Department of Management Education
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- ItemA Critical Review Of The Five-Factor Model For Success Of Internal Consultants Outlined By Christine Miller And Karthik Subbiah (2012)(Researchjournali’s Journal of Management, 2021) Adu-Gyamfi, Mavis; Nyame, Gabriel; Alhassan, Ibrahim; Asafo, Samuel MawusiThe concept of internal consultancy is gradually gaining greater recognition in many organizations today. A number of models have been put forward to address challenges faced by Internal Consultants (ICs) as far as business and change initiative’s successes are concerned. This article reviewed the five-factor model proposed by Miller and Subbiah (2012) and discusses the challenges of the model as a basis to make the work of the IC successful. Further, we proposed an integrative balanced approach model to enhance the one proposed by Miller and Subbiah (2012). Literature was thoroughly reviewed to understand and analyze the five factors and their relevant interconnectivity as well as the levels of success anticipated for an effective change initiative. Despite the relevance of the model, the analysis shows an ecosystem of ICs as a structure, suggesting multiplicity of factors to guarantee change success. Moreover, the dimensionality of the factors, their possible combination and presence support, and their degree of influence and prioritization emerged as significant aspects of the model that requires thorough assessment to ensure successful change initiative. Also, the three levels of change are integrated into the balanced approach model for quality feedback between performance and relationship. Hence, these useful aspects of the five factors pointed out in this article can aid practitioners and researchers to customize strategies to fit into specific contexts in ensuring presence support and effectiveness of the factors as well as other related factors.
- ItemAbusive customer behaviour and frontline employee turnover intentions in the banking industry: The mediating role of employee satisfaction(Cogent Business & Management, 2018-09-17) Bamfo, Bylon ABeeku; Dogbe, Courage Simon Kofi; Mingle, HarryThe study aims to examine the mediating role of frontline employee job satisfaction in the relationship between abusive customer behaviour and employee turnover intentions in the banking industry. Design/Methodology/Approach—The study sampled 186 frontline employees from 10 banks in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The data analysis software used was STATA. The main method of data analysis was structural equation modelling; however, a confirmatory factor analysis was first conducted to check for the validity and reliability of the research instrument. A mediation analysis was finally con ducted and confirmed using Sobel test. Findings—The study revealed that abusive customer behaviour has a negative and significant effect on frontline employee satisfaction in the banking sector. Frontline employee satisfaction also has a negative and significant effect on employee turnover intention in the banking industry. Abusive customer behaviour has a positive and significant effect on frontline employee turnover intentions in the banking sector. Frontline employee satisfaction also has a partial mediating
- ItemAbusive customer behaviour and frontline employee turnover intentions in the banking industry: The mediating role of employee satisfaction(Cogent Business & Management, 2018-10-11) Dogbe, Courage Simon Kofi; Bamfo, Bylon Bamfo; Mingle, HarryThe study aims to examine the mediating role of frontline employee job satisfaction in the relationship between abusive customer behaviour and employee turnover intentions in the banking industry
- ItemAn Analysis of the Range of Approaches to Regulate Environmental Impacts Associated with the Upstream Petroleum Industry: What is the Most Effective Approach?(International Journal of Law Management & Humanities, 2021) Newman, Ohenewaa BoatengVarious petroleum producing states have enacted laws to regulate its offshore industry. This is due to the fact that petroleum operations especially the upstream sector is fraught with risks of marine pollution although the industry is highly lucrative. An adoption of regulations is therefore dependent on some principles with the view of protecting the marine environment from pollution. This paper seeks to analyse the various approaches to environmental regulation, bringing out their strengths and shortfalls and to ascertain whether any one of the approaches is the most effective
- ItemAn Exploratory Study on the Null Curriculum in the Basic Education System in Ghana(Anatolian Journal of Education, 2023) Asare, Kotor; Boateng, Philip; Caballes, Dennis G.; Aboaye, Osei Michael; Anane, VivianThis study explored the prevalence of the null curriculum in the Ghanaian basic school education system. It also sought to identify the main reasons behind teachers' omission of specific topics or experiences from the basic school curriculum.Three hundred seventy-five basic school teachers from kindergarten, primary, and junior high schools participated in the study. A 32-item self-designed questionnaire was used to collect data for the analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The study participants identified lack of resources, the problematic nature of some topics, insufficient time, and inadequate knowledge and skills as factors contributing to the prevalence of null curriculum in Ghanaian schools. The findings show that a null curriculum is prevalent in the Ghanaian basic education system. The study found no statistically significant difference between teacher characteristics (i.e., teacher status and grade level) and the reasons behind omitting some topics or experiences. Implications of the study findings for educational theory and practice are discussed.
