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Social capital concept has become popular over the past decades. What is not known in literature and worth investigating is the network designs and nature that enhance the development of new learning ideas and knowledge creation. The aim of the paper is to examine network structure dimensions, namely centrality (bonding) and structural holes (bridging or looser ties) of social capital formed within higher education networks that stimulate the development of new ideas and knowledge creation of the participants in the networks across multiple domains of science. This study employs negative binomial regression on a sample of participants within a higher education network to predict the development of new ideas and knowledge creation. The results show that the different features of social capital dimensions influence the development of new ideas and knowledge creation of the participants in the networks differently. Specifically, the study reveals that the brokerage network appears to be more relevant than cohesion in the Ghanaian higher education institution networks. When knowledge creation is decomposed into different fields of science, Health Science is found to be the most productive. The decomposing of the knowledge creation into different fields of science remains a value of this study.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic tool that firms use to gain competitive advantage and enhance profitability in the long run, yet its effect on dividend payout in extraordinary times is limited. Grounded in stakeholder and dual responsibility theories, this study examines the effect of CSR on the relationship between COVID‐19 and dividend payout. Data from the period 2015–2021 were obtained from 114 non‐financial listed firms on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, South Africa, and analyzed by multivariate and logit regression techniques. COVID‐19 has a negative effect on the amount and likelihood of dividend payment, while CSR performance has a positive effect on the likelihood and amount of dividend payment. However, the result of the negative effect of COVID‐19 on dividend payment does not differ between high and low CSR performing firms. Conversely, the impact of COVID‐19 and CSR on dividend payment differ between high and low financial constraint firms. Shareholders should learn to manage their expectations of dividends payment during times of crisis like COVID‐19, as firms tend to focus more on addressing the needs of stakeholders through CSR initiatives, which will enhance profit in the long term, rather than paying out dividend to shareholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the perception and adoption of artificial pollination among cocoa farmers in Ghana. It used cross-sectional data collected from 206 cocoa farmers selected through multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, Likert Scale and the Tobit regression model were the methods of analysis. With an adoption rate of 49%, the study revealed that cocoa farmers have a positive perception towards adoption of artificial pollination technology. The results also showed that age of farmer, extension visits, yield and household size have significant positive effects on the probability of adoption of artificial pollination among cocoa farmers, whereas farm size has a significant negative effect on adoption. Leveraging on the positive perception generated, we encourage extension agents to sensitize farmers on the importance of artificial pollination through continuous awareness creation and promotion of the benefits of adopting the technology. Furthermore, given cocoa farmers' positive perception on artificial pollination, Ghana's cocoa production and marketing regulatory body (COCOBOD) should take steps in implementing the technology. Implementers of this technology should also target younger farmers since age has a negative influence on adoption of artificial pollination. Finally, this paper contributes to the literature by focusing on the perception and the factors that influence adoption of artificial pollination in cocoa production which currently has not been researched and documented in the cocoa production literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how the poor relate social support to microinsurance demand, using probit regression model. Questionnaire was administered to 200 household heads in five deprived communities in Accra. The study found that the poor relate social support to microinsurance demand as substitute, and are less likely to demand microinsurance when they receive more social support. The poor should be educated to adopt microinsurance as complementary risk mitigating tool to social support. Microinsurance firms should partner telecommunication firms to design and sell tailor-made products at affordable premium and at vantage points where these supports are received by the poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored factors driving the demand for Micro-Finance Institution (MFI) loan by women entrepreneurs in selected markets in Ghana, using robust regression model. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 300 purposively selected women. The average loan demanded by the women from MFIs was GHc4139.50, representing 92 percent of total amount needed. Proximity to MFIs, flexibility in loan repayment and time-lag are the main factors driving the demand for MFI loan by market women in the study area. MFIs should provide timely, tailor-made loans with flexible repayment plans to the doors of their customers to increase loan demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]