ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Management problems affecting Bikkai Laboratories Limited

Management Concept: There are different definitions of management, but probably the most popular and often quoted is “accomplishing predetermined objectives through the efforts of others”. However, for this dissertation, the definition of management according to Brech2 is the concept on which managerial problems encountered in a business enterprise will be elaborated. E. F. L. Brech thus defines management as: “A responsibility for the efficient planning and regulation of the operations of an enterprise, such responsibility involving: (i) Judgement and decision in determining plans and in using data to control performance and progress against plans; and (ii) The guidance, integration, motivation and supervision of the personnel comprising the enterprise, and carrying out its operations. “ In a nutshell therefore, management is an activity that involves determining worth-while goals and carefully organising human and physical resources into useful and effective channel to achieve stated objectives.

Source: KNUST
Management problems associated with maintenance workshops (case study - Maintenance Department, U.S.T)

This study is intended to unveil some of the management problem associated with maintenance workshops. Dues to the enormity management problems as a result of the different types of maintenance workshops that exists and the limited period to submit the thesis, the study was narrowed to cover only the workshops of the Maintenance Department of the University of Science and Technology. This study was chosen to investigate among other things whether or not the complaints of poor performances made by the University Community Who depended on the services of the maintenance workshops were to be attributed to management problems from the Maintenance Department or other factors. The objectives of the research, scope of the research, choice of case study, methodology of research and limitations to the study have also been discussed in the introductory part of this book. The result from the various questionnaires and interviews revealed that the Maintenance Department had numerous problems. The workshops lacked basic tools and equipment. Lack of financial support, inadequate human resources, transport problems, just to mention a few: Recommendations have been prepared out of the study and also from the literature obtained to help address the issue.

Source: KNUST
Management style and retention of nurses in a public and private hospital in Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of Ashanti Region, Ghana

Introduction: Retention of health professionals in the health sector in Ghana is crucial to address human resource needs of the health sector and promoting efficient and effective healthcare system. Nurses are one of the key professionals whose role in the healthcare industry cannot be underestimated. Hence, this study assessed management style and retention of nurses in Ejisu Government Hospital and Living Waters Hospital all in EjisuJuaben Municipality of Ashanti Region, Ghana. Methodology: The study was quantitative using descriptive cross-sectional study design. Simple random sampling method was employed in selecting 135 respondents. Data were collected by administering structured questionnaires and analyzed using STATA statistical software Version 14.2. Statistical significance for all testing was set at 0.05. Results: Most of the respondents (19.70%) strongly agreed to their nurse managers exhibiting participatory management style yet more than half of the respondents (52.71%) intend leaving their current facility. More so, there was a significant relationship between benevolent authoritative style and intention to leave. Extrinsic factors strongly admitted influencing nurses‘ retention; salary and rewards (39.53%), conducive working environment (35.66%) and opportunity for career advancement (34.88%). Whereas intrinsic factors strongly admitted influencing nurses‘ retention were; self–motivation (27.91%) as well as professional autonomy (22.48%). Socio-demographic factors such Marital status (AOR=1.90 CI=0.45-7.99; p-value=0.38), Number of children (AOR=2.60; CI=0.60-11.18; p-value=0.20) and Work experience (AOR=1.96; CI=0.51-7.13; p-value=0.34) did not influence nurses‘ intention to leave. Conclusion and Recommendation: Most of the respondents strongly agreed to their managers practicing participatory management style, yet benevolent authoritative management style, was statistically significant with nurses‘ intention to leave. Therefore, healthcare managers should make necessary efforts to be proactive, involve nurses in decision making, communicate effectively and provide support that will improve commitment and job satisfaction among nurses.

