Firms In Ghana Research Articles

The impact of corporate environmental reporting on the financial performance of listed manufacturing firms in Ghana (Csr‐24‐2036)

AbstractA growing number of businesses are facing criticism for engaging in environmentally damaging practices. Despite advancements in technology and operational efficiency, the environmental challenges confronting businesses have become increasingly urgent. As disclosure requirements have expanded, the importance of reporting standards for environmental sustainability has risen. This study explores the impact of corporate environmental reporting on the financial performance of listed manufacturing firms in Ghana. It analyses 10 years (2012–2021) of annual reports from 20 publicly traded manufacturing companies, using panel regression and content analysis to assess the data. The findings reveal that environmental sustainability disclosure has a positive and significant effect on return on equity (ROE) and net profit margin. Furthermore, disclosures related to health, safety, and community development initiatives have a strong positive impact on ROE. The study recommends that policymakers develop guidelines, especially for environmental reporting, to aid firms in preparing their annual reports. It also suggests that corporate accountants expand their expertise and collaborate with environmental and ecological experts. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers and provides a foundation for further investigation into the effects of corporate environmental reporting on the performance of listed firms in sub‐Saharan Africa.

Unravelling the nice-to-have and must-have circular economy-oriented dynamic capabilities for sustainable product design and end-of-life management: Insights from PLS-SEM and NCA

Drawing on the dynamic capabilities theory, a multi-method approach was used to examine the effects of circular economy-oriented dynamic capabilities on sustainable product design and end-of-life management. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) were employed on survey data from 285 manufacturing firms in Ghana. The findings show that whereas reconfiguring capabilities enhance sustainable end-of-life management, sensing and seizing capabilities were not direct predictors of sustainable end-of-life management. Nonetheless, sustainable product design was found to be a mechanism through which sensing and seizing capabilities promote sustainable end-of-life management. Also, apart from reconfiguring capabilities, sensing and seizing capabilities were positive predictors of sustainable product design. The NCA results suggest that all three circular economy-oriented dynamic capabilities (i.e., sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring capabilities) are must-have (necessary) conditions for sustainable product design and end-of-life management. We provide empirical evidence (via PLS-SEM and NCA) of the nice-to-have and must-have circular economy-oriented dynamic capabilities for sustainable product design and end-of-life management, besides highlighting sustainable product design as a mechanism through which these capabilities enhance sustainable product design.

CYBERSECURITY PRACTICES AND FRAUD PREVENTION AMONG GHANAIAN TELECOMMUNICATION FIRMS, A MIXED METHOD ANALYSIS

This study explores the effectiveness of cybersecurity practices in preventing fraud within Ghanaian telecommunication firms, adopting a qualitative research approach to gain in-depth insights into the challenges and strategies involved. By focusing on the perspectives of key personnel directly involved in cybersecurity and fraud prevention, the study aims to uncover critical factors influencing the success of these practices. A case study design is employed, examining cybersecurity implementation across five major telecommunication firms in Ghana. The sample consists of 15 participants, including IT managers, cybersecurity officers, and fraud prevention specialists, selected through purposive sampling to ensure relevant and insightful data collection. Semi-structured interviews are used as the primary data collection method, allowing participants to provide detailed and nuanced information on their experiences with cybersecurity measures. Thematic analysis is employed to identify key patterns and themes within the data, highlighting the role of insider threats, regulatory frameworks, and employee behavior in contributing to fraud. The findings indicate that while robust technical measures such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and intrusion detection systems play a significant role in reducing fraud, challenges in enforcement, compliance, and employee behavior remain critical barriers. The study concludes that a holistic approach, combining technical solutions with organizational culture improvements and stronger regulatory enforcement, is essential for enhancing cybersecurity effectiveness in Ghana’s telecommunication sector. Recommendations are made for improving incident response times, regulatory support, and employee training programs, as well as fostering greater collaboration between firms and regulatory bodies to strengthen fraud prevention efforts.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0709/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Impact of Corporate Governance Structure on Profitability of Quoted and Unquoted Firms in Ghana.

Impact of Corporate Governance Structure on Profitability of Quoted and Unquoted Firms in Ghana.

