ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Leadership as engagement, leadership as system development: A contextualised Ghanaian study

Purpose: This paper uses data about the challenges and difficulties confronting organisations and leaders to advance a dualized meaning of corporate leadership in the context of a developing country. The purpose is to describe a leadership frame that is locally contextualised, thereby bringing conceptualisation and thought closer to action, reified reality and applicability. Design/methodology/approach: This research was designed as a series of three studies starting from an applied/interventionist standpoint. The first study used data from applied diagnostic interventions, the second used qualitative interviews and the third used open-ended questionnaires. Data were collected from 25 Ghanaian organisations and 29 corporate executives. Findings: Drawing on a range of everyday issues such as poor attention to customers, pressure from stakeholders (such as political overlords) and leaders' "love" for perks, the paper develops a notion of leadership as "engagement" and as "system development". Research limitations/implications: The data are exploratory and the sample size may be considered small. Originality/value: The paper discusses implications for leadership research and leader development in a developing country like Ghana. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Source: UG
Leadership Behaviors and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: The Mediating Role of Job Involvement

The study examined the effect of leadership behaviors (transformational (TFL) and transactional (TSL) on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) while assessing the mediating role of job involvement. The investigation involved 209 employees from 45 different hospitality institutions (20 hotels, 10 guesthouses and 15 restaurants) in Accra, Ghana. Using multiple regression analysis, findings indicated that both leadership behaviors increase employees’ engagement in OCB in the Ghanaian hospitality industry. It further established that job involvement mediated between TSL behaviors and OCB. However, we did not find support for our argument that job involvement can mediate TFL and OCB. The implications of these results for theory and practice are discussed.

Source: UG
Leadership Behaviours Of Nurse Managers As Perceived By Nurses In The 37 Military Hospital Ghana

ABSTRACT The perception of nurses about the leadership behaviours of their Nurse Managers is essential in determining the kind of leadership behaviours Nurse Managers adopt, what influences these leader behaviours and their effectiveness. This study investigated the leadership behaviours of Nurse Managers as perceived by nurses in the 37 Military hospital Ghana. A quantitative crosssectional approach was used to collect data from 205 nurses who met the inclusion criteria took part in the study, with a 98% (201) response rate. Data were processed and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics revealed that nurses had the perception that the predominant leadership behaviour adopted by the Nurse Manager, was the directive leader behaviour (M=3.95, SD=0.66). The participative leader behaviour (M=3.36, SD=0.64), was the least adopted leadership behaviour. A moderator analysis was done to determine the influence of employee and task characteristics on the relationship between leadership behaviours and leader effectiveness. The moderator analysis indicated that 88% of nurses between the ages of 22-42years had the perception that their Nurse Managers adopted the supportive, participative, and achievement-oriented leadership behaviours. Educational qualifications also had a significant moderator effect on directive leader behaviour. For task characteristics, the study revealed that nurses had the perception that when the task is well structured and outlined, their Nurse Managers employed the supportive, participative and achievement-oriented leader behaviours; and the participative and achievement-oriented leader behaviours for team dynamics A multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between leadership behaviours and leader effectiveness. The study further revealed that nurses had the perception that when their Nurse Managers used the directive and participative leader behaviours, it led to leader effectiveness. The findings have implications for nursing management and practice, ii Leadership Behaviours of Nurse Managers as Perceived by Nurses nursing education and future research. It is hoped that further research will be done on the perception of nurses on the leadership behaviours of their Nurse Managers, and the influence of employee and task characteristic on the leadership behaviours of Nurse Managers. The finding of this study further supports that situational leadership is used by nurse leaders.

Source: UG
Leadership in influencing and managing change in Ghanaian non-bank firms

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors driving changes in the Ghanaian non-bank financial institutions and the roles of leaders in influencing organizational changes in Ghanaian non-bank financial institutions. The findings indicated that leaders are expected to create shared vision, put in place a plan, set strategy and deploy appropriate leadership styles that will inspire confidence in the workforce necessary to achieve set goals. It was found that leaders are not involving their workforce in the decision making process and their contributions were not valued as well. It is concluded that in order to achieve the full benefits of change, leaders create a shared vision and provide the strategies that will achieve results and at the same time galvanize the energies of the workforce towards a common goal

