ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Exploring the impact of agricultural digitalization on smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in Ghana

pioning digital transformation in Africa. However, people in rural areas are being left behind in harnessing the immense benefits of digitalization for their livelihoods. This study contributes to policy efforts aimed at bridging that gap by investigating the drivers of agricultural digitalization (AD) as well as its effects on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in rural Ghana. Data from a cross-sectional survey of 525 rural farmers across northern, middle and southern Ghana was employed. The study used the probit and tobit estimators to analyze the drivers and intensity of adoption of digital technologies in agriculture and the inverse probability weighting and regression adjustment estimator to mitigate endogeneity concerns. The results show that while female farmers trail male farmers in the intensity of applying digital technologies, higher educational attainment, better perception of digitalization, group/cooperative membership, number of economically active household members, and access to reliable electricity, internet and mobile money services significantly promote the use of digital technologies in agricultural ac tivities. The results further show that AD is significantly associated with perceived improvements in livelihood assets, and ultimately livelihood outcomes of smallholder farmers in rural Ghana. These findings highlight the importance of investing in rural digital infrastructure by policy makers, the private sector and other stakeholders, so as to expand access to and the uptake of digital technologies in agriculture to bolster rural development in Ghan

Source: KNUST
Exploring the impact of managerial leadership practices on the performance levels of employees at Forewin Ghana Limited

ABSTRACT This study takes a systematic approach to explore the impact of Managerial Leadership Practices in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Industry specifically at Forewin Ghana Limited to ascertain the impact on employees‘ performance levels in the company. The general objective of the study was to determine how Managerial Leadership Practices impact the performance levels of employees at Forewin Ghana Limited. The research design is exploratory; the study made use qualitative research approach to analyze data and adopted the use of interviews as data collection instrument. The population of the study is characterized by middle and senior level managerial staff of FGL, summing up to 93 members. Using random probability sampling as a sampling technique; the researcher randomly selected 20 members of the population to form the sample for the study. The study was able to establish that the respondents or the managerial staffs were familiar with Managerial Leadership Practices. It also showed that, these Managerial Leadership Practices are applied at Forewin Ghana Limited in general. Finally, it was revealed that, the performance levels of the company are only averagely high but there is a belief among majority of the management staff that, an improvement in the implementation of the Managerial Leadership Practices will improve the performance levels. The findings of the study led the researcher to recommend the improved implementation of Managerial Leadership in the company and also a recommendation for the Managerial Leadership Practices to be implemented by competitors, so they can also develop in terms of performance levels. ii DEDICATION I dedicate this study to my dearest mother: Madam Anna Awuah; who taught me that; determination is the key to success. I am truly thankful for her constant source of support, prayers and encouragement during the challenges of graduate school and life. iii

Source: KNUST
Exploring the factors impeding the Implementation of public procurement system in the procurement of works in Kumasi Metropolis

Public procurement is the acquisition of goods, services, and works by a public “authority” or “body”. Transactions of this nature are public undertakings and, therefore, they are governed by Civil, Community, or International Law. It is estimated that Government of Ghana spends huge sums of money in the procurement of works, goods and services for the public sector to prosecute the agenda of public responsibility. It is intended that these procurements made will provide the requisite value for money which will benefit the citizens. The aspirations of realizing a sustainable value for money in the procurement system is becoming unattainable as certain undercurrents underlying procurement practices are defeating this noble purpose. The Public Procurement Law, 2003 (Act 663) is a comprehensive legislation designed to eradicate the shortcomings and institutional weaknesses which were inherent in public procurement in Ghana. A Ministry of Finance Review Report in (2011) revealed that public procurement expenditure between the periods of 2004 and 2008 grew from 20 to 24 percent of the country’s GDP. The aim of this research is to explore thoroughly the key factors that impede implementation of the public procurement policies in public procurement entities and objectives set is to uncover the factors that impede transparency and fairness in the public procurement system and to identify unethical practices. This research adopted a quantitative strategy of survey questionnaire. Out of the 25 questionnaires distributed, 24 of them representing 96% were completed, and these were used in the analyses. The findings revealed 70.9% of the respondents affirmed the declined level of transparency, 75% of them had complied with rules of advertisement. Additionally, 92% of the respondents confirmed their experience of impediment in the performance of their duties. 58% agreed that inadequate and luck of trained professionals could affect public procurement processes. Using Relative Importance Index, the following were ranked as the key factors that impedes public procurement; Lack of transparency in procurement processes (1st), Lack of accountability (2nd), Insincerity in procurement processes (3rd).Finally there is a strong revelation by this research which indicated that, a poorly managed procurement system affects different elements of society and denied it citizens of a good social amenities support that is provided through public projects like (e.g. roads, hospitals, schools housing and power).A battle against corruption and unethical activities should begin with a strong political will and explicit commitment to eradicate all its manifestations.

