ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Does bank competition and diversification lead to greater stability?Evidence from emerging markets

This paper investigates how the level of competition affects diversification and stability using a sample of 978 banks in 55 emerging anddeveloping countries over an eight year period 2000–2007. We shed further light on the competition-stability nexus by examining the complexinteraction between three key variables: the degree of bank market power, diversification and stability. The core finding is that competition increasesstability as diversification across and within both interest and non-interest income generating activities of banks increases. Our analysis identifiesrevenue diversification as a channel through which competition affects bank insolvency risk in emerging countries. The results are robust to anarray of controls including alternative methodology, variable specifications and the regulatory environments that banks operate in.

Source: UG
Does bank competition and diversification lead to greater stabilty? Evidence from emerging markets

This paper investigates how the level of competition affects diversification and stability using a sample of 978 banks in 55 emerging and developing countries over an eight year period 2000–2007. We shed further light on the competition-stability nexus by examining the complex interaction between three key variables: the degree of bank market power, diversification and stability. The core finding is that competition increases stability as diversification across and within both interest and non-interest income generating activities of banks increases. Our analysis identifies revenue diversification as a channel through which competition affects bank insolvency risk in emerging countries. The results are robust to an array of controls including alternative methodology, variable specifications and the regulatory environments that banks operate in.

Source: UG
Does capitation payment under national health insurance affect subscribers' trust in their primary care provider? a cross-sectional survey of insurance subscribers in Ghana

Background: Ghana introduced capitation payment for primary care in 2012 with the view to containing escalating claims expenditure. This shift in provider payment method raised issues about its potential impact on patient-provider trust relationship and insured-patients' trust in the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme. This paper presents findings of a study that explored insured-patients' perception about, and attitude towards capitation payment in Ghana; and determined whether capitation payment affect insured-patients' trust in their preferred primary care provider and the National Health Insurance Scheme in general. Methods: We adopted a survey design for the study. We administered closed-ended questionnaires to collect data from insurance card-bearing members aged 18 years and above. We performed both descriptive statistics to determine proportions of observations relating to the variables of interest and chi-square test statistics to determine differences within gender and setting. Results: Sixty-nine per cent (69 %) out of 344 of respondents selected hospital level of care as their primary care provider. The two most important motivations for the choice of a provider were proximity in terms of geographical access (40 %) and perceived quality of care (38 %). Eighty-eight per cent (88 %) rated their trust in their provider as (very) high. Eighty-two per cent (82 %) actively selected their providers. Eighty-eight per cent (88 %) had no intention to switch provider. A majority (91 %) would renew their membership when it expires. Female respondents (91 %; n = 281) were more likely to renew their membership than males (87 %; n = 63). Notwithstanding capitation payment experience, 81 % of respondents would recommend to their peers to enrol with the NHIS with rural dwellers (87 %; n = 156) being more likely to do so than urban dwellers (76 %; n = 188). Almost all respondents (92 %) rated the NHIS as (very) good. Conclusion: Health Insurance subscribers in Ghana have high trust in their primary care provider giving them quality care under capitation payment despite their negative attitude towards capitation payment. They are guided by proximity and quality of care considerations in their choice of provider. The NHIA would, however, have to address itself to the negative perceptions about the capitation payment policy.

Source: UG
Does capitation payment under national health insurance affect subscribers' trust in their primary care provider? a cross-sectional survey of insurance subscribers in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Ghana introduced capitation payment for primary care in 2012 with the view to containing escalating claims expenditure. This shift in provider payment method raised issues about its potential impact on patient-provider trust relationship and insured-patients' trust in the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme. This paper presents findings of a study that explored insured-patients' perception about, and attitude towards capitation payment in Ghana; and determined whether capitation payment affect insured-patients' trust in their preferred primary care provider and the National Health Insurance Scheme in general. METHODS: We adopted a survey design for the study. We administered closed-ended questionnaires to collect data from insurance card-bearing members aged 18 years and above. We performed both descriptive statistics to determine proportions of observations relating to the variables of interest and chi-square test statistics to determine differences within gender and setting. RESULTS: Sixty-nine per cent (69 %) out of 344 of respondents selected hospital level of care as their primary care provider. The two most important motivations for the choice of a provider were proximity in terms of geographical access (40 %) and perceived quality of care (38 %). Eighty-eight per cent (88 %) rated their trust in their provider as (very) high. Eighty-two per cent (82 %) actively selected their providers. Eighty-eight per cent (88 %) had no intention to switch provider. A majority (91 %) would renew their membership when it expires. Female respondents (91 %; n = 281) were more likely to renew their membership than males (87 %; n = 63). Notwithstanding capitation payment experience, 81 % of respondents would recommend to their peers to enrol with the NHIS with rural dwellers (87 %; n = 156) being more likely to do so than urban dwellers (76 %; n = 188). Almost all respondents (92 %) rated the NHIS as (very) good. CONCLUSION: Health Insurance subscribers in Ghana have high trust in their primary care provider giving them quality care under capitation payment despite their negative attitude towards capitation payment. They are guided by proximity and quality of care considerations in their choice of provider. The NHIA would, however, have to address itself to the negative perceptions about the capitation payment policy.

