Prospects and Challenges of Electronic Banking in Société Generale Ghana Limited: Evidence from Accra Metropolis

The study examines   the prospects and challenges of E-banking using SOCIETE GENERALE GHANA LTD in Greater Accra, Region of Ghana. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample Ninety (90) respondents for the study. Data was collected with structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results revealed that about 97%   of respondents used E-banking products. These products include: ATM, text message, internet. Electronic mail, and Telephone. ATM is most popular E-banking products used by the respondents. The study further revealed the following benefits which the respondents derived from the use of E-banking products:  saving of time, quickness in banking transactions, easy access to account details and reduction of long queues in banking halls. According to the study, customer satisfaction and competition from other banks were the main influencing factors for E-banking adoption. Notwithstanding E-banking advantages, it is confronted with challenges such as frequent network failure, high bank charges, limit on amount of cash withdrawal and wrong debit was identified as the paramount challenges. Nevertheless, respondents recommended that for effective E-banking system, customer education and marketing of E-banking products should be the key strategy to use to attract more customers, increasing security for E-banking products, reduction of charges of E-banking products and increasing more ATM outlets in the country. Keywords: electronic banking, Ghana, Universal bank

Understanding Ghanaian Students’ Perception of Service Quality in Higher Education

Measuring service quality in higher education has become an important exercise to determine students’ level of satisfaction and possibility of continue enrolment. This paper focuses on students’ perception of service quality in Ghanaian higher institutions with specific objective of identifying the service quality criteria used by students of Tamale Polytechnic to evaluate the quality of service offered by the polytechnic. The HEdPERF model was adopted as the conceptual framework for the paper. Questionnaires were used to collect data from randomly selected 372 students from Tamale Polytechnic. The study found that, excellent and quality programs run by the polytechnic, highly educated instructors in, timely delivery of promises by the polytechnic staff, reputation of the programs offered by the polytechnic and access to materials at the school’s library were the key service quality criteria that affect the students’ perception of service quality. The study recommended that, higher institutions should introduce programs that are highly marketable with various areas of specialisation, continue to recruit high calibre lecturers and deliver promises on time. Higher institutions are also advised to improve students-staff relationship and work hard to improve their reputation in order to positively influence students’ perception of service quality. Keywords: Students Perception, Service Quality, HEdPERF Model, Higher Education, Ghan

A Study into the Nature of Emotional Intelligence in Public and Private Institutions in Ghana

The purpose of the study is to examine the nature of emotional intelligence in a survey using respondents from both public and private institutions. The study design is quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional research. The sample size for the study was 140 sampled using the convenience sample method. The questionnaire for the collection of data was designed by the researchers using the Likert Scale format. The reliability of the scales and the dimensions of the scales were investigated using reliability, and factor analysis tests respectively. The data was analysed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 26. The results show the responses were reliable and the scales were also unidimensional. Various dimensions of emotional intelligence were identified as awareness of own emotions; management of emotions; awareness of others’ emotions; and management of others’ emotions. Management of institutions should consider in their organisational strategies, the findings of the present research to ensure the efficient running of the institutions. The role of demographic features in emotional intelligence is a recommended direction for future studies

Demographic differences in sources of stress in higher educational institutions in Ghana

Purpose: The current research aimed to investigate demographic differences in job stress prevalence and job stress causes among the staff of universities. Research methodology: The study is based on a descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional research design. A sample of 100 respondents, from Sunyani Technical University, were sampled using the convenience sample method. Data were collected in a survey using a questionnaire which was designed by the researchers and administered to the respondents at their workplaces. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and One-Way Analysis of Variance. Results were presented in Tables. Results: The findings indicate that significant demographic differences exist in job stress prevalence and job stress causes. The management of universities should take into account the current findings of the research in dealing with job stress. Appropriate policies are recommended to be put in place to deal with stress related to the job to improve staff output, so as not to have a deleterious effect on staff professional work and personal welfare. Limitations: Some respondents felt reluctant to take part in the survey. The causal conclusions cannot be made based on the current findings since a causal investigation was not the focus of the study, and hence was not done. Some respondents also did not answer all the questions asked. Contributions: The paper contributes to the literature in the area of job stress sources and the role demographic factors in job stress causes in higher institutions. The work is the first of its kinds in the study institution on the role of culture and belief on job stress

