Faculty of Business

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://atuspace.atu.edu.gh/handle/123456789/4

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 91

Effect of recruitment and selection practices on organisational strategic goals
(European Journal of Business and Management, 2013) Afiriyie, E. O.; Abaka, G. B.
The study investigated the effect of human resource Management practices on performance of Small and Medium Hotels in Osu Klottey Sub-Metropolitan Assembly of Greater Accra of Ghana. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were engaged to sample 200 respondents out of a total population of 501 full time workers of the hotels. Questions were formulated to guide the study. Frequency tables and charts were used to present the responses. Person’s correlation was employed to test the performance of the hotels. Major findings were that correlation coefficient for the relationship between rewards and compensations and the firms’ performance was, however, negative - 0.269. Also, it was found that the relationships between the hotels’ performance and the human resource management practices were statistically significant at alpha (α) = 0.05. These indicate there are slightly little but positive influence on impact of the recruitment procedures on the hotels’ performances though rewards and compensations had little influence on hotels performance. It also indicates that lack of rewards and compensations demotivates employees to give off their best. Based on the findings some recommendations were made, which offers a new and improved performance.
Supply Chain cost identification as a means of cost reduction strategy. -A case study of Ghana Supply Company Limited
(2013) Doumbia, M. O.; Afriyie, E. O.; Ndum, E.; Blankson, G. E
This paper examines the concept of supply chain (SC) to explore non-value adding activities in order to offer a firm, a cost reduction strategy. This strategy starts with mapping the SC and identifying each and every activity along it, starting from the last tier supplier to the final consumer. The aim of the paper is to examine the SC processes of Ghana Supply Company Limited (GSCL). A small-scale case study was adopted with both primary and secondary data sources being used. The primary data focused on the use of personal interviews and questionnaires while secondary data was sourced from journals, the internet and other publications pertinent to the topic. Sample of ten questionnaires were administered on the personnel of the Procurement, Warehousing and Shipping departments constituting a population of twenty-nine (29). Close and open-ended questions were asked to enable respondents to come out with divergent answers. Findings of the study revealed that the supply chain operations of GSCL to a large extent is well coordinated as evidenced by the integration of activities such as procurement, shipping, warehousing and fleet management under the direct control and supervision of the Director of Operations.
Assessing the Alignment between Students of the Department of Secretaryship/Bilingual Secretaryship and Management Studies of Accra Polytechnic and the Labour Market
(European Journal of Business and Management, 2013) Blankson, G. A.; Afriyie, E. O.; Doumbia, M. S.
This study is conducted with the objective of assessing the alignment between students of Secretary and Bilingual Secretaryship and Management Studies programme offered in Accra Polytechnic and the Labour Market. The target population for this research was the Human Resource of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Staff of Trade Union Congress (TUC) and students of Secretaryship/Bilingual Secretaryship and Management Studies of Accra Polytechnic. The sample for the study consists of 80 questionnaires for students of Accra Polytechnic, Secretaryship/Bilingual Studies and interviews conducted in Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Trade Union Congress (TUC). The study revealed that over 55% of the respondents did not see the relevance of shorthand as a course. It was also revealed in the study that just a few percentage of students get access to an organization for their internships and other students are left wondering as to how and where to get an organization for their internship programme. In view of the above, it is recommended that the curriculum of Secretaryship/Bilingual secretaryship and Management studies department of Accra polytechnic should be reviewed to suit the needs of the labour market.
Macroeconomic variables and stock market performance of emerging countries
(Taylor and Francis, 2016) Winful, E. C.; Sarpong, D. Jnr.; Adjei, K. S.
This study examines the relationship between macroeconomic variables and stock market returns using monthly data over period January 1992 to December, 2008. Macroeconomic variables used in this study are consumer price index (as a proxy for inflation), crude oil price, exchange rate and 91 day Treasury bill rate (as a proxy for interest rate). Full Information Maximum Likelihood Estimation procedure was used in establishing the relationship between macroeconomic variables and stock market returns in Ghana. The empirical results reveal that there is a significant relationship between stock market returns and three macroeconomic variables; consumer price index (inflation rate), exchange rate and Treasury bill rate seem to affect stock market returns. Consumer price index (Inflation rate) had a positive significant effect, while exchange rate and Treasury bill rate had negative significant influence on stock market returns. On the other hand, crude oil prices do not appear to have any significant effect on stock returns. The results may provide some insight to corporate managers, investors and policy makers.
