scholarly journals Effect of COVID-19 on acquisition of employable skills among national service personnel in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses Segbenya ◽  
Sally Abena Baafi-Frimpong ◽  
Nana Yaw Oppong
Keyword(s):  
Online Teaching ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
National Service ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Personnel ◽  
Job Opportunities ◽  
And Training

PurposeThis study examined the effect of COVID-19 on the acquisition of employable skills among national service personnel in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted the cross-sectional descriptive survey design from the positivist paradigm to collect data from a sample of 2,263 out of a population of 77,962 trainees (national service personnel) posted to the public (85.1%) and the private (14.9%) sectors for the 2019/2020 service year. Sampling techniques were simple random, stratify and snowball sampling techniques and Google form softcopy questionnaire was used for data collection.FindingsThe study found that COVID-19 had made workplaces and work schedules very risky for trainees' acquiring employable skills in Ghana because their employers/trainers' were unable to provide adequate PPEs for trainees. Preventive measures such as mandatory leaves, reduced workload/working hours and shift system had reduced the duration for acquiring employable skills which could affect employability and aggravate graduate unemployment in Ghana. The sustainability and quality of job opportunities presented by COVID-19 to graduate trainees-farming; trading and online teaching could also not be guaranteed.Research limitations/implicationsIt was recommended that employers/trainers should provide adequate PPEs, introduce teleworking with the necessary tools and training for their trainees. Educational institutions should provide work-based learning methods in their curricula to enhance employable skills for national service graduates. Government's support for trainees venturing into self-employed job opportunities presented by the COVID-19 was also recommendedPractical implicationsIt was recommended that employers/trainers should provide adequate PPEs, introduce teleworking with the necessary tools and training for their trainees. Government's support for trainees venturing into self-employed job opportunities presented by the COVID-19 was also recommended.Originality/valueThis paper has not been published anywhere.

The role of national service in enhancing employability skills of tertiary graduates in Ghana: a case of national service personnel in the Central Region

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses Segbenya ◽  
Nana Yaw Oppong ◽  
Sally Abena Baafi-Frimpong
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Central Region ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Original Research ◽  
National Service ◽  
Job Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Personnel ◽  
The Government

PurposeOne of the means to enhance the employability skills of tertiary graduates transiting into the job market has been the compulsory national service instituted by the Government of Ghana. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to examine the contribution of the mandatory national service to enhance the employability of tertiary graduates in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study used the longitudinal descriptive survey design to sample 375 national service personnel (2018 and 2019 batches) of 13,874 service personnel posted to the Central Region of Ghana, and 31 employers.FindingsThe study found human relation, communication and experience to enter the job market were perceived higher by tertiary graduates in Ghana. It was also found that the preferred employers amongst tertiary graduates were the government, multinational companies and public schools. Skills mismatch between the acquired skills of tertiary graduates and the skills required by employers was also found. Responsible factor identified was the posting of personnel for national service without considering their academic background and future job aspirations. Tertiary graduates transiting into the job market after the national service preferred to be employed by the government because of the lack of entrepreneurial skills.Practical implicationsTherefore, it was recommended that the national service secretariat post national service personnel to organisations that reflect personnel's career aspiration.Originality/valueThis is original research carried out by the researchers and was not sponsored by any organisation/institution.

Strategies for health and safety management in Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-450
Author(s):  
Kweku Bedu Simpson ◽  
Aloysius Sam
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Staff

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the contemporary strategies for Health and Safety (H&S) management practices at the construction sites in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study used a mixed method approach in conducting a cross-sectional survey at 28 active construction sites in the Kumasi and Accra metropolises of Ghana using questionnaires and interview guide by using purposive, convenience and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected from 170 survey respondents and 18 interview participants comprising artisans and management staff. Findings On H&S management practices, the study found that most construction sites have policies for H&S delivery and are duly followed and enforced. Nonetheless, construction workers moderately agreed that there was reward for; the avoidance and reduction of accidents and illnesses, good H&S behaviour and provision for insurance and hospital claims. It was also revealed that most of the construction sites adopt either one or a combination of mandatory H&S standards. Generally, most workers possessed a fairly positive perception about the H&S management practices at their sites and were either satisfied or very satisfied with its performance. Research limitations/implications Generalizing the findings beyond the study areas is limited because of the use of the non-probability sampling techniques. Originality/value This study focused on the active construction sites in the study areas to investigate their H&S practices against the backdrop of numerous publications describing the general H&S situation in Ghana as poor. It revealed the current H&S performance of the construction sites for the benefit of the construction industry, researchers and the academia.

