This research analyses the linkages between green manufacturing (GM) and manufacturing performance (MP) dimensions comprising sustainable performance (SuP) (economic [EcP], social…
Abstract
Purpose
This research analyses the linkages between green manufacturing (GM) and manufacturing performance (MP) dimensions comprising sustainable performance (SuP) (economic [EcP], social [SP] and environmental [ENP]) and operational performance (OP) with supply chain alertness (SCAL) and supply chain preparedness (SCP) as mediators.
Design/methodology/approach
This deductive-quantitative approach embraces the explanatory design. It analyses 285 datasets gathered from structured questionnaires via structural equation modelling.
Findings
The study found that GM, SCAL and SCP significantly improve manufacturing firms' operational and sustainable performance. Also, SCP and SCAL partially mediate the GM-MP correlations among manufacturing firms in Ghana, a developing economy.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is limited to the quantitative methodologies given its relevance in examining causal relationships among constructs. Also, it was conducted within the scope of manufacturing firms in developing economies, specifically Ghana. Despite the limitations, the study's outcomes imply that manufacturing firms can perform well in sustainable and operational aspects if they prioritise green manufacturing practices, supply chain preparedness and alertness.
Practical implications
This research offers new insights into the significant contributions of adopting the GM practice to MP (SuP and OP). Also, it advocates for more investments into GM, SCAL and SCP to ensure sustainability in today's highly disruptive manufacturing environment, leading to superior manufacturing performance. The study provides relevant directions for policymakers, industry players and supply chain practitioners in adopting GM throughout their production processes to attain manufacturing performance targets.
Social implications
By advocating for sustainable manufacturing practices like green, the study contributes to a cleaner environment, resource conservation, and ultimately, a more sustainable future. The shift towards eco-friendly production methods can influence public attitudes towards manufacturing and promote environmentally conscious practices.
Originality/value
The study's originality lies in examining the mediation roles of SCAL and SCP on the GM-MP nexus of manufacturing industries in a developing economy, where environmental sustainability and disruptions along supply chains are becoming major concerns.
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Richard Kofi Opoku, Ramatu Issifu, Daniel Ofori, Sania Wafa and Alfred Asiedu
Although literature abounds on lean sustainability (LS), its contributions to manufacturing industries’ triple bottom line performance (TBLP) through top management commitment…
Abstract
Purpose
Although literature abounds on lean sustainability (LS), its contributions to manufacturing industries’ triple bottom line performance (TBLP) through top management commitment (TMC) remain scanty. This research explores the mediating role of TMC in the nexus between LS and TBLP.
Design/methodology/approach
Given the study’s quantitative focus, the causal design was utilised. The structured questionnaire, a survey instrument, was used to gather primary data from 285 manufacturing organisations in Ghana, a developing country. Data analysis was done with structural equation modelling.
Findings
It was found that LS and TMC positively influence TBLP, whereas TMC partially mediates the connection between LS and TBLP of Ghanaian manufacturing organisations.
Research limitations/implications
The study concentrates on Ghana’s manufacturing industry and embraces the stakeholder theory and quantitative methods.
Practical implications
This research underlines why top managers must prioritise investment in LS to promote sustainable development and attain their organisations’ TBLP targets. The study also provides key insights for top managers to consistently commit enormous resources towards developing lean practices, contributing favourably to TBLP. By establishing the interplay among LS, TMC and TBLP, manufacturing practitioners and researchers can further advance new strategies to address the growing sustainability concerns and achieve higher economic, social and environmental performance.
Originality/value
The study’s originality lies in analysing the mediation effect of TMC on the linkage between LS and TBLP in a developing economy where manufacturing organisations are continuously exposed to resource and waste management problems and lack adequate commitments from top managers towards sustainability initiatives. It is also the first to establish relationships between top management commitment and TBLP in the manufacturing industries of developing economies, concentrating on Ghana.
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Divine Kwaku Ahadzie, Richard Opoku, Stephen Nana Opoku Ware and Henry Mensah
The use of air-conditioners (ACs) is on the increase in the developing world, with exacerbating compounding effect on carbon footprints. With this development, there is the…
Abstract
Purpose
The use of air-conditioners (ACs) is on the increase in the developing world, with exacerbating compounding effect on carbon footprints. With this development, there is the expectation that developing countries would begin to appreciate and understand occupant behaviours in the use of ACs towards combating climate change, especially as building energy consumption is heavily influenced by the behaviour of its occupants. This study aims to identify occupant behaviours that leads to efficient use of ACs in public buildings so that these can be factored into developing guidelines for improving energy efficiency in buildings.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), survey questionnaire was used to collect data in office buildings in Kumasi, Ghana. Partial least squares–structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis was employed for the analysis.
