Department of Marketing and Consumer Management
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Item An Investigation into Micro Enterprise Growth in Ghana: Evidence from “Goro Boys” in Abossey-Okai Market, Accra(University of Ghana, 2018-07) Agyeman, D.O.The distortions in the literature on the relevance of micro-enterprises have been blamed partly on the lack of clarity on the growth measures for micro-enterprises. This study, therefore, investigated whether there are specific growth measures used by micro-enterprise to measure growth. From a qualitative perspective, the researcher adopted a case study strategy, semi-structured interview, and a snowballing sampling technique to sample five micro-entrepreneurs popularly called ―Goro boys‖ in Abossey-Okai Market in Greater Accra Region. Four research questions were investigated. After thematic analysis, some essential findings have been revealed. Objective one, which examined the operational processes of ―Goro boys‖ showed that they act as expert transaction facilitators, network with sellers of spare parts and also make money through margins on their facilitation. From objective two, the result espoused that micro-enterprises believe they are growth-oriented enterprises; nevertheless, this study largely found that their indicators are not functional growth as such, but it is about survival. These indicators, therefore, include: improved standard of living; personal wealth; income from the ―Goro‖ business; and subsidiaries. Objective three, which examined the challenges of micro-entrepreneurs, revealed that imitation of spare parts, extreme weather conditions, and price fluctuation are some of the pressing challenges inhibiting their growth. Micro-entrepreneurs responded that they employ personal saving, institutional savings, i.e. ―susu collection‖, and credit from family and friends as a means to enhance their growth. The study has made the recommendation that, while micro-entrepreneurs engage in training and skills development programmes, intervention programmes such as small grants, periodic workshops, skill training and development programmes should be organised with a focus on helping these micro-entrepreneurs protect, improve and prevent their businesses from collapsing.Item An Evaluation of the Prospects and Challenges of Informal Entrepreneurs in Accra: Lessons from Agbogbloshie Market(University of Ghana, 2018-07) Mensah, G.The purpose of the study is to evaluate the prospects and challenges of informal entrepreneurs in Agbogbloshie and to further examine how market men and women personally seek steps to curb the challenges they face. Data was gathered from 23 informal entrepreneurs in Agbogbloshie Market through face-to-face interviews with the help of an interview guide and analysed thematically. The findings of the study show that, despite the contributions informal entrepreneurs make to the growth of the economy, they face constant harassment by city authorities; and the inability to acquire space/ land for business. Moreover, they encounter invasion of counterfeit foreign products, as well as economic conditions that hamper their business operations. Unlike earlier studies, this study found that branding is used as a strategic tool to personally curb the challenges faced in the sector with regards to invasion of foreign products. Further, through this study, it is found that informal institutions contribute to the growth of challenges faced by informal entrepreneurs. The study recommends that government brings out clear policies to address the needs of informal entrepreneurs, and not a policy that is geared towards harassing them.Item Entrepreneurship Financing Amongst Female SMES in Accra: The Enablers and Challenges(University of Ghana, 2019-05) Yartey, B.A.The main aim of this research work was to examine entrepreneurship financing among females in Accra focusing on the enabling and challenging factors. The study employed qualitative research approach using exploratory and descriptive methods to achieve the objectives set out for the study. The main instrument employed was semi-structured interviews with twenty (20) respondent size being owners of female run SMEs in different fields ranging from food and beverages, water, clothing and designs, hair and cosmetics product within Accra. The study establishes that female run SMEs derive funding from various sources like family contribution, loans, personal savings and plough back profit with the major one being family contribution. Again, the study reveals that, the presence of increasing population, demands for goods and services, increased mobile phone and internet usage, presence of financial institutions with several loan schemes serve as enabling factors for the conduct of female run SMEs in Accra whereas factors like high interest rate, request for collateral and though banking procedures, discrimination and gender bias, and family related factors impact negatively on the pace of female business activities in the city and the country at large. Similarly, the study reveals that presence of factors like reduction in interest rate, provision of financial support for female SMEs, education, skills development and training for female SMEs are necessary for obtaining improved pace of female led SMEs in the city and the country as whole.Item Service Quality In Distance Education: A Study Of The University Of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2012-06) Kabutey, M.C.Service quality as a concept has gained tremendous attention among researchers and practitioners in recent times. Within the past two decades a significant number of research works have been done on several issues relating to service quality in Higher Education (HE). Although, some empirical studies have been done in this area in the Ghanaian context it, however, appears that not many studies have been carried out on service quality in Distance Education (DE) in Ghana. In an attempt to contribute to the existing service quality literature, a study on the University of Ghana (UG) Distance Education (DE) programme was conducted. The UG was selected for this study because though it is the oldest university in Ghana, its DE programme is currently at the embryonic stage and to the effect that its first batch of students graduated in April, 2012. Gronroos' (1982; 1990) in his service quality model drew a link between customers' perceived service quality and students' satisfaction. Based on his works, the current study examined the relationship between customers (students ') perceived service quality and their satisfaction of the DE programme. A structured questionnaire was developed and self administered to 500 respondents (level 100 to 400) reading various courses in the UG distance education programme. The students' perceived service quality in UG's DE programme was analysed based on 475 questionnaires completed. The findings established a significant relationship between the indicators of service quality in DE and students ' satisfaction. A number of discussions and recommendations have been put forward based on the findings for effective distance education management practices and for future research purposes.