ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effects of innovative capabilities on the performance of small and medium scale enterprises in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

This study investigated the effects of innovative capability on the performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Specifically, the study examined the performances and innovative capability of SMEs using descriptive statistics and perception index; and also determined the effect of innovative capabilities on SMEs‟ performances using a simple linear regression model. Structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from 100 SMEs which were randomly selected from Accra Metropolis, Tema Metropolis and Adenta Municipality in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The empirical results showed that SMEs reported good operational and financial performance. However, operational performance was higher. It was also revealed that SMEs have good innovative capabilities in terms of process of innovation, behaviour innovation, product/service innovativeness and innovative training for management. The innovative capabilities with significant effect on SMEs‟ performance were information technology, management training and product/service innovativeness. Based on these findings, the study recommends that owners and police makers of SMEs should concentrate more on providing training or upgrading employees skills and also ensure the adoption of ICT models in their enterprises.

Source: KNUST
Effects of innovative capabilities on performance in the banking industry: A case of UT Bank Ghana.

Innovation is undoubtedly one primary means by which businesses can adapt to the demands of today’s complex and ever-changing business environment. There is no doubt that the most important business problem of our time is finding a way to build companies where innovation is both radical and systematic. This research sought to examine the effects of innovative capabilities on performance in the banking industry. The specific objectives were to examine innovation capabilities of UT Bank, to assess customers’ perception of UT Bank’s innovative capabilities and to examine the relationship between innovative capability and performance of UT Bank Ghana. The research design adopted was descriptive. The population comprised of staff, management and clients of UT bank. The target population was estimated at 201,039. The sample used was 395. Convenience sampling was used to select 150 staff and 245 clients from the bank. The study concluded that the bank has performed well on some innovative capability dimensions. Dimensions on which UT Bank performed creditably included product innovation, marketing innovation, organizational innovation and process innovation. The study found that Product innovation, marketing innovation and process innovation had a moderate relationship with organizational performance. However, organizational innovation and collaborations had a weak relationship with organizational performance. It is therefore recommended that banks become more proactive in developing products and services that create value for customers. Banks must also empower their frontline executives to become more customer oriented as that presents an opportunity to get customer inputs toward innovative decision making.

Source: KNUST
Effects of internal control mechanism on organisational performance; moderating role of audit quality

The study examined the influence of internal control systems on organisational performance by examining the moderating role of audit quality. The particular goals of the research were as follows: to ascertain the impact of internal control procedures on organisational output and to test for the moderating role of audit quality on internal control mechanisms and organizational performance. The Quantitative research approach was used in this study together with the ex post factor research design to address the objectives of the study. The study used primary data in the form of questionnaires and data was analysed by using SPSS. Small and medium-sized businesses in Ghana made up the study's population. The study's results show that internal control mechanisms are positively associated with organisational success.In addition, the connection between internal control and organisational performance is moderated by audit quality. The study therefore recommends the need for stringent mechanisms that will ensure that audit quality as it pertains to the firm ought not to be compromised as audit quality has been established as a key component of the relationship between internal controls mechanisms and organisational performance of firms.

Source: KNUST
The effects of L. Leucocephala and G. Sepium mulches (and their mixtures) on the growth and yield of okra (abelmoschus esculentus)

As part of the effort geared towards finding solutions to plant nutrition problems, the research was conducted to determine the effect of the mulches of Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium and a Mixture of both mulches as biomass transfer on the growth and yield of Okra (Abelmosthus esculentus (L) Moench). The research was conducted at the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources farm on nutrient poor Orthic-Ferric Acrisol in the moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The mulches were applied at the rate of 0 ton/ha, 5 ton/ha and 10 ton /ha. Leucaena mulch contained a higher concentration of nitrogen (3.15%) than gliricidia mulch which contained 2.66% Nitrogen. On the other hand gliricidia mulch had a higher concentration of Potassium (2.12%) than leucaena which contained 1.27 % Potassium. The mulches did not significantly improve the chemical properties of the soil, but improved the growth rate and yield of okra. Generally, the higher the amount of mulch applied, the better the growth and yield of okra. However, equal amounts of the different mulches did not show any statistical difference in plant height and plant dry weight. Ten tons per hectare of mulch application reduced the number of days to 50% flowering by approximately 3 days. Okra plants mulched with gliricidia mulch had a high concentration of Potassium in their shoots. At the rate of 5 t/ha and 10 t/ha, gliricidia mulch gave higher yields than leucaena and the mixture. Mulching with 10 t/ha of gliricidia gave the highest yield of 9.82 t/ha, representing an increase of 44% in yield over the control (No mulch). Ten tons per hectare each of leucaena and the Mixture gave a yield of 8.39 t/ha and 8.52 t/ha representing an increase of about 35% and 36% in yield respectively over the control. Ten t/ha of gliricidia mulch applied just before planting gave the best yield. The experiment showed that, although mulches of leucaena, gliricidia and their mixtures may not improve the chemical properties of nutrient poor soils within a short time, they can improve the growth and yield of vegetables like okra.

