Research Articles

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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.
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.
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.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Hotel Employees in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.
(2022) Hervie, D. M.; Amoako-Atta, E.; Hossain, M. B.; Illés, C. B.; Dunay, A.
This study examines the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on hotel employees in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana using the conservation of resource and human relations theories to ascertain the level of impact. Data was collected from 511 hotel employees from 58 hotels using questionnaires. The employees were randomly sampled. Stepwise Regression in Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16 model was used to run the analysis. Nine independent variables were included in a stepwise regression model. Six came out as significant and explained 51.6% of the variation in the percentage of their salary that staff received during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The remaining 48.4% was explained by other factors such as the years of service and whether the facility shut down during the lockdown. It was further identified that about 80% of the respondents had their salaries reduced, and that work schedules and working hours were altered, particularly during the lockdown and closure of the country’s borders. It is recommended that hotels should network, be more customer-oriented, be health- and safety-focused, frequently update their communication channels, and make digitalisation and human resource development a priority as measures to help the industry in its recovery process.
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.
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.
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.
The review of past pandemics to predict what to expect after COVID-19.
(Social Behavior Research & Health, 2020) Oppong Peprah, E.
Several pandemics such as the Spanish flu ; and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome have come and gone with similar consequences felt after they were contained. It can be suggested that a critical study of events after past pandemics can help one make an informed guess about what to expect after the current pandemic. Therefore, this paper aimed to examine the post -events of past pandemics to predict events after Covid -19. Published articles were collected and reviewed from scholarly literature , Web search engines , and citation databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus. Information gathering for this study was largely done in the second quarter of 2020 on mainly Google Scholar with the final inclusion criteria word search being pandemic, epidemic, plague, disease, crises, infection, viral, and outbreak whiles the final exclusion criteria word search being science, scientific, environment, biology, chemistry, law, and political . Peer -reviewed articles were sorted and reviewed to contribute to understanding and developing a perspective in assessing past pandemics and Covid -19. Other authentic non -peer -reviewed online sources were also searched, and their required information was also considered. Literature was reviewed on historical pandemics, which killed many people up to percentages of the whole population. Although all of them were deadly, the three recent outbreaks were checked in -depth, namely the 1918 Spanish Flu, Ebola, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The current pandemic, as declared by the World Health Organization, is Covid -19. This study makes several predictions under different categories including: social, psychological, economic, and global conditions, as well as the possible benefits of Covid -19. The findings encompass fear and paranoia among people, the psychological need of survivors, stigmatization, growth in religious fanaticism, stock market returns, increment in unemployment, higher cost of doing business, impact on the global financial system, temporary dysfunction of global supply chains, the cost to the world economy, increased interest in infectious disease prevention, stronger bonding between humans and nations, and advancement in clinical research.
Abusive Behavior in the Workplace.
(Social Behavior Research & Health, 2020) Oppong Peprah, E.
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.
Linking entrepreneurship education to entrepreneurial intentions among technical university students: A case of Accra Technical University, Ghana.
(Archive of Business Research, 2017) Oduro-Nyarko, C.; Taylor-Abdulai, H. B.; Afriyie, E. O.; Sarpong, E.; Ampofo Ansah, C.
Recognising the relevance of entrepreneurship, most African universities have made significant input into delivering Entrepreneurial Education in Higher Educational Institutions. However, the rising number of graduate unemployment raises concerns with regard to quality of educational content, and programmes. This study sought to investigate the impact of entrepreneurship course content on entrepreneurial intention and the mediation of individual entrepreneurial characteristics and also to investigate if graduates’ exposure to extra entrepreneurship training and university programme type does account for differences in individual entrepreneurial characteristics. A context-specific framework that explains entrepreneurial intention as a function of course content, programmes type, and extra entrepreneurial training is tested based on data from 400 undergraduate students and 400 graduates from eight Ghanaian universities. Evidence from the model reveals that entrepreneurial course content did impact entrepreneur Intention, however, this impact is partially mediated by the attitudes, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms of Ghanaian students and graduates. Again, while it was found that extra entrepreneurial training did account for differences in individual entrepreneurial characteristics and entrepreneurial intention of graduates, the difference due to programme type was not significant. Theoretical, policy and practical implications findings of this study are discussed.
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
Relationship between psychological contract and job satisfaction of staff of Accra Technical University
(International Journal of Technology and Management Research, 2018) Ampofo-Ansah, C.; Sarkodie-Baffoe, R.
