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The commonly used e-procurement systems still show unsatisfactory implementation outcomes because many organisations are still unable to effectively interpret the initial adoption decision. The e-procurement systems are generally developed at organisational level, but their usage is at individual level, by the employees particularly. This paper examined technology acceptance model’s (TAM) key antecedents, involving e-procurement systems usage by employees in their daily activities. This study aims to examine the impact of factors affecting e-procurement acceptance among users through the mediating role of users’ attitude. The commonly used e-procurement systems still show.

TAM was applied and expanded in this study, in exploring the factors impacting the employees’ e-procurement acceptance. This study used quantitative method, and questionnaires were distributed to 200 users in Jordanian public shareholding firms. The collected data were quantitatively analysed using PLS modelling.

Significant TAM relationships involving e-procurement were affirmed. The expanded TAM in the scrutiny of antecedents showed that content, processing and usability affected perceived usefulness, while perceived convenience did not affect the usefulness factor. Furthermore, it was noticed that perceived ease of use was affected by usability and training, while perceived connectedness was not affected by usability and training.

The results demonstrated the necessity of e-procurement training. Furthermore, at the start of the implementation stage, effective design on system navigation and system usability, and consistent support, could increase use effectiveness and acceptance. Also, expedient information and buyer–supplier product flows should be made available.

Most organizations invest a lot of time and money in installing e-procurement systems to deliver their goods at the right time and at the right price. However, many of these e-procurement systems have failed due to low acceptance among users. Thus, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that used TAM and theory of planned behaviour in examining the effects of perceived convenience, perceived connectedness, content, training, processing and usability factors, in Jordanian firms. Lastly, the focus of this study was on the individual employee’s acceptance, rather than on the organisational-level adoption, as the unit of analysis, to provide insight on how organisations can achieve maximally from e-procurement investments and from other comparable technologies of e-supply chain management.

Being different from others can be stressful, and this may be especially salient for newcomers during organizational socialization when they may be expected to fit in. Thus, drawing on conservation of resources theory, the authors examine the effects of newcomers' individual differentiation on their subsequent emotional exhaustion.

The authors test a multiple mediation model with data from 161 UK graduates collected at three times using structural equation modeling.

The results largely support the hypotheses, identifying individual differentiation as a motivational resource associated with the proactive behavior of changing work procedures. In turn, changing work procedures links with the personal resource of positive affect, which facilitates the relational resource of social acceptance and predicts lower emotional exhaustion. Individual differentiation predicts lower social acceptance also, but not via monitoring as anticipated.

The results provide novel insights into the effects of individual differentiation on emotional exhaustion in the context of organizational socialization. The study highlights that, while newcomers high in individual differentiation face depletion of the relational resource of social acceptance, they can still adjust well and avoid emotional exhaustion through changing work procedures to foster positive affect.

Social media influencers have become constant companions of a large audience of young consumers, but a crucial yet underexplored area of examination relates to the implications of exposure to influencers for an individual’s self-concept. This study aims to examine if and how individuals experience self-discrepancies when exposed to influencers and the impact of such discrepancies on their affect, cognition and behaviors toward the influencers and the brands they endorse.

The authors thematically analyze 17 semistructured interviews, develop a conceptual model and present a set of hypotheses. The hypotheses are tested by analyzing survey data from 503 respondents using structural equation modeling.

Individuals actively engage in comparisons with influencers’ virtual self-presentation and treat them as emblematic of an ideal self. The associated self-discrepancy can lead to both negative and positive affect, but while the latter has a positive impact on e-word of mouth (WOM) and purchase intent, the former has a negative impact. Perceived homophily dampens the impact of exposure to influencer content on discrepancy and strengthens the link between discrepancy and positive affect. Self-acceptance and mindfulness positively moderate the impact of discrepancy on positive affect and negatively on negative affect. Perceived authenticity strengthens the impact of positive affect on e-WOM and dampens the impact of negative affect on purchase intention.

