ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The effect of financial innovation on customer Satisfaction in the Ghanaian banking industry: a case of Banks based in Kumasi Metropolis.

The advent of improved technology, increased globalisation and intense competition in the world of business have brought about a paradigm shift in the world banking and financial services sector. Seeing that products and prices are now no longer key differentiators, businesses, including banks, have now shifted focus from product based service delivery to customer focused service delivery in order to satisfy customers; meaning the importance of service quality and customer satisfaction cannot be overstated. Thus customer satisfaction is now prioritised and service quality is seen as an indicator of customer satisfaction. Customers make higher demands for quality services as banks are also poised to satisfy these customers, in order to maintain customer loyalty as well as remain competitive, banks have now resorted to the use of financial innovation products such ATM, internet banking and the likes. This study sought to examine the effect of these financial innovations on customer satisfaction in the Ghanaian banking industry. The SERVQUAL model used for measuring service quality was employed to identify and examine the service quality gaps on these financial innovations. A sample of customers, of four of the major commercial banks based in Kumasi metropolis, were selected for the study. A total of eighty questionnaires were given to customers of these banks and same were returned representing 100% response rate. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 and Microsoft Excel 2010 were used to analyse the data. Assessments of customers' expectations and perceptions were made under the five dimensions of the SERVQUAL model which revealed the service quality gaps under all the five dimensions of tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, privacy and ease of use which thus suggest that banks need to improve on service delivery in order to close these gaps.

Source: KNUST
The effect of financial literacy on retirement planning among young adults: the role of gender

The study's goal is to investigate the impact of financial literacy on retirement planning and how gender and financial behaviour may influence this relationship. Descriptive and cross-sectional study designs were employed for this investigation. Utilizing a quantitative research approach, this study was carried out. A purposive sampling strategy was used to choose 300 participants. A structured interview guide is the principal data collection method. SPSS vs26 and SmartPLS 4 were used for the data analysis. Descriptive and inferential research approaches were used to analyse the data. The outcome demonstrates that there was a positive, significant direct impact on financial behaviour and retirement planning. The outcome also demonstrates that the connection concerning financial literacy and retirement planning is positively mediated by financial behaviour. The results also show that gender does not moderate the connection concerning financial literacy and retirement planning. The large mediating influence of financial behaviour indicates the need for practical, hands-on financial seminars or programmes to assist retirees in using their financial literacy.

Source: KNUST
The effect of financial inclusion on financial stability in sub-Saharan Africa.

Undoubtedly, financial inclusion ensures an inclusive growth in a way that provides equal opportunity to households and firms to have access to formal financial services, reduces poverty and bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. This has led financial inclusion to assume a greater level of importance to policy makers around the world. Notwithstanding, in a world plagued with re-occurring financial crisis, and policy makers attempt to increase financial inclusion, it is very essential to examine the relationship between increasing access to formal financial services and financial system stability. A curious question lingering on the minds of many is whether increasing the level of financial inclusion will have a positive effect on the financial system or otherwise. Additionally, it is necessary to explore the determinants of financial inclusion for the countries considered. The study adopted a representative sample of 34 countries covering the period of 2010– 2017. The study employed the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimation technique. The study reported that within the period under consideration, most countries in the region have medium financial inclusive economy and relatively unstable financial system. On the determinants of financial inclusion, it was revealed that, GDP per capita, age dependency ratio and mobile cellular subscriptions are the main factors that significantly promote financial inclusion. Again, the findings indicated that, access to financial services in a composite measure has a remarkable adverse effect on the stability of the financial system. However, examining only a single dimension of access to finance on financialstability, the empirical findings suggested that a single dimension of financial inclusion measured as outstanding loan and outstanding deposit with commercial banks do not have a significant impact on financial stability. The study concludes that financial inclusion does no promote a stable financial system.Financial Literacy, effective regulation and supervision should be promoted to ensure a stable financial system.

Source: KNUST
The effect of financial management practices on Profitability of small and medium scale enterprises.

