ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Total Quality Management Implementation and Service Performance: A Case Study of University of Cape Coast

This study evaluated Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, as a case study with valid and reliable instruments developed. The embedded case study design was used due to the practicality of the study as it involves gathering respondents’ understanding, experiences, opinions, and attitudes. The study utilised different groups of participants who differ in the variable of interest but share common characteristics such as socioeconomic status, educational background, and ethnicity. Multisampling procedures were used in this study including purposive, stratified and probability proportional to size. Two top and five middle levels management had face-to-face in-depth interview. The quantitative data was solicited from 364 external and 267 internal customers who responded to questionnaires on service quality dimensions and TQM principles being practised in the University respectively. It was found out that, both the top and middle management of the university acknowledge the quality concept and TQM philosophy. However, the management admitted to using the piecemeal approach to TQM implementation with identified barriers. Some of the internal customer respondents indicated levels of TQM implementation as moderate, while other groups also see it as below average. This suggested minimal awareness of quality culture among the institutional stakeholders. The external customer subgroups perceived differences among their expectations and perceptions of quality dimensions which exposes the existence of service gaps. It is imperative therefore, for the university to create awareness and education for all stakeholders on quality concepts and TQM approach. The university could develop a strategy for operating TQM by paying more attention to the identification, analysis, and adoption of an appropriate institutional culture that suits TQM implementation.

Source: UCC
Total quality management practices and customer retention at Unity Rural Bank, Ghana

The competitiveness of financial institutions, in recent times, have called for Ghanaian rural banks to implement relevant total quality management practices in order to improve customer retention. However, total quality management practices and customer retention has not been largely investigated in Ghana’s rural banking sector. The study, therefore, purposely examined the effect of total quality management practices on customer retention at Unity Rural Bank. It also examined the customers perceived total quality management practices and determinants of customer retention at the bank. The study adopted the quantitative research approach, descriptive research design and structured questionnaires to address the objectives understudy. The study gathered relevant data from 233 customers of the bank which was then processed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24. Both descriptive specifically mean and standard deviation scores and linear regression were employed in the study’s data analysis. The study found continuous improvement as the highest and major total quality management practice perceived by customers to be adopted at the bank. The study also found service quality as the key determinant of customer retention. The study concluded that total quality management practices play tremendous role in improving customer retention at the bank. It was, therefore, recommended that, management of Unity Rural Bank should continuously emphasis on continuous improvement in their processes, systems, strategies and policies by encouraging creativity and innovation among its staff.

Source: UCC
Total Quality Management Practices And Project Outcome In The Electricity Company Of Ghana: The Role Of Organisational Culture

The concept of total quality management has become a top priority for businesses and organisations worldwide as it ensures that management takes a strategic approach to quality, focusing on prevention rather than inspection, and is a crucial motivator for continual improvement in an organisation's performance. The aim of the study is to examine the moderating role of organisational culture on the relationship between TQM practices and project outcome at ECG. The study used an explanatory design and a quantitative approach in which respondents from ECG were targeted. A census technique was used for the study, and out of the total population size of seventy-five (75) employees, the accessible population for this study was sixty-eight (68) ECG employees at the operational unit in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Microsoft Excel 16 was used to code, tabulate, and evaluate raw data, while the descriptive statistics of the respondent were evaluated using SPSS. With the aid of Smart PLS 4, structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data collected with respect to the three objectives set. The results revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between total quality management and project outcome. Leadership commitment, customer focus and continuous involvement are the TQM practices that contributes to project outcome. Also, there is a significant positive relationship between organisational culture and project outcome. Finally, the results revealed that organisational culture is significant in moderating the relationship between total quality management practices and project outcome.