Source: UG
Does China’s Flow of FDI and Institutional Quality Matter for Poverty? Evidence from Sub-Sahara Africa

The study adds to the discussion on the necessity for Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries to eradicate poverty, as outlined in SDG 1 and Africa’s Agenda 2063. This contribution was successful in achieving some key objectives. First, we examine the impact of Chinese FDI and institutional quality on the eradication of poverty in SSA. Second, we test empirically whether institutional quality can help Chinese FDI to reduce poverty in SSA. Using an annual dataset for 36 SSA countries for a 20-year period ending in 2020, our pooled OLS results showed that Chinese FDI does not reduce poverty unless there are strong institutions and good governance. Also, the results showed that strong institutions and good governance reduce poverty in SSA. As a result, we recommend that governments establish policies to develop systems and structures that encourage industrialization and attract foreign investors for SSA to reap the full benefits of Chinese FDI.

Source: UG
Does contract farming afect technical efciency? Evidence from soybean farmers in Northern Ghana

Understanding how and the extent to which contract farming arrangements impact agricultural productivity is important to ensuring that policies are designed to maxi mize the likelihood of success. Using cross-sectional data from 516 soybean farmers in Northern Ghana, we provide empirical evidence that contract farming increases soy bean productivity and technical efciency in Northern Ghana. We use propensity score matching to reduce bias from observables, and then estimate a stochastic production frontier model that addresses selection bias arising from unobservable variables. We find that the technical efficiency levels of contract farmers are 77 percent compared with 69 percent for non-contract farmers. We also find that access to credit, extension contact, and farmer group membership are key determinants of participating in contract farming.

Source: UG
Does corporate governance explain dividend policy in sub-saharan africa?

Purpose – This study aims to examine the effect of corporate governance on firms' dividend payout policy in sub-Saharan Africa. The study also aims to examine how dividend payout influences corporate governance. Design/methodology/approach – Using a sample made up 27 Ghanaian firms, 177 Nigerian firms, 51 Kenyan firms, and 270 South African firms covering the period 1997-2006, the paper employs a simultaneous panel regression model in its estimation. Findings – The results show that board composition and board size exhibit significantly positive relationship with dividend payout in Kenya and Ghana, respectively. Institutional ownership positively influences dividend payout among South African and Kenyan firms. In the case of Nigeria, all the corporate governance measures show significantly negative effects on dividend payout. The findings clearly suggest that, with respect to South Africa, Kenya and Ghana, good corporate governance structures lead to high-dividend payout, probably due to easy access to and low cost of external finance. However, in Nigeria, improving the governance structures may be associated with high-earnings retention or low-dividend payment in order to reduce cost of external finance. We found in the case of Ghana that, dividend payout positively affects board composition, suggesting that Ghanaian firms with high-payout tend to adopt good corporate governance structures in order to ensure protection of shareholder interest. The findings of this study certainly have important policy implications. Originality/value – This present study contributes to the corporate governance literature by looking at the importance of corporate governance in influencing firms' dividend behaviour in selected African countries.