Source: KNUST
The Effects of Leadership Styles of Heads of Senior High Schools on Teachers’ Job Performance in Selected Schools in the Kumasi Metropolis

Leadership is a process by which a person exerts influence over other people, inspires, motivates and directs their activities to help achieve group or organizational goals. Many heads of senior high schools do not know that their styles of leadership are the determinant of teachers’ job performance in their school. The problem is that poor leadership style has negatively affected teachers in terms of low productivity, which reflect in the abysmal performance of students, high turn over rate among others. It is in the light of this that a research is conducted with the main objective of unveiling the leadership style and their effects on heads of senior high school vis–a–vis the teachers performance level of output in selected senior high schools within the Kumasi metropolis. The population of the study is made up of headmaster, supervisors, tutors and administrators of all the ten selected schools and the G.E.S in the Kumasi metropolis. The data collection instrument used for the study was questionnaire and the data was further.lo09 analyzed into tables, charts and graphs using Microsoft excel software. The study revealed the following findings: leadership style influence, help colleague and superior authority to work as a team, they use their knowledge and share ideas as well as suggestion. However, teachers are coerced, and fill suffocated on the job schedule and many at times pressurized into situations they do not fit. Some headmasters of selected schools are autocratic; others are democratic as well as laissez faire. Base on these findings the following recommendations were given: that there should be a well enticing reward system to propel them to go extra mile in delivering their duties. Stress management and counseling sections should be organized for teachers who are coerced to ascertain their problems. There should be an appropriate leadership style at the right time to suit the circumstances, needs and aspirations of teachers so as to bring the best out of them.

Source: KNUST
The effects of land tenure systems and investments on cocoa productivity in Ghana

The overall objective of this study was to analyse the relationships between land tenure and investment as well as land tenure and cocoa productivity in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District in Ghana. A multistage random sampling technique was used to collect data from 252 cocoa producing households. The study revealed that customary land tenure (51%), owner-operated (7%) and sharecropping (42%) are the three main land tenure systems in the district. Under the sharecropping contract, Abunu (96.2%) and Abusa (3.8%) were identified. The empirical results on investment options showed that both owner-operated and sharecropping land tenure systems had positive effect on investment in fertilizer and pesticide by the cocoa farmers. This suggests that farmers operating both owner-operated and sharecropping cocoa farms are likely to invest more into fertilizer and pesticide to increase yield. The results also revealed that both gender and age had positive effect on investment in fertilizer by cocoa farmers. Farm size exerted negative effect on investments in fertilizer but positive effect on investments in pesticide. The result further revealed that farm parcel or several farms had a positive effect on investment in fertilizer. Farm parcel or several farms recorded a negative effect with pesticide. The empirical results further indicate that both sharecropping and owner-operated tenure exert negative effects on cocoa productivity but, fertilizer and pesticide exert positive effect on cocoa productivity. The results indicate the premium cocoa farmers place on fertilizer and pesticide. Both gender and age influenced productivity negatively. Education on the other hand recorded a positive effect on productivity. One major determinant of cocoa yield, household size had a significant positive effect on productivity. It was also revealed that the effect of farm size on productivity was negative. However, credit had a negative effect on productivity indicating low or lack of credit use among the farmers interviewed. Finally, extension also took a positive sign, suggesting a high level of information dissemination on proper cocoa production technologies and management practices. The study recommends provision of cocoa fertilizer on credit under the Cocoa Hi-Tech Project and spraying of cocoa farms under the Cocoa Mass Spraying Project by the government to be revived to increase yield

