Emmanuel Coleman, Isaac Kwesi Nooni, Samuel Korenteng Fianko, Linka Dadzie, Ebenezer Nickson Neequaye, Jasmine Owusu-Agyemang and Edna Obuo Ansa-Asare
This study aims to investigate the attainment of quality in Government of Ghana’s (GoG) infrastructural projects through effective contract management and especially, relating to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the attainment of quality in Government of Ghana’s (GoG) infrastructural projects through effective contract management and especially, relating to qualification, competence and experience of supply chain stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey questionnaire and field observations were used to collect primary data from staff of the education ministry and construction professionals. Documentary analyses of contract documents were also undertaken.
Findings
The results show that executing agencies’ failure to apply appropriate contract management processes was linked to the gap between stakeholders’ knowledge and actual practice. This was confirmed by Spearman’s rho tests of correlation between overall mean ranks given by professionals and non-professionals, which indicated strong agreement between those groups. Factors such as contractors’ engagement of unqualified supervisory staff, lack of proper projects monitoring and evaluation by executing agencies mainly contribute to the poor quality of work.
Research limitations/implications
Investigations were limited to the Funds and Procurement Management Unit of the Ministry of Education, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and local contractors. Nonetheless, the methodology used could be used in future studies to analyse the socio-economic implications on the quality of education infrastructure.
Practical implications
Construction is booming in Ghana but the capacity to improve the work quality through effective contract management is limited. However, with the effort of stakeholder and statutory bodies’ support in capacity building initiatives, GoG projects could offer some novel solutions to improve quality of work.
Social implications
Construction industry professionals and students’ knowledge and perception on construction industry and contract management is significantly improved.
Originality/value
This study provides information on respondents’ knowledge on contract management process, which, if not properly understood, can lead to poor quality of work and loss of money.
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Emmanuel Tetteh Teye, Beatrice Ayerakwa Abosi, Alexander Narh Tetteh, Seth Yeboah Ntim, Abraham Teye, Offeibea Love Aseidua-Ayeh and Sophia Agyeiwaa Dubi
Previous research has considered human motivation as a determinant of inquisitiveness, learning and innovation. However, how student’s motivation affects both…
Abstract
Purpose
Previous research has considered human motivation as a determinant of inquisitiveness, learning and innovation. However, how student’s motivation affects both exploitative/exploratory research outcomes has not yet been sufficiently addressed. The purpose of this paper is to examine self-determination theory (SDT) as a conceptual tool to understand post-graduate student’s academic motivation and how it affects two types of ambidextrous outcomes (exploitative and exploratory), and thus posit relational capital as an important mediator in the motivation–innovation process.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors draw conclusions using 331 valid post-graduate foreign scholars data collected via online survey in three Chinese Universities and conduct data analysis using the structural equation modeling technique (AMOS).
Findings
Results indicate that: academic motivation and perceived collaboration capability both has a significant effect on exploitation behavior; there was no significant relationship between academic motivation and tendency to collaborate with actors within their networks; collaboration capability and exploitation behavior mediate the relationship between academic motivation and exploration behavior; and further a complementary link was found to exist between exploitation behavior and exploration behavior in students attempt to be ambidextrous.
Originality/value
The authors advance innovation research by expanding SDT to include relational perspective as an antecedent of ambidexterity (exploration/exploitation behaviors) and provide new insights into current understanding of research engagement in higher education settings. The authors highlight some implications for educational agencies seeking to promote the emergence of psychological and relational conditions to enhance novelty in post-graduate internationalized education.
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Isaac Luke Agonbire Atugeba and Emmanuel Acquah-Sam
This study aims to examine the effect of political conditions on the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance in two sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effect of political conditions on the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance in two sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, Ghana and Kenya.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a panel data methodology, examining data from a sample of 72 companies (Ghana: 25 and Kenya: 47) from 2018 to 2022. This study used panel quantile regression and the Huber M-estimation robust least squares regression methods.
Findings
The research reported that larger boards, diversity and ownership concentration do not affect business performance while board independence improves corporate success in both countries. The findings about chief executive officer (CEO) duality were mixed. In Ghana, CEO duality has a positive effect on firm performance, but in Kenya, the study finds that CEO duality hurts firms’ performance. The results found that higher levels of institutional ownership decreased firm performance in both countries. The research found that Ghana’s political environment had a greater impact on corporate governance and business performance nexus than Kenya’s.
Research limitations/implications
The research is limited to Ghana and Kenya. This study emphasises the necessity for governments in both countries to maintain a stable political environment, implement policies that encourage economic and policy continuity and reduce political uncertainty to improve business conditions.
