All-inclusiveness and disability end-user satisfaction in student housing nexus: cognitive dissonance perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the sustainability dimensions reported on the websites of public and private universities in Ghana, an emerging economy.Design/methodology/approachThe universities in Ghana were categorized under public and private universities. The top five under each category were chosen (by Edu Rank’s ratings), and data was gathered from the websites of the sampled universities. Data analysis was conducted using Global Reporting Initiative (GRI-G4) framework and sustainability tools for campus assessment. Findings were then analyzed through stakeholder theory’s lens and organizational characteristics such as ownership, students’ acceptance ratios, performance, size and age.FindingsThis study’s results show that the key aspects of sustainability disclosed on the websites of the sampled private and public universities in Ghana are more of economic and campus sustainability assessment indicators than the social and environmental dimensions. Contrary to the popular notion that private sector organizations do more sustainability reporting than those in the public sector, in the case of Ghana, the sampled public universities reported more than the privately owned universities. This study attributes the extent and variations of sustainability reporting among the public and private Ghanaian universities to the universities’ characteristics such as students’ acceptance ratios, performance, size, ownership and age.Practical implicationsThe findings from this study indicate that in improving the value of sustainability reporting, stakeholders of the educational sector in emerging economies should encourage universities to adopt the GRI-G4 framework and campus sustainability assessment indicators in disclosing their sustainability initiatives.Originality/valueTo the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first study to compare the extent and variations in sustainability reporting between public and private universities in an emerging economy.

Purpose The adaptation of emerging building designs for single room occupancy in off-campus university student housing during the COVID-19 pandemic is evolving. However, assessing its effects on student satisfaction to compensate for COVID-19-associated impacts is missing. As a result, the study examines the satisfaction of students with emerging building designs in single-room off-campus student housing in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study is quantitatively based on positivist philosophical thinking. A purposive sample of 202 purpose-built student housing facilities was selected across public and private universities in Ghana. Using systematic stratified sampling, the study sampled 1,212 student residents through a survey. A principal component method (PCM) was used to assess the availability of 10 emerging building design and basic building services variables across the study location. Multiple regression was employed to determine the satisfaction and predict potential variables for policy formulation. Findings The analysis revealed that private space for social distancing, the availability of hands-free fittings in the toilet and bathroom, and the availability of hands-free fixtures in the kitchen unit was common single-room self-occupancy support systems. However, there is a huge gap in the availability of key emerging building designs and basic building services and their associated effects on students' satisfaction across the study locations. Therefore, relevant proposals to serve as fundamental requirements for developing an off-campus student housing model during pandemics were indicated. Research limitations/implications It is seen that emerging building designs across the housing sector are equally evolving among off-campus student housing. The study helped to understand that student satisfaction with emerging building designs and basic services is a motivational need for students. However, the preparedness of student housing owners to adopt and satisfy the requirements of these design require further studies. Originality/value While COVID-19 and its associated effect keep evolving in building design requirements, it is equally relevant to assess the students' satisfaction with these designs and services among single room occupancy-made off-campus student housing. This research is limited to Africa.

The study looked into the employee engagement and performance of lecturers at private universities in Ghana. It used descriptive and correlation research designs. Stratified random sampling was used to select five private universities in Ghana, yielding a sample size of 94 using Taro Yamane formulas. The reliability of the survey instrument was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, which provided a reliability value of 0.808, which is greater than the usually accepted criterion of 0.70 and thus regarded appropriate for the study. The Pearson Product Moment Coefficient was used to evaluate the hypothesis. With a coefficient of correlation (r) value of 0.710, the findings show that, with the exception of organizational culture and leadership, there is a positive relationship between the independent variables of effective communication, the work environment, compensation and benefits, training and development, and lecturers' performance. The findings suggest that private universities in Ghana should encourage participation by enhancing communication and giving academic staff enough training opportunities in order to raise organizational visibility and ranking.