Source: UG
Leadership in the safety sense: where does perceived organisational support fit?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine leaders’ influence on the safety behaviours of employees and the possible mediating role of perceived organisational support (POS), focussing on transformational and transactional leadership. Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered through a survey from 264 engineers and technicians in the power transmission subsector in Ghana and analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings – The analyses revealed that transformational leadership influenced safety behaviours positively while transactional leadership had no significant influence on employees’ safety behaviours. POS also mediated between the leadership styles and safety behaviours. Practical implications – Supervisors need to exhibit more transformational leadership behaviours and organisations need to show support for their employees’ wellbeing in order to aid supervisors’ influence on employees’ safety behaviours, especially if the leaders are more transactional in nature. Originality/value – The study addresses a dearth in literature and highlights the influences of leadership styles on the safety behaviours of the employees, as well as the importance of the organisation to commit to employees’ support and safety so as to enhance their good perceptions and consequently elicit better performance from them.

Source: UG
Leadership styles and employees’ voluntary work behaviours in the Ghanaian banking sector

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which leadership styles predict the voluntary work behaviors of employees. Design/methodology/approach The quantitative approach was adopted to collect data from 234 respondents. Both purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used for the selection of the respondents. Findings The findings of the study revealed that though both the transformational and transactional leadership styles positively predicted the organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) of employees, transformational leadership is more significant. Also, transformational leadership was found to have a significant negative relationship with the counterproductive workplace behavior (CWB) of employees, whereas transactional leadership had an insignificant relationship with CWB. Research limitations/implications The research addresses the gap in the literature on how leadership styles influence employees’ tendency to exhibit either OCB or CWB specifically in the Ghanaian context. Practical implications The findings suggested that transformational leadership should be used in the quest to encourage OCB and to mitigate CWB. Originality/value The study provides an in-depth account on how the leaders’ style influences both employees’ OCB and CWB and how to appropriately manage such voluntary behaviors.

Source: UG
Leadership Styles and Workplace Wellness Among Ghanaian SME Workers

This paper investigates the relationship between leadership styles and the quality of work life (QWL) among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) workers in Ghana. A cross-sectional design was used with standardized questionnaires to collect data. Both the simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were adopted to select respondents. A total sample of 200 respondents was engaged. The research findings suggest a positive relationship between QWL and transformational leadership style (r =.63, p =.000) with ‘idealized influence’ a dimension of transformational leadership significantly correlating with QWL. Transactional leadership style also had a positive relationship with QWL (r =.53, p =.000) although moderate. This suggests that in a developing country setting like Ghana, more exchange (give and take) form of relationships enhance employee quality of work life which is contrary to what pertains in other jurisdictions. Furthermore, males and females did not differ significantly on their QWL. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Source: UG
Leadership, local knowledge and water management: lessons from fringe communities of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve

Access to water remains a key global issue in spite of significant progress made over the past two decades towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal drinking water target. This study therefore examined how local leadership and community-based institutions contribute to effective and sustainable management of water resources and environmental stewardship in the face of climate change. The study focused on three outlying farming communities of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve of the forest-savannah transitional zone of Ghana. The study adopted participatory rural appraisal methodologies involving focus group discussions, interviews and observation at the community level. The study noted that the influence of local chiefs is a strong factor in the management of water resources and environmental stewardship. Lack of effective community leadership, accountability on the part of community water management committees and cooperation between indegense and migrant settlers constitute a major constraint towards achieving effective management of water resources. The study advocated for stronger cooperation among people of different ethnic backgrounds to sustain community water management. There is also the need for support from the local government and law enforcemnet agencies to enhance communiy initiatives at conflict resolution arising out of multiple use of water resources.

Source: UG
Leadership, local knowledge and water management: Lessons from fringe communities of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve, Ghana

Access to water remains a key global issue in spite of significant progress made over the past two decades towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal drinking water target. This study therefore examined how local leadership and community-based institutions contribute to effective and sustainable management of water resources and environmental stewardship in the face of climate change. The study focused on three outlying farming communities of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve of the forest-savannah transitional zone of Ghana. The study adopted participatory rural appraisal methodologies involving focus group discussions, interviews and observation at the community level. The study noted that the influence of local chiefs is a strong factor in the management of water resources and environmental stewardship. Lack of effective community leadership, accountability on the part of community water management committees and cooperation between indegense and migrant settlers constitute a major constraint towards achieving effective management of water resources. The study advocated for stronger cooperation among people of different ethnic backgrounds to sustain community water management. There is also the need for support from the local government and law enforcemnet agencies to enhance communiy initiatives at conflict resolution arising out of multiple use of water resources.

