Evaluating Entrepreneurs Competency on the Growth of Small Scale Businesses in the Cape Coast Metropolis

The study evaluated entrepreneur’s competency on the growth of small scale businesses. The study, among other objectives, sought to examine the competencies of entrepreneurs in terms of (education, related job experience, knowledge and skills and training), examined the association between entrepreneurs competency on the growth of small businesses and determined competency development strategies and the associated challenges among entrepreneurs in the Mechanic and Beautician sectors in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The study employed a cross-sectional study design. It involved two hundred (200) entrepreneurs. Questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics. Chi-square test was also used to find out the associations between variables.It was found that almost all the entrepreneurs had at least basic education. Also, greater parts of the entrepreneurs were adjudged to be mainly competent based on their levels of education, working experience, knowledge and skills and training they had. In addition, the findings confirmed that education, job related experience, knowledge and skill as well as training were significantly associated with the growth dimensions (growth in sales, growth in profit, growth in market share, customer satisfaction, employee retention and increased in number of employees.). On-the-job training in the form of apprenticeship was the most important strategy used by the entrepreneurs. However, high cost of training and lack of support from government and other agencies were upsetting their efforts. It is recommended that government should perk up its support for these artisans to enhance their performance and growth. The on-the-job training approach should be sustained due to its associated advantages over the off-the-job type. Keywords: human capital, small scale business, development, competency, entrepreneur

Institutional Conflict in Employee Output, Absenteeism and Turnover

Abstract This study aimed to examine the effect of conflict on employee output, absenteeism and turnover. The study was quantitative, and the design was a descriptive survey. The population for the study was stratified, and the study participants were selected randomly. The instrument was a questionnaire, and the IBM SPSS version 22 was used to generate the results for discussion. The study revealed that conflict adversely influences employee performance and also accounts for frequent employee absenteeism, low output and turnover. One implication for leadership from the study is that workplace conflicts significantly affect employee output, absenteeism and turnover. Each employee faces different conflicts that must be understood and resolved. By implication, organisational leaders must design jobs appropriately for employees to prevent duplications and foster peaceful collaboration among employees. This will help them build trust among themselves at the workplace. This will reduce interpersonal, relationship and task-related conflicts within the organisation. This will minimise conflict and its dysfunctional consequences on the employees and the organisation. Literature on the conflict in higher institutions appears to be scarce in Ghana. This study is different as it examines the relationship between conflict and employee performance using work output, absenteeism and turnover in technical universities in Ghana

Improving Higher Education Instructional Delivery in the Developing World: The Role of University Teachers as Digital Leaders

The last couple of years have seen an increasing demand on university teachers, especially in the developing world, to apply innovations to their instructional delivery to meet students’ needs and cater to national aspirations. To succeed in this, a digital leadership initiative that ensures effective use of technology-mediated instruction is indispensable. This study used the context of Ghana to examine the kinds of digital technology tools university teachers in the developing world often used in their teaching as digital leaders and whether the tools were effective in promoting academic work. The study used the embedded mixed method design based on which 252 teachers of the country’s universities were accidentally selected to complete questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study mainly found laptops, mobile phones, and projectors as the commonest digital technology tools used in teaching by the participants, and they thought that the tools effectively promoted academic work. The findings have global implications because knowing the effectiveness of digital technology use in higher education teaching in Ghana could serve as a source of information on measures to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the academic work of HEIs in developing countries

Clinical Placement: Experiences, School and Hospital-based Gaps and Challenges of Undergraduate Nursing Students of the University of Cape Coast