The battle over employers’ demand for “more flexibility”

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 886-906 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erling Rasmussen ◽  
Barry Foster ◽  
Deirdre Farr
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Postal Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Employer Attitudes ◽  
Legislative Changes ◽  
Employment Legislation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to place empirical research on New Zealand employers’ attitudes to collective bargaining and legislative change within the context of the long running debate of flexibility. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey design using a self-administered postal questionnaire, covering private sector employers with ten or more staff and including employers within all 17 standard industry classification. To explore particular issues, an additional in-depth interviews were conducted of 25 employers participating in the survey. Findings It is found that employers support overwhelmingly recent legislative changes though there are variations across industries and firm sizes. There is also considerable variation in terms of which legislative changes are applied in the workplace. Despite fewer constraints on employer-determined flexibility, there was a rather puzzling finding that most employers still think that employment legislation is even balanced or favouring employees. Originality/value Cross-sectional survey findings of New Zealand employer attitudes to legislative changes are few and provide valuable data for policy makers, unions, employers and employment relations researchers. The paper also contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of pressures to increase employer-determined flexibility in many western countries.

Workplace policies and training in China: evidence from matched employee-employer data

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 986-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinod Mishra ◽  
Russell Smyth
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Causal Relationship ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
Workplace Training ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transitional Countries ◽  
Workplace Policies ◽  
And Training ◽  
Policies And Practices

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which workplace policies and practices are related to participation in, and frequency and duration of, workplace training, controlling for worker and workplace characteristics. Design/methodology/approach – The authors regress variables depicting participation, frequency and duration of workplace training on workplace policies and control variables. In the case of participation in training, the dependent variable is binary; hence, the authors use a logit model. To examine the number of times which employees participate in training and the number of days they spend training the authors use a Tobit model. The Lewbel (2012) method is used to examine whether there is a causal relationship between workplace policies and the frequency, and duration, of training. Findings – The findings suggest that about half of the workplace policies considered are positively correlated with the incidence and breadth of workplace training. There is also some support for the view that bundling of policies is positively correlated with the provision of workplace training. The Lewbel (2012) results suggest a causal relationship between a bundle of workplace policies and the frequency, and duration, of workplace training. There is, however, no evidence that workplace policies designed to devolve responsibilities to workers and incentivize staff polarizes skills through resulting in more training for professional staff over others. Originality/value – The authors use matched employer and employee cross-sectional data for Shanghai in China. To this point most studies that have examined the determinants of training use data for Europe or the USA. There are few studies of this sort for countries in other regions and, in particular, developing or transition countries. There are no studies at all on the relationship between workplace policies and practices designed to promote organizational performance and training in developing or transitional countries. This study addresses this gap in the understanding of the factors related to on-the-job training in transitional countries, such as China.

Organizational barriers to employee training and learning: evidence from the automotive sector

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 8-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Anlesinya
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Employee Training ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Barriers ◽  
Cultural Systems ◽  
Management Commitment ◽  
Common Barriers

Purpose This study examines the factors that hinder employee training and learning in the automotive industry in Ghana, Africa. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts quantitative research methodology and cross-sectional survey design. Eighty-nine usable questionnaires from employees of an automotive organization in Ghana are used. Descriptive statistics and one-sample t-test are used for the analyses. Findings The results indicate that organizational culture, poor management commitment to training, inadequate promotion prospects, and lack of transparency and fairness in trainees’ selection are the most common barriers to employee training and learning. Practical implications Top management should provide opportunities to employees to apply new skills and knowledge they acquired. Fair and transparent procedures should be used to select training beneficiaries. Finally, organizations should develop cultural systems that encourage continuous learning motivation among their employees. Originality/value In this era of knowledge-driven economy, this research highlights factors that inhibit employees’ motivation to learn.

Records management and performance of procurement management units in Tanzania: a case study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mordecai Chrysostom Matto
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Procurement Management ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Management Units ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to examine the influence of records management on the performance of procurement management units (PMUs) in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach To meet the objective of the study, cross-sectional survey design and quantitative approaches were used for data collection and analysis. Preliminary analysis of the data was carried out using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling was then used to analyse the influence of records management standards on procurement performance. The data were collected from 164 government PMUs in Tanzania. Findings The findings revealed that records management attributes significantly affect procurement performance in Tanzania. Furthermore, government policy and integrity factors confound the association between records management and procurement performance. Practical implications The policymakers and practitioners of public procurement are required to be aware of records management principles and how each related factor influences the performance of PMUs. They should emphasise proper storage and housing, equipment, arrangement and access and implement electronic records management. Originality/value This study shows how the ISO 15489 model can be applied to public procurement processes. This study also provides the lesson that procurement records need to be protected to ensure their authenticity, reliability, integrity and useability.

