Judith Callanan, Rebecca Leshinsky, Dulani Halvitigala and Effah Amponsah
This paper examines gender diversity in the Australian valuation industry from the perspective of valuers in senior management and leadership roles and discusses gender diversity…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines gender diversity in the Australian valuation industry from the perspective of valuers in senior management and leadership roles and discusses gender diversity policies and practices in their organisations. Then, it explores the initiatives that can be implemented to improve gender diversity in the Australian valuation industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A focus group discussion was conducted with valuers in senior management and leadership roles from selected large valuation firms and government valuation agencies in Melbourne, Australia. Data collected through the focus group discussion was combined with secondary data sourced from journals, online articles and archival materials.
Findings
The findings reveal that whilst gender diversity in the Australian valuation industry has improved over the years, females remain underrepresented. Nonetheless, whilst some valuation companies have recognised the need to address the underrepresentation of women and introduced specific gender-focussed human resource policies and practices, these initiatives are not streamlined and implemented across the industry.
Research limitations/implications
The study highlights the need for closer collaboration between key stakeholders such as universities, professional associations, valuation companies and government agencies in devising strategies to attract female talents into the valuation industry.
Originality/value
The paper is the first empirical study to assess gender diversity in the Australian valuation industry from the perspective of valuers in management and leadership roles. The proposed policies can inform future initiatives to improve gender diversity in the valuation industry.
Details
Keywords
Effah Amponsah, Dulani Halvitigala, Hyemi Hwang and Chris Eves
This paper aims to examine the compensation practices and the valuation methods valuers apply in the context of the current legal framework for expropriation to assess…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the compensation practices and the valuation methods valuers apply in the context of the current legal framework for expropriation to assess compensation for farms impacted by mining in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
Compensation reports and archival materials were examined to identify the issues related to the valuation methods, compensation practices and expropriation procedures in the mining sector. Interviews were then conducted with 35 farmers and farmers' representatives, officials of mining companies, representatives of the Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission and valuers/researchers on the issues identified through the document analysis.
Findings
The results reveal that the lack of express standards for assessing compensation for mining-impacted crops has occasioned variations in the valuation methods and the standard crop population for compensation. The study further reveals the impacts of exchange rate distortions on crop compensation values.
Practical implications
The study empirically substantiates the arguments for a revised compensation regime in Ghana's mining sector. Valuers, mining companies and policymakers' awareness of this research will impact farm compensation valuation practices in the future.
Social implications
The adequacy of compensation for mining-impacted farmers remains a topical issue, especially in African countries. This research contributes to the literature and reveals the socio-economic impacts of the current compensation regime on the livelihoods of expropriated farmers.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to analyse the valuation methods, the compensation values and the key parameters valuers apply in assessing compensation for mining-impacted crops in Ghana.
Details
Keywords
Gideon Kwame Otchere, Rebecca Leshinsky, Dulani Halvitigala, Judith Callanan and Sarah Sinclair
Cladding has been used to improve the quality of buildings over the years. However, flammable cladding materials have presented safety risks and problems in some properties. About…
Abstract
Purpose
Cladding has been used to improve the quality of buildings over the years. However, flammable cladding materials have presented safety risks and problems in some properties. About 800 multi-owned buildings in Victoria have been identified as having flammable cladding. The purpose of this paper is to explore managing flammable cladding risk in multi-owned residential buildings in Melbourne.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopts a qualitative approach through focus groups of property stakeholders. Narratives from owners’ corporations, strata property managers, building committee members and lot owners were collected to elicit first-hand experiences in managing/living in problematic residential multi-owned properties.
Findings
This study suggests stakeholders experience an asymmetry in information access and availability regarding cladding risk information. Property managers indicated that cladding risk information is available, while other stakeholders, such as committee members, reported a lack of risk information to support informed decision-making for rectification. It was also identified that a lack of a transparent data register of cladding properties is problematic.
Practical implications
A targeted housing policy that effectively monitors occupant health and safety to guarantee building safety compliance would ensure current and future residential housing is fit for purpose. Also, this study recommends that local governments work with multi-owned developments to construct a live database of flammable cladding properties, categorizing properties with a risk rating to aid emergency services.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature on flammable cladding used in multi-owned properties.
Details
Keywords
Isaac Akomea-Frimpong, Xiaohua Jin, Robert Osei-Kyei and Augustine Senanu Kukah
The contribution of the public–private partnership (PPP) model towards the achievement of the United Nation (UN)'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been widely…
Abstract
Purpose
The contribution of the public–private partnership (PPP) model towards the achievement of the United Nation (UN)'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been widely acknowledged. However, limited studies have shed light on the connection between PPPs and the achievement of these coveted goals in Ghana. In this study, the authors aimed at analysing and synthesising the existing literature on the use of PPP to achieve sustainability in infrastructure projects in the country.
Design/methodology/approach
A three-step approach was used to retrieve and review 60 selected articles aided by content analysis.
Findings
The analysis showed that all existing relevant publications on the application of the PPP model to attain UN’s SDGs in the country are organised around dominant themes, such as poverty alleviation, urban development, waste management and risk management. However, the review revealed little studies exist on pertinent issues relating to PPPs and sustainable development goals, such as climate action, critical resilience, sustainable finance and clean energy.
Research limitations/implications
Although the study is limited to 60 articles in Ghana, the results reveal pertinent gaps for further research studies to achieve sustainable infrastructural development in Ghana and other countries.
