In retail banking, quality of service plays a vital role in the context of sustained business sur... more In retail banking, quality of service plays a vital role in the context of sustained business survival and growth. The relationship between a bank and its customers must be a permanent and lasting one, which needs to be maintained with good quality services. An attempt has been made to ascertain the level of satisfaction of customers with regards to banking services in Kumasi metropolis in Ghana. This study assesses customer satisfaction of service quality and determines whether services provided by the selected private banks are acceptable to Ghanaian customers based on various levels of customer opinion regarding service quality. The methodology is based on primary data collected through a well-structured questionnaire administered on a sample size of 140respondents randomly selected from Ghanaian private banks. In order to assess the customer satisfaction in relation to the quality of service, five attributes were used to create a better understanding of the relationship between the attributes and customer satisfaction, by focusing on the retail banking industry in Ghana. The study respondents are accounts holders of the selected banks in Ghana.
The potential of microfinance to contribute to poverty reduction was widely recognized for about ... more The potential of microfinance to contribute to poverty reduction was widely recognized for about twenty years ago, as a result many developing countries including Ghana have witnessed an increase of organizations providing financial services to clients, including loans, saving plans, insurance and payment transfers. The objective of this study seeks to find out the impact of microfinance as a strategy for poverty reduction on the poor people, using Cedi Finance Foundation, Garden City and Opportunity International microfinance scheme. The population of the study comprised the management and staff of the three microfinance scheme and selected clients of the institutions. Questionnaires and personal interviews were used to collect the data. The indicators used were income levels, welfare and self-reliance. From the study, it was found that majority of clients had their income increased and it is this increased in income that has helped them to send their children to school, accessing health care which are critical for their continue well-being as well as increased in productivity. Findings also revealed that the microfinance have contributed to the development of the wellbeing of clients, personal empowerment, strengthening of client entrepreneurial awareness and skills, building social capital through the developing and strengthening the poor social network and inculcating saving behavior among and between members of the institution.
Rural development is a strategy intended to improve the economic and social life of the rural peo... more Rural development is a strategy intended to improve the economic and social life of the rural people and this has received great attention in national plans of various countries. In Ghana, the need to improve the standard of living of the rural people dates back to the colonial era. One of the major problems facing rural people has been the lack of institutionalized financial facilities.
Efficient provision of utility services are of strategic importance to the development and growth... more Efficient provision of utility services are of strategic importance to the development and growth of every economy as their development is a prerequisite for carrying out large industrial, commercial, agricultural and environmental programmes. As a strategic input, utility supplies must be regular, adequate and reliable. An improvement in water supply and sanitation can result in good health of the people as well as economic and community development. In spite of the efforts being made by utility companies towards economic development by ensuring that constant supply is guaranteed, there have been frequent supply failures and inadequate supplies in the country in recent times. An improvement in water supply and sanitation can result in good health of the people as well as economic and community development. The major thrust of this study was to examine the operational efficiency of these utility companies with specific reference to Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL). This company was purposefully selected because of its strategic importance as water is one of the basic necessities of life and essential to human health, a foundation for development and protection of environment and water resources. A well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit data from three operational areas of Ghana Water Company Limited namely Accra, Tema and Kumasi, between 1996 and 2000 and responses on Socio-economic characteristics and other relevant variables from corporate consumers. A t-test statistics (t) at 99.9 percent confidence level was calculated which the result was greater than the critical value of 5.041. The result showed that 46.7% of treated water produced is considered as non revenue water (gone waste after production) which GWCL lost revenue. The study finds that GWCL was inefficiently operated during the period under review. GWCL are therefore urged to reduce the quantity of water unaccounted for, improve in their billing and metering system as well as revenue collection, improve upon their record keeping, reduce cost of production and monitor their distribution lines to prevent illegal connection.
Mobile phone use has changed from a percieved item of luxury to an every day necessity for many p... more Mobile phone use has changed from a percieved item of luxury to an every day necessity for many people. This study therefore examined how the adoption of mobile phones has impacted in changing the behaviour and attitude of users. Kumasi Polytechnic was used as the study area. A total of 250 respondents were randomly selected for this study. Using indepedent sample t-test and a descriptive case study in which a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to analyze the data, the study finds positive evidence of positive influence in mobile adoption in enhancing communication is significant. Mobile phone has changed the way people communicate and live by influencing peoples' life in a wide scope predicated to change society in a larger and deeper way more than its intended use as communication tool. The adoption of mobile phones have some negative effects such as enhancing crime, diversion of attention, increased social anxiety and capturing obscene audio-visuals and these are significant according to the t-test. It is also significant to note that kidnapping with mobile phone is not common in Ghana as this is affirmed by the t-test. Mobile phone has become part of our daily life and efforts should be made to mitigate its negative influences.
