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1 – 6 of 6Kingsley Ofosu-Ampong, Alexander Asmah, John Amoako Kani and Dzifa Bibi
This study investigates the determinants of digital census for population and housing census (PHC) program through the lens of performance expectancy, technology readiness…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the determinants of digital census for population and housing census (PHC) program through the lens of performance expectancy, technology readiness, self-efficacy and hedonic motivation for the upliftment of a national data collection exercise and development of human resource management.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative and qualitative research method was used to survey enumerators' responses from the PHC exercise during the COVID-19 period in Ghana. Based on the four determinants, a conceptual framework was developed consisting of eight proposed hypotheses tested through a structural equation model.
Findings
The findings of the study indicate that technological readiness, self-efficacy and hedonic motivation significantly influence behavioural intention to adopt digital technologies for PHC training and data collection. Importantly, the authors identified four key themes relating to digital technologies in PHC – personal enablers, general enablers, inherent affordances (inherent possibilities by the user in relation to what the technology offers in context) and personal inhibitors.
Originality/value
For research, this work systematizes antecedents from diverse research streams and validates their relative impact on government digital transformation for accurate data, thus providing a cohesive theoretical explanation of digital technologies in PHC. Due to the study's infancy in a developing country context, the findings provide a preliminary foundation and constructive insight for a digitalization plan conducive to people’s personality and technological readiness.
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Alexander Asmah and Williams Abayaawien Atuilik
Alternate remittance systems (ARS) are inherently not illegal; however, the nature of their activities has mostly been linked with money laundering and terrorist financing, which…
Abstract
Purpose
Alternate remittance systems (ARS) are inherently not illegal; however, the nature of their activities has mostly been linked with money laundering and terrorist financing, which raises several questions as to why businesses in Ghana rely on these systems to conduct their cross-border trade. The purpose of this study is seeks to understand the nature of ARS in Ghana and analyse why business owners rely on them for their transactions.
Design/methodology/approach
Three companies were selected for the case study analysis. This research paper used a qualitative data analysis for the study. Interviews, direct participant observation and documentary review were the main techniques for data collection. The multiple sources of evidence helped to reduce the potential bias of the single method.
Findings
This paper found that some businesses using the system in Ghana can acquire unsecured loans at little or no interest cost, which provides a good source of funding to support business growth. Unlike other studies, this study proves that in some instances, ARS operators transact business with the clients they do not, particularly trust. Within the context of this study, this paper found evidence that supports money laundering, but the underlining crime is mostly tax evasion. The adoption of the system is an attempt to disguise the proceeds of the tax evasion crime and clean them through business operations.
Research limitations/implications
This analysis was based on the strain theory from the perspective of the clients. Future studies can focus attention on the ARS operators and understand their perspectives. Several other fraud theories could be used as a lens to understand the phenomena in Ghana and other jurisdictions.
Practical implications
The study throws more light on a “secret” or an underground banking system that operates in Ghana. It provides insights that can guide regulatory authorities in their policy implementation. The need for stricter enforcement of the law has also been highlighted.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is original, as it focuses on a sector that is highly secretive but has significant implications on the Ghanaian economy.
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Francis Ansah, Patrick Swanzy, Regina Anuwah Obeng and Alexander Kwadwo Asmah
This study investigates the level of Ghanaian youth's interest in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) certification courses, using career outcome expectations and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the level of Ghanaian youth's interest in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) certification courses, using career outcome expectations and demographic characteristics such as age, gender and educational attainment, as framed by the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT).
Design/methodology/approach
Employing a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, the research engaged 691 youth selected through quota sampling. Data collection was conducted via computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI), and chi-square tests were used to analyse the relationships between demographic variables and interest in TVET.
Findings
The analysis revealed that 97% of respondents are interested in pursuing TVET courses. Interest levels were significantly associated with age, particularly among youth aged 10 -14 years and above 25 years but showed no significant differences based on gender or educational attainment. The results also show that a greater proportion (64%) of the respondents prefer self-employment careers to formal employment-seeking careers (36%) after completing TVET certification courses.
Research limitations/implications
The study’s cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data from a specific geographical area limits the generalizability of findings to broader contexts.
Practical implications
The high interest in TVET among the youth suggests a need to increase investment in TVET infrastructure and curriculum development to meet this demand.
Social implications
The absence of significant gender differences in TVET interest suggests progress toward gender equality in vocational education, which could contribute to reducing occupational segregation.
Originality/value
This study uniquely contributes to the literature by applying SCCT to explore how demographic characteristics and career outcome expectations converge to influence young people's interest in TVET in a non-Western context. It extends the applicability of SCCT, demonstrating its relevance in understanding the dynamics of TVET attractiveness among youth in Ghana.
