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1 – 10 of 113Burak Pirgaip and Ozgur Arslan-Ayaydin
This study aims to fill a gap in the literature by providing evidence for a “greenium” in the primary Sukuk market. The term “greenium” is defined in the study as the lower cost…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to fill a gap in the literature by providing evidence for a “greenium” in the primary Sukuk market. The term “greenium” is defined in the study as the lower cost of capital or reduced yields that green Sukuk may offer compared to non-green Sukuk, reflecting investor willingness to accept lower returns for green investments. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to investigate the potential role of “greenium” as an incentive for issuers to fund eco-friendly projects, contributing to a sustainable environment.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses propensity score matching techniques to provide an accurate comparison of pricing differences between green and non-green Sukuk issued in global primary markets during the period 2017–2022.
Findings
The results reveal that green Sukuk signify a “greenium” effect. This suggests that investors find green Sukuk attractive, willing to accept lower returns. Given the positive investor response to green initiatives in the market, issuers can capitalize on the growing demand for green Sukuk, leading to low-cost funding.
Originality/value
This study makes an important contribution to the literature at the interface of Islamic finance and environmental sustainability. In particular, it stands out by focusing on the pricing dynamics in the green Sukuk market and highlights the potential benefits of issuing green Sukuk to help achieve sustainability goals while providing access to lower cost of capital for the transition to a low-carbon economy.
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Rafael Bakhtavoryan, Chrystian Suchini, Jose Lopez and Desire Djidonou
This study empirically identifies household demographic and socioeconomic characteristics as well as restaurant characteristics that affect the probability of households choosing…
Abstract
Purpose
This study empirically identifies household demographic and socioeconomic characteristics as well as restaurant characteristics that affect the probability of households choosing an ethnic restaurant (American, Asian, European, Mexican and other) in the USA.
Design/methodology/approach
A multinomial logistic regression model is applied using the data derived from the information from the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey conducted between April 2012 and January 2013.
Findings
The empirical findings suggest that such factors as the unit cost on away-from-home food items (i.e. price), region of residence, primary respondent's ethnicity, race, education level, marital status and employment status as well as such restaurant characteristics as availability of loyalty program and presence of coupons significantly affect the probability of households choosing a particular ethnic restaurant in the USA.
Research limitations/implications
The original dataset employed in this study does not permit the quantification of information associated with size, location, and number of years in operation for the ethnic restaurants considered. Also, the dataset does not permit the classification of the ethnic restaurants included in the “other” category.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, there has been no empirical micro-level analysis associated with determining factors impacting households' choice of ethnic restaurants using a polytomous logistic regression model allowing for a wide range of ethnic restaurants and covering the entire USA, based on an extensive set of household demographic and socioeconomic factors and restaurants characteristics. As such, the current study plugs this research gap, with the empirical findings furnished by this study being of importance to ethnic restaurant operators (owners) in the operators' effort to develop effective marketing strategies.
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This paper develops a debt-run model to study the effects of liquidity injections on debt markets in the presence of a renegotiation option. In the model, creditors decide when to…
Abstract
This paper develops a debt-run model to study the effects of liquidity injections on debt markets in the presence of a renegotiation option. In the model, creditors decide when to withdraw their funding and equityholders can renegotiate the contract terms of debt. We show that when equityholders have a large bargaining power, liquidity injections into distressed firms can rather cause more aggressive runs from their creditors, hurting the debt value. This outcome occurs because equityholders can strategically utilize the renegotiation option as a bankruptcy threat, pushing down the debt value below the potential liquidation value of the firm. In such a scenario, a deterred default resulting from emergency capital injections could be detrimental to creditors.
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Yi Lok Leung, Ron L.H. Chan, Dickson K.W. Chiu and Tian Ruwen
Online food delivery has been prevalent in recent years worldwide, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and people's consumption behaviors have changed significantly. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Online food delivery has been prevalent in recent years worldwide, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and people's consumption behaviors have changed significantly. This study aims to investigate the consumption behavior of young adults using online food delivery platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses on the dominant factors influencing their decision to use online food delivery platforms.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews including 14 young adults aged 18–25 living in Hong Kong were conducted to collect data about their perspectives on online food delivery platforms in five areas. This research adopted the stimulus-organism-response model (S-O-R model) to analyze how the factors influence young adult users' loyalty and satisfaction with online food delivery platforms.
Findings
Thematic analyses revealed that young adults were attracted to online food delivery platforms for their numerous benefits. They had a high frequency of usage and significant spending. Usability, usefulness, satisfaction and loyalty influenced young adults' behaviors on online food delivery platforms. Participants were overall satisfied with their experiences, but platforms still had room for improvement.
Originality/value
Few prior studies investigated the factors affecting the consumer experience and behavioral intention of online food delivery for young adults in Asia. This study contributes to understanding young adults' experiences and problems with online food delivery platforms. It provides practical insights for system engineers and designers to improve the current services and for the governments to enhance the existing regulatory loopholes.