Source: UG
Leading, but are there followers? Exploring the influence of heads of departments on staff and students in Ghanaian higher education institutions

This research investigated followers’ expectations of their heads of departments (HoDs) and how they felt about the fulflment of the expectations within the context of Ghanaian higher education. It further explored the nature of the challenges the HoDs faced as they tried to meet followers’ expectations. The research used a phenomenological design and engaged 36 participants selected from three large Ghanaian universities to participate in individual interviews. Data were analysed using the interpretative phenomenological ana lytical technique. The research revealed that while the subordinate staf expected a more supportive work environment, the students wanted a more conducive learning environment. The HoDs were, however, constrained to do much because of the ethos of the Ghanaian HE sector. The study concluded with recommendations informing policy and practice, both locally and internationally.

Source: UG
Leakage estimation in developing country water networks based on water balance, minimum night flow and component analysis methods

Estimating leakage in developing countries’ water networks is challenging as accurate records are needed. Three leakage estimation methods were compared to ascertain which was most suitable for such networks. The factors accounting for the differences in application of these methods to water networks were also ascertained. The water balance and component analysis methods were compared with the modified minimum night flow (MNF) method. The MNF method was modified to make it suitable for networks in developing countries. In the comparison, leakage was estimated at 10 and 18%, respectively, against 11% for the modified MNF. The latter is considered the most suitable for developing countries as all parameters are determined or estimated from field measurements. It was realized that burst flow rates and the infrastructure condition factor used in the water balance and component analysis methods affect the accuracy of leakage estimates. This has implications for further research, as well as policy and practice for developing countries’ water utilities.

Source: UG
Learning And Education Marginalisation of Older Adults in The Digi.talisation Drive In Ghana: Exploring The Potential Of Adult

The past decade has witnessed an overwhelming digital wave, with the Internet and associated information communication technologies (ICT) permeating every facet of life. This has had governments implement digitalisation agendas to provide their services online. However, although globally, the number of Internet and ICT users have increased tremendously, there continues to persist a digital divide in access and use of these ICT and related technologies. One such divide is generational, prevailing among younger and older adults. This chapter examines such a divide within the Ghanaian context. The chapter analyses Ghana's digitalising attempts and the positioning of adult learning and education in bridging the digital inequalities affecting older adults in Ghana. The chapter argues that the continual marginalisation of adults in the digitalised space could create a new form of social exclusion. However, adult learning and education can be harnessed as a nexus in bridging such a generational gap and must be considered within Ghana's broader digitalisation policy frameworks.

Source: UG
Learning and envisioning under climatic uncertainty: An African experience

Learning about and embracing change and uncertainty are essential for responding to climate change. Creativity, critical reflection, and cogenerative inquiry can enhance adaptive capacity, or the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to adverse future impacts. However, precisely how learning about change and its driving forces occurs and how experiences are combined with envisioned yet indefinite prospects of the future are poorly understood. We present two linked methodological tools-an assessment of drivers of change and participatory scenario building-used in a climate change adaptation project in Ghana and Tanzania (ALCCAR). We discuss opportunities and challenges of such iterative learning. Our findings suggest that joint exploration, diverse storylines, and deliberation help to expand community-based adaptation repertoires and to strike a balance between hopelessness and a tendency to idealize potential future realities. © 2014 Pion and its Licensors.

Source: UG
Learning behind bars: Motivations and challenges of learners in a correctional facility in Ghana

Literature on correctional education is replete focusing largely on its effectiveness in reducing recidivism and enhancing rehabilitation of offenders. This paper takes a somewhat different look at correctional education with a focus on inmates’ motivations for and challenges confronted in participating in a basic education programme. Employing a case study research design, this present study purposively selected 30 young inmates in a Ghanaian correctional facility for focus group interviews. The study found that the need for better employment, life opportunities and literacy post-release were the main push factors for inmates’ participation in the educational programme. With regards challenges, the inmates reported varying experiences from lack of institutional support in learning, lack of teachers coupled with poor teacher attendance, to punishment, which impedes their learning. These findings have significant implications for the design and delivery of future correctional education programmes.

