Bank finance has been found as an important source of funds for most firms. This study examines t... more Bank finance has been found as an important source of funds for most firms. This study examines the role banks play in addressing the finance gap facing SMEs in Ghana. Through a questionnaire survey, data was gathered from sampled Banks and SMEs in Sekondi-Takoradi. The data revealed that banks see SMEs as a profitable segment. Also bank finance enhances the profitability of beneficiary SMEs. This has encouraged a trend of increased bank involvement with the SME sector. However, SME specific factors, high interest rates, collateral requirements, lack of quality information, delays in judicial proceedings and difficulties in disposing collateral restrict further bank involvement with SMEs and the latter’s freedom to access bank finance. The authors conclude that all relevant stakeholders must contribute to fostering the trend by helping to mitigate the constraints through the implementation of deliberate policies that enhances trust between banks as lenders and SMEs. Key words : Role...
International Journal of Business and Management, 2016
In Ghana, Mergers and Acquisition strategy has been used widely in the banking sector. It is a st... more In Ghana, Mergers and Acquisition strategy has been used widely in the banking sector. It is a strategy adopted by the organizations globally to meet the needs of recent dynamic business environment. This paper empirically examines the impact of mergers and acquisitions on the operational cost efficiency of banks in Ghana with specific emphasis of two banks; Ecobank and Access Bank-Ghana. If any improvements in operating efficiency from these mergers are large relative to any adverse effects of price changes created by increases in market power, then such mergers may be in the public interest. The financial data was analyzed by the use of Ratio analysis. Models that are commonly employed by bankers and other financial institutions in Ghana to compute the overall operational efficiency was also used. In terms of operational cost efficiency, results were incoherent for the two banks which the researchers strongly attributed to some fundamental limitations. However, the study revealed ...
In branding literature, the employee role is recognized as crucial in delivering the service as p... more In branding literature, the employee role is recognized as crucial in delivering the service as promised by the brand.The creation of a strong brand and the deliverance of perceived service quality are premised by employees' ability to deliver on customer expectations.This paper, therefore, explores the differential effect that internally oriented initiatives have on an organization's human capital and its subsequent impact on the organization's brand.Acase-study approach is adopted using a qualitative methodology. Indepth interviews reveal that employees feel that their actions are vital to the brand, and findings from a survey of 500 respondents demonstrate positive relationships among internal branding and their brand promise delivery. The paper also helps to emphasize the importance of internal branding for customer attraction in the banking industry in Ghana.
International Journal of Business and Management, 2015
Ghana has witnessed a wave of mergers and acquisitions (M & As) in the banking industry following... more Ghana has witnessed a wave of mergers and acquisitions (M & As) in the banking industry following the bank recapitalization initiative by the government in 2008. This raises an important question concerning the trade-off between the possible efficiency gains and efficiency losses as banks merge into one large unit. The objective of this study was to find out how Mergers & Acquisitions have impacted service quality of consolidated banks in Ghana. A descriptive and explanatory design was adopted as the study sought to describe customer perceived service quality and to also explain the relationship between M & As and service quality. An ANOVA and T-tests techniques were used to analyze primary and secondary data gathered. Findings from the study indicated that M & As had positive impact on overall service quality. The conclusion drawn by the researchers indicates that mergers and acquisitions offer superior growth and financing option for banks. This in turn promotes economic efficienc...
Bank finance has been found as an important source of funds for most firms. This study examines t... more Bank finance has been found as an important source of funds for most firms. This study examines the role banks play in addressing the finance gap facing SMEs in Ghana. Through a questionnaire survey, data was gathered from sampled Banks and SMEs in Sekondi-Takoradi. The data revealed that banks see SMEs as a profitable segment. Also bank finance enhances the profitability of beneficiary SMEs. This has encouraged a trend of increased bank involvement with the SME sector. However, SME specific factors, high interest rates, collateral requirements, lack of quality information, delays in judicial proceedings and difficulties in disposing collateral restrict further bank involvement with SMEs and the latter's freedom to access bank finance. The authors conclude that all relevant stakeholders must contribute to fostering the trend by helping to mitigate the constraints through the implementation of deliberate policies that enhances trust between banks as lenders and SMEs.
