Private Universities In Ghana Research Articles

The role of change readiness in the relationship between learning organisation and successful change implementation

PurposeAlthough change is a necessary part of organisational life, achieving a successful change is complex. Change readiness is a critical element in successful change implementation, yet studies assessing change readiness as an underlying mechanism in the link between organisational-level factors and successful change implementation are scarce, particularly in the African context. Accordingly, the present study examined the extent to which change readiness mediates the link between learning organisation and successful change implementation in the Ghanaian context.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized a standardized questionnaire to collect data from 364 participants, working in public and private universities in Ghana. The participants were selected via the convenience sampling strategy to complete the survey on the main variables at a single point in time. The study was purely quantitative, as path analysis – a form of structural equation modelling was employed to test the hypothesized relationships in the study.FindingsThe results show that both learning organisation and change readiness facilitated successful change implementation. Finally, it was observed that change readiness served as an important mediating mechanism in the link between learning organisation and successful change implementation.Practical implicationsChange readiness was found to explain the link between learning organisation and successful change implementation. Thus, it is important that managers and leaders of public and private sector educational institutions in Ghana invest resources into preparing and getting employees to accept, be committed to and ready for change.Originality/valueThe present study contributes to the scarce knowledge of the mediating role of change readiness in the link between learning organisation and successful change implementation in the African context.

Research data management practices of faculty members in Ghanaian universities

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the current research data management practices among researchers in Ghana and their impact on data reuse and collaborative research. The study aims to identify the methods used by researchers to store and preserve their research data, as well as to determine the extent to which researchers share their data with others.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a mixed-method research strategy to blend qualitative and quantitative data and is conducted at two public and two private universities in Ghana.FindingsThe study revealed that researchers in Ghana currently store and preserve their research data using personal devices, such as laptops, CDs and external flash drives, rather than keeping the data in university data repositories. They also do not share their research data with others, which negatively affects collaborative research. The current practice of storing data on personal devices and not sharing data with others hinders collaborative research. The study recommends that universities in Ghana revise their research policy documents to address RDM-related issues such as data storage, data preservation, data sharing and data reuse.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted at two public and two private universities in Ghana, but the findings were placed in a wider context through appropriate references.Practical implicationsThis study emphasises the need for sound research data management procedures to support research collaboration and data reuse in Ghana. Universities should provide incentives to academics to disclose their data to encourage data sharing and collaboration.Social implicationsThe government and management of universities should consciously invest in the needed technologies and equipment to implement research data management in their universities.Originality/valueThis study looks at how researchers in Ghana manage their research data and how it affects data reuse and collaborative research.

How Do Demographic Characteristics of Faculty in Selected Universities in Ghana Explain Their Sources of Personal Information?

This paper examined the sources of faculty's personal information and the reasons for creating information. We tested the hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their choice of sources of personal information. This study's population comes from four public universities and two private universities in Ghana. A sample survey research design and a sample of 235 faculty were used, and data were collected using a questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using Multinomial Logistic Regression in addition to frequency distributions. Demographic characteristics of faculty relate aptly to their personal information sources and be integrated into information literacy activities. Improving the PIM performance of faculty will require understanding their personal information sources to improve productivity and promote good health.

Using Principal Components Regression (PCR) to Predict the Nexus between Institutional Training and Development Programs and Employer Performance in Private Universities in Ghana

Aim: This study examined the nexus between institutional training and development and employee performance from private universities in Ghana using Principal Components Regression (PCR). Methodology: The study employed exploratory design through the quantitative and cross-sectional survey methods for data collection. The questionnaires were administered t0 384 respondents from the private universities. Findings: The study revealed that training on leadership behaviour and development modules is more prevalent in the private universities in Ghana (M= 3.2669, SD = 0.6918, Skewness = -0.8262, p-value = 0.0000). The correlation results revealed a significant positive relationship between on-job training (r=0.3570*, p-value = 0.000), off-job training (r= 0.2893*, p-value = 0.000), training on leadership behaviours (r=0.4019*, p-value = 0.000) and training on development modules and employee performance (r=0.5917*, p-value = 0.000). Using PCR, the results revealed that there is a significant combined effect of on-job training, off-job training, training on leadership behaviour and development modules on employees’ performance (F-statistic = 54.512, p-value =0.000<0.05). Recommendation: it is recommended that private universities intensify more efforts to train their employees. Also,institutional training and development programmes at the private universities in Ghana should emphasized more on-job training and off-job training and further improve their activities of development modules training and leadership.

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

COVID-19 has negatively affected the educational systems of most countries, most especially, private universities in Ghana. The study assessed the strategies adopted by private universities in Ghana for effective enrolment management practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. The descriptive qualitative research method was used to solicit primary data through interviews, document/system reviews, and observations from private universities. The study established that the private universities were able to deploy some strategies which had positive impact on enrolment management at the universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the strategies adopted include transition to the digital learning experience (using digital learning experience ZOOM, LOOM, Microsoft Team, and Google Meet); establishing an enrolment command center to coordinate and support the decision-making activities regarding students' access, recruitment, admission, persistence, retention, and completion during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond; and the deployment of virtual tour services by improving tour services virtually and making navigation points on the university websites. Furthermore, the use of social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp) and financial aid served as strategies for effective enrollment management. The findings of the study provide empirical and practical support and information for university administrators, academic advisors, educators, and researchers on the strategies that they can deploy for effective enrolment management practices in private universities during epidemics or pandemics and beyond.

