Capacity development for urban water senior staff members, stakeholders and influencers in Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) in Ghana

 It is expected that adequate quantity and quality of service delivery is one of the preconditions that contributes to safe water and sanitation delivery. Yet the human resource gap in WATSAN sector is relatively unknown (S. Cavill & D. Saywell, 2009). This paper outlines a piece of research that was conducted to provide a reliable skill gap assessment and  building solution in Ghana to national water utility provider staff members, stakeholders and influencers.The Purpose of the Research is to undertake Training Needs Analysis that will be followed up with Capacity Gap Assessment and Enhancement in urban water management and service delivery in Accra and Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, GhanaThe research found significant relationship between staff, stakeholders and influences service quality delivery and customer satisfaction. Therefore, the study was followed up with staff, stakeholders and influencer’s capacity building initiatives and motivation techniques, communication skills, cost reduction strategies, assets maintenance, billing cycles, monitoring and evaluation as panacea to quality service delivery. Furthermore, the study recommended that the management, influencers and stakeholders should reexamine and re programme the organization’s conceptual framework, vision, mission and operations such as their customer data base system to capture their customer’s profiles and needs so as to deliver customer focused services.Key Words: WATSAN, Utility, Influencers, Service Delivery, Customer, Staff, Stakeholders, Capacity, Ghan

Growth and productivity in Australia

This paper empirically investigates and identifies the main contributing factors to output and productivity growth in Australia for the period 1950-2005. Cointegration and a vector error-correction model are used along with Granger causality tests, impulse response functions and forecast error variance decomposition analyses to achieve these objectives. Accumulation of human capital and investments in information and communications technology (ICT) are identified as significant in the cointegration analysis of production in Australia and should be included in the long-run production relationship along with fixed capital and labour employed. The vector-error correction model estimates further provide evidence that human capital and ICT are important drivers of output growth in Australia, so their omission from standard productivity measures leads to inaccurate measures and may mislead policy formulation, planning and budgeting decisions

An Assessment of the Employee Job Satisfaction: Views from Empirical Perspectives

Job satisfaction stresses on the personal feelings within the job environment in relation to job assessment. Various academics and scientists studied in the past, the significant association between personal expectations and job satisfaction of employees. These past studies were based on the model of personality traits and other variables in determination of employee job satisfaction. This study is to assess the relationship and effect between independent and dependent variables. To ensure that the stated objectives are met, a 7 point Likert scale questionnaires were administered to 140 managers and non-manager employees. However, only 128 of the questionnaires were returned without errors and ready to go through the analysis processes. Data analysis was conducted in two phases namely the descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive analysis aided by the mean counts was applied in describing the empirical data; whereas the inferential statistics of Pearson’s chi-square test and ANOVA were utilized to determine the relationship and the effect of independent on the dependent variable. ANOVA was used to assess the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable. This empirical study demonstrates mix results through Pearson’s chi-square and ANOVA tests. WEP and employee status does not differ from EJS whereas employee position differs from EJS. The ANOVA test revealed a significant effect of WEP and EPS on EJS. The study revealed that SME owners in FB district municipality experienced very high entrepreneurial challenges in contrast to their counterparts in JTG district municipality. Given these findings, the author called on policymakers to prepare specific strategies and programs that motivate employees within the establishment

A Comparative Study of Rural Entrepreneurial Challenges: Towards Rural Economic Development and a Policy Framework

The primary purpose of this rural study was to compare the challenges that impede successful operations of entrepreneurial activities and small businesses. Through quantitative design, a seven-point Likert-scale questionnaire was utilized to gather primary data. Two sampling techniques, namely simple random and purposive, were applied to select the research participants. Based on a Likert spectrum, 267 questionnaires were administered to SME owners by the researcher, assisted by two research trainees. These questionnaires were ranked from (1) strongly disagree to (7) strongly agree. Two main questions, which provided guidance to this study, were certified reliable by the Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.768 and 0.976. Data analysis was possible through the descriptive and inferential tools supported by the independent t-test, Pearson’s chi-square test, and cross-tabulation. The final outcomes demonstrate higher levels of challenges in the Frances Baard (FB) District than in the John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) District. This implies that owner-managers of small businesses in the FB District experienced more challenges in operating their businesses. The study recommends SME Policy Framework (SPF) training and intensifying the existing processes of monitoring after training to justify the owner-managers’ moral commitments

Effect Of Constraints On Perceived Business Success Of Rural Entrepreneurial Activities: A Case Of Two Rural Municipalities

