ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The mediating role of green procurement on the relationship between environmental knowledge and procurement sustainability: empirical study of firms in the western region of Ghana

In recent times, sustainable practices have become a necessary necessity due to numerous environmental issues, including land degradation, global poverty, human rights absence, general health deficiencies and corporate governance. The general objective of the study was to assess the mediating role of green procurement on the relationship between environmental knowledge and procurement sustainability: empirical study of organizations in the Western region in Ghana. The study therefore focused on managers and senior staffs as representatives of their firms to collect data to test the relationships among the research model. A sample size of 200 was selected out of which questionnaires were administered to in order to gather data to measure the three main variables and test their relationships. All 200 questionnaires returned representing 100% response rate. This is an excellent percentage and it is based on these returned responses that findings of the study were obtained from, analysed and discussed. The findings revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between environmental knowledge and procurement sustainability. Also, it was found that that there is a positive and significant effect between environmental knowledge and green procurement. However, it was realized that there is a negative effect between green procurement and procurement sustainability but it was statistically significant. Finally, in relation to the mediating effect of green procurement on the relationship between environmental knowledge and procurement sustainability, using the Sobel Test, it was found that the mediation effect of green procurement on the relationship 0 between environmental knowledge and procurement sustainability was significant as the p-value is close to zero (p = 0.69908891). However, From the findings, it was found that the effect of green procurement on procurement sustainability was negative though there was a positive effect between environmental knowledge and green procurement. This implies that green procurement does not positively mediate the relationship between environmental knowledge and procurement sustainability. As such, it can be said that green procurement does not positively mediate the relationship between environmental knowledge and procurement sustainability. It is therefore recommended that firms should thus increase their environmental knowledge as they offer even more potential for differentiation than manual sourcing and procurement, which are still important.

Source: KNUST
The Mediating Role of Logistics Collaboration in the link between Supply Chain Relationship and Logistics Performance

This study investigates the mediating role of logistics collaboration in the connection between supply chain management and logistics performance. The primary objective was to examine how the quality of supply chain relationships influences logistics performance and whether logistics collaboration plays a mediating role in this relationship. A cross-sectional research design was employed, utilizing a quantitative approach through a closed-ended questionnaire survey. The study focused on management personnel in various manufacturing companies within the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly as the target population. Purposive sampling was used to select participants, given the specific characteristics required for the study. Five manufacturing companies were randomly selected, and questionnaires were administered face-to-face during working days to ensure clarity in responses. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and the Hayes Process Macro in SPSS version 26. The findings crucially unveils a significant mediating role of logistics collaboration in the relationship between supply chain relationship and logistics performance. Thus, organizations that cultivate strong supply chain relationships can influence overall logistics collaboration, which, in turn, contributes to higher levels of logistics performance. The study therefore recommended that strengthening supply chain relationships and promoting collaborative logistics practices can be vital strategies for organizations aiming to boost their logistics performance. Further research is encouraged to explore additional factors and nuances in the dynamics of supply chain relationships, logistics collaboration, and logistics performance to inform more effective strategies for organizations.

Source: KNUST
The moderating effect of audit quality on the relationship between capital structure and financial distress of non-financial companies listed on the ghana stock exchange (gse).

The study sought to examine the effect of audit quality on capital structure and financial distress of non-financial firms listed on Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) from 2011-2020. The causal-comparative research design was chosen for this study and stratified sampling technique was used because the study relied on only non-financial firms listed on GSE which were relevant in achieving the research objectives of the study. The sample size comprised of all the non-financial firms listed on GSE during the research period (2011 to 2020). The study used the documentary method of data collection which involved the review of existing data in the form of annual reports. The fixed effect model was employed as a statistical technique for analysing the data collected to establish the effect of audit quality on capital structure and financial distress. The results indicated that capital structure (measured by TDTA and STDTA) negatively impacts on financial distress. Audit quality (measured by auditor experience) showed a favourable impact on capital structure (as measured by LTDTA) and a negative impact on capital structure (measured by STDTA). Furthermore, audit quality did not show any meaningful impact on distress. Also, audit quality (as measured by audit fees) moderated the association between capital structure (TDTA) and financial distress whiles audit quality (measured by auditor experience) proved to moderate capital (measured by short-term debt to total assets) and financial distress. It can be concluded, based on the findings of this research, that audit quality moderates the negative relationship between capital structure and financial distress in respect of the sampled firms during the research timeframe. Corporate executives of these firms should therefore, be committed to paying auditors the right fees for the required amount of scrutiny and also hire experienced auditors to mitigate higher levels of short-term debt to decrease the risk of financial distress.

