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Considering government and market failure of environmental regulation to combat increasing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, green innovation can mitigate pollution through production processes and clean production. This paper aims to investigate endogenous green innovation efficiency and its convergence across China’s 30 provinces from 2004 to 2014. Due to factor endowment heterogeneity, it is important to explore the convergence of green innovation efficiency among China’s different regions, which can compare green innovation efficiency spatially and propose scientific policy implications for regions with relatively weaker green innovation efficiency. Green innovation efficiency is evaluated through epsilon-based measure (EBM) global Malmquist-Luenberger (ML) in order to overcome the demerits of radial model and slacks-based measure (SBM). Panel unit root test is implemented to explore the convergence of green innovation efficiency across different provinces of China, which addresses the invalid inference of conventional β convergence. The empirical analysis revealed that green innovation efficiency in the east is the highest among four regions of China. Unit root test of panel data revealed that the northeast had the highest convergence among China’s four regions. It is important to enhance green innovation capacity, and expand knowledge spillover of green innovation technology in order to mitigate GHG emissions.

Today’s business and commercial undertaking have taken on a dimension that defies the traditional rules of conducting business. Trust, is influential in changing the pattern of work in business strategizing within and between organisations. Issues of complexity and uncertainty are increasingly becoming the norm both within and between organisational interactions. In this regard trust is crucially needed to strengthen the bond of relationships between a firm’s employees and a company’s strategic partners to realise the maximum possible co-operation in a mutually fulfilling manner. The present essay places trust in wider organizational perspective with a consideration of its dynamics in both within and between organisations. The challenge lies on how organisations formulate policies and put in structural mechanisms to sustain the relationships that go a long way to engender trust both within and between an organisation’s trading partners. The intranet and extranet constitute one such technological invention that is spearheading intraorganisational and interorganisational networks. The analysis is primarily situated within this context to bring out the divergent matters that come to the fore when trust is activated within and between organisations. This paper looks at trust from various theoretical standpoints and discusses the many implications of its presence, inadequacy or absence in both intraorganisational and interorganisational networks. The paper concludes with suggestions for examining trust in future research in the subject area.

This study examined the influence of polychronicity, work-school facilitation, and organizational support on the job performance of postgraduate students in Ghana. Guided by the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, the research explored how personal and organizational resources affected job performance outcomes. A quantitative, explanatory research design was used. A sample of 341 distance education postgraduate students from three Ghanaian universities was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected via a three-time lagged survey method to minimize common method bias. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using SMART PLS software (version 3.98) was employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that polychronicity had a significant positive effect on job performance. Organizational support moderated this relationship, strengthening the effect of polychronicity on job performance. Additionally, work-school facilitation mediated the relationship between polychronicity and job performance, suggesting that students who effectively balanced academic and work roles performed better. Polychronicity also directly influenced work-school facilitation. The study provided both theoretical and practical insights, highlighting the importance of individual time-use preferences and institutional support in enhancing the performance and well-being of postgraduate students.

This study examined the moderating effect of perceived organizational support on the link between employee engagement and the job performance of medical staff at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. The study adopted a purely quantitative approach, using the explanatory research design. Data were collected from 310 full-time nurses and midwives of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in the Central Region of Ghana. The available data were analyzed using the Structural Equation Modelling technique. The study’s results revealed that employee engagement significantly influences the job performance of nurses and midwives in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. The study further revealed that perceived organizational support moderates the link between employee engagement and the job performance of nurses and midwives in the hospital. Given these findings, the study recommended that to effectively improve the job performance of nurses and midwives, the management of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital must adopt policies such as effective leadership and fair HR practices to stimulate employee engagement and their perceived organizational support.

