Gabriel Asare Okyere, Richard Tawiah, Richard Bruce Lamptey, William Oduro and Michael Thompson
The purpose of this paper is to assess the differences pertaining to the resources presently accessible for problem-based learning (PBL) among six colleges of Kwame Nkrumah…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the differences pertaining to the resources presently accessible for problem-based learning (PBL) among six colleges of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
Data for the study are the cross-sectional type drawn from 1,020 students. Poisson and zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) models were implemented on the data to ascertain the variations regarding the extent of resources available for PBL across the colleges of the university.
Findings
The study outlines the specific resources accessible for PBL across college levels of KNUST. On aggregate, 25.7 per cent reported that their respective colleges have sufficient resources, while 74.3 per cent indicated otherwise. The ZIP model exhibited superiority over the Poisson model, when compared under a Vuong test. As per the ZIP model, none of the colleges appeared to differ significantly in terms of having sufficient resource for PBL.
Practical implications
Findings are applicable to informed decision-making which targets achieving quality education through the use of PBL. Access to sufficient resources that meet the needs of colleges or departments of a University is emphasized.
Originality/value
The application of Poisson and ZIP models to aggregated count data in a PBL setting is novel.
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Justice Surage, Richard Tawiah and Timothy Twumasi-Mensah
The purpose of this paper is to measure the spatial accessibility of primary healthcare facility in Ghanaian rural areas, by determining the barriers to healthcare accessibilities…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to measure the spatial accessibility of primary healthcare facility in Ghanaian rural areas, by determining the barriers to healthcare accessibilities in the Amansie Central District.
Design/methodology/approach
Both network and proximity analyses were performed on the digitized data such as road networks, settlements, population, district boundary, natural resources (rivers, streams and forest) and site location (health facilities). To quantify the population who have access to healthcare the authors used the Ghana Health Service access criteria that health facility should be accessible to an estimated population within 8 km radius from the facility.
Findings
The overall mean distance to the nearest health facility in the district was 8.9 km. Fiankoma sub-district recorded the highest mean distance whereas Tweapease sub-district recorded the least. In general, 31.2 percent of the district population has no access to healthcare facility. Transportation was identified to be one of the major hindrances to healthcare accessibility and this was as a result of poor road network in the district.
Research limitations/implications
The study was restricted to the Amansie Central District of Ghana. This limits the extent of generalization of results.
Originality/value
The study proposed additional sites for siting new health facilities base on criteria such as population, distance, centrality and existing infrastructural development. This will consequently improve healthcare accessibility and utilization by increasing total coverage closer to 100 percent.
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Richard Nana Boateng, Vincent Tawiah and George Tackie
The purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical evidence concerning the influence of Corporate governance and voluntary disclosures in annual reports: a post-International…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical evidence concerning the influence of Corporate governance and voluntary disclosures in annual reports: a post-International Financial Reporting Standards adoption evidence from an emerging capital market.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from the annual reports of all 22 listed non-financial firms over a five-year period. Using content analysis, the audited annual reports of the firms were scored on the extent of overall and four specific types of voluntary disclosures made. The panel data obtained were analyzed using a generalized ordinary least squares regression model.
Findings
The findings of the study show that voluntary disclosures among the firms are low even after the adoption of IFRS. Corporate governance attributes of board size and board leadership structure are significant determinants of the extent of voluntary disclosures made by the firms. However, board independence and auditor type exhibit only a significant positive effect on voluntary financial and forward-looking information disclosures.
Research limitations/implications
Firms’ voluntary information disclosure and governance variables were restricted to those in annual reports, which may partially reflect the reality of firms’ disclosure and governance practices.
Practical implications
The present study offers useful insights to regulators of the capital market to strengthen monitoring of firms to ensure strict adherence to corporate governance best practice guidelines as a means of improving information environment.
Originality/value
This study is one of the very few ones in Africa, especially in the context of Ghana Stock Exchange, to use post-IFRS data and examine a disaggregated voluntary disclosure by firms.
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Raphael Kanyire Seidu, Shou-xiang Jiang, Benjamin Tawiah, Richard Acquaye and Ebenezer Kofi Howard
The purpose of this study is to present a systematic review of the effects of COVID-19 on the conventional textile production subsector. The emergence of the COVID-19 virus in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to present a systematic review of the effects of COVID-19 on the conventional textile production subsector. The emergence of the COVID-19 virus in 2019 has subsequently caused many problems, such as unemployment, business closures, economic instability and high volatility in the global capital markets amongst others within the wider manufacturing industry including textile production.
Design/methodology/approach
Relevant secondary data are obtained from the Scopus database and Statista. Based on the data analysis of 21 seed articles, three research themes are identified: challenges in the textile industry, new material innovations or solutions and the textile industry performance.