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Wilfred Emori, Paul C. Okonkwo, Hitler Louis, Ling Liu, Ernest C. Agwamba, Tomsmith Unimuke, Peter Okafor, Atowon D. Atowon, Anthony Ikechukwu Obike and ChunRu Cheng
Owing to the toxicity, biodegradability, and cost of most corrosion inhibitors, research attention is now focused on the development of environmentally benign, biodegradable…
Abstract
Purpose
Owing to the toxicity, biodegradability, and cost of most corrosion inhibitors, research attention is now focused on the development of environmentally benign, biodegradable, cheap, and efficient options. In consideration of these facts, chrysin, a phytocompound of Populus tomentosa (Chinese white poplar) has been isolated and investigated for its anticorrosion abilities on carbon steel in a mixed acid and chloride system. This highlights the main purpose of the study.
Design/methodology/approach
Chrysin was isolated from Populus tomentosa using column chromatography and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. The investigations are outlined based on theory (Fukui indices, condensed density functional theory and molecular dynamic simulation) and experiments (electrochemical, gravimetry and surface morphology examinations).
Findings
Theoretical evaluations permitted the description of the adsorption characteristics, and molecular interactions and orientations of chrysin on Fe substrate. The interaction energy for protonated and neutral chrysin on Fe (110) were −149.10 kcal/mol and −143.28 kcal/mol, respectively. Moreover, experimental investigations showed that chrysin is a potent mixed-type corrosion inhibitor for steel, whose effectiveness depends on its surrounding temperature and concentration. The optimum inhibition efficiency of 78.7% after 24 h for 1 g/L chrysin at 298 K indicates that the performance of chrysin, as a pure compound, compares favorably with other phytocompounds and plant extracts investigated under similar conditions. However, the inhibition efficiency decreased to 62.5% and 51.8% at 318 K after 48 h and 72 h, respectively.
Originality/value
The novelty of this study relies on the usage of a pure compound in corrosion suppression investigation, thus eliminating the unknown influences obtainable by the presence of multi-phytocompounds in plant extracts, thereby advancing the commercialization of bio-based corrosion inhibitors.
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Fei Zou and Yanju Zhou
The goal of this study is to investigate the mediating effect of referral rewards on consumer willingness to recommend poverty-alleviating products and to identify the most…
Abstract
Purpose
The goal of this study is to investigate the mediating effect of referral rewards on consumer willingness to recommend poverty-alleviating products and to identify the most effective referral rewards for incentivizing consumers to recommend poverty-alleviating products.
Design/methodology/approach
Tournament rewards and piece-rate rewards are designed based on the theory of indebtedness, the related literature and the actual background. SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 17.0 are used to analyze the structural equation model.
Findings
According to the structural equation analysis, the following findings were found: under the tournament reward condition, social image, feelings of indebtedness and perceived reward value negatively affect consumer willingness to recommend. Under the piece-rate reward condition, social image and feelings of indebtedness significantly negatively affect consumer recommendation willingness, while perceived reward value significantly positively affects consumer recommendation willingness. The mean recommendation willingness of the tournament reward group is significantly lower than that of the control group. In contrast, the mean recommendation willingness of the piece-rate rewards group is significantly higher than that of the control group.
Originality/value
Based on the study findings, the authors propose that enterprises apply piece-rate rewards to incentivize consumers to recommend poverty-alleviating products when designing such rewards. In this way, the sale of poverty-alleviating products can be improved.
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Uchenna Luvia Ezeamaku, Innocent Eze, Nkiru Odimegwu, Angela Nwakaudu, Amarachukwu Okafor, Okechukwu Dominic Onukwuli and Ikechukwu Abuchi Nnanwube
The purpose of this study is to investigate starch mucor (SM) in potassium iodide (KI) as corrosion inhibitor of aluminium in hydrochloric acid (HCl) medium.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate starch mucor (SM) in potassium iodide (KI) as corrosion inhibitor of aluminium in hydrochloric acid (HCl) medium.
Design/methodology/approach
The SM in KI was characterized by gravimetric, scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, potentiodynamic polarization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer techniques. The inhibition efficiency was optimized using response surface methodology.
Findings
The result revealed that the inhibitor inhibited corrosion at a low concentration with the rate of inhibition increasing as the concentration of the inhibitor increased. The inhibition efficiency increases as the temperature was increased with slight incorporation of the inhibitor (SM in KI). This indicates that the corrosion control is both inhibitor (SM in KI) and temperature dependent.
Originality/value
The research results can provide the basis for using SM in KI as corrosion inhibitor of aluminium in HCL medium. Mixed-type inhibitor nature of SM was proved by cathodic and anodic nature of the polarization curves.
