Dr Cynthia Akwei
Liverpool Business School
Faculty of Business and Law
Email: C.A.Akwei@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 231 3808
ORCID
Cynthia Akwei is a Reader at Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom. She is the head of the International Business, Management and Strategy group, and programme leader for PhD training and development. Also, she teaches strategic management, research methods and business planning subjects in the Faculty of Business and Law.
Cynthia holds a BA (Honours) from the University of Ghana, an MSc and a PhD from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom. Her research focuses on Strategic Planning and Implementation, Macro Economics and Business Environment, Development Studies, International Business, Corporate Governance and Public Administration, Sustainability, Strategic HRM and Entrepreneurship.
She has published several articles in refereed journals such as Strategic Change, Small Business Management, Politics and Policy, Production Planning and Control, International Journal of Human Resource Management, Thunderbird International Business Review and International Journal of Multinational Corporation Strategy.
Cynthia has presented her research at several international academic conferences including, the British Academy of Management (BAM), Strategic Management Society (SMS) and the Academy of International Business (AIB).
She had supervised several Doctoral, MBA and MSc students to completion. She has also served as an internal and external examiner at several universities such as Brunel, Liverpool, Cardiff Metropolitan and Bournemouth Universities.
Cynthia has served as an external consultant to several large and SME business organisations at the national and international levels. She has been invited as a keynote and guest speaker to several academic and professional conferences/seminars including, BAM, Association of Supply Chain and Chartered Association of Business Schools.
Cynthia serves on several committees at the university and external institutional level including, the Faculty Research and Knowledge Transfer Committee, Chartered Association of Business Schools, Vice-Chair UCU Branch and the National Black Standing Members Committee, Race charter and Athena Swan committees.
Degrees
Loughborough University, United Kingdom, PhD
Loughborough University, United Kingdom, MSc
Highlighted publications
Akwei C. Strategic forecasting the role of information technology on people management in African business and development a research synthesis
Journal article
De La Chica A, Birkett JW, Akwei CA, Lamont D, Dawnay N. 2024. Improving the forensic genetic workflow for countries with small geographical areas: What are the options and how cost effective are they? Forensic Science International: Genetics, 74 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Di Cristo N, Akwei CA. 2022. ‘Wish to Dream’ Fulfilment: The Motivations for Onward Migration Journal of International Migration and Integration, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Akwei CA, Nwachuku C. 2022. An Exploration of the Contextual Factors Affecting the Nexus of Competitive Strategy and Human Resource Management Practices in Nigeria’s Emerging Economy Context International Journal of Human Resource Management, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Kok SK, Akwei C, Farquhar S, Gianluigi G. 2022. On the regulation of the intersection between religion and the provision of financial services: Conversations with market actors within the global Islamic financial services sector Research in International Business and Finance, 59 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Adu-Ameyaw E, Danso A, Acheampong S, Akwei C. 2021. Executive bonus compensation and financial leverage: do growth and executive ownership matter? International Journal of Accounting & Information Management, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Akwei CA, Damoah IS, Amankwah-Amoah J. 2020. The Effects of Politics on the Implementation of Government Programs/Projects: Insights from a Developing Economy Politics and Policy, 48 :1161-1201 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Damoah IS, Akwei CA, Ishmael T, Amoako IO, Kumi D. 2020. Factors influencing school building construction projects abandonment International Journal of Construction Management, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Amoako IO, Akwei CA, Damoah IS. 2020. We Know their House, Family and Workplace:Trust in Entrepreneurs' Trade Credit Relationships in Weak Institutions Journal of Small Business Management, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Akwei C. 2020. The impact of new foreign banks strategies on banking in Africa International Journal of Multinational Corporation Strategy, 3 :49-49 DOI Publisher Url