Source: UG
Learning better by repetition or variation? Is transfer at odds with task specific training?

Objective Transfer of motor skills is the ultimate goal of motor training in rehabilitation practice. In children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), very little is known about how skills are transferred from training situations to real life contexts. In this study we examined the influence of two types of practice on transfer of motor skills acquired in a virtual reality (VR) environment. Method One hundred and eleven children with DCD and their typically developing (TD) peers, aged 6±10 years (M = 8.0 SD = 1.0) were randomly assigned to either variable (n = 56) or repetitive practice (n = 55). Participants in the repetitive practice played the same exergame (ski slalom) twice weekly for 20 minutes, over a period of 5 weeks, while those in the variable group played 10 different games. Motor skills such as balance tasks (hopping), running and agility tasks, ball skills and functional activities were evaluated before and after 5 weeks of training. Results ANOVA repeated measures indicated that both DCD and TD children demonstrated transfer effects to real life skills with identical and non-identical elements at exactly the same rate, irrespective of the type of practice they were assigned to. Conclusion Based on these findings, we conclude that motor skills acquired in the VR environment, transfers to real world contexts in similar proportions for both TD and DCD children. The type of practice adopted does not seem to influence children's ability to transfer skills acquired in an exergame to life situations but the number of identical elements does.

Source: UG
Learning by distance: Prospects, challenges, and strategies

Th e advancement in teaching and learning technologies places learning by distance at the centre in higher education institutions . Hence single - mode tertiary institutions are becoming dual - mode institutions, delivering distance education (DE) opportun ities , to a critical mass of learners . Today, p eople are working and learnin g simultaneously, to adjust to the changing work environment. This paper explores prospects, challenges and strate gies in DE . On prospects, it was revealed that higher education institutions involved in DE saves money as student number increases while over head s cost remain relatively stable. M any unreached students are reached. University education is sent to the doorsteps of learners. The issue of time and space is bridged . S tudent - centred teaching and learn ing is encouraged. L ow and late supply of learnin g materials, low quality of instruction, negative percepti on of family members towards DE a nd poor attitudes of tutors toward tutoring were revealed . L ack of timely feedback from lecturers, lack of interaction among learners, and lack of support by the fac ulty were identified . It r ecommends that management s of DE programs should be selfless in providing services to students. Lecturers should adopt teaching technologies to engen der meaningful learning amongst students.

Source: UG
Learning foreign languages online: A case of Chinese language learners in Ghana in the era of COVID-19

E-learning has gained prominence in education institutions across the world. Teaching and learning of the Chinese language at the University of Ghana has been done online due to the university’s announcement to use e-learning to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The aim of this paper is to investigate the online experiences of students learning Chinese language at the University of Ghana in the era of COVID -19. A structured questionnaire was employed using a simple descriptive case study to obtain the research information. The study selected two hundred and fifty (250) Chinese language learners who responded to the research questionnaires. Findings showed that the majority of the students desired to have training in e-learning because they considered it very useful since it enabled them to learn at their own pace and convenience. Most students shared that they have adequate skills in computing. The study also established that e-learning has become a new way of teaching and the study recommends adaptability in studying Chinese language through the internet.

Source: UG
Learning from Employee Perceptions of Human-Work and Work-Organization in Digitized Production-Drilling Activity in Mines

This paper discusses workers’ perception of human-work and work-organization in a digitized production-drilling activity in mines and its associated learning that could lead to the creation of harmony between the technical and the social system in the design of the mining-work environment. Underlined by the systemic structural activity theory, data was collected in a digitized mine through interviews and observations of workers engaged in production drilling activities. Using the systemic analytic approach, the workers’ perceptions of their digitized-world of work were analyzed functional. It was found that the workers perceive the mutuality of the exchanges, interactions, and understanding with the human-work and work organization design as lacking quality inputs from them, but which knowledge remains tacit and are not shared. It is concluded that by understanding workers’ perception of the human-work and work-organization designs of their autonomized work environment, an optimized work-system, entailing sociotechnical systemic characteristics can be formulated.

Source: UG