The adoption of the marketing concept by the United Kingdom and Ghanaian banks.

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Comparison of some traits of economic importance in tilapias (Orechromis niloticus and Sarotherodon galilaeus) with particular reference to their culture in Ghana

This study was conducted to determine which of the two major tilapia species in freshwater capture fisheries in Ghana, Oreochromis niloticus or Sarotherodon galilaeus, is more suitable for breed improvement and pond culture. It compares traits of economic importance, including seed output, specific growth rate, survival and sex ratios following androgen sex reversal. The results of the study showed that the aquaculture potential of S. galilaeus compares favorably with that of O. niloticus. However, S. galilaeus may be preferred because the males and females have an equal growth rate, which allows for manual sorting to raise both sexes in monosex culture, an inexpensive appropriate technology that an ordinary smallscale fish farmer can apply

Allocation of Classroom Space Using Linear Programming (A Case Study: Premier Nurses Training College, Kumasi)

The use of linear programming to solve the problem of over-allocation and under-allocation of the scarce classroom space was considered with particular reference to the Premier Nurse’s Training College, Kumasi. Data was collected from the College on the classroom facilities and the number of students per programme. A linear programming model was formulated based on the data collected to maximize the usage of the limited classroom space. POM-QM for Windows 4 (Software for Quantitative Methods, Production and Operation Management by Howard J. Weiss) was used based on the simplex algorithm to obtain optimal solution.Analysis of the results showed that six (50%) of the twelve classrooms could be used to create a maximum classroom space of six hundred and forty.  It was also observed that the management could use two hundred and eighty (280) surplus spaces to increase its student’s intake from three hundred and sixty (360) to six hundred and forty (640) students, an increase of about 77.78% with only 50% of the total number of classrooms. Again management could cut down the number of classrooms used from twelve to six and reduce the cost of maintaining the classrooms by 50% and still have as many as six extra classrooms for other equally important purposes, hence maximize its profit margin. Keywords: Linear programming, Allocation, Optimal solution, Simplex Algorithm, Premier Nurse’s Training College.

Corporate Social and Environmental Auditing: Perceived Responsibility or Regulatory Requirement?

This paper aims to explore and develop understanding of auditing specifically in the context of social and environmental disclosures by corporate entities. The paper is framed within a theoretical conception and is primarily literature-based. The purpose is to seek an understanding of the basis of financial auditors carrying out social and environmental audit in order to provide a basis for future research work. The study finds that, aside regulatory issues, one major motivating factor for auditors conducting social and environmental audit is as a result of and the relationship between the audit company and the society and/or stakeholder groups of interest. The study establishes that, even though statutory auditors as part of their work have also embraced the reviewing of social and environmental disclosures by management, for now, there are no regulatory standards backing the concept. The study therefore calls on accountancy regulatory bodies on the need for immediate formulation and implementation of standard policy to that effect. The implications of the study relate to the need to improve the insightfulness of social and environmental reporting and the possibility of the accounting literature offering more insights to the social and environmental auditing. Keywords: Social audit, Environmental audit, Corporate Disclosure

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

How Consumers’ Make Purchase Decisions with the Use of Reference Points

How consumers form their preferences has been triggered the notion of scientists as many internal and external influencing variables interact jointly during the decision-making process. One such influence variable is the use of consumer referents or reference points. Till today, the examination of reference hasn’t been examined thoroughly from the domain of consumer decision-making process, as in the literature; there is a lack of research to examine the use of reference points in a wider variety of attributes, targeted to specific decision-making sequences. As such, the current research introduces a new approach on trying to examine the effects of reference points (RPs) on consumer buying decision process that rely on three time frame dimensions, ex-ante, ex-interium and ex-post. Most prior research on reference points from a consumer perspective has focused on the effects of possible prospects following the principles of what is called in the scientific community “prospect theory” or “mental accounting theory”.The methodology that has been adopted is a case study analysis following the principles of Bayesian analysis that tries to bring out the effects of reference points in the consumer purchasing decision process. The results indicate that consumer’ preferences of reference points are determined and structured during the whole buying decision process and can be altered according to potential signals and biased ways. These implications lead us to examine the laddering of RPs beyond the physical or tangible attributes. Knowledge of the consumers’ assessment, about the use of the triangle framework of reference points, could be effectively used by different policy makers, in order to promote and guide consumers in a more efficient way. Therefore, several future avenues for casual modeling practice have opened. Keywords: Reference Points, prospect theory, cognition, Bayesian Analysis DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/68-05 Publication date:May 31st 202