Source: UCC
Tourism Destination Governance In Afadzato South District Of Ghana

Tourism destination governance is pivotal for managing diverse interests by involving multiple stakeholders. This study employs a qualitative single-case approach to evaluate tourism destination governance in the Afadzato South District. Data were collected from 21 participants, comprising 7 public and 14 private sector representatives, between April 20th and May 2, 2021, using thematic analysis. The study classifies actors into state and non-state actors. State actors primarily assume supervisory roles within a hierarchical structure, contributing to peace and stability. Non-state actors engage in resource identification, attraction development, and visitor management. The significance of Regulation L.I. 2393 is also examined. Collaboration among actors is categorized into four types, emphasizing the importance of collaboration both as individual units and as businesses. Power relations reveal legitimate power for state actors, land ownership for certain community members, and the power of traditional and cultural values in cultural preservation and conservation. The challenges in governance include stakeholder misunderstandings of tourism, weak and undefined structures, collaboration issues, inadequate road access, land disputes, environmental degradation, cultural preservation, and deficits in social capital. The study recommends that state actors adopt a more inclusive, bottom-up approach, reduce the use of excessive legislative powers, and strengthen collaborations. The community is encouraged to adhere to traditional and cultural values to preserve their unique culture and environmental resources to help distinguish the destination.

Source: UCC
Tourism development preferences among the residents of Lake Bosomtwe Basin, Ghana

Controversy over the extent to develop tourism in tourist destinations remains unresolved. This paper examines the extent of tourism development residents are prepared to tolerate in the Lake Bosomtwe. A resident survey undertaken during January 2006 in the basin reveals that residents are more oriented to large scale tourism. The major perceived reason for this preference is that large scale tourism development will help provide for the material needs and wants of the basin's population. It is concluded that residents of Bosomtwe basin equate large inflows of visitors with success and fame, but field observations indicate that the residents will wreck the basin's environment if tourism development is left in their sole control

Source: UCC
Tourism Education and Training in Ghana: An Evaluation of the HND Tourism Curriculum of Cape Coast Polytechnic

The main purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the curriculum being used for the HND Tourism programme at Cape Coast Polytechnic. The specific objectives were to analyse occupational and regional distribution of the graduates, appraise job requirements of their employers, establish the level of employer satisfaction with the performance of the graduates and assess the role of internship to the acquisition of skills by the graduates. The study employed mixed methods for the collection of data and analyses. Snowball sampling technique was used to select 205 alumni of the Department, who graduated between 2003 and 2008, for the work. Ten percent of their employers were also selected purposively to respond to questionnaires used for the study. In depth interviews were also conducted with some of the graduates, their employers and all teachers in the Department. Fisher's exact; Chi-square, Student t and Phi Coefficient of Association were the main tests and analytical tools used. The study revealed that most employers were satisfied with the performance of the graduates and that less than 40% of the graduates were working in the tourism and hospitality sector with a significant number in educational and financial institutions. However, about 15% of the graduates were unemployed. This has policy implications for equipping the tourism students with more practical, employable and entrepreneurial skills for them to contribute effectively to the country's development. In spite of its satisfactory performance, the study recommends the need to make the curriculum more practical in orientation.

Source: UCC
The tourism experience-led length of stay hypothesis

Even given the continuing interest of both academia and industry to understand what accounts for the length of stay (LOS) of tourists, explanatory variables have mostly been limited to socio-demographic and trip characteristics overlooking the influence of the holiday experience despite it eing a major reason why tourism is embarked on. Departing from previous studies, this study proposed and tested an experience-led length of stay hypothesis employing a zero truncated negative binomial regression model. It was revealed that tourism experience significantly explains the variations in tourists’ LOS with self-development, recreational engagements, hospitality, weather and sanitation identified as specific determinants. The findings also provide support for age, nationality, travel party size, budget, number of international trips, and risk taking behavior as significant determinants of LOS. With these observations in mind, the study offers practical insights for sustaining tourists’ length of stay as well as propositions for future research on the tourism experience-led length of stay hypothesis. Management implications: Provision of positive memorable experiences in the domains of self -development, recreation, hospitality, weather and aesthetics is one way to ensure that tourists stay longer. Specifically, need exits for destination management organizations and service providers to step up efforts in maintaining sanitation at the destination, especially at attraction sites and tourism-related premises. They can do this by ensuring regular cleaning, providing ell-designated trash cans and disposing of sewage properly. In addition, a diverse of novel activities should Be made available to tourists to sustain their interest and prolong their stay. Activity engagements that allow for skill acquisition such as volunteerism, cultural immersion (i.e. food azaars) and co-creation of services are recommended

Source: UCC
Tourists Perception of Tourist Maps in the Cape Coast and Elmina Area, Ghana.

