ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Examining The Agency of Digital Diplomacy in Driving Ghana’s Economic Diplomacy

The advent of technology and social media has profoundly shaped diplomatic practice in the 21st century. Across the globe, many foreign ministries use digital media for the conduct of diplomacy towards the achievement of spectrum of goals such as building a country’s international image and promoting economic diplomacy in particular in the areas of trade and investment. Traditionally, this has been referred to as digital diplomacy. This study builds upon existing research by primarily examining the agency of digital diplomacy in driving Ghana’s economic diplomacy, specifically the promotion of trade and investment. The study also examined the institutional framework for the conduct of diplomacy within MDAs, how digital diplomacy is carried out and the implications of digital diplomacy on Ghana’s foreign policy. The qualitative research approach was adopted to conduct the study. A sample of 18 persons were used for the study all selected from MDAs. The purposive sampling strategy was utilized for the selection of respondents. Interviews were used as the research instrument of data collection. Data collected was analysed using thematic narration and logical inferences. Results of the study reveal that although the MFA has a framework for carrying out digital diplomacy, the framework is limited in scope mostly involving a filtering process where information is evaluated by the Director of Information to be posted online. An overarching framework that specifies guidelines, network of targeted actors, the type and complexity of reach, tools and techniques, frequency of communication, and monitoring effectiveness of digital diplomacy among others are all absent. Results also indicate that the MFA conducts digital diplomacy by posting its activities on various digital platforms mostly Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Messages posted in this regard revolve around the economic potential in Ghana as well as trade and investment opportunities. Further, the study found that digital diplomacy could play a significant role in driving Ghana’s economic diplomacy goals of boosting trade and investment. Results again underscore the fact that digital diplomacy has vast implications for Ghana’s foreign policy in the future as it can influence how other States interact with Ghana. The study ends by outlining policy implications for policy and practice. Among other measures, it is recommended that the MFA should develop and implement a comprehensive digital diplomacy framework, enhancing the design of messages and communication using algorithms, visuals, and emotions, training MFAs personnel to be proficient in communicating with digital media, and collaborating with active online actors including policymakers, academics, diplomats, and leaders of the diaspora

Source: UG
Examining the association between motivations for induced abortion and method safety among women in Ghana

This article draws on data from 552 women interviewed in the 2007 Ghana Maternal Health Survey to examine the association between motivations for women's pregnancy terminations and the safety of methods used. Women's reasons for induced abortions represented their vulnerability types at the critical time of decision making. Different motivations can result in taking various forms of action with the most vulnerable potentially resorting to the most harmful behaviors. Analysis of survey data pointed to spacing/delaying births as the main reason for abortion. Furthermore, women were more likely to terminate pregnancies unsafely if their main motivation for abortion was financial constraints. Especially among rural women, abortions for any reason were more likely associated with safe methods than if for financial reasons. These findings suggest a theme of vulnerability, resulting from poverty, as the motivations for women to resort to harmful abortion methods. Therefore, interventions formulated to reduce instances of unsafe pregnancy terminations should target reducing poverty and capacity building with the aim of economic advancement, in addition to curbing the root of the problem: unintended pregnancy.

Source: UG
Examining the association between prescription opioid misuse and suicidal behaviors among adolescent high school students in the United States

Although some studies have examined the association between prescription opioid misuse and mental health outcomes, few studies have examined the effects of prescription opioid misuse on suicidal behaviors among adolescents. The objective of this study was to examine the association between prescription opioid misuse and suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt among adolescents. Data for this study came from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. A sample of 8,830 adolescents aged 14-18 years (50.9% female) were analyzed using logistic regression with suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt as outcome variables and prescription opioid misuse as the main explanatory variable. Of the 8,830 adolescents, 13.3% ever misused prescription opioids; 17.7% experienced suicidal ideation, 13.3% made a suicide plan, and 6.5% attempted suicide during the past 12 months. In the multivariate logistic regression models, adolescent students who misused prescription opioids were 1.50 times more likely to have experienced suicidal ideation, 1.44 times more likely to have made a suicide plan, and 1.58 times more likely to have attempted suicide during the past 12 months when compared to their counterparts who did not misuse prescription opioids. Other significant predictors of suicidal behaviors include sexual minority, history of sexual assault, traditional bullying and cyberbullying victimization, feeling sad or hopeless, cigarette smoking, and illicit drug use. The findings of the present study demonstrate the harmful effects of prescription opioid misuse and its association with suicidal behaviors among adolescents.