The authors contribute to the literature on self-discrepancies by identifying a consumer context where, in addition to the theoretically predicted negative affect, an individual may experience more positive emotions like feeling motivated or inspired because of the perceived attainability of an influencer as an ideal self. The authors contribute to the influencer marketing literature by examining the influencer–follower relationship and its implications for an individual’s self-concept, including the role played by perceived homophily and authenticity. The authors also contribute to the literature on consumer well-being and identify the role of self-acceptance and mindfulness in shaping consumer experiences.

The authors provide a nuanced analysis of the impact of influencer marketing on consumer behavior with a focus on its impact on an individual’s self-concept. The authors argue for the role of perceived homophily and authenticity in shaping favorable consumer behavior outcomes and offer evidence for more inclusive approaches to marketing.

The authors identify the influencer–follower relationship as a unique social exchange where the source of self-discrepancy is also a homophilic solution provider for achieving one’s ideal self and report both positive and negative effects as outcomes of experiencing a self-discrepancy induced by a target perceived as more attainable. The authors situate understandings of perceived homophily and authenticity along these relationships and identify self-acceptance and mindfulness as mechanisms used by individuals to deal with discrepancies.

This research aims to reveal the working principles of the decision mechanism that affects the use of neural implant acceptance and to discuss the leading role of digital literacy in this mechanism. In addition, it aimed to examine the theoretical connections of the research model with the conservation of resources (COR) and technology acceptance model (TAM) theories in the discussion.

The authors collected data from 300 individuals in an organization operating in the health sector and analyzed the data in the Smart Partial Least Squares (PLS) 3.3.3. This way, the authors determined the relationships between the variables, the path coefficients and the significance levels.

The study has found that strong digital literacy skills are linked to positive emotions and attitudes. Additionally, maintaining a positive mindset can improve one's understanding of ethics. Ethical attitudes and positive emotions can also increase the likelihood of adopting neural implants. Therefore, it is crucial to consider both technical and ethical concerns and emotions when deciding whether to use neural implants.

The research results determined the links between the cognitive, emotional and ethical factors in the cyborgization process of the employees and gave original insights to the managers and employees.

1. Determination of antecedents that affect individuals' acceptance of neural implant use.

2. Application to 300 individuals working in a health organization.

3. Path analysis using the least squares method via Smart PLS 3.3.3

4. Significant path coefficients among digital literacy, positive emotions, attitude, ethical understanding and acceptance of neural implant use.

Determination of antecedents that affect individuals' acceptance of neural implant use.

Application to 300 individuals working in a health organization.

Path analysis using the least squares method via Smart PLS 3.3.3

Significant path coefficients among digital literacy, positive emotions, attitude, ethical understanding and acceptance of neural implant use.

This paper aims to examine the factors that influence bank customers’ acceptance towards FinTech using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model.

A survey was carried out, and a judgemental sampling method was used. Moreover, over 200 responses were gathered from individuals that were bank account holders. Besides, the literature on the factors that influence an individual acceptance towards FinTech using the UTAUT model was also reviewed as an effort to contribute towards the factors that are significant in predicting the acceptance of FinTech services.

The results of the study revealed that performance expectancy and effort expectancy are the main factors in determining the acceptance of FinTech services. Moreover, consumer innovativeness plays an important role in the acceptance of FinTech by bank users. In contrast, social influence and facilitating conditions were not the determinants of FinTech acceptance in Pakistan.

This study not only contributed to the theoretical extensions but also to practical implications, which would benefit the community of FinTech service providers in Pakistan.

The limitations of this study were two but are not limited to, firstly, the respondents which were taken among bank customers in Pakistan, confining its contribution to the narrowed perspective of Pakistan. Besides, this study also considers its contributions towards the use of the UTAUT in which the factors examined were specific, which may elucidate that the generalization of the findings only includes FinTech, where the UTAUT comes into play. This study is an eye-opener for the merging perspective of both the UTAUT and FinTech.

