness of green business process to green business utilization, however, there seems to be scanty information of Ghanaian firm green business readiness and utilization. Consequently, this study provides an exploratory insights into the level of green business awareness, green business readiness and green business process utilization in the traditional restaurant firms (Chop bars). A qualitative study is found ideal to provide the individualize views and variations in reasoning about green business processes. Interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data from targeted respondents in Madina, Legon and Hatso suburbs of Accra Metropolis. The respondents were identified using a framework which outline some characteristics that qualify respondents for inclusion in the study. The data were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. The study found low level of awareness among respondents, even among respondent who showed some levels of cognizance about green business processes appeared not to be ready in implementing green business processes. Notwithstanding that, respondents provided insights on how to develop a successful green business process implementation system. The study concluded that green business
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processes is in an early adoption stage in Ghana especially among traditional restaurant operators. Therefore, more research may focus on creating green awareness, relevance and consequences of adopting green business processes.
The current paper understudies multinational Ghanaian mine jobs, exposes their male-dominant cultures, and further examines the barriers constraining effective mine work participation of women, vis-à-vis transformations occasioning a shift in gender dynamics, leading to increasing number of women participation in the mines. Deploying a multiple case study approach, and a mixed method research design, the paper identifies unfriendly work-life balance, gender biases, common prejudices, perceptions and stereotyped notions on gender roles in the mines as noted organizational and socio-cultural barriers. The paper beyond these barriers, acknowledges how mine work and allied organizations are changing through gender mainstreaming, gender-driven mining initiatives targeting women, placement of ore-solidarity calls, witnessing women network groups springing within the mines. A development with practical implications for diversity, global competitiveness and a gender driven social innovative
THE INFLUENCE OF CONSUMER LIFESTYLE ON PURCHASE INTENTION OF LOCAL RESTAURANT
Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid and Munkaila Abdulai
University of Professional Studies, Accra P. O. Box LG 149, Legon-Accra, Ghana
Abstract
The study assessed the influence of consumer lifestyle (attitude, interest and opinion) on purchase intention of local restaurants. A quantitative research method was utilized by conducting a survey of 200 respondents using self-administrated questionnaires. Data collected was analyzed with the support of the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) through correlation and regression. The study found that: the attitudes, interests and opinions of respondents significantly affected their purchase intentions. Thus, the decisions to buy from local restaurants were influenced by the attitude, interest and opinions of prospective consumers. The regression analysis resulted in attitude, interest and opinions together explaining about 25% of the variations in purchase intentions. Specifically, a change in attitude will result in a 12.5% change in purchase intentions, also a change in interest will result in a 40.6% change in purchase intention and finally a change in opinions will result in a 13.4% change in a purchase intention. Managers of local restaurants are encouraged to design strategies which could be leveraged to influence attitude, interest and opinions of prospective consumers.
Since the last quarter of the Twentieth Century, the global community agreed in principle to offer a common front towards the development of frameworks that could be adopted as a guidelines for national development by member states. The first of two such agendas, the Millennium Development Goals MDGs), was implemented between 2000 and 2015 with mixed reviews especially and mostly from the developing world. Out of the lessons learnt from those experiences, the drafting of the new and current global development agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), is seen to address concerns from three major dimensions (ecological, social and economic dimensions). Similarly, the new agenda also has expectations from nation states to, among other things, create the enabling platform for the successful adoption and implementation of the SDGs. Ghana’s experience with the implementation of the MDGs was not different from experiences documented generally from the developing world. As a result, it is some effort is needed to assess whether Ghana’s prior experiences with development agenda implementation would serve a useful purpose in guiding the preparatory activities to effectively implement the new development agenda to improve the well-being of citizens. This study therefore looks at Ghana’s preparedness in terms of how lesson learnt from MDGs implementation (generally from the developing world) can be a useful framework in identifying the range of planned programs and activities, and citizen’s awareness and role in the implementation process, and the expectations for state agencies at all levels in ensuring successful implementation of the SDGs by Ghana.
