Purpose The nature of international markets and the challenges with respect to the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) makes it imperative to examine government support. This study aims to assess the role and effectiveness of government and the export promotion agencies in supporting exports by non-traditional horticultural SMEs in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study used a qualitative research design, which involved semi-structured interviews with senior managers of six export facilitating institutions to gain an understanding of the services offered to SMEs with respect to exports of non-traditional horticultural products. Findings The findings reveal inadequate cost-efficient sources of non-traditional horticultural export financing for SMEs. This is a hindrance to the international competitiveness of exporting SMEs in developing countries such as Ghana. In addition, effective and coordinated support from export promotion agencies was found to be critical. Originality/value The study highlights the importance of government’s role in policymaking and implementation of export-led programmes for horticultural exporting firms in Ghana. Despite their strategic importance, this area of research has not attracted the attention of researchers, with little or no information on the horticultural international competitiveness of non-traditional horticultural products.

Social media is considered trustworthy by consumers, and this has resulted in a strong consumer focus on social media to acquire information related to products and services. There are various benefits offered by social media, but security is a major concern as viruses and other threats can affect a huge number of users of social media. These platforms are not well governed. Indeed, they are highly decentralized and could easily be accessed, and this presents a high risk of illegal activity. Businesses continue to reap the benefits of incorporating social media into their strategies. There has been a shift in focus from conventional media to online and digital media in the form of social networking sites, wikis, and blogs. This has given rise to viral marketing as a means of effective communication and sharing information. The current chapter aims to explore the relationship between social media and value co-creation.

This article examines the interaction between the Covid-19 pandemic (pandemic) and entrepreneurship in the United Kingdom (UK). It contends that although the pandemic has obliterated several businesses and their concomitant partners throughout the world, particularly the UK, a new swathe of entrepreneurial activities have evolved to spur socio-economic ventures in stabilising the frontiers of society. The article also synthesises the dimensions critical for successful creation of entrepreneurship by exploring the effects of the pandemic, leadership, including the financial sector as key constituents in revving new ventures. Whilst weak institutions often induced corrupt practices to stifle enterprising initiatives, the article further argues that good leadership reposes confidence in a beleaguered society by motivating people to carve for themselves and community, economic fortunes stemming out of the crisis and destructions. Lastly, the article concludes that whilst there is a complimentary relationship between a country’s endowment and the rate of entrepreneurships springing up in the UK, the converse is the case in most developing countries in the south.

The purpose of this study/article is to exmaine whether the individualistic nature of millennials undermines the the effrots of transformational leadsrhip in achieving organizational objectives.

Globalization's promises of open markets, large sums of financial capital, and enlightened constitutional rule have deteriorated into all-too-frequent nightmarish scenarios of insurmountable economic inequality within and between nations, inflamed hatred of the United States, terrorist attacks on civilians, and genocidal ethnic cleansing. The author of these brief, penetrating essays investigates globalization's dark side and, most significantly, demonstrates that "small number" minorities have become both victimized and victimizer.

Understanding the adoption of technologies is crucial for researchers and practitioners, as identifying key factors helps to predict and explain users' attitude towards adopting or rejecting technology. However, as smartphones are well-diffused technologies, there is contention that research efforts shift to understanding their usage comprehensively. As personal technologies that users make meaning of, smartphone usage is assumed to be more comprehensive than that of previous generation mobile phones. This chapter examines how the usage of smartphones is redefining and increasingly adding value to consumer consumption processes.

Purpose: The main objective of this article examines the differences in the switching behaviours of older (Generation X and baby boomers) and younger (Millennials and Generation Z) customers of banks in the UK, with emphasis is on online and offline banking services. The secondary objective is also to evaluate the influential factors of customer satisfaction in the banking sector relating to customer switching behaviours. Design and Methodology: The study adopts a positivist approach by using questionnaire survey to gather data from 106 clients of banks in the UK. The questionnaire comprises 30 questions, the majority of which use a 5-point Likert scale. Findings: No statistically significant difference is found when the switching behaviours of older and younger customers are compared. However, younger customers perceived online banking as more useful due to their greater ease-of-use. Critically, security and ease-of-use are the most noticeable determinants of customer satisfaction influencing switching behaviours. Research Limitations: This study lacks a managerial perspective on switching behaviours. This means that the applicability of the findings to banks in the UK is limited, suggesting that a further exploration in that respect may be warranted. Practical Implications: Banks in the UK are urged to re-focus their customer relationship strategies to improve security and perceived ease-of-use. It is also recommended that marketing campaigns are launched to inform the clients about the benefits of online banking with a specific emphasis on perceived usefulness and ease-of-use.

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