Source: KNUST
Managing business ethics in the banking industry: an essential component for performance

The work sought to ascertain how managing business ethics in the banking industry can ensure business performance. The objectives of the study were to identify and analyze the business ethics strategy practiced at the selected banks, determine the level at which business ethics affects the success of the selected banks, to identify the challenges of implementing business ethics in the operations of the bank and to infer ways by which business ethics principles can be adequately entrenched in banks in Ghana. The scope of the study was some selected banks in the Kumasi metropolis. The survey questionnaire was designed using the literature and pilot survey input. Mean analysis was conducted to derive ethical factors for competitive advantage from the survey data. 200 workers from the various branches of the selected banks constituted the sample size for the research. Convenience sampling was used as the sampling technique. The research was basically analyzed using regression analysis and mean analysis were some of the statistical tools adopted for the research. It was found from the research that the banks activities are guided by ethical principles though not in all aspects of the banks activities. Regression analysis performed indicated that there exists a significantly positive relationship between the business ethics practices at the various banks and the banks’ ability to achieve its stated goals. It was also found that using working hours for personal activities and the banks equipment like telephone for personal use is a major challenge they face in the conduct of their duties. The recommendations given included, discussion of ethical issues in staff meetings should be practiced in the various banks. Also a dedicated person or office must be created to oversee ethical issues relating to the bank since it has been proven to have a positive impact on performance.

Source: KNUST
Managerial problems associated with the interventions for teenage pregnancy in the Kumasi Metropolis

Though the level of management in most institutions in the Kumasi Metropolis with intervention programmes to improve reproductive health seem high, lack of clearly stated objectives, and programme focus has rendered an affective evaluation of such programmes almost impossible. A descriptive study on the managerial problems associated with interventions for teenage pregnancy in the Kumasi Metropolis was carried out among seven reproductive health service providers to assess how management is imparting on their performance. Both quantitative and qualitative methods including questionnaire and in-depth interviews were used for the study. The study revealed that the level of reproductive health services management was averagely as high as 80% when all indicators were scored. This implied that all the respondents were practising management alright, as far as management functions of planning, organising, staffing, leading and controlling are concerned. Yet the qualitative analysis of the findings showed that almost all of the institutions studied did not have clearly defined roles and responsibilities within their own organisations, but outside their organisations. Though 100% of the study population had trained staff at post who was motivated with salary and self interest, their training contents were not necessarily tailored to the problem of teenage pregnancy or adolescent reproductive health. About 43% did not play significant leadership role by initiating and directing programmes. Majority (86%) had monitoring and evaluation mechanisms through - focus group discussions, site visits, reporting forms and other surveys. Yet, the fact that most of them lacked clearly stated objectives, the monitoring and evaluation appear not to be systematic. Recommendations for the improvement in the reproductive health services management should include: systematic planning of needs assessment, priority setting, development of specific strategies and activities; strengthening of coordination and complementarity of roles within organisations; training contents should be continuously reviewed to reflect modem trends with adequate logistics and good working environment; replication and expansion of workable and successful approaches; and both qualitative and quantitative mechanisms be used in monitoring and evaluation.

Source: KNUST
Managing change under FINSAP - case study of Ghana Commercial Bank Limited

Ghana’s economic and development growth policy direction since the 1980’s is one of reducing Government direct involvement in the management and operations of institutions. This is to enable it concentrate more on its regulatory functions. Conscious efforts are therefore being pursued to place the private sector in the driving seat of the country’s development through liberalization and competition. The study sets out to investigate the changes that have taken place in the financial sector in Ghana particularly banking, coming on the heels of the Financial Sector Adjustment Programme (FINSAP) and how these challenges are manifested and managed in the Ghana Commercial Bank. Established in 1953 as a state bank, GCB dominated the banking sector in many respects and took custody of state and other parastatal institution accounts. Against this background, the study begins with the theoretical basis of financial reforms in a liberalized setting and gives the overview of Ghana’s economy prior to the reforms. The crucial role of management in initiating and implementing change and various performance indicators have been highlighted. The salient tools and principles for effective change management that could he applied to increase efficiency have been also discussed extensively in the literature review. Using the conventional questionnaire administration, interviews and physical observations, analysis of data collected from GCB Senior Managers, workers, customers as well as secondary sources, certain observations were made. For an organization that has enjoyed statutory “protection” over the years, greater efforts are required from stakeholders particularly management to succeed in the new dispensation. The mindset of the entire workforce must be reoriented towards positive work ethics and professionalism that are basis for productivity and efficiency. Management must demonstrate greater will to change and perhaps faster than has been demonstrated so far. Approaches and enthusiasm towards solving basic problems, leadership and personal life styles etc. at of all levels of management must reflect a paradigm shift from the status quo. High performance must be effectively rewarded to motivate even the resistors to accept change and own the process. The need for transparency greater involvement of staff in decision making, avoidance of high risk and imprudent credit, enforcement of cost cutting measures, computerization and networking of all branches etc. were some of the observations and recommendations that were made. For management to assert its authority effectively, it was also mentioned that Government’s influence by way of appointing directors of the bank, underwriting certain loans etc, that often lead to unnecessary exposures must be controlled. The above notwithstanding, the study finally established that changes in the financial sector has been well managed in the bank and this resulted in improved performance of the bank. Using the simple regression analysis, this assertion was accepted at 95% confidence level.

