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Article
Publication date: 12 August 2020

Bilal Naqvi, Nathan Clarke and Jari Porras

The purpose of this paper is to present an integrative framework for handling the security and usability conflicts during the system development lifecycle. The framework has been…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an integrative framework for handling the security and usability conflicts during the system development lifecycle. The framework has been formulated while considering key concerns raised after conducting a series of interviews with practitioners from the industry. The framework is aimed at assisting system designers and developers in making reasonably accurate choices when it comes to the trade-offs between security and usability. The outcomes of using the framework are documented as design patterns, which are disseminated among the community of system designers and developers for use in other but similar contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

A design science research approach was used to develop the integrative framework for usable security. Interviews were conducted for identification of the key concerns; however, the framework was validated during a workshop. Moreover, to validate the patterns’ template and the usable security pattern identified after instantiating the framework, a survey instrument was used.

Findings

It is important to consider the usability aspect in the development of security systems; otherwise, the systems, despite being secure against attacks, would be susceptible to user mistakes leading to compromises. It is worthwhile to handle usable security concerns right from the start of system development life cycle. Design patterns can help the developers in assessing the usability of their security options.

Practical implications

Practical implications

The framework would assist the designers and developers in handling the security and usability conflicts right from the start of the system development life cycle. The patterns documented after using the framework would help not only the designers and developers working in the industry but also freelancers.

Originality/value

The authors present a novel framework to handle the security and usability conflicts during the system development life cycle. The development process of the framework was driven by the concerns raised after a series of interviews with the practitioners from industry. The framework presented in this paper was validated during a workshop in which it was exposed for review and comments by the participants from the industry. To demonstrate the use of patterns in general and the framework in particular, a case study featuring smart grids from the domain of cyber-physical systems is presented, which (to the best of the authors’ knowledge) features the first work relevant to usable security in the domain of cyber-physical systems.

Details

Information & Computer Security, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4961

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 July 2021

Shahid Iqbal Khan and Bilal Ahmad

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of post content, post media and post scheduling strategies on online engagement on Twitter in context of micro celebrities…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of post content, post media and post scheduling strategies on online engagement on Twitter in context of micro celebrities in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

For this research, micro celebrities of Pakistan have been defined as the target population. Secondary data consisting of 464 tweets from walls of six micro celebrities belonging to both genders and diverse set of socio-political fields was collected. Tweedie estimation analysis was run to accept or reject the hypotheses. Mean values with standard deviations were utilized to analyze the different engagement patterns of dichotomous variables (content type, content language, mentions, hashtags, text, images, links, videos, hour of the day and day of the week) on online engagement.

Findings

Content type, content language, content length, hashtags, mentions, images, links, videos, hour of the day and day of the week have been found to have a significant relationship with online engagement on Twitter.

Research limitations/implications

First, the study has been conducted in context of micro celebrities on Twitter. It did not include influencers on other social media networks. Second, study considered only quantitative aspects of engagement based on secondary data ignoring qualitative aspects of phenomenon due to time and methodology constraints. Third, study did not include link clicks as a measure of engagement as clicks data is not publicly available on the posts.

Practical implications

The study contributes significantly to find out valuable “micro celebrity” strategies in Pakistan. The study suggests micro celebrities to tweet soft content in Urdu language along with relevant hashtags and mentions to get higher engagement on their tweets. Further, tweets should contain maximum number of characters. Micro celebrities should not insert images, links and videos in their tweets as these media types result in lower engagement on Twitter. Micro celebrities should tweet at low hours and weekends.

Social implications

As this study focuses on investigation of better engagement practices for micro celebrities, it will help general public to express themselves more effectively through social media.

Originality/value

First, this is the first study that investigates the online engagement model for micro celebrities. Second, the online engagement model designed in this study has yet not been investigated to best of our knowledge. The theoretical model combines multiple engagement factors discussed in previous studies conducted on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.

Details

Online Information Review, vol. 46 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1468-4527

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 March 2019

Muhammad Bilal, Ahamed Kameel Mydin Meera and Dzuljastri Abdul Razak

This study aims to examine the issues and challenges in contemporary affordable public housing schemes and proposes an alternative affordable public housing model for low- and…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the issues and challenges in contemporary affordable public housing schemes and proposes an alternative affordable public housing model for low- and middle-income households in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applied qualitative research method. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with four government officials were conducted to understand the provision, framework and working mechanism of selected affordable public housing schemes. A focus group with nine participants was conducted with low- and middle-income households to validate pertaining residential issues and problems in affordable public housing schemes.