Over the last two decades, there is an increasing emphasis on building and maintaining brand equity as the primary driver of success for service organizations, such as holiday resorts and hotels. Limited research on customer-based brand equity within the Ghanaian hotel context has been conducted. This study examined the dimensions of brand equity and compared the differential effect that they had on brands within three hotel categories (low, medium and high priced) in Ghana. Convenience sampling was used to obtain a return of 169 self-administered questionnaires in the Greater Accra metropolitan area. Total image, perceived quality and brand loyalty were measured at an interval level of measurement, and the appropriate parametric test used was the One-way ANOVA. The results indicate that the selected hotels did not differ on the dimensions of brand image and brand loyalty; however, they did differ on perceived quality. It is therefore recommended that due to the fact that perceived quality is based on customers’ expectations, managers within the hotel industry should provide quality services so as to meet customers’ expectations. The implications of the findings is that the hotels’ communication and operational efforts are effective in creating comprehensive brand equity. When managers focus on brand equity from a customer’s perspective, they are able to determine how their marketing efforts contribute to the value of their brands in the mind of the customer. However, more effort should be made to improve the perceived quality within each of the hotel chains.
3rd International Conference on Business Mgt. & Entrepreneurial Development (ICBMED)
CRYING OVER THE FLAMES? SAVING THE TEARS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISE OWNERS IN COMMERCIAL
MARKET SETTINGS IN GHANA: AN EVALUATIVE STUDY
Abigail Appiah, Peggy Quarcoo-Ayitey, Kelvin Ntumy, Allen Morttey & Collins Badu AgyemangDepartment of Business Administration, University of Professional Studies, Accra
In Ghana, recent fire outbreak trends show most of the occurrences at the markets are mostly caused by electrical faults and gas leakages. A number of markets in Ghana has been eviscerated by fires. The Kaneshie market of Ghana however, has been an exception to the bad news and hence our evaluative study. We undertook this study to find out the knowledge the traders and tenants at Kaneshie market and measures put in place as far as fire safety is concerned. SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities and threats) analytical tool was applied to find its distinctive features from other markets. Seven (7) key stakeholders at the Kaneshie market were purposively engaged in an in-depth interview. We then coded the interviews by summarizing and then categorizing according to the themes. Using interviews and observations, primary data was gathered and reports from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) was also content analyzed as a support secondary data. It was revealed that, traders and tenants in Kaneshie market were versed in using fire extinguishers and other local fire safety measures like “water” and “sacks” to put out basic fires. Periodic training on fire safety was the principal source of traders and tenants knowledge on fire management. The present evaluative study suggest that the preventive framework by managers of Kaneshie Market should be emulated by managers of markets in other settings of Ghana. The study thus suggest that
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the GNFS and other constitutional bodies like Factories, Offices and Shops Act directorate and Municipal and District Assemblies chart a roadmap to create awareness and prevent fire outbreaks in Ghanaian markets.
Keywords: Fire safety, Kaneshie market, Ghana National Fire Service, Factories, Offices and Shops Act, Ghana.
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THE INFLUENCE OF ELECTRICAL POWER OUTAGE ON TEACHING AND LEARNING: A CASE OF A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
IN GHANA
Ernest Abraham MensahDepartment of Business Administration
University of Professional Studies, Accra
Abstract
Electrical power supply is a necessity in national socio-economic development. The study sought to investigate the influence of electrical power outage on teaching and learning; examine the cost of alternative power supply; and examine the efforts of the university to cope with the power supply problem. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative approaches to obtain various data. A Questionnaire and an interview guide were used for data collection. The estate department, the library, 15 lecturers and 280 students were sampled for the study. The study found that electrical power outage affects teaching and learning negatively. It was also found that no meaningful lecture session was recorded without constant supply of electricity. Teaching and learning deploys various electronic and non-electronic tools. The electronic tools cannot function in the absence of power. This has traditionally affected lecture delivery, display of audio-visual materials and other electronic materials. Secondly, the lecture room environment is also affected such that the place gets warm. Lecture room environment can determine the level of convenience or comfort of students and this can then affect student attention and absorption of lessons and ultimately academic performance of the students. Thus, poorly ventilated environment negatively influence teaching and learning activities of students. Various services provided for by the University are unable to occur when there is no power. Alternative power supply is expensive and imposes additional cost on students. The University has resorted to the use of generators anytime there
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is power outage. It is therefore recommended that adequate electrical power supply would be provided for provision of effective and efficient teaching and learning process in universities. This can happen through a proactive national electrical power generation effort.
ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF GREEN TRUST ON CONSUMER GREEN PURCHASE INTENTIONS
Andrews Adugudaa Akolaa and Alexander PrekoDepartment of Marketing
University of Professional Studies, Accra
Abstract
Green marketing is receiving serious attention from both industry and academia as many firms are consciously planning and turning out environmentally friendly products and services to preserve the planet. This study aims at exploring the green trust of consumers and their purchasing intention utilizing the theory of Planned Behaviour as well as developing a conceptual model for a developing country, Ghana. Primary data will be gathered from green consumers of selected malls employing probability-sampling methods. Structural equation modelling will be used to test the hypothesized model. Reliability, exploratory and confirmatory analyses will be employed to test for internal consistency, factor structure and validity of the adapted instruments. Findings of the study would contribute to Ghana’s interest of environmental issues, managerial implications as well as serving the academic community.
Using the American Customer Satisfaction Model (ACSM), this study examined the factors that influence students’ satisfaction with academic programmes and determined the consequences of the satisfaction. Data were collected from final year students of a Business Professional University in Ghana through survey approach. The analysis was done using partial least squares path modelling to estimate the satisfaction index. It is found that the ACSM displayed a good model fit and identifies the antecedents and outcomes of students’ satisfaction. Accordingly, the results show that perceived value and perceived quality are the significant predictors of students’ satisfaction and not prior expectation. However, students’ satisfaction results in loyalty, intention to return and positive-word-of-mouth. The findings offer valuable suggestions to university administrators on how they can increase students’ satisfaction.
The existing international management literature has presented inconclusive results about the effect of institutional voids in emerging economies on the extent to which firms enter and move resources in these markets. With the lens of institutional theory and transaction-cost economics, this paper examines how institutional voids in emerging economies influence developed country-based firms’ resource commitment in terms of 1) the degree of control of entry strategy employed by the firm in entering the emerging economy and 2) the level of delocalization in the emerging economy. By relying on a sample of 90 Italian firms operating in China within 2001-2010 time periods, results of this study show that the relationship between institutional voids and firm’s resource commitment in terms of entry strategies and delocalization in emerging economy is invented U-shaped: as institutional voids increase, firms prefer to choose entry strategy with higher degree of control as well as increase the number of business functions in the emerging economy; however, beyond certain threshold of institutional voids, firms tend to reduce the entry mode degree of control and the number business functions within an emerging economy.
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THE IMPACT OF REBRANDING ON FIRM PERFORMANCE
Anas SulemanaDepartment of Marketing
Tamale Technical University
Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid Department of Marketing
University of Professional Studies, Accra
Abstract
Many service firms resort to rebranding whenever they want to improve on their performance either by delivering satisfactory brands or brands that enhance client loyalty. This study explored the relationship between rebranding and firm performance utilizing customer satisfaction and customer loyalty as performance indicators. A quantitative research method was adopted for the study. One hundred and fifty (150) respondents participated in the research, where respondents were selected at the banking halls of the case bank. The study found that clients of Access bank were aware of the rebranding exercise of Access bank. The study specifically found that rebranding had an effect on customer satisfaction and on customer loyalty. The study concludes that rebranding exercises were ideal principally with financial institutions whose brands have challenges and recording poor performance compared with competitors. Therefore, banks could leverage on rebranding to improve on their client satisfaction and customer loyalty. As a result, banks are encouraged to adopt rebranding strategies in their attempts to improve customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.