Evaluating the credit risk management practices of microfinance institutions in Ghana: Evidence from Capital Line Investment Ltd. and Dream Finance Ltd
(Society for Science and Education, 2016) Appiah-Konadu, P.; Churchill, R. Q.; Agbodohu, W.; Frimpong, H. K.
Several factors are constraining the continuous growth of the microfinance sector in Ghana among which are high risk of defaulting loans and how to ensure effective management of credit risk so as to simultaneously maximize returns on assets and minimize defaulting loans. Using a survey approach and convenience non–probability sampling technique, we applied the Risk Management Feed-back Loop concept proposed by GTZ (2000) to evaluate the credit risk management policies employed by microfinance firms in their quest to manage credit risks in order to minimize defaulting loans. The results of the descriptive analysis indicate that credit risk is the most significant risk that poses a great threat to the overall survival of microfinance firms. The study also revealed that ineffective client information verification system increases the rate of bad loads in microfinance companies. Based on our findings, we recommend that in order to ensure improvement in the performance of microfinance institutions, measures that seek to reduce credit risks should be strengthened. More so, in order to reduce the level of bad debts in the loan portfolios of microfinance firms, we recommend that the system for verifying client information before loan disbursements should be strengthened. Specifically, a detailed scrutiny of the client should be made before making loan disbursements.
Relationship between Work-Life balance and organizational commitment: (A case study of student-workers of the evening school programme at secretaryship and Management Department, Accra
(Developing Countries Studies, 2016)
The quest for work-life balance practices is being championed by many organizations in Ghana. It has also received a lot of attention in the field of research. This has come about as a result of awakenings for equilibrium between employees’ work-life, career ambition and lifestyle. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between work-life balance and organizational commitment among student-workers in the department of Secretaryship and Management Studies of Accra Polytechnic. To achieve this aim, the researchers used a survey design which included research design (questionnaire) and sampling method (random). twenty respondents were selected from first year. Questionnaire and interviews were some of the data collection methods used by the researchers. Tables and charts were used to analyze the data collected. The result of the study showed that there is some significant relationship between work-life balance and organizational commitment among student-workers at the Department of Secretaryship and Management Studies, Accra Polytechnic. Student-workers are employees from different organizations who have taken advantage of Accra Polytechnic’s evening programmes to further their education. Hence, they are combining work, education and family life.The research was concluded with recommendations to help improve the balance further by introducing strategies like telecommuting, a compressed workweek, job sharing and encourage student- workers to take their vacations, more institutional support by way of retreat and seminars to enlighten staff on how to reduce stress in their work- life, making the job content less stressful, student-workers must practice proper time management in order to maximize the work hours at their disposal and to opt for studying on distance, residential or online courses to reduce the stress they go through on a regular or evening school programme, this the researchers believe would ensure a high organizational commitment of the student-workers to their organization.
Training accountants for the dynamisms of modern business.
(2016) Sarpong, D. Jnr.; Winful, E. C.; Ntiamoah, J. A.
The recent increase in corporate fraud, business failures and more importantly the global financial crisis of 2008, raise more thought about the preparedness of accountants in meeting the challenges posed by the information technology age. This may be an indication that the traditional approaches to educating and training future accountants are insufficient or the necessary professional ethics and standards to be observed by practicing accountants are not strictly adhered to. This conceptual review examines the accountancy profession and identifies the requisite skills and training needed to be attained by today’s accountant. The dynamism of the business landscape, which is caused by the ever changing forces and trends that confront today’s businesses, has necessitated a review of the traditional approaches to educating and grooming future accountants. It has been identified in this paper that a modification of the relevant skills and training needed to be attained by the professional accountant is imperative in meeting the demands of the modern business.
In vitro assessment of antibacterial activity of crude extracts of onion (Allium cepa L.) and shallot (Allium aescalonicum L.) on isolates of Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), and Salmonella typhi (ATCC 19430
(International Journal of Applied Research, 2016) Ahiabor, C.; Gordon, A.; Ayittey, K.; Agyare, R.