The study investigated the relationship between psychological contract and job satisfaction of staff of Accra Technical University. A descriptive survey design was used with the target population being both teaching and non-teaching staff of Accra Technical University. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample a total of 300 respondents . A total of 270 responded to the questionnaires out of a target sample of 300 staff. The study revealed that, there was a relationship between perceived psychological contract and job satisfaction. Using linear regression analysis, the study showed that an increase in the overall fulfillment of obligations and promises (psychological contract) by both Teaching and Non-teaching staff would directly cause an increase in job satisfaction. Another key finding of the study was that, in general the staff perceived they fulfilled their promises and obligations to a greater extent to the university, while the university fulfilled its promises and obligations to a lesser extent, which meant there was inverse relation between what the staff offered to the university and what the university offered and this caused a breach of psychological contract which in turn bred job dissatisfaction. This study then recommends that management revised its recruitment policy and emphasize on flexibility in terms of career development opportunities and endeavor to fulfill their promises and obligations (psychological contract).
Managing occupational health and safety in a Ghanaian building industry (A case study of some construction sites of Eris Property Group in Accra).
(2018) Hervie, D.M.; Oduro-Nyarko, C.
Achieving occupational health and minimisation to a large extent possible hazard to health and safety in the construction industry is the responsibility of all employees. The onus is on management to achieve high standards in such matters as required by the constitution of Ghana (1992) and the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) in relation to health and safety at the work place. It is high time construction practitioners pay much attention to health and safety issues on sites and implement policies or framework in this regard. The main objective of this study is to find out if contractors and developers in the building industry have health and safety policies and whether these policies are implemented and functional. Through questionnaires, interviews and literature, it was revealed that majority sites have employees’ orientation on health and safety before starting work. More so, management and employees have regular interactions to continuously re-orient the mind on importance of site safety. It also came to light that local contractors are guiltier when it comes to site health and safety practices. Based on the findings from this research, it was recommended that a regulatory body should be formed for the building industry. This body should develop an institutional health and safety framework in line with the constitution and the Labour Act of Ghana that would be stringently implemented in Ghanaian construction sites. Furthermore, international construction sites normally have dedicated department which are well resourced to ensure health and safety measures which local contractors could emulate.
Effective performance management system for enhancing growth at Accra Technical University
(Archives of Business Research, 2018) Hervie, D.M.
Performance management supports and offers a structure for employees to develop the skills they need to achieve organisation’s strategic goals. The key features of PMS involve setting objectives, monitoring, motivation, giving timely feedback and measurable performance. There are regular day-to-day meetings as well as periodic feedback meetings with subordinates. An unbiased annual evaluation of performance based on specific assessable targets set at the beginning of the corporate year is carried out. During these end-of-year appraisal face-to-face meetings, achievements and nonachievements of targets are discussed objectively. Necessary steps are then taken to either recognize or improve performance, enhance career development, promote, reward and compensate as deemed fit. The objective of this study is to propose the introduction of Performance Management System in Accra Technical University that would enhance performance and effective growth. A semi structured questionnaire was used and interviews were conducted to gather information from a cross-section of staff in the institution. In all, about 30 questionnaires were distributed and retrieved from both senior and administrative junior staff. PMS manual was designed based on information gathered. The manual spells out the step-by-step procedure or guideline for a successful implementation of PMS. The study concludes and recommends among other things that efforts should be made by the Institution to ensure that staff are given the requisite training in the area of target setting and implementation, recognition of employees’ effort and enhance career development which would go a long way to achieve institutional strategic goals and competitive advantage for Accra Technical University.
Enhancing teachers’ performance through training and development in Ghana education service (A case study of Ebenezer senior high school).
(2018) Hervie, D.M.; Winful, E.C.