Despite efforts to improve childhood immunization coverage in Nigeria, coverage has remained below the national acceptable level. In December 2019, we conducted an assessment of Missed Opportunities for Vaccination (MOV) in Ondo State, in Southwest Nigeria. The objectives were to determine the magnitude of, explore the reasons for, as well as possible solutions for reducing MOV in the State. This was a cross-sectional study using a mixed-methods approach. We purposively selected 66 health facilities in three local government authorities, with a non-probabilistic sampling of caregivers of children 0-23 months for exit interviews, and health workers for knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) surveys. Data collection was complemented with focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with caregivers and health workers. The proportion of MOV among children with documented vaccination histories were determined and thematic analysis of the qualitative data was carried out. 984 caregivers with children aged 0-23 months were interviewed, of which 869 were eligible for inclusion in our analysis. The prevalence of MOV was 32.8%. MOV occurred among 90.8% of children during non-vaccination visits, and 7.3% during vaccination visits. Vaccine doses recommended later in the immunization series were given in a less timely manner. Among 41.0% of health workers, they reported their vaccination knowledge was insufficient. Additionally, 57.5% were concerned about and feared adverse events following immunization. Caregivers were found to have a low awareness about vaccination, and issues related to the organization of the health system were found to contribute towards MOV. One in three children experienced a MOV during a health service encounter. Potential interventions to reduce MOV include training of health workers about immunization policies and practices, improving caregivers' engagement and screening of vaccination documentation by health workers during every health service encounter.

The mining industry is one of the sectors that uses heavy-duty equipment in its daily operations. This exposes miners to undesirable noise levels, increasing their risks of health-related problems. However, published data on the health effects of occupational noise exposure on miners in Ghana are limited, and this can affect potential interventions to promote miners' health and safety. This study, therefore, assessed noise-exposure levels and associated health-related problems among heavy-duty equipment operators and other exposed workers in a mining firm in Ghana. A cross-sectional study involving 316 randomly selected heavy-duty equipment operators and exposed workers was conducted from 29th March 2023-31st May 2023. Data on socio-demographic and work-related characteristics, including age, mining experience, knowledge of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), noise exposure levels and health-related problems, were collected using a pretested questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to identify significant predictors of health-related problems. The mean age of study participants was 33.8 (±7.5) years with a range of 21-60 years. The prevalence of health-related problems in the twelve months before the study was 55.7%. The commonly reported health-related problems included hearing difficulties (84.1%), hearing loss (49.4%), and sleeping difficulties (36.9%). Approximately 68.6% of the workers were exposed to noise levels that were unacceptable. After adjusting for significant covariates, factors such as working experience of 5-9 years (AOR: 4.25, 95%CI: 1.92-9.40), inadequate knowledge of NIHL (AOR:1.78, 95%CI: 1.03-3.09) and exposure to unacceptable noise levels (AOR = 5.52, 95%CI = 2.91-10.48) were independently associated with health-related problems. The prevalence of health-related problems among the workers was high. Potential strategies, including a hearing conservation program to promote health and safety among these workers at the workplace, should target reducing the exposure to high noise levels and increasing awareness of NIHL.

Background: There has been a global noticeable increase in the occurrence of infectious disease outbreaks, compounded by both natural and human-induced disasters. Aims: We aimed to examine the correlates of emergency preparedness and response to disease outbreaks in Kano, Northwest Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional survey that utilised a two stage sampling technique was conducted among 359 stakeholders from the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment and Health at both State and Local Government Area (LGA) levels. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires and analysed using SPSS version 22. P ≤0.05 was set to be statistically significant. Results: Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 61 years, with a mean age of 41.0 years and a standard deviation of ±8.7 years. Most respondents (70.5%) reported the presence of an Epidemic Preparedness and Response Committee (EPRC) before 2020, while a slightly larger proportion (73.8%) indicated its existence at the time of the survey. Similarly, a higher number of stakeholders confirmed the current presence of rapid response teams (RRTs) during outbreaks (76.9%) compared to their presence before 2020 (71.6%). We found 44.3% of EPRCs and 41.8% of RRTs to be functional. The presence of RRTs during outbreaks was as an independent predictor of EPRC functionality. Areas with insufficient RRT deployment during outbreaks were significantly less likely to have a functional EPRC. Conversely, areas with timely RRT activation were 20% more likely to have a functioning EPRC (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1-0.5). Similarly, RRT functionality was reported more frequently in areas where respondents were uncertain about RRT availability before 2020 (58.8%, P = 0.002). Prior availability of RRTs during outbreaks was identified as an independent predictor of RRT functionality. Areas where respondents were unsure of RRT presence during past outbreaks were 4.7 times more likely to have a functional RRT (aOR = 4.7; 95% CI = 1.2-18.4). Conclusions: A fairly good proportion of EPRC and RRT were in place; however, their functionality was below optimal. We recommend urgent review of the available Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and implementation of the relevant guidelines by all the relevant stakeholders for outbreak mitigation, prevention and timely response.