- ItemAssessing the Intermediary Role of Relationship Ending Capability and Dark Side Between Network Embeddedness and SMEs’ Innovation Performance(Innovation Performance. Journal of Competitiveness, 2020) Tian, Hong yun; Dogbe, Courage Simon Kofi; Bamfo, Bylon Abeeku; Pomegbe, Wisdom Wise Kwabla; Borah, Prasad SibaA key driver of firm competitive advantage is the firm’s ability to develop along with the ever changing business environment and associated market demands by being innovative. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), however, often lack adequate resources to develop innovation, so they search for external resources to augment the deficiency of their internal resources. Network embeddedness has many advantages for the firm, but it also has a dark side which has a negative effect on the network relationship. In order to take advantage of a network, firms should cultivate the capability to deal with the dark side of inter-firm relationships. Firstly, this study assesses the effect of network embeddedness on the innovation performance of SMEs. Secondly, the authors investigated the moderating role of this dark side in the relationship between network embeddedness and the innovation performance of SMEs. Finally, the role of relationship ending capability in neutralizing the negative effect of dark side we presented. Empirical analysis was based on 388 SMEs. Various validity and reliability checks were conducted before the presentation of the analysis itself, which was conducted using the ordinary least squares approach in SPSS (v.23). The findings showed the dark side negatively moderated the relationship between network embeddedness and the innovation performance of SMEs. This negative effect is, however, reduced by SMEs with a high relationship ending capability by freeing up firm’s limited resources for more fruitful business relationships.
- ItemAssessing the Moderating Role of Risk Management Capabilities in the Relationship Between Service Innovation and Financial Performance of Insurance Firms(International Journal of Contemporary Economics and Administrative Sciences, 2022-11-03) Yankson, Isaac Obeng Y; Kwaning, Emmanuel Addai; Pomegbe, Wisdom Wise Kwabla; Dogbe, Courage Simon KofiThe study assessed the moderating role of risk management capabilities in the relationship between service innovation and financial performance of insurance firms. A survey research design was adopted, with a quantitative research approach. The population of comprises life and non-life insurance companies in Ghana, numbering 39. There were 17 insurance firms selected for the study, from which 161 management staff were drawn as respondents. Data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The study concludes that, risk management capability had a positive moderative effect on the relationship between service innovation and financial performance of insurance companies in Ghana. This notwithstanding, both service innovation and risk management capability had a direct significant positive effect on financial performance of insurance firms. For stronger financial position, firms should endeavor to invest in both service innovation and effective risk management practices. The main contribution of this study centers on the interactive effect of service innovation and risk management capability. Although direct effects of service innovation and risk management, on financial performance have been established in literature, the interactive effect of these two predicting variables has not been well established in literature
- ItemCorporate social and environmental reporting in the mining sector: seeking pragmatic and moral forms of legitimacy?(Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 2023) Amos, Gideon JojoPurpose – The study examines the social and environmental responsibility indicators disclosed by three International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) corporate mining members in their social and environmental reporting (SER) from 2006 to 2014. To achieve this aim, the author limits the data two years before (i.e. from 2006 to 2007) and six years after (i.e. from 2009 to 2014) the implementation of the Sustainable Development Framework in the mining sector in 2008. Design/methodology/approach – Using the techniques of content analysis and interpretive textual analysis, this study examines 27 social and environmental responsibility reports published between 2006 and 2014 by three ICMM corporate mining members. The study develops a disclosure index based on the earlier work of Hackston and Milne (1996), together with other disclosure items suggested in the extant literature and considered appropriate for this work. The disclosure index for this study comprised six disclosure categories (“employee”, “environment”, “community involvement”, “energy”, “governance” and “general”). In each of the six disclosure categories, only 10 disclosure items were chosen and that results in 60 disclosure items. Findings – A total of 830 out of a maximum of 1,620 social and environmental responsibility indicators, representing 51% (168 employees, 151 environmental, 145 community involvement, 128 energy, 127 governance and 111 general) were identified and examined in company SER. The study showed that the sample companies relied on multiple strategies for managing pragmatic legitimacy and moral legitimacy via disclosures. Such practices raise questions regarding company-specific disclosure policies and their possible links to the quality/quantity of their disclosures. The findings suggest that managers of mining companies may opt for “cherry-picking” and/or capitalise on events for reporting purposes as well as refocus on company-specific issues of priority in their disclosures. While such practices may appear appropriate and/or timely to meet stakeholders’ needs and interests, they may work against the development of comprehensive reports due to the multiple strategies adopted to manage pragmatic and moral legitimacy. Research limitations/implications – A limitation of this research is that the author relied on self-reported corporate disclosures, as opposed to verifying the activities associated with the claims by the sample mining companies. Practical implications – The findings from this research will help future social and environmental accounting researchers to operationalise Suchman’s typology of legitimacy in other contexts. Social implications – With growing large-scale mining activity, potential social and environmental footprints are obviously far from being socially acceptable. Powerful and legitimacy-conferring stakeholders are likely to disapprove such mining activity and reconsider their support, which may threaten the survival of the mining company and also create a legitimacy threat for the whole mining industry Originality/value –This study innovates by focusing on Suchman’s (1995) typology of legitimacy framework to interpret SER in an industry characterised by potential social and environmental footprints – the mining industry.