High cost of borrowing has been a suffering to individual and organizations in Ghana who have bee... more High cost of borrowing has been a suffering to individual and organizations in Ghana who have been raising concerns on the reluctance of commercial banking institutions to lower their lending rates upon decrease in Central bank"s Policy rate. Lending rates are set as a premium over the cost of borrowing from the central bank, with the premium itself depending on firms" net worth
The adoption and usage of e-commerce enhances the competitiveness, productivity and efficiency of... more The adoption and usage of e-commerce enhances the competitiveness, productivity and efficiency of SMEs through the provision of increased access to ICT and a key competitive tool that allows SMEs to survive and gain competitive advantage over rivals as well as meeting the challenges of borderless economy. For these reason it is important to understand the contributing factors of e-commerce adoption and usage. This study aimed to explore some factors that may influence internet and e-commerce adoption and usage among Ghanaian SMEs and identify the barriers towards integrating e-commerce in their business. Questionnaires, interviews and personal observations were administered on 150 SMEs in Ghana. Descriptive survey study design was adopted to achieve the envisaged aims of the study. A total of 200 questionnaires were administered but 150 SMEs responded. Generally, the study showed that while significant numbers of the SMEs in Ghana have adopted e-commerce, usage levels have remained relatively low. To establish adoption, non-adoption, benefits and barriers of usage of e-commerce, a total of 40 variables were used to measure the level of adoption and application among the SMEs.
Several studies have suggested that macroeconomic variables affect Stock market returns using Tre... more Several studies have suggested that macroeconomic variables affect Stock market returns using Treasury bill rate as a measure of interest rate. The study examines the joint impact of interest rates and Treasury bill rate on stock market returns on Ghana Stock Exchange over the period between January 1995 and December 2011. Using Johansen's Multivariate Cointegration Model and Vector Error Correction Model the study establish that there is cointegration between Interest rate, Treasury bill rate and stock market returns indicating long run relationship. On the basis of the Multiple Regression Analysis (OLS) carried out by Eviews 7 program, the results
As one of the leading food, home and personal care companies globally, Unilever prides itself as ... more As one of the leading food, home and personal care companies globally, Unilever prides itself as a pioneer and a leader in food, home care and personal care innovation. The company has a long history of offering breakthrough solutions in terms of a healthy, safety, and eco-friendliness of its products in the food, home and personal care industry. The company also prides itself of having a first-class brand portfolio renowned in different regions and three recognized brands namely food, home and personal care. The study evaluate the influence of external factors that affect branding strategies in customizing of Unilever brand in the food, home and personal care category. In particular, the study administered questionnaires and conducted interviews to identify the external factors that affect brand strategies and capabilities that make Unilever stand out in the global economy. Today businesses and consumers are placing increasing importance on brands due to the growing realization that brands are one of the most valuable intangible assets that firms have. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed in collecting the data from 100 customers and 10 management staff for the study. Marketing executives of Unilever reported that branding is a tool used to differentiate their products from competitors and give their products new features which encourages high demands and purchase. The evaluation indicated that the external factors that affect branding strategies in customizing global brands are culture, political and legal issues, socio-economic reasons, both changes in income and lifestyles (Koehn, 2001) and religious differences and the economic and technological factors. These factors can make or break the organization if it is not handled carefully and appropriately. The study also identifies that Unilever customized to suit the needs of different markets but basic research may be conducted on a global basis. Findings also reveal that the Unilever customize to comply with government regulations, better satisfy and service host country consumers, climate, cultural differences in terms of colour, religious beliefs, language, tastes in order to capture a large enough share of a host country market. Also findings reveal that the organization customize to comply with government regulations, better satisfy or service host country consumers, climate, cultural differences in terms of colour, religious beliefs, language, tastes and to capture a large enough share of a host country market.