Vertical Integration Strategies and the Performance of Poultry Firms in Ghana

Vertical Integration Strategies and the Performance of Poultry Firms in Ghana

Empirical perspective of working capital management practices among large building construction firms in Ghana

Purpose This paper is a response to the failure of construction firms to use sufficient attention to their working capital management (WCM) practices, resulting in operational challenges, and leading to the collapse of firms in most developing countries. Hence, this study aims to explore the empirical perspective of WCM practices among large building construction firms (LBCFs) in Ghana, to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 9. Design/methodology/approach The study collected primary data through structured survey questionnaires from LBCFs in Ghana. The CEOs/Directors, General Managers and Accountant/Finance of LBCFs in Ghana formed the unit of analysis based on a simple random sampling technique. Mean score, standard deviation and one-sample t-test were used to perform the empirical analysis of the study. Findings According to this study's empirical results, LBCFs appear to have effective WCM practices in place. This was evidenced in the surveyed responses which indicate that the sector’s WCM practices sound good based on the mean scores and statistically significant as the t-values > 1.664. Notably, LBCFs in Ghana pay their suppliers early to reduce the fear of adverse effect of late payments on their credit history, making them conservative in their approach toward financial management. Originality/value This is a pioneering paper in a developing country like Ghana, highlighting the significance of gaining an in-depth understanding of WCM practices among LBCFs. The findings of this study are expected to provide valuable information to industry players toward ensuring WCM efficiencies and can serve as a solid foundation for further empirical studies.

University-business linkages influence on international business competence: An in-service training perspective

Firms often rely on the skills and mindsets of individual employees and managers rather than on organizational structures and capabilities to execute entrepreneurial activities. These individual-level factors, which may originate from educational and business experiences, also support the development of international business competencies when firms engage in international operations. Accordingly, this study investigates educational collaborations in university-business linkages that influence international business competence at the individual level. Survey data were collected from 489 in-service-trained business executives pursuing (Executive) Master of Business Administration degrees while concurrently holding supervisory and managerial responsibilities in firms in Ghana. Factor analysis revealed four dimensions of educational collaborations in university-business linkages. Results from hypothesis testing, conducted using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM), indicate that the diversity and internationality of study content and research dimensions positively and significantly influence these executives' global mindset, entrepreneurial orientation, and international marketing skills in performing foreign business operations. Similarly, interactions with international resource persons positively and significantly influence the executives' global mindset and international marketing skills. However, while participation in international affairs shows positive effects, these are not statistically significant. We discuss these findings and highlight their implications for developing international human capital through a university-business educational collaboration framework useful for executives, business schools, academics, and global higher education development partners.

Leveraging procurement capabilities and planning for project success in the construction industry in Ghana

PurposeThe paper examines the influence of procurement capabilities (skills) and procurement planning on project success in Ghana. The paper further examines the mediating role of procurement planning.Design/methodology/approachDrawing insights from human capital theory, a model of four hypotheses was developed and validated. The proposed model was validated using survey data from 200 procurement and construction professionals at construction firms in Ghana. The data gathered was analysed using structural equation modelling. Confirmatory factor analysis using Amos software was conducted to establish reliability and validity of the constructs. Hayes process was employed to test the structural model.FindingsOur study revealed that procurement capabilities and procurement planning directly improve project success in the construction sector in Ghana. We found procurement planning acts as a pathway for achieving greater success in construction projects.Originality/valueThis study is among the very few attempts to demonstrate how project success could be enhanced through developing procurement capabilities for effective procurement planning. Theoretically, this study is among the first attempts to theorise the effect of procurement capabilities and planning on project success from the human capital perspective. Our findings also offer practical insight to practitioners in the construction setting by emphasising the need to pay crucial attention to capabilities and planning in the quest to enhance project success in the construction setting. The findings indicate that building capabilities alone is not enough; rather, the ability to deploy such capabilities for effective procurement planning is necessary for driving project success.