Source: UG
Examining the correlates of gender equality and the empowerment of married women in Zambia

This paper is an analysis of the factors that predict the involvement of women in decision-making within households in Zambia. It is a study at the micro-level of some of the indicators used in calculating the Gender Status Index, which reflects women empowerment and gender equality. Using the 2007 Zambia Demographic Health Survey and complementary log-log models, the study investigates the determinants of women empowerment and gender equality. At the multivariate level, wealth, education, and employment significantly influence womens involvement in household decision-making. Older women were however, more likely to be involved in decision-making concerning daily household purchases. Interestingly, married women from the Northwestern and Western parts of the country were more likely to engage in a patriarchal bargain and negotiate spaces of power and decision-making than those from the Lusaka province - the capital. These findings will be beneficial for programme and policy formulation with regard to women empowerment and gender equality in Zambia. Womens involvement in decision-making with their partners and within the household will spill over into their integration and representation on civil-political platforms, with a potential to increase productivity and improve development outcomes in context. © 2013 The African Specialty Group of the Association of American Geographers.

Source: UG
Examining the correlations between stakeholder pressures, green production practices, firm reputation, environmental and financial performance: Evidence from manufacturing SMEs

Discovering the motivations behind the adoption of green production practices and its impact on firm performance from the perspective of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have become crucial for both scholars and practitioners. However, there exists a substantial unexplored research gap regard- ing how stakeholder pressures motivate and influence the adoption of green production practices and the performance of SMEs in the context of developing countries. Drawing on the institutional theory, stake- holder theory and the natural resource-based view, this study explores the framework through which organizational and regulatory stakeholder pressures influence the adoption of green production practices, firm reputation, environmental and financial performance. The study employed a quantitative approach and partial least square structural equation modelling technique in making data analysis and interpre- tations due to its appropriateness for predictive research models. Using a survey research design, data were collected from owners and managers of manufacturing SMEs. The findings revealed that whiles regulatory stakeholder pressures positively and significantly influenced the adoption of green production practices, firm reputation, financial and environmental performance, organizational stakeholder pressures positively and significantly influenced the adoption of green production practices, firm reputation, and environmental performance. Green production practices also proved significant and positive in influenc- ing firm reputation and environmental performance. The findings particularly exposed that organizational stakeholder pressures and green production practices had a negative yet significant influence on financial performance. The study highlights the significance of stakeholder pressures in making green production initiatives mandatory for organizational growth while also guiding policymakers, managers and scholars.

Source: UG
Examining the determinants of efficiency using a latent class stochastic frontier model

In this study, we combine the latent class stochastic frontier model with the complex time decay model to form a single-stage approach that accounts for unobserved technological differences to estimate efficiency and the determinants of efficiency. In this way, we contribute to the literature by estimating “pure” efficiency and determinants of productive units based on the class structure. An application of this proposed model is presented using data on the Ghanaian banking system. Our results show that inefficiency effects on the productive unit are specific to the class structure of the productive unit and therefore assuming a common technology for all productive units as is in the popular Battese and Coelli model used extensively in the literature may be misleading. The study therefore provides useful empirical evidence on the importance of accounting for unobserved technological differences across produc- tive units. A policy based on the identified classes of the productive unit enables a more accurate and effectual measures to address efficiency challenges within the banking industry, thereby promoting financial sector development and economic growth.

