Diffusion of information communication technology in selected Ghanaian schools
The rapid development in Information Communication and Technologies (ICTs) have made tremendous changes in the twenty-first century, as well as affected the demands of modern societies. Recognizing the impact of new technologies on the workplace and everyday life, today’s educational institutions try to restructure their educational programs and classroom facilities, in order to minimize the teaching and learning technology gap between developed and the developing countries. This restructuring process requires effective diffusion of technologies into existing context in order to provide learners with knowledge of specific subject areas, to promote meaningful learning and to enhance professional productivity (Tomei, 2005). The use of Information Communication Technology (ICTs) in Ghanaian schools and African countries is generally increasing and dramatically growing (Tella & Adeyinka, 2007). However, while there is a great deal of knowledge about how ICTs are being diffused and used in high schools in developed countries, there is not much information on how ICTs are being diffused and used by teachers in Ghanaian schools. There is also an assumption that there are wide gaps in the use of ICTs between rural and urban schools (Aduwa-Ogiegbaen & Iyamu, 2005).
Mediation role of diversity climate on leadership and job satisfaction in the Ghanaian public sector
Purpose This study examines the mediation role of diversity climate in the relationship between transformational leadership, transactional leadership and job satisfaction from the two-factor perspectives of intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfactions among local government servants in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study uses cross-sectional data from 322 employees in local government service of Ghana in the Greater Accra Region using purposive and stratified sampling methods. Bootstrapping method of mediation estimated using structural equation modelling is employed to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings The results find a differential effect of leadership behaviours on intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction, where transformation and transactional leadership relate positively to intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction respectively. Furthermore, the empirical findings reveal that diversity climate has …
Michael K Mickson, Alex Anlesinya, Ebenezer Malcalm
This design-based research (DBR) investigates the redesign of a 13-month interdisciplinary teacher preparation program to co-prepare secondary and special education teacher candidates to plan and implement evidencebased practices to meet content and literacy needs of all learners within secondary classrooms. The Theory of Change explores mechanisms for change under the umbrella of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). The UDL framework can support teacher candidates in meeting the needs of students with exceptionalities in the general education classroom, yet few studies have explored the in-depth application of UDL in authentic settings across preparation program duration. DBR methods organize study design, iterative data collection, and retrospective analysis of artifacts including candidates' edTPA portfolios and action research papers. Findings revealed strengths and challenges in candidates’(n= 14) application of components. Results for specific components and various disciplines are discussed. Implications for collaborative preparation of general and special education candidates are identified.
Do political regime transitions in Africa Matter for Citizens’ Health Status
Africa’s quest to achieving improved health status and meeting the Millennium Development Goals targets cannot be effectively achieved without examining the quality of leadership, transitions and regimes and how they impact on the decisions and the policy effectiveness that bring about improved health and living standards of the citizenry. In this paper, we study the importance of regime transitions on government’s expenditure in health and on infant mortality, as a development indicator. A unique panel dataset comprising 44 sub-Saharan African countries spanning from 1970 t0 2010 containing information on political regime and leaders was used for the study. To account for the relevance of leader characteristics in regime transitions in our study we control for leader fixed-effects. The overall results are suggestive of a democratic advantage in the process of achieving effective health policy outcomes for promoting health, and hence the wellbeing of the citizens in contemporary sub-Saharan Africa in the long run. Keywords: Africa, health policy, public health, private health, child mortality, democracy, autocracy, political leaders. JEL Codes: I15, H51, O55
Universitat Rovira i Virgili. Departament d'Economia
Testing for the existence of politico-economic cycles in Ghana
The abuse of incumbency during elections in order to retain power by ruling governments has become a contentious issue in political economics. This study was set to examine the effect elections and other macroeconomic variables on growth in Ghana. Data for the estimation was collected for the period, 1992-2010, during which Ghana has had an uninterrupted democratic elections. The results of the analysis show that political cycles do not exist in Ghana, which lends support to the views of (Ito and Park, 1999; Alesina et al, 1992, 1993; Brender and Drazen, 2005). Nonetheless, pre-election manipulations of some sort is a common phenomenon as its manifestation becomes glare as abuse of incumbency is noticed even though data do not suggest so. The implication is that abuse of incumbency may exist but not to the extent that creates political cycles.