Health-seeking behaviour and practices among immigrant retail traders in an urban setting in North-Western Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elijah Yendaw ◽  
Anthony Mwinilanaa Tampah-Naah
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This study aims to investigate the health-care-seeking behaviour and practices of West African migrants who reside and operate in Wa, Ghana, as itinerant retailers. Design/methodology/approach The study was cross-sectional and used the quantitative research approach. The analysis was done on a target population comprising 122 itinerant immigrant retail traders in Wa, Ghana. Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Findings Malaria was the commonest disease among them. Five in ten of the migrants preferred to report malaria episodes to a private health facility than to a government facility. Significant associations were identified between four dimensions (health facility, self-medication, home remedy and consult others) of health-seeking behaviour, and some background characteristics. The main reason why migrants prefer government health facilities was because of their better health personnel. They self-medicated because of easy accessibility of over-the-counter medicine shops. Also, when ill, the migrants usually consulted family members who would be in a position to take them home when their ailment worsens. Research limitations/implications Snowball sampling was used to select the respondents which could potentially lead to a sample that is not fully representative of the population in general. Originality/value Studies concerning migration and health in Ghana have been focused on internal migrants. Yet, minority immigrant traders equally encounter adverse health conditions but limited studies have been conducted to espouse their health-seeking behaviour. This study imperatively contributes to the subject matter that has limited literature in the country.

Staff resilience and coping behavior as protective factors for mental health among construction tradesmen

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Mayowa Nwaogu ◽  
Albert P.C. Chan ◽  
Mershack Opoku Tetteh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Coping Behavior ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Coping With Stress ◽  
Essential Point ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Coping

Purpose Construction tradesmen are exposed to high levels of stress that can worsen mental health, negatively impacting safety compliance and organization productivity. Hence, effectively coping with stress to prevent mental ill-health becomes an essential point of reference. Thus, this study aims to examine the role of factors such as resilience and coping strategies in protecting tradesmen against mental ill-health. Design/methodology/approach Using a cross-sectional survey design, 110 tradesmen from 65 construction companies were surveyed using the Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Brief Resilience Scale and Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Findings The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. With a 74.5%, 36.4% and 14.6% prevalence rate of self-reported depression, anxiety and suicide ideation among the tradesmen, only positive reappraisal, accepting responsibility coping behaviors and resilience would mitigate the likelihood of developing mental ill-health symptoms. Originality/value This study has extended existing literature by providing information vital to building interventions to deal with stressors effectively. This information would benefit individuals, organizations and the economy and equip policymakers with a deeper knowledge base toward improving mental health.

scholarly journals Irish occupational therapists use of evidenced-based falls prevention programmes

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Lombard ◽  
Laura Desmond ◽  
Ciara Phelan ◽  
Joan Brangan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Exercise Programme ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Prevention Programmes

Purpose As one ages, the risk of experiencing a fall increases and poses a number of serious consequences; 30 per cent of individuals over 65 years of age fall each year. Evidence-based falls prevention programmes demonstrate efficacy in reducing the rate and risk of falls among older adults, but their use in Irish occupational therapy practice is unknown. This study aims to investigate the implementation of falls prevention programmes by occupational therapists working with older adults in Ireland. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was used to gather data on the use of falls prevention programmes among occupational therapists working with older adults in any clinical setting across Ireland. Purposeful, convenience and snowball sampling methods were used. The Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland acted as a gatekeeper. Descriptive statistics and summative content analysis were used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Findings In all, 85 survey responses were analysed. Over 85 per cent of respondents reported “Never” using any of the evidence-based falls prevention programmes. The “OTAGO” Exercise Programme was the most “Frequently” used programme (9.5 per cent, n = 7); 29 respondents reported using “in-department” developed falls prevention programmes and 14 provided additional comments regarding current falls prevention practices in Ireland. Originality/value In the absence of Irish data on the subject, this study provides a benchmark to describe the use of evidence-based falls programmes by Irish occupational therapists with older adults.

Can forensic accounting impact sustainable corporate governance?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Rehman ◽  
Fathyah Hashim
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Policies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is the measurement of forensic accounting’s (FA) impact on sustainable corporate governance (SCG) within Omani public listed companies. Beyond merely cataloging the latest criminal innovations and SCG problems, this paper offers a path forward to overcome the myriad threats that can harm the organization and society. FA and SCG can achieve, anticipate and prevent tomorrow’s fraud today before organizations reach the point of no return. Design/methodology/approach For this study, FA is an independent variable and SCG is the dependent variable. This study used a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Data are collected by internet-based tool and analyzed via partial least squares structural equation modeling and Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Findings Result suggests that FA has a significant direct impact over SCG; moreover, FA can become the part of governance management toward the elimination of fraud and achievement of SCG. Practical implications This study can assist regulators, professional bodies and organizations in amending their codes of corporate governance and organizational policies by introducing the SCG clauses and making FA as a compulsory part of governance system. Originality/value Up to the best of the knowledge of researchers, there is no study conducted before which verifies the FA impact on SCG; moreover, previous relevant studies verify only one constituent for SCG, whereas this study is identifying three constituents necessary for SCG.

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