College of Humanities & Social Sciences

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    Effects of innovative capabilities on the performance of small and medium scale enterprises in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.
    (KNUST, 2017-06) France, Doris Agyeiwaa
    This study investigated the effects of innovative capability on the performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Specifically, the study examined the performances and innovative capability of SMEs using descriptive statistics and perception index; and also determined the effect of innovative capabilities on SMEs‟ performances using a simple linear regression model. Structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from 100 SMEs which were randomly selected from Accra Metropolis, Tema Metropolis and Adenta Municipality in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The empirical results showed that SMEs reported good operational and financial performance. However, operational performance was higher. It was also revealed that SMEs have good innovative capabilities in terms of process of innovation, behaviour innovation, product/service innovativeness and innovative training for management. The innovative capabilities with significant effect on SMEs‟ performance were information technology, management training and product/service innovativeness. Based on these findings, the study recommends that owners and police makers of SMEs should concentrate more on providing training or upgrading employees skills and also ensure the adoption of ICT models in their enterprises.
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    Strategies for marketing life assurance products: the case study enterprise Life Assurance Company Limited.
    (KNUST, 2017-08) Twum, David
    Despite the tremendous socio-economic benefits that insurance companies provide to individuals, organisations and the nation at large, there are many challenges that the industry faces. Surmounting these barriers calls for innovation on the part of insurance companies. The purpose of the study was to examine the major challenges that insurance companies in Ghana ( Enterprise Life Assurance Company) faces and the market strategies(channel/models) used in advancing insurance products in Ghanian market. Using structured and pretested quetionnare, data gathered from 480 clients and staff of ELKAC. The data gathered was analysed quantitatively and discussed qualitatively. The findings of the study revaealed that insurance agents. Banc Assuranc, Telecommunication and brokers are some channels adopted by ELAC in the promotion and delivery of its insurance products and service. The agency model was shown to be dominant strategy (68%) used by ELAC in reaching out to its target market. High transactions costs, low incomes of clients mistrust of insurance, lack of proper appreciation for insurance products and service were identified as major challenges ELAC faces in discharging its mandate. Apart from high transaction costs, all the other constraints are systematic challenges that confront the insurance industry in general. The study recommends effective training of human resource especially the sales force to eliminate the misinformation out there, in addition intensification of eduction on insurance to encourage appreciation of insurance
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    Management of funds/finance in the rural churches a case study: churches around the Birim North District.
    (KNUST, 2017-08) Ansah, Christian Owusu
    It has always been a problem when it comes to managing of funds in organisations and the worst culprit are the non- profit organisations which includes the church. Religious organisations occupy a greater importance in society today and there is the need therefore to check how funds are managed. The main aim and purpose of the church is to win souls for Christ but there is the need to be able to manage the resources such as money at their disposal. The rural churches have peculiar problems with people who manage the accounts, procedures used and supervision. The main aim of this study was to assess the management of church funds/finances in rural churches in Ghana by assessing the people who manage the funds, identify procedures for managing and controlling the funds, find out the challenges of managing finance and finally looking at the effectiveness of financial management in rural churches in Ghana. Data was collected from 16 communities from 54 churches through questionnaires and oral interview targeting the account clerks/stewards on one side and the entire church members on the other end. Data was analysed descriptively using percentages. It was revealed that many people who are in charge of the accounts section do not have knowledge in accounting or finance. The study further found that most of the tools that are used to control or manage accounts are not being followed like budgeting and auditing. Most of the churches save their money in the bank which is a very good step in finance management. There are challenges which confront therural church and needs to be addressed. It is therefore recommended that money should still be deposited in the banks with adequate checks. Adequate sanctions (disciplinary measures) needs to be meted out to those who embezzle church funds. Refresher trainings are needed for account clerks as well as church policies needs to be made known to the entire congregants.
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    Assessment of the effect of unaccounted for water on operations of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Kumasi.
    (KNUST, 2017-11) Amoah, Yaw Nimako
    Majority of water utility companies struggle with one common and major challenge which is the high level of Unaccounted for Water. Unaccounted for Water is basically the volume of water lost when the volume of water billed is subtracted from the volume of water produced. Although this is a global problem faced by water utility companies, it is predominant in the developing countries. The main objective of this research was to assess the effect of Unaccounted for Water on the Operations of Ghana Water Company Limited, Kumasi. The causes and impact of Unaccounted for Water on operations of GWCL in Kumasi were identified. Also, the consumption pattern of customers of GWCL, Kumasi was examined and the management strategies to control Unaccounted for Water were assessed. Primary and Secondary data were used in this research. The total population of staffs of GWCL, Kumasi is 450. Out of this, 90 of responses were analysed together with some data collected from the office of GWCL, Kumasi. Convenience sampling technique was used in this research. The study revealed that, the major factors contributing to high Unaccounted for Water in Kumasi included active leakage, weak infrastructure and water theft. Unaccounted for Water directly affects the operations of water utility companies. There is loss of revenue, operational cost increases and these affect the finances of water utility companies. It is therefore recommended that, the public should be educated on the operations of GWCL, Kumasi. Those who engage in water theft should be severely punished. There should also be leakage monitoring team to promptly attend to leakages and bursts. Finally, levels of Unaccounted for Water has become a key performance indicator on the operations and financial viability of water utility companies. Once a water utility company has high Unaccounted for Water, it is reckoned to be poorly managed. Hence, top management and entire staff at various levels need to play their roles to limit the effect of Unaccounted for Water.
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    Customer perceptions of rural banks in Ghana: a case study of selected companies in Ashanti region.
    (KNUST, 2017-11) Acheampong, Kwame Yeboah
    The study investigated customer perceptions of rural banking in Ghana. The study was descriptive using both primary and secondary sources of data. Data was collected from 360 respondents using the questionnaire and analysed using the SPSS. The study found that rural bank customers have the following expectations from the organization: timely service delivery, knowledgeable staff, and quick response to complaints, adequate support to customers, and more efficient transaction. It was however evident that the most significant expectations were timely service delivery, knowledgeable staff, quick response to complaints. The general finding was that customers largely see rural banks’ service delivery to be poor and below their expectation. The various dimension of service quality were found to be generally weak. The study established that customers generally are not impressed with the service delivery of rural banks. Again, most of the customers do not see quality in their service whilst majority also does not consider rural banks to be customer friendly. Most customers reported that they would switch to commercial banks at the appropriate time. The study recommended the need for improved customer support service by rural banks. This is based on the finding that most customers found this aspect of their service delivery to be very low. Further, there is the need for staff to be trained on effective customer relationship management. This will address the general complaint of poor customer relationship found in the study.