Background Foodborne diseases affect nearly 600 million people each year, that is, one in every ten people, and their outbreaks are most common in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa. This study investigated the food safety practices among raw meat handlers and the microbial quality of the meat from the butchery shops in Kumasi Abattoir, Ghana. Methods This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study and collected quantitative data on factors associated with food safety and hygienic practices among raw meat handlers and the microbial quality of the raw meat using a structured questionnaire and standard laboratory methods, respectively. The study used all 50 beef vending shops in the butchery for questionnaire aspect and fresh beef samples were obtained from 10 vendors in the butchery shop. Appropriate methods were followed to analyse questionnaire data and meat samples. Results Most of the butchers (72%) were between the ages of 31 and 45, and they were predominantly Muslims (68%). Most of the respondents (48%) had basic education. All the respondents had food safety certificates from the local authority but needed adequate knowledge of meat safety. Most respondents (90%) handled meat and money with the same bare hands, thus contaminating the meat. The study showed that the maximum Total Viable Count (TVC), Total Staphylococcus Count (TSC), and Total Escherichia coli Count (TEC) were 5.60, 4.39 and 5.13 cfu/g, respectively. The study also revealed that all the meat samples were Salmonella species-free. Conclusions Microorganisms in raw beef indicate a public health hazard. It gives a signal of a possible occurrence of food-borne intoxication and infection if not controlled. Environmental health officers in the Greater Kumasi area should organize food safety training and educate raw meat handlers on the importance of food safety and its consequences.

E-government continues to gather research momentum from academics of diverse theoretical and practical orientations to signify the enduring significance of the concept, especially from the standpoint of digital service delivery in much of the developing world. A platformisation perspective driven by digital service delivery is teased out to make a case for this study. Dwelling on the fundamental assumptions of a positivistic research philosophy with the UTAUT epistemological model as the guiding frame to solicit responses of students in an online environment, the study employs quantitative techniques to analyse eight hypothetical scenarios. Findings suggest trust in e-government, Internet trust, social influence and performance expectancy are some of the strong predictors of intention to use e-government services. The study discusses the revelation that citizens are particularly influenced by peer pressure in their intention to use public digital services. Theoretical implications and empirical lessons of the factors that should be of significant consideration to system designers and policy makers in e-government practice have been accounted for. Future research can take the direction of qualitative efforts to bring out the underlying rationale and tensions connected with digital service acceptance in e-government practice. Keywords: Digital Service, E-government, Emerging Economies, Platformisation, Trust

Background Fisherfolk working in coastal communities face several occupational hazards, such as poor safety infrastructure and exposure to environmental pollutants. These conditions are often worsened in regions near oil and gas operations. Despite the high-risk nature of their work, there is limited research, particularly in Ghana, on the specific health and safety challenges these fishermen encounter. This study assessed occupational accidents among fisherfolks in some selected communities around the oil and gas production areas in the Ahanta West District of Ghana. Methods We adopted a cross-sectional study design, and a structured questionnaire was administered to 220 fishermen who were selected using a simple random sampling method. Descriptive statistics were used to report the frequency of fishing activity, safety practices, natural hazards, the prevalence of occupational accidents, as well as the perceived health threats associated with nearby oil and gas operations. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess associations between sociodemographic factors and the prevalence of occupational accidents. Results Most respondents fished more than ten times monthly and typically spent a day at sea per trip. Many respondents perceived seaweed blooms as a major threat to both their canoes and personal health. The prevalence of occupational accidents was high, with falls, cuts, and fish spine piercings commonly reported. A one-year increase in age was associated with 7% greater odds of having an occupational accident (AOR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01–1.14). Conclusion The study highlights a high prevalence of occupational accidents among fishermen in the Ahanta West District, driven by inadequate safety practices and environmental challenges. Targeted interventions, including safety training, provision of protective gear, and policy support, are essential to improving occupational health and safety in these coastal communities.