Investigating the Predictors and Effects of Psychological Contract Breach of Nurses in Selected Mission Hospitals in Ghana.
Doctor in Philosophy PhD in Business Administration”
The Effect of Microfinance as a Poverty Reduction Tool: A Case of ID Ghana.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Business Administration
The study aims at providing a critical appraisal of the effectiveness of microfinance as a universal poverty reduction tool. It has been argued that while microfinance has developed some innovative management and business strategies, its impact on poverty reduction remains in doubt (Chowdhury, 2009). Microfinance, however, certainly plays an important role in providing a safety net and consumption smoothening. The borrowers of microfinance possibly also benefit from learning-by doing and from self-esteem. However, to ascertain to ascertain any significant dent in poverty, the study needs to be conducted to evaluate the operational and financial perspective of microfinance institutions and their products. The study aims to examine the effects of microfinance as a poverty reduction tool. The research questions to be addressed include: (a) To what extent do microfinance institutions (hereinafter referred to as “MFIs”) alleviate poverty? and (b) Do MFIs have an impact on Ghana’s financial market? The study provides solution guidelines for regulators and academia in this era of turbulent microfinance industry. A critical literature review was conducted and gaps therein established. Thus, although microfinance is seen to have a positive impact on poverty reduction, other authors refuted it, and asked for more rigorous research in this area. In this study, primary data have been collected using structured questionnaires and interviews. The primary data were directly collected from the field by administering 695 questionnaires across various sub-metros in the Greater Accra region of the Republic of Ghana. Using the stratified sampling approach, the selection procedure for Initiative Development (hereinafter referred to as “ID”) Ghana clients considered several factors and involve multiple stages. The chief limitation of the approach is that the sample may not be representative of the population if it is not carefully selected. Again, the selection process of the interviewees does not give all the population members a fair chance of being selected, due to over reliance on mobile bankers and a small group to identify the target interviewees. Three different data analysis tool were employed. One, Structural equation modeling is preferred by the researcher because it estimates the multiple and interrelated dependence in a single analysis. In this analysis, two types of variables are used, endogenous (dependent) variables and exogenous (Independent) variables. Two, analysis of variance (hereinafter referred to as “ANOVA”) is also used because it enables the researcher to see how effective microfinance products are used to alleviate or reduce poverty. The ANOVA is also able to tell if another intervention can do the same task in a shorter period, whilst costing less in reducing poverty in less privileged communities. Three, simple statistical analysis is also used and the results presented in tables, charts and graphs. The purpose is to summarize data and give an immediate “picture” of the data. From the data analysis, it was observed that economic independence had a positively insignificant effect on poverty Reduction (β = -0.124, p = .343), hence H1 was not supported. Housing and shelter had a positively significant effect on poverty reduction (β= 0.436, p = .000); whilst asset ownership had a positively significant effect on poverty reduction (β = 0.556, p = .001). Furthermore, food & nutrition had a positively significant effect on poverty reduction (β = 0.422, p = .004); whist health & hygiene had a positively significant effect on poverty reduction (β = 0.386, p = .000). Lastly, asset ownership had a positively significant effect on economic independence (β = 0.626, p = .000). Based on the evidence we accept H2, H3, H4, H5, H6 respectively, which are supported by the model and reject H1 as it is not supported by the model. Turning to the ANOVA results, it was observed that microfinance institutions, to some extent help alleviate poverty among women traders. This is evident from the fact that the revenue of participants who took loans, appears to improve post loan. That is to say that, their actual mean performance exceeded the expected results by one percent (1%). In a plain language, the post loan revenue improved by 80%. The findings of this study have several implications for the academia, microfinance institutions and the policymakers. For academia, this study added new evidence regarding the impact of microfinance on the socioeconomic development of low income households, especially women who cannot access financial services due to their poverty. Thus, it helps theses households to diversify their income and thereby alleviate their poverty. In a nutshell, this study provides an insight into the role of microfinance on women empowerment in the urban and rural parts of a developing country. In the context of Ghana, given the peculiar status of women in the society, coupled with the emerging economic uncertainty in the family system, it has become imperative for them to undertake a venture or economic activities that could stabilize the uncertainties. Prominent among the vast range of sources of capital is the microfinance products. The microfinance provide women with a relative economic stability through employment generation, creates gender parity through empowerment and assets accumulation. It further provides women with the capacity to educate their children and cater for their health needs as well. In a similar vein, this study suggests that microfinance has the ability to contribute significantly to the achievement of a new economic policy (NEP) and a new economic model (NEM) that guide the achievement of the Ghana Agenda for Job Creation and Poverty Reduction Strategy, through a comprehensive social intervention in the wake of Nation Builders Corp (NABCO), Stimulus Packages; One District One Factory, One Million per Constituency, Entrepreneurial Development Fund and Zongo Development Fund. It does so, through enhancing the socioeconomic wellbeing of poor and low income people especially women. It also plays a central role in creating jobs for women especially those with low education. Therefore, microfinance opens an opportunity for,women borrowers to play significant role in a national economic development.