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Fadwa M. Al Chamaa, Ahmad El Ghor and Elie Hantouche
This study aims at investigating the effect of bolt hole-making processes on the post-fire behavior of S235 steel plates.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims at investigating the effect of bolt hole-making processes on the post-fire behavior of S235 steel plates.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of nine steel plates with a single bolt hole are tested. The single bolt holes are fabricated using three different hole-making processes: drilling, waterjet and plasma. Among the nine steel plates, three fabricated specimens are control specimens and are tested at ambient temperature. The six remaining steel plates with a single bolt hole are subjected to a complete heating-cooling cycle and then monotonically loaded until failure. The six fabricated specimens are first heated up to two different temperatures 800 and 925 °C, and then cooled back to the ambient prior to loading.
Findings
The results show that after being exposed to post-fire temperatures (800 and 925 °C), the maximum decrease in strength of the S235 steel plate was 6% (at 925 °C), 14% (at 925 °C) and 22% (at 800 °C) when compared to the results of ambient specimens for waterjet, drilled and plasma bolt holes, respectively. For post-fire temperature tests, drilled and waterjet bolt hole-making processes result in having approximately the same load-displacement response, and both have larger strength and ductility than those obtained using plasma cutting.
Originality/value
This study provides preliminary data to guide the steel designers and fabricators in choosing the most suitable hole-making process for fire applications and to quantify the post-fire reduction in capacity of S235 plates.
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Shekhar Mondal and Abdulla Al-Towfiq Hasan
The purpose of this paper is to explore factors and their impacts influencing online grocery shopping intentions among customers in the post COVID-19 situation. Moreover, the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore factors and their impacts influencing online grocery shopping intentions among customers in the post COVID-19 situation. Moreover, the study aims at evaluating the mediating roles of shopping habits during COVID-19 between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and post COVID-19 online grocery shopping intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a review of the literature and collection of 401 useable valid responses, the study was conducted through structured questionnaires applying personal interview technique. The subsequent analysis was conducted through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using Smart PLS 3.3.3.
Findings
The study findings revealed that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and shopping habits during COVID-19 have a significant influence on post COVID-19 online grocery shopping intentions. Also, the study has uncovered that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use significantly influence shopping habits during COVID-19 among customers. Furthermore, the current study has revealed that hopping habit during COVID-19 significantly mediates the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and post COVID-19 online grocery shopping intentions.
Practical implications
The study findings have provided practical suggestions of developing and improving technological platforms to attract new customers for online grocery shopping. Further, the study suggests that online grocery retailers should apply adjusted pricing strategies using coupons and discount offers.
Originality/value
This paper investigates factors and its impacts on online grocery shopping intentions in post COVID-19 context. Therefore, the study uncovers the factors that add value to understanding customers' post COVID-19 online grocery shopping intentions by integrating perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and shopping habits during COVID-19.
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Thamaraiselvan Natarajan and Deepak Ramanan Veera Raghavan
The online brand advocacy behaviors of omnichannel shoppers, who mainly rely on integrated brick-and-mortar stores (recognized as a vital channel for delivering a seamless…
Abstract
Purpose
The online brand advocacy behaviors of omnichannel shoppers, who mainly rely on integrated brick-and-mortar stores (recognized as a vital channel for delivering a seamless shopping experience and meeting the dynamic needs of the shoppers), are still understudied. This study aims to investigate how integrated store service quality (ISSQ) may elicit both positive and negative emotions that contribute to a memorable omnichannel shopping experience and have an impact on shoppers' attachment to the store, leading to their exhibition of online brand advocacy behaviors (brand defense, brand positivity, brand knowledge sharing and virtual positive expression).
Design/methodology/approach
The study is a cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative investigation. The research participants were chosen using a purposive sampling technique. Using a validated self-administered questionnaire, data were gathered from 886 Indian omnichannel shoppers who often purchase at the integrated brick-and-mortar store. The proposed conceptual model was tested using Smart PLS software for partial least squares-structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results indicate that positive and negative emotions mediate the relationship between ISSQ and memorable omnichannel shopping experiences, subsequently impacting omnichannel shoppers' attachment to the store and leading to online brand advocacy behaviors. The relationship strength perceived by shoppers significantly positively moderated the relationship between store attachment and different online brand advocacy behaviors (brand defense, brand positivity, brand knowledge sharing and virtual positive expression).
Research limitations/implications
The study relied upon single cross-sectional data from the Indian population, where omnichannel retailing is still nascent.
Originality/value
This study addresses the need to investigate the different emotions that arise while evaluating service quality in omnichannel retail purchase journeys leading to memorable shopping experiences. Emphasizing post-purchase behaviors like different online brand advocacy behaviors (brand defense, brand positivity, brand knowledge sharing and virtual positive expression), this study is the first to show that ISSQ might affect four different OBAs through memorable omnichannel shopping experience and the shopper's sense of attachment to the store. The moderating effect of relationship strength perceived by shoppers with the retailer on a few proposed hypotheses was also tested to give managerial recommendations.
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