Source: UG
Does corporate governance explain the quality of bank loan portfolios? Evidence from an emerging economy

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of corporate governance variables on the quality of bank loan portfolios. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a panel-corrected standard errors estimation model with the most recent 11-year data from2006 to 2016 on selected Ghanaian banks. Findings – The findings indicate that corporate governance is relevant within the banking sector and plays a key role in improving loan quality. Having a large board with the attendant pool of expertize, boards with mostly non-executive members and duality of the CEO-board chair can be harnessed to improve bank loan quality. Female participation on boards seems to detract from good performance, creating the impression of tokenism in the Ghanaian banking sector. Originality/value – The study has important implications for board construction within the banking sector and the discourse on bank asset quality. Keywords Corporate governance, Asset quality, Bank loan quality, Banking sector, Gender diversity, Non-performing loans, NPLs, Banks, Financial institutions and services, Corporate finance and governance

Source: UG
Does corporate governance structures promote shareholders or stakeholders value maximization? Evidence from African banks

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between corporate governance structures and stakeholder and shareholder value maximization perspectives in 267 African banks from 2006 to 2011. Design/methodology/approach The authors used the Prais–Winsten ordinary least squares and random effect regression models to explore this relationship to ensure consistency and efficiency in results. The data for this study were collected from Bankscope. Findings The results of this study show that corporate governance structures such as CEO duality, nonexecutive members and extreme large board size lead to a reduction in both shareholder and stakeholder value maximization. However, audit independence and board size also promote both shareholder and stakeholder value maximization. Although gender diversity promotes profit maximization, it was not significant in any of the models estimated. The results further suggest that the same corporate governance structures promote and detract shareholder and stakeholder value maximization in Africa although the effect of corporate governance structures was weightier on shareholder value maximization confirming the agency theory. Practical implications From these findings, bank management must pursue the institution of good corporate governance structures and avoid weak corporate governance structures to promote shareholder and stakeholder value maximization. Also equity holders may have to pay particular attention to corporate governance structures because they benefit the most from the institution of good corporate governance structures. Originality/value This study explores and compares how corporate governance structures promote shareholder and stakeholder value maximization separately in African banks. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first of such studies.

Source: UG
Does Corporate Social Responsibility Enhance Political Marketing?

This study shows how political party social responsibility influences voting intentions. The mediating effect of voter satisfaction and political party preference was also studied. The purpose of this The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the applicability of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in political marketing. The study provided a conceptualization of political party social responsibility and also evidence of political party involvement in social responsibility using online reports. A content analysis of online reports found a narrow focus on CSR, pertaining mainly to initiatives such as philanthropy and cause-promotions. We developed a scenario of a hypothetical political party and surveyed 173 voters to examine how voters will respond to perceived CSR initiative by a political party/candidate. The findings indicate that political party social responsibility has a significant relationship with voter satisfaction and voter preference. Political party social responsibility found to have an indirect relationship with voter intentions through voter satisfaction and voter preference. This study contributes to knowledge of how political marketing could be improved using social responsibility. This paper seeks to start an academic debate on how political party social responsibility could be used to create value for political parties, political candidates, and voters.

Source: UG
Does corruption cause tax evasion? Evidence from an emerging economy

The purpose of this exploratory research is to examine the corruption-tax evasion nexus and to establish the strength of relationships among corrupting activities. The research applied structural equation modelling (SEM) on selected data from the World Economic Forum Executive (WEF) Opinion Survey on corruption activities and data on tax evasion triggering factors from the World Development Indicators (WDI) and the Bank of Ghana (BOG) to test two hypotheses. The test of the first hypothesis suggests that corrupting activities significantly cause tax-evading activities in Ghana, hence there is at least one corrupting activity triggering tax evasion. Testing the second hypothesis revealed that corruption in Ghana exhibits all of the five dimensions of corruption examined. Hence, there is correlation among the corrupting activities. The research is limited by the availability of data, hence only data on selected variables for the period were examined. The results are indicative that most emerging economies tend to have more than one type of dominating corruption dimension, which are tax-evading triggers. The study extends literature by examining the various dimensions of corruption, analysing the strength of their relationships and how they impact tax evasion in an emerging economy. By identifying and employing specific corrupting activities, there is a better understanding and appreciation of the corruption-tax evasion nexus in the revenue generation process. The study recommends that a comprehensive and effective tax evasion reduction strategy/policy should deal with tax-evasion triggered corruption from the triad perspectives of taxpayer, tax officials and government officials. This may aid emerging economies in the drafting of tax evasion and corruption reduction policies/programmes to ensure the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Source: UG
Does corruption cause tax evasion? Evidence from an emerging economy

