Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (ETDs)
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37778
Browse
4 results
Search Results
Item Technological innovation, entrepreneurial orientation, and performance of micro, small, and medium enterprises in Ghana(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Abebrese, Rose; Dorson, ThomasTechnological innovation and entrepreneurial orientation are noted to be key ingredients for business success. Given that advanced economies enjoy the benefits of technological innovation and entrepreneurial orientation, emerging economies are rolling out programmes and projects to facilitate technological innovation and entrepreneurial orientation. However, empirical studies that bring forth the benefits of technological innovation and entrepreneurial orientation is scanty. With partial least square structural equation modelling, we explore the relationship between technological innovation, entrepreneurial orientation, and performance of MSMEs in Ghana. Specifically, the research examined the effect of technological innovation on entrepreneurial orientation in MSMEs in Ghana, assessed the effect of technological innovation on the performance of MSMEs in Ghana and analysed the combined effect of technological innovation and entrepreneurial orientation on the performance of MSMEs. Primary data was collected from using closed-ended structured questionnaire between the period of 31 March 2022 to 1 June 2022 and analysed with the Structural Equation Modelling based on Partial Least Squares. The analysis and discussion of the study utilized the Schumpeterian theory of innovation and the resource-based theory. The findings of this study confirm the positive and substantial influence of technological innovation and entrepreneurial orientation on performance, aligning with the foundational principles of resource-based theory, which highlights the pivotal role of resources in gaining competitive advantage. It is advised that managers of MSMEs instill organizational practices steeped in technological innovation and entrepreneurial orientation and anchored in knowledge. Additionally, these managers should foster an environment where innovative ideas and solutions from their employees are not only welcomed but encouraged. The study also underscores the significance of the policy recommendations derived from these resultsItem The effects of ethical business practices on the profitability of firms(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Kasiyamhuru, Iris; Seely, DerekIn the last decade, many South African Corporates have been implicated in a series of scandals involving unethical behaviour. The resulting losses and loss of reputation that have occurred, have caused business ethics to gain prominence. This study aims to identify how ethical business practices influence company profitability, in an attempt to inspire organisation leaders to act ethically and in turn, preserve the long-term profitability of companies. A qualitative research methodology using semi-structured interviews was used. Data was collected from a convenience sample of 12 participants comprising C-suite employees and senior finance professionals in Corporates. The findings suggest that corporate leaders have a pivotal role to play in shaping ethics in an organisation. Furthermore, not only should leaders role model the desired ethical behaviours, but they should also see to the fact that necessary resources, systems and processes are put in place for ethics to prevail. Ethics is the responsibility of everyone within an organisation, with leaders leading from the front. The findings suggest that ethical business practices towards various company stakeholders safeguard the profitability and sustainability of a business in the long runItem Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Firm Performance in Ghana: Examining the Mediating and Moderating Factors(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Asante-Darko, Disraeli; Saruchera, FannyIn the wake of increasing environmental degradation and human rights violations and their effect on firm performance in Ghana and the rest of the world, sustainable supply chain management has increasingly become recognised as a critical component for business advancement and competitiveness. Subsequently, this study sought to investigate the role of Supply Chain Integration, Firm Capabilities, Business Environment Uncertainty, and Operational Competitiveness in the inextricable relationship between Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) and firm performance. Drawing on the political economy theory, an integration of institutional, legitimacy, and stakeholder theories, this study proposed and tested a model using the PLS variance-based structural equation modelling. The proposed model suggested that the relationship between sustainable supply chain management and firm performance, from a triple bottom line (TBL) perspective, is mediated by firm capabilities and supply chain integration and moderated by business environment uncertainty and operational competitiveness. Grounded in deductive reasoning and a probabilistic sampling technique, the study adopted a cross-sectional quantitative approach to evaluate the proposed model. Data was collected from the managers of 455 sample firms in Ghana's service and industrial sectors using a self-administered questionnaire. From a TBL perspective, the study revealed a direct, positive, and significant relationship between sustainable supply chain management and firm performance. Additionally, firm capabilities mediate the relationship between sustainable supply chain management and firm performance from a TBL standpoint. Supplier integration, a component of supply chain integration, was also found to mediate the relationship between economic and environmental supply chain management and firm performance but not the relationship between social supply chain management and firm performance. It further emerged that customer and internal integration mediate the relationship between sustainable supply chain management and firm performance. Finally, the study discovered that when business environment uncertainty and operational competitiveness are high, the positive direct effect of sustainable supply chain management on firm performance (from a TBL standpoint) is strengthened. The study's findings provide a plausible explanation for the disparate and often contradictory results reported on the direct sustainable supply chain management-firm performance relationship. The theoretical implication is that multiple variables and elements account for the SSCM-firm performance relationship. There is a need to adequately address these factors to realise the full benefits of sustainable supply chain management and firm relationships from a TBL perspective. SSCM practitioners and policymakers are advised to take cognisance of the role of supply chain integration, firm capabilities, business environment uncertainty, and operational competitiveness in their implementation and legislation of SSCM practicesItem Determinants of successful coopetition between SMEs in SADC countries – implications for strategy and firm performance(2021) Feela, TshepoThe purpose of the study was to investigate the existence of coopetition (the simultaneous competition and collaboration between two or more firms) amongst the SMEs in the SADC as well as to ascertain whether these relationships have a positive effect on firm performance. Firm performance is divided into financial performance, strategic performance, and innovation performance. Furthermore, an additional aim is to investigate which variable(s) (foresight, risk aversion and exploiting opportunities) moderate the relationship between coopetition and firm performance. The results show that there is strong coopetition amongst SMEs in SADC and that coopetition has a positive and significant effect on firm performance. However, although no variable moderates this relationship, risk aversion has a positive and significant direct effect on firm performance