ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Supply chain integration and firm performance. The moderating role of trust

Researchers across the globe have expressed the essence of the direct relationship between the performance of firms and their supply chain integration. The study's primary aim was to examine the moderating effects of trust in the relationship between supply chain integration and firm performance. To achieve this objective, the study developed these three specific objectives: the effect of supply chain integration on firm performance, the effect of trust on firm performance, and the moderating role of trust on the relationship between supply chain integration and firm performance. The study adopted a quantitative research approach and sampled 400 small and medium-sized enterprises (smes) using convenience sampling, whereas purposive sampling was used to select managers within the smes. The data were collected using a questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study result showed that there was a positive statistically significant relationship between supply chain integration and firm performance (β = 0.808, t= 26.529, p < 0.001). Again, the result showed that there was a positive statistically significant relationship between trust and firm performance (β = 0.485, t= 10.707, p < 0.001). Finally, the result showed a positive significant moderation effect of trust in the relationship between supply chain integration and firm performance (β = 0.055, t= 3.149, p = 0.002). The study recommended that managers should frequently engage employees when developing any strategies for the company. This approach makes them (employees) feel a sense of belonging and in return helps the firm gain an advantage in the market.

Source: KNUST
Supply chain management and its impact on oil and gas production. A case study of oil and gas firms in Ghana.

The oil and gas firms in Ghana are faced with operational challenges in most of their supply chain activities. The study assesses scm's impact on operational performance in Ghana’s oil and gas sector through three objectives. It explores the influence of scm on efficiency and cost reduction, investigates tqm's relationship with efficiency and customer satisfaction, and explores tqm's moderating role in the scm-operational performance link. A descriptive design and cross-sectional survey are employed, guided by positivism. Purposive sampling of 160 participants is justified, and data collection utilizes a likert-scale questionnaire. The focus on managerial roles aligns with their supply chain expertise within 15 chosen companies. Quantitative approach was used for collecting data and analyzing data. The study adopted statistical package for the social sciences (spss) and Andrew Hayes process macro module to conduct regression, reliability, correlation, descriptive and moderation analysis. The study found out that supply chain management (scm) has a positive and significant influence on firm performance. Total quality management (tqm) positively affects firm performance. Total quality management does not moderate the supply chain management and firm performance. It is recommended that organizations and managers should focus on integrating robust supply chain management practices and total quality management principles to enhance firm performance, leveraging the positive impacts of both strategies.

Source: KNUST
Supply Chain Management Practices Of Road Construction Firms In Ghana

The road construction sector plays a key role in the developmental agenda of a nation by providing transportation services to the various sectors of the economy. However, the road sector has encountered series of problems in its quest to deliver road infrastructure. Road construction projects have been unduly delayed as a result of poor management of the supply chain system in the sector. The downstream has failed on many occasions to provide the requisite information to the upstream while at the same time the upstream has failed to deliver supplies to construction sites for timely completion of road projects. In this light, this study intends to explore the supply chain management in road construction in in order to enhance project delivery. The study adopted the quantitative approach in its conduct by using survey questionnaire as the main data collection instrument. Thisyielded a response rate of 74%. The SPSS was used to package the raw data which paved the way for statistical analysis using tools such as the chi square; descriptive statistics comprising of mean, standard deviation and indexes. The findings of the study include approaches for collaboration in the SCM of the road construction sector which consist ofstrategic purchasing; supply management; long-term relationships; supplier selection; and supplier involvement. Similarly, the study uncovered the benefits of SCM in road construction comprising of information shar¬ing for continuous flow of communication among partners; risk sharing through win-win relationship among parties; resource allocation through corporation; long-term relationship for investing in equipment and efforts to preserve the strategy; better service reliability; lower operation costs; and customer satisfaction and improve overall competitive advantage. Furthermore findings were made in functional areas for SCM implementation in road construction involvingclient focus; continuous improvement; waste minimization; reliable workflow; equipment acquisition; and focus on supply chain value analysis and target costing. The key success factors for SCM in road construction were top management support; reliability of supply; integrated information systems to reduce cost and eliminate waste; manpower development; and free flow of information. The study also explored managerial responsibilities of SCM in road construction consisting of planning and control of key operations to move the organization in the right direction; developing work structure indicating how the firm performs its tasks and activities; preparing organizational structure of the individual firm; developing the organizational structure for the supply chain indicating the use of cross-functional teams; and developing product flow facility structure demonstrating the network structure for sourcing. This study has the potential of igniting further studies to deepen the understanding of SCM in road construction.It will also aid practitioners in road construction to deliver projects within the framework of value for money.

