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1 – 10 of 10Amara Malik, Talat Islam, Khalid Mahmood and Alia Arshad
Social media have been playing a critical role in seeking and sharing health related information and consequently shaping individuals’ health behaviors. This study investigates…
Abstract
Purpose
Social media have been playing a critical role in seeking and sharing health related information and consequently shaping individuals’ health behaviors. This study investigates how information seeking about Covid-19 vaccine on social media is related to vaccine receiving intentions. The study furthers explores the association of trust in social media and uncertainty about Covid-19 with information seeking and the moderating role of prior social media experience on this association.
Design/methodology/approach
We developed a questionnaire and collected data from 525 educated social media users through “Google Forms.” Further, we applied ordinary least squares (OLS) regress to test the study hypothesis.
Findings
We noted that trust in social media and uncertainty about Covid-19 vaccine positively influenced information seeking which further positively affected vaccine receiving intentions. However, the moderating effect of prior social media experience was not only noted as weak but also found negatively affecting the associations of trust in social media and uncertainty about Covid-19 vaccine with information seeking.
Research limitations/implications
The findings provide insights into understanding of public perceptions regarding Covid-19 vaccine in the cultural contexts of a developing country. Further, it informs about the public patterns of seeking information related to health issues on social media, an understanding which may likely benefit policymakers, health care providers and researchers to understand the antecedents and behavioral outcomes of seeking information through social media during health crisis. The study also elucidates the leveraging power of social media to motivate the public to accept the Covid-19 vaccines.
Originality/value
The study uniquely combines the antecedents and behavioral outcomes of information seeking through social media in the particular context of Covid-19. It further extends the literature by introducing the conditional role of prior social media experience.
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Amara Malik, Talat Islam and Khalid Mahmood
Misinformation on social media has become a great threat across the globe. Therefore, the authors aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of social media users'…
Abstract
Purpose
Misinformation on social media has become a great threat across the globe. Therefore, the authors aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of social media users' misinformation combating behavior, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the authors merged the uses and gratifications theory, social cognitive theory and theory of prosocial behavior into one theoretical framework (e.g. information seeking, status seeking, entertainment and norms of reciprocity) to understand their effect on users' prosocial media sharing experience and misinformation self-efficacy to combat misinformation.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected data from 356 social media users through “Google Forms” during the third wave of coronavirus in Pakistan. Further, the authors applied structural equation modeling for hypotheses testing.
Findings
The authors noted that entertainment and perceived norms of reciprocity positively affect social media users' prior experience and misinformation self-efficacy to enhance their misinformation combating intention. However, information seeking positively affects social media users' prior experience and insignificantly affects their misinformation self-efficacy. Similarly, status seeking was noted to be insignificantly associated with social media users' prior experience and misinformation self-efficacy.
Research limitations/implications
The authors tested this model of misinformation combating intention in a developing country during the COVID-19 pandemic and noted that entertainment and status seeking motives are context-specific. Therefore, this study may likely benefit researchers, academicians and policymakers to understand the causal relationship between motivations and the behavior of combating misinformation on social media within a developing country.
Originality/value
In this study the authors merged three theories (e.g. uses and gratifications theory, social cognitive theory and theory of prosocial behavior) to understand information seeking, status seeking, entertainment and norms of reciprocity as the main motives for social media users' misinformation combating intention.
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Qazi Imran Ahmad, Nosheen Fatima Warraich and Amara Malik
This study aims to investigate the everyday life information seeking behavior of transgender people in Pakistan.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the everyday life information seeking behavior of transgender people in Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative study, based on a survey design, was conducted to explore the everyday information needs of transgender people along with the types and frequency of using information sources. This study further explored the barriers to seeking everyday life information. Data were collected from 378 transgender people from Pakistan.
Findings
Music related information was the most important daily life information need and television appeared as one of the primary information sources frequently consulted by the transgender people. The respondents revealed a variety of challenges in accessing information including lack of education, lack of understanding about available information sources, biased treatment by the public and lack of technological skills. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was found in everyday information needs and sources consulted on the basis of their age and education.
Originality/value
The findings provide a guideline to educate information providers, government agencies and other stakeholders about the information needs of this marginalized community in Pakistan. This study also suggests ways in which stakeholder may improve information systems and services to better assist transgender people.
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Maryam Tahir Khokhar, Muhammad Rafiq and Amara Malik
Open access (OA) has emerged as a modern academic publishing paradigm that strives to provide all members of society with free access to scholarly knowledge. This study aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
Open access (OA) has emerged as a modern academic publishing paradigm that strives to provide all members of society with free access to scholarly knowledge. This study aims to assess the behavior of faculty members to publish in OA journals from the perspective of the decomposed theory of planned behavior (DTPB).