Findings
Switching on fan(s) as alternative to ACs has a path coefficient of 0.527, suggesting that it will have the most positive impact on energy consumption as far as AC use is concerned. The second occupant behaviour with a positive impact on energy consumption for AC use is opening windows for natural ventilation accounting for 0.351 significant path coefficient. Wearing of light or heavy clothing as a means of conserving energy achieved 0.174 impact coefficient while occupant behaviour of switching off ACs when leaving the room came last in the ranking, with an impact coefficient of 0.146. TBP is validated in this model, given that all the four occupant behaviours had their perceived behavioural control (PBC) having less impact on the behaviour compared to the behavioural attitude (BA) and the subjective norm (SN).
Research limitations/implications
This research focused on public buildings used as offices, and the findings may not be applicable to private company buildings and also residential properties. Given that Ghana and, for that matter, many developing countries rely heavily on thermal plant for electricity generation, the climate change implications of the findings are discussed.
Practical implications
It is recommended that behaviours of occupants should be considered and factored in building energy predictions to bridge the energy performance gap. Subsequently, project managers, designers and energy consultants are encouraged to provide fans and openable windows in offices, even if there is going to be an air-conditioning provisions.
Originality/value
Originality emanates from the paper being at the forefront of helping to understand occupants' behaviour in the use ACs and associated climate change implications in a developing country context. One of the new variables introduced, switching on fans as an alternative to ACs, achieved the highest path coefficient and has important implication for occupant behaviour in the use of ACs in the literature.
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Richard Kofi Opoku, Gloria Kakrabah-Quarshie Agyapong and Abdulai Alhassan
This research investigates the role of customer involvement (CINV) in customer relationship management (CRM) dimensions and customer retention (CR) in Ghana’s hotel industry.
Abstract
Purpose
This research investigates the role of customer involvement (CINV) in customer relationship management (CRM) dimensions and customer retention (CR) in Ghana’s hotel industry.
Design/methodology/approach
This quantitative-based explanatory research obtained primary data via structured questionnaires from 277 hotel customers in Ghana, processed it with SmartPLS4.0 software, and analysed it with structural equation modelling.
Findings
CRM dimensions (CRM-based technology, managing knowledge and personalisation of services) and CINV positively affect CR. Also, CINV partially mediates the interactions between the CRM dimensions and CR in Ghana’s hotel industry.
Research limitations/implications
The study is geographically limited to hotels in Ghana and conceptually limited to three CRM dimensions, CINV and CR. Methodologically, the study was limited to the quantitative approach. However, our outcomes imply that hotels in Ghana that invest in relevant CRM dimensions would improve CR. CRM-CR association can also be improved through CINV.
Practical implications
The study outcomes imply that when Ghanaian hotels implement the CRM dimensions and foster active CINV, their customers’ retention will improve significantly. Hence, CRM and CINV are prerequisites for enhancing CR in Ghana’s hotel industry.
Originality/value
The study offers valuable contributions to the current literature on CRM, consumer behaviour and hospitality management, especially in a developing economy context. Its novel contribution, the mediating role of CINV, would advance CRM studies in the hospitality sector.
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Edmond Yeboah Nyamah, Yi Feng, Evelyn Yeboah Nyamah, Richard Kofi Opoku and Matilda Ewusi
This paper employs the positivism paradigm, quantitative approach and explanatory research design. It analyses primary data obtained from manufacturing firms via structured…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper employs the positivism paradigm, quantitative approach and explanatory research design. It analyses primary data obtained from manufacturing firms via structured questionnaires and uses the partial least square-structural equation modelling technique to establish the effect of individual procurement process risk on procurement performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Procurement risks are inevitable in manufacturing procurement process; a situation that could undermine the performance of manufacturing firms if not properly managed. Yet, with procurement accounting of about 14–19% of developing countries gross domestic product, the effects of procurement process risk on performance remain scarce in manufacturing firms in developing countries. Therefore, the paper aims to investigate the effect of procurement process risk on procurement performance of manufacturing firms.
Findings
In this paper, five out of the six procurement process risks studied were found to be undermining procurement performance of manufacturing firms significantly. However, the risk threshold effect on the performance differs.
Research limitations/implications
Although this research is geographically/sector bias, several insightful managerial implications can be drawn to manage procurement process risk in manufacturing settings irrespective of the area of operation. The results of this research imply that manufacturing firms' procurement process is risk prone and the effect of risk surrounding each procurement process on procurement performance differs. Hence, the need to identify and analyse the risks surrounding each procurement process before making managerial decision to spend firms limited resources in response to the individual risk to improve procurement performance in the manufacturing sector.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to provide existing and future procuring practitioners/firms with in-depth empirical evidence of the effect of the procurement process risks on procurement performance in manufacturing firms operating in developing economies.
