Denis Hyams-Ssekasi

This study examined the influence of an entrepreneurship education learning approach on students’ self-efficacy, with a specific focus on the mediating roles played by entrepreneurial competence and satisfaction. Informed by a conceptual framework drawn from pertinent literature, data were collected through purposive sampling from a diverse cohort of students within technical universities. Employing the AMOS structural equation modelling (SEM) method, the analysis revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between the entrepreneurship learning approach and self-efficacy without mediating variables. However, the study observed no significant direct relationship in the presence of these mediating factors. This suggests that entrepreneurial competence and satisfaction fully mediated the impact of the learning approach on self-efficacy. It is important to note that the study’s findings are contextually bound to technical universities within a less developed economy, cautioning against generalising them to traditional universities. Nonetheless, the study underscored the pivotal role of entrepreneurship education, self-competence, and student satisfaction in bolstering students’ self-efficacy, serving as a potent catalyst for fostering entrepreneurial intentions. Consequently, the study advocated for integrating entrepreneurship learning approaches in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.

This meta-analysis appraises the impact of practical science work on the learning outcomes of secondary school students based on 16 recent publications based on a quasi-experimental design. The research includes cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains and compares the performance of students who have been subjected to practical science teaching to those who have been subjected to theoretical teaching. The search of the Scopus, ERIC, and DOAJ databases, adhering to strict inclusion criteria, allowed the definition of quantitative studies used in the meta-analytic procedures. Heterogeneity (I 2 = 94.43 %) was significant, and a random-effects model was adopted with standardized effect sizes determined using Hedges g. This finding has a high general effect (g = 1.15), indicating that practical science work has a significant impact on learning in different contexts. The implementation quality, teacher competence, and resource availability were inconsistent across all the studies, yet the results were quite the same, stating the clear advantage of the experiential, inquiry-based methods of implementation. Heterogeneity diagnostics indicate actual rather than random errors and evidence of limited publication bias, as portrayed by funnel plots. The meta-analysis confirms the pedagogical worth of practical science work and its utilization in curricula, notably in coordination with properly established instructional objectives, as well as in the provision of proper teacher training and infrastructure. These results provide evidence-based policy recommendations for both policymakers and teachers to enhance science education through effective hands-on practices.

The function of marketing is regarded as a mechanism that provides practical and theoretical solutions to contemporary businesses worldwide. In this edited book, a cast of international contributors address new and emerging areas within marketing, such as sustainable marketing, the circular economy, and how technologies drive and provide marketing solutions. Rather than exploring the issues, this book focuses on the solutions that these emerging areas provide for businesses. An essential resource for researchers and students, this book demonstrates how marketing activities are relevant to contemporary businesses, offering a state-of-the-art look at emerging trends.

This chapter delves into a detailed exploration of the crucial interplay between social enterprises and economic growth. The primary aim is to conduct a thorough investigation of the multifaceted relationship between these entities. The authors analyse the challenges and advantages inherent in this relationship and propose strategies for policymakers to harness the profound impact that social enterprises can exert on both societal and economic progress. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of this subject, qualitative research methods have been employed throughout this chapter. The research methodology involves an extensive literature review, which serves as a foundation for gathering insights and knowledge pertaining to social enterprises and their intricate ties with economic growth. Recognising social enterprises as catalysts for economic expansion necessitates the formulation of a comprehensive policy framework. Consequently, it becomes imperative to address these challenges. This approach is not only crucial for ensuring the growth and sustainability of social enterprises but also for fostering a form of economic growth that embodies inclusivity, equity, and sustainability. The recommendations presented in this chapter advocate for the establishment of an enabling environment where social enterprises can thrive and make substantial contributions to economic development, all while addressing urgent social and environmental challenges.

The study explores Ghana Textile Printing company’s (GTP) adoption of the brand equity model to attract and retain customers to their brand in the face of the high influx of imported substitutes in Ghana. The researcher used a descriptive research method directed at the case study of GTP to explore how their strategies aligned with the four brand equity constructs: brand awareness, brand loyalty, brand associations, and perceived quality to make consumers aware of the brand products, knowledge about brand price, and quality, among others, to attract consumers to boost patronage of their fabrics. Convenience sampling was used to select GTP customers for the study, and they agreed to participate. The study used qualitative research methods with interviews, questionnaires, and secondary data as the instruments for data collection. Interviews were conducted with top management and retailers of GTP products, and archival information was used in data collection. The study found that the company’s attention is on improving the brand in terms of bringing out new designs in vibrant colours, social media presence, and collaborations with garment producers and media houses to project the GTP brand to consumers. In addition, the company is investing in technological applications for accessing and authenticating product quality to improve patronage of the company’s products. Apart from quality, the company did not label their strategies accordingly to the other constructs of brand equity, but the researcher classified the company’s strategies under the four brand equity constructs in line with the literature. The study suggests that local textile companies in Ghana give attention to the four brand equity constructs and adopt them to generate loyal customers, boost patronage and profitability to help ensure sustainability in business growth and development.

