Measuring the Performance of Automobile Services Sector in Ghana: A Pricing Orientation Approach

This study examines the role of pricing orientation in firm performance – focusing on specific components such as value-oriented pricing, costoriented pricing, competition- oriented pricing, demand-oriented pricing and customer oriented pricing. The study sample comprised of Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) automobile services firms in Ghana. 498 firms participated in the study. A hierarchical regression was conducted to estimate the paths between pricing orientation and firm performance. All the pricing orientation components; value, cost, competition, demand, and customer oriented prices were found to have positively and statistically significant effects on the outcome of the firm performance. Some limitations of the study were identified, and areas for future studies have been duly provided to aid the continuous research into the operations of SMEs automobile services industry

Innovation, Environmental Antecedents and Performance Outcomes of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in Ghana

The purpose of the study was to ascertain the effects of innovation types and environmental antecedents on performance outcomes of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in Ashanti region, Ghana. Specifically, the study measures the mediating effects of environmental antecedents on the performance outcomes of the MMDAs. A total of 280 responses received from interested workers of the MMDAs were used for the study. As a result of the Covid-19 and its related restrictions, the questionnaire was developed using Google forms. Data were collected through social media and the responses received were screened and used for the analysis. The questionnaire was based on measurement scales for the key variables (innovation types, environmental antecedent, performance outcomes) understudy. SPSS and Sobel Test were used to estimate the mediation effect. The study results revealed that there is a significant but negative relationship between innovation types and performance outcomes at the MMDAs. Similarly, a significant and positive relationship was found between environmental antecedent and performance outcomes of the MMDs. Again, the results showed that there is a relationship between innovation types and performance outcomes of the MMDAs. Finally, the results showed that environmental antecedents mediate the relationship between innovation types and performance outcomes of the MMDAs. Based on the findings, the study recommends that managers of the MMDAs should continue to monitor and control the various environmental (public demands, political demand, regulatory frameworks, competition) forces within the public sector in order to realize the full potential of innovation and its role in facilitating performance outcome. Also, the MMDAs should embrace the innovation types (process innovation, process innovation, governance innovation, and conceptual innovation) in order to achieve higher performance outcomes (effectiveness, efficiency, citizen involvement and participation and customer satisfaction)

Strategic planning and performance of SMEs in Ghana: The moderating effect of market dynamism

Purpose - This paper aims to examine the interacting effect of market dynamism and strategic planning on the performance of small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach - This study has used quantitative approach in dealing with the interacting effect of market dynamic on strategic planning and SMEs’ performance in Ghana. Purposive sampling is used to select 200 small- and medium-sized manufacturing and service firms in Ghana. The hierarchical multiple regression analysis is performed to test the hypotheses. Findings - This study finds that a consistent application of strategic planning methodologies contributes to the advancement of SME performance in Ghana. In addition, it was ascertained that market dynamism has a significant positive relationship with firm performance, although its effect is not significant. Finally, the study reveals that market dynamism only influences SME performance when there is strategic planning. Research limitations/implications - The findings are limited to the SMEs in Ghana. The study of market dynamism, strategic planning and performance is a very complex activity; therefore, to gather rich data on such research work may be best accomplished if the researchers adopt mixed method data gathering techniques. This will enrich the understanding on market dynamism, strategic planning and SMEs’ performance relationship. Practical implications - The findings of this research work offer guidance to owners or managers considering how to develop market dynamics and strategic planning to enhance firm performance. Originality/value - This study reports on an obvious gap in the prevailing literature that few empirical research works have explored on the possible impacts of market dynamism and strategic planning on performance of SMEs in a third world country

Corporate social responsibility, marketing capabilities and consumer behavioral responses

Purpose – The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) andmarketing capability on consumer behavioral responses in the mobile telecommunication industry in Ghana.Particularly, the study estimated the moderating effect of marketing capability on the relationship betweenCSR and consumer behavioral responses.Design/methodology/approach – Both customers and employees of three major mobile telecommunicationcompanies were sampled for this work. A mixed linear regression technique was used to examine therelationship between corporate responsibility, marketing capability and customer behavioral responses.Findings – The empirical results revealed that marketing capabilities moderate the relationship between CSRand consumer responses in the telecommunication industry.Research limitations/implications – The study proposes practical dimensions to the mobiletelecommunication companies that the extensive development of strong marketing capabilities serves aconduit for CSR to achieve favorable consumer responses.Originality/value – The results have opened up rather a limitation studies on the moderation role marketingcapabilities in relationship between CSR and consumer behavioral responses in the telecommunicationindustry

Innovative capability, strategic goals and financial performance of SMEs in Ghana

Purpose - This paper aims to investigate the moderating role of innovation capability and strategic goals in the financial performance of small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach - Innovative capabilities and strategic goals in SMEs and their influence on financial performance were recognized and briefly debated according to the existing literature. Hypotheses were tested on research data on 340 SMEs in Ghana, which were conveniently selected. Finally, quantitative analysis was done, followed by a discussion of the research findings. Findings - Results from the study have proved that strategic goals have a strong positive relationship with financial performance. Also, there is a strong, positive and highly significant impact innovative capacity has on financial performance. Finally, the study found that innovative capability moderates the relationship between strategic goals and financial performance. It showed that at high levels of innovative capacity, high levels of strategic goals boost financial performance massively. Research limitations/implications - The findings are limited to SMEs in Ghana. Researchers should study why SMEs may not pursue any innovation capability activities as they have positive impact on their financial performance. They may also focus on strategic goals and financial performance. Practical implications - The study shows a necessity for longer-term innovation perspectives and a higher level of the importance of the application and assessment of strategic goals. Business owners and caretakers need greater awareness about the importance of innovation capability and strategic goals and their influence on the overall financial performance of SMEs. This will help them to adopt right innovate procedures for their businesses. Originality/value - One of few research works to examine innovation capability and strategic goals on the financial performance of SMEs in a developing country

Renewable energy consumption and carbon emissions in developing countries: the role of capital markets

ABSTRACTThis study examines the impact of capital market on the relationship between energy consumption and carbon emissions. By employing a system Generalised Methods of Moments (GMM) for a sample of 138 developing countries over the period, 1990–2020, we find a U-shaped reverse relationship between renewable energy consumption and carbon emissions. The study reveals that beyond a threshold of 71.03, renewable energy consumption tends to increase carbon emissions. Similarly, the initial levels of carbon emissions reduce the use of renewable energy but beyond a 2.5 level of carbon emissions, renewable energy consumption begins to increase. We find that both the stock market and bond market reduce carbon emissions and enhance the levels of renewable energy consumption. We provide evidence to support that the capital market enhances the negative impact of renewable energy consumption on carbon emissions, while the corporate bond market magnifies the reductive effect of carbon emissions on renewable energy consumption