Source: KNUST
Supply chain practices on the performance of multinational corporations through technological adoption: a case of cargill kokoo sourcing ltd

Companies now face a challenging competitive climate because of the increasingly dynamic and customer-demanding business conditions of today. To adapt to this demanding climate, supply chains have grown significantly more dependent on stakeholder trust, integration, cooperation, and flexibility. The objective of this study sought to assess the impact of supply chain management on the performance of multinational corporations through technological adoption: The Case of Cargill Kokoo Sourcing Ltd. Cross-sectional survey data was solicited via self-delivered questionnaire from 100 respondents associated with Cargill Kokoo Sourcing Limited. With the help of a Structural Equation Model (SEM), this study established that through a mediation (technological adoption), it is statistically insignificant for supply chain management practices to make improvement in firm performance. Furthermore, the findings have revealed that adopting technological tools alone is not enough for Cargill to improve its performance. This study has proven that adopting technological tools in SCMP tend to have a positive relationship, but this relationship does not improve the performance of Cargill Kokoo Sourcing Limited. This study has indicated that when management of Cargill Kokoo Sourcing Limited invest in supply chain management practices and adopt technological tools, they tend to positively affect the relationship between supply chain management practices and technological adoption. But this positive relationship does not necessarily improve the performance of Cargill Kokoo Sourcing Limited. Hence, management of Cargill should invest in technological tools and supply chain management practices as a way of improving operations which may affect performance of the firm in some way.

Source: KNUST
Supply chain responsiveness and financial performance of logistics firms: a contingent dynamic capabilities perspective

Logistics firms are critical nodes in many supply chains but operate in time-based, dynamic competitive environments where customers expect high levels of supply chain responsiveness at low prices. Past research on manufacturing supply chains and competitive priorities literature suggests that increasing supply chain responsiveness can have costbenefit trade-off consequences on financial performance. However, besides the concerns that such trade-offs vary across (logistics) service and manufacturing supply chains, previous theoretical and empirical perspectives overlook the boundary conditions of the performance effects of supply chain responsiveness. Accordingly, this study uses contingent-dynamic capabilities arguments to develop and analyze a conceptual model to describe the relationship between supply chain responsiveness and logistics firms' financial performance under varying price strategy conditions and customer dynamism. Primary data from 226 logistics firms in Ghana and moderated regression analysis are used to test the proposed conceptual model. Findings from the study indicate that although supply chain responsiveness has a positive relationship with financial performance, conditions of high prices or high customer dynamism weaken the relationship. The broad research implication of these results is that the supply chain responsiveness-financial performance relationship is context-dependent and should be theorized and analyzed accordingly. Practically, insights from the study suggest that, while investing in supply chain responsiveness, managers should carefully consider the extent to which firms’ internal and external environmental factors foster the market value and profit-generation mechanisms associated with supply chain responsiveness. What is novel about this study is that, unlike previous studies, it uses a contingency approach to delineate and empirically demonstrate that supply chain responsiveness is not always a beneficial strategy for logistics firms.

Source: KNUST
Supply chain resilience and supply chain sustainability: the mediating role of supply chain performance

To ensure efficient, resilient, sustainable and competitive supply chain systems, supply chain managers and companies have drifted their attention and focus from being individuals and organizations to being supply chain. Supply chain managers now have the comprehensive responsibility of understanding and ensuring the complete performance of supply chain management systems to ensure the driven competitive advantage that organizations seek and to holistically improve the performance of the organizations whiles balancing the streamlined satisfaction of the consumers. A quantitative research design was employed for the study. The purpose of the study was to examine the role of supply chain performance on supply chain resilience and sustainability. A quantitative survey design was adopted by the study and a population of about 1,750 firms were used by the study. A total of 120 firms of the accra metropolitan area were sampled for the study and a questionnaire instrument was employed in gathering data from the top managers and staff of the sampled manufacturing firms accordingly. The study findings revealed that supply chain resilience positively and significant affects both sustainability performance and supply chain performance directly, whereas supply chain performance did not significantly affect sustainability performance. Also, supply chain performance did not significantly mediate the relationship between supply chain resilience and sustainability performance. The study therefore recommended that managers focus on developing their supply chain resilience capabilities to ensure that they are able to reap the positive benefits in both the short and long run, as it had significant ramifications for both supply chain and sustainability performance.