Findings

The overall findings reveal that the growing plights of unaffordability, poor maintenance and mismanagement have undermined the performance of affordable public housing schemes in Malaysia. The paper indicates that Islamic Public–Private Housing Co-operative Model (IPHCM) possibly has a comparative advantage in its design and operation and therefore can be implemented as an alternative model to address these issues in contemporary affordable public housing schemes in Malaysia. The findings also offer guidelines to government officials and managers of public housing schemes to implement the IPHCM model that can help in reducing the financial burden on low- and middle-income households, improving maintenance work and enforcing effective management practices with residents’ participation.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited to develop a new Shariah-compliant affordable public housing model. The paper presents a design and defines the underlying Shariah concept and contracts and their working mechanisms in the proposed model. The paper has not considered other related areas in the development of IPHCM model including Shariah and subject matter expert’s perspective, consumer behavioural intention, legal and regulatory requirements.

Originality/value

The paper has relevance for policymakers and government institutions offering affordable public housing schemes to ensure successful deliverability of sustainable and affordable public housing for low- and middle-income households in Malaysia.

Details

International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, vol. 12 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 May 2021

Sorin Gavrila Gavrila and Antonio de Lucas Ancillo

The purpose of this study is to comprehend and determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business organizations and society, together with its relationship to…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to comprehend and determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business organizations and society, together with its relationship to entrepreneurship, innovation, digitization or digital transformation, by means of analysis of the Spanish Internet domains registration data set.

Design/methodology/approach

Following existing literature regarding time series analysis, the authors have designed a SARIMA methodology involving the forecasting of a non-COVID-19 data set from the available data and compared it to the existing COVID-19 data set in order to validate the formulated hypothesis.

Findings

The COVID-19 pandemic was found to be an unfortunate accelerator, regarding entrepreneurship and innovation as a digitization and digital transformation lever, with the results of the Internet domain registration analysis as a reliable indicator.

Originality/value

This research confirms the existence of new non-invasive approaches to complementary information, such as Internet domain registration analysis, that could serve as an early and quick indicator of innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives within business activities.

Article
Publication date: 7 December 2021

Antonio De Lucas Ancillo, Sorin Gavrila Gavrila, José Raúl Fernández del Castillo Díez and Juan Corro Beseler

Existing studies are scarce, especially on the Industry 4.0 application to firms' innovation and competitiveness, and even more on the application to LATAM and Spanish SMEs. This…

Abstract

Purpose

Existing studies are scarce, especially on the Industry 4.0 application to firms' innovation and competitiveness, and even more on the application to LATAM and Spanish SMEs. This paper tries to fill this gap by explaining the results of applying a systematic model, to understand which are the SMEs' strengths and weaknesses in relation to the Industry 4.0 transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic methodology involving documentation analysis, visits to the companies, interviews with employees and managers, making a preliminary diagnosis, crossing their needs with the enablers that can apply. The fieldwork was carried out during a two month period (2019), on a target sample of 22 SMEs operating under industrial productive activity already exporting or planning their internationalization toward LATAM regions.

Findings

There are relevant barriers that need to be overcome in order to enter Industry 4.0 and, in this specific analysis, the following major classification was obtained: (1) Technological barrier, (2) Training barrier, (3) Economic barrier and (4) Contextual barrier.

Originality/value

This paper provides new insights and sets a starting point regarding LATAM and Spanish’ Industry 4.0 situation, while contributing to the SMEs competitiveness by providing deeper understanding of the barriers and limitations in adopting Industry 4.0, pointing out some implications and suggestions for organizations to implement.

Propósito/Objetivos del trabajo

Los estudios existentes son escasos, especialmente sobre la aplicación de la Industria 4.0 a la innovación y competitividad de las empresas, y más aún sobre la aplicación a las PYMEs de LATAM y españolas. Este trabajo trata de llenar este vacío explicando los resultados de un modelo sistemático, para entender cuáles son sus fortalezas y debilidades en la transformación hacía la Industria 4.0.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Este modelo sistemático involucra el análisis de documentación, visitas a las empresas, entrevistas con empleados y directivos, realizando un diagnóstico previo, cruzando sus necesidades con los habilitadores que pueden aplicar. El trabajo de campo se ha realizado durante un periodo de dos meses (2019), sobre una muestra potencial de 22 PYMEs que operan bajo actividad productiva industrial y que ya exportan o planean su internacionalización hacia las regiones de LATAM.