Source: KNUST
Exploring the impact of trust on project collaboration among NGOS and donors

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) plays a crucial role in the development process of a country. One of the major sources of funding for NGOs are donor agencies. Therefore, looking for funding from donors is therefore fundamental for the continued existence and the progress of NGOs. Hence it is crucial for NGOs to establish trust and collaborate effectively with donor agencies. Therefore, the study aimed at examining the influence of trustworthiness on project collaboration among NGOs and donors. The study had three (3) objectives which were to identify the level of trust on project collaboration among NGOs and donors, to identify the effects of trust on project collaboration among NGOs and donors and to identify the causes that influence the level of trust among NGOs and donors. The study adopted the quantitative research technique in which thirty-seven (37) questionnaires were used for the analysis. The data was analyzed using mean score ranking in conjunction with standard deviation. From the analysis, it was realized from that, NGOs and donors must work together to achieve desired results. Furthermore, NGOs must have good relationships with donors. Also, NGOs must discuss their experiences and ideas with donors. The study also realized that, uncertainties of donor funding affect the smooth running of NGOs and reduces the quality of their services to the communities. Furthermore, the study, suggested that accountability is rated first among the factors followed by transparency, communication, coordination, cooperation, stakeholder management and project performance in that order. Based on the findings it was recommended that, NGOs need to pay as much attention to mobilizing resources from donors, likewise, managing those resources. Also, understanding how to mobilize and utilize resources will be a huge benefit for NGOs to achieve and/or expand their program activities.

Source: KNUST
Exploring the influence of employee participation in decision making on job satisfaction; A case study of Coca-Cola Bottling Company Ltd, Kumasi

Today, the growth in human resource issues and concerns has been experienced across global business settings and industries. The denial of workers’ active involvement in the decision making process is held to be one of the major causes of problems which are manifested daily in the work lives of employees, mainly affecting the level of satisfaction derived from their jobs. The likelihood of this observation varying across industries and nations triggered the need for this study to be carried. Using a case study approach, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Ltd (Kumasi) was used for this study. A quota sampling technique was adopted in choosing the respondents. 86.25% response rate was attained for a sample size of 80. Data were gathered with the aid of questionnaires. Quantitative techniques were adopted in analysing data gathered. Specifically, the study revealed only a moderate level of employees’ participation in the decision making process in the organisation. This tends to minimize both their level of satisfaction enjoyed in being involved in decision making and the overall level of satisfaction derived from their jobs. It also came to light that employees demographics, such as educational background and gender, plays a significant role in determining employees’ level of participation in decision making and the overall level of job satisfaction respectively. In all, the study indicated that employees’ participation in decision making in the organisation predicts 74.3% variation in level of job satisfaction. From this finding, it is recommended that, if there exists any effective means of improving the satisfaction that workers derived from their jobs, then, emphasis should be on adopting structures that allow adequate involvement of employees in decision making.

Source: KNUST
Exploring the latent shortcomings of conflict resolution techniques among project teams in the construction industry of Ghana.