Strategies for enrolment management in private universities in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how lecturers in both public and private universities in Ghana are motivated to take up teaching as a career using Herzberg’s two-factor theory.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, qualitative research design was adopted. Data were collected from 24 lecturers from both public and private universities in Ghana and analysed with NVivo.FindingsResults from the analysis indicate that public sector university lecturers are generally better motivated than their counterparts at the private sector. Workload is higher at private universities, affecting research and publications negatively. The study also revealed that there are differences in motivation in relation to the hygiene factors between the public and private university teachers.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has a few limitations that must be considered and could provide guidance for future study; as this study addressed faculty point of view, future study could investigate from manager’s and other stakeholders’ point of view in order to get a holistic view of the issues under investigation. The sample size could be improved and the study could be conducted in other African countries for the purposes of comparison.Practical implicationsThe study shows that many lecturers are not happy in the job for both public and private universities. The findings of the study provide managers in the higher education industry with practical guidelines for strategies to motivate lecturers.Originality/valueDespite the rapid growth in the educational industry in Ghana, limited studies have been conducted into how lecturers are motivated to stay in teaching. This makes this research unique in Ghana. This study makes an original contribution by comparing how public sector and private sector university lecturers differ in their motivation to teach at the university using Herzberg’s two-factor theory.

Purpose Energy saving in student housing has become a major challenge in the growing tertiary higher learning institutions in Africa. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the drivers of changes in energy-saving behaviours in student housing in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach This study is quantitative based on the theory of planned behaviour. A survey of 1,702 on-campus university student housing users in Northern Ghana was conducted using a simple random sampling technique. Behavioural drivers were conceptualised into two broad themes and analysed using the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model tool. Findings The findings of this study accept the general view that behavioural factors affect energy saving. However, financial, indoor environmental quality and student housing energy management techniques positively determine changes in energy-saving behaviours in student housing than behavioural factors. Knowledge-related factors did not show any contribution to behavioural intentions of energy saving. Practical implications An all-inclusive energy-saving mechanism, highlighting improvement in student housing conditions, can enhance energy saving. Aside from this, increasing the attention to sustainability and energy efficiency programs in student housing environments can provide positive potential for energy saving in student housing. Originality/value Introducing the theory of planned behaviour in similar studies confirms the large contributions of behavioural drivers to energy saving. The additional exploration of other drivers in this study showcases the potential of influencing energy-saving decisions in student housing within the sub-Saharan sub-region.

PurposePrivate universities in Ghana are perceived to offer low-quality education, even though the few studies conducted have produced contradictory findings. In addition to the paucity of research in this area, the debate has not largely reflected the views of alumni. This study aims to present the perspectives of a major stakeholder group in education on the quality of the accounting programme offered by a chartered private university in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachA survey questionnaire was sent to 150 alumni from a private university who graduated between 2011 and 2015 to gather data and analysed using descriptive statistical methods and hierarchical factor analysis.FindingsIn contrast to the perception of low-quality programmes in private universities in Ghana, the alumni group believed that the private institution offered good-quality accounting programmes. The accounting programme was accessed to be fit for its purpose, and it has generally transformed the lives of the alumni group, thus making the programme meet their quality expectations.Practical implicationsThe study’s findings are an important contribution to the debate on the quality of private universities programmes in general and specifically in accounting.Originality/valueAlthough some research has been done on quality assurances and accounting programmes in public universities in Ghana, the authors know very little about the quality in private universities. The study presents the opinions of an alumni group on the controversy over private universities quality of education. This study closes a gap in the literature.

Staff turnover especially among lecturers in private universities is high due to poor and disappointing conditions of service. This negatively affects effective teaching, learning and research. The purpose of the study was to examine the causes of staff turnover in private universities, using the Perez University College in Winneba as a case study. The study employed the descriptive survey design to collect data from forty (40) lecturers and twenty (20) administrative staff. The convenience sampling technique was therefore used to obtain the sample size of 60 respondents. Questionnaire and interview guides were used to collect data. The study revealed that lecturers and top administrators were poorly paid. There was low research output among lecturers in private universities. Libraries lack current publications and ICT connectivity to support teaching, learning and research. The study recommended the improvement in the conditions of service of staff. It also recommended the establishment of a research fund to motivate lecturers to increase research output as well as ICT connectivity to support effective teaching, learning and research in private universities in Ghana.