- ItemCorporate social responsibility in the mining industry: an exploration of host-communities’ perceptions and expectations in a developing-country(CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, 2018) Amos, Gideon JojoPurpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how and what drives corporate social responsibility (CSR) in host communities of mining companies in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach – To address this knowledge gap, this paper used Ghana as a test case and conducted 24 in-depth interviews with participants drawn from mining host communities. Findings – The paper discovered that while CSR is broadly understood and encompasses six thematic categories in the mining host communities, there are emphases on philanthropic and environmental responsibilities. Contrary to the evidence found in other studies, this paper discovered that CSR rhetoric plays a more positive/significant role than so far explored in CSR research, as it incentivizes the host communities to push for the fulfilment of their CSR expectations and/or CSR initiatives proposed by mining companies. Research limitations/implications – Quantitative studies are needed to strengthen the findings from the present paper. Practical implications – Because developing countries share similar socio-economic and geo-political realities, the findings of this paper may be applicable not only for CSR advocates, but also for policy makers in developing countries. Originality/value – The paper provides new inputs from a developing country perspective to the current debate about the CSR performance of the extractive industry.
- ItemCorporate Social Responsibility, Innovation and Leadership: Exploring the Compatible Territories(Developing Country Studies, 2017) Amos, Gideon JojoPurpose – The objective of this study is to provide insights into the role of leadership in promoting creativity and innovation at the level of the firm, and how these may translate into improving firms’ own context of competitiveness in their respective markets through CSR initiatives. Method/approach – This paper employs literature study, which is descriptive in nature, to explore the relationships between leadership, creativity/innovation, and CSR. We sought to describe the relationships between the three concepts: leadership, creativity/innovation, and CSR, as practically as possible. In employing exploratory research strategy, we draw insights from extant literature, drawn from the management sciences to describe leadership, creativity/innovation and CSR in organizations. In doing so, we explore, by arguing, how leadership can stimulate creativity/innovation in employees and how firm-level innovation-directed activities can connect to CSR activities. Findings - The model suggests that leaders can stimulate employees’ creativity/innovative behaviour and this inturn may influence the rate at which innovation manifest in the products and processes of the organization. These, in turn, may be closely related to the CSR initiatives that the organization pursues. The study has argued that for creativity/innovation to be embedded in the organization’s product and processes, leadership of organization remains a key factor in terms of either enabling or inhibiting individual employees’ innovative behaviour. Leadership of organizations and individual employees’ innovative behaviour appear to influence the nature of CSR initiatives that is undertaken and may contribute in defining organization’s own competitiveness. Organization’s CSR initiatives can connect with efforts at improving its own competitiveness through, leadership of organization and stakeholder partnerships.