Source: KNUST
Support systems for divorced members among some selected churches in Patasi - Kumasi

Marriage is the foundation on which societies thrive and is crucial in shaping individuals morally, psychologically and physically. A threat to marriage is a threat to the very core of human existence. The surge in divorce numbers especially among Christians all over the world is of grave concern to many. Divorce affects every facet of society as it is ranked among the top three stressors along with death and debilitating ailments. Therefore, Christians do not countenance divorce for any reason. This stance makes it difficult for members who are divorced to get the needed spiritual and emotional respite as the church is seen as a bastion of hope and comfort for the disconsolate. This study was undertaken using Hamilton’s systems theory to find out the causes, effects and how Christian ethics on divorce affect support systems for divorcees among Christian congregations in Patasi, Kumasi. The study used the qualitative method of research of which three churches, thirty-three divorcees, three church leaders and counsellors were purposively selected and interviewed. The study reports that all interviewees are in support of the Christian ethic on divorce which states that divorce is against God’s word and should be avoided. The main causes of divorce include unfaithfulness, barrenness, incompatibility, financial issues and external influence which resonates with findings from other studies. Again, it emerged that because the churches’ policy condemns divorce and does not want to give vent to it, support systems are either non-existent or given covertly when the need arises. All interviewees including the clergy support a milder approach to divorce and suggest policy directions to guide church leaders not to be too confrontational with victims of divorce but provide support when needed.

Source: KNUST
Surgical site infections after abdominal surgery: prevalence, causes and management at the Surgical Wards, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana

BACKGROUND: Infections of surgical wounds are one of the most common post-operative adverse events which could impact significantly on cost of care and morbidity. Surgical site infections must be kept to the barest minimum levels. This study sought to determine the prevelance and causes of surgical site infections (SSI’s) after abdominal surgery at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, how they are managed and the outcomes of management. METHOD: This was a prospective study involving all abdominal surgery patients 18 years and above, who had no cancer or HIV/AIDS and were admitted from 29th of October to 31st December, 2012. Eighty-Six patients were enrolled but 81 of them met the inclusion criteria and were thus studied. In addition, four general surgeons and four nurses-in-charge of the surgical wards were interviewed. FINDINGS: The overall prevalence of SSI’s was 40%. SSI prevalence rate according to wound class was 29% and 49% for clean and dirty wounds respectively. The average days for SSI’s to develop and be detected were 8 days. The most common causes of SSI’s identified were unfavourable ward environment and reduced patient’s immunity levels. Others were non adherence to aseptic techniques at the ward and theatres, improper demarcation of surgical cases on wards, large numbers of people in the operating room and improper preparation of incision sites before surgery. Management steps of SSI’s included opening and drainage of pus from wound, culture and sensitivity testing of wound swab/pus from wound in some cases along with dressing changes till healing took place. Pharmacologic management was in line with the Clinical Guidelines 74 2008, UK, as well as the 2010 American Surgical Society and American Society of Infectious Diseases guidelines. Ciprofloxacin and metronidazole were the most frequently used antibiotic combination and was well tolerated by most patients. However, intravenous lines were not flushed before and after the administration of one drug after the other. There was also non- compliance with the minimum 48 hours interval between the administration of calcium containing solution and ceftriazone. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of SSI’s after abdominal surgery was high. The causes of SSI’s in patients at the ward included patients’ low immunity status, contaminated theatre and ward environment and improper demarcation of cases at the ward. Patients who developed SSI during the study period were managed according to standard guidelines with good outcomes. Pragmatic steps must be taken to reduce the prevalence of SSI’s and emphasis placed on effective infection prevention and control practices.