Source: UG
Examining the effects of household food insecurity on school absenteeism among Junior High School students: findings from the 2012 Ghana global school-based student health survey

This study examined the effects of household food insecurity on school absenteeism among Junior High School students in Ghana. Data for this study were drawn fromthe 2012 Ghana Global School-based Health Survey. A sample of 1,121 students aged 11–18 years were analyzed using binary logistic regression with school absenteeism as the outcome variable. Of the 1,121 students examined, more than half (58.1%) were from food insecure households and 39.8% missed school without permission during the past 30 days. Adjustng for multiple predictors, students from food insecure households had 1.56 times higher odds of missing school without permission relative to those from food secure households. Other predictors of school absenteeism include being a victim of bullying, being involved in fighting in school, feeling lonely, history of suicidal ideation, alcohol use, and illicit substance use. Parental support had a protective effect on school absenteeism such that, for each additional increase in parental support score, the odds of school absenteeism were predicted to decrease by 4%. Addressing both distal and structural drivers of food insecurity is critical in reducing school absenteeism and improving student enrollment and school attendance.

Source: UG
Examining the Factorial Validity of the Entrepreneurial Career Motives Scale: A Five-Nation Comparison

This study validates Shane et al.’s Entrepreneurial Career Motives Scale across nations. A total sample of 948 undergraduate and postgraduate students from five nations (China ¼ 229, Hong Kong ¼ 213, Holland ¼ 136, United States ¼ 155, and Ghana ¼ 215) were recruited to complete a survey designed to measure their entrepreneurial motives and other related constructs. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesized four-factor structure, namely, perceived recognition, sense of independence, pursuit of learning, and perceived roles. Results of the measurement invariance comparisons satisfactorily established measurement equivalence of the scale across nations, language versions, and genders. Both convergent and discriminant validities were established as the motives were associated with different constructs in an expected manner. Interestingly, different patterns in the entrepreneurial career motives emerged across nations. Overall, our findings provide support for the construct validity of the Entrepreneurial Motives Scale. Implications for practice, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.

Source: UG
Examining the Impact of Organisational Values on Corporate Performance in Selected Ghanaian Companies

One of the hallmarks of leading-edge organisations is the strict adherence to their core values. Organisational values are seen as the constant passionate beliefs that drive the behaviour of its people. All organisations have values, whether formally articulated or not. The companies that are classified as high performs are assumed to have a strong value-driven culture and their core values guide the decisions and actions of organizational members. In light of the above, this study sought to identify the values espoused by selected Ghanaian organisations, how the values are lived out, and the factors that hinder firms in the process of living out their core values. This study uses a hybrid of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. It used a cross-sectional survey technique as well as critical instance case study approach. Ghanaian firms espoused values such as focus on quality, the customer firs ethos, team work, being innovative, flexibility, and trust. In living their core values, firms often integrated these into their company’s vision and mission statement, communicated them to organizational members, and ensured that behaviours of members are value congruent. However, the study also found that employee attitudes, organizational communication gap, lack of motivation, and favouritism on the part of management are some of the factors that hinder firms as they desire to live out their core values. Only seven organisations were selected from four sectors of the Ghanaian economy based on their willingness to take part in the study. Future research should expand the sample size to test and validate the findings of this study and also investigate the role of managerial values in the formulation of organisational values. Also, a study of this kind could consider only senior managers and middle level managers as respondents to avoid the confusion of some junior staff who struggle with the meaning of a number of the concepts addressed. The value of this research is that this topic, that is, identification and degree of practice of core values in Ghanaian firms, is the first of its kind, and will be of interest to managers, organisational members and stakeholders.

Source: UG
Examining the Influence of Key Demographic Variables of Preservice Teachers in a University in Ghana on Their Emotional Intelligence.

This study is relevant as it highlights the crucial role of emotional intelligence (EI) in achieving long-term success and managing stress at work. The impact of demographic diversity on EI, a topic of ongoing debate, is the focus of our research. We employed a cross-sectional survey approach to investigate the potential influence of demographic variables such as age, gender, residential status, religious affiliation, and program of study on the EI of preservice teachers at the University of Ghana. We collected data from 291 participants using a self-made questionnaire and used descriptive and inferential statistics for analysis. The results showed that the only factor that significantly affected EI was age. Given that age was the only significant factor affecting EI in our study, the implications for raising EI among preservice teachers may need to be reconsidered. While our findings do not support broad demographic influences, they highlight the importance of age-related experiences in developing EI. This finding underscores the urgent need for age-inclusive policies and targeted EI development strategies in teacher training programs. These policies should be in line with the postpositivist worldview. Data was collected carefully to safeguard the participants' identities, and ethical approval was obtained. The findings highlight the value of motivating preservice teachers to live stress-free lives, engage in social activities, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to improve their emotional intelligence, self-control, social awareness, and interpersonal skills and, ultimately, increase their efficacy as future teachers.