Amoo N, Hiddlestone J, Akwei CA, Ruzibuka J. 2019. Conceptualizing and Measuring Strategy Implementation – a Multi-Dimensional View Strategic Change, 28 :445-467 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Akwei CA, Zhang L. 2019. Integrating quality control and performance management in developing complex bespoke systems Production Planning and Control, 29 :1275-1289 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Akwei C, Zhang L. 2018. Integrating risk and performance management in quality management systems for the development of complex bespoke systems (CBSs) PRODUCTION PLANNING & CONTROL, 29 :1275-1289 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Damoah I, Akwei CA, Amoako IO, Botchie D. 2018. Corruption as a source of government project failure in developing countries: Evidence from Ghana Project Management Journal, 49 :17-33 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Akwei CA. 2018. Mitigating Election Violence and Intimidation: A Political Stakeholder Engagement Approach Politics and Policy, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Damoah IS, Akwei CA. 2017. Government project failure in Ghana: a multidimensional approach International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 10 :32-59 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Zhang L, Akwei CA, Zhang Y. 2016. Exploring how complex solution-based capabilities (CSC) are developed and integrated in engineering companies Production Planning and Control, 27 :727-739 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Akwei CA. 2012. Deregulation, Competition, and Performance Measurement of an African Airport. The Case of Kotoka International Airport Ghana Thunderbird International Business Review, 54 :537-549 DOI Publisher Url
Akwei CA, Xiaoping P. WOULD YOU STILL ENGAGE AND LOVE ME? INFLUENCING ENGAGEMENT AND LOYALTY DURING CRISIS Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services,
Akwei CA. STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND GROWTH OF MEDIUM SIZE ENTERPRISES (MSEs) IN AFRICA: INSIGHTS FROM GHANA Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal,
Akwei CA, Damoah I. Sustainable Development and Government Project Failure in Developing Countries: Evidence from Ghana Business and Society,
Akwei CA, Barajas M. IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE CROWDFUNDING REAL ESTATES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Technological Forecasting and Social Change,
Damoah IS, Akwei CA, Amoako IO, Botchie D. Corruption as a source of project failure in developing countries: evidence from Ghana Project Management Journal,
Akwei C. The impact of new foreign banks strategies on banking in Africa International Journal of Multinational Corporation Strategy, 3 :49-49 DOI Publisher Url
Akwei CA, Damoah I. Effects of Government Project Failure on the Socioeconomic and Political Development of Ghana Journal of Development Studies,
Akwei CA, Damoah I, Kumi D. Assessing the Context-Specific Causes of Government Projects Failure (CCGPF) in Developing Countries: A Political and Socio-Cultural Institutional Approach International Journal of Operations and Production Management,
De La Chica A, Birkett J, Akwei C, Lamont D, Dawnay N. Improving the forensic genetic workflow for countries with small geographical areas: What are the options and how cost effective are they? Forensic Science International: Genetics, DOI
Report
Akwei C, Kottoh M, Bokpin G. 2024. Economic Resilience Market Analysis Report Economic Resilience Market Analysis Report
Akwei C. 2024. The Impact of Play-Based Learning Pedagogy on Learners
Akwei C. 2023. Radio and Social Media in Ghana Assessment Report
Akwei C. 2023. E-commerce, and Female Entrepreneurship in Ghana -Pilot Study
Akwei C. The effects of micro-finance strategy in the social and economic development of women in the rural areas of Ghana.
Akwei C. Family planning and the development of Ghana.
Akwei C. The total capacity of Ghanaian agriculture products with similar imported food items.
Akwei C. Stakeholders’ satisfaction levels at Kotoka International Airport.
Akwei C. Feasibility study of phase II development project at Kotoka International Airport.
Akwei C, Tregaskis O, Ram M. Handbook on Supplier Diversity Europe.
