Search results
1 – 10 of 58Nicholas C. Williamson, Joy Bhadury, Kay Dobie, Victor Ofori‐Boadu, Samuel Parker Troy and Osei Yeboah
The purpose of this paper is to determine whether one can infer the identities of specific business and management coursework topics that owner/managers of wineries want…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine whether one can infer the identities of specific business and management coursework topics that owner/managers of wineries want to have addressed by a wine industry‐specific educational institution by assessing upstream and downstream vertical integration strategies of their respective wineries.
Design/methodology/approach
Exploratory empirical research involves the gathering of relevant information by way of telephone interviews and using closed end questions. The theory of the resource‐based view (RBV) of the firm is the theoretical framework that was employed in developing relevant hypotheses.
Findings
The results demonstrate that one can predict the types of business and management courses that owner/managers of wineries want to have offered by assessing realized upstream and/or downstream vertical integration strategies of their respective wineries.
Originality/value
The research creates a bridge between research involving the RBV and the identification of needs of persons in various parts of the wine value chain. Such persons might either become involved in conceiving and/or rendering wine industry‐specific business and management instruction, or benefit by taking business coursework that has been established as relevant for them by this research.
Details
Keywords
Tracy Bonsu Osei, Charles Apprey, Felix Charles Mills-Robertson and Agartha N. Ohemeng
This study aims to assess the nutritional status of children with sickle cell diseases using anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers and dietary intakes.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the nutritional status of children with sickle cell diseases using anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers and dietary intakes.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted in 100 children of 3-12 years of age with sickle cell diseases (SCDs) at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. Weight, height and age of participants were used to calculate body mass index-for-age. The mid-upper-arm-circumference-for-age, weight-for-age (percentiles) and height-for-age (percentiles) were compared with standards growth charts for children. Biochemical measures such as serum albumin and ferritin, as well as full blood count, were assessed. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire.
Findings
From the study, 73 and 37 per cent of the children with SCD recorded inadequate intake of iron and vitamin E, respectively, when compared to the recommended daily allowance. Out of the 100 participants, 37 per cent were underweight and 22 per cent were stunted. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in underweight (weight-for-age) prevalence by gender. A multiple variate regression showed a significant association between zinc (r2 = 0.763, p < 0.05) and haemoglobin levels.
Originality/value
The evidence in this paper is relevant for treatment, health education and nutritional counselling of parents with children who have SCD.
Details
Keywords
Mari Kurashvili, Karin Reinhold and Marina Järvis
The aim of this paper is to review research conducted on managing the ageing healthcare workforce and identify gaps for further research.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to review research conducted on managing the ageing healthcare workforce and identify gaps for further research.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature search of studies in the English language was carried out in Scopus and Web of Science databases.
Findings
The study consists of an analysis of 75 published articles. The majority of the papers were published in recent years, indicating a growing interest in the field. The authors specified the following inclusion criteria: all years, articles/reviews, English language and full text in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The authors of the paper illustrated seven major categories with different topics that were suggested for future research. It included: challenges of labor market in the healthcare field, age-related changes and their influence on work ability, training opportunities and lifelong learning among ageing health workforce, motives of early retirement, ageing and its relationship to Occupational Health and Safety. Longitudinal studies and case study strategy with mixed-methods approaches were suggested for future research by the authors.
Originality/value
The paper summarizes knowledge related to the management of ageing health workforce, describes topics researched and as a result, presents findings on and conclusions about the most important future implications of the ageing workforce for management in the healthcare field providing lines for further research. To the authors' knowledge, no holistic systematic literature reviews have been published in academic journals targeted specifically to ageing healthcare workers.
Details
Keywords
Terrylyna Baffoe-Bonnie, Samuel Kojo Ntow, Kwasi Awuah-Werekoh and Augustine Adomah-Afari
The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of health system factors on access to a quality healthcare among prisoners in Ghana.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of health system factors on access to a quality healthcare among prisoners in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were gathered using different qualitative methods (interviews and participant observation) with staff of the James Camp Prison, Accra. Findings were analyzed using a framework method for the thematic analysis of the semi-structured interview data; and interpreted with the theoretical perspective of health systems thinking and innovation.
Findings
The study concludes that health system factors such as inadequate funding for health services, lack of skilled personnel and a paucity of essential medical supplies and drugs negatively affected the quality of healthcare provided to inmates.
Research limitations/implications
The limited facilities available and the sample size (healthcare workers and prison administrators) impeded the achievement of varied views on the topic.
Practical implications
The paper recommends the need for health policy makers and authorities of the Ghana Prison Service to collaborate and coordinate in a unified way to undertake policy analysis in an effort to reform the prisons healthcare system.