Projects are temporary endeavors and multi-organizational in structure hence, making it a conflict prone industry. There is, however, scarcity of information on latent conflict resolution techniques among project teams in the Ghanaian construction industry as most of the studies on conflict resolution do not tackle techniques used in resolving latent conflicts. Therefore, the study aimed at exploring the latent/perceived shortcomings of conflict resolution techniques among project teams in the construction industry of Ghana. With this aim three (3) objectives were set which were to assess the underlying causes of conflicts among project teams in the construction industry of Ghana, to establish the most significant conflict resolution technique adopted in resolving conflicts among project teams in the construction industry of Ghana and to explore the perceived/latent shortcomings of conflict resolution techniques among project teams in the construction industry of Ghana. Extensive literature review was conducted and with the use of quantitative research method, a structured questionnaire was designed to collect data from fifty-five (55) respondents. Prior to the data analysis, the reliability and validity of the data was ascertained using the Cronbach’s Alpha value. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and Relative Importance Index (RII). From the analysis of the objective one, it was realized that, the most important cause of conflict was delayed client responses followed by the difference in perception of work quality, inaccurate design information and the use of substandard materials for construction. For the second objective, it was realized that, negotiation was the most significant conflict resolution technique followed by mediation, arbitration and early neutral evaluation. For the third objective it was noticed that, the most significant shortcoming of conflict resolution technique was conflict of interest followed by dismissal of employee and extra expenses. It was therefore recommended that, stakeholders should adequately stipulate expectations at the early stages of a project to avoid differences in perception of work requirements

Source: KNUST
Exploring the influence of service scape on customer satisfaction in the Ghanaian hospitality industry: a case study of Golden Tulip Kumasi.

Hotel guests search for servicescape cues to determine the quality of hotel services and the ability of the service providers to deliver value. This study generally aimed at exploring the influences of service scape on the satisfaction of customers of Golden Tulip Kumasi. Specific objectives included; measuring the influence of physical designs, hotel interiors and ambient factors on the satisfaction of customers of Golden Tulip Kumasi. Descriptive research design was employed for the study and questionnaire was the main data collection instrument used. Questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 400 customers of the hotel who were selected through convenience non-probability sampling method. Out of the 400 distributed questionnaires, 320 of them were correctly filled and collected which indicates 80% response rate. The study found that servicescape has an influence on the satisfaction of hotel guest with architectural designs of the hotel, internal layouts of the hotel, cleanliness of the hotel environment, cleanliness of the washrooms, the lighting in the lobby and the lighting in the restaurant being the key servicescape factors that have the highest influence on the satisfaction of the guests of Golden Tulip Kumasi. The study recommended to Golden Tulip to invest in the beautification of the hotels environment with well combined lighting system around and inside the hotel. Suggestion was also made to hotels to give much attention to the cleanliness of the hotels’ floor, washroom and guest room and the entire environment. Entrepreneurs and investors who desire to enter into the hotel industry were recommended to have a nice and modern architectural design of their buildings and beautiful and meaningful internal layouts in order to attract and maintain customers.

Source: KNUST
Exploring the level of knowledge and usage of the seven basic quality control tools by producers of precast concrete products in Ghana

For very small companies, the root cause of quality problems may be obvious but once we get beyond the very small business, most decision points and problem‟s root cause or the best-course decision will remain obscure until valid data are studied and analyzed. It is for these cases that quality management tools play an important role to improve the quality standards of the projects that the company undertakes. This research seek to explore the level of knowledge and the level of usage of the seven basic quality control tools by producers of precast concrete products and identify practical measures to improve quality control in the production of Precast concrete products in Ghana. The data was analyzed using gap and quadrant analysis and presented using tables and graphs. The findings indicated that the level of knowledge and usage of the seven basic quality control tools by these manufacturers is limited even though their perception about quality (Quality control) is very much on point. Again, the survey identified thirteen practical measures to improve and implement quality control namely, Process improvement guidelines and strategies, Incentives for good performance, Regular inspections and audits, Regular meetings between key stake holders i.e. design team, production team and users, Well defined roles and responsibilities, Customer involvement, Communication between management and production unit, Clearly defined goals and objectives, Training and Education of work force, a clear policy on quality control, Employee involvement- Frontline workers involvement in decision making on product quality, Skilled workforce (Production), Management commitment to quality. These measures are to be given attention for smooth improvement and ensure the successful implementation of total quality management in this industry. A proposed framework of quality control improvement and implementation has been derived from literature and the empirical study reported in this work. This frame work will contribute a lot to the Ghanaian iii construction industry and encourage producers of precast concrete products to adopt the seven basic quality control tools to ensure quality of their products

Source: KNUST
Exploring the influence of social media marketing on sales promotion among smes in greater accra.