India has been on a digital growth trajectory for a few years, prompted by its goal of becoming a trillion-dollar digital economy by 2025. The Indian digital revolution has resulted in a new wave of digital consumption and dividends. This manuscript examines the transformative journey of India's digital revolution, highlighting the strategic opportunities and challenges it encompasses. The Digital India initiative, a cornerstone government policy, has been instrumental in this transformative process, aiming to digitize various aspects of life and governance. Despite a significant increase in internet users and the successful launch of numerous digital projects, a substantial digital divide remains, characterized by disparities in mobile phone ownership, internet access, and digital literacy across different genders, geographical locations, and income groups. Using a qualitative research methodology, this study investigates the economic impact of digitalization on the Indian economy and identifies factors contributing to the digital divide. An extensive literature review and qualitative content analysis identified five primary themes: the digital profile of India, digitization and economic growth, digitalization and economic variables, digitalization across sectors, and the digital divide. These themes elucidate India's progress in digital literacy and financial inclusion, the economic advantages of digitalization, and the obstacles to achieving digital inclusivity. The manuscript proposes a developmental framework with recommendations for policymakers, business leaders, and other stakeholders to mitigate the digital divide and maximize the benefits of digital dividends. It underscores the necessity of a comprehensive digital strategy, the enhancement of digital infrastructure, the development of digital human resources, the promotion of digital literacy, and the fostering of digital entrepreneurial capacity.

Ghana is regarded as one of the main nations driving social enterprise development in all of Africa, despite the lack of a policy for the social enterprise sub-sector. Regardless of these trailblazing initiatives, the sub-sector is still young and vulnerable. As a result, the time is right for the government to implement policy reforms to expedite the growth of the sub-sector, which offers an alternative business model for the achievement of the social and environmental goals embodied in the global goals. All nations are urged to take immediate action in response to the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which offer a global framework for achieving global development while balancing social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The methodology adopted is qualitative in nature, whereby focus group discussions were held, bringing together key stakeholders from the social enterprise sector, industry, academia, and civil society organisations (CSOs) to provide insights into how social enterprises will contribute to SDG achievement. This paper aims to generate new insights into how social enterprises can provide a solution to the UN’s SDGs from the Ghanaian perspective. Our findings reveal a strong link between solving social problems through social businesses and achieving the SDGs, and that social enterprises represent an ideal business model for achieving the SDGs. Their mission-driven approach, innovative solutions, focus on empowerment and inclusion, utilisation of market mechanisms, collaboration and partnership, and understanding and knowledge of local contexts collectively position social enterprises as powerful catalysts for sustainable development.

The influx of migrants in foreign countries is often misconstrued, disenchanted, and perceived as a mistake. There is a growing conjecture that migrants are creating more problems in the hosting countries. Such thinking is contested as studies are increasingly recognising the importance of migrants and their contributions to the domestic economy. As such, this study seeks to unravel the notion of migrant entrepreneurship mainly focusing on the UK. Using the qualitative data, collected from the literature from 2000 to 2023, the findings indicate the impact of migrant entrepreneurship in developed economies is still debated upon, and new theories are still emerging. The evidence suggests that migrants in the UK are widely conceded. Despite the penetration in the new country, migrant entrepreneurs still face various challenges and limited support is accorded to them. At a national level, the preliminary analysis suggests that migrants have to some extent the entrepreneurial skills which are beneficial in terms of productivity, innovation, creativity, and income generation. In addition, migrants are more successful as they grapple with work and provision of economic and social benefit to hosting and home countries. These require courage, determination, and resourcefulness. Hence, there is a significant revelation in relation to the landscape for migrant entrepreneurs which shows the influence they have on the host economy and environment. The study concludes that migrant entrepreneurship has the prospects to offer financial and societal benefits an aspect that should be embraced by all hosting countries.

While there is a plethora of literature about migrants and their economic activities, there is a dearth of information about intra-African migrants. Nevertheless, intra-African migrant entrepreneurship is theoretically gaining momentum and is noted as a critical driver for economic development and poverty alleviation on the African continent. Some African countries have become more attractive than others due to advanced infrastructure and high economic growth and have experienced a surge in immigration. However, increased migration on the African continent has sparked xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks on migrants, creating unfavourable environments for migrant entrepreneurship. The Eastern Cape Province in South Africa is perceived as a home to a growing number of intra-African migrant entrepreneurs. Hence, this chapter examines the socio-economic integration of migrant businesses in the Eastern Cape Province to ascertain the challenges and opportunities these emigrant entrepreneurs face. Particular attention is given to the role they play in promoting economic development and social integration. A cross-sectional research design is adopted involving qualitative data collection as well as analysis. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with a sample of nine intra-African migrant entrepreneurs (n = 9) from three towns Alice, Fort Beaufort, and Middledrift. These towns are selected due to the high poverty level and high concentration of small migrant businesses by purposive sampling. Given this, the study has noticed a significant increase in intra-African migration, with many African countries becoming both sending and receiving countries. The research found a wide range of factors that influence the socio-economic integration of intra-African migrant businesses, including access to finance, language proficiency, and cultural factors. Moreover, safety, permits, and a sense of belonging are considered to be impediments. This study concludes that there is a need for a better understanding of the role that migrant entrepreneurship plays in promoting economic development and social integration in the region. Intra-African migration and entrepreneurship are here to stay, and the movements of people driving economic activity across the continent should not be ignored but embraced by all.