Source: KNUST
Effects of liquidity on the profitability of banks listed on the Ghana stock exchange

Liquidity management is always proven to be one of the essential determinants of the survival of every financial institution, and its impact on profitability. This is a difficult management function since there is no linear determinant or central bank policy on required threshold of liquidity a bank has to maintain, per its size, in order to remain sustainable in operation. This has become necessary that every bank will require its own liquidity management policy. The study examines the threshold of liquidity a bank should hold at any given time to remain sustainable in operation, and its impact on profitability using listed financial institutions on the Ghana Stock Exchange as the study context. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to investigate the effect of liquidity on performance of financial institutions and to investigate whether the threshold of bank cash has an effect on bank’s profitability. Data for the study was collected from the Bank of Ghana and the published financial statements of listed banks. The study was based on a sample of 7 listed banks over a 10 year period from 2010 to 2019 with data arranged in the form of a panel. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression. Profitability of listed banks will be measured using Return on Asset (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) indicating the dependent variables. Liquidity will be measured using the following ratios; Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR), Cash to Deposit Ratio (CDR), Cash Ratio (CHR) and Bank Size will serve as a control independent variable. Liquidity measures the ability of banks to meet short-term obligation or commitments when they fall due. The profitability of a bank is its ability to generate revenue above its costs (Lartey et al. 2013). The study recommends that for sustainable operation and profitability to be achieved, board of directors and top financial managers of banks should devise more efficient ways which can ensure that at all times there will be an equitable balance between the cash the banks hold as against the deposits they keep for their customers.

Source: KNUST
Effects Of Macroeconomic Element On Financial Performance Of Selected Quoted Manufacturing Firms. Evidence From The Ghana Stock Exchange.

The Evaluation Of The Ghanaian Manufacturing Segment Can Enormously Uncover A Few Significant Issues That Speculators And Government Can Consider In Building Up The Manufacturing Base. This Analysis Tries To Add To The Current Academic Literature By Looking At The Effect Of Macro-Economic Variables On The Performance Of Selected Quoted Manufacturing Companies On Ghana Stock Exchange. The Main Objective Is To Investigate The Connection Among Macroeconomic Variables And Financial Performance Of Listed Manufacturing Companies In Ghana. The Study Used The Quantitative Method Of Research Design. The Study Focused Exclusively On Five (5) Listed Manufacturing Firms Out Of A Total Population Of Eleven (11) Firms. The Research Method Adopted By The Study Is Multiple Linear Regression To Validate The Hypothesis. The Study Found That Interest Rate And Exchange Rate Had No Significant Effect On ROA While Inflation Rate And GDP Growth Had A Significant Effect On ROA. Firm Size, Leverage And Liquidity Had A Significant Effect On ROA. The Economy Of Ghana Has Shown Instability With Regards To Macroeconomic Variables Such As Interest Rate, Inflation Rate, Exchange Rate, GDP Growth Rate, Etc. Manufacturing Firms Have Been Affected Over Time By The Instability Of The Economy. Due To That, Any Decision About Financing And Liquidity Of Firms Are Left To The Manager. Therefore, Government Of Ghana Has To Assist In Helping Manufacturing Firms’ To Fill The Gap That Exist Among Macro-Economic Factors And Performance Of Manufacturing Firms.

Source: KNUST
Effects of microfinance institutions on small and medium scale enterprises in Rural Ghana: the case of the Jaman North District

