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This study focused on sales-orientation and customer-orientation of Direct Sales Executives (DSEs) on sales performance at Fidelity Bank, Ghana; which was a cross-sectional study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, cross tabulation and chi-squared test of independence. The result showed a strong association between prior sales experience and employment status. DSEs customer orientation was influenced by customer information while the sales orientation was on convincing customers to buy. The customer-oriented culture was based on reliable market and customer information. DSEs sales performance were influenced by complete knowledge of the bank’s products and services, listening skills and empathy. The study suggests that Fidelity Bank must sensitize its DSEs on the bank philosophy on its customer orientation culture. This study appears to be the first of its kind to explore the connection between sales orientation and customer orientation on performance in the Banking Industry in Ghana, thus providing empirical evidence for academics and practitioners.

Ghana, like most other developing countries, is not isolated from the global financial crisis through the impact of such a crisis on economies. This paper examines the financial sector reforms and its effect on the Ghanaian economy, within the developing country context in general and in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in particular. The paper seeks to enhance the understanding of relevant policy measures and reflects on what else could be done. The article further studies the effect of change in the institutional environment on bank governance practices primarily to improve the industry’s supervision and regulation, related to the post-crisis exit strategies. This paper discusses the development of ICT infrastructure and application as a basis for the main dimension of Ghana’s digital transformation in financial services. This paper is, therefore, motivated by the lack of empirical studies that examines how the impact of the banking reforms play a substantial role in promoting innovative digital payment systems to replace cash transactions. From the perspective of institutional theory, the study looked at why (and how) a number of policy measures have a significant impact on the financial performance of banks? And how the applications of e-finance in ICT and financial practices, provides several benefits within the banking sector improve the sector’s image and leads to a broader, faster and more efficient market? The application of Koppenjan and Groenewegen (2005) ‘s four-layer model ‘levels of institutional analysis’ perspective seems to be the most useful starting point, which provides the basis for an improved understanding of revealing the inefficient delivery of Ghanaian banking industry in the past. A combination of a review of secondary and empirical data, interviewed used in the analysis. Findings indicate that the financial and banking sector reforms help the industry   advance digital banking culture and impact on the general expansion of the financial and the infusion of financial inclusion in Ghana. These conclusions would be particularly useful in a similar picture in other developing countries, as well as by the bank authorities to create their future policy. It also joins the debate on the impact of the banking reform, a key turning point towards better regulation to refine crisis prevention and resolution mechanisms.

This study aim is to explore owners of small enterprises' appreciation of bank’s role in developing their businesses and the challenges that come along in accessing banking services in the context of Sefwi-Bekwai which is a rural community. Questionnaires were used to solicit information from the owners while descriptive statistics aided the data analysis. The study found that the main source of start-up capital is the owner’s funds whiles saving was recorded as the key benefit of banking. It further revealed that the high-interest rate charged was a barrier in accessing loans and the effect of bank relations was sound financial management for the SME’s operations. The paper suggests the need for small enterprise owners in the rural communities to form an association for their benefit in terms of taking advantage of group lending and demanding support and relief from relevant authorities. Improved institutional support would also give small enterprises better access to the information they need for financing and growth.

This research examined bankers’ perceptions of environmental sources of financial risks and its impact on commercial banks in Ghana. Primary data was collected from a purposive sample of ninety-six (96) middle–level bank managers using structured questionnaires. Time series secondary data on banking performance (denoted as ROA and ROE) and stability (denoted as CAR and NPLR) and growth of five major industrial businesses (including agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, and trade) as the environmental sources of financial risks, for a period of 13 years (2006-2018) was further obtained for analysis. Data was analyzed using the sample t-test and the multivariate dynamic panel regression model. The results show that, in bank lending, mining was perceived to be the topmost source of indirect environmental risk (credit and reputational risks), while agriculture was perceived to be the leading source of direct environmental risk (business risk). We found that perceptions of environmental sources of financial risk by mangers of locally owned banks differed from that of foreign owned banks. Growth of mining, trade and manufacturing positively influenced banking performance while the growth of construction and agriculture negatively influence banking stability. The study thus provides supportive evidence that commercial banks require set standards that guide clients’ business towards environmental sustainability

Recognising the relevance of entrepreneurship, most African universities have made significant input into delivering Entrepreneurial Education in Higher Educational Institutions. However, the rising number of graduate unemployment raises concerns with regard to quality of educational content, and programmes. This study sought to investigate the impact of entrepreneurship course content on entrepreneurial intention and the mediation of individual entrepreneurial characteristics and also to investigate if graduates’ exposure to extra entrepreneurship training and university programme type does account for differences in individual entrepreneurial characteristics. A context-specific framework that explains entrepreneurial intention as a function of course content, programmes type, and extra entrepreneurial training is tested based on data from 400 undergraduate students and 400 graduates from eight Ghanaian universities. Evidence from the model reveals that entrepreneurial course content did impact entrepreneur Intention, however, this impact is partially mediated by the attitudes, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms of Ghanaian students and graduates. Again, while it was found that extra entrepreneurial training did account for differences in individual entrepreneurial characteristics and entrepreneurial intention of graduates, the difference due to programme type was not significant. Theoretical, policy and practical implications findings of this study are discussed.