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Alexander Ekow Asmah, Williams Abayaawien Atuilik and Dominic Ofori
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents and consequences of employee fraud, focusing on the banking industry in Ghana.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents and consequences of employee fraud, focusing on the banking industry in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
A major bank was selected for the case study analysis. The researchers used qualitative data analysis for the study. Content analysis of investigation reports and interviews of employees from different functional areas were used as the main data collection tools.
Findings
This study found that loans contracted by bank employees with huge repayment amounts put financial pressure on them to commit fraud. The study also found that inadequate controls in some areas of the bank can fuel the commission of fraud. In addition, aggrieved employees have a high propensity of committing fraud. Huge punitive consequences were noted to exist for employees who perpetrate fraud, and shareholders are also affected by the fraudulent behaviour of employees.
Research limitations/implications
Findings shown in the study confirm the hypotheses of the fraud triangle theory on the causes of fraud despite its criticisms. The findings are also consistent with extant studies on the antecedents and consequences of fraud. The use of one bank for the case study analysis as well as the three-year analysis period impose a limitation on the study. Future studies can explore fraud using other different theoretical lenses. Gathering data from more than one bank and for a longer period of analysis may provide more accurate results.
Practical implications
This study provides some recommendations for fraud prevention in the banking industry in Ghana. The major one is the need for the central bank to collaborate with financial institutions to set up an effective creditworthiness system that will aid the monitoring of activities of the banks. Banks should also ensure that systems of controls are reviewed regularly to identify and deal with fraud.
Originality/value
This study is original, as it focuses on an industry that is highly susceptible to fraud due to issues of confidentiality with data and with scanty literature on fraud.
Alexander Ekow Asmah, Williams Abayaawien Atuilik and Dominic Ofori
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents and consequences of employee fraud, focusing on the banking industry in Ghana.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents and consequences of employee fraud, focusing on the banking industry in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
A major bank was selected for the case study analysis. The researchers employed qualitative data analysis for the study. Content analysis of investigation reports and interviews of employees from different functional areas were used as the main data collection tools.
Findings
This study found that loans contracted by bank employees with huge repayment amounts put financial pressure on them to commit fraud. The study also found that inadequate controls in some areas of the bank can fuel the commission of fraud. In addition, aggrieved employees have highly chances of committing fraud. Huge punitive consequences were noted to exist for the employee who perpetrates the fraud and shareholders are also affected by the fraudulent behaviour of employees.
Research limitations/implications
Findings shown in the study confirm the hypotheses of the fraud triangle theory on the causes of fraud in spite of its criticisms. The findings are also consistent with extant studies on the antecedents and consequences of fraud. The use of one bank for the case study analysis as well as the three-year analysis period imposes a limitation on the study. Future studies can explore fraud using other different theoretical lenses. Gathering data from more than one bank and for a longer period of analysis may provide more accurate results.
Practical implications
This study provides some recommendations for fraud prevention in the banking industry in Ghana. The major one is the need for the central bank to collaborate with financial institutions to set up an effective credit worthiness system that will aid the monitoring of activities of the banks. Banks should also ensure that systems of controls are reviewed regularly to identify and deal with fraud.
Originality/value
This study is original, as it focuses on an industry that is highly susceptible to fraud because of issues of confidentiality with data and with the scanty literature on fraud.
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The purpose of this paper is to take a student-centred perspective to understanding the range of ways that students respond to receiving information about their learning…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to take a student-centred perspective to understanding the range of ways that students respond to receiving information about their learning behaviours presented on a dashboard. It identifies four principles to inform the design of dashboards which support learner agency and empowerment, features which Prinsloo and Slade (2016) suggest are central to ethical adoption of learning analytics.
Design/methodology/approach
The study involved semi-structured interviews with 24 final-year undergraduates to explore the students’ response to receiving dashboards that showed the students’ achievement and other learning behaviours.
Findings
The paper identifies four principles that should be used when designing and adopting learner dashboards to support student agency and empowerment.
Research limitations/implications
The study was based on a small sample of undergraduate students from the final year from one academic school. The data are based on students’ self-reporting.
Practical implications
The paper suggests that these four principles are guiding tenets for the design and implementation of learner dashboards in higher education. The four principles are: designs that are customisable by students; foregrounds students sense making; enables students to identify actionable insights; and dashboards are embedded into educational processes.
Originality/value
The paper’s originality is that it illuminates student-centred principles of learner dashboard design and adoption.
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