Antibacterial activity of crude extracts of two Allium species namely Allium cepa Linn (onion) and Allium aescalonicum Linn (shallot) cultivated in Ghana was investigated on isolates of Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), and Salmonella typhi (ATCC 19430) by the agar well diffusion method. Broth cultures of the test bacterial isolates were standardised to 0.5 McFarland (1.0 × 106 cfu/ml) and seeded on nutrient agar. Crude extracts of the onions and shallots were prepared from samples bought from the market. 75µl of undiluted and diluted crude extracts were introduced into corresponding agar wells and incubated at room temperature (approximately 37 °C) for susceptibility test. 15µg/mL of Ciprofloxacin was set as control. After 24 hours of incubation, zones of inhibition were measured and recorded in millimetres. The undiluted extracts exhibited greater inhibitory activity on the test organisms than the diluted extracts. Salmonella typhi was observed to be susceptible to the crude extracts though resistant to ciprofloxacin. Diluting crude extracts of both onion and shallot beyond 1:2 dilution had no antibacterial action on the isolates. Further research is recommended on the pharmacokinetics of the active components in the crude extracts. Eating raw onions and shallots should be encouraged.
Recruitment and selection practices adopted by SMEs in microfinance firms in the Accra Metropolitan area of Ghana.
(Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 2016) Oduro-Nyarko, C.
This study sought to investigate the Recruitment and Selection practices among small and medium businesses using the microfinance sector of the Ghanaian economy. A cross-sectional survey design was used for the study and data were obtained through questionnaire from 40 managers of small and medium size microfinance firms in the Accra Metropolitan Area of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Descriptive statistics with tables and frequencies were used for the analysis. The study found out that managers mainly recruit by word-of-mouth. They did not use sophisticated recruitment strategies, and selection was mainly done through practical tests and interviews among others. Their candidates normally come from the recommendation of friends and relations. In a nutshell, the microfinance institutions use recruitment and selection practices that are cost effective and less time consuming instead of the available sophisticated practices.
Performance management system (PMS): An important performance measurement tool for modern organizations.
(Developing Country Studies, 2016) Hervie, D. M.
Performance management system (PMS) is the heart of any “people management” process in an organization. Organizations exist to perform. If employees do not perform, organizations would not survive. If employees perform at their peak level, organizations would be competitive and productivity would increase. Performance management supports an organisation in the achievement of strategic goals and objectives. It assists managers in setting clear performance expectation goals for all employees that are aligned with the strategic goals. It provides a structure for employees to develop the skills they need to achieve the organisation’s strategic goals. The key features of PMS involve setting objectives, measurable performance criteria expected of the individual employee must be made known to him/her from the beginning of the year. There is regular day-to-day meeting as well as periodic formal feedback meetings with subordinates. An unbiased annual assessment of performance based on specific measurable targets set at the beginning of the corporate year is carried out. During these end of year assessment/appraisal face-to-face meetings, achievements and non-achievements of targets are discussed objectively. Necessary steps are then taken to either recognize performance or improve performance, enhance career development, promote, reward and compensate as deemed fit. The study shows how important PMS is to modern organizations when it comes to performance measurement. The study then concludes and recommends among other things that efforts should be made by organisations to ensure effective and efficient performance management system that would ultimately recognize employees’ efforts, improve performance, enhance career development which would go a long way to achieve organisational strategic goals and bring about competitive advantage.
Determinants of efficiency in the Ghanaian banking industry.
(AJ, 2017) Winful, E. C.; Sarpong, D. Jnr.
The twin forces of technological advancement and deregulation have led to financial integration and increased competition in the Ghanaian banking industry. This situation requires an extensive study into efficiency and its determinants in the Ghanaian banking sector, if Ghanaian banks are to survive and compete effectively in the global financial system. This study tries to determine the main determinants of efficiency in the Ghanaian banking industry, using bank specific balanced panel data for 22 banks in Ghana from 2010 to 2016. The study employed Arellano and Bover system generalized method of moment (GMM) estimator to evaluate the determinants of efficiency by regressing micro and macroeconomic variables on two dimensions of bank efficiency: cost and profit efficiency. The results gave an indication that operational cost, credit risk and bank size are the main determinant of cost efficiency in the Ghanaian banking industry; whereas profit efficiency is significantly influenced by only operational cost and credit risk. However, there is weaker evidence on the impact of capital structure, concentration inflation and real gross domestic product (GDP) growth on both cost and profit efficiencies. K
Psychological contract breach and work performance in the public sector in Ghana.