The aim of the study was to explore the influence of social media on sales promotion in smes. The objectives set aimed to pinpoint the primary social media marketing tactics employed by Ghana's retail industry to boost sme products. Additionally, we evaluated how these marketing iii methods impacted sme sales promotions within Ghana's retail sector. Utilizing a qualitative research method, data was gathered from ten businesses in accra, represented by their respective ceos, co-founders, mds, and the like, via comprehensive interviews. Key among the findings is that all businesses use social media. In terms of how they employ them in their daily activities actually depended on the scope of the organizational objectives and industry as well. In relation to the influence of social media on sales, it was found that the study affirms the established understanding of the crucial role social media plays in modern business strategies. It is therefore clear that in the evolving digital landscape, businesses, big or small, stand to gain immensely from an astute and responsive social media strategy.

Source: KNUST
Exploring the nature of bargaining in some selected Private Senior High Schools in the Ashanti Region

Strike actions have become rampant in the labor front of Ghana these days. The employee feels been cheated by the employer. Bargaining is a formal discussion between people who are trying to reach an agreement. It is a dialogue between the employer and the employee to come to an agreement and avoid conflicts in the work place. Collective bargaining has proven to be the most effective tool for conflict resolution and decision making in an organization. This thesis investigated bargaining processes in organizations. This study attempted to use private senior high school as a case study to analyze how employees and employers in the private sector resolve conflict and disagreement in the Ashanti region. In setting the theoretical background of the study, literature on bargaining was explored. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative method of enquiry. This involves the use of questionnaire and interview survey to collect data from staff and management. The questionnaire was analyzed using Statistical package for social science (SPSS) and the interview was analyzed using content analyses method. Some of the findings were that individuals do bargain in the private senior high schools instead of a group or unions and also there are no clear processes that guide bargainers to bargain. The researcher recommends the formation of unions and instituting clear process to follow during bargaining. Summary of findings, conclusion and recommendations of the study are discussed. Bargaining helps in resolving conflicts and brings about cordiality and establishes a relationship that binds employers and employees together to live in peace and harmony in the organization.

Source: KNUST
Exploring the level of acceptability and implementation of value engineering in the Ghanaian construction industry: A case study of Tamale Metropolis

This study was aimed at investigating the level of acceptability and implementation of Value Engineering (VE) among construction professionals in the Tamale Metropolis. The study sought to: find out the perceptions of construction professionals about value engineering in Ghana; determine the level of knowledge of construction officers on value engineering in Ghana; ascertain the level of acceptability and implementation of value engineering in the construction industry; and find out the factors that hinders the acceptability and implementation of value engineering in the construction industry in Ghana. The discussion of the objectives were used to gain more insight into the level of acceptability and implementation of value engineering among construction professionals. The population of 200 construction professionals were put into clusters, for each cluster 40% was taken as sample which gave a total sample size of 86, due to rounding off of the figures.The main instrument for data collection was the questionnaire which was self-administered. Out of the 86 questionnaires given out, 82 respondents filled and returned the questionnaires, giving a return rate of 95% which was considered satisfactory enough for the research purpose. The returned questionnaires were analysed using the descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages which was aided by the use of Statistical Packages and Service Solutions (SPSS version 20.0). The study found out that most construction professionals had positive perceptions about VE and thereby be willing to implement value engineering. The respondents had adequate knowledge in value engineering to effectively execute a project. The study recommended that management of organizations should develop positive attitude towards Value Engineering. They should draw up strategic policies that would encourage value engineering.

Source: KNUST