African Journal of Management Research

Optimal Location of Thermal Power Plants: Closer to Demand Centers or Fuel Depots?

Anthony Afful- Dadzie, Francis Acquah, Iddrisu Awudu — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:37:59 +0000

The location of a thermal power plant in a country with dispersed demand centers and limited fuel supply sources is an important decision as it greatly impacts electricity supply cost. This study develops an optimization model to support decision making concerning the location of new and existing thermal plants by a centralized planner. The model offers a platform for decision makers to navigate the trade-off between locating a thermal plant either close to fuel depots to reduce fuel transportation cost or close to demand centers to reduce transmission losses and cost. The proposed model is inspired by the decision of the government of Ghana to relocate an existing thermal plant close to a major demand center yet far away from its fuel source. The model is unique as hitherto such decisions have been analyzed mainly using a Multi Criteria Decision Making model that is unable to accurately capture the magnitude of the
important factors. Results from applying the model to the relocation problem of the government of Ghana while supportive of the government’s decision, also sees the cost of electricity supply increasing by about 0.06% (roughly US$1.5 million annually over a 10-year period). A suggested relocation by the model will reduce electricity supply cost by about 0.1% compared to the government’s decision.

Systematic Review of Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This paper presents a systematic review of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy implemented in Ghana since 2017. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, this review synthesizes evidence from 34 peer-reviewed studies published between 1989 and 2023. The analysis is theoretically informed by the Education Production Function (EPF) and Social Justice Theory, particularly the Capability Approach. These frameworks enable a multidimensional understanding of how policy inputs
translate into educational outcomes and how equitably those outcomes are distributed across diverse student populations. The findings reveal that while the FSHS policy has improved enrolment and access, particularly among low-income households, it has also created challenges such as overcrowding, teacher shortages, and disparities in educational quality. The study recommends policy adjustments to improve sustainability, equity, and system-wide efficiency in equity-driven educational reform in sub-Saharan Africa.

Multi-Directional Efficiency Analysis of Ghanaian Life and Non-Life Insurers in the Presence of Undesirable Output.

Debora Afua Antwiwaa Addo, Kwaku Ohene- Asare, Charles Andoh — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 12:36:12 +0000

The study evaluates the input/output efficiencies of insurers in Ghana, highlighting the misleading results in insurance efficiency assessment when undesirable outputs are excluded from efficiency estimations. Using a panel data set of 30 life and non-life insurers from 2008 to 2019, the multi-directional efficiency analysis is used to assess aggregated and disaggregated efficiency levels. Robust econometric regression models (pooled ordinary least squares and two-step system Generalized Method of Moment (GMM)) are also used to investigate the external factors that affect comprehensive efficiencies. Investment income was identified as the worst-performing insurer output variable, reducing the overall efficiency of insurers. Claims, representing an undesirable variable, was identified as the best-performing variable in raising overall efficiency, followed by labour. Life insurers are observed to be performing significantly better than their non-life counterparts on their aggregated and disaggregated efficiency. Finally, the previous year’s overall performance of insurers and the level of competition are identified as the determinants of insurance efficiency.

Influence of behavioural biases and personal factors on credit decision- making: Should the banks be concerned?

Joseph Emmanuel Tetteh, Eunice Adu-Darko — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:19:25 +0000

This study investigates the impact of behavioural biases and some human factors on the decision-making of bank credit managers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. It uses partial least squares and independent samples t-test methods to examine the impact of psychological biases and personal factors on bank credit decision-making. Except for the level of education of loan applicants, the study found a positive and significant influence of all explanatory variables on bank creditdecision-making. Furthermore, the results suggest that female credit managers are more risk-averse than their male counterparts. However, the study found no significant difference between overconfidence of male and female credit managers. One area that has been ignored by previous studies is the influence of psychological biases on bank credit decision-making, especially in an emerging economy such as Ghana. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to examine the impact of psychological biases on bank credit decision-making in Ghana. The findings are likely to enhance the decision-making of bank credit managers, particularly in Ghana. Going forward, measures aimed at educating bank credit managers on the effect of psychological biases and human factors on credit decisions are recommended.

Electronic Banking and Financial Inclusion in Nigerian Financial System

Omehe Raphael — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:37:58 +0000

In this study, the effect of electronic banking on financial inclusion in Nigeria was examined. In particular, the effect of total volume of Automated Teller Machine, total volume of transaction of Nigerian instant payment system, and total volume of transaction by internet banking on financial inclusion in Nigeria was investigated. Between 2012 and 2024, a sample of twelve listed deposit money banks was investigated using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and pooled last square regression. The various analyses were used to investigate the connection between financial inclusion in Nigeria and electronics banking. The empirical findings showed the variables had a substantial impact on financial inclusion in Nigeria. We recommend among others; that management of deposit money banks in Nigeria should allocate more resources towards financial innovation and enhancement of the existing infrastructures since they have been found to improve financial inclusion.