An Exploratory Study of Critical Success Factors of Selected Ghanaian Entrepreneurs.
The importance of entrepreneurship globally, cannot be underestimated considering their critical role in the socio-economic development and growth of the world economy. Entrepreneurs empower people through the creation of employment and wealth to liberate them from poverty, homelessness, and its associated challenges. While one group of entrepreneurs are expanding their territories opening new companies, the second group of entrepreneurs are battling collapsing businesses. This study intended to research the elements that constitute and contribute to the apparent success of the Successful Indigenous Entrepreneurs (SIEs). A qualitative phenomenological exploratory approach and purposive sampling technique were adopted for the study. Face-To-Face in-depth interviews were conducted to document the narratives and lived experiences of the participants. In the researchers’ quest to present a holistic report of the lived experiences of the Indigenous Successful Entrepreneurs, interviews and observation of the participants were corroborated and augmented with other documentary evidence from internet, print media, books, and pamphlets. A thematic analysis of the data was conducted using word Nvivo 11 pro. The emerging themes were focusing on their business dreams, ploughing back profit into the business, starting from where they have work experience or know-how, having an entrepreneurial mindset, being a hard-working person, resilient, and above all being Godfearing. Studies about Indigenous Entrepreneurs are still at its infantile phases; further research is recommended to look at, comparing the critical success factors of indigenous entrepreneurs and their foreign counterparts operating in Ghana, focusing on the similarities and their differences. Insightful lessons from the life experiences present pictorial a harmony of the phenomenon.
Building Bridges for Maternal Health Benefit: A Realist Evaluation of Community to Point of Care (CPC) Strategy to Improve Maternal Health Continuum of Care in Rural Districts of Northern Ghana.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) In Health Care Management
Continuum of care (CoC) is widely accepted and well documented as a safe motherhood strategy with dual benefits to mothers and their babies. Community to care point (CPC) strategy was integrated into community based health planning and services (CHPS) compounds in 30 rural communities northern Ghana to improve CoC service delivery and usage. Using a realist approach, this study evaluated the effect of the CPC strategy on CoC completion rates among mothers of children under five years. A mixed method cross sectional study was conducted at baseline (March 2014) and at endline (June 2017), a total of 845 women who experienced live births with infants were interviewed about maternal health service usage along the CoC pathway. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with CoC completion. The study showed that CoC completion rate increased from 16.8% at baseline to58.6% at endline. Factors associated with CoC completion rates included, education (OR =2.28; 95%CI 1.64 – 3.83), transport (OR = 3.96; 95%CI 1.02 – 4.96); geographic location (OR= 4.12; 95%CI 2.10 – 5.16) and being part of MCH education group (OR = 3.96; 95%CI 1.02– 4.96). The risk of non-completion of CoC services included being multiparous mother (RR=1.28; 95%CI 0.64 -1.83); use of commercial vehicles to access health facilities (RR =2.48; 95% CI 1.16 – 3.54) and being single mothers (RR = 1.45; 95% CI 0.55 – 3.71). Also, reasons for non-completion of CoC services included high poverty levels, seasonal flooding and limited hospitals to contain referrals from CHPS compounds. The findings suggest that the CPC strategy contributed to improving CoC completion rates among mothers in the study area. Further research on the cost effectiveness of the CPC strategy is required to inform its adoption by health policy makers and implementers as part of the CHPS program. Key words: maternal health, continuum of care, community, rural, Ghana
An Analysis of Supply Chain Management Practices on Organizational Performance in the Pharmaceutical Industry in Ghana: A Survey of Some Selected Pharmaceutical Firms in Accra.