Findings
The results reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the textile industry, disrupted the supply chains of this industry, affected profit margins, stopped employment and impacted the retail of products to customers. Aside from the negative repercussions, there are also good sides to the pandemic which, for instance, range from advanced material innovations to textiles with anti-microbial, self-cleaning and anti-bacterial properties that would limit the transfer of the virus.
Practical implications
Findings reinforced the need for effective strategies and investments in the research and development departments of the various firms in the textile industry to innovate operations and novel materials for the next global pandemic.
Originality/value
Many companies have adopted novel strategies and practices that are helping them to survive the pandemic. This study, therefore, recommends further investigation into material innovations and reimagining strategies by companies and the supply chain within the textile industry so that it is protected against future crises.
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Aluska Ramos de Lira, Michel Richard Chagas Cruz and Susana Jorge
This paper examines the relationship between the adoption of accrual-based IPSAS and the level of perceived corruption of Latin-American countries, considering the moderating…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the relationship between the adoption of accrual-based IPSAS and the level of perceived corruption of Latin-American countries, considering the moderating effect of the country’s institutional quality.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a longitudinal analysis of 19 countries, between 2010 and 2020, following a quantitative approach by using multiple linear regression with panel data.
Findings
Main findings indicate that the harmonization of public sector accounting through the adoption of IPSAS generates a positive effect on the corruption level in Latin-American countries, causing a reduction in their indexes of perception of corruption. The countries’ institutional context, as hypothesized, increases such effect, making it even more significant in the cases of partial adoption.
Practical implications
To improve accountability and decision-making in public sector entities overall, contributing to reduce corruption, IPSAS adoption requires an institutional environment favorable to take the best of their benefits.
Social implications
The adoption of IPSAS in an environment with a high institutional quality, allows a greater effect in reducing corruption in the jurisdiction.
Originality/value
This study contributes by providing a comprehensive view of IPSAS and its impact on perceived corruption levels, expanding the existing research to Latin America, where corruption is generally high and IPSAS may contribute to reduce it. It makes an important addition by defining and considering an index of the country’s institutional quality, providing evidence that when this is high, the context enhances the work of institutions, including IPSAS, to fight corruption.
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Emmanuel Abankwah Ofori, Bernice Djangmah Akweley, Benjamin Eghan, Raphael Kanyire Seidu and Richard Acquaye
The purpose of this study is to present a mini-integrated review on upcycling as a marketing strategy used by brands in promoting sustainability. Upcycling has emerged as a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to present a mini-integrated review on upcycling as a marketing strategy used by brands in promoting sustainability. Upcycling has emerged as a promising strategy for sustainability in the fashion industry. Activities within the industry have resulted in the release of toxic chemicals, carbon emissions and unsustainable products with significant environmental impacts. This has influenced manufacturers and researchers to adopt alternative but sustainable approaches.
Design/methodology/approach
In this mini-integrated review, relevant documents and information were sourced from appropriate databases and websites to provide a brief insight into upcycling as a marketing tool.
Findings
This mini-integrated review further provides insight into how effective upcycling can be integrated into a brand’s marketing strategy as a tool to communicate its commitment to sustainability and the production of high-value products for consumer satisfaction. It concludes that the fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment, and the practice of upcycling has surfaced as a potential solution to address issues of sustainability paving the way for further studies.
Originality/value
Brands use upcycling to differentiate themselves from competitors and appeal to consumers who prioritize sustainability. By emphasizing the environmental benefits of upcycling, brands can position themselves as leaders in the domain of sustainable fashion practices.
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George K. Amoako, Ruby Melody Agbola, Robert K. Dzogbenuku and Evans Sokro
Issues concerning society are everybody's business. Therefore, individuals, larger or smaller groups, formal or informal entities, public or private firms, governmental or…
Abstract
Issues concerning society are everybody's business. Therefore, individuals, larger or smaller groups, formal or informal entities, public or private firms, governmental or non-governmental organisations who are key stakeholders of society must always aspire to champion societal concerns. Society's welfare should be everybody's business. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a broad sense can be viewed as the relationship of organisations with society as a whole, and the need for organisations to align their values with societal expectations (Atuguba & Dowuona-Hammond, 2006). In reality, it is a set of standards by which organisations can impact their environment with the potential of creating sustainable development (Helg, 2007). It is critical that society educates everyone to be responsible. From all societal actors, universities are the ones educating the future elites of a country. What they teach and do not teach may make or break a nation's future and well-being. As noted by Dashwood and Puplampu (2010), there is a greater need for crafting a sustainable, strategic and mutually beneficial set of responsible actions in embracing the right approaches to CSR. According to them, such actions should emanate from a genuine recognition of, and attention to, economic, traditional, historical, as well as business arguments from the perspectives of the stakeholders and interest groups.