Recognising the relevance of entrepreneurship, most African universities have made significant input into delivering Entrepreneurial Education in Higher Educational Institutions. However, the rising number of graduate unemployment raises concerns with regard to quality of educational content, and programmes. This study sought to investigate the impact of entrepreneurship course content on entrepreneurial intention and the mediation of individual entrepreneurial characteristics and also to investigate if graduates’ exposure to extra entrepreneurship training and university programme type does account for differences in individual entrepreneurial characteristics. A context-specific framework that explains entrepreneurial intention as a function of course content, programmes type, and extra entrepreneurial training is tested based on data from 400 undergraduate students and 400 graduates from eight Ghanaian universities. Evidence from the model reveals that entrepreneurial course content did impact entrepreneur Intention, however, this impact is partially mediated by the attitudes, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms of Ghanaian students and graduates. Again, while it was found that extra entrepreneurial training did account for differences in individual entrepreneurial characteristics and entrepreneurial intention of graduates, the difference due to programme type was not significant. Theoretical, policy and practical implications findings of this study are discussed.

This study focused on sales-orientation and customer-orientation of Direct Sales Executives (DSEs) on sales performance at Fidelity Bank, Ghana; which was a cross-sectional study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, cross tabulation and chi-squared test of independence. The result showed a strong association between prior sales experience and employment status. DSEs customer orientation was influenced by customer information while the sales orientation was on convincing customers to buy. The customer-oriented culture was based on reliable market and customer information. DSEs sales performance were influenced by complete knowledge of the bank’s products and services, listening skills and empathy. The study suggests that Fidelity Bank must sensitize its DSEs on the bank philosophy on its customer orientation culture. This study appears to be the first of its kind to explore the connection between sales orientation and customer orientation on performance in the Banking Industry in Ghana, thus providing empirical evidence for academics and practitioners.

This research examined bankers’ perceptions of environmental sources of financial risks and its impact on commercial banks in Ghana. Primary data was collected from a purposive sample of ninety-six (96) middle–level bank managers using structured questionnaires. Time series secondary data on banking performance (denoted as ROA and ROE) and stability (denoted as CAR and NPLR) and growth of five major industrial businesses (including agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, and trade) as the environmental sources of financial risks, for a period of 13 years (2006-2018) was further obtained for analysis. Data was analyzed using the sample t-test and the multivariate dynamic panel regression model. The results show that, in bank lending, mining was perceived to be the topmost source of indirect environmental risk (credit and reputational risks), while agriculture was perceived to be the leading source of direct environmental risk (business risk). We found that perceptions of environmental sources of financial risk by mangers of locally owned banks differed from that of foreign owned banks. Growth of mining, trade and manufacturing positively influenced banking performance while the growth of construction and agriculture negatively influence banking stability. The study thus provides supportive evidence that commercial banks require set standards that guide clients’ business towards environmental sustainability

Ghana, like most other developing countries, is not isolated from the global financial crisis through the impact of such a crisis on economies. This paper examines the financial sector reforms and its effect on the Ghanaian economy, within the developing country context in general and in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in particular. The paper seeks to enhance the understanding of relevant policy measures and reflects on what else could be done. The article further studies the effect of change in the institutional environment on bank governance practices primarily to improve the industry’s supervision and regulation, related to the post-crisis exit strategies. This paper discusses the development of ICT infrastructure and application as a basis for the main dimension of Ghana’s digital transformation in financial services. This paper is, therefore, motivated by the lack of empirical studies that examines how the impact of the banking reforms play a substantial role in promoting innovative digital payment systems to replace cash transactions. From the perspective of institutional theory, the study looked at why (and how) a number of policy measures have a significant impact on the financial performance of banks? And how the applications of e-finance in ICT and financial practices, provides several benefits within the banking sector improve the sector’s image and leads to a broader, faster and more efficient market? The application of Koppenjan and Groenewegen (2005) ‘s four-layer model ‘levels of institutional analysis’ perspective seems to be the most useful starting point, which provides the basis for an improved understanding of revealing the inefficient delivery of Ghanaian banking industry in the past. A combination of a review of secondary and empirical data, interviewed used in the analysis. Findings indicate that the financial and banking sector reforms help the industry   advance digital banking culture and impact on the general expansion of the financial and the infusion of financial inclusion in Ghana. These conclusions would be particularly useful in a similar picture in other developing countries, as well as by the bank authorities to create their future policy. It also joins the debate on the impact of the banking reform, a key turning point towards better regulation to refine crisis prevention and resolution mechanisms.

This study aim is to explore owners of small enterprises' appreciation of bank’s role in developing their businesses and the challenges that come along in accessing banking services in the context of Sefwi-Bekwai which is a rural community. Questionnaires were used to solicit information from the owners while descriptive statistics aided the data analysis. The study found that the main source of start-up capital is the owner’s funds whiles saving was recorded as the key benefit of banking. It further revealed that the high-interest rate charged was a barrier in accessing loans and the effect of bank relations was sound financial management for the SME’s operations. The paper suggests the need for small enterprise owners in the rural communities to form an association for their benefit in terms of taking advantage of group lending and demanding support and relief from relevant authorities. Improved institutional support would also give small enterprises better access to the information they need for financing and growth.