DISSERTATION SUPERVISION PROCESS: EXPERIENCES OF PAST UPSA STUDENTS- A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Frank Frimpong, Caleb Kwesi Aidoo, Esther Esinam Fummey, Joana Ababio, & Collins Badu Agyemang
Department of Business Administration, University of Professional Studies, Accra- Ghana
Abstract
Dissertation supervision process is now considered as a conventional part of the curriculum of many courses available at institutions of higher education and has attracted a lot of attention from many institutions around the globe. The study focused on exploring the experiences of past UPSA students in relation to their dissertation supervision. The nature of the study was purely qualitative and purposive and convenience sampling techniques were adopted in selecting eight (8) past UPSA students for the study. All respondents were engaged in an in-depth interview using semi-structured interview questions. Data obtained from the interview was transcribed, coded and analysed using inductive content analysis. From the data analysis, past UPSA students understood the conceptualisation of dissertation to be a process for knowledge building. Through research related courses and friends participating in dissertation writing they obtained initial understanding of dissertation. It emerged that the two basic roles played in the process were directional roles and implementation roles. Some challenges associated with the supervision process were social loafing, financial constraints, low accessibility of supervisors and contradicting opinions on the work format. Students believed through time management, narrow span of control, financial incentives for supervisors, participation based grading and supervision orientation for supervisors, the process can be enhanced. The researchers recommend that further research should be conducted in the area of dissertation supervision in Ghana considering the limited literature available specifically on the experiences of supervisors in the process and comparison of past student experiences among other tertiary institution.
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UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF COMPANY SECRETARIAL PRACTICE: MY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Okai- Anderson, Effie. KwaabaDepartment of Business Administration
University of Professional Studies, AccraP. O. Box LG 149
Accra
Abstract
Company Secretaries (CS) form an integral part of every Corporate Institution. They are said to be the primary source of advice at the Board level. Even though their roles have changed over the past decade as management philosophies in the business world, many have misperceptions about CS. A review of literature suggests that people generally have perceptions on this profession based on an outdated stereotypical image. Technological advances, new business procedures, and global markets are only a few of the push factors which have contributed to the new demands on today’s Company Secretary. Most people, including most educators who are not in the field of Company Secretarial Practice accord Company Secretaries with less recognition. The present paper is a demonstration of the author’s professional as a practitioner-researcher. Principally, this paper highlights some misperceptions of University Students and attempt to underpin their misperceptions with some context-specific plausible arguments. The paper submit meaningfully with recommendations on how this perception can be changed and how universities can introduce this important area of studies in order to develop more human capital in this profession.
Keywords: Company Secretarial Practice, roles, perception, Company Secretary, typist, receptionist, Stenographer, University Students
The determination of appropriate leadership and management approaches is important in determining work outcomes and employee well-being. Negative management or leadership actions are have negative effects on employee. Though this phenomenon has been researched, there is a dearth of knowledge of its prevalence among academics, particularly in Ghana and Africa. The study used a quantitative approach. An exploratory factor analysis of scale items for Social Elements gave scores of between 0.529 and 0.781 whiles those for the Cultural elements ranged from 0.578 to 0.841. Reliability test of the scale items showed scores ranging from 0.795 to 0.800 whiles cultural elements scored: ‘priority given to economic security over self-expression and quality of life’=0.791; ‘respect for the strong and unyielding = 0.879 and ‘society trumpeting prosperity and progress as success’ =0.795. The study produced four findings. Thus, it also found that culture predisposes workers in Ghanaian universities to acceding control and power to their superiors depicting organisational culture in Ghanaian universities as a control culture and NMB as a function of culture. It was found that social values and culture were major causes of negative managerial behaviour. Again it was found that negative managerial behaviours resulted in ‘Self-Worth Problems’ for staff, poor or negative organisational citizenship behaviour, negative perception of organisational support (N-POS) and a negative perception of supervisor support (N-PSS). The study contributes to knowledge by developing a scale for measuring NMB in universities.
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SOCIAL PROTECTION IN GHANA AND ITS IMPACTS ON CITIZENSHIP
Robertson Neequaye KoteyDepartment of Business Administration, University of Professional Studies, Accra
Email: neequaye.kotey @upsamail.edu.gh
Abstract
Ghana has practiced a number of social protection policies aimed at reducing poverty in the country since the time of independence. The most recent ones are the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) introduced in the year 2003 and the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) which was introduced in the year 2008. The NHIS was to increase access to healthcare and also to eliminate or reduce out of pocket payment at the point of use. LEAP on the other hand was a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program introduced in the country to target the chronic poor. Since the introduction of LEAP and NHIS in the country, several research done on these policies focused on their impact on beneficiaries and health outcomes. Less attention has been focused on its impact on citizenship. This paper will focus on how the two social protection policies influence citizenship. The purpose of this research is to examine whether the two social protection policies influence the citizenship of beneficiaries differently or the similarly. Although this is a work in progress, the methodology used is qualitative where data will be collected at carefully selected districts and analysed. Expected findings are that there will be a significant correlation between NHIS and citizenship, A significant correlation between LEAP and citizenship and between the two i.e. Leap and NHIS on the one side and Citizenship on the other. This is expected to contribute to literature by establishing the contribution of the two social protection policies on citizenship.