Green manufacturing, supply chain alertness, supply chain preparedness and manufacturing performance in a developing economy

PurposeThis research analyses the linkages between green manufacturing (GM) and manufacturing performance (MP) dimensions comprising sustainable performance (SuP) (economic [EcP], social [SP] and environmental [ENP]) and operational performance (OP) with supply chain alertness (SCAL) and supply chain preparedness (SCP) as mediators.Design/methodology/approachThis deductive-quantitative approach embraces the explanatory design. It analyses 285 datasets gathered from structured questionnaires via structural equation modelling.FindingsThe study found that GM, SCAL and SCP significantly improve manufacturing firms' operational and sustainable performance. Also, SCP and SCAL partially mediate the GM-MP correlations among manufacturing firms in Ghana, a developing economy.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is limited to the quantitative methodologies given its relevance in examining causal relationships among constructs. Also, it was conducted within the scope of manufacturing firms in developing economies, specifically Ghana. Despite the limitations, the study's outcomes imply that manufacturing firms can perform well in sustainable and operational aspects if they prioritise green manufacturing practices, supply chain preparedness and alertness.Practical implicationsThis research offers new insights into the significant contributions of adopting the GM practice to MP (SuP and OP). Also, it advocates for more investments into GM, SCAL and SCP to ensure sustainability in today's highly disruptive manufacturing environment, leading to superior manufacturing performance. The study provides relevant directions for policymakers, industry players and supply chain practitioners in adopting GM throughout their production processes to attain manufacturing performance targets.Social implicationsBy advocating for sustainable manufacturing practices like green, the study contributes to a cleaner environment, resource conservation, and ultimately, a more sustainable future. The shift towards eco-friendly production methods can influence public attitudes towards manufacturing and promote environmentally conscious practices.Originality/valueThe study's originality lies in examining the mediation roles of SCAL and SCP on the GM-MP nexus of manufacturing industries in a developing economy, where environmental sustainability and disruptions along supply chains are becoming major concerns.

Linking business analytics capability and sustainability performance: the mediating role of circular economy implementation

PurposeThough business analytics capability continues to attract considerable industrial and scholarly attention, its holistic performance implications, especially in the post-COVID-19 period, have not been fully understood. Thus, there have been calls for a full understanding of the implications of BAC for achieving holistic, sustainable outcomes among firms. This study therefore examines the influence of BAC on the three dimensions of sustainable performance. We also proposed the mediating role of circular economy implementation.Design/methodology/approachWe tested the proposed model using survey data from 246 managers of manufacturing firms in Ghana. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was employed to validate the model.FindingsOur findings showed that BAC significantly enhances both sustainable performance and circular economy implementation. We also found a significant association between CEI and sustainable performance. We further found significant partial mediation of CEI in the BAC sustainable performance nexus.Practical implicationsOur study offers thoughtful insights for managers, policymakers and the academic community that firms should simultaneously implement circular models alongside building analytics competencies in the quest to achieve balanced performance outcomes.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, our study is among the very few attempts to understand the mechanism that channels the benefits of BAC for a holistic, sustainable outcome.

Reverse logistics and financial performance in a developing country context: the moderating role of analytics capability

Purpose This paper aims to examine the financial outcome of reverse logistics among firms in a developing country. The authors draw on the organizational information processing theory to propose that analytics capability moderates the relationship between reverse logistics and financial performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors collected firm-level survey data from 200 manufacturing firms in Ghana, a developing country in sub-Saharan Africa. Partial least squares structural equations modeling is used to examine the proposed relationships, and the moderating effects are further probed using Hayes PROCESS. Findings The empirical results show that reverse logistics is negatively related to financial performance. However, analytics capability attenuates this negative relationship, such that firms with high analytics capability obtain a positive relationship between reverse logistics and financial performance. Practical implications Firms in developing countries should combine their reverse logistics strategies with developing analytics capabilities that help minimize uncertainties and increase the efficient collection and use of information to reduce the cost of reverse logistics. Originality/value This paper examines how reverse logistics relates to financial performance in low-resource contexts. Beyond the novelty of the context, it explores the information processing needs of reverse logistics systems and provides empirical data to support analytics capability. This has yet to be considered in prior studies.