This study aims to evaluate the effect of selected entrepreneurial constraints on the perceived business success of small businesses. In this study the dependent variable, perceived business success is measured by two variables; business growth and existence of human capital. A 7 Likert scale structured questionnaires anchored on “1” strongly disagree and “7” strongly agree is used to source data from entrepreneurs. The convenience and snowball technique were used to source 300 entrepreneurs from the target population for data. Reliability of the measuring instrument was possible through the Cronbach alpha while the questionnaire was piloted for conceptual realities. In this study, the precise and individual constraints were operationalized as independent variables. Relationships between the independent variables and the perceived business success as dependent variable were investigated through multiple linear regression analysis. The outcomes of the study resolved that precise and individual constraints impact negatively on the perceived business success of small businesses and entrepreneurial activities. The findings further revealed adverse links between the independent and the dependent variable known as the perceived business success

Rural Entrepreneurship: An Insight Into Impeding Factors Influencing Micro-Entrepreneurial Growth

The call for the growth of successful entrepreneurial activities across the globe raised the need to determine the influencing factors affecting micro-entrepreneurial growth. Hence, this study adopted a cross-sectional survey design to examine determinants of micro-entrepreneurial growth among micro-entrepreneurs. Two hundred and eighty-two micro-entrepreneurs were sampled through snowball and convenience techniques. The findings showed that stepwise multiple regression analysis identified four models in the prediction of micro-entrepreneurial growth. Specifically, operational challenge (? = -.35, p < .001), lack of support, ? = -.17, p < .001), workforce challenge (? = .22, p < .001), and personal factors (? = -.21, p < .01) are significant predictors of micro-entrepreneurial growth. The findings were discussed in line with the literature while recommendations in terms of decision-making applications, and provision of developmental programs in assisting rural entrepreneurship for enhancement of growth were suggested

Investigating The Challenges Of E-Learning In A Developing Institution Of Higher Learning: A Hypothetical Approach

The popularity of e-learning (EL) largely infiltrated into every sector of South African institutions of higher learning. This growing interest in EL is due to the advent of rapid internet technologies. For decades, South African institutions of higher learning have accepted EL as a vital learning tool for the enhancement of learning and teaching within the higher education sector. However, there are countless challenges that continue to hinder learning and teaching activities. This study seeks to determine the relationships between various challenges and EL capabilities through stated hypotheses. The study is a descriptive, qualitative design aided by a quantitative approach that were applied to collect data. In total 150 full and part-time ICT students including four permanent ICT lecturers participated in the study. By means of statistical methods of descriptive, inferential statistics aided by independent t-tests, three stated hypotheses were formulated and tested. The study therefore, recommends that higher institutions of learning should increase investments in various EL programs including relevant ICT infrastructure development and also in levels of connectivity. The study further recommends that EL contents should be designed taking into account the cultural characteristics of students

A Survey Of Personal Hurdles Contributing To Failures Of Rural Entrepreneurship: Economic Implications For Owner-Managers

This study seeks to explore with keen understanding of personal hurdles as revealed by owner-managers from two rural settings of the Northern Cape Province (NCP). The study focuses on personal hurdles that according to literature contributes to the growing failure of entrepreneurial activities. Personal hurdles were assessed using “Statistical Package for the Social Science” (SPSS). A survey method is utilized in gathering primary dataset, descriptive analysis and frequency tables were used to assess all the basic variables including the personal hurdles of owner-managers. Factor analysis was utilized as a determinant of personal hurdles. Formulated hypotheses for the study were tested by the inferential statistic of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Relationships between dependent (rural entrepreneurial failures) and independent variables (resources, information and infrastructure gaps) were ascertained through the Pearson Correlation techniques. The study revealed that the resource gaps affect rural entrepreneurial failure (REF)On the other hand, information and infrastructure do not have significant effect on REF.A moderate positive linear correlation between resource gap and REF was detected. Furthermore, there is a low positive linear correlation between REF and the two independent variables (information and infrastructure gaps) were detected

Risk Management Of Integration Challenges: A Case Study Of Informal Contractors Of Emerging Markets

The construction industry across emerging countries are exposed to high risk volumes and uncertainties. The industry requires efficient management systems not only to render the industry sustainable but to enable the industry to become viable. This phenomenon is common occurrence in rural areas across most emerging countries which are in dire need of infrastructure repairs and building employee skills. This study identifies integration challenges as one of the high risk factors (HRFs) of the construction industry. In addition, practical suggestions were stated based on empirical findings. The nature of risks as revealed by the survey represents series of challenges that confronts informal contractors during the integration processes. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). A total of 134 informal contractors were approached for empirical data. Being qualitative and exploratory study, the interview processes and FGDs were in two sections; four informal contractors took part in face-to-face interviews. One hundred and thirty (N=130) informal contractors consisting of thirteen groups of 10 members each group participated in FGDs. Responses from interviews revealed multitudes of empirical outcomes which pointed to the complex nature of integration challenges that impede on the processes of integration. Drawing on the findings, practical recommendations were made ranging from tailored-made education and training initiatives and adequate funding models to reduce some of the integration challenges