Hallazgos/Conclusiones

Existen barreras relevantes que deben ser superadas para implementar la Industria 4.0 y, en este análisis específico, se identificaron: (1) Barreras tecnológicas; (2) Barreras formativas; (3) Barreras económicas; y (4) Barreras contextuales.

Originalidad/valor

Este trabajo proporciona nuevas perspectivas y establece un punto de partida sobre la situación de la Industria 4.0 en las PYMEs LATAM y españolas, apoyando la competitividad al proporcionar una comprensión más profunda de las barreras y limitaciones en su implementación, al tiempo que señala algunas implicaciones y sugerencias para las organizaciones a implementar.

Article
Publication date: 17 August 2021

Sorin Gavrila Gavrila and Antonio De Lucas Ancillo

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has taken society, business and industries by surprise leading to a worldwide economic recession, pushing organizations to rethink…

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Abstract

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has taken society, business and industries by surprise leading to a worldwide economic recession, pushing organizations to rethink their business model in order to shift from activity shutdown toward sustainable growth. The purpose of this research is to comprehend the implications and relationship between entrepreneurship, innovation, digitization and digital transformation aspects as the levers to achieve this goal.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the existing literature, an empirical approach has been established involving a quantitative analysis of secondary information obtained from official datasets and reports.

Findings

The COVID-19 pandemic was found to be an unfortunate accelerator regarding both consumers' habits and organizations' innovation and digital transformation, breaking with the past leading to new sustainable growth business models.

Practical implications

The research provides an underlying outcome that addresses how wealth and economic value could be generated within the framework of new economic models in a post-pandemic environment.

Originality/value

The research highlights how the pandemic has disrupted what was known about sustainable business growth, and how this affects the future of business beyond the pandemic scenario, transforming the way society, businesses and customers interact.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 November 2020

Dzuljastri Abdul Razak, Muhammad Bilal and Hanudin Amin

The purpose of this study is to examine the determinants influencing low- and middle-income households in accepting the Islamic public-private housing co-operative model (IPHCM…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the determinants influencing low- and middle-income households in accepting the Islamic public-private housing co-operative model (IPHCM) as an alternative to contemporary affordable public housing models in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

Using self-administrated questionnaires, data are collected from low- and middle-income households dwelling in Programme Perumahan Rakyat projects in Kuala Lumpur and the state of Selangor. The study used the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and used the partial least squares technique to examine the proposed hypothesised relationships.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that subjective norm and perceived consumer religiosity is the most influential determinants affecting the behavioural intention of low- and middle-income households in accepting the IPHCM model. Attitude had a significantly positive relationship with households’ behavioural intentions towards accepting the IPHCM model.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can serve as a guideline for policymakers to understand the behavioural intention of low- and middle-income households in accepting newly developed models in affordable public housing space.

Originality/value

Behavioural aspects regarding the acceptance of affordable public housing models in Malaysia have yet to be profoundly explored in the literature. This study has extended the TPB by incorporating perceived consumer religiosity, in the affordable public housing domain, to analyse its effects on households’ acceptance of the IPHCM model.

Details

International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, vol. 14 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8394

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2020

Habibullah Magsi, Abid Ali Randhawa and Atta Hussain Shah

The purpose of this paper is to explore halal meat production potential and export potential in Pakistan. Following this, the paper is to both stimulate the business and encourage…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore halal meat production potential and export potential in Pakistan. Following this, the paper is to both stimulate the business and encourage research within this field.

Design/methodology/approach

For this study, both primary and secondary data were used. Time-series meat production and export data from 1994-1995 to 2015-2016 were collected from different secondary sources; where primary data were collected from distinguish livestock experts on the possibility of halal meat production in various provinces of the country.

Findings

Results show that during 1994-1995 to 2015-2016, annual average growth rates of meat production and export were 3 and 32%, respectively. Based on these growth rates, it was estimated that Pakistan's total meat production and export is projected to be 6,078 thousand tons and $17,477m by 2029-2030. Results regarding the expert opinion survey indicates that Balochistan province has comparative advantage to rare livestock for beef and mutton meat production over rest of the provinces; there is potency for producing chicken meat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Punjab provinces, while Sindh province has almost the same efficiency to produce beef and chicken meat.