(International Journal of Technology and Management Research,, 2017) Ampofo-Ansah, C.; Ansah, J. A.
Work in organizations entails an exchange relationship between employees and organization. Apart from the written employment contract, there still exists a set of mutual expectations from the two parties (employer and employee) which remain unwritten and unvoiced and yet drives the behavior of both workers and organizations alike, and this is what is referred to as the psychological contract. Psychological contract refers to the employees’ subjective interpretations and evaluations of their deal with the organization. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of breaches or violations in the psychological contract on the performance of employees. It aims to present two concurrent hypotheses, based on theoretical interaction effects of social exchanges (conceptualized as social exchange relationships, fairness, and job security).Data were collected from a sample of 150 employees from both Public and Private Banks in Ghana. Regression analysis was used to explore the moderating effects of social exchanges on the relationships between psychological contract breach and work performance (operationalized as in- role behaviors and organizational citizenship behaviors).It was found that the negative relationship between psychological contract breach and work performance was moderated by social exchanges, such that the relationship was stronger for employees with high social exchange relationship, perceived organizational support, and job security which means that psychological contract breach will negatively affect employees with higher expectations in social exchanges.
Comparing change in perceived achievement of students in an interprofessional class: The effectiveness of participatory versus direct instruction
(Elsevier Inc, 2017) Ekpe, J. F. K.; Moore, D. R.; McCarthy, J. W.; DiGiovanni, J. J.
Bank efficiency and default risk: The case of Ghana.
(AJ, 2017) Sarpong, D. Jnr.; Winful, E. C.
There seem to be inconclusive results regarding the interactions between bank efficiency, default risk and bank capital. This study tries to assess the dynamic interactions between efficiency estimates, default risk and bank capital in the Ghanaian banking industry, using bank specific panel data for 20 Ghanaian banks from 2007 to 2015. We employ panel vector autoregressive models (VAR) models which are estimated using generalized method of moments (GMM) to examine the interactions. The results give an indication that bank default risk has negative and statistically significant impact on cost efficiency but exerts only a mild influence on profit efficiency. However, there exist weaker evidence on the impact of both efficiencies on bank default risk. Bank capital on the other hand has significant positive impact on cost and profit efficiencies but both efficiencies have insignificant impact on bank default risk.
E-Commerce Adoption: A tool for small and M.Ed.ium-scale enterprises (SMEs) empowerment through internationalization.
(American Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2017) Addai, M.; Danso, B. A.; Dodor, A.; Antwi, H. A
Electronic commerce, commonly known as e-commerce can be regarded as the utilization of electronic systems such as the internet and other computer networks to aid the sharing of business information among trading partners, coordination and implementation of business transactions. Existing studies in Nigeria concentrated on factors that limit Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in adopting e-commerce technology and most of these studies were examined from consumers perspectives, however, little or no study have examined the impact of e-commerce adoption on the performances of SMEs. This paper employed the use of a quantitative research approach to analyse the behavior, experience, perspective of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises operators towards electronic commerce adoption in Nigeria. Based on the quantitative approach imbibed in this study, questionnaire was used to capture data that examined the objectives of the paper. The questionnaire was distributed both manually and electronically to total sample of over 250 SMEs. Data collected were analysed using descriptive analysis. The study showed that e-commerce has potentials to improve the performance of SMEs operators if factors limiting the adoption of ecommerce like security issues, under developed infrastructures, poor delivery logistics and poor courier systems, infrastructure facilities, incompatibility of business with ecommerce etc. The paper recommended improved infrastructural facilities and better strategies that will improve consumers and business technological knowledge and ensure favourable environment for e-commerce adoption.
When Refereeing turns ugly: Investigating fans response to the specter of Bias Officiating in Ghana Football
(International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 2017) Bashiru, S.; Winful, C. W.; Mahama, F.