Practical implications
Holistically, the outcome of this study will serve as a guide to project managers to understand essential issues on attaining sustainability on public projects.
Originality/value
This article contributes to the literature and practice on the significance of PPP in mainstreaming UN's SDGs in public infrastructure projects.
Details
Keywords
Josephine Sarpong-Nyantakyi, Patrick Osei-Poku and Eric Francis Eshun
Graduate unemployment is widely reported not only in Ghana but also across the globe. The purpose of this study is to examine the relevance of the HND Commercial Art Programme…
Abstract
Purpose
Graduate unemployment is widely reported not only in Ghana but also across the globe. The purpose of this study is to examine the relevance of the HND Commercial Art Programme, Graphic Design (CAPGD) option, to the graphic art industry and to determine the work readiness of graduates of HND CAPGD at the world of work.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative, evaluative case study research design was adopted to examine the perspectives of stakeholders of CAPGD. It was a multiple case study, which involved faculty members, graduates and industry-based supervisors. The study was conducted using in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to obtain in-depth interpretations and conclusions that reflected the perceptions of the stakeholders.
Findings
The qualitative results indicate that the existing curriculum, based on the old polytechnic educational system, does not provide adequate practical approach to teaching and learning processes. Hence the majority of graduates lack competencies to meet industry's expectations.
Research limitations/implications
The key limitation is lack of database on the HND Graphic Design graduates at Takoradi Technical University. This affected the data collection process as the HND Graphic Design graduate participants were not easily accessible, and, as such, much effort and risk were required to contact them. Considering the implication for education policy, the findings propose stakeholders' collaboration to ensure cross fertilization of ideas (Nwajiuba et al., 2020). Hence, a compilation of database could engender further study in this area and thus form the bases of a mixed method approach resulting in in-depth analysis for fresh insights into the study.
Originality/value
The findings provide unique insights into work readiness of Commercial Art graduates, specifically in Ghana, as it seeks to bridge a gap in literature.
Details
Keywords
Francis Kamewor Tetteh, John Mensah and Kwame Owusu Kwateng
Integrating green (sustainable) practices in logistics management play a crucial role in accelerating the transition to a circular economy, realizing its sustainability potential…
Abstract
Purpose
Integrating green (sustainable) practices in logistics management play a crucial role in accelerating the transition to a circular economy, realizing its sustainability potential and position in the net zero emission target by 2050. Over the past decade, this integration has attracted significant attention in both academic and industrial discourse. Despite the increasing recognition of the benefits of green logistics practices (GLPs), only a few firms have implemented green-oriented or sustainable logistics practices; hence, a comprehensive understanding of what could drive its implementation as well as how and when firms can benefit from GLPs is of key importance for theory, policy and practice. Drawing on dual theoretical lenses, this study investigated how supply chain ethical leadership (SCEL) could stimulate green logistics practices by building green core competencies (GCC) under varying conditions of corporate green culture (CGC).
Design/methodology/approach
An integrated model motivated by social learning and contingency theories was tested using responses from 208 managers of logistics firms in Ghana. SPSS 23 and covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) were used for data analyses.
Findings
Both SCEL and GCC significantly influenced GLPs. The findings also showed that GLPs significantly enhanced carbon-neutral supply chain performance (CNSCP). The results further showed that GCC mediates the SCEL–GLPs link. We also found that the effect of SCEL on GLPs was amplified at a high level of CGC.
Practical implications
This study offers fresh insight into how managers can leverage SCEL to support GLP and when they can also combine green competence and green culture to achieve enhanced benefits in the form of carbon-neutral SCP. This further implies that building ethical leadership and competencies alone may not be sufficient to drive superior emission reduction and subsequent sustainability; rather, cultivating a green-oriented culture that values sustainable logistics is crucial to fully realize the potential of ethical leadership and competencies in enabling the implementation of GLPs and subsequently enhancing carbon-neutral SCP.
Originality/value
The novelty of the present study lies in the integration of social learning and contingency theories to unearth the mechanism and conditional roles of green competence and green culture in optimizing the SCEL–GLPs–GLP relationship. The study is also among the few attempts to shed light on how firms can leverage GLPs to enhance carbon-neutral supply chain performance, which is rare.
Details
Keywords
Barış Armutcu, Ahmet Tan, Shirie Pui Shan Ho, Matthew Yau Choi Chow and Kimberly C. Gleason
Artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the future of the marketing world. This study is the first to examine the effect of AI marketing efforts, brand experience (BE) and brand…
Abstract
Purpose
Artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the future of the marketing world. This study is the first to examine the effect of AI marketing efforts, brand experience (BE) and brand preference (BP) in light of the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model.
Design/methodology/approach
The data collected from 398 participants by the questionnaire method were analyzed by SEM (structural equation modeling) using Smart PLS 4.0 and IBM SPSS 26 programs.
Findings
We find that four SOR elements of AI marketing efforts (information, interactivity, accessibility and personalization) positively impact bank customer BE, BP and repurchase intention (RPI). Further, we find that BE plays a mediator role in the relationship between AI marketing efforts, RPI and BP.
Originality/value
The findings of the study have significant implications for the bank marketing literature and the banking industry, given the limited evidence to date regarding AI marketing efforts and bank–customer relationships. Moreover, the study makes important contributions to the AI marketing and brand literature and helps banks increase customer experience with artificial intelligence activities and create long-term relationships with customers.