The main aim of the study was to investigate the effects of Supply Chain Management practices (SCM) on organizational performance of pharmaceutical firms in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. The research objective was to examine the relationship between SCM practices and organizational performance.Based on the review of literature, various SCM practices and performance metrics were identified. This study relied on questionnaire and interview to elicit data from 119 pharmaceutical firms and 4 senior managers respectively . The data was analyzed using both Partial Least Square (PLS) based Structural Equation Modelling and Nnivo 12 softwares. The findings indicated a significant positive relationship between SCM practices and organizational performance of pharmaceutical firms in Accra. Results from the study suggest that strategic purchasing, customer relationship management, strategic supplier relationship, information sharing and internal lean practices are significant predictors of organizational performance. The mediating roles of customer responsiveness and delivery dependability were also explored. The findings were discussed in the context of previous research and theoretical implications drawn. It also provides managerial insights and implications for both academics and managers to gain better understanding of supply chain management in general and more specifically supply chain management practices as it relates to the Ghanaian pharmaceutical industry.
The Effect of Compliance/Noncompliance in Public Procurement Delivery: A Case Study of Selected Public Institutions in Ghana.
In recent times, compliance in public procurement has become an issue of public attention and debate, as such has been subjected to reforms, restructuring, rules and regulations in many countries especially, West Africa. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of compliance/noncompliance on Public Procurement Delivery (PPD). From literature reviewed, a conceptual framework was constructed using compliance/non-compliance variables for Effective and Efficient Public Procurement Delivery (EEPPD). A mixed method approach (qualitative and quantitative) was adopted for this research. The data collected was then analyzed using SPSS version 20. Kendall Tau correlation was further used to establish the relationship between the compliance/non-compliance variables and a hypothesis test was conducted using Chi-Square. The study found out that, Political Interference had a negative impact on Value for Money, Fairness and Transparency. However, for Media Publicity, Professionalism, Organizational Culture, Familiarity with Rules and Regulations as well as Effective Monitoring the effect was positive on Value for Money, Fairness and Transparency. Additionally, Political Interference and Media Publicity had a negative and weak correlation on Value for Money. Correlation between Political Interference and Professionalism was positive and weak on Value for Money and Transparency with same results for correlation between Political Interference and Familiarity with Rules and Regulations on Value for Money. Political Interference and Organizational Culture however reported a negative and neutral correlation on Value for Money but positive and weak on Fairness. The study therefore recommended that, this model be operationalized due to its robustness to measure and test the efficacy of the objectives outlined in the Public Procurement Act.
Assessing the Contribution of Rural Banks to Agribusiness Performance in Ghana.
Agribusiness in Ghana is considered the catalyst for economic growth and poverty reduction. It is a business solution to rural poverty and food security if redistribution mechanisms work. The agribusiness initiative is both a strategy to accelerate development and a business solution to rural poverty and food security. Ghana’s vision is to make agribusiness a more profitable business entity to curb poverty and improve food security. It is based on this vision that the government of Ghana introduced banking systems in the rural areas (rural banking) to help the rural dwellers whose main economic activity is agriculture. Contributions from these rural banks will accelerate the performance of the agribusinesses thereby improving food security in the country. This study examined the influence of rural banks contributions on agribusiness performance in Ghana. The specific objectives of the study were to identify and assess the contributions of rural banks towards agribusiness, in relation to performance and food security in Ghana. These objectives were achieved through the various primary and secondary data collected from the respondents in the ten regions of Ghana. Each region was assigned 40 respondents or agribusinesses making a total of 400 agribusinesses in Ghana. The study revealed a positive relationship between rural bank’s contribution and agribusinesses’ performance. Although the agribusinesses are doing well, they face several challenges. However, in order to improve agribusiness performance, these challenges identified in the study have to be looked at.
Examining the Implementation of the Community-Based Health Planning and Services Programme In the Ga East and West Municipalities.
