Capacity building of human resources in the oil and gas sector in Ghana: An exploration into the public-sector capacity building of human resources in the emerging oil and gas in Ghana Item Type Thesis Authors Amenshiah, Ambrose K. Publisher University of Bradford Rights <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by- nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>. Download date 24/09/2021 13:35:21 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10454/17452 CAPACITY BUILDING OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR IN GHANA An exploration into the public-sector capacity building of human resources in the emerging oil and gas in Ghana Ambrose Kwabena Amenshiah Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Bradford Centre of International Development Faculty of Social Sciences University of Bradford 2018 Abstract This empirical research explored the capacity building of human resources in the emerging oil and gas sector in Ghana. Ghana’s oil and gas were discovered in commercial quantities in 2007 by GNPC and its partners in Jubilee field in the Cape Three Point in the western region, which signified a turning point in the development effort of the state. Local skills shortage perceived as a significant challenge. Thus the government envisaged the need to build local skill capacity which attracted an initial grant of US$38 million from World Bank to facilitate the implementation of oil and gas capacity building project in 2010. The study adopted a mixed method approach for primary data collection. Matched samples of employees (226) working in four public sector organisations in the oil and gas sector were surveyed using the simple random technique, while human resource/training and development directors (9) were purposively sampled and interviewed on the human resources capacity building to assess and corroborates the survey data. The study findings confirmed shortcomings in local skills in the public organisations in the petroleum industry. Comparatively, the results suggested that the performance appraisal tools could be further improved. The study also found local skills mismatch. It revealed that inadequate funding and delays in the release of funds affected local skill capacity building in the public-sector organisations in the industry. Originality, this is one of the very few studies to explore the shortcomings of local skill capacity in the selected organisation including the strategies used in addressing the skill gap. Research implications, more matched-sample studies are necessary to understand further how private companies (IOC’s) contributing to local skill capacity building. Practically, the study is of significance to the policymakers to address the skill gap in the energy sector. The main contribution of the research is to conceptualise the concept of HRM in Ghana’s context. The thesis, therefore, is an essential contribution to our understanding of the skill gap in the oil and gas industry in Ghana and the role of HR in this field. Keywords: Capacity building, skill gap, human resource management, oil and gas sector, exploration, public sector. i Acknowledgement First and foremost, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to my principal supervisors Professor Farhad Analoui, and Dr John Lawler for their enormous assistance, guidance, coaching and mentoring me to achieve such a great feat. Without you I would not have been able to leverage my knowledge, experience and academic laurels, though there were many challenges I encountered throughout the course, I acknowledge you deserve commendation. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Late Hon. John Gyetuah, who facilitated the sponsorship from the Government of Ghana. To Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) I will say ayekoo (grateful) for funding the full cost of my doctoral study, without your support I could not have survived and made it to this point. Based on your advice and guidance, the data collection was a success in Ghana, Dr Frempong; I say I appreciate the assistance offered me. I cannot also forget the Bradford Centre for International Development, through your guidance, you came to my rescue when I needed your service and assistance most, I say big thank you to all staffs, most especially Michele Mosley and Sue Baker – International Student Adviser. It will be ungrateful, should I fail to thank Suzanne Vernon-Yorke, the Co-ordinating Chaplain at the University of Bradford for your help and prayers during my stay in Bradford. I will at this moment express my appreciation to the management and staff of the following organisations: Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Petroleum Commission, Ghana National Gas Company, and Ministry of Energy in Ghana. Last but not the least; I wholeheartedly dedicate this thesis to my entire family, my dear wife Christiana Mensah, and my children: Emmanuella, Leotha, Ambrose Jnr and Nana. You gave me your love, care, prayers and all the things I needed to make this long journey a success. I say thank you all and may the Almighty God Bless you all. ii Dedication To the memory of my Late father Ambrose Kofi Bogyah Amenshiah, whose fatherly Love, Care and Advice has brought me this far, whom I wished I could have shared this success and achievement with; And my Mother Rebecca Ampong who never ceased praying for God’s Guidance; And finally, to My Wife Christiana Mensah for her support and comfort and lovely care. iii Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgement ................................................................................................................................ ii Dedication ............................................................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................ iv List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................ ix List of Figures ....................................................................................................................................... x List of Acronyms .................................................................................................................................. xi CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND AND SCOPE OF THE STUDY ............................................. 1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Background and Statement of Research Problem .......................................................... 1 1.3 Research Objectives ............................................................................................................ 7 1.4 Main Research Questions ................................................................................................... 7 1.5 The significance of the Study ............................................................................................. 8 1.6 The methodological approach of the thesis ..................................................................... 9 1.6.1 Methodology .................................................................................................................. 9 1.6.2 Data Processing and Analysis .................................................................................. 10 1.6.3 Unit of enquiry ............................................................................................................. 11 1.6.4 Sampling frame ........................................................................................................... 11 1.6.5 Period of Study ........................................................................................................... 12 1.7 Potential Risk/Limitations .................................................................................................. 12 1.8 The organisation of the Thesis ......................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER TWO: CONCEPT OF HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................................................ 15 2.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 15 2.2 Concepts and Models of Human Resource Management ....................................... 15 2.3 The origin and development of approaches to HRM .................................................... 17 2.3.1 The Michigan/Matching Model of HRM ................................................................... 19 2.3.2 The Harvard models .................................................................................................. 21 2.3.3 The Warwick model of Human Resource Management (HRM) .......................... 24 2.3.4 The Storey model of HRM (1992) ............................................................................ 26 2.3.5 The strategic ‘choice’ model of HRM