Source: KNUST
Managing conflict of interest in the public sector: a case of the Ghana police service.

The objectives of the study were to examined the systems put in place by the Ghana Police Service to check conflict of interest, the effectiveness of Ghana's current system for managing conflicts of interest in the Ghana Police Service, the possible causes of conflict of interests among public sector officials Ghana Police Service and the challenges in the management of conflict of interest Ghana Police Service. The study adopted a quantitative research approach for the study and data was gathered using a questionnaire. The respondents comprised of officers of the Ghana Police Service. A convenient sampling method was used to select a sample size of 100 police officers. The Data collected was processed using the SPSS. Frequency tables, descriptive statistics, pie charts and bar charts were used in the data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that, the Ghana Police service has a monitoring system that controls the affairs of the institution. The systems utilized by the Ghana Police Service to check on conflict of interest include; code of ethics, rules to prevent the misuse of government property and information, monitoring and control instruments, transparency, prohibition of receiving gift, training and awareness policies and reform of administrative and criminal law. The service also has a routine conflict-checking procedure that helps to improve effectiveness of conflict of interest in the service. The findings of the study further revealed that, the measures put in place by the service to manage conflicts of interest in the Ghana Police were not effective. Finally, the study identified the challenged that hinder the management of conflict of interest in the police service as unethical employee behaviour, poor employee working conditions. The study recommended that a risk and conflict management department should be formed in other to tackle the challenges the promote ineffectiveness in managing conflict in the service.

Source: KNUST
Managing conflicts in construction of public projects in Ghana: (a case study of selected building project in Ashanti Region)

Building projects universally demand the contributions of several individuals involving the constructing team, the supervising team, and the client, with each person bringing to the fore their specialist knowledge required to successfully bring the project to completion. And all these individuals coming together for the purpose of bringing the project to fruition have different interest but a common objective of project execution. And when people of varying background come together as in the case of a project team, conflict is certainly not absent. As the members within the project coalition interrelate interest collides and conflicts result, which can have adverse effects on the project delivery, especially when it is not well managed. The research therefore sought to find the causes of these conflicts in the construction sector and the manner by which these conflicts are resolved. The research did use quantitative design in combination with a cross-sectional survey on construction firms that had registered with the assemblies of Kumasi, Asokore-Mampong and Ejisu-Juabeng. And using questionnaires, a total of 160 questionnaires were distributed but 152 were received and analyzed through the use of the Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). General causes of conflict according to the results predominantly create conflicts than the contract-related causes. Inadequate communication and contradicting instructions according to the results are the leading causes of conflict. The effects of conflict on project success per the findings include project delays, stays and ineffective construction and reduced productivity at site. The findings revealed, participants in the study prefer the use of collaborating and compromising styles in solving conflict on sites. Every project start and ends with communication, therefore communication is the life wire of all construction projects. And to cure the communication problem, the study suggests strategies like Team Meeting Discussions, Site Review Meetings, and Project Status Reporting platform.

