Stakeholder Mapping in Higher Education Management in Ghana: Insights from C. K. Tedam University of Technology & Applied Sciences

Abstract:

The relevance of key stakeholders in the strategic decision-making processes of an organization cannot be overemphasized. And it has been established that for higher education institutions to survive the competition, they must engage stakeholders as one of their main intangible assets. It is against this background that this study was conducted to investigate stakeholder mapping strategies adopted by public universities in Ghana. It employed a qualitative method to interpret responses from Key Informants (KI), and literature, to empirically understand how effective stakeholder mapping is undertaken in higher education management. Expert Purposive sampling was used in the selection of the KIs to obtain privileged information regarding stakeholder mapping in higher education management using the C. K. Tedam University of Technology & Applied Sciences as a case study. The software applications used for the data collection and analysis were Google forms. The findings revealed that stakeholder mapping as a concept and a practice is anchored on the Act establishing the C.K. Tedam University of Technology & Applied Sciences and the University’s Statutes. It further reveals that stakeholder mapping served as a strategic tool for identifying and engaging key stakeholders through representation on Boards and Committees as well as consultative meetings and public fora on the basis of power, influence, and interest. However, some key stakeholder groups were not covered in the Act and thus not adequately represented on the governing council which is the apex decision making body. Accordingly, this study recommends that any future amendment of the Act should cover neglected stakeholders and Corporate Social Responsibility should be institutionalised as a measure for enhancing the University’s relations with external stakeholders.