- ItemDeterminants of bank selection by university student in Ghana.(International Journal of Developing and Emerging Economies, 2019) Dogbe, Courage Simon Kofi; Bamfo, Bylon Abeeku; Sarsah, Sampson AtoThe study examines the bank selection criteria employed by Ghanaian university students. Design/methodology/approach – We used convenience sampling to select 997 students aged between 15-30 years from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Exploratory factor analysis was first conducted to determine the constructs that measure students’ selection of bank criteria. Using binary logistic regression, the extracted constructs were used as independent variable on the bank patronized. The effects of student demographics on the bank selection criteria was also determined using a multiple linear regression. Findings – The study extracted six constructs that measured bank selection criteria by university students. These were operational competence, external influence, physical evidence, e-banking facilities, convenience and cost of operating bank account. Out these, e-banking facility, convenience and cost of operating bank account, were statistically significant at determining the selection of bank. The department students belonged to (social science or pure science) affected the level of weight placed on cost of operation. Age of respondents and department affected the premium placed on e-banking. Finally, employment status and department affected the level of importance student attached to convenience as a selection criterion. Gender of students had no statistical effect on any of the bank selection criteria. Originality/value – The reviewed literature showed that, researchers either explored in isolation, bank characteristics influencing bank selection by clients, or client demographic and preference for bank and its characteristics. This study sought to feel this gap by combining the two, to provide a more robust model in explaining students’ selection of bank
- ItemDeterminants of First-year Students' Career Path in Ghana(Research Square, 2023) Asare, Kotor; Kissi-Abrokwah, Bernard; Krog, Soezin; Akumbuno, Alexander; Tutu-Danquah, Cecilia; Acheampong, Ebenezer; Seidu, Abdul-Aziz; Ahinkorah, Bright Opoku; Hammond, Pearl Nana Yaa AdubeaA successful career chosen by the student is the essential component in academic success. The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of first-year students' career paths in Ghana. The study was underpinned by Trait and Factor Theory (TFT), Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). The study was based on interpretive philosophical assumptions, and a qualitative approach was used to investigate the factors that influence the choice of career path of first-year university students in Ghana. All in all, 36 students were purposefully selected in three focus groups. The study found that socioeconomic, educational, sociocultural, and individual factors were the key determinants of a student’s career path. The study concluded that students from wealthy backgrounds have greater flexibility in choosing career paths that align with their interests than those from lower-income backgrounds. Again, it was revealed that students’ personal values and desires have a positive impact on their career paths.
- ItemDigital Library Readiness in Africa: A Strategic Human Resource Perspective(2022) Takyi, Lydia Nyankom; Owusu-Ansah, Christopher M.The success of any digital library endeavour significantly depends on the human capital of the implementing organisation. Many African institutions and academic libraries in developing countries are focusing and channeling significant resources into planning and setting up digital libraries. However, the main hurdle for many of these efforts is the human resource capacity of staff expected to implement these projects as several studies show a considerable skills gap in many digital library projects leading to sustainability challenges. The aim of this paper is to propose the application of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) in evaluating digital library resources and services in Ghana to determine the readiness of academic libraries in implementing sustainable digital library services. As a result, the study examines the strategic plan of a multi-campus public university in Ghana with a view to aligning it to the same university’s library digital strategy using the BSC. The study proposes to academic libraries involved in digital initiatives to be mindful of the digital, financial and societal contexts in which they operate. The study is expected to contribute to efforts at finding strategic measures to drive the vision of the digital library African institutions