Scaling up Rural Financial Innovations for the Transformation of Inclusive Financial System: Micro- Financing Option in South West, Nigeria

Raymond Rahaj Adegboyega — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:01:18 +0000

There is growing evidence that designing financially sustainable models which increase outreach and scale of operations for the poor significantly contributes to the productivity of the rural areas. The situation in Nigeria is complex, as financial innovations have not been as effective as hoped in driving an inclusive financial system and providing easy access to financial services for the poor, primary due to challenges like low financial literacy, infrastructure gaps, and a high population growth rate that outpaces financial inclusion growth. Therefore, this study examined the impact of rural financial innovations on the transformation of the inclusive financial system in Nigeria. The study used primary data collected through interviews conducted with local villagers, MFI officials, village/local leaders, and religious personalities. Also, in analyzing the primary data, the study used descriptive and inferential statistics, probit and tobit regression techniques. The study concluded that the financial inclusion agenda has been considered and adopted in a concerted manner. The study recommended that the Central Bank of Nigeria should create a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital banking, which focuses on existing community resources and potentials to stimulate rural financial innovations for a
transformative and inclusive financial system.

Performance Management, Organizational Learning and Operational Efficiency in Universities in Kenya

Monicah Ng’ang’a, Peter K’Obonyo, Florence Muindi, Margaret Muthoni Kariuki — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:21:58 +0000

Performance management has been extensively studied with differing ideas of what it is. Universities implemented performance management for efficiency. Performance management’s influence on operational efficiency with organizational learning as a mediator was investigated and confirmed by the study. Institutional and social cognitive theories grounded the study. Performance management was operationalized using the performance Management Behavior Questionnaire. Organizational learning applied the Dimensions of Learning Organization
Questionnaire. A cross-sectional descriptive census survey design was carried out on a population of 72 universities with a response rate of 58. Data envelopment analysis showed that technical efficiency declined. There was no sustainability of performance management initiatives. A careful balance between quality and entrepreneurism within the university as well in the proliferation of universities and careful attention to sustainability of organizational learning were recommended.

Supervisor, Co-Worker Safety Support and Safety Performance at the Workplace: Does Organisational Commitment Matter?

Samuel Opoku, Joan-Ark Manu Agyapong — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 14:40:42 +0000

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of supervisor and co-worker safety support on safety performance at the Ghana National Fire Service in Tamale: the mediating effect of organisational commitment. The study used the quantitative research approach with the explanatory research design. Out of a total of 227 questionnaires issued to respondents, 214 were deemed usable for the analysis of the study. The analytical tools employed for this study were the partial least square regression. The SPSS was employed for descriptive analysis and the research objectives of the study. The study concluded that supervisor and co-worker safety support had a positive effect on safety performance. The second objective also showed that organisational commitment has a positive influence on safety performance. The final objective showed that organisational commitment mediates the relationship between supervisor and co-worker safety support and safety performance. It was therefore recommended that, the management of the Ghana National Fire Service unit in Tamale should prioritize the establishment and maintenance of supportive relationships among supervisors and co-workers.

Exploring the Link between Work- Family Conflict and Workplace Deviant Behaviour among Police Personnel: The Mediating Role of Psychosocial Work Factors

Comfort Binipom Mpuan, Patricia Akua Biney, Justice Mensah — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 15:23:34 +0000

This study examines the impact of Work-Family Conflict (WFC) and Family-Work Conflict (FWC) on Workplace Deviant Behaviour (WDB) and the mediating role of psychosocial work factors (PWFs) among personnel of the Ghana Police Service, underpinned by the Situational Action Theory (SAT) and the Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, with data collected from 412 police personnel using structured questionnaires. Findings revealed a counter-intuitive effect: WFC negatively predicted WDB, contrary to patterns typically reported in literature. In contrast, FWC positively predicted WDB. Support from superiors and coworkers, empowering and fair leadership, and innovative climate partially mediated the relationship between WFC and WDB, while support from friends and social climate showed no mediation but significant moderation effects.
Furthermore, social climate partially mediated the relationship between FWC and WDB. The study extends literature by examining both directions of WFC and their behavioural consequences within a non-Western, high-stress occupational setting. It also highlights the protective role of PWFs in mitigating WDB, offering practical insights for leadership and policy interventions in law enforcement agencies.