Frank Gyimah Sackey, George Compah-Keyeke
Revisiting Occupational Health and Safety Management and Employee Engagement in the Ghanaian Mining Sector
Occupational Health and Safety Practices (OHSP) literatures same as employees’ engagement has been studied as disciplines for organizational performance and safety free environments. Creating awareness about OSHP is determining factor for maintaining consistent safety behavior which eventually lead to effective employee engagement. Creating more awareness of OSHP has become so necessary in academia and industry due to the inevitable danger associated with it. Poor Occupational Safety and health practices is a cost and life threatening issue yet most companies give reactive response to it. This paper seeks to address these anomalies by testing empirically, the influence of occupational health and safety practices on employee engagement. The study sampled 400 whose response were sought and sorted by the use of questionnaire and interview process. The WarpPLS was used to perform a structural equation modeling which revealed a positive effect of occupational health and safety on physical, emotional, and cognitive engagement. However, among the dimensions of engagement, emotional engagement was the criterion variable influenced most. The paper suggests that major stakeholders such as shareholders, CEOs and all employees to consider OSHP as a means to retain and maintain employees to achieve constant performance.
Philip Batsa Adotey, David Doe Fiergbor, Edem Segbefia, Kwame Owusu-Ansah Owusu Afram
The Role of Planning and Staff Competency on Procurement Performance in Public Institutions in Ghana: A Case Study of Bui Power Authority
The study was conducted to examine the role of procurement planning and staff competency on procurement performance in public institutions in Ghana. The research was conducted at the Bui Power Authority which is a public institution established by an Act of the Parliament of Ghana, BPA Act, 2007 (Act 740). The research adopted the mixed method approach and a purposive sampling to sample twenty-three (23) executives, heads and officers to respond to questionnaires to the case study organisation. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Service Solutions (SPSS). Findings suggests that procurement planning and staff competency positively affect the performance of procurement. Both independent variables were found to be statistically significant. It was found that wastages and damages of procured items were minimal and that procurements did not exceed the allocated budget due …
The role of work life balance on employee commitment and turnover intentions: A study of tertiary institution workers
Engaging and managing stakeholders in early-stage ventures are complex and often result in conflicts. For instance, the factors that influence the success or failure of early-stage ventures include misunderstandings between founders and key stakeholders. However, stakeholders are considered the determiners of the success of new ventures. Entrepreneurs and their teams must, therefore, employ appropriate and effective means to optimize stakeholder management. The challenge lies in effectively incorporating an efficient stakeholder management approach. This chapter discusses a framework supporting stakeholder management in early-stage ventures in the African context.
George Oppong Appiagyei Ampong, Richard Plange-Rhule, Afia Nyarko Boakye, Kwame Owusu-Ansah Owusu Afram
This paper investigates whether the practice of Work Life Balance (WLB) within an organization can serve as a means of committing employees and discourage their intentions of quitting. The study further explores the factors of work life balance practices that should be implemented through policy to enhance employee commitment and reduce turnover intentions. The study sampled one hundred and thirty five (135) employees from a tertiary institution in Ghana. Quantitative data was collected through the administering of questionnaires and data was analyzed using SPSS. Findings indicate that although WLB has a strong and negative relationship with employee turnover intentions, it does not contribute to employee commitment. It was also observed that among the WLB practices, schedule flexibility has a stronger impact on employee turnover intentions. The study focused on employees in the tertiary education sector and thus the research findings cannot be generalized across the educational sector nor other economic sectors in Ghana. Management should focus on practicing work life balance in their organizations so as to ensure better commitment in organizational activities and also to prevent employees from quitting. Further, managers should try to continue improving the conditions of work for their employees since it significantly discourages employee from quitting. The study makes a significant contribution to the concept of WLB and its direct impact on employee outcomes.