In retail banking, quality of service plays a vital role in the context of sustained business sur... more In retail banking, quality of service plays a vital role in the context of sustained business survival and growth. The relationship between a bank and its customers must be a permanent and lasting one, which needs to be maintained with good quality services. An attempt has been made to ascertain the level of satisfaction of customers with regards to banking services in Kumasi metropolis in Ghana. This study assesses customer satisfaction of service quality and determines whether services provided by the selected private banks are acceptable to Ghanaian customers based on various levels of customer opinion regarding service quality. The methodology is based on primary data collected through a well-structured questionnaire administered on a sample size of 140respondents randomly selected from Ghanaian private banks. In order to assess the customer satisfaction in relation to the quality of service, five attributes were used to create a better understanding of the relationship between the attributes and customer satisfaction, by focusing on the retail banking industry in Ghana. The study respondents are accounts holders of the selected banks in Ghana.
The potential of microfinance to contribute to poverty reduction was widely recognized for about ... more The potential of microfinance to contribute to poverty reduction was widely recognized for about twenty years ago, as a result many developing countries including Ghana have witnessed an increase of organizations providing financial services to clients, including loans, saving plans, insurance and payment transfers. The objective of this study seeks to find out the impact of microfinance as a strategy for poverty reduction on the poor people, using Cedi Finance Foundation, Garden City and Opportunity International microfinance scheme. The population of the study comprised the management and staff of the three microfinance scheme and selected clients of the institutions. Questionnaires and personal interviews were used to collect the data. The indicators used were income levels, welfare and self-reliance. From the study, it was found that majority of clients had their income increased and it is this increased in income that has helped them to send their children to school, accessing health care which are critical for their continue well-being as well as increased in productivity. Findings also revealed that the microfinance have contributed to the development of the wellbeing of clients, personal empowerment, strengthening of client entrepreneurial awareness and skills, building social capital through the developing and strengthening the poor social network and inculcating saving behavior among and between members of the institution.
Rural development is a strategy intended to improve the economic and social life of the rural peo... more Rural development is a strategy intended to improve the economic and social life of the rural people and this has received great attention in national plans of various countries. In Ghana, the need to improve the standard of living of the rural people dates back to the colonial era. One of the major problems facing rural people has been the lack of institutionalized financial facilities.
Efficient provision of utility services are of strategic importance to the development and growth... more Efficient provision of utility services are of strategic importance to the development and growth of every economy as their development is a prerequisite for carrying out large industrial, commercial, agricultural and environmental programmes. As a strategic input, utility supplies must be regular, adequate and reliable. An improvement in water supply and sanitation can result in good health of the people as well as economic and community development. In spite of the efforts being made by utility companies towards economic development by ensuring that constant supply is guaranteed, there have been frequent supply failures and inadequate supplies in the country in recent times. An improvement in water supply and sanitation can result in good health of the people as well as economic and community development. The major thrust of this study was to examine the operational efficiency of these utility companies with specific reference to Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL). This company was purposefully selected because of its strategic importance as water is one of the basic necessities of life and essential to human health, a foundation for development and protection of environment and water resources. A well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit data from three operational areas of Ghana Water Company Limited namely Accra, Tema and Kumasi, between 1996 and 2000 and responses on Socio-economic characteristics and other relevant variables from corporate consumers. A t-test statistics (t) at 99.9 percent confidence level was calculated which the result was greater than the critical value of 5.041. The result showed that 46.7% of treated water produced is considered as non revenue water (gone waste after production) which GWCL lost revenue. The study finds that GWCL was inefficiently operated during the period under review. GWCL are therefore urged to reduce the quantity of water unaccounted for, improve in their billing and metering system as well as revenue collection, improve upon their record keeping, reduce cost of production and monitor their distribution lines to prevent illegal connection.
Mobile phone use has changed from a percieved item of luxury to an every day necessity for many p... more Mobile phone use has changed from a percieved item of luxury to an every day necessity for many people. This study therefore examined how the adoption of mobile phones has impacted in changing the behaviour and attitude of users. Kumasi Polytechnic was used as the study area. A total of 250 respondents were randomly selected for this study. Using indepedent sample t-test and a descriptive case study in which a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to analyze the data, the study finds positive evidence of positive influence in mobile adoption in enhancing communication is significant. Mobile phone has changed the way people communicate and live by influencing peoples' life in a wide scope predicated to change society in a larger and deeper way more than its intended use as communication tool. The adoption of mobile phones have some negative effects such as enhancing crime, diversion of attention, increased social anxiety and capturing obscene audio-visuals and these are significant according to the t-test. It is also significant to note that kidnapping with mobile phone is not common in Ghana as this is affirmed by the t-test. Mobile phone has become part of our daily life and efforts should be made to mitigate its negative influences.