Akwei C. Teacher Capacity Building for Play-based Early Learning Teacher Capacity Building for Play-based Early Learning
Conference publication
Amoako IO, Akwei CA, Damoah I. 2017. Entrepreneurship Education and Employability: Insights from UK INCEDI 2017 Conference Proceedings, International Conference on Education, Development &Innovation Author Url
Hosseini MS, Akwei CA, McClelland B, Foster S. 2017. Spirituality effects on consumption behaviour in the fashion market industry and its importance for the development of successful marketing strategies: A comparative study of female consumers in the UK and Iran BAM 2017 Conference Proceedings, BAM conference 2017 (British Academy of Management) Publisher Url Public Url
Akwei CA, Amoako IO, Damoah I. 2017. The Role of Technology Innovation in Shaping the Student Learning Experience in Higher Education INCEDI 2017 Proceedings, International Conference on Education, Development &Innovation :62-72 Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Akwei CA, Damoah I, Amoako I. 2017. Assessing the impact of corruption on the management of Ghana government educational infrastructural projects (GGEIP) INCEDI 2017 Conference Proceedings, International Conference on Education, Development & Innovation 2017 Conference Author Url
Akwei CA. 2015. Impact of downsizing on survivors in an emerging economy 29th BAM Annual Conference, University of Portsmouth ., British Academy of Management (BAM) Conference
Damoah I, Akwei CA, Mouzughi Y. 2015. Causes of government project failure in developing countries – Focus on Ghana. 29th Annual BAM Conference, University of Portsmouth from the 8th - 10th September 2015.,
Akwei C. 2015. Evaluation of implementation of sustainability agenda for sustainable development in a developing country Proceedings of the 16th IISES International Academic Conference, 16th IISES International Academic Conference
Akwei CA. 2011. Stakeholders approach to developing higher level order dynamic capabilities Strategic Management Society Conference
Akwei CA. 2010. The role of strategic human resource management in developing dynamic capabilities International Journal of Arts & Science conference
Akwei CA. The Impact of Assessed Business Simulation and attendance on Sustainable Student Engagement and Performance in Higher Education
Damoah , Akwei CA, Botchie D. Assessing Context-Specific Critical Success Factors (CCSF) in E-government Projects Implementation in Developing Countries: A Political and Socio-Cultural Institutional Approach Proceedings of the British Academy of Management, British Academy of Management 2017
Akwei CA, Petrie L. Strategies of small and medium size hotels (SMHs) in times of crisis: Impact on growth, competitiveness and survival British Academy of Management Proceedings,
Akwei CA. Entrepreneurial and Small Business Growth Behaviours in an Emerging Economy British Academy of Management,
Akwei CA. Co-developing the Business-to-Business (B2B) relationships in Complex Bespoke Solution Systems (CBS) Firms: A B2B Relationship Management Perspective British Academy of Management Proceedings,
Nwachukwu C, Akwei CA. Strategic Partner or Bystander? Investigating the Strategic role of HR professionals in CSR formulation, implementation and evaluation in Nigeria Banking Sector. British Academy of Management,
Nwachukwu , Akwei , O'Brien S. An investigation of the linkage of business strategy with human resource management practices in Nigerian medium-sized enterprises
Akwei C. Integrating Stakeholder’s Engagement into Existing and New Social Value Strategy in Developing Economies
Akwei C. "Stakeholder’s Engagement Strategy and Social Value Strategy in Emerging Economies AIB-US-Southeast-2023-Conference
Akwei C. MNE Competitive Strategies in an Emerging Economy: Impact and Response from Subsidiaries and Local Firms
Akwei C. The Impact of COVID-19 on Sustainable Development Goal 2 8th World Sustainability Virtual, Forum 15-17th September 2020. Publisher Url
Akwei C. The role of Ethics in Executive Compensation and its impact on Sustainable Development
Akwei C. Sustainable Development and Government Project Failure
Akwei C. Developing and Nurturing Effectiveness of Board Control and Performance in a Developing Country Context Academy of International Business Africa Chapter Annual Conference
Adu-Ameyaw E, Akwei C. Investigating the Effects of Managerial Compensation Incentives on Investment and Financing Decisions 33rd British Academy of Management Conference
Akwei C. Strategic forecasting the role of information technology on people management in African business and development a research synthesis
Akwei C. The Impact of E-Recruitment and Sustainable Development 33rd British Academy of Management
