ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Strategic implications of outsourcing to business organizations; a study of Nwabiagya Rural Bank in Ashanti Region

Outsourcing is a common practice among both private and public organizations and is a major element in business strategy. Perhaps most organizations now outsource some of the functions they used to perform themselves. Organizations may expect to achieve many different benefits through successful outsourcing, although there are significant risks that may be realized if outsourcing is not successful. The purpose of this study was to assess the strategic implications of outsourcing to business organizations, Nwabiagya Rural Bank - Ashanti Region. The data used was primary data mainly questionnaire; it consisted of all the staff of the study (NRB). Sample size of sixty (60) was used and SPSS and Excel were the statistical packages used for the analysis. Attributes which were related to strategic implications of outsourcing was statistically analyzed. Subsequently, multiple regressions were to examine whether the strategic implications of outsourcing contributed to effectiveness of the model with respect to the factors. The response variable was benefits of outsourcing (BOS). The findings suggest that cost of training decrease through outsourcing and outsourcer performance is reviewed regular were very significant in determining the benefit of outsourcing in the study bank at 95% confidence interval but significance level at 90% variable management function by outsourcing was also significant. This may mean that these factors affect benefit of outsourcing (BOS) in the study bank. It is strongly recommending that effect of strategic implications of outsourcing to business organizations at Nwabiagya Rural Bank in Ashanti Region must be given the primary importance in all aspects in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Strategic issues of innovative financing of infrastructure project delivery.

The lack of research exploring the strategic issues of innovative financing of infrastructure projects delivery in Ghana formed the basis of the research. Little research has been done in Ghana on innovative financing of infrastructure projects delivery with majority concentrating on public-private partnerships, or the applicability of an innovative financing method. This dissertation aimed at identifying the challenges of innovative financing options available to Ghana, and analysing the strategic issues of innovative financing of infrastructure projects in Ghana. The research begun with the review of pertinent literature on innovative financing of infrastructure project, followed by in-depth exploratory interviews to ascertain the strategic issues of innovative financing of infrastructure projects in Ghana. Using purposive sampling technique, 81 questionnaires were distributed to the metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) in Ashanti Region. Out of the 81 questionnaires, 61 questionnaires were returned representing 75% response rate. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and factor analysis. The descriptive statistics and the test of hypotheses largely confirmed the variables which were identified in the literature and also through the exploratory interviews. The factor analyses of these variables resulted in 3 components each for both the challenges and the strategic issues of innovative financing of infrastructure project variables, and these were appropriately named and discussed. It was recommended that innovative financing options for infrastructure projects should thoroughly be assessed along the appropriateness of the method, pricing and management, and sustainability of the method. It was further recommended that policy makers, project management students, and staff of the MMDAs involved in the financing/provision of infrastructure projects should be educated on the identified issues.

Source: KNUST
The Strategic Management of Mergers and Acquisitions ‘Developing a Resource-Based Perspective” Case Study: Guinness Ghana Breweries Ltd

Mergers and acquisitions play a vital role in a firm’s competitive scope within the same industry. Competition is a major challenge faced by many companies. It grows more intense every year. New competition comes from all directions-from local competitors and from global competitors eager to grow sales in new markets. A company has competitive advantage whenever it has an edge over rivals in attracting customers and defending against competitive forces. A company can achieve or defend competitive advantage through the strategy it employs. Mergers and acquisitions is one of such corporate strategy that can be used. This is so because although Mergers and Acquisitions have been used by firms to obtain competitive advantage hence this current research try to examine the impact of Mergers and Acquisitions from a resource-base perspective using Guinness Ghana Limited is a test case. Various literature on the subject were reviewed which attempted to link it to the current research. Notable among the research techniques used in assessing the impact included various financial ratios such as profitability, activity, liquidity, gearing and shareholder. With respect to profitability ratios, the performance of the individual companies was better than that of the group. This was because with the return on capital employed which deals with the organisation’ s ability to use its net assets to generate income, the individual companies did better with 54.7% and 41.7% in 2003 and 2004 respectively whilst the group in 2005 had 29%. This means that the companies were more efficient in using their net assets to generate profit in 2003. The group’s performance in 2005 was not very impressive as compared to previous years. This might be partly due to a less than a proportionate increase in profit before interest and tax (PBIT) for the group in 2005 in relation to that of the individual companies in 2003 and 2004, or/and a more than proportionate increase in the company’s administrative expenses in 2005. It is also recommended that further studies be carried out in the case of the merger between the companies under study in the years to come. This is to find out whether the group’s performance will continue to deteriorate to replicate this study or that somewhere along the line the group’s performance will change for the better in order to justify the reason for the merger. Should further studies in the merger seem to suggest or conclude that, the group performance is worse, then, there is absolutely more solid ground to believe that mergers should be given a second thought in an attempt to survive in a global market place.

