Abstract:
This research was aimed at examining the performance of small scale furniture industry
in Ghana. The objectives that guided the research were to find out the challenges
associated with sourcing of fund by small scale furniture companies, the challenges
associated with obtaining raw materials by small scale furniture companies, the
technology used by the small scale furniture companies and marketing challenges of
small scale furniture companies in Ghana. The study used cross-sectional of descriptive
survey design to purposively sampled 200 small scale wood/furniture worker in Sunyani
Municipality. The major findings were; convenience and accessibility, overall quality of
service, time to process application, business terms and conditions, relation with account
manager and less documentation required as the challenges of sourcing funds. With
regard to the challenge in obtaining the traditional wood for products, findings revealed
per the analysis that, getting of quality wood came first with the mean score of 5.43,
followed by securing permit to bring bush cuts to the workshop with the mean score
value of 5.31. Transportation of raw material to the workshop was third with the mean
score value of 4.80 while least forth position was inaccessible kilns to season wood with
the mean score value of 4.52. The study revealed by majority 86(46%) agreement they
use both portable machine and simple hand tools. The high mean score of 3.80, 3.35, 3.23
and 3.31 indicating restrictive attitude towards technology dissemination, reliance on the
infrastructural support, pool manufacturing practices and working conditions and
development of indigenous technological skill and know-how respectively were found to
be the major challenges the respondents faced in technology application in furniture
industry. Study finding also records the respondents’ views that my products are made
only for the local market and very quality, I don’t know how to export my products, I
supply my products to schools, hospital and offices and I produce my products to the
taste of the local people. Finally, the study found transporting products outside the
country the security harassment is too much, export duty challenges, unavailability of
space to showcase my products and financial constraints as the challenges in marketing
furniture products.
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department Of CONSTRUCTION AND WOOD
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, Faculty Of TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Submitted To The School Of Graduate Studies, University Of Education,
Winneba In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of
Technology Education (Wood) degree
DECEMBER, 2016