Ebenezer Afum, Victoria Yaa Osei-Ahenkan, Yaw Agyabeng-Mensah, Joseph Amponsah Owusu, Lawrence Yaw Kusi and Joseph Ankomah
The aim of this study is to examine the explanatory link of green supply chain integration (GSCI) between green manufacturing practices (GMPs) and sustainable performance…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to examine the explanatory link of green supply chain integration (GSCI) between green manufacturing practices (GMPs) and sustainable performance (economic [EP], environmental [EnP] and social [SP] performances) by using data from an emerging country.
Design/methodology/approach
An explanatory research design was employed for the study. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 178 Ghanaian manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Hypotheses were formulated and tested using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
The results indicate that GMPs have a significant positive effect on sustainable performance (EP, EnP and SP). Again, GMPs have a significant positive effect on GSCI. Additionally, GSCI plays a mediating role between green manufacturing practices and sustainable performance.
Research limitations/implications
In this study, GSCI was compositely measured despite having three dimensions. Generalizing the findings is also not guaranteed since the sample constitutes Ghanaian manufacturing SMEs.
Practical implications
The results provide significant ramifications for managers of manufacturing SMEs within Ghana and those in other sub-Saharan African context. Based on the results, managers of manufacturing firms will have stronger backing to invest in GMPs, while at the same time establish strong ties with eco-oriented supply chain partners so as to achieve their sustainable performance goals.
Originality/value
This study adds to the literature in the area of sustainability and triple bottom line by providing evidence from a fast growing industrialized and emerging country.
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Ebenezer Afum, Yaw Agyabeng-Mensah, Innocent Senyo Kwasi Acquah, Charles Baah, Essel Dacosta, Clifford Sekyere Owusu and Joseph Amponsah Owusu
This study examines the mediation effects of time-based competitiveness, cost-based competitiveness and customer performance between logistics outsourcing and financial…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the mediation effects of time-based competitiveness, cost-based competitiveness and customer performance between logistics outsourcing and financial performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The study relied on a questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument and further employed partial least squares structural equation modelling technique to test all formulated hypotheses.
Findings
The results demonstrate that logistics outsourcing has a significant positive impact on time-based competitiveness, cost-based competitiveness, customer performance and financial performance. Time-based competitiveness and cost-based competitiveness were both found to have a significant positive impact on financial performance; however, customer performance had no significant impact on financial performance. The mediation analysis further indicates that while both time-based competitiveness and cost-based competitiveness play mediation effects between logistics outsourcing and financial performance, customer performance plays no mediation effect between logistics outsourcing and financial performance.
Research limitations/implications
The sampled firms for this study came from a single emerging country; hence, the results cannot be generalized or imported to reflect the results that may be obtained from other emerging geographical settings.
Practical implications
The results provide sufficient evidence for managers to turn their attention to logistics outsourcing, as a transformative business initiative, to gain time-based and cost-based competitiveness so as to improve financial performance.
Originality/value
The study provides significant insight and makes an additional contribution to literature in the area of logistics outsourcing, especially by collecting data from an emerging country. Modelling time-based competitiveness, cost-based competitiveness and customer performance as mediating variables between logistics outsourcing and financial performance make this work relatively different from other studies.
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George Augustus Benjamin Aggrey, Lawrence Yaw Kusi, Ebenezer Afum, Victoria Yaa Osei-Ahenkan, Christine Norman, Kenneth Boateng Boateng and Joseph Amponsah Owusu
This study empirically examines the effect of supply chain integration (SCI) on financial performance (FP) and controls for the mediating effects of supply chain agility (SCA)…
Abstract
Purpose
This study empirically examines the effect of supply chain integration (SCI) on financial performance (FP) and controls for the mediating effects of supply chain agility (SCA), supply chain (SC) innovation and operational performance (OP).
Design/methodology/approach
Through a causal research design, structured questionnaires were used for primary data collection from 217 commercial poultry farms (CPFs) operating in the Bono Region of Ghana. Structural equation modeling was reflectively configured to test the formulated hypotheses.
Findings
SCI causes a statistically significant moderate positive variance in OP in terms of cost-effectiveness, order fulfillment rate, operating cycle, inventory turns, business process innovation. SCI is an insignificant weak positive predictor of FP (growth in revenue, profit, return on investment, sales growth) of CPFs operating in Ghana. Furthermore, OP significantly and positively mediates the predictive relationship between SCI and FP. Again, SC innovation significantly mediates the predictive relationship between SCI and OP. However, SCA fails to significantly mediate the predictive relationship between SCI and OP.
Research limitations/implications
Focal firms' characteristics were ignored, although they may determine how SCI affects OP and FP in the presence of SCA and SC innovation.
Originality/value
Empirically, SCI has no direct impact on FP of CPFs but does so indirectly through the mediating role of OP.