Tourist maps influence tourists’ way finding in unfamiliar areas. Tourists’ way finding requires cognitive processes to navigate travel routes of desired destinations. However, despite its importance few studies have been conducted on it in Ghana. It is because of this knowledge gap that this study was conducted to gain more insights on the use of maps to locate attractions in Cape Coast and Elmina areas within the Central Region of Ghana. The study used the concurrent mixed method design for data collection and analysis. Primary data was collected from 207 tourists and 3 facility managers at the study areas. The analyses of the study was done using analytical tools such as frequencies, means, t-test, analysis of variance and factor analysis provided in Statistical Product for Service Solution software. The study found that tourist attractions in Cape Coast and Elmina had inadequate tourist maps because of insufficient funds and map-making skills. Tourists depended on “word of mouth’’ and other digital maps to locate attractions. The effort expectancy and performance expectancy of maps was influenced by tourists socio-demographic characteristics. Again, the way finding abilities of tourists was determined by their map reading abilities and geographic knowledge of the destination. The study recommends that Ghana Tourism Authority and the Town and Country Planning Authority now known as Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority, should work together to provide adequate directional signs and maps that link tourist sites. Appropriate websites must be designed to meet the needs of tourists. Much awareness must be created on the use of Ghana post digital addressing system.

Source: UCC
Tourists' values and empathic attitude toward sustainable development in tourism

Tourism is one of the key sectors expected to accelerate the global efforts towards sustainable development, and with this, there is a renewed interest in understanding and influencing tourists’ attitude and behavior. Analysis of data from 819 international tourists using structural equation modeling indicates that values are significant antecedents to empathic attitude towards: nature conservation, fellow tourists, and local community development, as implicit facets of sustainable development in tourism (SDT). The results indicate significant variations in these issues across respondents’ sex, religion, past visitation to nature reserve (s) and environmental club membership. The study concludes that values are central to ensuring empathic attitude towards SDT

Source: UCC
Tourists’ motivations for visiting Kakum National Park, Ghana

Since travel motivations of tourists are becoming varied and complex, it has become necessary for tourist destinations to conduct regular investigations into this aspect of the industry to help meet the needs and desires of travellers. This study explores the travel motivations of tourists visiting Kakum National Park in Ghana. Data were collected from 342 tourists who completed their tour of the park between July and August 2015. The study reveals four main motivations of tourists who visited the park, namely adventure, education, escape and social interaction. Three distinct motivational segments were identified among the patrons, with those seeking for adventure and knowledge being the majority. It was concluded from the findings that tourists’ decisions to visit Kakum National Park were influenced by varied combinations of intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors

Source: UCC
Toward Eliminating Blindness Due to Uncorrected Refractive Errors: Assessment of Refractive Services in the Northern and Central Regions of Ghana

Purpose: This study sought to document current refractive services in the northern and central regions of Ghana as a first step toward evidence-based planning of refractive services. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out in health facilities in the northern and central regions of Ghana, which provided eye-care services. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to gather information on each facility type, human resources providing refractive services, assessment of refraction and spectacle dispensing output and provider barriers to the services. Results: Current outputs of refraction in the northern and central regions were 0.5 and 1.2 per cent of the estimated refractive needs, respectively. Spectacle dispensing services were below the outputs of refraction. Lack of equipment (36.8 per cent) and cost of providing spectacles frames (31.6 per cent), were identified as the main barriers to providing refractive services. Conclusion: The provision of refractive services in the study regions was inadequate. Lack of infrastructure and inadequate human resource were the major reasons for the limited service provision. This should be considered for planning refractive services in the study regions and Ghana as a whole.

Source: UCC
Towards a conceptual framework for the implementation, integration and content integrity of web 2.0 technologies in higher educational institutions

The need to implement and adopt web 2.0 technologies into teaching and learning is glaring for higher educational institutions. This is because there are increase numbers of students’visà-vis teaching staff, competition for resources, over-crowded classroom, the need for efficient teaching and learning, as well as the need to learn anytime and anywhere. However, it’s of no doubt that every technology comes with its menace that users need to be aware of and acquainted with. This call for adequate and efficient security measures, ethical use of web 2.0 tools, as well as ensuring content integrity. This paper is a review of existing literatureson frameworksfor e-learning implementation, integration and ensuring content integrity. It also presents the results of a survey of web 2.0 technologies perceived benefits, weaknesses and challengesin teaching and learning within higher educational institutions using Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) as a case study