Quality of the accounting programmes of private universities in Ghana: alumni group perspectives

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.

Assessing Internal Quality Assurance Mechanisms at Selected Private Universities in Ghana

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.

Sustainability reporting on the websites of public and private universities in Ghana

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.

Employee engagement and performance of lecturers in private Universities in Ghana

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.

Employee engagement and performance of lecturers in private Universities in Ghana

Employee engagement and performance of lecturers in private Universities in Ghana

Student housing design implications for single-room occupancy during COVID-19 in Ghana

PurposeThe 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/approachThe 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.FindingsThe 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/implicationsIt 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/valueWhile 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 Influence of Project Work Approach on College Students’ Interest in Programming at the Private Universities in Ghana

<p><span lang="EN-US">Failure rates have become a global problem as university students studying computer programming grow worldwide. Students' interest has been linked to learning skills that require metacognition and critical thinking, which are essential for studying computer programming efficiently. As a result, the project work approach in studying computer programming combines knowledge of technology with soft skills. Project work is best suited for complicated problem-solving tactics and teamwork creatively. The study used quantitative methodology and a descriptive design survey to evaluate the project work approach's influence on college students’ interest in programming. The study's participants were Christian Service University computer science students. A total of 420 students were enrolled in the study, with a sample size of 368. Inferential and descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the data received from the respondents. The study found that standalone systems were the highest factor in the project work given to students. The study revealed that project work could make students interested in programming. The study concluded that project work has a favorable and considerable impact on college students' programming interests.</span></p>

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

PurposeDrawing on the social support role’s research gap of the cognitive dissonance theory, this study aims to assess the satisfaction of all-inclusiveness among student with disability (SWD) living in off-campus student housing in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachSWD satisfaction data were collected through survey among off-campus student housing in six public and private universities in Ghana. Using the universal building design requirements (UDRs), a confirmatory factor analysis and multivariate regression were used to determine UDRs satisfaction among SWD.FindingsThe results showed that there exist 11 inbuilt and 9 externals UDRs among off-campus student housing in Ghana. The satisfaction level revealed that SWDs were satisfied with 5 out of the 11 inbuilt UDRs. Similarly, SWDs were satisfied with five out of nine external UDRs. Among them, only 50.5% off-campus student housing has slip-floor resistance in the buildings, which forms the highest availability among the inbuilt UDRs. Total, 33% of student housing has a clear signage, which was the highest among the external UDRs. These provided some psychological effects on SWD across the study locations.Practical implicationsThis study seeks to encourage the adherence to the implementation of universal building design regulations and the review of structural design and permitting process in ensuring all-inclusiveness and compliance among student housing investors in Ghana.Originality/valueThis study uniquely contributes to the body of knowledge on all-inclusiveness among students with disability in off-campus student housing studies through the expansion of the frontiers of the social support discourse of cognitive dissonance theory in the housing subsector. Again, this study deviates from health and legal studies associated to disabilities in Ghana.

Impact of Technology on University Leadership Effectiveness Among Academic Staff of Some Selected Private Universities in Ghana

Throughout history, leaders in many countries have leveraged on technology to achieve supremacy and power; from German engineering and Japanese electronics to Indian software and Israeli cybersecurity. Patterns in the rise and fall of technological leadership show that such dominance should be understood from traditional factors that signal industrial power, geography and national ambition, and the complexity of emerging technologies. The ubiquitous nature of contemporary technologies and the explosion of mobile and other network-attached devices have been the catalysts and tipping points for most successful countries and leaders. This paper examines how advances in technology impact on university leadership effectiveness among academic staff working in four selected private universities in Ghana. Stratified random sampling method was used to gather data from respondents, comprising administrators, deans and heads of departments from four universities used in the study. Data was analysed using the Pearson's Product Moment Correlation and the one sample t-test. The study revealed that, advances in technology has a positive relationship with leadership. The authors proceed to discuss the implications of the study by way of theory, practice and future study.

Income Sustainability Of Private Universities In A Sub-Saharan African Country: Ghana

Tertiary institutions, both public and private, play a vital role in global socio-economic development through the production of human capacity. However, an area of research that has gotten relatively little academic attention in the Ghanaian higher education milieu is private universities' strategic responses to their financial sustainability. The purpose of this study, which used an exploratory research methodology, was to examine the various sources of income generation by private universities and strategic responses adopted to sustain their financing in Ghana. With an incorporated case study design, the study used a qualitative research methodology. The main findings, which were supported by data from semi-structured interviews conducted in five private universities and documentary evidence, showed that the primary source of pressure on private tertiary institutions comes from the limited funding that prevents them from achieving their missions. The findings also showed that private universities had taken certain strategic steps to counteract the effects of their restricted funding. The options highlighted included sustaining tuition fees through an aggressive admission strategy, income diversification strategy by expanding non-traditional sources of income, commercialising, and research. For the universities, cost-cutting through increased budgetary efficiency also represented a more important strategy. Although private universities in Ghana continue to haphazardly rely on inadequate funding, the survey found that they are actively engaged in numerous varied and alternative income-generating activities in order to survive.