The aim of this article is to examine training and development of teachers and how it can enhance their performance in delivery under the Ghana Education Service (GES). Performance of teachers is of primary importance to every country and Ghana is not an exception. Teachers are a source of encouragement to their students because of the developed relationship and in addition, provide instructions in their respective academic area. The relatively poor performance of students in recent times has led to this study. The study was based on a case study and quantitative research design. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents (teachers) of the study. A total of 40 questionnaires were distributed out of which 30 representing 75% were retrieved. The research instrument (teachers’ in-service training questionnaire) was designed to have both open and close-ended items. The findings of the study revealed that, poor performance of teachers was due to lack of frequent in-service training, lack of teaching and learning materials, lack of incentives and motivation, and improper supervision. It is therefore, recommended that Ghana Education Service should improve upon its in-service training and development policy to be consistent with the needs of teachers. More so, periodic learning needs assessments should be conducted before training programmes are designed for teachers. Finally, the Teachers’ Education Division of Ghana Education Service should be resourced to enable it organize more and regular in-service training programmes for teachers. Finally, teachers should be given the necessary motivation to boost their morale to give off their best performance.
Examining the benefits and challenges of implementing total quality management practices in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises in Ghana.
(Advance in Social Science Journal, 2021) Oduro-Nyarko, C.
Micro, Small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are important to national development as they produce a huge percentage of the national output and provide an even greater proportion of employment. They play a significant role in economic growth, innovation, poverty alleviation and raise standard of living. Research has shown that most manufacturing SMEs that adopt and implement TQM practices exhibited a significant positive relationship and confirmed that TQM practices are indicators of firm performance. The study examines the benefits of TQM implementation, and the challenges these manufacturing SMEs face in their attempt to implement TQM practices. The study which was exploratory in nature used descriptive survey and a structured interview to collect data from the SMEs who were purposively selected for the interview. The study purposively selected fifty (50) owner-managers for the interview, but due to the COVID-19 health pandemic, only five (5) participated in the interview. A sample size of 5 respondents were selected for exploratory study in Accra metropolitan area of the Greater Accra region to respond to the interview instrument. The tool for qualitative data analysis was NVivo version 11. The study discovered that manufacturing SMEs adopted and implemented TQM practices in their organisations. The TQM practices which were analysed were: organisational leadership; strategic planning and development; customer focus; human resource focus; continuous improvement and process management. The study established that effective implementation of TQM practices led to financial performance of these manufacturing SMEs as there was a significant positive relationship between the TQM practices and firm performance. The study although confirmed a direct positive relationship between quality management practices and firm performance, there were numerous challenges that serves as barriers to TQM implementation in the organisations. The challenge of downsizing was the most reported among the SMEs. It is recommended that manufacturers in the SME sector must be aware of the prospects of quality management practices since the success of its implementation depends largely on its awareness. It is also recommended that SMEs identifies challenges that face its implementation of TQM, so as to eliminate any barrier to its implementation.
Analyzing the entrepreneurial competencies that characterizes the success of female-led enterprises in Ghana.
(AJ, 2019) Nyarko, C.O.; Hervie, D.M.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) plays an important role in the economic development of a country. There are increasing numbers of women entrepreneurs involve in this sector in recent times. Entrepreneurial competencies have been validated in Entrepreneurship studies. Hence this paper examines the entrepreneurial competencies that influence the success of their businesses since the success or failure of the venture will be affected by the skills and abilities (competencies) of owner-managers. A sample of 200 respondents were selected for a survey in Accra Metropolitan area of the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data and using survey method. The data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and venture success.
Human capital and stock market performance of some selected emerging economies.
(AJ, 2020) Winful, E.C.; Sarpong, D.Jnr.; Hervie, D.M.; Daniel, L.
This article fills a gap of literature on the relationship between education and the stock market. We adopt the modified Calderon-Rossell model to estimate the effect of quality of human capital on Capital market. Four different techniques were used to check the robustness of the result. Of all the techniques adopted Newey-West to account for different characteristics of emerging economies turnout to be more efficient and appropriate. The article finds that the quality of human capital is an important determinant of stock market development in emerging market countries. Policy makers in emerging economies must seek to implement policies that would make education accessible and meaningful to the populace. By this Free Senior High School policy in Ghana is in the right direction for capital market development.
Analyzing the entrepreneurial competencies that characterizes the success of female-led enterprises in Ghana
(Archive of Business Research, 2019) Oduro-Nyarko, C.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) plays an important role in the economic development of a country. There are increasing numbers of women entrepreneurs involve in this sector in recent times. Entrepreneurial competencies have been validated in Entrepreneurship studies. Hence this paper examines the entrepreneurial competencies that influence the success of their businesses since the success or failure of the venture will be affected by the skills and abilities (competencies) of owner-managers. A sample of 200 respondents were selected for a survey in Accra Metropolitan area of the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data and using survey method. The data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and venture success.

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