Source: KNUST
Managing District Health Information Systems: the case of Asunafo District

Strengthening the management capacity of districts to effectively implement and attain then Primary Health Care (PHC) targets requires in turn that the’ strengthen their health information systems to ensure that they provide the necessary information in good time for decision-making, regardless of the type of information technology used. The current study, undertaken in the Asunafo District of the Brong Ahafo Region investigated the problem of the lack of co-operation between sub district supervisors and DHMT members with regards to utilisation of indicators and the inability of the district health information system to produce complete and accurate health data from both external and internal sources which makes analysis difficult for timely utilisation of health information for effective decision making. The main objective of the study was to investigate the management problems of handling health data and the utilisation of heath information for decision -making in the Asunafo District and recommend appropriate solutions to them. The purpose was set to stimulate discussion and assist the District Health Management Team (DHMT) identify the main deficiencies so as to develop and strengthen their health information s stem for the efficient and effective management of district health programmes. This cross—sectional descriptive and exploratory study used both primary and secondary data collected through the use of interview schedules, observation and review (4 returns from study population of respondents within the DHMT and in-charges of all the public health facilities in the sub-districts in the district. The key findings were that the sources of health data gathering were mainly through government facility and that population based data were not collected. One other main finding was the absence of sub-district health teams (SDHTs) which had created a big gap in the management structure. This situation made the DHMT handle raw data directly from lower levels and this affected analysis, decision-making and planning. The study also reveals that the study design was easier to implement, more cost effective and less disruptive to participating health facilities and DHMT members. In view of this, the study recommends that the SDHTs must be set UI) to complete the management chain so as to forestall any by-passing of information to the DHMT level. Other recommendations are that the sources of data collection should be expanded and some data collection forms be redesigned and staff trained in their use to improve the quality of health data collected. The recommendations are aimed at the district to address identified problems within the management structure and its effects on the management of information in the district.

Source: KNUST
Managing Ginnery Trash through Composting

Cotton ginneries in the Northern, Upper East and West regions generate a lot of trash (waste). One of the problems they face is how to dispose of the trash generated during the ginning process. Disposal methods used are considered environmentally inappropriate. Composting is considered as one possible method of disposal. The goal of the study was to study the feasibility of managing cotton gin trash through windrow composting with dewatered sewage sludge. The study took place at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology sewage treatment site. Mixes of dewatered sewage sludge and trash in the ratios 1:1 and 1:2 and a third ratio 1:1 for trash and sandy soil as inoculum were subjected to the windrow (pile) composting method over a 120 day period. pH of the finished compost was between 6.04 and 6.74, organic matter 6.93 % for 1:1 Soil/T and 49.30 % for 1:2 S/T, nitrogen 0.24 % for 1:1 Soil/T and 1.4% for 1:2 S/T, phosphorous 0.05 % for 1:1 Soil/T to 0.17 % for 1:2 S/T, potassium 0.17 % for 1:1 S/T to 0.53 % for 1:1 Soil/T, Nitrogen 0.24 % for1:1 Soil/T to 1.4 % for 1:1S/T. C/N ratio reduced to 16.36 for Soil/T and to 18.13 for 1:2 S/T ratio. Heap volume reduction of 50 % and above was observed. The highest reduction in heap volume took place in the 1:2 S/T ratio which was 60 %. Nutrient concentrations also declined due to their use by the composting organisms for various metabolic and physiological processes. Coliforms and Salmonella concentration showed a decline. By the end of the first thirty (30) days faecal colifom concentrations were mean log10 3.31 for 1:1 S/T, log10 3.07 for 1:2 S/T whereas for 1:1 Soil/T. Salmonella was totally eliminated by the end of the first month for 1:1 Soil/T but by the end of the second month for the other ratios. Faecal Coliform and Salmonella concentrations fell below the recommended standard concentrations set by vi the United States of America Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). This was due to the high temperatures of between 45 to 57 oC attained during the composting as pathogen destruction was based on the time-temperature relationship which was typical for the composting of organic matter. Lettuce cultivated with compost from the different ratios including the use of non-composted dewatered sewage sludge produced dry weight of between 7.23-7.80 g and 5.43 g for the control (No treatment). Non-composted dewatered sewage sludge produced the highest mean wet weight of 103.4 g per five (5) plants due to its high nutrient content. The studies revealed that the ratio 1:2 S/T was the best mix ratio. The study also showed that soil could also be used as inoculum with dewatered sewage sludge for the composting of trash. Land application of compost with it’s non-detectable concentrations of faecal coliform and Salmonella should minimize environmental risk compared with raw non-composted sewage sludge. Windrow (pile) composting could be used to achieve quick, effective and environmentally safe disposal of gin trash.

Source: KNUST