Practical implications
This study emphasises the necessity for governments in both countries to maintain a stable political environment, implement policies that encourage economic and policy continuity, and reduce political uncertainty to improve business conditions.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is unique because it is the first in SSA to address a research gap by investigating a comparative analysis of the relationship between corporate governance, political environments and firm performance in two distinct countries with different political situations.
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Florence Villesèche and Emmanuel Josserand
The purpose of this paper is to review the emerging literature on formal women-only business networks and outline propositions to develop this under-theorised area of knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the emerging literature on formal women-only business networks and outline propositions to develop this under-theorised area of knowledge and stimulate future research.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors review the existing literature on formal internal and external women-only networks and use the broader social capital and network literature to frame their arguments and develop propositions.
Findings
Propositions are developed regarding how both internal and external formal women-only business networks can be of value for members, firms/organisations and the wider social group of women in business.
Research limitations/implications
The authors focus on the distinction between external and internal formal women-only networks while also acknowledging the broader diversity that can characterise such networks. Their review provides the reader with an insight into the state of the art and a set of propositions that present opportunities for future research.
Practical implications
The paper provides insights into how women in business, organisations and wider society can leverage value from both internal and external formal women-only business networks.
Social implications
The paper contributes to research showing that the social structure of interactions and context can impact women’s standing in the workplace.
Originality/value
The paper sheds light on the under-studied and under-theorised phenomenon of formal women-only business networks. Beyond the individual member level, the authors suggest that such networks can be of value for organisations and the wider social group of women in management and leadership positions.
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Pawan Budhwar, Andy Crane, Annette Davies, Rick Delbridge, Tim Edwards, Mahmoud Ezzamel, Lloyd Harris, Emmanuel Ogbonna and Robyn Thomas
Wonders whether companies actually have employees best interests at heart across physical, mental and spiritual spheres. Posits that most organizations ignore their workforce �…
Abstract
Wonders whether companies actually have employees best interests at heart across physical, mental and spiritual spheres. Posits that most organizations ignore their workforce – not even, in many cases, describing workers as assets! Describes many studies to back up this claim in theis work based on the 2002 Employment Research Unit Annual Conference, in Cardiff, Wales.
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Umar Habibu Umar, Jamilu Sani Shawai, Anthony Kolade Adesugba and Abubakar Isa Jibril
This study aims to evaluate how audit committee (AC) characteristics affect the performance of banks in Africa.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate how audit committee (AC) characteristics affect the performance of banks in Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors manually generated unbalanced panel data from 78 commercial banks operating in twelve (12) countries whose annual reports were published on the website of African Financials between 2010 and 2020.
Findings
The results indicate that AC size has an insignificant positive association with bank performance (return on equity and Tobin’s Q). AC independence has a significant positive association with bank performance. However, AC gender diversity has a significant negative association with bank performance. Besides, AC financial expertise has a significant positive and negative association with return on equity and Tobin’s Q, respectively.
Research limitations/implications
The study considered only 78 banks that operate in twelve (12) African countries. Besides, the authors consider only four (4) AC attributes.
Practical implications
The findings suggest the need to maintain a smaller AC, appoint more independent members to AC, reduce the number of women appointed to AC and ensure most AC members have financial expertise. These measures could improve bank performance in Africa.
Originality/value
Unlike previous African studies that are mostly restricted to a country level, the study examined how AC attributes influence the performance of banks that operate in Africa.
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The main purpose of this paper is to bring to light the state of education in digital libraries (DLs) in library schools in Africa, and the readiness of library schools to produce…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this paper is to bring to light the state of education in digital libraries (DLs) in library schools in Africa, and the readiness of library schools to produce future digital librarians in Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
The survey was carried out in two parts: first, a survey of web sites maintained by library schools was conducted to identify any DL course offered and also to analyze the course contents, followed by e‐mail messages containing three research questions to library and information science (LIS) faculty members to ascertain the availability of DL courses in the curriculum.
Findings
Results from the survey revealed that only a few library schools offer courses specifically related to DLs. Many library schools have not developed DL as a standalone course in their LIS curriculum; rather, it is briefly discussed as a topic in related courses. The reason for this is that the LIS departments lack the facilities and qualified personnel to teach a course on DL. More than 45 library schools were investigated, among them 20 institutions offering DL courses or related courses.
Originality/value
The results from the study presented in this paper will provide important data and insight into the current state of DL education in African library schools, and generate suggestions for educators and policy makers for developing and including “DLs” as a standalone course in the LIS curriculum.
