Assessing the use of e-business strategies by SMEs in Ghana during the Covid-19 pandemic

Purpose: The main purpose of this quantitative research was to assess various e-business strategies implored by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana during the Covid-19 pandemic. Research methodology: It made use of a descriptive design. Data was collected with the use of a structured questionnaire, analysed with excel and presented in tables and figures. Results: The study revealed that small business owners have knowledge of e-business models with the most popular e-business model used being the Business to Consumer (B2C) model, while the least used model was the Business to Government (B2G) model. While imploring the use of e-business models and strategies, SMEs were faced with the challenge of very limited knowledge on the use of e-business strategies. Limitations: The study was limited to businesses in the Tema Metropolitan Assembly of Ghana. Contribution: Most of the SMEs were established in the traditional setting of business operations therefore there was little or no plan for integrating the internet in their operations. However, the pandemic has shifted their attention to adopting some virtual traction to their businesses for the benefit it offers such as continuous sales and more visibility. Further research on how each of the various concepts was used by SMEs is highly recommended

Entrepreneurship education and personality traits as predictors of entrepreneurial intention: A qualitative approach

Purpose: The study explored entrepreneurship education and personality traits as predictors of entrepreneurial intention among final-year undergraduate students of a private institution in Ghana. Research methodology: A qualitative research approach was used in a case study design for this research. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from final-year students pursuing an undergraduate program in Information Technology from a private tertiary institution in Ghana. Observation and focus group discussions were used to collect data over a period of ten weeks. Results: Results indicated that though all students were exposed to the same tuition, course content and assessments; the level of entrepreneurial intention varied. Some groups of students wanted to pursue entrepreneurial ventures immediately after school; others wanted to start a business venture while they were still in school pursuing their first degree. Another set preferred to work as employees for a few years before pursuing entrepreneurship. The final group preferred to be employed throughout their working life with the aim of rising through the ranks as employees; with all the various groups showing a variety of personality traits. Limitations: The study was limited to final-year undergraduate students of a private institution in Ghana. Contribution: Educators, who specialize in training students in entrepreneurship need to focus more on orienting students to effectively manage their individual personality traits in ways that will ensure successful entrepreneurship careers. Novelty: This study qualitatively shows the varied levels at which entrepreneurship education affects students’ entrepreneurial intentions based on their personality traits

Commercial banks’ profitability and portfolio management in Ghana

Purpose: The primary goal of the research was to assess the relationship between Ghanaian commercial banks' profitability and portfolio management. Research methodology: All nine of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE)'s listed banks were included in the population of this descriptive study. All nine banks were sampled. This study only considered data from financial statements and bank reports covering the five-year period between 2016 and 2021. Results: Results showed that asset investment has a positive effect on the financial performance of commercial banks in Ghana. Additionally, a positive effect of the loan portfolio on the commercial banks’ financial performance was found. It was finally discovered that asset investment affects the banks’ financial performance in a significantly positive way. Limitations: The study was limited to nine banks listed on the GSE. Contribution: It was concluded that when there is a good loan portfolio management policy, banks perform well and are profitable. Consequently, it is advised that top management and other stakeholders play a crucial role in achieving strategic goals by championing best practices in portfolio management and evaluating the sufficiency of effective portfolio management factors in an unbiased manner

E-leadership and adaptation to technological development of telecommunication businesses in Ghana

Purpose: The study examined the role of e-leadership in adapting to technological development. Research methodology: A mixed methods triangulation approach was used for the study. Quantitative data was collected from 297 customers and 146 employees of telecommunication companies in Ghana using a questionnaire. For qualitative data, 12 respondents were interviewed. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics for IBM SPSS Statistics 24. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: It was found that e-leadership discourages face-to-face interactions. Leaders tend to employ the use of social media when communicating with team members during rapid technological development. Virtual teams are employed while completing projects. Managers show empathy, provide effective supervision and are always available online to assist virtual team members who happen to encounter challenges, in a timely manner. Limitations: This study was limited to employees and customers of telecommunication companies in Ghana. Contribution: This research has exposed that E-leadership positively affects the productivity of virtual team members, who tend to face challenges during technological advancement. This implies that with e-leadership, the level of difficulty faced while adapting to rapid technological development is significantly reduced. Novelty: There is a need for managers to be consistent with the application of the e-leadership concept no matter how sophisticated technology gets. It is therefore recommended that managers continue with the use of e-leadership while providing guidance for challenged virtual team members

Technology and banking operations: Perspectives of international students in a Ghanaian University

Purpose: The study analysed perceptions of international students in a Ghanaian private university college on the effect of information technology on banking operations as they have experienced it in Ghana. Research methodology: A mixed methods research approach was used for this study. Data were collected from 60 international students who were sampled randomly from the population of international students in the college. Descriptive statistics from IBM SPSS Statistics 24 was used to analyse quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Results: Findings showed that even though information technology affects banking operations positively by making operations efficient, easier and faster for both employees and customers; it has increased the rate of fraudulent banking activities. This has exposed clients and employees alike, to a higher risk of fraud and other fraud-related activities. Limitations: This study was limited to international students of a private university college in Ghana. Data were collected from an online survey; hence a limitation to the number of international students who participated in the study. Contribution: Despite the fact that information technology influences banking operations in Ghana positively, it has resulted in increased fraudulent activities related to banking operations. This requires that policymakers improve online security in the banking space. Novelty: There is an emphasis that though technology’s use in banking operations has a positive effect, it also presents banking institutions with an increased risk of fraud as perceived by international students schooling in a private tertiary institution in Ghana

The role of personality differences in achieving organisational productivity

Purpose: This study examines the role of personality differences in organizational productivity. Specifically, the study examined the level of acceptance of individual differences, ascertained how individuals relate to each other to attain preset productivity levels and assessed how personality differences translate into organizational productivity. Research methodology: Using a quantitative research approach and case study design, data were collected from 190 employees through simple random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics from IBM SPSS Statistics 24 and are presented in the tables. Results: The results showed a high level of acceptance of individual differences, even though leaders mostly failed to adjust to employee differences. It was also found that, although leaders did not invest in employee relations programs, personality differences positively affected organizational productivity. The findings also reveal that employees are creative in managing resources and materials for production, explaining the significant influence of personality differences on productivity. Limitations: The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics only. Therefore, no inferences can be made. This study was limited to the employees of the Ghana Meteorological Agency. Contribution: Organizational leaders need to become more tolerant of individual employee differences, as this goes a long way to improve organizational productivity. Future studies should consider other industries in which the workforce is more diverse. Novelty: This study highlighted the role of personality differences in achieving organizational productivity with evidence from the Ghana Meteorological Agency