Source: KNUST
The mediating role of supply chain flexibility on the relationship between it infrastructure flexibility and supply chain resilience in the oil and gas industry in ghana

The goal of this study was to investigate the role that supply chain flexibility plays in mediating the relationship between IT infrastructure flexibility and supply chain resilience in the oil and gas companies in Ghana. The study was quantitative, using a cross-sectional survey design and explanatory research approaches. This study used an explanatory research design to investigate the function of supply chain flexibility as a mediator between the flexibility of IT infrastructure and the resilience of the supply chain. Members of the tender committee, procurement officials, and a few handpicked O&G enterprises in Ghana make up the general population. 200 tender committee members and procurement staff were given a well-organised questionnaire. Primary data was collected using a combination of convenient and purposive sampling. Using Structural Equation Modelling, the study's hypotheses were verified with (SmartPLS 4). The research used descriptive statistics, often called summary statistics, to provide a high-level overview of the data. The study revealed that supply chain resilience in the Oil and Gas industry was not significantly affected by the flexibility of IT infrastructure. However, it was shown that the link between IT infrastructure flexibility and supply chain resilience was mediated by supply chain flexibility, which has a significant influence on supply chain resilience. Managers of Oil and Gas companies may improve supply chain resilience by promoting supply chain flexibility, as shown by the findings. Managers are tasked with increasing supply chain flexibility by measures such as increasing the number of suppliers, fostering an environment where employees are encouraged to share ideas, introducing digital technology into the production process, and forming new partnerships.

Source: KNUST
The moderating Role of Supply Chain Visibility on the effect of Digital Business Transformation on Supply Chain Robustness in Ghanaian public healthcare facilities.

The study's goal was to examine how supply chain visibility moderates the effect of digital business transformation on supply chain robustness in government-funded hospitals in Ghana. The research design was a descriptive and explanatory cross-sectional survey, and inductive reasoning was utilized to analyze the quantitative data. To better understand the impact of digital business transformation on supply chain robustness in Ghana's public health sector, the explanatory study aided in analyzing the moderating influence of supply chain visibility. For this analysis, the researcher used data from all of Ghana's publicly funded hospitals, with a focus on those serving the Greater Accra area. A purposive sampling method was used to choose 384 supply chain managers from Accra, Ghana's public healthcare institutions. By use of Structural Equation Modeling (SmartPLS 4), the research proved the assumptions. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the data. The findings demonstrated that the supply chain robustness in the healthcare industries was significantly affected by digital business transformation. The study also found that supply chain visibility moderated the link between digital business transformation and supply chain robustness. A more digitalized business transformation and supply chain visibility may help managers in the health industry strengthen their supply chains. Managers in this field must, therefore, establish objectives for digital transformation and use change management strategies to bring about these changes to keep up with the competition, foster creativity, and enhance the customer service they provide.

Source: KNUST
The Moderating Role Of Relationship Adaptation In The Relationship Between Social Capital And Buyer– Supplier Relationships Among Startup Businesses In Ghana.

The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating role of relationship adaptation in the relationship between social capital and buyer– supplier relationships with empirical evidence from startup businesses in Ghana. The study concludes that Relationship-Specific Adaptations significantly influences Supplier Buyer Relationship of firms, the study again conclude that Social Capital significantly influences Supplier Buyer Relationship among firms and finally, hence the result also showed that the relationship between Social Capital and Supplier Buyer Relationship is not just a unidirectional relationship but moderated by Relationship-Specific Adaptations. This study therefore affords a twofold contribution in the context of developing economies, especially Sub-Saharan African continent; the first fold provides contemporary insight of role of social capital of start-ups may plays essential role in buyer supplier relationships which has received limited attention in the supply chain setting The outcome of this research sufficiently addresses all three main hypotheses set out from the onset of the research by bringing out and examining the key factors that impact Supplier Buyer Relationship in the manufacturing firms. In as much as the implication of the study is important for discussion, it is also pertinent to deliberate on the practical and theoretical contributions of this research.

Source: KNUST
The moderation effect of ICT on the relationship between service quality and consumer behavioural intentions in the Hospitality industry of Ghana: a case study of the Engineering Guest house.

The hotel industry contributes immensely to the development of Ghana. In the hospitality industry, ensuring that consumers are satisfied is a great antecedent to influencing consumer behavioral intentions, behavioral intentions like customer loyalty which is a necessity for the survival and thriving of every businesses. Having known the relationship between service quality and consumer behavioral intentions, there is the need to identify other factors that have influence on this relationship especially in this technology era, hence this study investigates the moderating effect ICT (Information Communication Technology) adoption by consumers has on the relationship between service quality and consumer behavioral intentions in Ghana using the Engineering Guest House as a case study in Ghana. 108 customers seeking lodging and boarding services were selected. By the use of the Lodging Quality Index through survey questionnaire and interviews, the study revealed that a positive relationship exist between service quality and consumer behavioral intentions in the hospitality industry of Ghana. Again, it revealed that ICT had a moderating effect on this relationship. The study recommends that industry players incorporate ICT into their operations and make some of these ICT platform available for consumers to adopt to increase the delivery of quality service.