Developing operational resilience to navigate transportation disruptions: the role and boundaries of efficiency priority

Operational resilience is crucial for navigating the increasing transportation disruption challenges, but building this capability can be expensive and sometimes result in inefficiencies. Meanwhile, firms must prioritize efficiency to remain competitive and profitable. However, it is unclear how and when firms’ pursuit of efficiency priority hinders or helps their resilience to specific disruptions. This research uses the theory of constraints to propose that while efficiency priority limits opportunities for improving operational resilience, buffering and bridging strategies lessen this constraint by enabling firms to align efficiency priority with operational resilience objectives. The study hypothesizes that these strategies positively moderate the negative effect of efficiency priority on operational resilience to transportation disruptions. These arguments are tested on primary data from a sample of 199 firms in Ghana using moderated regression analysis and the Johnson-Neyman technique. The results reveal that efficiency priority is negatively related to the disruption absorption dimension of operational resilience but unrelated to its recoverability dimension. Additionally, the study finds that under low conditions of buffering and bridging strategies, efficiency priority has stronger negative associations with both dimensions of operational resilience. In contrast, these relationships are positive under the high conditions of either strategy. These findings contribute to resolving existing debates on the efficiency-resilience link and have important implications for supply chain and business executives, as discussed in this article.

Critical Factors Contributing to Under-Reporting of Occupational Accidents in The Construction Industry in Ghana

Purpose: Governments around the world have a shared responsibility for the management of occupational health and safety (OHS). The study aims to explore the under-reporting of OHS accidents by employees and employers in the construction industry in Ghana. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: The study used a cross-sectional survey design and quantitative and qualitative research techniques. Data was gathered via a questionnaire. The survey involved 250 site managers and operatives from Upper West and Upper East Regions. Significant factors that contribute to the under-reporting of construction-related accidents were identified and prioritized using descriptive statistics. The Linear Structural Relationships (LISREL) factor analysis was used to confirm the important factors. Findings: It was deduced from the findings that job security, workers’ attitudes, education and training, blame culture, interpersonal relationships, poor safety culture, lack of management commitment, poor communication, and company’s goal contribute significantly to the under-reporting of OHS accidents within construction firms in Ghana. In the study, factors contributing to the under-reporting of construction site accidents to statutory authorities included education and training, the environment, politics/government, legal/regulations, and socio-cultural practices. Practical Implications: The findings will enable construction companies to make investments to develop accident reporting systems that are easier to use and more accessible. This may include developing mobile reporting apps, and training employees how to use the reporting apps and tools efficiently. Social Implications: Employee safety and well-being is one of the main societal ramifications. Policymakers can use the findings to develop more robust policies aimed at improving accident reporting and prevention measures in the construction industry. Originality and Value: This research offers valuable insights into the factors influencing the underreporting of occupational health and safety (OHS) accidents on construction sites.

Adoption of digital payment platforms and trade credit activities among informal firms in Ghana

This study investigates the relationship between the utilisation of digital payment platforms and the decision of informal firms to engage in the demand for or supply of trade credit. Recognizing the pivotal role of trade credit in alleviating financial constraints for informal enterprises, our research employs a recursive bivariate probit model to assess the impact of digital payment platform usage on both the demand for and supply of trade credit among informal firms in Ghana. Leveraging data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey, we find that 13.83 % of informal firms receive trade credit from suppliers, while 26.89 % extend trade credit to customers. Additionally, 49.6 % of firms use digital payment platforms for their business transactions. The study finds that digital payment platforms increase the probability of firms engaging in the demand and supply of trade credit. It argues that digital payments enhance transaction efficiency, convenience, and security, potentially reducing associated transaction costs and facilitating business interactions across distant locations. Various factors, including firm age, maintenance of accounting records, sales volume, owner experience, credit facilities, internet use for social media marketing, and operating hours, significantly influence the decision to engage in trade credit activities. The robustness of our results is confirmed through alternative estimation techniques. Recommendations include policy interventions aimed at promoting the digitalization of informal firms, supported by government investments in digital infrastructure. It is recommended that firms and their suppliers and customers should adopt these digital payment platforms in order to facilitate their use of trade credit in business transactions. A regulatory environment fostering business trust and responsible use of digital payment platforms is crucial, necessitating measures to ensure data protection, security, and ethical conduct within the digital payments’ ecosystem.

