http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1009 2026-03-12T14:25:38Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/12234 Digital Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Capital and Well-Being of Owner-Managers of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana Govina, Sena Esi The relationship between digital entrepreneurship and the well-being of owner-managers remains uncertain, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies like Ghana. The study examined the effect of digital entrepreneurship on the well-being of owner-managers of SMEs. It further examined the mediating role of intellectual capital on this nexus. The research employed a post-positivist perspective, utilising a quantitative research methodology and an explanatory research design. To facilitate the collection of data, a standardised, self-administered questionnaire was employed. The study utilised the simple random sampling technique to select 385 respondents from the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Results revealed that digital entrepreneurship and intellectual capital had a significant positive effect on the well-being of owner-managers. Also, intellectual capital positively mediates the link between digital entrepreneurship and well-being of owner-managers. The study concludes that digital entrepreneurship offers possibilities to improve the well-being of owner-managers. In addition, the effective management of intellectual capital, can improve the well-being of owner-managers of SMEs. The study therefore recommended that SMEs owner-managers should develop their skills and knowledge in the use and integration of current digital technologies in their business processes and effectively manage intellectual capital to benefit from the immense transformation that it brings to business operations and consequently improve their well-being. xviii, 289p:, ill. 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/12155 The Role of Talent Management on the Competitiveness of Selected Commercial Banks in Ghana Sackey, Magdalene Bartrop Amidst a highly regulated, dynamic, and competitive business landscape, Talent Management (TM) has become a critical strategic requirement for organisations, particularly within the banking sector, where the inability of banks to effectively manage their talents results in different organizational outcomes. This study, explores talent management practices of banks and how they enhance Ghanaian commercial banks' competitiveness. Employing an interpretivist paradigm, qualitative research approach, a phenomenological and case study design, unstructured interviews were conducted with 20 key human resource professionals and strategy implementers, from three prominent commercial banks in Ghana. The study explores the lived experiences of licensed commercial banks, where a constant comparative analysis revealed TM practices as talent acquisition, development and retention practices. The main TM practices leadership development programmes, coaching and mentoring, assignment of critical roles and performance management. Industry standards, regulatory requirements alignment, generational differences and organizational culture were revealed as institutional factors driving TM. Furthermore, the study concludes that bank talents whose skills are reconfigured through an effective TM tend to optimize processes, reduce errors, and contribute to cost-saving initiatives, higher employee productivity, innovation in product development, improved customer service, and better risk management within the bank. The study recommends that banks should recognize talent as a strategic asset, invest in continuous learning, adaptation and alignment with institutional contexts. to enhance their competitive advantage. xviii, 426p:, ill. 2024-03-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/12148 Supplier Development and Sustainable Performance of Cocoa Bean Suppliers in Ghana: The Role of Operational Efficiency, Firm Ambidexterity and Buyer-Supplier Relationship Quality Kusi, Lawrence Yaw Despite the enormous supplier development initiatives given to cocoa bean suppliers in Ghana by key stakeholders in the cocoa industry, especially from the License-buying companies [LBCs], cocoa bean suppliers continue to perform abysmally regarding sustainability performance and operational efficiency. Furthermore, it is difficult for cocoa bean suppliers to change their operations to take advantage of opportunities embedded in supplier development initiatives. The study examined the effect of supplier development on the sustainable performance of cocoa bean suppliers in the Western North region of Ghana. It analysed the intervening roles of operational efficiency, firm ambidexterity, buyer-supplier relationship quality and firm characteristics. It employed an explanatory research design and quantitative approach, collecting primary data through a structured questionnaire in a cross-sectional survey. Multi-stage sampling was employed to select the participants. Caretakers and owners served as proxies for the cocoa supply farms. Out of 450 cocoa bean suppliers, 424 completed the questionnaires leading to 94.22% response rate. SMART PLS software was utilised to analyze the data via the two-stage embedded approach of model configuration. Supplier development and operational efficiency account for a moderate variance in sustainable performance. Buyer-supplier relationship quality and firm ambidexterity amplify supplier development's influence on operational efficiency. Ghana Cocoa Authority should continue and intensify its policy on non-price incentives for cocoa farmers. Cocoa bean suppliers should increase their technical efficiency to transfer the advantages in supplier development into sustained performance. xv 382p:, ill 2024-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11989 Earnings Management, Institutional Structures and Performance of Banks in Sub-Saharan Africa Anipa, Comfort Ama Akorfa This thesis investigates how certain institutional structures impact the interplay between earnings management and financial performance in banking institutions across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Specifically, it delves into three key areas: 1) The influence of robust auditing and financial reporting standards on banks' earnings management behaviour 2) The interrelationships among contractual enforcement mechanisms, political institutions, and earnings management in SSA banks; and 3) The moderating effects of auditing and reporting standards, as well as contractual institutions on the link between earnings management and bank performance in the region. The data spans from 2007 to 2021, constrained by the availability of relevant data for the primary variables under scrutiny. Analytical techniques employed include the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator. Findings reveal that stringent auditing and reporting standards tend to curtail earnings management activities among SSA banks. Additionally, well-developed contractual institutions appear to discourage such practices. The deterrent effect of these institutional factors on earnings manipulation is particularly pronounced in countries with robust political institutions. Furthermore, the study uncovers that both rigorous auditing and reporting standards and effective contractual institutions positively moderate the relationship between earnings management and bank performance in SSA economies. This suggests that these institutional frameworks may help channel earnings management practices towards efficiency-enhancing outcomes rather than opportunistic behaviour. Based on these insights, the research recommends that policymakers focus on reinforcing these institutional pillars to promote more transparent and efficient banking practices across sub-Saharan Africa. By doing so, they can potentially harness the constructive aspects of earnings management while mitigating its detrimental effects on bank performance. xiv, 176p:, ill. 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z