Author
Nicholas Biekpe
Other affiliations: Queen's University, Stellenbosch University
Bio: Nicholas Biekpe is an academic researcher from University of Cape Town. The author has contributed to research in topics: Stock exchange & Panel data. The author has an hindex of 28, co-authored 107 publications receiving 3022 citations. Previous affiliations of Nicholas Biekpe include Queen's University & Stellenbosch University.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assess how the adoption of corporate governance structures affects the performance of SMEs (small to medium-sized enterprises) in Ghana and find that board size, board composition, management skill level, CEO duality, inside ownership, family business, and foreign ownership have significantly positive impacts on profitability.
Abstract: Purpose – This study seeks to assess how the adoption of corporate governance structures affects the performance of SMEs (small to medium‐sized enterprises) in Ghana.Design/methodology/approach – Regression analysis is used to estimate the relationship between corporate governance and ownership structure and performance.Findings – The results show that board size, board composition, management skill level, CEO duality, inside ownership, family business, and foreign ownership have significantly positive impacts on profitability. Corporate governance can greatly assist the SME sector by infusing better management practices, stronger internal auditing, greater opportunities for growth and new strategic outlook through non‐executive directors. It is clear that corporate governance structures influence performance of SMEs in Ghana.Originality/value – This paper provides insights on the effects of corporate governance and ownership structure on the performance of Ghanaian SMEs. The paper also shows the implicat...
293 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of stock market development on economic growth in 14 African countries in a dynamic panel data modelling setting was studied and the results revealed that the positive influence of market development was significant for countries classified as upper middle income economies.
Abstract: This paper studies the effect of stock market development on economic growth in 14 African countries in a dynamic panel data modelling setting. Results largely show a positive relationship between stock market development and economic growth. Further analyses, based on the level of economic development and stock market capitalization, are also conducted. The results reveal that the positive influence of stock market development on economic growth is significant for countries classified as upper middle income economies. On the basis of market capitalization groupings, stock market developments play a significant role in growth only for moderately capitalized markets. The general trend in results shows that low income African countries and less developed stock markets need to grow more and develop their markets to elicit economic gains from stock markets.
243 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined how information and communication technology (ICT) complements carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to influence inclusive human development in forty-four Sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2000-2012.
232 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined how increasing ICT penetration in sub-Saharan Africa can contribute towards environmental sustainability by decreasing CO2 emissions, based on the Generalised Method of Moments and forty-four countries for the period 2000-2012.
220 citations
175 citations
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6,977 citations
1,302 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a computer program for modelling financial time series is presented, based on the Random Walk Hypothesis, which is used to forecast trends in prices in futures markets.
Abstract: Features of Financial Returns Modelling Price Volatility Forecasting Standard Deviations The Accuracy of Autocorrelation Estimates Testing the Random Walk Hypothesis Forecasting Trends in Prices Evidence Against the Efficiency of Futures Markets Valuing Options Appendix: A Computer Program for Modelling Financial Time Series.
1,115 citations
01 Jan 2010
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the characteristics of SMEs to economic development, and the constraints to SME development in developing countries with particular reference to Ghana and South Africa, and provide some relevant recommendations to policy makers, development agencies, entrepreneurs, and SME mangers to ascertain the appropriate strategy to improve the SME sector in these countries.
Abstract: This paper discusses the characteristics of SMEs to economic development, and the constraints to SME development in developing countries with particular reference to Ghana and South Africa. SMEs in Ghana have been noted to provide about 85% of manufacturing employment of Ghana. They are also believed to contribute about 70% to Ghana’s GDP and account for about 92% of businesses in Ghana. In the Republic of South Africa, it is estimated that 91% of the formal business entities are SMEs. They also contribute 52-57% to GDP and provide about 61% to employment .Notwithstanding the recognition of the important roles SMEs play in these countries, their development is largely constrained by the number of factors such as lack of access to appropriate technology; limited access to international markets, the existence of laws, regulations and rules that impede the development of the sector; weak institutional capacity, lack of management skills and training, and most importantly finance. This paper provides some relevant recommendations to policy makers, development agencies, entrepreneurs, and SME mangers to ascertain the appropriate strategy to improve the SME sector in these countries.
983 citations