Do Oil Price Returns Impact Exchange Rates Fluctuations: Evidence from the Top Four Oil Importing Countries in Asia – China, India, Japan and South Korea

Using daily data obtained from Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis database, we convert oil price and exchange rates to first difference logarithm to examine the link between oil price and exchange rates. We apply Johansen Cointegration models to examine relationship between the series, and our results indicate the variables are not cointegrated. Augmented Dicky Fuller test indicates that the series are nonstationary at level, but stationary at first difference. Impulse response analysis based on unrestricted vector autoregressive (VAR) yields varying results for the relationship between oil price and exchange rates across the currencies of the four countries considered. Thus, we suggest that decision making regarding oil price and exchange rate dynamics must be considered based on a country’s unique features rather than on a universal platform

An assessment of the effects of the church’s empowerment of female head porters: Insight from Suhudoo Baptist Church, Aboabo, Kumasi – Ghana

The debate on the contribution of diaconal practices among churches in the empowerment discourse remains unresolved in the conventional literature. This study seeks to address the question “What characterizes the empowerment of young female head porters by the Suhudoo Baptist Church in Aboabo, Kumasi, Ghana?”. Using the case of the aforementioned church, the study sought to explore whether or not diaconal practices contribute to the empowerment of the vulnerable in society. And if it does, the form it takes and how the empowerment is achieved. Empowerment and gender perspectives, the see-reflect-act as a diaconal model renewed diaconal action, and inclusiveness as diaconal perspectives was used to explore how the church brings about liberation to the poor and marginalized, protect and speak against injustices in the society, and defend the voice of the voiceless and the disempowered. The study used interview guides and observational skills, narratives from eight head porters were gathered for the study. An intersectionality approach was adopted for the analysis and discussion of the findings. The findings of the study point to the fact that not much has been done by the government of Ghana in protecting or empowering the head porters. The study revealed that diaconal practices of the church have lessened the financial burden of the head porters. Besides, the church through its interaction among members created a friendly environment that enables the head porters to socialize with other members of the church. This creates inclusive, just, equal, and mutual societies. Also, the diaconal practices have contributed to the empowerment of the head porters

Conflict management in an organization: A case study of the Korle Bu Teaching hospital.

Conflict is considered an inevitable part of organizational life, particularly in hospitals in the health sector. However, there has been limited attention to conflict management and transformation in hospital within the Ghanaian setting, despite evidence of conflicts among employees in health institutions. The study provided answers to the following research objectives: (i) the nature of conflict among employees; (ii) the factors influencing the occurrence of conflicts among employees; and (iii) how conflict among employees at the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital. The study adopted a descriptive qualitative case study design with a sample of 8 participants who were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide. Data analysis was done thematically. The study found that though conflict was seen as positive, a general negative perception was found. The nature of the conflict was shown to be multidimensionally characterized by relational, task, vertical, and horizontal conflicts. Themes identified in terms of the factors causing conflict included: individual (differences in employee values and negative employee behaviors); organizational factors (differences in organizational and individual values, perceived organizational support, unsafe working environments, task interdependence, and disregard for subordinates); and societal factors (tribalism and gender role expectations and conformity). Furthermore, conflict management and transformation reflected two major themes: actor-related strategy; relational strategy and rule modification

Duopoly with Differentiated Products and Entry Barriers

Product differentiated duopoly with a potential entrant facing a single period fixed cost entry barriers is modeled as a noncooperative game. In addition to characterizing the equilibrium solutions and relating them to entry costs and product differentiation, a comparison of price and quantity competition shows that entry conditions are qualitatively sensitive to the strategic variables used in a given industry. Quantity competition appears to be more favorable for entry than price competition. The use of threats and other exclusionary tactics, such as limit pricing, decisively determine the outcome when entry costs are moderate

A novel streamlined trauma response team training improves imaging efficiency for pediatric blunt abdominal trauma patients