The advent of Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) has received international attention. In Ghana, about 70 percent of enterprises are said to be micro to small sized and estimated that nearly 40 percent of Ghana’s Gross National Income (GNI) is attributable to SME activity. Microfinance, which is the provision of an appropriate range of financial services such as credit, savings, insurance, training and fund transfers is very important to the growth of these SMEs over time and more importantly for those in rural Ghana.The Jaman North District, has witnessed growth in the numbers of SMEs recently. Despite the role of microfinance in SME growth, SMEs in the Jaman North Districtt are still fraught with challenges of access to financial services. Most of these SMEs therefore begin small and eventually die small, without ever having to see any expansion in terms of output and profits in this rural community. The study therefore aimed at exploring the effects of microfinance institutions (MFIs) on SMEs in rural Ghana in order to suggest some planning guidelines that meet the needs of both MFIs and SMEs. The Nafana and Suma Rural Banks in the Jaman North District were chosen as multiple cases to examine the effects of these MFIs on SMEs in thedistrict. The multiple cases were used in order to compare results and fully understand the effects of MFIs on rural SMEs. To fully understand the effects of MFIs on SMEs in the district, the researcher purposively chose SME clients of the Suma and Nafana Rural Banks who have dealt with the banks for five (5) or more years. The probability proportional sampling technique was used to determine samples from each stratum to obtain the sample sizes for the SME clients for the Suma and Nafana Rural Banks as a means of giving all SME types equal chances of being represented in the sample. All the 93 SME clients accessed loans and training from the banks. Loans were given by the Suma and Nafana Rural Banks on different conditions including collaterals and saving with the bank for a minimum of six months. The majority of SME clients of the Suma and Nafana Rural Banks indicated that the services they received from the banks over time enabled them to increase productivity and increase in incomes. At the household level, SME clients of the Suma and Nafana Rural Banks indicated that their businesses enabled them to increase household incomes and savings. It was recommended that MFIs disburse loans on time, increase loan sizes to engender major investment in SMEs, provide loans with flexible repayment terms revise interest rates downward and help to upgrade the managerial skills of SME operators

Source: KNUST
The Effects of Market Segmentation on Customer Service in the Banking Industry in Ghana: The Case Study of Barclays Bank Ghana Limited, Kumasi Prempeh II Street Branch

In today’s competitive banking industry, market segmentation as a critical strategic option is very important if players in the banking industry are to achieve customer satisfaction which could influence customer loyalty and profitability. In the case study of Barclays Bank Ghana Limited, the investigation focuses on how market segmentation has affected customer service in the Ghanaian banking industry. The aims and objectives of the study were to identify the various market segments of Barclays Bank Ghana Limited and the basis of segmentation, measuring the level of satisfaction in the various market segments and to establish the effects of market segmentation on customer service in the banking industry. The researcher used both quantitative and qualitative research methods in this study and has drawn from both primary and secondary sources of data. Questionnaire was used for the collection of data from fifty sampled customers and interview guide was administered to ten management staff members of Barclays Bank Ghana Limited. Quota sampling and purposive sampling methods were used, and the main statistical method used for this study was correlation. Moreover, the measurement of service quality was based on customer behaviour and attitude premised on the SERVQUAL models. The study revealed that Barclays Bank Ghana Limited groups various customers into four market segments as follows: standard or mass segment, premiere life or prestige segment, premiere segment and corporate banking segment. The main basis of market segmentation or variables of segmentation is the net worth of the customer and market segmentation has helped to enhance the customer service quality and customer delivery experience at Barclays as well as customer loyalty.

Source: KNUST
The effects of market orientation on business performance: the mediating role of internal communication. Case study of Vodafone Ghana.

Market orientation has gained the attention of many researchers in the marketing field after the seminal work of Narver and Slater, and Kholi and Jarworski instituted by Marketing Science Institute. Many of the research have established a positive relationship between market orientation and company performance in many industries across continents. This thesis adopted the market orientation scale developed by Narver and Slater to investigate the mediating role of internal communication in the market orientation and performance relationship of Vodafone Ghana. Vodafone Ghana still remains a weak number two player in the telecommunication sector in spite of its adoption of market orientation strategy and implemented a robust internal communication plan according to National Communication 2014 report. The opinions of 95 managers were involved in the study by use of purposive and proportional sampling method via the questionnaire administration by E-mail across the country. A combination of correlational and regression analyses were used to study the relationship and impact of market orientation on performance. The study found out that there is a significant relationship between market orientation and business performance (R=0.418; p<0.01). Internal communication was found to partially mediate the relationship between market orientation and business performance. It was recommended that management of Vodafone Ghana examine other factor that could impact on performance. Again the company could consider review of its internal communication strategy as a way of improving business performance. In deed in a highly competitive market the key drivers of success is the speed with which market intelligence is shared across department and built into all processes and offerings to the target market.

Source: KNUST