Classroom Factors that Affects the Performance of Integrated Science Students at the Junior High School in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to find out the opinions of public and private Junior High School science teachers on the classroom factors that affect performance of students in integrated science in public and private junior high schools in the Kumasi metropolis. The study used descriptive survey designed. The sampling procedure employed for the study was both random and purposive sampling. While the integrated science teachers were purposively sampled due to their subject they teach, the students were randomly selected. Questionnaire and interview were used for data collection. It was found out that integrated science teachers to be aware that classroom factors such as teacher-student relationship, availability of science resource materials, teaching methods employed by teachers, class size, supervision and physical infrastructure are likely to affect performance of students in integrated science at the J.H.S. level. Again, the findings revealed that the selected public schools within the Kumasi metropolis were well resourced with the following: adequate physical infrastructure, adequate science resource materials, adequate science text books and adequate trained science teachers as against their private school counterparts with inadequate physical infrastructure, inadequate science resource materials, inadequate science text books and few trained science teachers. It was recommended that effective supervision must be performed regularly by heads of schools during integrated science lessons. The heads of the public JHS especially, those in the Kumasi metropolis must be made to regularly ensure that their science teachers teach very well during integrated science lessons. Keywords: Laboratory, Performance, Classroom factor

The Effect of Culture on the Teaching and Learning of Science at the Basic Schools in Ghana

The purpose of the study was to investigate how culture influences the teaching and learning of science at the basic schools in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region, East Akim Municipality of the Eastern Region and the Kwabre District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The research design used for this study was descriptive survey. The sampling procedure employed for the study was the purposive sampling. A total of three hundred and thirty (330) subjects were selected, made up of three hundred (300) students and thirty (30) science teachers. The instruments used for collecting data for the study consisted of questionnaire, interview and observation schedules. It was found out that students had cultural knowledge they use in explaining phenomena. Teachers were aware of student’s cultural knowledge especially in explaining concepts. It was recommended that teachers should teach their students bearing in mind their cultural knowledge and incorporate that in their teaching. Keywords: Culture, Cultural knowledge, Scientific concept, Taboos

Predicting Household Standard of Living in Techiman North District: The Role of Income

In fact, there are marked inequalities in the standards of living of the people in different countries of the world.  The extent of differences in the levels of living between two countries can be known from the comparison of per capita income in both countries, because, it is the per capita income on which the standard of living of a people primarily depends.  Households in relation to the standard of living of people form an integral part of most economies. Ghanaian households can be classified into the compound housing type, with common dwelling types in all regions being detached houses, the semi-detached houses and block of flats or apartments. In view of that the study sought to find out the role of income in predicting household standard of living.  The study used a sample size of 400 respondents across the inhabitants of Techiman North District. The study sampled only marriage couples with a family size (i.e. with children).  The study adopted both descriptive (i.e. bar and pie charts as well as scatter plot correlational analysis) and quantitative methods (i.e. Logit regression and spearman’s rank correlation test e.t.c) to analyzed the data. A random sampling method was used to solicit for information from married couples with children in the study area. The study find out that larger family size is a threat to a good standard of living. The further find out that the income, age and gender had a positive effect on all the standard of living factors (i.e. savings, ability to meet all basic needs e.t.c). In relation to the various findings, for every household to save, build a house, meet their basic needs and able to buy a car all depends on the household income or available resources. In view of this, the study further recommends that, before any marriage license or certificate is issued, stakeholders should make sure that the partners are all working in order to earn income for the future and the living condition of their family members to be enhanced. Keywords: Standard of Living, Savings, Basic needs, Household and Incom

Mapping the Internal Supply Chain for Educational Institutions. A Case Study of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Tertiary education plays a major strategic role in national development and economic growth. Public universities now have to manage their institution efficiently in line with limited funding and growing competition from the growing private universities. Universities therefore have to find the best business practices to improve on its internal operational efficiencies. Identifying and understanding the Internal Supply Chain (ISC) Frame work of an organization is an effective management tool. The study is an exploratory one mainly because of scanty literature on supply chain management in the education sector.  The study adopted the case study method, using the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. Data collected through semi-structured interviews for specific academic and administrative staff. The study revealed that a value chain existed for the internal operations of KNUST and also an ISC framework for KNUST’s processes was possible and a map also identify that the ineffective flow of information within the university seems to affects its operations.  It was recommended that for efficient operation of the Internal Supply Chain (ISC) of KNUST, there needed to be optimal information flow as well as materials (Human, Financial and Physical resources) flow throughout the university. Keywords: Supply Chain Management, Internal Supply chain, Education, Value chain