PurposePrevious students' housing studies have neglected the need to study all-inclusive student housing and quality of services delivery among students with disability. This study explores the expectations in students' housing among university students living with disabilities (SWDs) in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a mixed-methods approach, involving 423 SWD selected from five public and three private universities across Ghana. Grounded on the Gap Model, the study employed exploratory factor analysis to extract factors of service quality delivery and universal building design for SWD living in off-campus students' housing.FindingsThe study uncovered that, expectations of SWD regarding building design specifications hinges more on inbuilt universal design than external building environment designs. SWD are more interested in safety, health, managerial assurances and security. In all, five factors provided a huge gap in services quality delivered by off-campus students' housing.Practical implicationsThe Gap Model technique offers a framework that provides an insight for students' housing investors, managers, researchers and local authorities that provides an insight on the needs of SWD in student housing, thus making it possible to attain satisfactions amongst SWD.Originality/valueUnlike health-related studies that deals with expectations of all-inclusive buildings for persons with disability in hospitals, this study uniquely uncovered the expectations of services delivery and building design support to SWD in the Ghanaian context.

The early 1990s saw a new phenomenon emerge in Ghana – it was the beginning of private higher education following the deregulation of the higher education sector. Since then, there has been an upsurge in growth and currently, there are 118 private universities dotted around the country. Although the emergence has increased access to higher education, it has presented concerns about the compromise of quality and standards in the sector. The aim of the study was to evaluate the internal quality assurance processes at selected private universities in Ghana with the view to developing a quality assurance model for the higher education sector. Using mixed qualitative research methodologies, the key findings were that the existing internal quality assurance practices focused mainly on planning and implementing the plan. The study concluded that there was a need for private universities to strengthen monitoring and evaluation, data collection, acting on feedback and benchmarking tools.

Despite the potential benefits of digital library services in private universities for improving learning outcomes and information access, there is a lack of research on the extent of their implementation and use. This study examines the availability and utilization of digital libraries in private universities in Ghana. The objectives are to determine the extent of digital library provision, assess the current state of digital library services, and identify the benefits and challenges of these services. A mixed-method approach was employed, collecting data from head librarians and student library users at Valley View University (VVU) and Pentecost University (PU) in Ghana. The findings indicate low awareness and usage among students, highlighting the need for awareness strategies. Insufficient training and support were found to impact access, while user satisfaction was linked to experiences with digital library resources and interfaces. Recommendations include tailoring digital library services to meet users' academic needs, increasing awareness to enhance usage in private universities, and addressing gaps in training and support.

Purpose Energy consumption, coupled with the adaptation of smart student housing continues to rise. However, little is known about compliance with heating and cooling systems in smart student housing in sub-Saharan African countries. This study assessed the heating and cooling systems and their perceived usefulness in student housing in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Mixed research approaches were used to determine the compliance and perceived usefulness of heating and cooling systems of student housing based on Ghana Building Standards, 2018, ASHRAE 55, ISO, standards. Survey and semi-structured interviews were used and analyzed through descriptive mean scores and thematic representations. Findings The study found high compliance with mechanical cooling services as compared to smart hot and cold-water systems. Lack of readiness to adopt smart heating and cooling systems was attributed to cost, user demand and fear of energy consumption, and maintenance. The perceived usefulness of heating, cooling and mechanical systems was largely operational and socio-physically dependent. Practical implications Technically, the violation of a complete package of hot and cold cooling and heating systems readiness has implications on student housing energy operation cost, user comfort and convenience and feedback to the student housing market. Originality/value The study contributes to studies on smart readiness in buildings and its implication on energy efficiency from the student housing perspective. Further, the addition of perceived usefulness in the study deviates from large studies that focus on technical smart readiness.