A social media strategy for academic libraries

This study was carried out to analyse strategies regarding the use of social media for academic library services in Ghana. The research design was quantitative and adopted the survey approach. Questionnaires served as the main data collection instrument. The study population comprised of one hundred and ten library staff from public and private universities in Ghana. As indicated by the study results, the library staff agreed that there was a need for a well-formulated social media strategy to help academic libraries identify the most appropriate social media tools, establish contact with targeted audience, and increase engagement rates to enable an effective and efficient distribution of its resources and services. The results also indicated that the academic libraries, however, seem to neglect these strategies which could drive patrons' use of such platforms. Recommendations therefore suggest the need to implement social media plans and policies, user engagement, social media update, and dedicated staff with the requisite skills in the use of social media platforms for library services delivery.

Knowledge of students of the exceptions and limitations clause in copyright administration in academic libraries in Ghana

Copyright exceptions and limitations, which allow information consumers the right to use copyrighted materials without necessarily obtaining permission from or payment to the rightsholder, promote advances in the arts and sciences. Poor knowledge of copyright laws results in improper use of copyrighted materials. However, the extent to which academic library users in Ghana know about the exceptions and limitations, as well as their understanding of permissible use of information in the Copyright Act 690, 2005 of Ghana are not known. The sequential mixed methods approach was employed to collect data from 530 postgraduate students from two public and two private universities in Ghana to assess their knowledge of copyright exceptions and limitations, as well as their understanding of permissible use of information in Copyright Act 690, 2005 whilst using the services of their libraries. The study shows that students were poorly knowledgeable about the various applications of the exceptions and limitations clause in the copyright laws of Ghana: students were either indifferent (i.e. ‘neutral’), or ‘disagree’, and ‘strongly disagree’ on whether the Copyright Act 690, 2005 had clauses on exceptions and limitations on various uses of information such as for ‘Private copying’, for ‘Quotations’ or ‘For the benefit of persons with disability’. Over 50% of respondents were not sure that the copyright laws of Ghana had provisions for permissible use of information. Age and gender of respondent significantly influenced these responses: older students 46 years and above, and females, were more knowledgeable compared to younger students and males respectively about exceptions and limitations for ‘Private copying’, and ‘For the benefit of people with disability’ in the copyright laws of Ghana. Policymakers in Ghana should therefore adopt youth- and gender-focus strategies in copyright education for efficient administration of copyright laws in academic libraries.

The Balance Between Corporate Identity And Corporate Image And Its Impact On Marketing Of Universities In Ghana

Universities are adopting different strategies to attract students, enhance satisfaction level and loyalty as well as branding in a competitive market. Although university corporate identity and image is becoming an increasingly important issue in the marketing of universities in Ghana, there is sometimes a mismatch between the university corporate identity and image which can lead to poor marketing performance. This has therefore necessitated this study which is, evaluating the balance between corporate identity and corporate image and its impact on marketing performance of universities in Ghana using Christian Service University College as the case study.
 The study was descriptive. Population was past and current students of the university. Five hundred and seventy five (575) persons were sampled using convenience sampling method. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze data.
 Findings revealed a balance between CSUC corporate identity and corporate image, as it has positively impacted on the university’s marketing performance in these challenging times for private universities in Ghana. This was based on the evidence that, majority of the responses attested to the fact that the university practiced its Christian values inbuilt in its brand , also the university does what it says it stands for. Respondents were happy with lecturers and the university graduates’ performances on the field. The study recommended that Universities must create a perfect fit between their corporate identity and corporate image since they impact on their marketing performance, and also all staff must be made to understand the relationship between the institution's corporate identity and corporate image and its impact on marketing performance of the institution.

Entrepreneurial intentions among MBA students

Increasing entrepreneurial activities in a country start with an intention that leads to increased innovative activities, wealth creation, industrialization, employment generation, economic growth, and development. This paper examines the effect of attitude towards entrepreneurship, subjective norm, locus of control, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and environmental support on entrepreneurial intention of 159 MBA students from two private universities in Ghana. The study uses structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyze the data obtained from the participants. The results show that all the factors but entrepreneurial self-efficacy significantly affects students’ entrepreneurial intentions. The study proffers policy-makers with the opportunity to nurture entrepreneurship in students as a foundation for transforming the intent into practice to address the huge employment gaps in emerging economies.

Effects of Management Competence, Firm-Level Institutions and HRM Bundles on the Performance of Private Universities in Ghana

Effects of Management Competence, Firm-Level Institutions and HRM Bundles on the Performance of Private Universities in Ghana