The business environment has become so competitive of which the SMEs are of no exception. SMEs are constantly putting strategies in place through adopting financial management practices in order to achieve profitability. The study focused on assessing financial management practices among SMEs and their effects on profitability. The population of the study comprised SMEs in the Kumasi metropolis. The study was conducted on a total of 234 SMEs and it adopted convenient and purposive sampling techniques in selecting respondents. Ordinary least Squares (OLS) regression was adopted in finding out how financial management practices affect profitability. The study found that the financial management practices practiced among SME within the Kumasi Metropolis included Working Capital Management, financial planning, capital structure, accounting information systems and financial analysis and reporting. Among the challenges that confront SMEs are lack of expertise to manage cash, lack of expertise and resources in managing trade debtors, lack of market power in negotiating credit terms with larger business, lack of necessary financial planning skills, cost involved in holding too much stock and lack of requisite knowledge in cash flow management. The study revealed working capital management, financial analysis and reporting, and financial planning to have a positive impact on SMEs profitability. However, accounting information system and capital structure are the negative impact on SMEs profitability. The study therefore recommended effective financial planning and debt management, stock management and financial reporting as well as constant and effective accounting statement and financial analysis education for SMEs mangers.

Source: KNUST
The effect of financial outreach on the performance of Rural banks in Ashanti Region

The recent years have seen rural and community banks (RCBs) in Ghana embarking on aggressive financial outreach through expansion of their branch networks. The presumption is that an increased financial outreach leads to economy of scale and hence high financial performance. In fact, RCBs were initially required to operate within the confines of their communities, but the recent years have seen them spreading throughout the cities and other areas even beyond their operational boundaries. Most rural banks in Ghana are now so well established and expanded that they have become key competitors to commercial banks. With this aggressive expansion of RCBs in the country, there is a need to investigate how such financial outreach impacts on their overall financial performance. The study is guided by the use of Panel Estimated Generalized Least Squares (Cross-section random effects) to draw out relationships between financial outreach and return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) as corporate performance measures. Using RCBs in Ashanti region, the study shows that financial outreach is very significant in terms of assets utilization and profitability performance of rural banks in Ghana. The results of the study further indicates that, apart from the number of branches, total assets and cost/income ratio are other important factors which significantly affect the financial performance of RCBs. The study recommends that, management of rural banks increase their financial outreach by opening branches in areas where there are potentials to mobilize more deposits to enrich their operational fortunes. However, such expansion should be undertaken with caution as opening of branches involves huge capital outlay and could have implications on the liquidity positions of the banks. Again, the Bank of Ghana should take a second look at the policy restrictions on the geographical catchment areas of RCBs, as financial outreach through the expansion of branch networks, benefits both the RCBs and the communities within which they operate. The study further recommends that RCBs should strive to keep their cost/income ratio to its minimum, if possible below the Bank of Ghana threshold of 70%, for them to be more efficient and stay competitive in the banking sector.

Source: KNUST
The effect of gasoline ex-pump prices on inflation in Ghana.

The thesis examined the effect of gasoline ex-pump prices on inflation in Ghana using monthly time series data from the period August 2007 to June 2015 obtained from theNational Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Bank of Ghana (BoG). The Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) methodology was used for the estimation. The Augmented Dickey– Fuller (ADF) test was used to check for stationarity of variables. The Johansen cointegrating test was used to check for the existence of cointegrating relationship and directional link among the variables. The study found out that, in the long run, supporting their prior expectations, broad money supply, ex-pump prices and exchange rate all had a positive impact on inflation but however only ex-pump prices and broad money supply were significant at 5% level of significance. The study did recommend, a solid and favourable exchange rate in order to avoid the importation of inflation from the international market to the domestic market which possibly reduces the high margins of prices that the various stakeholders within the supply chain places on fuel, as well as a cut in government expenditure on unproductive activities.