Background/purpose The morbidity and mortality of children with traumatic injuries are directly related to the time to definitive management of their injuries. Imaging studies are used in the trauma evaluation to determine the injury type and severity. The goal of this project is to determine if a formal streamlined trauma response improves efficiency in pediatric blunt trauma by evaluating time to acquisition of imaging studies and definitive management. Methods This study is a chart review of patients < 18 years who presented to a pediatric trauma center following blunt trauma requiring trauma team activation. 413 records were reviewed to determine if training changed the efficiency of CT acquisition and 652 were evaluated for FAST efficiency. The metrics used for comparison were time from ED arrival to CT image, FAST, and disposition. Results Time from arrival to CT acquisition decreased from 37 (SD 23) to 28 (SD27) min (p < 0.05) after implementation. The proportion of FAST scans increased from 315 (63.5%) to 337 (80.8%) and the time to FAST decreased from 18 (SD15) to 8 (SD10) min (p < 0.05). The time to operating room (OR) decreased after implementation. Conclusion The implementation of a streamlined trauma team approach is associated with both decreased time to CT, FAST, OR, and an increased proportion of FAST scans in the pediatric trauma evaluation. This could result in the rapid identification of injuries, faster disposition from the ED, and potentially improve outcomes in bluntly injured children

The Potential of Using Educational Technologies to Meet the Needs of Agriculture Graduates

Distance education is a useful tool for agricultural and extension education departments in the delivery of courses to students. However, faculty, instructional designers, and agricultural communicators must understand the needs of learners in order for courses to be effective. A mail survey was conducted to assess the demand by agricultural science graduates for courses delivered by distance education and their skills and experiences in using distance education technologies. The majority of agricultural science graduates were interested in taking courses by distance education for professional development and advanced degrees. Few graduates had experiences with distance education but most were familiar with most of the distance education technologies

Business Characteristics and Entrepreneurial Management Practices of Small and Medium Enterprises in Ghana

Purpose: The study employed the behavioural theory of entrepreneurship to assess the relationship between entrepreneurial management practices and the business characteristics of SMEs in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 202 SMEs were sampled from the service, industry, and agricultural sectors in Ghana. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using Weighted Mean, ANOVA, and Independent t-tests with Minitab 17.0 software. Findings: the study revealed that business characteristics such as business size and sector of operations significantly affect the SMEs’ management decision-making in strategic orientation, resource orientation, management structure, and entrepreneurial culture. However, &nbsp;Business size and sector of operation are not necessarily significant factors influencing the SMEs’ reward philosophy and growth orientation. Research limitations/implications: This study recognizes the need for providing SMEs with management intervention programs that train the skills of entrepreneurial management to improve their competitiveness at the global level. The study is beneficial to policymakers in Ghana such as the Ministry for Business Development, the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), and Higher Educational institutions for the development of entrepreneurship programs. Originality/value: The findings of the study contribute to inventive knowledge in entrepreneurial management strategies and in terms of size and business industry. Paper type: a Research Pape

Adoption of Electronic Banking: Evidence from Ghana

This paper sought to examine the adoption of Electronic Banking products by customers as well as the perceived benefits and the barriers experienced by Ghana Commercial Bank customers.Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. The population for this study was customers of Ghana Commercial Bank. Sample size of 520 customers was selected using convenience sampling.  SPSS was used for the data analysis. It was observed from the analysis that GCB has implemented E-banking products to stay in tune with its competitors for the market share and customers acceptability of the various banking products.  The study shown that of all the electronic banking products, ATM was rated high on the attribute of simplicity, enjoy-ability and less difficult when it comes to its usage. In addition, ATM was the preferred choice of the respondents in relation to the security of the various e-banking products and how comfortable the products have made banking easier. Finally, it was observed that 77% rarely have problems with the services and 86% sometimes seek assistance before using the products. The study recommends that GCB should improve on the technical and functional quality of their ATM since it is the most preferred electronic banking product by customers. In order to enhance customer retention, product innovation should be carried out on GCB’s, ATM. Keywords: Banking; Electronic; Adoptio

EFFECTS OF TEXT MESSAGING ON THE ACADEMIC WRITING OF PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS OF A GHANAIAN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of text messaging on the academic writing of first-year pre-service teachers of Offinso College of Education. Empirical studies on the use of text messages in specific cultures were reviewed in order to demonstrate how the present study is both similar to and different from previous research. Descriptive survey research design was employed by the researchers to conduct this study. The student population for the study was 350. Quota sampling and simple random sampling techniques aided the researchers to select 50 pre-service teachers for the study. The instruments used were questionnaires, interviews and essay-type tests. The study revealed that the vocabulary items students used in their SMS texting contained numbers, reduction, clipping and shortening, and that the use of these vocabulary items had a negative effect because these items found their way into the academic writing of students. The researchers recommend that college tutors should sensitize the pre-service teachers on the need to avoid SMS language in their academic writings to help them overcome the menace. To curtail everything, they should text using Standard English to avoid being addicted to texting language.  Article visualizations