UTAUT is extended in the context of FinTech. Consumer innovativeness is incorporated in the context of the UTAUT model. Consumer innovativeness is yet to be tested and for that this study is a useful reference for academicians, policymakers and future researchers.

This paper aims to examine the determinants that influence acceptance towards e-wallet apps by extending the technology acceptance model (TAM) among (asnaf), a term used for charity or gift receivers from alms tax distribution institutions also known as donee.

The review of literature and structural equation modelling approach using judgemental sampling on extended TAM and determinants of e-wallet apps’ acceptance related to asnaf (donee) were conducted in a bid to contribute to the factors that are instrumental in determining acceptance of e-wallet services among asnaf.

The findings indicate that the e-wallet app’s service acceptance is determined not only by perceived usefulness, consumer maqasid index and consumer innovativeness but also by subjective norms. On the contrary, consumer maqasid index and perceived ease of use do not lend themselves to be the factor of asnafs’ e-wallet acceptance. The authors extend the TAM model to determine the factors that may be influential in predicting the e-wallet app acceptance by asnaf.

In assessing future outcomes when different sampling techniques are opted for and geographic coverage is expanded, this study should be considered in terms of the limited scope.

This study is intended to serve as a reference for making a significant contribution related to user acceptance factors related to alms tax-based e-wallet apps in asnafs’ context in Malaysia in terms of both theory and practice.

TAM is extended in the context of e-wallet app acceptance among asnafs’. A variable, namely, consumer innovativeness, is tested using the extended TAM model. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, consumer innovativeness in the context of asnafs’ acceptance of e-wallet apps is yet to be tested. Therefore, this paper will be a useful reference for policymakers, technologists, academicians and future researchers.

Gamification unlocks unprecedented opportunities in healthcare, wellness and lifestyle context. In this scenario, by leveraging on such an approach, information technologies now enabled gamification-based mobile applications primarily employed in health and wellness contexts, focusing on areas such as disease prevention, self-management, medication adherence and telehealth programs. The synergistic integration of gamification-based methodologies in conjunction with the utilization of digital tools, (e.g. as for Internet of Things, mobile applications) for the realm of digital therapeutics (DTx), thus unveiled powerful approaches and paradigms, yielding innovative applications that, through the harnessing of sensors and software-based systems, transform healthcare maintenance, wellness and lifestyle into an engaging pursuit, as a game. This paper explores the factors influencing individuals' intention to autonomously utilize mobile gamification-based apps for self-care and wellness maintenance.

Through explorative research designs an experiment has been conducted among a sample of 376 participants regarding the use of a fictitious gamification-based DTx solution, consisting in a mobile app namely “Health'n’Fit”.

Findings from an experiment conducted with a sample of 460 participants shed light on the possible antecedents and consequents of gamification. Results of the SEM model indicate that customization (CU), trust (TR), mobility (MO) and social value (SV) are the main determinants, although at a different extent of the playful experience; Moreover, gamification positively impacts attitudes and, in turn, perceived usefulness, intention to use and behavioral intentions.

This paper offers a dual-pronged approach that holds practical significance in the realm of healthcare innovation. First, the authors delve into the antecedents shaping individuals' intention to engage with gamification-based DTx, unraveling the factors that influence user adoption. Beyond this, the authors extend their focus to the realm of healthcare service design. By harnessing the potential of gamification and technology, the authors illuminate pathways to conceptualize and create novel healthcare services. This work not only identifies the building blocks of user engagement but also serves as a guide to innovatively craft healthcare solutions that leverage this amalgamation of technology and gamification, contributing to the evolution of modern healthcare paradigms.

In a social context, the paper introduces pioneering technological synergies that merge gamification and DTx to enhance individuals' health and wellness maintenance. By proposing innovative combinations, the authors present novel avenues for promoting healthier lifestyles and behavior change. This not only underscores the potential of technology to positively impact individuals but also highlights the significance of aligning technological advancements with societal well-being. As the research advocates for these innovative solutions, it reinforces the importance of collaborative technological and marketing endeavors, ultimately contributing to the betterment of society as a whole.

