Studying the roles of governments in adopting green innovations is significant for analysing the transition to a more sustainable energy system. This article presents a comparative study of policies for popularizing domestic solar water heaters in three countries: China, Israel and Australia. Expanding the analysis beyond the economics of innovation, it demonstrates the institutional dimension of green technology deployment in these three countries. By examining the diverging roles of governments in facilitating green technology adoption in existing social routines and practices, it finds that governments' motivations, support and implementation mechanisms are remarkably different in these three countries. In particular, the paper argues that solar water heater popularization has been distinguished as a business opportunity in China, energy security in Israel and environmental responsibility in Australia. In addition, the institutional settings have a real impact on governments' roles in adopting green innovations, in terms of the policy instruments chosen and implementation mechanisms.1 In this paper, 'SWH' refers to a system composed of a solar collector, a storage tank and a fluid system to move the heated water to its point of use.

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This paper investigates whether the performance of a firm matters if it has strong corporate governance practices and listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. It uses annual financial statements between 2007 and 2016 from firms that have been certified by the Security and Exchange Commission and listed firms on the Ghana Stock Exchange. By means of the random effects model, the study does not provide statistically compelling evidence that listed corporate governance variables affect the performance of firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. However, the study found weak evidence in favour of board size, leverage, firm size, growth, and asset tangibility. We find that many of the corporate governance variables used in the model have no significant impact on the performance of the firms. The relevance of the study is that it shows the relationship between policies on corporate governance and performance of firms, and governing bodies of firms informed about the type of corporate governance practices that will support business performance. Hence we recommend that policymakers take this up to embark on rigorous modification of practices on corporate governance involving listed companies in Ghana to ascertain first-hand how these firms are practising what has been documented in their annual reports

This chapter focuses on the drivers of human capital development in the fourth industrial revolution by examining the role of women. It discusses the role of women in economic development since 570BC. Women are ignored in most important areas in society whereas men are found at the frontline. However, available empirical analyses suggest that when women are empowered, they are able to turn the tables in their favour. The chapter outlines development role played by selected women across time and uses data from studies to show poor representation of women on international bodies and parliamentary seats. Selected women that have led and continue to lead various countries all over the world are presented. This chapter argues that women are important stakeholders in economic freedom. The chapter suggests encouraging society and men in particular to help women become front line participants in the human capital development for the fourth industrial revolution.

This chapter focuses on the drivers of human capital development in the fourth industrial revolution by examining the role of women. It discusses the role of women in economic development since 570BC. Women are ignored in most important areas in society whereas men are found at the frontline. However, available empirical analyses suggest that when women are empowered, they are able to turn the tables in their favour. The chapter outlines development role played by selected women across time and uses data from studies to show poor representation of women on international bodies and parliamentary seats. Selected women that have led and continue to lead various countries all over the world are presented. This chapter argues that women are important stakeholders in economic freedom. The chapter suggests encouraging society and men in particular to help women become front line participants in the human capital development for the fourth industrial revolution.