Source: KNUST
Strategic outsourcing at Anglogold Ashanti: a success or failure.

Mining companies are continuously looking to implement newer operation models into practice, finding more ways of increasing productivity, reducing costs and improving effectiveness. Environmental and contextual changes presents a number of competitive challenges to organizations with new trends and patterns emerging and giving rise to a new economy influenced by the new factors that are changing the work system. In mining and mineral business, the worldwide usage and importance of outsourcing has grown dramatically over the last decades. Outsourcing is only one possible solution to the problem and a strategy practiced by many management teams. This study aims at investigating how successful outsourcing has been at AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi mine. This work pursues a descriptive strategy. Primary data was collected from twenty-five (25) key staff of the procurement division of AngloGold Ashanti using questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and observation from the staff and management of the procurement division of AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi mine. Data was coded and analyzed by the use of SPSS and Excel. Outsourcing in the mine has been overall a success tactically and operationally as it has improved the quality of operations, helped reduce cost and improved company focus. The company relies heavily on general vendor contract arrangements with outsourced firms to manage and control work outsourced. Primarily, reliability and credibility of prospective supplier firms provides the framework for contracting and building a strong partnership. The mine outsources key supporting work for which they have not the expertise like shaft maintenance and transport of materials and security. The focus is on keeping their core business in-house. Outsourcing however has brought its own challenges of laid of staff and loss of employee morale for those retained. It is recommended largely that the mine focuses more on building strategic alliances with other firms as it opens up the opportunity of tapping into other strengths whilst reducing your risks. The company must aim to use outsourcing proactively through a stronger focus on internal core business areas as a way to improve performance, generate employee commitment and consequently increase competitiveness and profitability. This presupposes that management creates a culture in the organization that enhances the core business and recognizes the benefits of outsourcing complementary competencies.

Source: KNUST
Strategic planning and organisational performance in health delivery service - a case-study of the Trust Hospital

The Trust Hospital was established to provide quality healthcare to SSNIT employees and their dependants as well as to the community. It has since its establishment encountered various problems. These include low revenue generation, high operating cost and low level of profit performance. As a means of dealing with these problems the hospital, from 1996, started introducing various strategies. These are new services, price discrimination strategy, fast track service, night service charge and short-term investment. Unfortunately these strategies have not been able to halt the low level of profit performance and ensure efficient performance. They have also not been able to generate adequate return on investment. This study was therefore aimed at identifying some of the major problems facing the hospital and also at assessing the impact of the strategies already introduced. It was also to assess the overall strategic direction of the hospital. Based on the assessment, the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies were to be identified, after which a model strategic plan was to be drawn. To meet these research objectives three types of analytical methods namely financial analysis, statistical analysis and environmental scanning were employed. The study revealed among other things that the hospital has no clear or documented strategic direction. Under this circumstance, the hospital cannot assume a proactive posture, which is essentially needed for the organisation’s survival and growth. The study also revealed that although the total revenue generated by the hospital has been increasing since the introduction of strategic planning, the annual average revenues have not changed significantly. This reflects the fact that the revenue units contribute less revenue than before. To resolve these problems and others detected in the course of the study the researcher has proposed a ten — year vision for the hospital and drawn up an action plan to accomplish this goal. The researcher has also offered some recommendations that would help turn around the organisation’s performance.