Social implications
The national health insurance scheme was found to be the financing option for prisoners’ access to free healthcare with supplementation from the Ghana Prison Service. The study recommends that policy makers and healthcare stakeholders should understand and appreciate the reality that the provision of a quality healthcare for prisoners is part of the entire system of healthcare service delivery in Ghana and as such should be given the needed attention.
Originality/value
This is one of few studies conducted on male only prisoners/prison in the context of Ghana. It recommends the need for an integrated approach to ensure that the entire healthcare system achieves set objectives in response to the primary healthcare concept.
Details
Keywords
Seyed Shahramadin Tavakoli, Afsaneh Mozaffari, Abolfazl Danaei and Ehtesham Rashidi
The purpose of this paper is to explain the effect of the technology acceptance model in the media environment by using the mediating role of artificial intelligence and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explain the effect of the technology acceptance model in the media environment by using the mediating role of artificial intelligence and the cloud computing approach.
Design/methodology/approach
After reviewing the theoretical foundations, a conceptual model framework and research hypotheses were formed. The statistical population of the study included managers, deputies and experts from the National Iranian Oil Company, and a statistical sample of 368 people was selected by simple random sampling.
Findings
The results of structural equation modelling with PLS 2.0 software show a positive and significant effect on the artificial intelligence variable in the technology acceptance model with the cloud approach. Artificial intelligence has opened a new space in the digital world, especially in the media, so that its profound impact is quite evident and has affected people’s lives.
Originality/value
The acceleration of various technologies has severely challenged the approach of organizations, especially the media. The media environment with word of the technologies of the Industry 4.0, especially cloud computing technology, has changed the ways of accessing and using products and services.
Details
Keywords
Eric Boamah and Andrews Adjei Druye
The purpose of this study is to explore the information culture of people living with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and how that impacts their self-management practices in Ghana…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the information culture of people living with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and how that impacts their self-management practices in Ghana. The study focuses on the information experiences and information cultural patterns and creates awareness of the need for people to be aware of effective information management for sustainable self-management support.
Design/methodology/approach
An interpretive qualitative approach was used. A total of 12 interviewees involving 10 diabetes patients and 2 health professionals provided data for the study. Allowing the participants to freely talk about their attitude and behaviour, defining their experiences around information for their self-management was the best approach to achieve an in-depth understanding this study seeks.
Findings
The specific elements defining the information of people living with DM in Ghana can be identified. People living with the condition are willing to share information about their condition not only with those within their diabetic community but also with anyone interested. They prefer to use information from sources they find reliable and trust, and they have good information-related competencies that are consistent with diabetic patients in other countries’ contexts to help them identify, access, use and share relevant information. Only a few of the interviewees have difficulty in evaluating the accuracy and currency of some of the information. But they receive a lot of support from experienced people from their community. People also prefer to have information about the condition in their ethnic language. It is important for people living with the condition in Ghana to get involved in the diabetic groups, clubs and community, as members appear to receive the most benefit and support from the community to self-manage the condition alone.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited by the number of participants and the distances between the researchers and the research context. Also, even though two groups of participants were interviewed (diabetic patients and health professionals), the analysis did not separate the responses of the different groups of study participants. This paper provides a useful insight and understanding of the culture of people living with diabetes in Ghana in terms of how they access, use and share the information they need to support their self-management. It will create awareness of the importance of being mindful of information culture patterns in people in other groups in Ghana and beyond. The research processes and procedures described in the paper can be replicated by other researchers in other contexts.
Originality/value
Although there have been a lot of studies about diabetes and people living with the condition in Ghana, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study looking at how people define their need for information, how they identify the source of the information and how they access and use the information, including their general behavioural patterns that influence these information experiences.
Details
Keywords
Isaac Akomea-Frimpong, Xiaohua Jin, Robert Osei-Kyei and Augustine Senanu Kukah
The contribution of the public–private partnership (PPP) model towards the achievement of the United Nation (UN)'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been widely…
Abstract
Purpose
The contribution of the public–private partnership (PPP) model towards the achievement of the United Nation (UN)'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been widely acknowledged. However, limited studies have shed light on the connection between PPPs and the achievement of these coveted goals in Ghana. In this study, the authors aimed at analysing and synthesising the existing literature on the use of PPP to achieve sustainability in infrastructure projects in the country.
Design/methodology/approach
A three-step approach was used to retrieve and review 60 selected articles aided by content analysis.
Findings
The analysis showed that all existing relevant publications on the application of the PPP model to attain UN’s SDGs in the country are organised around dominant themes, such as poverty alleviation, urban development, waste management and risk management. However, the review revealed little studies exist on pertinent issues relating to PPPs and sustainable development goals, such as climate action, critical resilience, sustainable finance and clean energy.