Bart Lenderink, Johannes I.M. Halman, Hans Boes and Hans Voordijk
Stimulating innovation in projects can contribute to achieving policy goals, addressing societal challenges and meeting objectives within programs and projects. Despite their…
Abstract
Purpose
Stimulating innovation in projects can contribute to achieving policy goals, addressing societal challenges and meeting objectives within programs and projects. Despite their potential, innovations are rarely included in tender assignments and evaluated in the award of civil engineering projects. One explanation for this is the perceived difficulty in triggering and objectively assessing innovations in the awarding of projects. The aim of this paper is to develop, implement and evaluated a method to encourage and assess innovations in the awarding of bridge construction projects to address this problem.
Design/methodology/approach
A design science research (DSR) approach is used to develop, implement and evaluate a method to trigger and assess innovations in tenders for bridge projects. DSR approaches are used to develop “well-tested, well-understood and well documented innovative generic designs, dealing with authentic field problems or opportunities” (van Aken et al., 2016).
Findings
The findings show that the application of the developed method in a bridge project led to the inclusion of a broad range of innovations in the tender offers. Despite the broad support for the defined criteria, there were some differences in the way the criteria were interpreted by the public procurement team and by the tenderers. Despite these differences, no legal claims were filed in court.
Practical implications
Further development and wider adoption of the method is likely to have a positive impact on the application of innovations in bridge projects. With some adjustments, the method would also be appropriate for other civil engineering and construction projects.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the discussion on how the terms innovation and innovativeness can be operationalized and used in the literature and practice. The developed method provides definitions for assessing the degree as well as the level of innovations in tenders for bridge projects. Further, it provides a way to rank innovations and determine the additional value of the offered innovations in terms of a notional reduction in tender price. Finally, it provides insights into how to encourage innovations through public procurement in civil engineering projects.
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Hania Khalid, Rab Nawaz Lodhi and Zahid Mahmood
The purpose of this paper, a cross-cultural study, is twofold: first, to identify personal, social, demographical and marketing facets that imply fast food addiction in Pakistan…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper, a cross-cultural study, is twofold: first, to identify personal, social, demographical and marketing facets that imply fast food addiction in Pakistan and America, and second to explore the reasons of reduction in fast food consumption in Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study followed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used to obtain supportive results of fast food consumption with the help of defining logical relations between independent and dependent variables. Partial least square based structural equation modeling technique was used to analyze quantitative data. For qualitative data, NVivo 11 was used to explore themes.
Findings
Quantitative findings of Pakistani setting suggested that craving and impulsiveness have a significant relation with addiction and have no mediation effect in both the countries. However, these results contradict with US study. Qualitative findings explored many personal, social, marketing and health factors that have affected fast food market of Pakistan which include low income, price-sensitive market, low quality, poor services, PFA, word of mouth, mood, obesity, environment and cultural influence on the consumption behavior of Pakistani consumers.
Research limitations/implications
This study is restricted to the consumption behavior of fast food only in two countries the USA and Pakistan. Hence, the results of this study cannot be generalized to other countries’ cultural and traditional values. In addition, this study only focuses on personal, social and marketing factors that implicate fast food addiction.
Originality/value
The consumption of fast food was the focus of analysis. Therefore, research adds value to service industry and helps in developing growth and marketing strategies for the fast food industry.
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Sheetal Deo, Matthew Pepper, Anura De Zoysa and Ciorstan Smark
Discourse concerning the most effective way for enterprises to offset environmental impacts is well established. While certain approaches like the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) have…
Abstract
Discourse concerning the most effective way for enterprises to offset environmental impacts is well established. While certain approaches like the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) have gained widespread acceptance, other initiatives like introducing the Carbon Tax in Australia have not been successful. This study examines the practical implementation of two environmental accounting models, the TBL and Carbon Tax, analysing their benefits and drawbacks and focusing on their application within the Australian accounting system. Using discourse and content analysis within two case studies of two different sectors – the banking sector (Westpac) and the manufacturing sector (BlueScope), this research contributes to the discourse concerning the implementation of such disclosures and how models such as the TBL and Carbon Tax initiative could be effectively used in practice. The results show that the implementation of the TBL was more widely adopted and seen as a positive factor in determining the company's environmental impact as viewed by investors. The Carbon Tax was initially adopted less frequently until modifications were made to allow for voluntary compliance. This was due to the misalignment of the cost of the tax with the financial priorities of each sector. Furthermore, the study suggests that a more comprehensive approach that leverages the strengths of both models to complement each other within an integrated framework may be the best solution for organisations seeking a more systemic approach to environmental disclosures and offsetting in their supply chain network.