The goal of the study was to assess the school-based and hospital-based gaps and challenges among undergraduate nursing students. The specific objectives of the study was identify the gaps between school-based and hospital-based learning, explore students’ clinical practice experiences and to determine the challenges students encounter during clinical placement. The Explanatory Mixed Method Design was used for the study. For the quantitative part, the simple random sampling technique was used to select 141 study participants. Questionnaires were used to collect numeric data. Quantitative data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 21. For the qualitative part, purposive sampling was used to select five participants for interviewing. Braun and Clarke (2006) steps for thematic analysis was employed to analyse the responses for the interviewing. The qualitative data was used to validate the quantitative results.The findings from the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the study point to common gaps and challenges and experiences of nursing students. The findings showed a consensus on differences in types of equipment and availability of equipment, learning experiences and clinical nursing practices between the hospital and school settings. Challenges with students attending more errands, poor supervision and combining school and academic work were also highlighted in the two data sets. However, the two data sets suggest that nurses create an enabling environment for the students to meet their learning objectives. This study has highlighted areas that require improvement and further research. Gaps and challenges with school learning and clinical placement in terms of making students aware of their objectives, availability of equipment, ensuring proper supervision and feedback need to be addressed. Keywords: Undergraduate nursing, clinical placement, hospital learning, theory-practice DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-5-04 Publication date: February 29th 202

Industrial Attachment: Perspectives, Conceptions and Misconceptions of Students at Cape Coast Polytechnic, Ghana

The general objective of the study was to evaluate the perspectives, conceptions and misconceptions of students on Industrial Attachment. The study employed the descriptive research design. In all one hundred and seventy-one (171) students participated in the study. Questionnaire was the main instruments for data collection. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics including chi-square tests and correlation analysis were used to ascertain the associations and relationships between variables.The study revealed that students benefit immensely from industrial attachment. The study also found out that students were interested, happy and also had good perception about the Industrial Attachment activity, however; they wished that the duration for Industrial Attachment could be extended to two months or more. Moreover, the study discovered a strong positive correlation between student field of study and industrial experience. Notwithstanding the benefits, it was discovered that greater percentage of the students had difficulty getting an industry for attachment. It is therefore recommended that the polytechnic review and extend the period or duration for attachment to enable students familiarize themselves better with the operations of the industry. Since the study revealed that students found difficulty in securing industrial placement, it is recommended that the polytechnic take-up the responsibility by assisting students to search for places for attachment. This can be achieved through a closer working relationship with the industry. Beside, the polytechnic should also ensure that students are placed in institutions or industries where they can have a practical feel of their study fields. Keywords: Attachment; Experience; Perception; Competencies and on-the-job Trainin

Assessing knowledge of sickle cell disease and health beliefs on premarital genetic screening among healthcare trainees at a tertiary institution: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract Background The uptake of sickle cell trait (SCT) test is challenged by several factors. A community of healthcare professionals educating the public to undergo screening is critical in reducing the disease burden. We investigated knowledge and attitude towards premarital SCT screening among healthcare trainee students who are the next generation of healthcare practitioners. Methods A cross‐sectional design was employed, and quantitative data were collected from 451 female students pursuing healthcare programs at a tertiary institution in Ghana. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Results More than half of the participants were 20–24 years (54.55%) and had good knowledge (71.18%) about sickle cell disease (SCD). Age and school or social media as sources of information were significantly associated with good knowledge about SCD. Students between the age 20–24 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.54, confidence interval [CI] = 1.30–4.97) and knowledge (AOR = 2.19, CI = 1.41–3.39) were 3 times and 2 times more likely to have a positive perception about SCD severity. Students who have SCT (AOR = 5.16, CI = 2.46–10.82), whose source of information was family member/friends (AOR = 2.83, CI = 1.44–5.59) and social media (AOR = 4.59, CI = 2.09–10.12) were 5 times, 2 times and 5 times likely to have a positive perception about the susceptibility of SCD. Students whose source of information is school (AOR = 2.06, CI = 1.11–3.81) and who have good knowledge of SCD (AOR = 2.25, CI = 1.44–3.52) were 2 times more likely to have a positive perception about the benefits of testing. Students with SCT (AOR = 2.64, CI = 1.36–5.13) and source of information was social media (AOR = 3.01, CI = 1.36–6.64) were about 3 times more likely to have a positive perception about the barriers to testing. Conclusion Our data shows that high level of SCD knowledge influences positive perceptions about the severity of SCD, the benefits and relatively low barriers to SCT or SCD testing and genetic counseling. Dissemination of SCT, SCD and premarital genetic counseling education should be intensified especially in schools