ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing the effects of Mergers and Acquisitions on the performance of a company: A Case Study of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited

The study investigated mergers and its effect on performance using Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL) as a case study. The study was descriptive using both primary and secondary sources. Data was collected using questionnaires. The study period involved five year before merger of the two companies GGL and GBL; and five years post-merger performance of GGBL. The study found that the financial performance of GGBL has been improving over the years as a result of the merger. Factors contributing to this performance include frequent supply of raw materials, high commitment of employees, proper allocation and strategic management of finance, and effective marketing approach and improved sales. In addition, joint expertise, increased shares, increase assets/equipment and increased labour has affected the current performance of GGBL positively after the merger (GBL and GGL). The study revealed that the merger process faced challenges ranging from cost of acquisition, regulatory compliance, IT integration, rebranding to HR integration. It was however established that the most significant challenge appeared to be compliance to regulatory procedure that accompanied the process of merger and acquisition. Various motives were identified to include: increasing shareholder value, improving efficiency, increasing market power, and as an entry strategy. The strongest motivation was however found to be the increase in shareholder value. Key recommendations included the need for the sales and marketing departments to focus on brands, which are high in demand and also adopt aggressive marketing strategies to grow the market as competition increases.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the effects of micro credit on the performance of women owned Small and Medium Enterprises in the Tamale Metropolis

Women owned Small and Medium Enterprises constitute 75% of the total SMEs in Ghana and provide enormous contribution to the economic growth and employment creation of the country. In view of this, it is necessary to obtain a better understanding of the factors that influence the performance of these enterprises. Key among these factors is credit. However, traditional banks shy away from SMEs because of the high risk associated with lending to SMEs. This led to the springing up of several Microfinance institutions with the sole aim of providing credit to SMEs especially women owned enterprises. However, there have been concerns as to whether these Microfinance Institutions are in business to support these enterprises grow or exploit them and earn higher profits. It is therefore vital to establish whether micro credit is supporting the growth of businesses or making them worse off, a gap this study sought to fill. To carry out the study, five Microfinance Institutions in the metropolis were purposively selected. After which stratified sampling was used to categorize the women entrepreneurs according to the activities they are engaged in. Semi structured questionnaire was then used in the survey of women owned SMEs as well as the administration of questionnaires with selected Microfinance Institutions. The data collected were analysed using SPSS. The study findings show that although the general indicators reflect positive growth among women owned enterprises in terms of gross profit, investigation of the practical importance of the significance of the results show a small effect (d=0.315). This implies that the change in the monthly gross profits between the two time periods is of less practical importance to the operation and growth of the enterprises. The results also reveal that there was no significant difference in the number of employees or assets between the period when the first MFI loan was received and the period when this study was conducted. The study recommends improved monitoring by the Bank of Ghana to regulate the operations of MFIs in terms of interest rates charged and other services they offer their clients. It is also recommended that MFIs take interest in the enterprise growth of their clients instead of being interested only in the collection of deposits and disbursement of loans. Finally, the study also recommends that, MFIs should increase loan amounts to women entrepreneurs, extend loan repayment period, charge moderate interest rates on loans as well as administrative and management fees, ensure timely disbursement of loans and enhance and standardize training of their clients.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the effects of organisational stress on employee performance – a case study of an Oil Marketing Company in Accra, Ghana

Stress of employees is detrimental to organizational effectiveness. The effectiveness of employees depends on their level of occupational stress. It is therefore prudent to assess the causes of stress and its control measures to achieve employee effectiveness. Therefore, this study sought to assess the effect of organizational stress on performance of an Oil Marketing Company in Accra, Ghana. The study anticipated to determine the causes, effect and managerial measures to control stress. The study sampled 90 employees (out 242 employees) who responded to the survey questionnaires. The questionnaire was a self-designed assessment develop in a Likert form. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The analysis showed that employees believe that the causes of stress in the organization are “the task demands, role demands, interpersonal relationship, structure of the organization and the leadership of the organization”. Stress was found to cause lack of efficiency, difficulty to involve in team work and cooperation, lack of commitment to organisational goals, lack of punctuality to work and inability to provide new ideas and seek new challenges and opportunities. Another impact of stress assessed were the negative attitude towards work, decrease in desires and motivations, and the inability to perform work as expected. The main outcome measures which were found to mitigate stress were the “provision support for employees, organizing training on stress management, building teams to cope with stress, offering employees flexible work environment and building on support networks of employees. Implications of the study are outlined in the study

Source: KNUST
Assessing the effects of organizational citizenship behaviour on organizational performance: A case of selected Banks in Kumasi.