Source: KNUST
Support services for pupils with low vision in pilot inclusive schools in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality

The aim of the study was to investigate the support services available for pupils with low vision in inclusive education classrooms in Ejisu-Juaben Municipality. The research design used for this study was the descriptive survey. Purposive sampling technique was used to choose 100 Participants within the school for the study. A likert type questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies mean and standard deviations were employed to analyze the collected data. Analysis of the data revealed that there were varieties of real materials and models of objects in the schools. Pictures with large shapes, large print charts are available in the schools for teaching pupils with low vision. Optical devices such as magnifiers, telescope and lenses were also available for use by pupils with low vision. The data further revealed that the human resource supports that the respondents said were available in all the schools were a resource teacher, guidance and counselling services. Also, related services such as eye screening, audiological services, and indirect services such as supporting the class teacher to develop an Individualized Education Plan for pupils with low vision. The challenges regular teachers encountered in providing support to pupils with low vision in all the schools included incompetence in managing pupils with low vision. The findings also showed that teachers were burdened with adapting instructional materials to meet the needs of pupils with low vision. The resource teachers did not also cooperate with teachers in the delivery of services to pupils with low vision. The teachers did not receive in-service training in order to manage pupils with low vision. It was recommended that Teachers should be given in-service training to update their skills in managing resources available for pupils with low vision.

Source: KNUST
Surrogate reference standards in quantitative high performance liquid chromatography; a case study of the analysis of Piroxicam Capsules and Metronidazole Tablets

A simple, rapid, accurate and sensitive High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for quantitative analysis of Piroxicam and Metronidazole in Piroxicam capsules and Metronidazole tablets using surrogate reference standards with UV detection. Metronidazole, Metformin and Ascorbic acid pure samples were used as surrogate reference standards for the analysis of Piroxicam. The chromatography parameters were stainless steel ODS C18 Phenomenex 250 x 4.6mm column particle size. The isocratic mobile phase was methanol:phosphate buffer pH 6.2 (50:50; v/v) at a flow rate of at 1.0 mLmin-1. The determinations were performed using UV-Vis detector set at 254 nm. Mean retention times (minutes) of 6.83±0.065, 4.07±0.058, 3.42±0.049 and 2.56±0.055 were recorded for Piroxicam, Metronidazole, Metformin and Ascorbic acid respectively. A constant, K, was determined for Piroxicam using each of the surrogate reference standards. The respective K values obtained when Metronidazole, Metformin and Ascorbic acid were used as surrogate reference standards were 1.9411± 0.004, 1.6200 ± 0.006 and 0.4569 ± 0.006. Ascorbic acid and Para aminophenol pure samples were used as surrogate reference standards for the analysis of Metronidazole. The chromatography parameters were stainless steel ODS C18 Phenomenex 250 x 4.6mm column particle size. The isocratic mobile phase was methanol:phosphate buffer pH 6.2 (50:50; v/v) at a flow rate of at 1.5 mLmin-1. The determinations were performed using UV-Vis detector set at 254 nm. Mean retention times (minutes) of 4.24±0.014, 1.80±0.012 and 2.82±0.015 were recorded for Metronidazole, Ascorbic acid and Para aminophenol respectively. A constant, K, was determined for Metronidazole using each of the surrogate reference standards. The respective K values obtained when Ascorbic acid and Para aminophenol were used as surrogate reference standards were 0.6763 ± 0.004 and 1.1229 ± 0.016. The results obtained when the v methods were used for the analysis of the Piroxicam capsules and Metronidazole tablets were comparable to standard methods of analysis stated in the BP and USP respectively. The method showed adequate precision, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 2% in each case. The HPLC methods developed in this study showed specificity and selectivity with linearity in the working range and good precision and accuracy, making them very suitable for quantification of Piroxicam capsules and Metronidazole tablets.

Source: KNUST
Survey and characterisation of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase variants and haemoglobin types in Ghana

Venous blood samples obtained from 1,680 healthy Ghanaians belonging to some of the major ethnic groups in Ghana were analysed using the methaemoglobin reduction test, vertical polymerylamide gel electrophoresis at PH 8.6 and spectrophotometric methods: and for haemaglobin types, using vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at PH 8.6, paper electrophoresis at PH 8.6 agar gel electrophoresis at PH 8.6, paper electrophoresis at PH 8.6, agar gel electrophoresis at PH 6.4 and polypeptide chain analysis on cellulose acetate strips. The overall frequency of the of the G-6-PD deficiency was found to be 13.6% with the highest frequency in the Ewe Group, located in the south-eastern part of Ghana and the lowest frequency in the Mamprusi group, located in the north-eastern part of Ghana. The frequency of the enzyme deficiency declines as one moves westwards and inland from the geographical location of the Ewe Group.

Source: KNUST