The community-based health planning and services (CHPS) programme was rolled out as a nationwide strategy to deal with the health challenges faced by Ghanaians, especially those in the rural communities, in the year 2000. However, more than a decade after its introduction, the CHPS programme is facing challenges with its implementation, particularly in the Greater Accra region. The objective of the study was to review the CHPS programme in the Ga East and West Municipal Assemblies and explore successes and constraints to its implementation in these districts. This was achieved by using an exploratory study design, which employed the dual approach of the quantitative and the qualitative methodology and involved the testing of four hypotheses which have been gleaned from the literature. The study found that in those places with on-going CHPS programmes, there is statistically significant evidence that: the implementation process is not flawed (p<0.001), mobilization of resources for the programme is adequate (p<0.001), the monitoring and evaluation of the programme is effective (p<0.001) and the health status of the communities with functional CHPS has improved (p<0.001). However, the study revealed that the major underlying factor limiting the successful implementation of the programme is the numerous chieftaincy disputes in the communities, which impede the community entry process of the CHPS programme. Also, the community health volunteers and the community health management committee members are not committed to the programme due to lack of financial support for their activities. The CHPS programme is making an impact in the communities; nevertheless, for a more effective realization of its objectives, it is recommended that the long community entry process be shortened and the volunteers be motivated with a token allowance to facilitate their activities to further improve healthcare delivery in the communities.
Investigating Citizens’ Perspectives on Ghana’s Health Security Threat Preparedness.
This research discusses Citizens’ perspectives on health security threats in Ghana. The main objectives were to examine Citizens’ perspectives on Ghana’s preparedness towards managing health security threats; analyse existing measures and/or countermeasures for the recognition of health security threats as an early warning detection system; ascertain at the institutional level, regulatory frameworks and collaborations that exists between public health institutions and national security agencies for managing health security threats from a citizenry perspective and propose a citizencentric National Health Security Preparedness and Response model to mitigate against health risks and threats. The work is framed within a knowledge and capacity perspective than a security vulnerability perspective. The mixed methods approach which focused on the research problem, using the pluralistic methods of data collection was adopted. Data was collected using interviews and a questionnaire with Likert scale items. Purposive and convenient sampling techniques were employed in the selection of participants and data was analysed using thematic and descriptive analyses. From the analyses, Citizens perceived a strong regulatory framework and institutional collaborations to respond and manage health security threats, however surveillance and detection systems as well as early warning and counter measures against health security threats need strengthening. The major recommendations are the need for a national health security policy, capacity building (including a health security workforce) as well as the development of surge infrastructure and education.
Developing a Business Model for an ICT-led E-Agriculture in Ghana.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) In ICT in Management
The use of information and communication technology (ICT) tools has been applied in many disciplines, including agricultural sector. Business Model (BM) as an emerging area of research in strategic management over a decade ago, has been used by the researcher together with ICTs to boost value creation and capture; sustainability and traceability in the agricultural sector. The critical success factors and critical design issues in the domain of business models and their interdependencies related to E-Agriculture ecosystem were considered. The main purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the understanding of how business models can be defined, redefined, and applied in the agricultural sector as a strategic public management tool. Consequently, the strong agreement as to the relevance of value creation within organizations, institutions, firms and sectors underlies existing business model literature is undisputable. In considering this context, agriculture is the primary economic growth engine for Ghana and strives to create and deliver value to citizens, businesses and other stakeholders in agriculture ecosystem. The design, methodology and approach stemming from the multi-faceted applications of the business model concept, the researcher has conducted exploratory research targeting the application of current business model concepts and frameworks regarding agricultural sector in Ghana. The approach involves review of inter-disciplinary literature coupled with conducting empirical studies on ICT issues in Agriculture due to its influence on GDP growth of Ghana. Findings for the study suggest that both Management and Farmers (crops, fisheries, animal husbandry, forestry and logging) appreciated the need for e-Agriculture (ICT in Agriculture) programme to be pursued and saw it very important to address bottle-necks in the agricultural sector as it brings among others effectiveness and efficiency. The practical implications among others are that the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) recommends implementation of e-Agriculture in all countries and this makes it unequivocally a useful BM model for agricultural sector worldwide. The proposed model contributes significantly to agricultural practitioners, academics, researchers among others. Keywords: Business model, value creation, value capture, strategic management, Business system, Critical design Issues and Critical Success factors, Information communication for development (ICT4D) and e-Agriculture