James Osei Mensah

Bio: James Osei Mensah is an academic researcher from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Agriculture & Willingness to pay. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 28 publications receiving 256 citations.

Determinants of household food security in the sekyere-afram plains district of ghana

Abstract: The study was carried out to assess the determinants of household food security among rural households in Sekyere-Afram Plains District of Ghana Data were collected from 100 randomly selected households through the use of structured questionnaires Analytical techniques employed included descriptive statistics to analyze the characteristics of respondent households, and logistic regression model to examine the determinants of food security among the households surveyed Among the variables considered in the model, household size, farm size, off-farm income, credit access, and marital status were found to significantly influence household food security Consistent with a priori expectation, larger households were found to be food insecure compared with households with smaller sizes, ceteris paribus Also, consistent with findings from previous empirical studies, farm size, off-farm income and credit access were found to have significant positive effect on household food security The study, therefore, recommended improved access to credit for rural households and diversification of household economic activities to include off-farm income generating businesses to improve food security at the household level

Determinants of postharvest losses in tomato production in the Offinso North district of Ghana

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of postharvest losses in tomato production in the Offinso North district of Ghana. A standardized structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 150 farmers who were selected through a combination of purposive and simple random sampling techniques. We used descriptive statistics to summarize the characteristics of the respondents. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the determinants of postharvest losses in tomatoes. A typical tomato farmer in the district was found to be a male of 44 years, married, with a household size of five and had attained basic level of education. On average, farmers cultivated tomatoes on a farm size of about 5 acres and had about 20 years of farming experience. The study showed that farmers obtained 1,159.21 kg of tomatoes in the major season and 962.78 kg in the minor season on an acre of land, out of which 40 and 14% were lost, respectively. From the perspective of the farmers, the primary sources of losses were rot and bruises caused by poor handling, diseases and pest attack. From the regression analysis, gender of the farmer, household size, farm size, days of storage, membership of Farmer Based Organization (FBO) and type of tomato variety cultivated were found to significantly influence the level of postharvest losses incurred. Female gender, farm size and days of storage were found to be positively associated with losses in tomato production. However, household size, membership of FBO and cultivation of improved varieties were found to reduce postharvest losses, ceteris paribus. Lack of storage facilities, high cost of production and limited access to credit were found to be the critical constraints faced by tomato farmers. The study recommended the formation and joining of FBOs, periodic training and education of farmers on the cultivation of improved varieties of tomatoes as well as training on proper handling of tomato fruits to reduce postharvest losses. Key words: Tomato, postharvest losses, regression analysis, Ghana.

The status of total quality management (TQM) in Ghana

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent of implementation of quality management in Ghana.Design/methodology/approach – After thoroughly reviewing and reading available literatures in the field of interest, semi‐structured interview questions were prepared. Semi‐structured interview was opted for, in order to obtain in‐depth responses from the respondents. To cater for inter‐lingual differences and inconsistencies, a double translation of the completed interview questions was necessary.Findings – It was revealed that awareness of quality management is relatively high among the Ghanaian multinational firms that have some degree of expatriate management and they performed fairly well. However, they still trail their international counterparts with similar top management commitment and resource base. On the other hand, the study revealed a low degree of quality awareness among firms owned and managed solely by Ghanaians and their performance, with the exception of long‐established and w...

Adoption of organic fertilizer for cocoa production in Ghana: Perceptions and determinants

Abstract: This study assesses perceptions, determinants, and constraints of ‘Asaasenufosuo’ organic fertilizer adoption by cocoa farmers in Ghana. Primary data were sourced from 200 cocoa farmers. Perception...

Analysis of Street Food Consumption Across Various Income Groups in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

Abstract: IntroductionFood and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2009) defined street food as ready-to- eat foods and beverages that are prepared and/ or sold by itinerants or stationary vendors especially on streets in other public places. Street food trade is one of the channels through which agricultural produce finally get to consumers. Its growth in many developing countries is attributed to a number of factors by many researchers. The trade also has a large impact on agricultural production and marketing as well as on agro-food processing business operations. Small-scale farmers can find street foods to be an excellent way to diversify their income sources and especially to develop marketing skills. That is why Aidoo (2009) said that many factors are influencing the world?s street food trade as well as Ghanaians and an understanding of these factors is very essential for the assessment of the agricultural product market in Ghana and the world at large. Its expansion is connected with urban growth and the need of the urban population for employment and easy access to already prepared and convenient food (Delisle, 1990). Ghana?s independence in 1957, promoted industrial development and the employment sector have caused people to seek for greener pastures. Long hours of traveling from homes to school, work places (businesses) etc. leave little time to take breakfast which contributed to the huge demand for inexpensive and convenient food near such environments (Johnson and Yawson, 2000).As population grows, global food demand also grows. With increasing income and urbanization, demand for food not only increases drastically, but changes with shifts in consumption patterns (Delisle, 1990). The springing up of different kind of street food vendors such as fried rice, fried yam; "tuozafi" etc. in Ghana is an indication of a phenomenon.According to Winarno & Allain, (1986) urbanization has stimulated the increase in the number of street food vendors in many towns all over the world but Van?t -Riet et al., (2001) also argued that declining economies and high inflation rate have increased the cost of living which translates into intensified food insecurity in the urban areas. Delisle, (1990) further claimed that eating meals outside home is a usual characteristic of urban daily life. Long hours spent outside the home for different purposes is a factor for street food purchase (Johnson &Yawson, 2000).The urban environment involves important changes in lifestyles and economic activities and these have a bearing on social changes hence patronize of street food to increase (Delisle, 1990).Street foods are developing changes in eating style and urban way of life affect "how" and "where" food is consumed (Delisle, 1990). Infosan, (2010) also noted that street food plays a vital role in providing low cost meals for urban dwellers particularly those in the middle income. FAO expert group indicated that street food provide inexpensive and nutritious food that benefit the urban poor (FAO, 1990). Food is the largest item in household?s budget accounting for 54.5 percent of all expenditure (Maxwell et al., 2000). "Eating out" food budget is quiet high in the urban and not only among high income households but across various income groups. High income groups would rely more heavily than the poor upon the formal restaurant sector for the food eaten outside home but this is not to say exclusively that street food is for low income groups (Delisle, 1990). Whatever being the underlying reason (sheer necessity, lifestyle, convenience, pleasure, etc.) for street food consumption, it is generally observed that urbanites spend substantial amount of their food budget on street food (Delisle, 1990).The main objective is to determine whether street foods consumption vary across various income groups in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. More specifically, the study seeks to estimate the total food expenditure across various income groups, estimate the variations in the proportion of street food expenditure across various income groups, and to identify the factors that determine street food consumption across various income groups. …