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative survey research design based on a cross-sectional survey approach was applied to investigate the phenomenon. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 338 faculty members of two large universities in Pakistan.
Findings
The findings of the study indicate that behavioral intentions (β = 0.664, p < 0.01), subjective norms (β = 0.159, p < 0.01) and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.238, p < 0.01) positively while attitude toward behavior negatively affected the actual behavior of the university faculty members to publish in OA journals.
Research limitations/implications
The study offers theoretical implications for researchers and practical implications for educational authorities, policymakers and funding agencies.
Originality/value
The study fills the literature gap and offers insight into the OA publishing behavior of academicians from the perspective of DTPB.
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Lurdes Barroso Simao, Luisa Carvalho and Maria Jose Madeira
Based on the socio-technical systems theory, this study aims to investigate the impact of management innovation (MI) on organisational performance (OP), as well as the mediating…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the socio-technical systems theory, this study aims to investigate the impact of management innovation (MI) on organisational performance (OP), as well as the mediating role of technology (TEC) use and service innovation (SI) in linking MI and OP.
Design/methodology/approach
The research data was derived from 163 knowledge-intensive business services firms and analysed through structural equation modelling using SmartPLS software.
Findings
This study found a significant impact of MI on OP. The analysis also revealed that TEC use and SI influence OP and that MI influences performance indirectly through TEC use and SI.
Practical implications
This research reinforces the role of MI in firms aiming at improving their performance. The findings of this study suggest that managers’ regular initiatives in management practices, processes and structures influence the enabling role of TEC use and SI on OP.
Originality/value
Since not every MI lead to the planned performance, this research contributes to the literature on the influence of MI on OP by providing empirical evidence on the role of TEC use and SI on OP. TEC use and SI serve as complementary mediators. Higher levels of MI directly increase OP but also increase TEC use and SI, leading to OP.
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Mohamed Madani Hafidi, Meriem Djezzar, Mounir Hemam, Fatima Zahra Amara and Moufida Maimour
This paper aims to offer a comprehensive examination of the various solutions currently accessible for addressing the challenge of semantic interoperability in cyber physical…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to offer a comprehensive examination of the various solutions currently accessible for addressing the challenge of semantic interoperability in cyber physical systems (CPS). CPS is a new generation of systems composed of physical assets with computation capabilities, connected with software systems in a network, exchanging data collected from the physical asset, models (physics-based, data-driven, . . .) and services (reconfiguration, monitoring, . . .). The physical asset and its software system are connected, and they exchange data to be interpreted in a certain context. The heterogeneous nature of the collected data together with different types of models rise interoperability problems. Modeling the digital space of the CPS and integrating information models that support cyber physical interoperability together are required.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper aims to identify the most relevant points in the development of semantic models and machine learning solutions to the interoperability problem, and how these solutions are implemented in CPS. The research analyzes recent papers related to the topic of semantic interoperability in Industry 4.0 (I4.0) systems.
Findings
Semantic models are key enabler technologies that provide a common understanding of data, and they can be used to solve interoperability problems in Industry by using a common vocabulary when defining these models.
Originality/value
This paper provides an overview of the different available solutions to the semantic interoperability problem in CPS.
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This paper aims to examine the relationship between employee dynamic capabilities (EDCs), innovative work behavior (IWB) and job performance (JP) among nurses in public hospitals…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the relationship between employee dynamic capabilities (EDCs), innovative work behavior (IWB) and job performance (JP) among nurses in public hospitals in Iraq. It also determines the mediating role of IWB in the relationship between EDC and JP.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses structural equation modeling via partial least squares (PLS-SEM) and bootstrapping estimation to analyze the model. A total of 425 respondents participated in the survey, though only 372 participants completed all the items in the questionnaire. Hence, 372 responses were analyzed after data screening.
Findings
This study indicates that EDC has a positive correlation with IWB among nurses in public hospitals in Iraq. It also shows that IWB has a positive relationship with JP. It further demonstrates that IWB has a positive mediating effect on the relationship between EDC and JP among nurses in Iraq’s public hospitals.
Research limitations/implications
The implication of this study is that EDC can significantly predict IWB, while the latter is a significant predictor of JP among nurses in public hospitals in Iraq. Besides, the relationship between EDC and JP is significantly mediated by IWB. However, as a cross-sectional investigation showing a single snapshot in time, this study has some limitations in terms of establishing strict causality among the variables. Rather than extensive actual data, the findings are based on a log compiled by a key respondent. The findings are obtained from a survey conducted in one country, but certain variables, such as EDC, may have varying implications across different countries. Hence, future research can focus on a diverse range of countries, which could be used to ascertain the findings’ generalizability.
Originality/value
This study advances our understanding of the direct effect of the exploration and exploitation variables as well as the mediating effect of IWB in the relationship between EDC and JP among nurses in public hospitals in Iraq.
