Vol 11.2 July – September 2011
ISSN 0855-9163
Price: 5.00
Articles in this Issue
E-Commerce in Ghana
Charles Buabeng Andoh, Eva Esther Shalin Ebenezer, Abena Asamoah Afriyie, Harry William Tachie-Menson Jnr.
Abstract
In this study, the main focus is on e-commerce in Ghana with emphasis on e-commerce sites and their implications go the customer. Other issues such as factors that encouraged and/or discouraged the adoption and implementation of e-commerce were also studied. Observation and interview methods were employed to collect data. 100 websites of business entities were examined to know the website interface for features that attract customers to initiate a transaction and information that aids customers in making choices as well as the kind of applications used in the initiation of a transaction and how difficult these applications are. In all a total of 300 people were interviewed comprising 100 owners/managers, 200 internet users randomly selected to find out if they had adopted e-commerce in their areas of endeavor. Descriptive statistics was used to present data. The results of the research revealed two levels of e-commerce websites. Level 1-sites had information on products and services, prices/charges, company profile and link to other sources. Level 2-sites allowed online ordering, online payment, online auctions, product referencing/customization and privacy laws.
Factors Influencing the Recruitment and Retention of Nurses in The Nzema East District
Mrs. Sabina Abena Bilson
Abstract
Recruitment and retention of nurses is very crucial in the human resources and development of the Ghana Ministry of Health. The exodus of Ghanaian nurses to seek greener pastures has created a lot of problems in the area of staff recruitment and retention. This article examines (a) the factors that attract nurses to the Nzema East District (NED); (b) reasons nurses give for accepting to go on transfer to NED; (c) factors that militate against the continuous stay of nurses in the NED; (d) factors that enhance the continued stay of nurses’ of NED; (e) the motivating factors nurses recommend for their retention. The outcome of the research were as follows: (a)Marriage formed the greatest retentive factor for nurses in NED; (b) nurses aged above 45 years preferred working in their own districts, but younger nurses preferred working in places away from their home towns; (c) midwives formed the largest grade and were most highly retained nurses in NED. Push factors for nurses in NED were identified as; (a) lack of transportation to implement outreach programmes; (b) lack of opportunity in the district for further education; (c) lack of accommodation and (d) dissatisfaction with Additional Duty Hours Allowance (ADHA). The research was done in 2004 for a Dissertation, submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the MA Degree in Educational Administration, University of Cape Coast.
The Dynamics of Control and Resistance: Micro-Level Theorising of Professional Resistance Under New Public Management
Samuel Tengey Ph.D
Abstract
How public sectors are managed globally has, over the past three decades, undergone substantial changes, influenced enormously by a perspective now known as new public management (NPM). Core to NPM is the belief that effective private style management answers to the public sector inefficiency challenge. Available research suggests that within the NPM model, managerialism, which subsumes professional autonomy in managerial objectives, tends to generate frictions between professional values and managerial objectives. This friction intensifies particularly in contexts where public service delivery is outsourced to private organisations, where cost containment is a crucial success factor. This paper reports on an investigation into issues arising between professionals and managers, pursuing service quality assurance and cost efficiency respectively, in two health institutions in Ghana where certain functions were outsourced. One key issue of professionals’ concern is increased managerial control of their work, which they argue has led to substantial truncation of their professional autonomy. Professionals maintain this reduced autonomy does not guarantee the public the quality of service it deserves. Drawing on control and resistance literatures, this paper conceptualises strategies professionals employed in responding to these issues, exploring the implications of their chosen strategies. The findings reveal professionals display substantial unconventionality in their response, employing principally non-confrontational, non-violent, and non-deviant resistance strategies akin to work to rule-a famous unionised resistance strategy. They sought resistance through the meticulous compliance with, not violation of the rules.
The Impact of Information Security Breaches on Banking Information Systems from The Year 2000 to 2009
Peter Tobin & Paul Danquah
Abstract
This research seeks to analyze the impact of Information Security breaches prone to selected Ghanaian banking institutions from the year 2000 to 2009. The results of this work were obtained through the review of related literature, questionnaires and observation. The results obtained are analyzed using the evaluative reporting of the data, supported by tables and charts where applicable. Recommendations are subsequently made to address the security breaches identified. The outcome of the research tends to place the findings in context by elaborating on how the research findings and results contribute to the field of Information Security in general and what sort of broader implications these may have. This will allow for greater understanding of Information Security issues within the banking sector and hopefully prompt for further in-depth research into its impact on the institutions and customers as a whole. A recommendation is made to banks to define the Information Security policy and effectively implement the policies by educating all staff on acceptable and best practices.
The Strategic Use of Information Technology In The Rural Banking Sector in Ghana (Nwabiagya Rural Bank As a Case Study)
Mr. Lawrence Kwami Aziale, Madam Elizabeth Afedo & Mr. Emmanuel Kluivert Ahiekpor
Abstract
The objective of this study is to evaluate the strategic use of Information Technology in the rural banking sector in Ghana. The study is case type in design and used a combination of probability and non-probability sampling techniques in selecting its sample. The analysis revealed that Nwabiagya Rural Bank lacks the desired technologies to support its operations. However, it was able to strategically employ the very limited technologies it has in place to gain some advantages in the sector. These advantages are shortening of customers’ waiting time, cut down on its operating costs, provide convenient banking services to its customers and attract a large customer base thereby increasing its sales volume and experience sharp increases in its profit level since the deployment of ICT into its systems. Two major factors were found to be militating against the accelerated deployment of innovative technologies namely: lack of funds and a restrictive ICT policy by supervisory bodies like the Bank of Ghana and the ARB Apex Bank. The study concludes that, ICT has a positive impact on the bank’s operations and therefore serves as a tool to attain competitive advantage in the banking industry.