The Consequences of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Ghanaian Financial Markets and the Effectiveness of Government Policy Responses

This study analysed the consequences of COVID-19 on Ghanaian financial markets and further profiled and assessed the effectiveness of government policy interventions to contain its incidence. Using a qualitative documentary analytic approach combined with available time series data from financial market regulators between 2015 and 2021, empirical evidence shows that key profitability (ROA and ROE) measures of banks, gross insurance premium and capital market indicators were negatively affected. The containment and stringency of government policies in the wake of the pandemic do not match in equal potency with the rise in occurrences. Policy recommendations were provided

Entrepreneurial orientation in dynamic environments: the moderating role of extra-organizational advice

YesPurpose- Research on entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has concluded a positive link between EO and firm performance and that relationship depends on several contingencies. The paper derives insights from the absorptive capacity and contingency perspectives to introduce extraorganizational advice as a moderator of the relationship between EO and firm performance in a dynamic environment. Design/methodology/approach-Using survey data from 340 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, the study examines the moderating influence of extraorganizational advice on the EO-firm performance relationship in dynamic environments. Findings-The study’s empirical findings suggest that extra-organizational advice amplifies the EO-performance relationship in dynamic environments. Research limitations/implications-The cross-sectional design of the study does not permit causal inferences to be made regarding the variables examined. Future studies may use longitudinal design to examine the causal links of the variables. Limitations aside, the study helps to answer how extra-organizational advice translates EO into improved performance in an environment characterised by constant flux. Practical implications- The results of this paper can assist entrepreneurs and policy-makers in understanding the dynamics and processes involved in implementing a strategic orientation to achieve higher performance. For SME managers, firm performance is determined by high levels of EO and extra-organizational advice in dynamic environments. The understanding of this issue can promote the development and maintenance of entrepreneurial ventures. Originality/value-The paper examines an important, but under-researched issue-the moderating effect of extra-organizational advice on the EO-performance relationship in dynamic environments. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study pioneers research in this area

Knowledge Sharing Idiosyncrasies of University Students in Ghana

Part 6: Decision Making and Knowledge ManagementInternational audienceThis study explored the factors affecting knowledge sharing behaviour of students in a higher institution of learning. Using a model derived from the Social Cognitive Theory and the Theory of Reason Action, six hypotheses were tested from a cross-sectional data collected from 371 undergraduate students on a 4-year degree programme in the University of Ghana. Five out of the six hypotheses were supported. The results showed that the knowledge sharing behaviour (KSB) of the students was significantly related to five of the human and environmental factors (F=639.9, df=5, 290, p<0.05) with a co-efficient of variation of R2=0.917 (91.7%). The knowledge sharing behavior of the students was, however, not significantly dependent on their personal characteristics. The study makes a case for increased attention in understanding the human and environmental factors of knowledge sharing since knowledge sharing is largely a people activity shaped by culture

Institutional distance and knowledge acquisition in international buyer–supplier relationships::the moderating role of trust

Institutional distance can generate expanded opportunities for multinational firms to facilitate learning and responsiveness. However, such distance can also create obstacles regarding knowledge transfer and integration. A theoretical puzzle concerns the mechanisms and conditions in which international buyers and suppliers can overcome institutional distance and acquire new knowledge. We develop an integrative moderated-mediation model in which institutional distance prevents parties from accessing knowledge but, when knowledge is obtained and mutual trust is developed, it promotes cross-border knowledge acquisition in international buyer-supplier exchange, particularly between international firms and firms from the Asia Pacific region. These findings indicate that firms can overcome the challenges of regulative and cognitive distance and facilitate access to knowledge and knowledge acquisition when they are able to develop and cultivate relationships of mutual trust with foreign partners. While normative distance may create learning incentives and opportunities in international buyer-supplier relationships, its impacts on knowledge accessibility and acquisition are insignificant.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Donor facilitated strategic business alliances: an assessment of DANIDA's private sector development programme in Ghana.