Source: KNUST
Strategic planning and management on organisation performance: a case study of christian religious groups in kumasi

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which strategic planning and management had on the performance of organisations; a case study of Christina religious groups within Kumasi metropolis. The study used a descriptive research design with a quantitative approach. The study population was drawn from a total number of 100 religious organisations that comprise head pastors, deacons, elders, and church leaders within these organisations. A simple random sampling technique probability sampling technique and sample size were used for the study. The researcher employed statistical software such as statistical package for social science (spss) to analyze the data. The outcome of the analysis revealed that strategic planning had a direct bearing on how the organisation would perform. Findings of the study suggested that mission and vision, leadership, planning, and performance were found to have a positive and significant link using descriptive, reliability tests, and correlation methodologies. The research established that there is a strong and favorable correlation between leadership and planning as well as performance. Generally, it can be concluded also that, religious organisations should pay attention to capacity building of its leadership at the forefront, and not only keep a focus on improving structural developments. Systems and structures will have to be properly harnessed across every level of the organisation if set goals that revolve around the organizational mission and vision statements are to be met

Source: KNUST
Strategic planning as practised by construction firms in Ghana

Construction firms in Ghana like many other countries traditionally have given little formal attention to long-term planning strategies and tend to have a short- term attitude towards planning. With the economic and business planning framework shifting from the short-term and tactical towards the long-term and strategic, it has become necessary for construction firms in Ghana to re-direct the focus of their planning activities to reflect the balance between the strategic and the tactic in order to effectively address their long-term survival. Construction firms employ a large number of both skilled and unskilled labours. In times of economic recession construction companies that do not plan strategically tend to collapse putting many people out of job. It is against this background that this study was undertaken to: i. Find out the perception of construction firms in Ghana of strategic planning. ii. Identify the organisation structures put in place for the formulation and implementation of strategic plans and the factors considered in the formulation and implementation of such plans. The study revealed that a majority of construction firms operating in Ghana do not perceive strategic planning as necessary for their survival. The study also identified two main types of organizational structures used by construction firms in the country for the implementation of their strategic plans and sixteen factors that are considered in the formulation and implementation of such plans amongst which are: i. financial standing of the firm ii. Political stability in the country and iii. Aspirations of shareholder/owners of the firm The study concluded that if the perception of the construction firms on strategic planning is to change and more construction firms are to undertake such planning, then there would be the need for education of all stakeholders in construction companies on the fundamentals of strategic planning and its associated concepts.

Source: KNUST
Strategies for effective and efficient management of museums as resource for research and public education: (a case study of the Ghana National Museum)

This is a critical study of the activities of the Ghana National Museum (Accra). It is a report and evaluation of managerial strategies being employed to achieve its stated objectives. The major aim of the study was based on how best the museums’ potentials as a repository of material culture could be employed to curb the undue influx or influence of foreign culture on the indigenous Ghanaian culture. The cultural objects of the museum, if well managed with effective and efficient managerial policies and practices both at micro and macro levels could in its part play an important role in reviving Ghanaian cultural orientation. The research examined the material culture in the matrixes of Ghanaian society, the main resources in the museum as of cultural, educational, research, and aesthetic significance. The study focussed mainly on the activities of the Ghana National Museum — Accra; (not on the Museum and Monument Board, generally). The research methods included a review of related literatures, personal interviews, discussions, observation, assessment and analysis of data. It was found that even though the museum was enjoying some patronage by the public and researchers both local and foreign, its impact as an agent, which seeks to instil the knowledge of material culture in the people, was not much felt. It was therefore recommended that the Museums and Monument Board be restructured, decentralized regionally and re-launch new strategies that will enhance effective and efficient management of resources. It was concluded on the note that potentials of the museum could be realized if greater attention is concentrated on dynamic, creative and integrated strategies.