Football is a game of universal appeal. In the middle of the field is the referee who officiate the game guided by rules and regulations. The fallibility of humans means referees at times make questionable decisions leading to what has become topical as referee bias. This study investigated the issue of referee bias and fans response to the phenomenon using qualitative approaches. We reviewed relevant literature from scholarly articles and on referee bias and identified some void in responses to referee bias on the part of fans. We collated data using semi structured interviews by posing open ended questions. A small sample size comprising nine participants was chosen for the study. We found that participants believe referee bias is widespread in Ghana Football. Fans respond angrily to acts of bias officiating with violent behavior ensuing. We also discovered that some fans are dissuaded from attending football matches because of referee bias. We recommend that referees should be trained and re- trained to minimize referee bias whilst sanctioning referees who persists in bias officiating. Security should also be beefed up to give referees some protective cover and also possibly engage in crowd control.
Bank efficiency and stock returns.
(Journal of Economics and International Finance, 2017) Sarpong, D. Jnr.; Winful, E. C.; Ntiamoah, J.
Increased competition and globalization have made it imperative for banks to achieve high efficiency in order to generate required returns. This paper investigates the relationship between bank efficiency estimates, derived from both Stochastic Frontier Approach (SFA) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and share prices of banks listed on the Ghana stock exchange. The results give an indication that changes in cost and profit efficiency are reflected in stock performance and that efficiency is directly observed by the public and reflected in share prices, though SFA efficiency scores are not reflected in share prices as being equally important as compared to DEA efficiency scores.
Referee bias and its impact on low fans attendance at stadiums: Standpoints from Ghana
(Journal Physical Education and Sports, 2017) Bashiru, S; Opoku, E
This study delved into referee bias in football matches with the aim of determining its impact on fans attendance. The study reviewed relevant literature on referee bias and discovered that in most cases, related works dwelt on existence of referee bias and its impact on match outcomes using time added on, yellow and red cards. This work adopted a quantitative approach and collected relevant data from 100 participants drawn from football parks and stadiums during football activities. Data was analyzed and represented in diagrams with further analysis conducted using odds-ratio test of Chi-squared tests, Likelihood Ratio and Linear – by- linear Association statistical independence to determine linkages between referee bias on match outcomes and low fan attendance. We found that football fans believe referee bias is widespread in Ghana and referees professionalism leaves much to be desired. We recommend that referees should be trained and retrained to improve their professional judgment ant their reward system should be improved to fortify that against inducements fro club officials.
The Causes of Low Success Rate of Public Sector Projects as Compared to the Private Sector in Ghana-The Study Area of Greater Accra Region.
(International Journal of Technology and Management Research, 2017) Ansah, J.A.; Ampofo-Ansah, C.
The issue of project failure is alarming in Ghana and this experience has persisted for a long time. However, some projects undertaken by private organizations are able to chalk successes more often. This study therefore examines the causes of low success rate of project completion in both the public and private sectors in Ghana, study area of Greater Accra Region. The research intends to analyze how the setting of project goals, project scope, project budget, monitoring and feedback, meeting stakeholders’ expectations and project management practice influence completion of projects in both public and private sectors. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used for collecting and analyzing the data. The stratified sampling technique was employed and out a total of 200 questionnaires administered to respondents. 158 questionnaires representing 79% were retrieved. Regression and correlation analysis were used in analyzing the data collected, based upon which conclusions were drawn. The findings of the research were that setting project goals, monitoring and feedback and project management practice are the most influential factors in successful completion of projects in both sectors. The study has made recommendations in the article to guide project implementation
Exhibiting resistance during an organizational transformation: The telecommunication industry in Ghana
(2017) Bapuuroh, C. B.
The purpose of this study is to explore how employees reacted by the manifestation of resistant behaviours and attitudes during an organizational transformation in the telecommunication industry of Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative multiple case study using two organizations. Data was obtained primarily through interviews from twenty employees. Seven (7) participants were interviewed from MTN Ghana and thirteen (13) participants from AIRTEL Ghana. Both managers and non-managers were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify relevant themes. The main theme determined from the analysis of data is: Manifestation of resistance and the accompanying sub-themes are Active resistance and Passive resistance. The main drawback of this research is due to the fact that it was limited to only two organizations. Participant selection bias is also a limitation. The study is a contribution to resistance to change theory since there is virtually no research conducted in the area studied in Ghana especially in the telecommunications industry.

Browse

Browsing Faculty of Business by Issue Date