Due to the inability of firms from developing countries to attract collaborative partners from the developed economies, donor agencies have set up schemes that facilitate business to business collaboration between firms in the developed economies and developing country based counterparts. One such scheme is Private Sector Development (PSD) Programme initiated by DANIDA, which aims at inter-firm collaborations between firms in Denmark and other developing countries, including Ghana. In the paper, the impact of the PSD on firm capacity development and the possible implementation challenges facing the scheme are assessed. The findings indicate that such donor facilitated inter-firm linkages provide critical resources for companies in developing countries, in areas such as financial/capital mobilization, technology and managerial skills, which are vital for improving competitiveness. The difficulties encountered in the implementation of such schemes are presented, and suggestions are made to the effect that such linkages should not be seen as panacea to the problems of enterprise development in Ghana. The policy and strategic implications of the business alliances are also highlighted in the paper.Journal of Business Research Vol. 1 (1&2) 2007: pp. 31-4

Aid, domestic and foreign direct investment in small states

Small States (SS) are economies whose population barely exceeds 1.5 million. Their small population size, small land size and location, mostly on coastal or Islands may act as a disadvantage to their rapid economic growth and makes them susceptible to the effects of external economic issues. Notwithstanding the disadvantages, some of them have enjoyed rapid growth over time and are classified as developed nations. This study examines the effect of aid, foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic investment (DI) on economic growth in SS. Among SS, aid hurts the economic progress in underdeveloped countries. However, DI and FDI have a favourable impact on economic growth. In developed SS, aid, DI and FDI independently do not positively influence economic growth, however, aid with FDI, aid with trade openness and aid with domestic investment and FDI promoted growth. In the total sample (developed and developing SS), aid discourages economic growth, but FDI and DI enhance economic growth. Also, aid together with FDI positively affects economic growth. Policies should therefore be directed at moving from accepting ‘consumption aid’ to ‘productive aid’, increasing the amount of net FDI and increase in DI

Knowledge application in Ghanaian industries

© The Author(s) 2013. The study sought to ascertain the factors influencing knowledge application in Ghanaian industries. The study employed a survey technique as the research design. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select 300 respondents. Questionnaire was the main data collection tool. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis. The study found that organizational culture, trust and absorptive capacity are the factors influencing knowledge application in Ghanaian industries. The strategic implications of the findings are discussed in the paper

Entrepreneurial orientation, passion for work, perceived environmental dynamism and firm performance in an emerging economy

Purpose - Previous scholarly studies have concluded that entrepreneurial orientation (EO) positively relates to firm performance and that relationship is dependent on several contingencies. The purpose of this paper is to show how managers’ passion for work and the external environment (i.e. environmental dynamism) within which firms operate interactively impact on EO-firm performance relationship. Design/methodology/approach - This theoretically derived research model is empirically validated using survey data from 250 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Ghana. Findings - The study’s empirical findings indicate that passion for work strengthens the EO-performance relationship in dynamic market environments. Research limitations/implications - The cross-sectional design of the study does not permit causal inferences to be made regarding the variables examined. Future studies may use longitudinal design to examine the causal links of the variables. Practical implications - The study’s findings provide managers with a deeper understanding of how to achieve superior product firm performance, especially when firms are entrepreneurially oriented. The understanding of this issue can promote the development and maintenance of further entrepreneurial ventures in developing economies. Originality/value - The paper has a strong theoretical value because to the best of authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the moderating role of passion for work on the relationship between EO and firm performance in dynamic environments.Samuel Adomako, Samuel Howard Quartey, Bedman Narte

Examining human resource practice outcomes and service innovation

© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This study sought to examine the relationship between human resource practice outcomes and service innovation. It also examines the moderating role of knowledge sharing in the relationship between workplace friendship and service innovation, as well as the mediating role of knowledge sharing in the relationship between job satisfaction and service innovation. The study employed survey research design. The respondents were selected from across the service industry in Ghana using convenience sampling technique. Items measuring the constructs were adapted from extant literature. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to ascertain the validity of the measurement model. Hierarchical regression was used to analyse the data. The results show that knowledge sharing, job satisfaction, workplace friendship, and employee commitment predict service innovation. However, the interaction of workplace friendship and knowledge sharing has no effect on service innovation. Similarly, the moderation of employee commitment and job satisfaction did not make any contribution to service innovation. The findings imply that service firms must create a friendly working environment, ensuring that employees are satisfied in order to promote service innovation. It also implies that service firms must promote social activities that encourage knowledge sharing, but these social activities must relate to employees’ job