This is the first paper exploring the combined effect of gamification and DTx, by shedding light on the peculiarities of both the antecedents of individuals' intention to use such combined technologies.

Mobile health (mHealth) service is an Australian Government initiative aiming to improve the quality of health-care services. However, little is known about Australian health consumers’ willingness to adopt mHealth. The purpose of this paper is to study the usage behavior of mHealth service users in Australia. While various factors may impact users’ willingness to accept mHealth, this research investigates factors influencing the mHealth adoption decisions of the Australian health-care consumers, and the moderating impact of demographic factors on the usage behavior (UB) of mHealth services which has been rarely addressed in an Australian setting in the past.

The theoretical framework is based on the technology acceptance model (TAM). Data were collected from residents of the Australian Capital Territory using a survey questionnaire and examined using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

The proposed mHealth usage model demonstrated a good fit and indicated that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, service quality and government influence are critical issues shaping mHealth UB. The moderation analysis revealed that users’ demographics, namely, gender, age and education are instrumental in broadening the understanding of UB of mHealth service in Australia.

The findings will inform health-care service providers about the critical importance of the key factors driving the usage of mHealth services. Health-care providers and relevant authorities can develop targeted communication strategies that maximize the acceptance of mHealth services. Furthermore, deeper understanding of users’ demographic profiles would enable health-care service providers to promote their services to the right clients.

The above findings on the factors and user demographics informing the usage of mHealth services have unique practical, contextual and theoretical implications.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals face an elevated level of prejudice in various social settings like sports. These biases can relate to internalized stigma, which might prompt LGBTQ+ athletes to implement numerous identity coping strategies. Muslim LGBTQ+ athletes are likely to experience these dynamics more than others. However, there remains a dearth of scholarship on understanding how Muslim LGBTQ+ athletes employ different identity development coping strategies to tackle the prevalent stigma against them and use their visible identity development process as a means of social activism. Hence, in this book chapter, the authors explore the development of Muslim LGBTQ+ sportspersons' visible identity by defining the forces that shape their identity. The first author of the book chapter sheds light on his experiences while working with the LGBTQ+ community in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and his recent interactions with the Muslim LGBTQ+ community in North America. The authors then highlight how Muslim LGBTQ+ athletes might use different identity coping strategies to show personal agency against the heteronormative system. Furthermore, the authors elucidate how sexual orientation intersects with religion within the sociocultural domain in shaping the identity and present global Muslim LGBTQ+ identity typology. Finally, the authors argue that Muslim LGBTQ+ athletes' visible identity depends upon two factors: religious negative/positive self-beliefs about religion Islam's openness toward LGBTQ+ rights and social acceptance, bounded by time and space.

This study examined the factors impeding the implementation of micro-credentials and accepting it as a credible source of earning professional qualifications and certifications necessary for pursuing higher education or other career goals.

The factors were identified by reflecting on the recent literature and Internet resources coupled with in-depth brainstorming with experts in the field of micro-credentials including educators, learners and employers. Two ranking methods, namely Preference Ranking for Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE) and multi-objective optimization based on ratio analysis (MOORA), are used together to rank the major challenges.

The results of this study present that lack of clear definitions, ambiguous course descriptions, lack of accreditation and quality assurance, unclear remuneration policies, lack of coordination between learning hours and learning outcomes, the inadequate volume of learning, and lack of acceptance by individuals and organizations are the top-ranked and the most significant barriers in the implementation of micro-credentials.

The findings can be used by educational institutions, organizations and policymakers to better understand the issues and develop strategies to address them, making micro-credentials a more recognized form of education and qualifications.

The novelty of this study is to identify the primary factors influencing the implementation of micro-credentials from the educators', students' and employers' perspectives and to prioritize those using ranking methods such as PROMETHEE and MOORA.