Source: KNUST
The effect of flipped classroom on students’ academic achievements in textile weaving: the case of Presbyterian Senior High School, Bompata

Technological advancement and innovations in technology continue to shape and influence various aspects of human endeavour and various sectors of the economy ranging from education, commerce, culture and entertainment. Student’s ability to develop an interest in a course and consider pursuing a career in that particular field is determined on the effectiveness of teaching and learning methods adopted. To ensure active participation and to inflame the passion of students in the study of weaving amid the challenges of equipment, and materials, there is the need to employ alternative teaching strategies that drive passion and provide the needed engagement such as flipped learning. The purpose of this study has been to identify the existing instructional strategies used in teaching textile weaving, introduce the flipped learning model as a pedagogical strategy for teaching weaving in textiles in and to examine the effectiveness of the flipped classroom model ix in the teaching and learning of textiles weaving on students’ academic performance in Presbyterian Senior High School. The research method employed was the mixed- method which involves the use of both qualitative and quantitative method. The data was gathered from a sample size of 44 respondents comprising First Year Visual Arts students at Presbyterian Senior High School, Ghana through purposive sampling technique and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21. Flipped classroom teaching and learning methods have been f o und to make teaching and learning easier and fun for students due to its student-centeredness and the use of modern technology which most students have f o und very adaptable. Further findings have shown a remarkable improvement in students’ academic performance through the introduction of the flipped classroom as instructional method compared with the traditional method of teaching and learning as indicated by pre-test and post-test results of 22.7% and 93.2% pass respectively. However, adequate computers and constant supply of electricity are required in order to undertake flipped classroom teaching and learning. It has been recommended that the ICT lab be furnished with adequate computers and lab assistants be available in order to ensure effective use of flipped classroom as an instructional method.

Source: KNUST
The effect of government agricultural policies on the production and export of cocoa in Ghana.

Ghana generates huge amount of revenue and foreign exchange from the production and export of cocoa. It also provides employment for the majority of the people in Agriculture and also a source of raw materials to the cocoa processing companies in Ghana. Afterdominating as the leading producer and export of cocoa for nearly sixty six years, the sector was crippled with several challenges such as high export taxes, low producer price, declining soil fertility, high incidence of diseases and pests among other factors. To address these challenges and to restore Ghana as the leading exporter of cocoa, the Government of Ghana through COCOBOD initiated the Cocoa Sector Strategy (CSS), the mass spraying or the Cocoa Disease and Pest Control Programme (CODAPEC) and the Cocoa High Tech Programme. The main objective of the study was to examine the impact of these government agricultural policies on the production and export of cocoa in Ghana. The data for the research was obtained from COCOBOD and FAOSTAT and the Interrupted Time Series Analysis (ITSA) was employed to achieve this objective. The study revealed that CSS, CHTP and CODAPECall had a positive and significant impact on cocoa production. But in terms of export, the Cocoa Sector Strategy was the only significant policy. Since the policies boosted cocoa production, it was recommended that the government should sustain and increase support for these policies. Again, because the policies had influenced production, but not export, it was recommended that government through the COCOBOD should check smuggling and marketing constraints in order to ensure higher export levels.

Source: KNUST
The effect of gender on end-user preferences for yam quality descriptors

Improving the effectiveness of breeding programs could be achieved by breeding for consumers' preferences. The relationship between gender and consumer preferences for yam was studied using purposeful sampling for key informants, focus group discussions (FGDs), and individual interviews. Data from qualitative interviews were transcribed and quantitative data analyzed using SPSS (version 20). Cramer's V (Phi) and logistic regressions were used to explain the observations. Males prioritized income generating varieties over females, while females ranked tuber morphological characteristics high. Sex-based preference for yams showed that moldability and sweet taste are preferred by both females and males. Moderately hard boiled yams and shelf stable food products are liked by males, whereas aroma is rated highly by females. Males described yams that have a longer digestion time as “heavy” and preferred such varieties. Watery tubers and tubers not turning brown are important characteristics during processing. The Phi of 0.157 and 0.163 for sex and ethnic groups show moderate to strong associations between choices for descriptors by females, males, and various ethnic groups. These findings imply that gender disaggregation of information on preference for yam quality descriptors should be considered in future yam breeding programs as it may improve adoption rate and enhance food security.