- ItemEffect of network embeddedness on innovation performance of small and medium-sized enterprises The moderating role of innovation openness(ournal of Strategy and Management, 2019-07-17) Courage, Simon Kofi Dogbe; Wisdom, Wise Kwabla Pomegbe; Sampson, Ato Sarsah; Charles, Oduro Acheampong Otoo– The purpose of this study was to identify if network embeddedness and innovation performance relationship, which has been largely studied in multinational enterprises (MNEs) and large corporations, was also applicable in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Secondly, the authors also sought to identify the moderating role of innovation openness in the relationship between network embeddedness and SMEs’ innovation performance. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical analysis was based on 388 SMEs in Ghana. Various validity and reliability checks were conducted before the presentation of the actual analysis, which was conducted using the structural equation modeling in Amos (v.23). Findings – Findings revealed that, in the context of SMEs, network embeddedness had significant positive effect on innovation performance. The authors further identified that SMEs with both high levels of network embeddedness and innovation openness had a much higher performance in their innovation, compared to SMEs that relied solely on network embeddedness. Research limitations/implications – The current study found innovation openness to further strengthen the relationship between network embeddedness and SMEs’ innovation performance. The relationship between network embedded and SME’s innovation could, however, be mediated by knowledge transfer mechanisms, so future studies should pay particular attention to the mediating mechanisms. Practical implications – Management of SMEs is advised to develop conducive organizational structures, such as trust, openness to collaboration and so on, for effective innovative knowledge transfer and transformation. Originality/value – Past research studies on network embeddedness and innovation performance have dominantly resided in MNE and large corporations. This current study extends the body of knowledge by extending the network embeddedness and innovation performance research studies to SME contex
- ItemEffects of Internal CSR Activities on Social Performance: The Employee Perspective(Sustainability, 2021) Adu-Gyamfi, Mavis; He, Zheng; Boahen, Seth; Nyame, Gabriel; Frempong, Michelle FrempomaaCorporate social responsibility (CSR) continues to receive greater attention in the current business world. Many studies on CSR focus on manufacturing or industrial companies by examining external CSR activities from external stakeholders’ perceptions. However, academic institutions such as higher education institutions (HEIs) remain highly unexplored in the context of internal corporate social responsibility (ICSR). Employees are the most valuable and vital assets for every business organization. Therefore, this study focuses on CSR’s internal dimensions to determine its impact on social performance in HEIs in Ghana. Recognizing the social exchange theory (SET), we specifically examined the effects of five internal CSR dimensions (i.e., health and safety, human rights, training and development, workplace diversity, and work-life balance) on social performance. We used a multi-case approach to assess internal CSR activities in private and public Ghanaian universities. We purposely selected three public universities and one private university because of their varying contexts and academic mandates. We used structured questionnaires to collect data from both teaching and non-teaching staff of the selected universities. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the data. We found that health and safety, workplace diversity, and training and development positively and significantly impact social performance. At the same time, human rights and work-life balance have an insignificant effect on social performance. Thus, ICSR practices have a substantial influence on both employees’ and organization’s performance, and hence this study gives important implications for both researchers and practitioners
- ItemEmployees’ customer orientation and customer satisfaction in the public utility sector The mediating role of service quality(African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 2019-02-23) Li, Wenyuan; Pomegbe, Wisdom Wise Kwabla; Dogbe, Courage Simon Koficustomer orientation and customer satisfaction in the public utility sector. Design/methodology/approach – The study focused on the commercial customers (small and medium-scale enterprises– (SMEs)) of Electricity Company of Ghana Ltd. There were 350 SMEs sampled for the study, and each had no more than 99 employees. Respondents were either owner-managers or employee-managers. Structural equation model (SEM) was used in estimating the effects among the variables studied. Findings – Most public institutions have a built-in customer base, and therefore places less emphasis on employees’ customer orientation. This notwithstanding, findings revealed that employees’ customer orientation behaviors significantly impacted customers’ perceived service quality and satisfaction toward public institutions. Similarly, customers’ perceived service quality influenced their satisfaction toward public institutions. SMEs serve as an engine for economic growth in an economy, and therefore public institutions must consider their peculiar needs in the delivery of service to them. Originality/value – This study pointed out that, employees’ customer orientation behaviors of public institutions have an influence on customers’ perceived service quality and satisfaction. Previous studies on these concepts have largely focused on the private sector, where there are lots of competition. This study also specifically studied commercial customers (SMEs) of public institution, which is quite novel, especially in relation to the concepts studied. And the contribution of SMEs to economic growth makes their study even much more important.