Comparison of quadrant-specific breast cancer incidence trends in the United States and England between 1975 and 2013

Background UK breast cancer incidence rates suggest that upper outer quadrant (UOQ) cancers have risen disproportionately compared with other areas over time. We aimed to provide a comparison of the trend in quadrant-specific breast cancer incidence between the United States (US) and England, and determine whether a disproportionate UOQ increase is present. Methods Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry data were obtained on 630,007 female breast cancers from 1975 to 2013. English cancer registry data were obtained on 1,121,134 female breast cancers from 1979 to 2013. Temporal incidence changes were analysed using negative binomial regression. Interaction terms determined whether incidence changes were similar between sites. Results English breast cancer incidence in the UOQ rose significantly from 13% to 28% from 1979 to 2013 whereas no significant increase was observed among SEER data. The significant interaction between quadrant and year of diagnosis (p < 0.001) in both SEER and English data indicates that breast cancer incidence in each quadrant changed at a different rate. Incidence in the UOQ rose disproportionately compared to the nipple (SEER IRR = 0.81, p < 0.001; England IRR = 0.78, p < 0.001) and axillary tail (SEER IRR = 0.87, p = 0.018; England IRR = 0.69, p < 0.001) in both SEER and England. In addition, incidence rose disproportionately in the UOQ compared to non-site-specific tumours in England (Overlapping lesions IRR = 0.81, p = 0.002; NOS IRR = 0.78, p < 0.001). The proportion of non-site-specific tumours was substantially higher in England than SEER throughout the study period (62% in England; 39% in SEER). Conclusions Breast cancer incidence in the UOQ increased disproportionately compared to non-site-specific tumours in England but not in SEER, likely due to the decrease in non-site-specific tumours observed in England over time. There may be real differences in incidence between the two countries, possibly due to differences in aetiology, but is much more likely to be an artefact of changing data collection methods and improvements in site coding in either country

Signalling in Donation Crowdfunding: The Role of Mixed Product and Ideological Bundling

Crowdfunding projects depend on signalling to demonstrate authenticity. However, literature on signalling has focused on investment and reward crowdfunding with lesser emphasis on donation crowdfunding. This study adopts the signalling theory and bundling concepts to explore the impact of two validation mechanisms on donation crowdfunding outcomes. Drawing from the literature on bunding and signalling, we investigate the impact of a mixed product bundling strategy (community pot mechanism) and ideological bundling strategy (third-party signalling) on donation project success. Based on data from Mchanga.com, our findings indicate that the mixed product bundling strategy positively influences project amount of funds raised and backer support. However, we also find preliminary evidence indicating ideological bundling can have undesirable and contrasting effects on project outcomes. Implications and future work are also discussed

Returns to research and development investment of the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia : benefit cost analysis, 2006-2007

Strategic decision making is enhanced by the consideration of benefit cost analyses of many projects. Each year a selection of projects is evaluated to assist in the determination of the most appropriate allocation of funds. This is only one of the methods that are employed by the Department’s Executive to increase market competitiveness and profitability in agriculture and the pastoral industries. This report includes both ex post and ex ante analyses, as they are complementary processes.https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/bulletins/1096/thumbnail.jp

Contributors to the March Issue/Notes

Notes by Joseph F. Nigro, Francis E. Bright, Edward F. Grogan, James H. Graham, Jr., John C. O\u27Connor, and William P. Mahoney

Contributors to the March Issue/Notes

Notes by Joseph F. Nigro, Francis E. Bright, Edward F. Grogan, James H. Graham, Jr., John C. O\u27Connor, and William P. Mahoney