Tertiary Export Processing Firms in Ghana: The State of the Processing Technology

Tertiary Export Processing Firms in Ghana: The State of the Processing Technology

Consolidating lean practices with quick-response manufacturing: a boon or bane for the textiles industry during the era of COVID-19

PurposeThis study aims to find out whether firms in the local textiles industry are benefiting from the combined implementation of lean practices (LPs) and quick-response manufacturing (QRM) during the era of COVID-19. The study further explores the mediating role played by quick response manufacturing in the relationship between LPs, internal process performance (IPP) and customer performance.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire is used to garner data from 123 local firms in Ghana’s textile industry. The analysis for all the hypothesized relationships is done using partial least square structural equation.FindingsThe results of the study indicate that LPs significantly strengthen the implementation of QRM. The result also suggests that LPs and QRM can be combined to influence IPP and customer performance. The results further suggest that QRM mediates the relationship between LPs, IPP and customer performance.Originality/valueThis study proposes and develops an integrated research model that explores the synergistic application of LPs and QRM in achieving improvements in IPP and customer performance from an emergent country perspective during the era of COVID-19. QRM serves as an important mechanism through which the relationship between LPs, IPP and customer performance can be explained.

Listen to the other side: impact of supply chain integration practices on value chain performance of pineapple firms in Ghana

Improving the value chain of firms is major source of competitive advantage. Traditionally, firms use their knowledge of customer preferences to propose value to products. Often, these products do not meet customer expectations. While customers are part of a firm's value chain, other actors could provide solutions to existing product issues or launch a new product. Hence, narrowing down on the role of multiple actors can help managerial interventions improve value chain performance. This study explored the impact of supply chain integration practices (internal integration, supplier integration, consumer integration) on value chain performance with the boundary condition of information sharing. A sample of 271 actors in the value chain from pineapple firms in Ghana was used to test hypotheses. As predicted, supply chain integration practices related positively to value chain performance but the effect size differs. These positive relations are amplified by information sharing. The results imply that firms can reconceive products and markets with actors linked to productivity in the value chain. This study is among the earliest to investigate how supply chain integration practices improve value addition to products in the context of pineapple production, processing and consumption.

Web 2 adoption and performance of telecommunication firms in Ghana: a study of MTN Ghana

Web 2 adoption and performance of telecommunication firms in Ghana: a study of MTN Ghana

Competitive strategy and circular economy practice implementation toward corporate sustainability performance

AbstractThe impact of competitive strategy on corporate sustainability and the role of circular economy (CE) practices remains scanty in the extant literature. This study therefore examines the mediating role of CE practices on the relationship between competitive strategy and sustainability performance. Drawing on the natural resource‐based view (NRBV) theory and institutional logics (IL) theory, this study explores a framework that introduces competitive strategy as an antecedent variable in advancing CE practices and sustainability performance among firms in a developing economy. Using data obtained through a survey of 380 firms in Ghana, the results revealed that competitive strategy has a positive and statistically significant relationship with corporate sustainability performance. Additionally, CE practices mediate the positive association between competitive strategy and corporate sustainability. Our research extends the frontiers of the literature by combining the IL and NRBV theories to explain how competitive strategy influences sustainability performance via CE practices.

Road Infrastructure, Supply Chain Costs Reduction, and Road Safety in Economic Geography Perspective

Purpose: While it is expected that road transport infrastructure may enhance supply chain cost reduction, the mechanisms and conditions under which road transport infrastructure may enhance supply chain cost reduction are less understood. Theoretical framework: Drawing insights from the economic geography perspective, and survey data from 359 senior managers of manufacturing firms in Ghana, we found support for the argument that road transport infrastructure is important in the quest to improve supply chain cost reduction. Methods: The hypothesized model was tested with survey data from beverage manufacturing firms in Ghana. The survey method is usually appropriate for strategic management studies. Results and Conclusion: Our findings also suggest that road safety does not just support supply chain cost reduction but serves as a transformative mechanism to reap superior supply chain cost reduction in a resource-constrained environment. Our findings make a contemporary contribution to the economic geography theory as well as important managerial guidance for managers in the supply chain management space in resource-constrained regions like SSA. Research implications: The outcome of this study offers an important extension to the frontiers of innovative literature in supply chain management. Originality/value: It also provides practical insight to practitioners in the manufacturing setting by emphasizing the need to pay crucial attention to road safety as well as invest in road infrastructure development in the quest to reduce supply chain costs.