Out of the Crisis

Abstract: According to W. Edwards Deming, American companies require nothing less than a transformation of management style and of governmental relations with industry. In Out of the Crisis, originally published in 1982, Deming offers a theory of management based on his famous 14 Points for Management. Management's failure to plan for the future, he claims, brings about loss of market, which brings about loss of jobs. Management must be judged not only by the quarterly dividend, but by innovative plans to stay in business, protect investment, ensure future dividends, and provide more jobs through improved product and service. In simple, direct language, he explains the principles of management transformation and how to apply them.

A systematic literature review on total quality management critical success factors and the identification of new avenues of research

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic literature review to identify new avenues of research in line with the ongoing changes in quality and management required to firms, especially regarding customers.,This study uses a systematic review of the literature contained in the three databases Ebsco, JSTOR, and Springerlink and on the search engine Google Scholar.,An analysis of the literature identifies three different clusters of papers: “identification” papers, which show that customer focus has gained importance in recent times; “implementation” papers, which highlight that a general or shared model or scale to successfully implement total quality management (TQM) does not yet exist; and “impact-on-performance” papers, which show that few studies have considered the relationship between TQM and the issues of both marketing and performance, underlining the most significant gap in the TQM literature.,This study is limited by the small number of databases and search engines used and by the restricted number of keywords used in searching these sources.,This work highlights a gap in the existing research and thus an incomplete consideration of the interplay between management, marketing, and quality issues, all centered on customers and other stakeholders. Researchers and firms are thus advised to adopt a wider view that considers the role of the quality process to support the firm’s engagement of customers in activities that enhance both the customer role and customer satisfaction.,This study uses a systematic literature review to review all critical factors of TQM and identifies new research avenues and different approaches to implementing TQM, focusing on the central role that customers play in achieving firm success.

Climate change perception and choice of adaptation strategies

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate change and its adverse effects, identify major adaptation strategies used by farmers and analyze the factors that influence the choice of adaptation strategy by smallholder farmers in eastern Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach – The study was based on a cross-sectional survey of 296 sample households selected from three districts in east Ethiopia. Data were collected with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire and review of literature, documents and databases. Findings – The study provides empirical evidence that majority of farmers in the study area are aware of climate change patterns and their adverse effect on income, food security, diversity, forest resources, food prices and crop and livestock diseases. In response to these adverse effects, major adaptation strategies used by farmers include cultivating different crops, planting different crop varieties, changing planting dates, use of soil and water conservation techniques, conservation agriculture practices and engaging in non-farm income activities. Choice of adaptation strategies are influenced by gender of household head, household size, farm size, distance from market and number of farm plots. Practical implications – The study suggests that developing more effective climate change adaptation strategies need support from the government. Such an effort needs provision of the necessary resources such as credit, information and extension services on climate change adaptation strategies and technologies, and investing in climate smart and resilient projects. Originality/value – The study adopts multivariate probit model that models farmers’ simultaneous adaptation choice behavior which has been rarely addressed by previous researches.

The impact of total quality management on service company performance: evidence from Spain

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to explore the impact of total quality management (TQM) factors on performance dimensions of service companies. Design/methodology/approach – A research project was designed in the Spanish services sector. Companies that had already participated in activities with regard to business excellence were randomly selected and approached through a structured questionnaire, yielding a sample of 151 responding companies. By analyzing TQM implementation and company performance through the exploratory factor analysis, specific TQM factors and performance dimensions are extracted. The TQM factors that significantly influence the performance dimensions are determined through multiple linear regression analyses. Findings – According to the findings, the factors describing TQM implementation in service companies concern quality practices of top management, employee quality management, process management, employee knowledge and education and customer focus. Similarly, the performance...