Source: KNUST
Strategies addressing payment delays in construction industry (Ghana)

In Ghana, construction is said to be one of the major contributors to the economy, and payment, becomes the central focus for both the contractor and the client. It is for this reason that understanding the subject of payments becomes crucial to both of them. Delayed payments causes severe cash flow problems especially to contractors resulting in the lock up of capital that is supplied from the company’s cash reserved or loans with high interest rate and also result in high rate of unemployment as a result of many construction contractors going on liquidation or bankruptcy. This study sought to identify the effects, existing strategies and explore innovative strategies to mitigate the effects of delayed payments. Deductive approach was used where literature was reviewed and Questionnaires developed to cover the objective of the study. Contractors with any class, Consultants and Experts were used as the population used for the population size. The research revealed thirteen (13) effects of delayed payment on contractors’ performance. Also thirteen (13) strategies currently in use by contractors were also discovered. The effects and strategies were found out to be significant after a ranking of their mean scores. Finally, ten (10) innovative strategies that can be adopted to eliminate delayed payment to contractors for government contracts were also proposed. It is strongly believed that the findings and recommendations from this study shall help mitigate the effects of delayed payment.

Source: KNUST
Strategies for effective disposal of goods and equipment in public institutions

Proper procurement of public goods and services is imperative for good economic management and addressing leakages of government funds. As a result, the public procurement and disposal of public assets should not be taken lightly. The disposal of goods and equipment are important parameters for gauging the efficiency of service delivery and development interventions in a country. The purpose of this study was to develop strategies for effective disposal of goods and equipment in public institution(s).The study adopted qualitative approach where relevant literature survey was used to collect data and used content analysis for the analysis of data. The journals used were twenty seven (27) and four (4) Public Procurement Acts were considered from Neighboring Countries and other relevant document(s).The study revealed that there were existing practices of disposal of goods and equipment. However, the study came out with these strategies; the institutions should code all asset when they procured goods and equipment into their outfit to determine longevity of the asset(s), professional independent body should examine every asset when they are due for disposal, certificate of disposal should be issued by standing disposal committee, methods of disposal should be approved by the head of institution, economic returns and finally, asset disposal plan that would be effective , efficient and economical in all government institution(s).The study recommends that, the institution(s) should train workers to become expert to do regular maintenance of electronic gadgets to curb frequent disposal of goods and equipment, developing disposal framework for all public institution(s) to make use of when the need arises, recycle goods and equipment when they are reducing to scraps and finally the officials of the institution shall not be allowed to use public asset when they are not on official assignment. It is expected that the strategies developed in this study will assist state institutions to disposal of goods and equipment effectively in order to achieve value for money.

Source: KNUST
Strategic planning and performance of micro and small family businesses in Ghana. The resource based approach.

Particularly among small and medium–sized businesses throughout the world, family firms constitute the prevalent form of business (Westhead & Howorth, 2007). For instance, a study by Timmons and Spinelli (2009: 596) found that over 90% of businesses in the United States of America are family owned. The story is not different from what pertains in other parts of the world. Hence family businesses form a strong backbone for most economies. In spite of the advantages MSFBs offer to every economy, majority of them do not survive especially in their formative years. In line with this, this study sought to examine the effect of strategic planning on the performance of MSFBs in Ghana, the moderating effect of Organizational capabilities (i.e. Managerial and Innovative capabilities). Using structured self- administered questionnaires to sample response from owner-mangers or Chief Executive Officers of MSFBs a sample size of 200 was administered with 194 fully responded to employing the convenience sampling method. To ensure a higher reliability and validity of the constructs, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were performed using LISREL 8.5. To determine the causal relationship between the constructs, a hierarchical multiple regression (HMR) analysis was employed. The result of the study showed that strategic planning has a positive effect on the performance of MSFBs both operational performance and financial performance. It showed that managerial capability did have a positive moderated effect on the relationship between strategic planning and performance of MSFBs in Ghana. It showed that managerial capability did not show significant moderation between strategic planning and operational performance of MSFBs in Ghana. With regards to the above result, the study recommended an improvement of the managerial and innovative capabilities of MSFBs in Ghana.

Source: KNUST