Yarhands Dissou Arthur, Thomas De Vittori, Natalie B. Welcome, Courage Simon Kofi Dogbe and Bright Asare
This study investigates the mediating role of mathematics self-efficacy in the relationship between the history of mathematics (HIST) and the interest in mathematics.
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the mediating role of mathematics self-efficacy in the relationship between the history of mathematics (HIST) and the interest in mathematics.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey research design was adopted, with a quantitative research approach. The study adopted a convenience sampling technique to select 219 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students (level 100 to 400) from a public university in Ghana. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and a bias-corrected percentile method of bootstrapping were run in AMOS (v. 23), to estimate the path coefficients.
Findings
The study found that the HIST significantly influences both the student’s interest in mathematics and their mathematics self-efficacy. Furthermore, mathematics self-efficacy was found to significantly affect students' interest in mathematics and partially mediate the relationship between the HIST and students' interest.
Research limitations/implications
The study was confined to TVET students in a single public university in Ghana. Future studies may consider TVET students in other disciplines in other universities within or outside Ghana to increase generalization.
Originality/value
There is a shortage of empirical studies that specifically examine how self-efficacy mediates the relationship between the HIST as a teaching tool and students' interest in mathematics. Also, while previous studies have examined the role of pedagogical approaches in mathematics education, there is a lack of research focusing on the impact of historical context on students' interest, particularly within TVET settings.
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Bright Asare, Yarhands Dissou Arthur and Abdul-Mumin Al-hassan
This study aimed to examine the moderating effect of math anxiety and the mediating role of self-efficacy on the nexus between cognitive awareness and student math performance.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to examine the moderating effect of math anxiety and the mediating role of self-efficacy on the nexus between cognitive awareness and student math performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The current study adopted a descriptive-correlational design utilizing a structured questionnaire. The study data was obtained from undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor of science in mathematics Education with a total of 2,672 students and a sample size of 348 students using purposive, stratified and simple random sampling techniques and analyzed using structure equation modeling (SEM) run from Amos Graphics (ver. 23).
Findings
This study’s findings revealed that cognitive awareness and student self-efficacy had positively influenced math performance. Moreover, cognitive awareness had a positive direct and statistically significant effect on self-efficacy. Moreover, students’ self-efficacy partially mediates the nexus between cognitive awareness and math performance. Finally, math anxiety positively moderates the nexus between cognitive awareness and math performance.
Practical implications
Based on this study’s findings, teachers should encourage students to keep math journals where they record their thoughts, strategies and reflections on problem-solving approaches to enhance their awareness of their cognitive processes. Moreover, self-efficacy should be strengthened through mastery experiences, positive feedback and promoting a growth mindset. Ultimately, boosting self-efficacy will lead to better math performance, creating a positive cycle of confidence and achievement.
Originality/value
There is a shortage of empirical studies that examine how math anxiety moderates and self-efficacy mediates the nexus between cognitive awareness and student math performance. Moreover, the concept of this paper can provide a new look into the interplay between cognitive awareness, math anxiety, self-efficacy and math performance.
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Yarhands Dissou Arthur, Courage Simon Kofi Dogbe and Samuel Kwesi Asiedu-Addo
This study explored the effect of mathematics teaching quality on mathematics achievement among undergraduate students, using the SERVQUAL model.
Abstract
Purpose
This study explored the effect of mathematics teaching quality on mathematics achievement among undergraduate students, using the SERVQUAL model.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample comprised of 320 first-year undergraduate students of a public university in Ghana. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was run in Amos (v.23) to test the various hypotheses.
Findings
The study concluded that the tangible aspect of the SERVQUAL model (service quality), which is very instrument in some service industries such as the airline, had no significant effect on mathematics achievement. Mathematics teaching reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy, however, had significant positive effects on mathematics achievement among undergraduate students.
Research limitations/implications
The study assessed the effects of the individual dimensions of SERVQUAL on mathematics achievement, and it was realized that the tangible dimension had no significant effect. Tangibles may however compliment the other dimensions and is therefore imperative to also assess the effect of service quality (as a higher/second order variable) with the five dimensions as its first-order variables.
Practical implications
Human resources (lecturers) were seen as a strategic tool in enhancing students' academic performance and mathematics performance to be specific. Management of universities is therefore expected to invest in building, training and developing their human resources for an enhanced academic performance of students, especially in mathematics.
Originality/value
Although some past studies have applied SERVQUAL to teaching and learning researches, attention was largely focused on the measurement or assessment of teaching quality using SERVQUAL, with little attention on the effect of SERVQUAL on an outcome variable.
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Nicholas Kingsley Graham, Yarhands Dissou Arthur and Duke Peprah Mensah
Most of the total quality management (TQM) programmes implemented in the printing industry fail to produce the intended benefit, because of the view that quality achievement is…
Abstract
Purpose
Most of the total quality management (TQM) programmes implemented in the printing industry fail to produce the intended benefit, because of the view that quality achievement is workers responsibility. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role management plays in the implementation of TQM programme in the Ghanaian printing firms.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employed mixed method in gathering relevant data. A cross-sectional survey questionnaire was given to 145 managers of registered members of Ghana Printers and Paper Converters Association, Southern Sector to assess the role management plays in TQM programme. Key informant interview was conducted among ten randomly selected production managers of printing firms to complement the survey data.
Findings
The study finds out that organizational performance (OP) is not significantly influenced by the level of commitment of top management in a printing organization. Rather OP is greatly influenced and determined by leadership styles of management and the quality policy which guides printing operations.
Practical implications
The Ghanaian printing industry can ensure better OP by considering the kind of leadership style exhibited in the firm and develop quality policy to guides printing operations and activities. No matter the level of commitment of organizational resources, if it is not back by a good leadership style and a quality policy, TQM initiative will not yield the intended result.
Originality/value
The study presents managerial issues and practices critical for successful TQM programme in the Ghanaian printing industry.
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James Lappeman, Michaela Franco, Victoria Warner and Lara Sierra-Rubia
This study aims to investigate the factors that influence South African customers to potentially switch from one bank to another. Instead of using established models and survey…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the factors that influence South African customers to potentially switch from one bank to another. Instead of using established models and survey techniques, the research measured social media sentiment to measure threats to switch.
Design/methodology/approach
The research involved a 12-month analysis of social media sentiment, specifically customer threats to switch banks (churn). These threats were then analysed for co-occurring themes to provide data on the reasons customers were making these threats. The study used over 1.7 million social media posts and focused on all five major South African retail banks (essentially the entire sector).
Findings
This study concluded that seven factors are most significant in understanding the underlying causes of churn. These are turnaround time, accusations of unethical behaviour, billing or payments, telephonic interactions, branches or stores, fraud or scams and unresponsiveness.
Originality/value
This study is unique in its measurement of unsolicited social media sentiment as opposed to most churn-related research that uses survey- or customer-data-based methods. In addition, this study observed the sentiment of customers from all major retail banks across 12 months. To date, no studies on retail bank churn theory have provided such an extensive perspective. The findings contribute to Susan Keaveney’s churn theory and provide a new measurement of switching threat through social media sentiment analysis.