Bank finance has been found as an important source of funds for most firms. This study examines t... more Bank finance has been found as an important source of funds for most firms. This study examines the role banks play in addressing the finance gap facing SMEs in Ghana. Through a questionnaire survey, data was gathered from sampled Banks and SMEs in Sekondi-Takoradi. The data revealed that banks see SMEs as a profitable segment. Also bank finance enhances the profitability of beneficiary SMEs. This has encouraged a trend of increased bank involvement with the SME sector. However, SME specific factors, high interest rates, collateral requirements, lack of quality information, delays in judicial proceedings and difficulties in disposing collateral restrict further bank involvement with SMEs and the latter’s freedom to access bank finance. The authors conclude that all relevant stakeholders must contribute to fostering the trend by helping to mitigate the constraints through the implementation of deliberate policies that enhances trust between banks as lenders and SMEs. Key words : Role...
International Journal of Business and Management, 2016
In Ghana, Mergers and Acquisition strategy has been used widely in the banking sector. It is a st... more In Ghana, Mergers and Acquisition strategy has been used widely in the banking sector. It is a strategy adopted by the organizations globally to meet the needs of recent dynamic business environment. This paper empirically examines the impact of mergers and acquisitions on the operational cost efficiency of banks in Ghana with specific emphasis of two banks; Ecobank and Access Bank-Ghana. If any improvements in operating efficiency from these mergers are large relative to any adverse effects of price changes created by increases in market power, then such mergers may be in the public interest. The financial data was analyzed by the use of Ratio analysis. Models that are commonly employed by bankers and other financial institutions in Ghana to compute the overall operational efficiency was also used. In terms of operational cost efficiency, results were incoherent for the two banks which the researchers strongly attributed to some fundamental limitations. However, the study revealed ...
In branding literature, the employee role is recognized as crucial in delivering the service as p... more In branding literature, the employee role is recognized as crucial in delivering the service as promised by the brand.The creation of a strong brand and the deliverance of perceived service quality are premised by employees' ability to deliver on customer expectations.This paper, therefore, explores the differential effect that internally oriented initiatives have on an organization's human capital and its subsequent impact on the organization's brand.Acase-study approach is adopted using a qualitative methodology. Indepth interviews reveal that employees feel that their actions are vital to the brand, and findings from a survey of 500 respondents demonstrate positive relationships among internal branding and their brand promise delivery. The paper also helps to emphasize the importance of internal branding for customer attraction in the banking industry in Ghana.
International Journal of Business and Management, 2015
Ghana has witnessed a wave of mergers and acquisitions (M & As) in the banking industry following... more Ghana has witnessed a wave of mergers and acquisitions (M & As) in the banking industry following the bank recapitalization initiative by the government in 2008. This raises an important question concerning the trade-off between the possible efficiency gains and efficiency losses as banks merge into one large unit. The objective of this study was to find out how Mergers & Acquisitions have impacted service quality of consolidated banks in Ghana. A descriptive and explanatory design was adopted as the study sought to describe customer perceived service quality and to also explain the relationship between M & As and service quality. An ANOVA and T-tests techniques were used to analyze primary and secondary data gathered. Findings from the study indicated that M & As had positive impact on overall service quality. The conclusion drawn by the researchers indicates that mergers and acquisitions offer superior growth and financing option for banks. This in turn promotes economic efficienc...
Bank finance has been found as an important source of funds for most firms. This study examines t... more Bank finance has been found as an important source of funds for most firms. This study examines the role banks play in addressing the finance gap facing SMEs in Ghana. Through a questionnaire survey, data was gathered from sampled Banks and SMEs in Sekondi-Takoradi. The data revealed that banks see SMEs as a profitable segment. Also bank finance enhances the profitability of beneficiary SMEs. This has encouraged a trend of increased bank involvement with the SME sector. However, SME specific factors, high interest rates, collateral requirements, lack of quality information, delays in judicial proceedings and difficulties in disposing collateral restrict further bank involvement with SMEs and the latter's freedom to access bank finance. The authors conclude that all relevant stakeholders must contribute to fostering the trend by helping to mitigate the constraints through the implementation of deliberate policies that enhances trust between banks as lenders and SMEs.
Uploads
Papers by Ernest Asirifi