Rahman J, Akwei C. Sustainable Leadership Development in SMEs: A Case Study of South Asian Ethnic Minority-Owned (SAEM) SMEs in the UK 33rd BAM Conference
Akwei C. Exploring the competitive strategies of foreign banks in a developing country context AIB Africa Chapter Conference
Akwei C. Corporate Governance in Developing Countries AIB Africa Chapter Conference
Akwei C. Assessing the Role of Microfinance as a Vehicle for Development Finance 32nd BAM Conference
Akwei C, Rahman J. Leadership Development in (SAEM) Ethnic-Minority SMEs and its Implication on SMEs Growth and Performance
Shafi S, Akwei C. Exploring digital marketing strategies of multinational corporations (MNCs) and Impact on Performance 32nd BAM Conference
Damoah SI, Akwei C. The impact of corruption on government construction projects cost performance in an emerging economy: evidence from Ghana
Akwei C. Corruption and sustainable educational development in Africa. African Education Research Network Summit
Akwei C. Stakeholders Engagement Process for Promoting good Governance in Procurement Supply Chain Conference
Akwei C. Impact of crisis and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals ISMD 2024 Conference
Thesis/Dissertation
Nwachukwu CI. INVESTIGATING THE LINKAGE BETWEEN COMPETITIVE STRATEGY AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN NIGERIA MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES Akwei C, Lawless A, O'Brien S. Public Url
Other invited event:
Guest Speaker- Research Methods:Mixed Methods Research Design, Ghana, Celebration of the Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa. 2022
Speaker -Equity, Diversity and Inclusion- Race and Language, Liverpool, UCU workshop. 2022
Guest Speaker - Uncomfortable conversations: Tackling racism in our institutions, UK -Online, Charted ABS PMAC Professional Managers Annual Conference. 2022
Guest Speaker –Co-creation of the B2B relationships in Complex Bespoke Solution Systems (CBS) Firms: A Case study Approach, University of Portsmouth, Faculty of Business and Law Marketing Group Research Seminar. 2022
Guest Speaker/Facilitator- Creating Cultures of Inclusion, Aston University, UK, Charted ABS PMAC Professional Managers Annual Conference. 2022
Speaker- Promotion and Gender and Race Gap in HE, FE &Prison Education, UK- Online, Fighting Racism in the Workplace Workshop: UCU Week of Action against workplace Racism. 2022
Guest Speaker - New frontiers in management research: A practical approach to doing grounded theory, UK, British Academy Management Research Seminar. 2021
Guest Speaker -Creating a Diverse Faculty, UK, Chartered Association of Business Schools Annual Conference. 2020
Guest Speaker-Supporting staff and students with disability, King's College London, Workshop on Tools for Diversity in Business Schools. 2020
Keynote Speaker-Promoting good Governance and Stakeholders in procurement in Ghana, Ghana, Supply Chain Management Conference. 2019
Guest Speaker - Sustainable Education Development in Africa, Ghana, African Education Research Network Biennial Summit. 2018
External committees:
MONITORING AND REVIEW COMMITTEE OF STRATEGIC PLAN AND IMPLEMENTATION, Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research, Appointed Chair of the committee. 2022
Black Standing Members Committee, UCU, Vice Chair. 2020
Research Committee, AERN, Research Lead. 2018
Equality and Diversity Committee, Chartered Association of Business Schools. 2017
Race Equality Action Group, CABS, Leadership and Culture Lead.
Research Grants Awarded:
ReFind Retail Finance Distribution (Mel & Bill Gates Foundation), Digital Financial Technology, E-commerce, and Female Entrepreneurship in Ghana, Grant value (£): 50,930 ($59990), Duration of research project: 6 Months. 2022
IDRC, Building Teachers' Capacity to Enhance Early Learning -through Child Focussed and Play Based Approaches in Ghana and Sierra Leone., Grant value (£): 601,995 (US$ 750,000/1000000 C$), Duration of research project: 2years. 2021
Inkind Funding (Microfinance companies), Microfinance trust violation and repair, Grant value (£): 30000, Duration of research project: 12months. 2018
Chartered Association of Business Schools, Equity and Inclusivity in Business School Scoping Study, Grant value (£): 12835.
GCRF, Impact of Covid19 on the achievement of sustainable goal 2, Grant value (£): 23,000, Duration of research project: 6 Months.
GCRF, Promoting Good Governance and Mitigating Corruption in Public Projects through Stakeholders Engagement in Africa, Grant value (£): 5910.
Research Fellowship Carnegie New York / UoG, Visiting Fellowship, Grant value (£): 25,000.
USAID, AN ASSESSMENT OF MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION IN THE MEDIA, Grant value (£): 237,491,63 ($289,729.38), Duration of research project: 1 YEAR.
World Bank/TRECK, Research Networking Grant, Grant value (£): £2000.