- ItemEmployees’ customer orientation and customer satisfaction in the public utility sector The mediating role of service quality(African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 2018-10-18) Wenyuan, Li; Wisdom, Wise Kwabla Pomegbe; Kofi, Courage Simon Dogbe; Jewel, Dela NovixoxoThe purpose of this paper is to ascertain how perceived service quality mediates employees’ customer orientation and customer satisfaction in the public utility sector. Design/methodology/approach – The study focused on the commercial customers (small and medium-scale enterprises– (SMEs)) of Electricity Company of Ghana Ltd. There were 350 SMEs sampled for the study, and each had no more than 99 employees. Respondents were either owner-managers or employee-managers. Structural equation model (SEM) was used in estimating the effects among the variables studied. Findings – Most public institutions have a built-in customer base, and therefore places less emphasis on employees’ customer orientation. This notwithstanding, findings revealed that employees’ customer orientation behaviors significantly impacted customers’ perceived service quality and satisfaction toward public institutions. Similarly, customers’ perceived service quality influenced their satisfaction toward public institutions. SMEs serve as an engine for economic growth in an economy, and therefore public institutions must consider their peculiar needs in the delivery of service to them. Originality/value – This study pointed out that, employees’ customer orientation behaviors of public institutions have an influence on customers’ perceived service quality and satisfaction. Previous studies on these concepts have largely focused on the private sector, where there are lots of competition. This study also specifically studied commercial customers (SMEs) of public institution, which is quite novel, especially in relation to the concepts studied. And the contribution of SMEs to economic growth makes their study even much more important
- ItemEnhancing Performance in Mathematics Through Motivation, Peer Assisted Learning, And Teaching Quality: The Mediating Role of Student Interest(EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 2021-12-20) Arthur, Yarhands Dissou; Dogbe, Courage Simon Kofi; Asiedu-Addo, Samuel KwesIn the Sub-Saran Africa, mathematics is a key subject in the school curriculum and most countries consider it as must-pass subject to gain admission into tertiary institutions. This notwithstanding, students’ performance in mathematics in a cause for concern. For example, the mathematics performance of Ghanaian students in 2021 West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE), was lower than that of 2020. This indicates that the percentage of students to gain admission into the tertiary has reduced. This study therefore explored the role of motivation, peer assisted learning, quality of teaching and student interest on student performance in mathematics. The study design was a survey, with structured questionnaire being used for data collection. The population comprised of students pursuing their undergraduate degree at a public university in Ghana. Purposive and convenient sampling techniques were used in selecting 373 first year undergraduate students of Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), who studied on Kumasi campus. Data was gathered during lecture hours, after permissions were sought from the lecturers handling the classes at the time of data collection. The path analysis was by Structural Equation Modelling, by using Amos (v.23) software. It was concluded that students learning interest in mathematics partially mediated the relationships between mathematics learning motivation and performance in mathematics; as well as between mathematics teaching quality and performance in mathematics. The effect of peer assisted mathematics learning on performance in mathematics was however fully mediated by students learning interest in mathematics.
- ItemEnhancing the innovation performance of small and medium-sized enterprises through network embeddedness(Pomegbe, W. W. K., Li, W., Dogbe, C. S. K., & Otoo, C. O. A. (2020). Enhancing the Innovation Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Through Network Embeddedness. Journal of Competitiveness, 12(3), 156–171. https://doi.org/10.7441/joc.2020.03.09, 2020) Pomegbe, Wisdom Wise Kwabla; Li Wenyuan; Dogbe, Courage Simon Kofi; Otoo, Charles Oduro AcheampongBased on Resource Based Theory (RBT), the competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized En terprises (SMEs) depends on the uniqueness of resources used in the production and delivering of goods and services. Moreover, the innovation capability of SMEs is critical in enhancing their uniqueness. Various factors, however, could potentially influence SME innovation perform ance. This present study thus focuses on how SME innovation performance could be enhanced through the three dimensions of network embeddedness (relational, structural and cognitive). Founded on Resource Dependency Theory (RDT), the study seeks to demonstrate how SMEs could tap into the rich external resources within the networks they are embedded in. The study was based on 388 SMEs selected using a purposive sampling technique. A structured question naire was used for the data collection, with the data analyzed by structural equation modeling performed in Amos (v.20). The findings revealed that relational, structural and cognitive embed dedness had a positive effect on innovation performance, while structural embeddedness had the greatest impact on SME innovation performance. As such, SMEs seeking to improve their in novation performance through networks should pay critical attention to the network tie and den sity. Past studies on network embeddedness and innovation performance have shown conflicting results, and therefore this present study makes a notable contribution to the ongoing debate. Past studies have indicated a positive, negative, inverted u-shape, and even no significant relationship at all between the various dimensions of network embeddedness and innovation performance.
- ItemEntrepreneurial Passion to Entrepreneurial Behavior: Role of Entrepreneurial Alertness, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Proactive Personality(ORIGINAL RESEARCH, 2020-08-20) Li, Cai; Murad, Majid; Shahzad, Fakhar; Khan, Muhammad Aamir Shafique; Ashraf, Sheikh Farhan; Dogbe, Courage Simon KofiThis study investigated the role of entrepreneurial passion in recognition of opportunity, developing entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial intention, in the shaping of entrepreneurial actions in the presence of proactive personality. This study applied partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses on a sample of 346 university students from Jiangsu province, China. The output of the study showed that entrepreneurial passion positively and significantly influenced entrepreneurial alertness, entrepreneurial self-efficacy to entrepreneurial intention, and entrepreneurial behavior. The findings also showed that a proactive personality positively and significantly moderated the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial behavior