High cost of borrowing has been a suffering to individual and organizations in Ghana who have bee... more High cost of borrowing has been a suffering to individual and organizations in Ghana who have been raising concerns on the reluctance of commercial banking institutions to lower their lending rates upon decrease in Central bank"s Policy rate. Lending rates are set as a premium over the cost of borrowing from the central bank, with the premium itself depending on firms" net worth
The adoption and usage of e-commerce enhances the competitiveness, productivity and efficiency of... more The adoption and usage of e-commerce enhances the competitiveness, productivity and efficiency of SMEs through the provision of increased access to ICT and a key competitive tool that allows SMEs to survive and gain competitive advantage over rivals as well as meeting the challenges of borderless economy. For these reason it is important to understand the contributing factors of e-commerce adoption and usage. This study aimed to explore some factors that may influence internet and e-commerce adoption and usage among Ghanaian SMEs and identify the barriers towards integrating e-commerce in their business. Questionnaires, interviews and personal observations were administered on 150 SMEs in Ghana. Descriptive survey study design was adopted to achieve the envisaged aims of the study. A total of 200 questionnaires were administered but 150 SMEs responded. Generally, the study showed that while significant numbers of the SMEs in Ghana have adopted e-commerce, usage levels have remained relatively low. To establish adoption, non-adoption, benefits and barriers of usage of e-commerce, a total of 40 variables were used to measure the level of adoption and application among the SMEs.
Several studies have suggested that macroeconomic variables affect Stock market returns using Tre... more Several studies have suggested that macroeconomic variables affect Stock market returns using Treasury bill rate as a measure of interest rate. The study examines the joint impact of interest rates and Treasury bill rate on stock market returns on Ghana Stock Exchange over the period between January 1995 and December 2011. Using Johansen's Multivariate Cointegration Model and Vector Error Correction Model the study establish that there is cointegration between Interest rate, Treasury bill rate and stock market returns indicating long run relationship. On the basis of the Multiple Regression Analysis (OLS) carried out by Eviews 7 program, the results
As one of the leading food, home and personal care companies globally, Unilever prides itself as ... more As one of the leading food, home and personal care companies globally, Unilever prides itself as a pioneer and a leader in food, home care and personal care innovation. The company has a long history of offering breakthrough solutions in terms of a healthy, safety, and eco-friendliness of its products in the food, home and personal care industry. The company also prides itself of having a first-class brand portfolio renowned in different regions and three recognized brands namely food, home and personal care. The study evaluate the influence of external factors that affect branding strategies in customizing of Unilever brand in the food, home and personal care category. In particular, the study administered questionnaires and conducted interviews to identify the external factors that affect brand strategies and capabilities that make Unilever stand out in the global economy. Today businesses and consumers are placing increasing importance on brands due to the growing realization that brands are one of the most valuable intangible assets that firms have. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed in collecting the data from 100 customers and 10 management staff for the study. Marketing executives of Unilever reported that branding is a tool used to differentiate their products from competitors and give their products new features which encourages high demands and purchase. The evaluation indicated that the external factors that affect branding strategies in customizing global brands are culture, political and legal issues, socio-economic reasons, both changes in income and lifestyles (Koehn, 2001) and religious differences and the economic and technological factors. These factors can make or break the organization if it is not handled carefully and appropriately. The study also identifies that Unilever customized to suit the needs of different markets but basic research may be conducted on a global basis. Findings also reveal that the Unilever customize to comply with government regulations, better satisfy and service host country consumers, climate, cultural differences in terms of colour, religious beliefs, language, tastes in order to capture a large enough share of a host country market. Also findings reveal that the organization customize to comply with government regulations, better satisfy or service host country consumers, climate, cultural differences in terms of colour, religious beliefs, language, tastes and to capture a large enough share of a host country market.
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Papers by Augustine Addo