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Precious Dapaah Opoku, Richard Kwasi Bannor and Helena Oppong-Kyeremeh
The purpose of this paper was to analyse the demographic, crop choice, institutional and environmental factors that will influence the vegetable growers in Bono and Ahafo regions…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to analyse the demographic, crop choice, institutional and environmental factors that will influence the vegetable growers in Bono and Ahafo regions of Ghana to produce organic vegetables. The study also assessed the knowledge level of vegetable growers on organic certification processes.
Design/methodology/approach
Primary data were collected with the help of a structured questionnaire from 120 vegetable growers via a multistage sampling technique. The Heckman selection model was used to analyse the factors that influence farmers' willingness to adopt organic production as well as the intensity of adoption.
Findings
In this study, pepper (Capsicum spp) production, residential status, knowledge of organic certification processes, perceived negative environmental effect of conventional farming on the soil, and climate change positively influenced willingness to produce organic vegetables. Likewise, pepper production perceived negative environmental effect of conventional farming on the soil positively influenced the intensity of adoption. Household headship status, garden egg (Solanum integrifolium) production, perceived knowledge on grading and standards of vegetables, as well as the perception that only pesticides can be used to control vegetable pests negatively influenced the willingness to produce organic vegetables however perceived expertise of the farmer on grades and standards influenced intensity of adoption negatively.
Originality/value
In Ghana, even though most vegetable farmers do not have the requisite knowledge in the safe handling of pesticides, usage is widespread. Subsequent to this, is a health risk to farmers, consumers and the environment. As a result, there is a growing awareness that organic agriculture has a role to play in addressing problems associated with agrochemical use and over usage. However, most studies are consumer oriented with limited empirical research on the willingness to produce organics by farmers.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2019-0723
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Faisal Iddris, Philip Opoku Mensah, Richard Asiedu and Henry Kofi Mensah
The purpose of this study was to examine students’ innovation capability in virtual team projects from the COVID-19 pandemic era.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine students’ innovation capability in virtual team projects from the COVID-19 pandemic era.
Design/methodology/approach
The researchers conducted an empirical study and the data were collected from a total of 308 participants engaging in virtual team projects. A structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the relationship of the conceptual framework.
Findings
The findings showed that virtual team culture positively influenced propensity to innovate. Also, knowledge management and communication influenced propensity to innovate through the mediation of support for innovation.
Practical implications
Developing a strategy for propensity to innovate in any organization demands that project team members should be able to seamlessly communicate. Developing knowledge management, communication and support for innovation strategy in a virtual team may prepare an organization for permanently different post-pandemic events and the future turbulent business environment.
Originality/value
This study highlights innovation capability for the propensity to innovate, a topic that is not widely researched, especially in the context of virtual teams.
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Atta Brenya Bonsu, Kingsley Opoku Appiah, Prince Gyimah and Richard Owusu-Afriyie
The study explores the current public sector accountability practices in sub-Saharan African region. Specifically, this study assesses whether accountability is related to…
Abstract
Purpose
The study explores the current public sector accountability practices in sub-Saharan African region. Specifically, this study assesses whether accountability is related to integrity, internal control system and leadership in the public sector of a developing country.
Design/methodology/approach
Structural equation model (SEM) is used to predict the drivers of public accountability in a developing country. A survey design with quantitative analysis is used to analyze responses from directors or heads of agencies or departments in the ministries of a developing country.
Findings
The result shows that integrity, internal control and leadership practices positively and significantly impact public accountability. These findings suggest that public accountability in the developing economic context is a function of these aforementioned factors to ensure efficient public sector accountability and governance. The findings could assist policymakers in Sub-Saharan African country to enhance accountability among different departments and agencies of government.
Originality/value
This study makes an important contribution by providing evidence of drivers of public accountability from the perspective of public sector entities in Sub-Saharan African country, to complement the extant literature that has focused largely on developed economies
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Raphael Odoom, Bedman Narteh and Richard Boateng
Given the significant contributions of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across several economies, calls for investigations into their branding strategies are burgeoning…
Abstract
Purpose
Given the significant contributions of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across several economies, calls for investigations into their branding strategies are burgeoning. However, the literature is unclear, scattered and relatively scanty. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the existing literature on branding with a focus on SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a systematic review by identifying and evaluating peer-reviewed journal publications focusing on branding within the context of SMEs. The systematic design is based on papers published within the period of 2004-2014.
Findings
The review shows that significant progress is being made in the area under discussion. With several gaps in issues and empirical evidence, as well as in theoretical and methodological approaches, the paper signals promising lines of inquiry for both empirical and theoretical research.
Research limitations/implications
By highlighting the research issues, as well as providing some pertinent research questions across various themes, the paper aims at directing future research efforts to critical areas which require immediate attention. The implications of the review are discussed in the paper.
Originality/value
The study identifies and describes the state of research issues and evidence in branding literature within the context of SMEs over a 10-year period, prompting insightful avenues to the academic and practitioner communities.