Managing State Owned Enterprise: The Special Projects of Ghana

Managing State-Owned Enterprises: The Special Projects of Ghana by Edward Akuamoah Boateng MBA, Napier University, 2005 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2016 Abstract State-owned enterprise (SOE) failures continue to burden the government of Ghana. During the 5-year period ending in 2012, the profits from these equity investments dropped by 80%. This study was an exploratory case study of how top-down, boarddirected governance structure impact the control and ethical structure of special projects. Sixteen participants, comprised of managers, technicians, and board members, were recruited from 4 separate special projects in northern, central, and southern Ghana. Agency theory formed the conceptual framework for this study. Data collected from the face-to-face interviews and supporting documents were processed and analyzed to discern emergent themes. Through methodological triangulation, 5 main themes emerged including board influence on management and operations, operational and financial controls, ethical values, quality assurance, and motivation. The implications for positive social change include helping to reduce poverty within the local communities of Ghana through the creation of competitive projects that can sustain a productive workforce.State-owned enterprise (SOE) failures continue to burden the government of Ghana. During the 5-year period ending in 2012, the profits from these equity investments dropped by 80%. This study was an exploratory case study of how top-down, boarddirected governance structure impact the control and ethical structure of special projects. Sixteen participants, comprised of managers, technicians, and board members, were recruited from 4 separate special projects in northern, central, and southern Ghana. Agency theory formed the conceptual framework for this study. Data collected from the face-to-face interviews and supporting documents were processed and analyzed to discern emergent themes. Through methodological triangulation, 5 main themes emerged including board influence on management and operations, operational and financial controls, ethical values, quality assurance, and motivation. The implications for positive social change include helping to reduce poverty within the local communities of Ghana through the creation of competitive projects that can sustain a productive workforce. Managing State Owned Enterprise: The Special Projects of Ghana by Edward Akuamoah Boateng MBA, Napier University, 2005 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2016 Dedication I dedicate this research study to the memory of my late mother, Madam Adelaide Oppon, who supported me in the difficult moments of my higher educational pursuit. I am grateful to God for giving me such a mother. I thank the Controller and Accountant General of Ghana, Ms. Grace Adzroe for assisting me to gain financial support for this study and making this dream a reality. Ms. Adzroe, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, ever since our paths crossed you have offered strong support for my endeavors. My special appreciation goes to the immediate past Controller and Accountant General, Mr. Ralph Tuffuor for approving my application for sponsorship. Finally, I thank my wife, Anastasia, and my kids, Kofi and Nana Akua for allowing me enough space to study. Acknowledgments I am in the first place thankful to God for the steadfast love He has showed me throughout my life and through this doctoral journey. This study would not have been complete without the support and dedication of my committee members, Dr. Roger Mayer, Dr. Gergana Velkova, and Dr. Gregory Uche. I am grateful to you for the quality input that you made into this journey. Dr. Freda Turner comes up for special mention for her words of encouragement. Overall, I am grateful to the faculty that guided me in the course and lastly my appreciation goes to the entire Walden staff.