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the corruption-tax evasion nexus and to establish the strength of relationships among corrupting activities. Design/methodology/approach – The research applied structural equation modelling on selected data from the World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey on corruption activities and data on tax evasion triggering factors from the World Development Indicators and the Bank of Ghana to test two hypotheses. Findings – The test of the first hypothesis suggests that corrupting activities significantly cause taxevading activities in Ghana; hence, there is at least one corrupting activity triggering tax evasion. Testing the second hypothesis revealed that corruption in Ghana exhibits all of the five dimensions of corruption that were examined. Hence, there is correlation among the corrupting activities. Research limitations/implications – The research is limited by the availability of data; hence, only data for selected variables for the period were examined. Practical implications – The results are indicative that most emerging economies tend to have more than one type of dominating corruption dimension, which are tax-evading triggers. Originality/value – The study extends the literature by examining the various dimensions of corruption, analysing the strength of their relationships and how they impact tax evasion in an emerging economy. By identifying and employing specific corrupting activities, there is a better understanding and appreciation of the corruption-tax evasion nexus in the revenue generation process. This may aid emerging economies in the drafting of tax evasion and corruption reduction policies/programmes to ensure the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Source: UG
Does credit information sharing affect funding cost of banks? Evidence from African banks

This study takes advantage of the lack of empirical studies on the effect of credit information sharing and funding cost of banks and investigates credit information sharing and bank funding cost in Africa between 2006 and 2012. Employing a two‐step generalized method of moments regression of 233 banks in 17 African countries, the study provides new revelations. The study shows that the quality of credit information shared is key and persistent in reducing funding cost of banks. Again, the study confirms that the coverage of private credit bureaus significantly reduced bank funding cost whereas no such evidence was found for coverage of public credit registries. Further, although the study found evidence to support that the presence of credit information reduces bank funding cost, no evidence was found to support that countries that use both private credit bureaus and public credit registries are able to reduce funding cost of banks in Africa. From these results, it is evident that credit information sharing presence, coverage, and quality reduces funding cost in Africa. For policy recommendations, policymakers and bank boards must team up and set up credit information sharing institutions to help reduce information asymmetry and funding cost in countries that do not share credit information. Also, the introduction and establishment of credit information sharing must be geared towards private bureaus as they are more effective in reducing funding cost of banks. Again, policymakers must enact laws and policies that deepen the coverage, depth, and quality of credit information shared so that the financial sector of Africa countries can realize the full potential of credit information sharing.

Source: UG
Does Decentralisation Lead to Improvement in Planning of Health Services? Findings from Six District Health Administrations in Ghana

This study examines the extent to which decentralization is transforming health sector planning in Ghana with a focus on the experiences of six District Health Administrations. It examines the impact and implications of decentralization for planning and implementation of health programmes in the public health sector at the district level and identifies specific changes in the structures, actors, processes and procedures resulting from decentralization. Fieldwork for the study was conducted in six District Health Administrations in five regions, namely, Upper East, Northern, Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Eastern regions. The study concludes that, despite the many obstacles, decentralization is impacting positively upon health planning structures, actors and processes; and, it is actually a better alternative to a centralized planning system.

Source: UG
Does development finance pose an additional risk to monetary policy?

This study investigates whether remittances entail extra risk for macroeconomic policy management and examines the role (if any) that thefinancial system can play in the interaction between remittances and monetary policy. Employing panel data for 106 developing countries from1970 to 2013, the results from our panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model reveal that remittance volatility reduces macroeconomic risk indeveloping countries while simultaneously stimulating a reduction in domestic interest rates. This finding remains robust to alternative specificationsof remittance volatility and monetary policy risk and to variations in the degree of financial development. The key lesson from this study is thatdeveloping countries can leverage the positive impact of remittances in reducing macroeconomic instability by implementing policies that induceremittances.

Source: UG
Does education mitigate the adverse impact of bridewealth on women's reproductive autonomy?

Recent research finds evidence that bridewealth payment in Africa creates reproductive obligations for women. The present paper explores the effectiveness of female education – an important policy weapon for addressing sexual and reproductive health disadvantages of women in the developing world -- in mitigating bridewealth’s adverse impact on women’s sexual autonomy. We conducted a vignette experiment in which we manipulated a woman’s bridewealth status (bridewealth had not been paid, had been partially paid, or had been completely paid) and her behavior (either in the reproductive or business domain). Our results suggest that female schooling may have more liberalizing effects in some domains than in others, and that efforts to increase women’s reproductive autonomy should consider the normative obligations created by bridewealth payment. The research and policy implications are discussed.

Source: UG