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This study aims to examine the impact of agency cost, Islamic board characteristics and corporate governance on the performance of Islamic institutions.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of agency cost, Islamic board characteristics and corporate governance on the performance of Islamic institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the selected criteria, 92 Islamic banks (IBs) from 20 countries were selected for further research. The authors used generalized method moments (GMM) estimation method. The agency cost and Shariah board characteristics are the explanatory variables. The author uses the age of the bank and the size of the bank for variable control.
Findings
Empirical results indicate that first, agency costs represented by cast/total assets negatively affect IBs’ return on equity and net income. As agency costs rise, IBs’ financial performance declines. Second, Shariah supervisory board (SSB) size and board independence affect IB performance. The study found that SSB size positively affects IB performance.
Research limitations/implications
This research contributes to the literature on IBs in different countries, which policymakers and practitioners can use to improve agency cost functions and Shariah board characteristics. Second, this analysis shows that IBs require specific attention for agency charges, given their operations and business structures. This study contributes to agency theory, which requires Islamic banking information and practices. Finally, the author has aided regulators and IBs by identifying the sources of agency cost practices that can be resolved. The other bank governance contribution is twofold. First, the author studied dual board governance in IBs (SSB and ordinary boards of directors). Second, the author examines how SSB and traditional board governance affect IB performance. This research focuses on banks listed on stock exchanges in the 20 countries analysed.
Practical implications
The research has policy and practical implications for central banks and IBs. By outlining appropriate regulatory guidelines and reporting systems, regulatory authorities can ensure Sharia compliance and protect the independence of IB Shariah department officers. Regulators and relevant stakeholders must ensure Sharia compliance, audits, inspections, reporting and accurate disclosure for IBs.
Originality/value
This paper offers original contributions to professionals in the field of IBs and stakeholders investigating the relationship between agency costs, governance of IBs, characteristics of Islamic supervisory boards and the performance of IBs.
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Nooshin Karimi Alavijeh and Samane Zangoei
Expansion of the consumption of renewable energy is a significant issue for reducing global warming, to cope with climate change and achieve sustainable development. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
Expansion of the consumption of renewable energy is a significant issue for reducing global warming, to cope with climate change and achieve sustainable development. This study aims to examine how research and development expenditure (R&D) affects renewable energy development in developed G-7 countries over the period from 2000 to 2019. Variables of trade liberalization and CO2 emissions are considered control variables.
Design/methodology/approach
This study has adopted a panel quantile regression. The impact of the variables on renewable development has been examined in quantiles of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 0.9. Also, a robust examination is accomplished by applying generalized quantile regression (GQR).
Findings
The empirical findings reveal a positive and significant relationship between R&D and the consumption of renewable energy in 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 quantiles. Also, the findings describe that the expansion of trade liberalization and CO2 emissions can significantly increase the development of renewable energy in G-7 countries. Furthermore, GQR verifies the main outcomes.
Practical implications
These results have very momentous policy consequences for the governments of G-7 countries. Therefore, investment and support for the R&D section to promote the development of renewable energy are recommended.
Originality/value
This paper, in comparison to other research, used panel quantile regression to investigate the impact of factors affecting renewable energy consumption. Also, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has perused the effect of R&D along with trade liberalization and carbon emissions on renewable energy consumption in G-7 countries. Also, in this paper, as a robustness check for panel quantile regression, the GQR has been used.
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Abraham Deka, Hüseyin Özdeşer and Mehdi Seraj
The purpose of this study is to verify all factors that promote renewable energy (RE) consumption. Past studies have shown that financial development (FD) and economic growth (EG…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to verify all factors that promote renewable energy (RE) consumption. Past studies have shown that financial development (FD) and economic growth (EG) are the major drivers toward RE development, while oil prices had mixed outcomes in different regions by different studies.
Design/methodology/approach
Global warming effects have been the major reason of the transition by nations from fossil fuel use to RE sources that are considered as friendly to the environment. This research uses the fixed effects and random effects techniques, to ascertain the factors which impact RE development. The generalized linear model is also used to check the robustness of the Fixed Effects and Random Effects models’ results, while the Kao, Pedroni and Westerlund tests are used to check cointegration in the specified model.
Findings
The major findings of this study show the importance of EG and FD in promoting RE development. Oil prices, inflation rate and public sector credit present a negative effect on RE development, while foreign direct investment does not significantly impact RE development.
Practical implications
This research recommends the use of FD in promoting RE sources, as well as the stabilization of oil prices and consumer prices.
Originality/value
This research is important because it specifies the three proxies of FD, together with foreign direct investment inflation rate, EG and oil prices, in modeling RE. By investigating the impact of oil prices on RE in the emerging seven economies, this research becomes one of the few studies done in this region, as per the authors’ knowhow.
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