Source: KNUST
The Effect of Green Behaviour Intentions on Green Supply Chain Practices: The Mediating Role of Green Organisational Climate

The primary aim of this research was to investigate the effect of green behaviour intention on the adoption green supply chains management practices. Additionally, the study sought to explore the mediating role of green organisational climate, in influencing the relationship between green behaviour intention and green supply chain practices. The research addressed four key objectives (1) to examine the relationship between green behaviour intention and green supply chain management practices, (2) to examine the relationship between green organisational climate green and green supply chain practices, (3) to examine the direct relationship between green behaviour intentions and green organisational climate, and (4) to examine the mediating role of green organisational climate on the relationship between green behaviour intentions and green supply chain practices. A sample of 100 firms were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data collection was facilitated through the use of structured surveys questionnaires administered through Google Forms. Subsequently, Smart PLS4, version 23, was employed to analyze the collected data. The study's findings revealed several important insights. Firstly, a positive and statistically significant relationship was observed between individuals' green behaviour intentions and green supply chain practices, supporting the first hypothesis (H1). Additionally, the study identified a positive and significant link between green behaviour intentions and green organisational climate, thus confirming the second hypothesis (H2). Furthermore, it was evident that a green organisational climate positively and significantly correlate with the adoption of green supply chain practices, supporting the third hypothesis (H3). Lastly, the research revealed that the interplay between green behaviour intention and a green organisational climate contributed to an increase in green supply chain practices, therefore supporting hypothesis (H4). Based on these findings, the study offers practical recommendations. It suggests that management should prioritize training and educating employees to foster an understanding of the prerequisites and requirements for sustainable supply chain practices, thereby facilitating the transition towards greener and more environmentally responsible supply chain operations.

Source: KNUST
The effect of green competence on green performance: the moderating role of green commitment

This study aimed to examine the relationships between green competence, green commitment, and green performance in the context of the Ghanaian manufacturing sector. The objectives were to assess the extent to which green competence impacts green performance, examine the relationship between green commitment and green performance, and explore the moderation effect of green commitment in the relationship between green competence and green performance. The study employed quantitative research methods and collected data through surveys from manufacturing firms in Ghana. Multiple statistical analyses, including regression and correlation analyses, were conducted to analyze the data and test the study hypotheses. The findings revealed a significant and positive relationship between green competence and green performance. Green competence was found to account for a substantial portion of the variation in green performance, emphasizing its importance in achieving environmentally sustainable outcomes. Similarly, green commitment was significantly correlated with green performance, indicating its role in driving environmentally responsible practices within organizations. However, the study found that green commitment did not moderate the relationship between green competence and green performance. This suggests that the impact of green competence on green performance is not significantly influenced by the level of green commitment within the organization. Based on these findings, it is recommended that management invest in enhancing employees' green competence through training and development programs. Additionally, fostering a strong green commitment at all levels of the organization is crucial for promoting and sustaining environmental practices. For future research, it is suggested to explore other potential moderating factors and conduct cross-industry analyses to gain a broader understanding of the relationships studied.

Source: KNUST
The effect of green commitment on green performance the mediating role of green competence

The purpose of this research is to investigate the role that green competence plays as a mediator in the connection between green dedication and green performance in Ghanaian manufacturing businesses. The research involved interviewing 30 high-level executives in positions of decision-making to assess their level of dedication to sustainability, green proficiency, and green performance. According to the findings, the level of green performance within an organisation is favourably influenced by the level of green competence possessed by the leadership of that organisation. However, there was no evidence of a significant relationship between green commitment and green performance, nor was there any evidence of a moderating function of green competence on the relationship between green commitment and green performance. In addition, there was no evidence of a relationship between green commitment and green competence. According to the findings of the study, in order for businesses to improve their environmental performance, it is recommended that they establish a mindset of environmental responsibility and engage in training programmes. In upcoming studies, it will be important to investigate the potential mitigating influence of individual characteristics as well as the impact of societal and institutional variables on the relationships between green dedication, green competence, and green performance in a variety of countries and industries. When attempting to establish the causative relationships that exist between green dedication, green proficiency, and green performance, various research methods ought to be taken into consideration.

Source: KNUST