Cletus Agyenim-Boateng, Sulemana Iddrisu and James Otieku
This paper aims to examine the nature of corporate governance systems in Ghanaian Family-owned Businesses (FOBs). Specifically, the study investigates the nature of boardroom…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the nature of corporate governance systems in Ghanaian Family-owned Businesses (FOBs). Specifically, the study investigates the nature of boardroom decisions structures, sources of governance regulations and family roles in corporate governance.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on Bourdieusian perspectives of the field, capital, habitus and doxa, a case study design is used to gather detailed insights about the phenomena. Purposively, the study conducts 20 interviews with participants from 15 FOBs in Ghana. The interview data are complemented with secondary sources, such as FOB handbooks, website information, legal documents and scriptures. Subsequently, data gathered were thematically analysed.
Findings
The study finds that human actors blended traditionally tacit and legally expressed boardroom decisions structures in FOBs governance. Again, traditional values, social acceptance of religious sociology and regulatory frameworks of the field dictate corporate governance practices in FOBs. In multiple family ownerships, orthodoxy of doxa is challenged; hence, power struggles and family roles in governance depend on capital possessed by social actors.
Practical implications
To continue as a going concern, FOBs must be mindful of traditional, religious sociology of family and regulatory frameworks within the field in which they operate. This is because, without this, the going concern of FOBs becomes suspicious and highly unlikely, especially where there are multiple family ownership and generations.
Originality/value
The previous literature predominantly focussed on formal boardroom structures in addressing FOBs' corporate governance issues. Notwithstanding, family governance risk of domineering and distrust associated with traditional and relational governance mechanisms remain under-represented and inconclusive, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Drawing on the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and dynamic capability perspectives, the current study investigates the extent to which environmental supply chain strategies…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and dynamic capability perspectives, the current study investigates the extent to which environmental supply chain strategies (ESCSs) predict the dimensions of sustainable performance of manufacturing firms.
Design/methodology/approach
In a cross-sectional survey, data were drawn from eight (8) listed manufacturing firms in Ghana: Aluworks Ltd, Unilever Ghana Plc, Fan Milk Limited, Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, Cocoa Processing Company, Dannex Ayrton Starwin Plc, Benso Oil Palm Plantation Ltd and Samba Foods Ltd. The data from 396 respondents were analysed with partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach to test the research hypotheses.
Findings
The study revealed that environmental, social and economic sustainability performance reporting indicators were positively and significantly predicted by ESCSs of manufacturing firms in an emerging economy.
Practical implications
In essence, the results provide broad support to the assertion that sustaining companies over several generations largely depends on understanding and implementing proactive green strategies or otherwise perish.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the few studies that investigate ESCSs and sustainability performance issues in emerging economies, like Ghana, where sustainability is on the verge of gaining momentum.
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This paper aims to discuss the impact of fraud on individuals’ wellbeing by drawing on insights from the academic literature. It also highlights literature gaps and suggests new…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to discuss the impact of fraud on individuals’ wellbeing by drawing on insights from the academic literature. It also highlights literature gaps and suggests new avenues for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on a comprehensive literature review to gain insights into the impact of fraud on individuals’ wellbeing and identify literature gaps. The review is not limited to a particular date or a specific discipline.
Findings
The results reveal a general consensus in the literature that fraud severely and negatively impacts individuals’ wellbeing. Fraud’s impact on victims goes beyond financial hardship. It could result in stress, anger, upset, worries, fear of future victimisation, shame, loss of self-esteem, health deterioration, loss of confidence in financial matters, suicide ideation, unemployment, homelessness, less happiness and life satisfaction and broken relationships. However, research on how fraud impacts individuals’ wellbeing is scarce and has yet to receive substantial attention.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first comprehensive literature review compiling evidence on the impact of fraud on individuals’ wellbeing.
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Suzanna Elmassah and Eslam A. Hassanein
This study aims to analyze the effect of digitalization on 28 European countries’ subjective wellbeing by using macro (aggregate level) indicators.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the effect of digitalization on 28 European countries’ subjective wellbeing by using macro (aggregate level) indicators.
Design/methodology/approach
The research investigates the impact of digitalization (Digital Economy and Society Index [DESI]) on life satisfaction through its components. The study uses several models based on the two-stage least squares method.
Findings
The findings show that internet connectivity, use of the internet and integrated digital technology are positively related to life satisfaction. Furthermore, the results revealed that human capital and digital public services are negatively associated with it. The study also suggested that digital skills, e-health, and e-government services do not necessarily increase an individual’s life satisfaction level. The internet’s use appeared to be the most effective digitalization component in affecting life satisfaction in Europe.
Research limitations/implications
The study is based on the DESI index from 2014 to 2019. Although it does not influence the outcome, future research may consider additional indexes such as Digital Adoption Index and Digital Transformation Index and extend the study period.
Practical implications
The study helps the policymakers directing their attention to the importance of digitalization on life satisfaction.
Originality/value
This work extends the limited understanding of subjective wellbeing, digitalization and the digital economy and society index in terms of theoretical implications.
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Maintaining the success of educational institutions largely depends on the teacher. It is the teacher whose main efforts and contribution help in achieving the goals in education…
Abstract
Purpose
Maintaining the success of educational institutions largely depends on the teacher. It is the teacher whose main efforts and contribution help in achieving the goals in education. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state of the programme delivery and how involving the active participation of the teacher will help enhance effective and efficient delivery of the school feeding programme at the school level.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of ten basic schools were purposefully selected for the study with the use of the case study method. Interviews and observations were made in all the selected schools using a semi-structured interview guide. It was also done for some selected stakeholders within the study area under the school feeding programme.
Findings
There is an indication that teachers as managers and administrators of the school system are not actively involved in the feeding programme leading to an ineffective and efficient delivery. The school children do not get the best from the programme. There is a need to put teachers in charge of operations at the school level. This will improve trust and cooperation between caterers, students and opinion leaders. The structure at the school level should be redesigned making caterers answerable to the teacher. Teachers as implementers in the case of the capitation grant will enhance efficiency leading to the achievement of the goal of the programme.
Originality/value
The study underlines the importance, efficiency and influence of the teacher within the school system, in the operations of the school feeding programme and in the Ghanaian society.
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Simplice Asongu, Joseph Nnanna and Paul Acha-Anyi
The purpose of this study is to assess how inclusive education affects inclusive economic participation through the financial access channel.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess how inclusive education affects inclusive economic participation through the financial access channel.
Design/methodology/approach
The focus is on 42 sub-Saharan African countries with data for the period 2004-2014. The empirical evidence is based on the generalised method of moments.
Findings
The following findings are established. First, inclusive secondary education moderates financial access to exert a positive net effect on female labour force participation. Second, inclusive “primary and secondary school education” and inclusive tertiary education modulate financial access for a negative net effect on female unemployment. Third, inclusive secondary education and inclusive tertiary education both moderate financial access for an overall positive net effect on female employment. To provide more gender macroeconomic management policy options, inclusive education thresholds for complementary policies are provided and discussed.
Originality/value
Policy implications are discussed in the light of challenges of economic development in the sub-region and sustainable development goals.