Source: UCC
Towards a cross-sector pluralistic agricultural extension system in a decentralized policy context: a Ghanaian case study

The dwindling government funding of agricultural extension in developing countries and the call on extension organizations to support farm households’ livelihood security initiatives, has made the practice of pluralistic extension a realistic option for ensuring efficient and effective use of available resources for extension and sustainable development. The aim of the study was to understand the key factors that can contribute to successful pluralistic agricultural extension system in a decentralized policy environment in developing countries for sustainable agricultural development. The research used a qualitative case study based on a successful district level public agricultural extension organization in Ghana. Semi-structure interviews, supported with documents and observations, were used for the data collection. The case study shows that an important factor that can contribute to the success of a local level extension organization is its ability to coordinate its activities, and collaborate with other stakeholder organizations through the provision of forums, where organizations from different sectors can interact. Also, by establishing mutually beneficial working relationships and trust with stakeholder organizations where training of staff and other resources including working materials, funds, vehicles, and library resources can be exchanged or shared. These relationships can increase extension organization’s capability to assist farm households in meeting their broader livelihood security needs in a more sustainable manner

Source: UCC
Towards a decade of synergizing corpus linguistics and critical discourse analysis: A meta-analysis

The incorporation of corpus linguistics (CL) methods within critical discourse analysis (CDA) has gathered momentum in the last decade. This paper surveys studies using this triangulated framework, drawing on a database of 121 studies collected from three citation indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index, Arts & Humanities Citation Index and Scopus. It presents a meta-analysis of these studies focusing on four variables, namely their chronological development, the domains of engagement, the issues that have been topicalized and the area/regional coverage of the studies. In particular, the paper accounts for the factors that have contributed to the popularity of corpus-based CDA in the last decade as an approach to discourse analysis, provides insights into the evolution of this eclectic approach, and anticipates the future of the framework by offering suggestions. The paper concludes that corpus-based DA presents both discourse analysts and corpus linguists with a robust methodology to tackle research questions bordering on discursive reflections of social issues and to identify new sites of public discourse for systematic analysis

Source: UCC
Towards a Probabilistic Grammar of Collective Noun Agreement in British English

This thesis examines collective noun agreement, using the notion of probabilistic grammar. Most accounts on the phenomenon appears not to have been fully explained the factors that determine collective noun agreement in English suggesting the existence of multiple factors that inform collective noun agreement relations. The most established explanation (that plural agreement is the preferred agreement in cases that the individuals in the collection are the focus and singular when the collection is the referent) is taken as circular reasoning and as the gap. And the study departs from this line of reasoning by examining other nuance factors that impact collective noun agreement. The study used the corpus linguistic methodology to study 6,467 clauses of singular and plural collective noun agreement forms from the British National Corpus. The data has revealed accessibility, humanness, definiteness, distance, part-whole and number features of predicates as variously informing agreement choices. These factors translate into two-level predictors which inform singular and plural agreement at relative significance and confidence levels. The results show that there is a higher tendency for singular agreement choice when the CNs are conceived as ‘whole’. Plural agreement is significantly determined by human of humanness and part of part-whole constraints. The observation that the predictors were sensitive to specific CNs suggests that CNs differ somewhat from each other. The results also show that it is easier to predict plural agreement than singular agreement and plural agreement choices are often primed. Further studies are encouraged to examine the impact of the constraint herein identified as determining collective noun agreement in other varieties of English.

Source: UCC
Towards African Work Orientations: Guide from Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions

Work orientation is the meaning an individual gives to work and the relative importance assigned to work in one’s life. This study assesses and predicts work orientations of employees of Sub-Saharan African – countries with diverse but similar cultural consequences. Scores of Hofstede’s study on his five cultural dimensions, and review of some major and enduring African cultural and social values are the two main categories of data for analysis. Organised under ten work-related factors, the paper produces what guide and shape the behaviour of the African based on his/her enduring cultural and social values. These work orientations could be guide to employers, especially multinational ones, to understand what influence the behaviour of the African at work. This is because the African will always be influenced by his/her cultural values, and their recognition of these values could enhance effective management of the employment relations

Source: UCC