This study investigates the impact of HEdPERF on students' satisfaction and academic performance in Ghanaian private universities, with students' attitude towards learning as a mediator. The study was conducted on a total of 600 students selected from 6 private universities in Ghana out of which 421 responses received were useable representing 70.16% response rate. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were adopted in selecting respondents. Questionnaire was used to collect data. Explanatory research design was also used. Stata version 13 and IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 were the software used in data analysis. The study made use of Structural Equation Model (SEM) for data analysis and explored direct, indirect and total effect relationships. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used for data purification. The research found that HEdPERF has positive and statistical significant relationships with students' satisfaction, attitude towards learning and academic performance. Attitude towards learning also has positive and statistical significant relationship with students' satisfaction and academic performance. As regards the mediation effect, attitude towards learning partially mediates between HEdPERF on one hand, and students' satisfaction and academic performance on the other. This means that managers of Private Universities should consider service quality effects on students' satisfaction and academic performance with and without attitude towards learning in their strategic management.

High quality provision has been one of the key aims of the current reforms in higher educational institutions across the globe since the beginning of the century and the millennium. Consequently this has led to the increasing demand for quality assurance (QA). This report identifies those institutional processes and structures that support the development of an internal quality culture in the emerging private universities in Ghana. The study bases its understanding of “quality culture” on the definition which sees it as referring to an organizational culture characterized by a cultural/psychological element on the one hand, and a structural/managerial element on the other hand. If we take our educational activity as a process, then the process (the activity) requires inputs (information, materials), resources (people, equipment, space) and control (QMS) to produce outputs (products and/or services). QA then is a culture—a way of continuously aiming to improve and do better—and the private universities in Ghana are responding to this.

PurposeThe diffusion of innovations in student housing, a commercial real estate subsector, is a critical concern to developers. Aside from how innovations contribute to investor' returns, there is a question of interest in real estate investment policies and contemporary real estate research. The study aims to assess the extent of innovation diffusion in student housing and its effects on investment returns in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a mixed methods approach foregrounded on the innovation diffusion theory. With the mix of surveys and interviews of 828 student housing managers/investors and 25 key student housing association leaders across selected off-campus student housing among six universities in Ghana, the study used both primary and secondary sources. Selection criteria were based on at least one of these criteria: Have operated in the student housing market over the past ten years, have adopted the use of technology in student housing management, have introduced new student housing marketing strategies and have made improvements (added value) to student housing services. Multiple regression and narratives were the main analytical tools employed in this study.FindingsThe study demonstrates that over the past ten years, student housing investors in Ghana have invested hugely in product, marketing, process and organisation innovations. Among these innovations, innovations by: marketing through souvenirs and annual-get-togethers product through Internet services processes through Information Management Systems (IMS), and organisation through student leadership were most utilised to descending extent. Furthermore, the study identified marketing and organisation innovation to have the highest effects on investment returns. However, process and product innovation showed a weak and moderate effect on investment returns because management hastily implemented these services without understanding the consequences it has on investment returns in the long run.Practical implicationsThe moderate effect of product and process innovation on student housing investment can be a predictor for future student housing investment innovation strategies for new entrants as they do not provide an immediate positive investment return. Key takeaways require management to incrementally implement these innovations and adopt space management practices that create opportunities for future product and process innovations in Ghana. Investors should capitalise on marketing and organisational innovations as the best innovation strategies that yield the highest returns in Ghana.Social implicationsStudent housing investors should focus on emerging student preferences such as entertainment, improved building services and Information Communication to stimulate student housing selection intentions.Originality/valueInnovation diffusion in student housing is understudied. The closest connection of innovation diffusion theory to product enhancement, marketing and managerial improvement is a strategic tool that facilitates efficiency and productivity in student housing investment.