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BRANDING UNIVERSITIES ON THE INTERNET: AN ANALYSIS OF THE DIALOGIC POTENTIAL OF UNIVERSITY WEBSITES
Rhodalene AmarteyFaculty of Public Relations, Ghana Institute of Journalism, Accra
Abstract:
The purpose of this paper is to examine the dialogic communications potential of universities websites in Ghana. A quantitative content analysis of universities websites in Ghana drawing upon Kent and Taylor’s (1998) dialogic communications framework was employed for the analysis. The result indicates that students and users must be considered when websites are being developed. The paper contributes to the little literature on dialogic communications potential of websites in an emerging educational sector and economy like Ghana
CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS OF CLOUD COMPUTING ADOPTION: EVIDENCE FROM GHANA
James Ami-Narh and Ben OcraDepartment of Information and Communication,
University of Professional Studies, Accra
Abstract
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This study explored barriers and challenges to the adoption of cloud computing in Ghana. Data was collected from 254 management level employees in the information technology departments of selected commercial banks in Accra using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Principal Component Analysis. Results show that limited knowledge about cloud computing and about its relevance by managements; lack of management commitment to the deployment of resources for applying cloud computing; limited human capacity to apply cloud computing; lack of financial resources to own and apply cloud computing; limited technical know-how in the area; and the fact that cloud computing is perceived less needed by managements are some of the barriers and challenges to cloud computing adoption in Ghana. A remedy of these challenges and barriers is proposed to improve the adoption and application of cloud computing in Ghana.
ANALYSING THE ATTITUDE OF SMES TOWARDS THE ADOPTION OF SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS FOR COMMUNICATION AND
MARKETING
Rejoyce Esi AsanteDepartment of Business Administration, University of Professional Studies, Accra
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine the attitude of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) towards the use of Social Media tools and the level of adoption how this is affecting communication and market access and to recommend it to businesses to overcome some of the challenges facing the sustainable SMEs communication and marketing. Limited access to the market and low adoption of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) in communication still remain a constraint for SME growth and competitiveness. SMEs have not been able to harness the ICT potential as compared to larger enterprises that enjoy better market access and communication. Social media advertising or communication is gradually gaining grounds and research has shown that the use of ICT including social media can improve market access
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by facilitating communication with customers. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design will be used to collect data from working individuals and owners of SMEs in the Accra Metropolis, using the convenience and snowball sampling techniques. Data will be analysed using the multiple hierarchical regression analysis to explain the relationships among the variables and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), a confirmatory technique, to determine the extent to which the theoretical model developed is supported by sample data and how the sets of variables define constructs and how these constructs are related to each other. It is proposed that there will be a significant relationship between SME attitudes towards social media and their adoption for communication and market access. The study will rely on convenience sampling which will make it difficult to generalise the findings and to account for changes that may occur in the attitude of SMEs towards the use of social media for communication and marketing. The study will however contributes to the understanding of SME attitudes towards social media especially in Ghana and how this can enhance effective communication and improved market access.
Key words: Social media networks/tools, Adoption, Communication, Market Access, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM).
Mrs. Patience Obeng – Ahwireng.Alumni, School of Business AdministrationUniversity of Ghana, Legon, Accra - Ghana.
Abstract
The adoption and widely use of mobile phones mostly among the inhabitants of developing countries have opened up diverse opportunities in financial services such as mobile money service. However, mobile money is available in 85% of countries where the vast majority of the population lacks access to a formal financial institution. This is an extraordinary achievement, demonstrating the power of mobile phones, underpinned by the important role mobile network
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operators have played in building this industry. In developing countries, billions of people are ‘unbanked’ and have to rely on cash or informal financial services. The main objective of the research is to analyzed the challenges of mobile money service and to also identify factors that influence students‘ intention to adopt mobile money service in University of Professional Studies Accra. A conceptual research model was developed based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The theory holds that four key constructs (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions) are direct determinants of usage intention and behavior whiles Technological Acceptance Model (TAM) predicted that Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), could affect behavioral intention to adopt to mobile money service. A quantitative approach will be employed for this study. 378 students in UPSA will be selected and administered with questionnaires base on random sampling method. Regression and correlation will be used for analyzing the data collected.
ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS OF THE YOUTH TOWARDS MOBILE MARKETING
Mustapha IddrisuDepartment of Marketing
University of Professional Studies, Accra
Abstract
Technological advancement and globalization has made many marketers to move away from traditional marketing to online marketing platforms such as mobile marketing to effectively influence their target markets.. Marketing on mobile devices has become one of the most widespread medium of communicating with potential and existing customers mainly in the form of text advertising through Short Messaging Service (SMS). This study is aimed at finding out the attitudes and behavioral intentions of the youth towards mobile marketing within universities in Accra. The objectives of this study are to find
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out the rate at which the youth use mobile marketing (short message service), to determine whether the youth are likely to be influenced by mobile marketing in their purchase decisions and to investigate the factors affecting consumer attitudes and behavioral intention towards mobile marketing. The study employed descriptive research design and the data required for this study were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Five Hundred (500) questionnaires were administered to young students of five universities in Accra. The results revealed that, 1) there is a high rate of students’ preference of mobile marketing messages. 2) There was no relationship between consumer attitude and mobile marketing messages and or the students’ attitude were not influenced by mobile marketing messages. 3) There was no relationship between consumer attitude and consumer factors and or consumer factors do not significantly affect students’ attitude and behavioral intention since majority of the consumer factors did not have a significant relationship with consumer attitude. Based on these findings, the study recommended that marketers should strive to know how consumers evaluate marketing messages they receive on their mobile phone that is to identify consumer attitude towards receiving and reading this marketing messages would help marketers to better market and communicate their products and services to consumers.
Keywords: Mobile Marketing, marketing messages, Consumer attitudes
Tourism is the world’s largest civilian industry whose growth, economic significance and potential are phenomenal across the globe. Online tourism is rapidly becoming a growing topic of research and its importance as future mode of acquiring information and purchase of tourism products and
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services is growing day by day. The study was undertaken with extensive research on contemporaneous data, websites and conference proceedings on tourism related aspects. Web survey, focused interviews have been used to elicit specific information for such qualitative analysis. In addition, wherever possible, the views of practitioners have been used to elicit specific information for qualitative analysis. The study also incorporates the insights gained from some conferences in the area of online tourism in India and abroad. Keeping this in view, online tourism is all set to reengineer most of the processes supporting travel and tours as a whole. Organizational information systems and the Internet have resulted in new ways and methods of conducting business. Airlines, Travel Intermediaries and Hotel Industry as functional stakeholders in the tourism process are expected to gain in the process. There are certain challenges, reservations and hiccups concerning the access, adoption, growth, and implementation of the online technology in tourism.
In 2015, $15 billion revenue was generated by the music industry with digital sales accounting for 45% as against 39% of physical sales (IFPI Global Music Report, 2016). The uptick in the music industry’s revenue triggered this research to explore the factors promoting digital entrepreneurship among music production firms in the SME sector in Ghana. As a researcher-practitioner, a careful trend analysis between two Ghanaian music industry heroes – Nana Kwame Ampadu and Shatta Wale (Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jnr.) – lend
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support to the rationale of this research. Using a qualitative methodological approach, 10 music production industry players with more than five years operational experience were purposively sampled for the study. With a semi-structured interview guide, participants were engaged in an in depth interview. Data collected were carefully transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The study was underpinned by Tornatzky and Fleischer’s (1990) classical theory of Technology, Organization, and Environment Framework. Analyses of data revealed “technological adoption advantages” as one of the key influencing factors of deploying digital entrepreneurship, thus differentiating the two illustrative Ghanaian music industry heroes. Among the three main themes that emerged, technological factors– enhanced predominantly from perceived benefits and availability of information technology infrastructure was found to be the most influential. The study unveils the multifaceted push factors for the adoption of digital entrepreneurship. The findings have policy implications as the government of Ghana takes active interest in supporting the growth of the creative industry.
Keywords: Digital entrepreneurship, music production firms, technology adoption, SME, Nana Kwame Ampadu, Shatta Wale Ghana.