In Ghana some employees are reluctant to abide by the OCB principle but rather exhibit traits that can only affect their social and economic circumstances. There is a perception that employers only use the strength, knowledge and talents of employees to develop their business, and build good reputation among their competitors without giving due credit to their employees. The current study investigates the effects of organizational citizenship behavior on organizational performance of selected banks in Kumasi. The research employed a quantitative design method to study 172 banking staff selected through a multistage sampling technique. Collection of data was done through a well-organized questionnaire. Regression method was employed to examine the effects of the various dimensions of OCB on employees‟ performance. The study revealed that the key OCB determining factors include altruism, conscientiousness, civic virtue, sportsmanship, courtesy, organizational loyalty, organizational compliance and selfdevelopment. OCB was found to positively influence employee performance. The key OCB factors found to influence employee performance positively include sportsmanship, organizational loyalty, organizational compliance and self-development. The study further revealed that altruism, civic virtue and organizational compliance attitude of the staff positively influenced the employees‟ performance of the banks. From the result of the study, there is adequate evidence to support the developed hypotheses. The organizational citizenship behaviors of the banking staff affected positively the employee performance and the organizational performances of the selected banks. The study therefore recommends the need for performance appraisal system to consider OCB, the adoption of recruitment and selection methods with OCB considerations and the engagement of staff in OCB through training and mentoring.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the effects of performance management on employee performance. The case of GCB Bank Limited.

This study attempts to investigate the influence performance management on employee performance. As competition in the Ghanaian banking sector continues to increase, the fundamentals that ensure employee performance continue to vary in many ways. Although GCB Bank has over the years directed a lot of resource and attention to the conduct of performance management exercises, her fortunes have not significantly improved. This study therefore set out to assess the effect of performance management on employee performance at GCB Bank Limited. The study gathered data from 200 employees of the bank within the Ashanti Zone who were sampled through a convenient non-probability approach. The study explored some dimensions of performance management like performance planning, performance execution, performance assessment and performance appraisal and how these factors together affect employee performance at GCB Bank. The objectives that directed the study included determining the performance management systems practiced at GCB Bank Limited, evaluating how performance management practices promote employee performance and examining the manner in which performance management practices are carried out at GCB Bank. The findings from the study suggest that, performance execution and appraisal are core elements of performance management that enhance employee performance at GCB Bank. The results again support the hypothesis that, performance management facilitates employee performance; revealing among other things that, GCB conducts performance management through subordinate guidance, the use of rewards and sanctions, a top-down and bottom-up communication, coaching among others. The implications of these findings on managerial success as well as the researcher‟s recommendations for improvement have also been offered.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Effects of Public Procurement Framework Agreement on Procurement Practices in Second Cycle School’s in Ghana

The application of Framework Agreement (FWA) in the Second Cycle Schools of Ghana has been met with myriad of mixed reactions with little known about its effect in ensuring Value for money in procurement practice. This study aims at assessing the effects of the Public Procurement Framework Agreement on procurement practices in Second Cycle Schools. This study used an explanatory research design. Both probability random and non-probability purposive sampling techniques were used to sample 46 respondents. The respondents were headmasters/headmistresses, bursars, procurement officers, supply officers, and store keepers in ten (10) Senior High Schools in Central region of Ghana. The study identified that 72% of the study participants had not had any training programme on the Public Procurement framework Agreement. While 60% of the schools had used the Framework Agreement for up to two years, 34% used the agreement within the last one year. A total of 48% of the respondents considered the tendering procedures of the Framework Agreement as inappropriate; whiles 63% of the respondent opposing that quality goods were not offered at cheaper prices under the Framework contract. The leading challenges were that the Framework Agreement increased the cost of goods sold and hindered budgetary control. The low level of understanding and appreciation of the Framework Agreement calls for a review of its implementation and greater stakeholder consultation and education especially among procurement officers and heads of second cycle schools.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the effects of Public Procurement on Prudent Public Financial Management in Ghana.