Research limitations/implications
Although the study is limited to 60 articles in Ghana, the results reveal pertinent gaps for further research studies to achieve sustainable infrastructural development in Ghana and other countries.
Practical implications
Holistically, the outcome of this study will serve as a guide to project managers to understand essential issues on attaining sustainability on public projects.
Originality/value
This article contributes to the literature and practice on the significance of PPP in mainstreaming UN's SDGs in public infrastructure projects.
Details
Keywords
De-Graft Owusu-Manu, Emmanuel Ofori-Yeboah, Edward Badu, Augustine Senanu Komla Kukah and David John Edwards
This study aims to investigate the effects of moral hazard on quality and satisfaction of public–private–partnership (PPP) construction projects in Ghana.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effects of moral hazard on quality and satisfaction of public–private–partnership (PPP) construction projects in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
After undertaking a literature review, questionnaires were used to elicit responses from respondents. Population consisted of quantity surveyors, project managers, procurement officers, consultants, public agency officers involved in PPP projects, private partners and contractors. A total of 211 questionnaires were received from 250 distributed. Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were adopted. Analytical tools were Cronbach’s alpha for testing reliability, regression, mean score ranking and relative importance index.
Findings
Reduced mutual trust and respect, poor clarity of project objectives; consequence on decision-making; less effective construction process; and increased construction risks were the significant effects of moral hazard on satisfaction of PPP construction projects. Value-based effects; manufacturer-based effects; product-based effects; user-based effects; and transcendent-based effects were the significant effects of moral hazard on quality of PPP construction projects.
Practical implications
Construction stakeholders involved in delivering PPP projects ought to take note of the findings and recommendations arising. Further studies should explore the effects on other project performance indicators apart from satisfaction and quality.
Originality/value
This paper extends knowledge in the area of exploring the effects of moral hazard on PPP project satisfaction and quality. The findings are beneficial to both academia and industry practitioners.
Details
Keywords
Napoleon Kurantin and Bertha Z. Osei-Hwedie
This chapter uses the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) 7 datasets to investigate and examine the effect of rural non-farm diversification and its implications on…
Abstract
This chapter uses the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) 7 datasets to investigate and examine the effect of rural non-farm diversification and its implications on agricultural (tree-crop) farming sector inequalities and sustainable development in Ghana. Applying a Gini-decomposition method and/or technique within a quantitative approach, the study outcome indicates the average non-farm income thus, increased income inequality among tree-crop smallholder rural livelihoods and households. Income diversification by farm households has gained the attention of governments, policy makers, and researchers because of its commonness and contribution to socio-economic development especially in developing countries. Aggregationally, non-farm self-employment reduced income inequality, and non-farm wage employment income led to an increase in income inequality. Increased rate of educational enrollment and achievement is the most important variable of non-farm income inequality. Government effort at expanding tree-crop acreages and improve yields have to degree achieved its intended policy implementation, increased rate of educational achievement could undermine the socio-economic policy cohesion and sustainable development of rural livelihood, communities, and national economy. Tree crop policies should take account of the spatial distribution of tree-crop commodity production and in particular, the implication and effect of rural non-farm diversification on agricultural sector inequalities.
Details
Keywords
Kofi Agyekum, Seth Yeboah Botchway, Emmanuel Adinyira and Alex Opoku
Recent reports based on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) have revealed that no country is in line with achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
Recent reports based on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) have revealed that no country is in line with achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, with the slowest progress being witnessed mainly on goals that are focused on the environment. This study examines environmental performance indicators for assessing the sustainability of building projects.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses an explanatory sequential design with an initial quantitative instrument phase, followed by a qualitative data collection phase. An extensive critical comparative review of the literature resulted in the identification of ten environmental sustainability indicators. One hundred and sixty-seven questionnaire responses based upon these indicators from the Ghanaian construction industry were received. Data were coded with SPSS v22, analysed descriptively, and via inferential analysis. These data were then validated through semi-structured interviews with six interviewees who are fellows of their respective professional bodies, a senior academic (professor in construction project delivery) and a government official. Data obtained from the semi-structured validation interviews were analysed through the side-by-side comparison of the qualitative data with the quantitative data.
Findings
The findings from the study suggest that all the indicators were important in assessing building projects' environmental sustainability across the entire life cycle. Key among the identified indicators is the effects of the project on “water quality, air quality, energy use and conservation, and environmental compliance and management”. The interviewees further agreed to and confirmed the importance of these identified indicators for assessing the environmental sustainability of building projects in Ghana.
Originality/value
Compared to existing studies, this study adopts the exploratory sequential design to identify and examine the critical indicators in assessing the environmental sustainability across the entire lifecycle of building projects in a typical developing country setting, i.e. Ghana. It reveals areas of prime concern in the drive to place the local construction industry on a trajectory towards achieving environmental sustainability.
Details