Joshua Abor

Bio: Joshua Abor is an academic researcher from University of Ghana. The author has contributed to research in topics: Corporate governance & Debt. The author has an hindex of 36, co-authored 143 publications receiving 6268 citations. Previous affiliations of Joshua Abor include Stellenbosch University.

West African Monetary Union and its implications for Ghanaian firms

Abstract: This study sought to find out the expectations of Ghanaian firms and some experts’ opinion on the possible implications of a West African monetary union for Ghanaian firms. The study revealed that most of the firms sampled for this study were aware of the intention to create a monetary union in the West African sub-region. With regards to the views of experts, they were very optimistic about the creation of the monetary union and were of the opinion that, synchronizing the economies would lead to a wider market, increased trade, and create opportunities for economies of scale. They however cautioned about the adverse socio-economic effects associated with the creation of such monetary unions.

Financial inclusion and economic growth 1

Abstract: This chapter defines financial inclusion and provides a guide to its measurement. It discusses the determinants of and barriers to financial inclusion and assesses the link between inclusive finance and financial development. The chapter examines the effect of inclusive finance on economic growth. It then discusses the roles of institutional architecture in the financial inclusion–economic development nexus. A more succinct view of financial inclusion in three-dimensional form was provided by T. Hall. The components of Hall’s three-dimensional view of financial inclusion are financial participation, financial capability, and financial well-being. One of the important indicators of financial inclusion is savings. Determinants of and barriers to financial inclusion can be usefully categorised into demand-side factors and supply-side factors. Theoretically, financial inclusion can promote economic growth and development through the following channels: capital accumulation, innovation and entrepreneurship, income and employment, opportunities for diversification, productivity, and financial security. Financial inclusion promotes the accumulation of savings in the banking system and in other financial intermediaries.

Energy consumption, institutional quality, and private capital inflows in Africa

Abstract: This paper investigates how institutional quality conditions energy consumption to influence private capital inflows in Africa using data from 1990 to 2019. The paper employed a modified dynamic system GMM. Our results show that energy consumption has a direct influence on private capital inflows, particularly FDI to Africa. Institutional qualities do not directly influence the effect of energy consumption on FDI but do influence the effect on portfolio investment. However, independently, institutional quality positively motivates FDI inflows into Africa. On the contrary, the reverse analysis showed that private capital inflows do not influence energy consumption in Africa.

Towards improving risk management in healthcare organisations in Africa: A review

Abstract: This paper undertook a survey of existing literature in risk management and proposed a framework towards implementing an efficient risk management system in Africa’s healthcare organisations. The study recognises the relevance of risk management in healthcare organisations and asserts that there is no risk management system that can be said to be completely absolute. The main objective is to ensure that the healthcare institutions’ identified risks are managed within acceptable levels. It is suggested that healthcare organisations should have a proactive risk management programme as opposed to a reactive one. This study identified Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) as involving the expansion of the role of risk management across the healthcare organisation by adopting a moreholistic approach. Finally, the study proposed an ERM model to be implemented for effective risk management of healthcare institutions in Africa. We noted that by establishing an effective risk management system, healthcare organisations would be well positioned to successfully promote quality of healthcare and enhance performance, while managing the turbulent times of change. Keywords: Risk management, Healthcare risk, Healthcare organisations

Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness

Abstract: NUDGE: IMPROVING DECISIONS ABOUT HEALTH, WEALTH, AND HAPPINESS by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein Penguin Books, 2009, 312 pp, ISBN 978-0-14-311526-7This book is best described formally as a general explanation of and advocacy for libertarian paternalism, a term coined by the authors in earlier publications. Informally, it is about how leaders, systems, organizations, and governments can nudge people to do the things the nudgers want and need done for the betterment of the nudgees, or of society. It is paternalism in the sense that "it is legitimate for choice architects to try to influence people's behavior in order to make their lives longer, healthier, and better", (p. 5) It is libertarian in that "people should be free to do what they like - and to opt out of undesirable arrangements if they want to do so", (p. 5) The built-in possibility of opting out or making a different choice preserves freedom of choice even though people's behavior has been influenced by the nature of the presentation of the information or by the structure of the decisionmaking system. I had never heard of libertarian paternalism before reading this book, and I now find it fascinating.Written for a general audience, this book contains mostly social and behavioral science theory and models, but there is considerable discussion of structure and process that has roots in mathematical and quantitative modeling. One of the main applications of this social system is economic choice in investing, selecting and purchasing products and services, systems of taxes, banking (mortgages, borrowing, savings), and retirement systems. Other quantitative social choice systems discussed include environmental effects, health care plans, gambling, and organ donations. Softer issues that are also subject to a nudge-based approach are marriage, education, eating, drinking, smoking, influence, spread of information, and politics. There is something in this book for everyone.The basis for this libertarian paternalism concept is in the social theory called "science of choice", the study of the design and implementation of influence systems on various kinds of people. The terms Econs and Humans, are used to refer to people with either considerable or little rational decision-making talent, respectively. The various libertarian paternalism concepts and systems presented are tested and compared in light of these two types of people. Two foundational issues that this book has in common with another book, Network of Echoes: Imitation, Innovation and Invisible Leaders, that was also reviewed for this issue of the Journal are that 1 ) there are two modes of thinking (or components of the brain) - an automatic (intuitive) process and a reflective (rational) process and 2) the need for conformity and the desire for imitation are powerful forces in human behavior. …

The Human Side of Enterprise.

Abstract: \"What are your assumptions (implicit as well as explicit) about the most effective way to manage people?\" So began Douglas McGregor in this 1960 management classic. It was a seemingly simple question he asked, yet it led to a fundamental revolution in management. Today, with the rise of the global economy, the information revolution, and the growth of knowledge-driven work, McGregor's simple but provocative question continues to resonate-perhaps more powerfully than ever before. Heralded as one of the most important pieces of management literature ever written, a touchstone for scholars and a handbook for practitioners, The Human Side of Enterprise continues to receive the highest accolades nearly half a century after its initial publication. Influencing such major management gurus such as Peter Drucker and Warren Bennis, McGregor's revolutionary Theory Y-which contends that individuals are self-motivated and self-directed-and Theory X-in which employees must be commanded and controlled-has been widely taught in business schools, industrial relations schools, psychology departments, and professional development seminars for over four decades. In this special annotated edition of the worldwide management classic, Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld, Senior Research Scientist in MIT's Sloan School of Management and Engineering Systems Division, shows us how today's leaders have successfully incorporated McGregor's methods into modern management styles and practices. The added quotes and commentary bring the content right into today's debates and business models. Now more than ever, the timeless wisdom of Douglas McGregor can light the path towards a management style that nurtures leadership capability, creates effective teams, ensures internal alignment, achieves high performance, and cultivates an authentic, value-driven workplace--lessons we all need to learn as we make our way in this brave new world of the 21st century.