Source: UG
Examining the influence of Transformational and Transactional Leadership Styles on Perceived Job Stress among Ghanaian Banking Employees.

This study examined the influence transformational and transactional leadership styles have on job stress among employees in Ghana’s banking industry. The study made use of structured questionnaires to collect quantitative data. 196 questionnaires were returned by respondents out of 250 administered. The findings revealed a significant negative relationship between transformational leadership and job stress (β = -.193, p< .05) and a significant positive relationship between transactional leadership and job stress (β = .165, p< .05). From these findings, it is recommended that managers adopt transformational leadership behaviours in order to reduce job stress among employees in Ghana’s banking industry. This is a pioneering work in the Ghanaian context where participants have been drawn from 19 different banks; making it possible to get general views of employees concerning the subject.

Source: UG
Examining the Interconnections Between Sustainable Logistics Practices, Environmental Reputation and Financial Performance: A Mediation Approach

As environmental awareness and the patronage of logistics services grow, there is a growing demand for the logistics sector to provide more sustainable environmental services, and although the logistics sector performs functions such as reverse logistics, packaging, inventory management, transportation, warehousing, waste management, distribution, etc., which are very core to economic growth, they also significantly contribute to greenhouse effect and consume huge amounts of resources. This study, drawing on the institutional theory and the natural resource-based view, explores the framework through which sustainable logistics practices such as sustainable transportation, reverse logistics and management of waste, sustainable packaging and distribution, green monitoring and evaluation, and sustainable information sharing influence environmental reputation and financial performance. The study adopted partial least square structural equation modelling technique in analysing data due to it having more statistical power. The findings of the study showed that sustainable logistics practices had enormous influence on environmental reputation and financial performance. In terms of mediation, environmental reputation had no mediation effect between waste management and financial performance but partially mediated the relationships between sustainable transportation, sustainable information sharing and financial performance, while fully mediating the relationships between reverse logistics, sustainable packaging and distribution, green monitoring and evaluation, and financial performance. This study concentrated on the logistics sector; thus, this study results will provide vital data to both scholars and practitioners in comprehending the call and need to integrate sustainable policies and strategies into business and industrial operations to ensure environmental preservation.

Source: UG
Examining the Level of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Nurses Toward Disease X: Insights From a Cross‐Sectional Survey

The World Health Organization has indicated the possibility of the global health system being riddled with a public health threat which could be deadlier than COVID‐19 and EVD. This possible disease has been labeled “Disease X”. Since nurses are the health experts in closest proximity at the bedside of the patient, managing Disease X will heavily depend on the role of nurses. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Ghanaian nurses about Disease X. The study further examined the predictors of knowledge of Disease X. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among a uniform sample size of 1,127 nurses who had worked in Ghana for at least 1 year. After validation, pilot testing and tests for internal consistency, a structured questionnaire with 4 Sections was used for data collection. The study revealed that nurses have the lowest detected levels of knowledge regarding Disease X, with only a proportion of 25.6% acknowledging its potential zoonotic character. Despite this, most nurses (37.4%) were concerned about contracting the disease, and few (16.5%) believed that current infection control measures were effective. Only 13.7% reported actively preparing for Disease X, and 39.5% reported a lack of specific training. Public sector nurses had higher knowledge levels, and less experienced nurses were more knowledgeable. The findings of the study reveal major discrepancies in the readiness of nurses in a range of aspects of preparedness for Disease X, specifically regarding knowledge and specialized training.

Source: UG
Examining the link between social capital, knowledge quality, SMEs innovativeness and performance

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between some elements of social capital, knowledge quality, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)’ innovativeness and export performance. Data were collected from owners/ managers of SME exporters in Ghana. Structural Equation Modeling was used for the data analysis. The results indicate that the elements of social capital facilitate access to quality knowledge which consequently improves SMEs’ innova tiveness. The study also shows that SMEs’ innovativeness affects their export performance.

Source: UG