Public Procurement is an integral part of governments’ fiscal policies aimed at achieving prudent public financial management through its intended effects (indicators). Concerns are that, procurement in its current state does not achieve its intended objective. It is for this reason the study is conducted to study the intended effects of public procurement on public financial management in Ghana. The objectives of the study are (1) to identify the intended effects of public procurement on prudent public financial management; (2) to identify the effects of implementation of Public Procurement on public financial management; and (3) to identify the challenges associated with procurement process that make it impossible to prudently manage public finance in Ghana. A quantitative research method was adopted for the study and with a sample size of 68, a total of 68 questionnaires were administered and 46 was retrieved indicating a response rate of 67.65%. Data collected was analysed with the SPSS and descriptive statistics was used. The major findings identified included transparency, planning and budgeting, controls, competition and procurement audit with prudent public financial management. Abuse of the procurement law was seen as an implementation effect of procurement. Mismatched annual procurement plans and budgets, political interference and bureaucracy are the challenges associated with procurement process. These findings imply a fundamental problem with the public procurement system that needs urgent attention. Effective Planning and budgeting, transparency and controls should be ensured. Anti-corruption measures should be enhanced and promoted in this direction.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the effects of recruitment and selection on employee performance: A case of Nwabiagya Rural Bank Limited, Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Recruitment and selection of employees is one of the most important functions of the human resource manager. This notwithstanding, most organizations do not consider this integral part of human resource management as paramount and therefore frowned upon. The main objective of the study is to assess and evaluate the effects of recruitment and selection on employee performance. The researcher adopted a case study method so as to concentrate on an individual organization in order to gain insight into the study. Nwabiagya Rural Bank Limited was chosen for the study. Data was collected by the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Both descriptive and inferential statistical types were used in analyzing the data with the aid of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). A thorough literature review was also done to tap the views of other authors on the topic under study. More importantly, primary data was collected directly from the bank through questionnaires, interviews and observation techniques. The study therefore revealed the following findings: recruitment and selection policy of the bank was not regularly reviewed, the issue of gender discrimination, favouritism and nepotism negatively impact on performance. In conclusion, the recruitment and selection process of NRB is generally fair and dependable. The following recommendations are therefore made; recruitment and selection policy should be reviewed periodically, there should be no gender discrimination. Favouritism and nepotism should be eschewed to improve the performance of employees at NRB Ltd.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the effects of religiosity and spirituality on HR practices at the workplace: A case of selected institutions at Mankranso in the Ahafo Ano South District

This thesis looked at the main effects of religiosity and spirituality on human resource practices at the workplace. The objectives were to assess the practice of religiosity and spirituality, examine the extent to which religiosity affects employee performance, the benefits and challenges of integrating religiosity and spirituality into the workplace. Close-ended questionnaire was used to gather data with extra data from existing literature in printed materials and online texts. The SPSS computer software was used in analyzing the data. In all, a sample size of two hundred and twenty-one was selected for the study in the Ahafo-Ano South district. The benefits from religiosity and spirituality are that, individuals become whole in life, it breeds harmony at workplaces, workers are conscientious about their work, and workers respect each other. It makes workers complete humans in their lives. They develop positive attitude towards work, people and their superiors. The effects of religiosity and spirituality on employee performance include the fact that religiosity and spirituality affects employee performance positively. Employee performance is enhanced due to good attitudes and interpersonal relationships as they see work as Divine calling. The challenges of religiosity and spirituality are that major Human resource practices are affected by discrimination and religious conflicts normally disrupts activities at workplace. It is recommended that management must make religiosity and spirituality part of organisation’s strategies, make religious leaders’ committee part of organizational Organogram, educate workers on the issues of religiosity and spirituality and for the HR Manager regulate religious activities to ensure industrial harmony and higher productivity at various organizations and prevent the negative impacts like discrimination and conflicts from employee participation in religiosity and spirituality at workplaces.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the effects of stone quarrying: the case of Wenchi municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