Source: KNUST
The nexus between buyer power and value creation: the mediating role of supply chain coordination

This study examined the relationship between buyer power, value creation, and the mediating role of supply chain coordination. A quantitative approach was adopted, with 331 firms surveyed in Greater Accra and Ashanti regions of Ghana. Buyer power was conceptualized using its dimensions. Value creation was operationalized as supply chain responsiveness and efficiency. The structural equation modeling analysis found that buyer power positively influences value creation, supporting hypothesis. The study found a positive relationship between that buyer power and supply chain coordination. Additionally, improved coordination has a significant positive relationship value creation, which supports the hypothesized relationship. Further, the results indicate that supply chain coordination partially IV mediates the link between buyer power and value creation, supporting hypothesis. The study provides empirical evidence on the nexus between buyer power and value creation. It highlights the pivotal role of harnessing power to foster coordination as a mechanism for translating power into tangible value gains. Theoretically, it enriches literature on power dynamics in supply chain relationships and networks. For managers, it offers insights into strategically leveraging power and coordination capabilities to extract value from suppliers. This study advances understanding of the multifaceted power-coordination-value creation nexus in supply chains.

Source: KNUST
THE MOTIVATION TO DECEIVE:A MARXIST READING OF SUTHERLAND’S THE MARRIAGE OF ANANSEWA, ASARE’S ANANSE IN THE LAND OF IDIOTS AND OWUSU’S THE STORY ANANSE TOLD.

Ananse is popularly known in Akan tradition as a trickster_ he is cunning, crafty, deceptive among others. Some modern playwrights, especially the ones in the Anansegoro tradition, also use Anansesem as their source material to write plays in which Ananse is featured with his usual traits of deception. This study is a qualitative one as it uses textual analysis to explore the motivation for Ananse to deceive his victims in Sutherland‟s The Marriage of Anansewa, Asare‟s Ananse in the Land of Idiots and Owusu‟s The Story Ananse Told. It also looks at the various strategies Ananse uses to trick his victims, and finally, the repercussions that ensue as a result of Ananse‟s deceptive actions in the plays. The study uses Marxist literary criticism as its main theoretical framework for the analysis. This is because Marxism is the criticism against the economic system of capitalism. The study finds out that capitalism provides the exposure for people to become greedy, and that greed makes people gullible to deception by the tricksters in the society. The study then argues that it is the capitalist system that directly or indirectly motivates Ananse to deceive his victims in the selected plays. It therefore concludes that the three playwrights fashion out their style in the Anansegoro culture to satirise the economic system of capitalism as well as those who subscribe fully to this individualistic property-owning ideology.

Source: KNUST
The moderating role of inter-organisational relationship management on the relationship between logistics provider’s capabilities and supply chain performance of multinational companies

Supply chains play a vital role in determining the profitability and sustainability of firms in today's fiercely competitive business environment. To obtain a competitive advantage, firms now strategically must manage their supply chains effectively and efficiently. This study's goal was to investigate how inter-organizational relationship management affected the link between the performance of multinational companies' supply chains and the capabilities of their logistics providers. 92 respondents working for multinational firms in Ghana were asked to complete a self delivered and online questionnaire for a cross-sectional survey. With the help of a structural equation model (sem), the findings of the study revealed that logistics service provider (lsp) does not necessarily impact supply chain performance, inter-organisational relationship affects supply chain performance positively and inter-organisational relationship failed to moderate the relationship between logistics service provider and supply chain performance. The results demonstrate the complexity of supply chain management and the importance of taking into account a number of contextual variables when assessing the effects of lsp capabilities. The study also offers actual data to back up the association between inter-organizational relationship management and successful supply chains. It also emphasizes how crucial good inter-organizational relationship management techniques are to getting better supply chain results. To increase the efficacy of their supply chains, supply chain managers and practitioners should place a high priority on building and maintaining strong inter-organizational relationships.