External PGR examinations performed:
Brunel University, PhD, Bouncing back from Bankruptcy to Venture Again: Narratives of Entrepreneurial Antifragility. 2021
Cardiff Metropolitan University, PhD, Glass ceiling- Organisational barriers to the advancement of women in the banking sector in Nigeria. 2021
Cardiff Metropolitan University, PhD, AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION AMONGST ETHNIC ENTREPRENEURS IN UNITED KINGDOM. 2019
Conference presentation:
The impact of COVID-19 on Sustainable Development Goal 2, 15-17th September 2020., 8th World Sustainability Forum, Oral presentation. 2020
The Impact of E-Recruitment and Sustainable Development, 33rd Annual Conference of the British Academy of Management BAM 2019, Aston University, Birmingham, Oral presentation. 2019
Exploring the competitive strategy of new foreign banks in a developing country context., ICGBEFSS conference, Ghana, Oral presentation. 2018
Assessing Context-Specific Critical Success Factors in E-government Projects Implementation in Developing Countries: A Political and Socio-Cultural Institutional Approach, BAM Conference 2017, Oral presentation.
Assessing the impact of corruption on the management of Ghana government educational infrastructural projects (GGEIP), nternational Conference on Education, Development and Innovation 2017, Oral presentation.
Assessing the Role of Microfinance as a Vehicle for Development Finance in developing Economies, 32nd Annual Conference of the British Academy of Management BAM 2018, Bristol, Oral presentation.
Co-developing the Business-to-Business (B2B) relationships in Complex Bespoke Solution Systems (CBS) Firms: A B2B Relationship Management Perspective, 31st Annual Conference of the British Academy of Management BAM 2017, Warwick University, Oral presentation.
Corporate Governance in Developing Countries, 2019, AIB Africa Chapter Conference, Oral presentation.
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Growth Behaviours in an Emerging Economy, 31st Annual Conference of the British Academy of Management BAM 2017, Oral presentation.
Entrepreneurship Education and Employability: Insights from UK, INCEDI Conference 2017, Oral presentation.
Exploring digital marketing strategies of multinational corporations (MNCs) and Impact on Performance, Exploring digital marketing strategies of multinational corporations (MNCs) and I32nd Annual Conference of the British Academy of Management BAM 2018, Oral presentation.
Impact of downsizing on survivors in an emerging economy, 29th BAM Annual Conference, University of Portsmouth, Oral presentation.
Mitigating Election Violence and Intimidation in Ghana: A Political Stakeholder Engagement Approach, UBS International Conference 2016, Oral presentation.
MNE Competitive Strategies in an Emerging Economy: Impact and Response from Subsidiaries and Local Firms, Academy of International Business US Southeast 2021 Conference, Florida State University., Oral presentation.
Role of SHRM in developing dynamic capabilities, International Journal of Arts & Science Conference, 1-3 June, Boston., Oral presentation.
Stakeholders approach to developing higher-level order dynamic capabilities, Strategic Management Society Conference, 6-9 November, Miami, Oral presentation.
Strategic Partner or Bystander? Investigating the Strategic role of HR professionals in CSR formulation, implementation and evaluation in Nigeria Banking Sector, 31st Annual Conference of the British Academy of Management BAM 2017, Oral presentation.
StrategieS for a Multi-Polar World - Strategic Management ..., Strategic Management Society Conference, 6-9 November, Miami, Track Chair.
Strategies of small and medium-size hotels (SMHs) in times of crisis: Impact on growth, competitiveness and survival, BAM Conference 2017, Oral presentation.
Sustainable Development and Government Project Failure, 2019, AIB Africa Chapter Conference, Oral presentation.
The Impact of Assessed Business Simulation and attendance on Sustainable Student Engagement and Performance in Higher Education, London International Conference for Advanced Research in Business 2013, Oral presentation.
The impact of corruption on government construction projects cost performance in an emerging economy: evidence from Ghana, 32nd Annual Conference of the British Academy of Management BAM 2018, Oral presentation.
The role of Ethics in Executive Compensation and its impact on Sustainable Development, 33rd Annual Conference of the British Academy of Management BAM 2019, Aston University, Birmingham, Oral presentation.
The role of technology innovation in shaping the student learning experience in higher education, INCEDI Conference 2017, Ghana, Accra International Conference Centre, Oral presentation.
External collaboration:
University of Ghana, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research. 2020
Membership of professional bodies:
Member, Academy of International Business, https://www.aib.world/. 2018
Member, British Academy of Management. 2015
Member, Strategic Management Society.
Teaching qualification:
Postgraduate Certificate in Education. 2013
Fellowships:
Teaching Fellow, HEFCE. 2013