The geological formation that underlain the Wenchi Municipality has attracted a number of quarrying companies into the Municipality to the extent that the industry has gradually gained prominence and serve as a source of employment and revenue for the Communities, Traditional Council and Wenchi Municipal Assembly (Wenchi Municipal Assembly, 2006). However, there have been several concerns raised by many people especially the host communities who are farmers and depend mainly on agriculture for their livelihood, with regards to land degradation, pollution and deforestation resulting from the operations of quarry companies. This study was therefore undertaken to examine the operational methods used in quarrying activities by quarry companies, assess critically the economic, environmental and social effects of the quarrying activities, identify and assess existing mitigating measures by quarry companies in the Wenchi Municipality, and provide policy recommendations on sustainable stone quarrying in the Wenchi Municipality. This research adopted the Case Study Approach and employed purposive and simple random sampling techniques to elicit relevant information for this research. In all this research, we directly interviewed 140 respondents including institutions (Household heads (90), the Environmental Protection Agency (3), the Traditional Authorities (9), Wenchi Municipal Assembly (8), Key Informants (24) and the Quarry Companies (6)) through the use of semi-structured questionnaires and interview guides to supplement secondary data from literature. It was revealed from this research that, all the quarrying companies in the Municipality use the open cast method of quarry extraction with both simple and sophisticated equipments. The effects identify were among others the destruction of habitat, destruction of the environment, social corporate responsibility, cracks in buildings, payments of taxes and royalties, employment creation and wages generation. Following the potentially negative environmental effects of quarrying, a number of extenuation measures including warning signals, watering trucks, timing restriction of activities and environmental awareness and sensitization programmes among others are being implemented to decrease the adverse impact of quarrying. This research recommended that stakeholders in the quarrying industry be made aware of the negative environmental effects associated with quarrying to enable the adoption of best practices to enhance environmental sustainability.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the effects of the adoption of the e-procurement system in Ghana. A case study of ministry of communications and digitalization.

The procurement function is important to any organization in the modern business climate, and as a result, its tactics are now more important than ever to an organization's success. The study examined the effects of the adoption of e-procurement on the procurement function in Ghana. A case study approach was used in the study with the quantitative approach. The population for this study is the procurement department in the ministry of communication and digitalisation and its seven (7) agencies. The procurement staff in the ministry of communication and digitalisation and all seven (7) agencies were sampled for the study using the census as a sampling approach. The study findings implied that the four independent variables (facilitating conditions, performance expectancy, social influence, and effort expectancy) jointly accounted for only 53% of the adoption of e-procurement. This, therefore, means that other factors not studied in this research contribute 47% to the adoption of e-procurement. The results prove that the variables that determine the adoption of e-procurement are the conducive circumstances, performance expectations, social influence, and effort expectations. According to the individual p-values, performance expectations and social influence have little effect on the adoption of e-procurement, however effort expectations and facilitating conditions have a substantial impact. The study suggested that, because e-procurement systems rely so significantly on internet services, stable and ongoing improvement in the internet infrastructure is crucial for the successful integration of e-procurement technology. Thus, the government must ensure that there are no interruptions in the flow of the internet.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the effects of taxation on the mining industry (A Case Study of Anglogold Ashanti, Iduapriem Mines)

Ghana contributes significantly to the global gold production. It is the second largest producer of gold in Africa after South Africa and the 10th largest producer in the world. As a result of Ghana’s gold production capacity, mining companies in Ghana have contributed significantly to the economic development of Ghana over the years through the taxes and royalties they pay. While these taxes are expected to improve the revenue of government for developmental purposes, mining firms believe the current mining tax regime needs to be reviewed to reduce the burden on the already fragile industry. For instance, the Ghana Chamber of Mines has warned that the tax burden is making it unprofitable for the mining industry and is threatening its sustainability. Against this backdrop, the study sought to examine the effect of the current mining tax regime on the sustainability of the mining industry, especially in AGA. Both primary and secondary data were analysed. The study is a descriptive cross-sectional case study and exploratory design using quantitative and qualitative method. The study found that the amount of taxes paid by the mining firms has witnessed substantial decline due to rapid decline in global gold prices. The fall in gold prices, the study observed, has reduced the total revenue of the mining firms and hence the amount of taxes they are able to pay to the government. The study further found that the profitability of the AGA has declined tremendously due to the global fall in gold prices. The study also found that the current financial position is been worsened by the numerous tax burdens confronting the firm. The study recommends that the government should reduce the tax burden on mining firms since doing will improve the financial performance of the mining firm and makes it financially viable for them to continue operations.

Source: KNUST