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Emmanuel Awuni Kolog, Samuel Nii Odoi Devine, Sulemana Bankuoru Egala, Raphael Amponsah, Joseph Budu and Temitope Farinloye
Recent socio-economic trends have made Artificial intelligence (AI) a vital institutional force driving development among countries with optimal opportunities and costs. Among…
Abstract
Recent socio-economic trends have made Artificial intelligence (AI) a vital institutional force driving development among countries with optimal opportunities and costs. Among researchers in this domain, the benefit of AI is highly espoused, having been underexplored in Africa. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to strengthen the education sector, given that many schools have migrated their teaching and learning online. While face-to-face teaching was the norm, the transition to online teaching has brought about the need to rethink the use of Information Technology to strengthen teaching and learning. To proffer solutions for the implementation of AI in Africa, there is the need to understand the challenges. Therefore, in this chapter, we explore the possible challenges that hinder the implementation of AI in Africa. Further, we propose solutions for the implementation of AI in the education sector, especially in this era of the COVID-19 pandemic. The solutions stem from rethinking the role of AI in the education sector. Finally, a conceptual framework that synthesises the problems and the proposed solution is developed. We envision that the proffered solutions can mitigate the deepening misconceptions and challenges bedevilling AI implementation in Africa.
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Mustapha Immurana, Kwame Godsway Kisseih, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Muniru Azuug, Ayisha Mohammed and Toby Joseph Mathew Kizhakkekara
Bipolar and depression disorders are some of the most common mental health disorders affecting millions of people in low-and middle-income countries, including those in Africa…
Abstract
Purpose
Bipolar and depression disorders are some of the most common mental health disorders affecting millions of people in low-and middle-income countries, including those in Africa. These disorders are therefore major contributors to the burden of diseases and disability. While an enhancement in income is seen as a major approach towards reducing the burden of these disorders, empirical evidence to support this view in the African context is lacking. This study therefore aims to examine the effect of per capita income growth on bipolar and depression disorders across African countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses data from secondary sources comprising 42 African countries over the period, 2002–2019, to achieve its objective. The prevalence of bipolar and major depressive disorders (depression) are used as the dependent variables, while per capita income growth is used as the main independent variable. The system Generalised Method of Moments regression is used as the estimation technique.
Findings
In the baseline, the authors find per capita income growth to be associated with a reduction in the prevalence of bipolar (coefficient: −0.001, p < 0.01) and depression (coefficient: −0.001, p < 0.1) in the short-term. Similarly, in the long-term, per capita income growth is found to have negative association with the prevalence of bipolar (coefficient: −0.059, p < 0.01) and depression (coefficient: −0.035, p < 0.1). The results are similar after robustness checks.
Originality/value
This study attempts at providing the first empirical evidence of the effect of per capita income growth on bipolar and depression disorders across several African countries.
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Gahana Gopal C., Yogesh B. Patil, Shibin K.T. and Anand Prakash
The purpose of this paper is to formulate frameworks for the drivers and barriers of integrated sustainable solid waste management (ISSWM) with reference to conditions prevailing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to formulate frameworks for the drivers and barriers of integrated sustainable solid waste management (ISSWM) with reference to conditions prevailing in India.
Design/methodology/approach
A multi-phased approach was adopted in this paper to come up with the conceptual framework of the drivers and barriers of ISSWM. In the first phase, drivers and barriers of ISSWM were identified based on a systematic literature review process. In the second phase, 25 experts having 15 plus years of experience in the field of sustainable development and environmental management were consulted to get their opinion. Validation and understanding of the interrelationship among the selected drivers and barriers were done based on the insights from expert interviews. And in the final phase, structural self-interaction matrix and transitive links are defined based on the expert opinion to come up with the theoretical frameworks of drivers and barriers of ISSWM.
Findings
Findings reveal the importance to have a system view point approach by giving equal importance to social, environmental and economic pillars of sustainability along with the technology component to effectively and sustainably manage the solid waste disposal. Institutional effectiveness and the robust policy and frameworks are the two variables found to have the highest driving power. Poor social values and ethics, huge population and illiteracy are the three most critical barriers faced by developing nations in achieving the sustainability practices in the solid waste management. The proposed frameworks of drivers and barriers of ISSWM will definitely help policy makers to effectively manage the sustainable waste management practices for developing economies by focusing on the key variables listed out.
Research limitations/implications
One of the limitations is in the use of very limited sample size in the study. Another limitation is that total interpretive structural modeling fails to come up with the relative weightings of drivers and barriers used in the study. These limitations can be overcome by extending the research by using a semi-structured questionnaire survey with higher sample size for the empirical validation of the model.
Practical implications
This research will help to clearly understand the framework of drivers and barriers of variables and their hierarchical level based on the driving power and dependence. Since such articles focusing on the conceptual frameworks of drivers and barriers of ISSWM are found to be very scant, this paper will equally help academicians and waste management professionals to understand the concepts deeply, by getting answers to the fundamental questions of “what,” “why” and “how.” Developed framework of drivers explicitly shows the need to attain financial stability through the commercialization of the waste management initiatives, which will help to reduce burden on various governmental institutions. Commercialization opportunities will also help to have more successful start-up ventures in solid waste management domain that can provide improved employment opportunities and hygiene environment in the developing nations like India.
Originality/value
Based on the authors’ best knowledge, there is hardly any article that explicitly explains the conceptual frameworks of the drivers and barriers of ISSWM by considering the conditions prevailing in developing countries like India. And thus, this can be considered as one of the unique research attempts to build a clear conceptual framework of ISSWM. The study contributes significantly to the existing literature body by clearly interpreting the interrelationships and the driving power and dependence of variables of ISSWM.