Practical implications

Experts were in opinion that high yielding livestock breeds should be introduced to farmers; and comprehensive training programs should be designed for all the stockholders involved in meat production, and processing to exports chains. Therefore, it is suggested that registered and corporate livestock farming can be only solution to fulfill required standards of raw and processed meat business in international markets.

Originality/value

At current, halal meat export is considered as major activity of livestock sector of Pakistan: where, this is one of the pioneer studies exploring potential of halal meat production in various parts of the country, which can not only contribute in national income but support the balance of payments of the country.

Details

Journal of Islamic Marketing, vol. 12 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-0833

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 May 2023

Huda Khan, Nadia Zahoor, Ahmad Arslan and Zaheer Khan

This study aims to understand the dynamics underpinning the exit and re-entry strategies adopted by multinational enterprises (MNEs) in an emerging market, Pakistan.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to understand the dynamics underpinning the exit and re-entry strategies adopted by multinational enterprises (MNEs) in an emerging market, Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study undertook an in-depth historical case study of Yamaha Motorcycles, which had initially entered Pakistan as a joint venture but had then exited and re-entered as a wholly owned subsidiary.

Findings

This study found that, despite its status as a market leader and one of the older players in the Pakistani market, changing market dynamics in the 2000s – especially the increased competition brought by more affordable (inexpensive) Chinese motorcycles and the weak enforcement of industrial policies – had pushed Yamaha Motorcycles to exit. Another factor that had contributed to its exit were differences in risk perception and strategies with its local joint venture partner (a Pakistani business group). Hence, both firm-level and institutional factors had played significant roles in Yamaha’s market exit. This study further found that re-entering in a wholly owned subsidiary operation mode had been beneficial for the firm, as it gained a significant market share due to its focus on innovation and on capturing a market niche, which had earlier not been its main focus. The findings also suggest that opportunity logics and multiple forms of learning can be important for a firm’s re-entry into a host market – such as experiential (i.e. learning from experience) and vicarious learning (i.e. learning from other organizations, including suppliers and competitors) in an emerging market context, in which institutions evolve amid political and policy uncertainty. Finally, this study found that exit and re-entry timing is an important factor for the development of competitive advantage in a host market.

Originality/value

This study is among the few to have investigated the exit and re-entry strategies of MNEs in emerging markets. The relatively short time during which Yamaha Motorcycles had been out of the market had benefited it on its re-entry, as the firm had been able to capitalize on its prior learning and ties to suppliers’ networks.

Details

Multinational Business Review, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1525-383X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 November 2015

Muhammad Bilal and Ahamed Kameel Mydin Meera

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new Islamic credit card model that is in line with Shariah principles and can be adopted as an alternative to contemporary Islamic credit…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new Islamic credit card model that is in line with Shariah principles and can be adopted as an alternative to contemporary Islamic credit card models by Islamic financial institutions in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is theoretical in nature and mainly based on descriptive research method approach.

Findings

The overall findings indicate that the contemporary practice of Islamic credit card in Malaysia is still controversial in its design and operation. Moreover, the adoption and practice of Shariah contracts in bay’ al-inah, tawarruq and ujrah models are not in line with fundamental doctrines of Shariah and are imbued with the practice of hilah (legal trick), which allows them to circumvent the prohibition of riba. The paper indicates that Al-Muqassah model possibly has a comparative advantage in design and operation when compared with the bay’ al-inah, tawarruq or ujrah models.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited to develop a new Shariah-compliant Islamic credit card model. The paper presents a design and defines the underlying Islamic financial contracts and their working mechanisms in the proposed model. However, it will not address other related areas like consumer perception, legal and regulatory requirements.

Practical implications

The paper will have direct implications on contemporary practice of Islamic credit card in Malaysia and elsewhere. The practice of Al-Muqassah model can also possibly have effects on common well-being and economic development.

Originality/value

The paper has relevance for Islamic financial institutions offering Islamic credit cards. The proposed model is fully in line with fundamental doctrines of Shariah and performs the key functions of an Islamic credit card.

Details

International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, vol. 8 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8394

Keywords

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