Source: KNUST
The natural durability, anatomy and chemical composition of the stem and branch woods of two commercial hardwood timbers [aningeria robusta (A. chev) and terminalia ivorensis (A. chev)]

ABSTRACT To enhance wood economic value and effective utilization, knowledge of its properties, which impact its service behaviour, is indispensable. The biochemical properties of the sapwoods and heartwoods along the stems and branches of T. ivorensis and A. robusta were studied to provide adequate information to enhance their efficient utilization, especially branchwood, whose use could widen the raw material base of the timber industry. Macerated samples and microtomed sections (radial, longitudinal and tangential), TAPPI and field tests respectively were employed to determine tissue dimensions and proportions, chemical component percentages and the natural durability. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to test for differences between axial and radial position and tree portions and correlation and regression analysis were used to determine the relationships among the biochemical properties. Stemwood recorded wider vessel lumen diameter, greater fibre and vessel proportions with less parenchyma than the branchwood. Fibre length, diameter, lumen diameter and double wall thickness were greater for T. ivorensis stemwood (1296.7-1508.6, 19.8-23.4, 13.3-17.3 and 6.0-6.5µm respectively) than branchwood (1046.0-1116.5, 19.2-21.2, 13.1-15.2 and 5.7-6.3µm respectively). Similarly, A. robusta stemwood recorded greater values (1182.9-1302.3, 22.9-23.9, 15.3-18.6 and 6.2-7.6µm respectively) than branchwood (995.1-1145.3, 20.1-22.42, 15.1-17 and 4.9-5.6µm respectively). Fibre proportions decreased up their stems (51.5-42.5%) and branches (51.2-40.0%). Their sapwood and heartwood vessel and parenchyma percentages were greater at bases than top. Vessel lumen diameters increased with stem height but decreased along branches. T. ivorensis had 39.0-41.9%, 18.1-23.6%, 31.6-32.9% and 1.58-9.9% and A. robusta 39.1-40.5%, 32.634.0%, 24.9-26.6% and 0.37-1.6% cellulose hemicellulose, lignin and extractives percentage respectively. the amounts were greater for stemwoods, except for more branchwood hemicellulose percentages. Extractives and lignin were also greater for heartwoods than sapwoods, which also had more cellulose and hemicelluloses. A. robusta was rated non-durable; it was completely degrade; lost 100% weight and hardness. Natural durability of T. ivorensis decreased with height along the stem and branch, was greater for stem heartwood (moderately durable to very durable) than branch heartwood (moderately durable) and for heartwood than sapwood. Chemical components were great determinants of natural durability, while the anatomical features were poor determinants of natural durability for T. ivorensis. The biochemical properties of the branchwoods of T. ivorensis and A. robusta, compare favourably with their stemwoods and with utilizable hardwoods. The branchwoods could suitably be utilized to avoid wastage and increase the raw

Source: KNUST
The Penetration Of Mobile Money In Ghana:Opportunities And Threats

This Study Explored The Opportunities And Threats Of Mobile Money Usage In Ghana. As The Main Purpose Requires, The Key Objective Sought To Evaluate The Level And Trend Of Mobile Money Penetration In Ghana As Well As Identifying Its Opportunities And Threats. The Study Employed The Mixed-Method Approach Of Research With A Descriptive Focus Using The Survey Strategy. The Population Was Limited To Only Formal Sector Mobile Money Operations, Specifically The Banks And Mobile Network Operator (MNO) Companies. The Purposive Sampling Approach Was Used To Select 19 Interview Participants For The Study. Data Used Were Both Quantitative And Qualitative Which Were Obtained From Secondary And Primary Sources Respectively. Analysis Was Done Via Using Trend And Thematic Content Analysis. The Study Found That The Penetration Of Mobile Money In Ghana Has Been Phenomenal With Active Mobile Money Account Holders Being 3.78million As At 2012 But Increase Significantly To 32.55million As At 2018, Indicating An Increase Of 28.77million Between The Six-Year Period. The Study Also Found That The Value To Money Transaction Of Mobile Money As At 2012 Stood At GH¢594.12m But As At Year 2018, It Has Significantly Increased To GH¢223,207.23m, Signifying The Continuing High Level Of Penetration And Adoption. The Study Found The Dominant Opportunities Which Mobile Money Usage May Generate To Include: Propelling Of Quick Growth In Business Operations; Possibility Of Serving As A Catalyst Or Vehicle For Maximizing Financial Inclusion; Possibility Of Removal Of Barriers And Complexities In Transacting Business, And The Possibility Of Creating A Cash-Lite Society In The Ghanaian Economy. The Study Found The Dominant Threats Of Mobile Money Usage To Include: Threat Of Mnos Entry Into The Banking Space And The Possibility Of Lost Synergies From Mnos, Possibility Of Cyber-Attack, And Possibility Of Pressure Of Adoption. The Study Concludes That The Mobile Money Technology Meets The Transaction Needs Of Most Customers Due To Its Convenience And Flexibility, Hence The Government Can Leverage On To Enhance Financial Inclusion And Eventual Creation Of A Cashless Society In Ghana.

Source: KNUST