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Inya Egbe, Emmanuel Adegbite and Kemi C. Yekini
The purpose of this paper is to examine how differences in the institutional environments of a multinational enterprise (MNE) shape the role of management control systems (MCSs…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how differences in the institutional environments of a multinational enterprise (MNE) shape the role of management control systems (MCSs) and social capital in the headquarter (HQ)-subsidiary relationship of an emerging economy MNE.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study design was adopted in this research in order to understand how the differences in the institutional environments of an MNE shape the design and use of MCSs. Data were gathered by means of semi-structured interviews, document analysis and observations. Interviews were conducted at the Nigerian HQ and UK subsidiary of the Nigerian Service Multinational Enterprise (NSMNE).
Findings
The study found that the subsidiary operated autonomously, given its residence in a stronger institutional environment than the HQ. Instead of the HQ depending on MCSs means of coordination and control, it relied on social capital that existed between the HQ and subsidiary to coordinate and integrate the operation of the foreign subsidiary studied.
Research limitations/implications
The evidence from this research indicates that social capital could be effective in the integration and coordination of multinational operations. However, where social capital becomes the main mechanism of coordination and integration of HQ-subsidiary operations, the focus may have to be, as in this case, on organisational social capital and the need to achieve group goals, rather than specifically designated target goals for the subsidiary. The implication of this is that it may limit the potential of the subsidiary to explore its environment and search for opportunities. These are important insights into the relationship between developed country-based subsidiaries and their less developed countries-based HQs.
Practical implications
A practical implication of this research is in the use of local or expatriate staff to manage the operation of the subsidiary. While previous studies on the MNE, from the conventional perspective of multinational operation, suggest that expatriates may be sent to the subsidiary to head key positions so as to enable the HQ to have control of the subsidiary operation, it is different in this case. The NSMNE has adopted a policy of using locals who have the expertise and understanding of the UK institutional environment to manage the subsidiary’s operation.
Social implications
This research sheds some light on how development issues associated with a multinational institutional environment may shape the business activities and the relationship between the HQ and subsidiary. It gives some understanding of how policies and practices may have different impacts on employees as businesses attempt to adjust to pressures from their external environment(s).
Originality/value
The reliance on social capital as a means of coordination and control of the foreign subsidiary in this study is significant, given that previous studies have indicated that multinational HQs normally transfer controls and structure to foreign subsidiaries as a means of control. Also, while previous studies have suggested that MNEs HQ have better expertise that enables them to design and transfer MCSs to foreign subsidiaries, this study found that such expertise relates to the institutional environment from which the HQ is operating from. Through the lens of institutional sociology theory, these findings directly contribute to the literature on the transference of practices and control systems in international business discourse.
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Raushan Aman, Reem Alothmany, Maria Elo and Julie Emontspool
The issues of women empowerment and gender equality have gained the increased attention of scholars and policymakers in Western societies. Gender diversity and the professional…
Abstract
The issues of women empowerment and gender equality have gained the increased attention of scholars and policymakers in Western societies. Gender diversity and the professional participation of women are increasingly acknowledged as transversal drivers for economic development. However, in less developed countries, research and evidence are still accumulating. Thus, this study aims to explore actors and factors empowering female talent to work and achieve managerial positions and run their businesses in two countries with patriarchal social and cultural norms, Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan. Based on the qualitative interview data collected from 15 female managers and entrepreneurs working in the healthcare sector, we explore the conditions under which women can start their businesses and get promoted to managerial positions in the organizations. Our findings indicate that individual agencies and structural factors in female talent capacity building and empowering women to achieve higher hierarchical positions in organizations form together important dynamics that foster more inclusive practices and internalized schemes. Furthermore, the findings also demonstrate the importance of female talent empowerment in achieving gender diversity in managerial positions in healthcare organizations. Hence, by stating that increased female talent participation in the upper-echelons of the organization and entrepreneurship contributes to the decent employment of women in countries with male-dominated social and cultural norms and promotes the more inclusive and sustainable economic growth of these countries, our research contributes to United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) #5.5, #8.5 and #10.2.
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Eduardo Fayos-Solà, Laura Fuentes Moraleda and Ana Isabel Muñoz Mazón
There is no clear understanding on the terms and concepts of development, both in the academic literature of tourism and in general. What constitutes “growth”, and what is…
Abstract
There is no clear understanding on the terms and concepts of development, both in the academic literature of tourism and in general. What constitutes “growth”, and what is “development”? The emphasis on mathematical modeling has favored the use of simplifying hypothesis, with dubious practical results for the real problems of development. This chapter discusses the most relevant aspects of theories of development, enunciated at different times in the course of the last two centuries, with the purpose of illuminating different theoretical approaches to analysis and policy formulation that may support actual strategy and practice in tourism.