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Article
Publication date: 13 March 2024

Larelle Chapple, Lien Duong and Thu Phuong Truong

The purpose of this research note is to investigate the drivers and market reaction to firms’ decision to release general COVID-19-related announcements and to withdraw earnings…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research note is to investigate the drivers and market reaction to firms’ decision to release general COVID-19-related announcements and to withdraw earnings forecasts and dividends during the COVID-19 pandemic in the continuous disclosure environment of Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first tracked the market reaction of all firms in the Australian Securities Exchange All Ordinaries, Top 300, Top 200 and Top 100 indices during the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic between 1 January and 21 September 2020. The authors then focus the investigation on the incidence of firms deciding to withdraw earnings forecasts and dividends and how the market responded to these incidences during that period.

Findings

The market reacted negatively during the March/April 2020 period but then bounced back to the pre-March 2020 level. The market reaction is mainly driven by three industries, including consumer discretionary, health care and utilities. Firms in industry sectors such as consumer discretionary, materials, health care and information technology contribute to the highest percentage of COVID-19 announcements. It is interesting to document that firms issuing COVID-19 announcements and withdrawing earnings forecasts and dividends tend to be larger firms with stronger financial performance and higher financial leverage. Regarding the stock market reaction, while the market generally reacted positively to COVID-19-related announcements, the decision to withdraw earnings forecasts and dividends is significantly regarded as bad news.

Originality/value

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a unique natural event to examine firms’ disclosure behaviour in the continuous disclosure environment of Australia during this period of extreme uncertainty. The incidences of earnings forecasts and dividend withdrawals are mainly driven by larger, better performing and higher leverage firms in the consumer discretionary, health care, materials and information technology industry sectors. The market generally reacted favourably to COVID-19-related announcements, despite a significant stock price drop during the March/April 2020 period. The findings provide important regulatory and practical implications.

Details

Pacific Accounting Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0114-0582

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 March 2024

Rizwana Hameed, Naeem Akhtar and Anshuman Sharma

Utilizing the theoretical foundation of the stimulus-organism-response framework, the present work developed and investigated a conceptual model. The work explores the effects of…

Abstract

Purpose

Utilizing the theoretical foundation of the stimulus-organism-response framework, the present work developed and investigated a conceptual model. The work explores the effects of perceived risk of COVID-19 on tourists' choice hesitation and choice confidence. Furthermore, it examines the impacts of choice hesitation and choice confidence on psychological distress, which, in turn, influences purchase intentions and risk-protective behavior. Additionally, the study assesses the boundary effects of vulnerability on the association between choice hesitation, choice confidence, and psychological distress.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was administered in China during COVID-19 to assess the postulated hypotheses. We collected 491 responses using purposive sampling, and covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) was performed to investigate the relationships.

Findings

Results show that the perceived risk of COVID-19 positively influences the choice hesitation and negatively impact choice confidence. It was also found that choice hesitation and choice confidence positively developed psychological distress, which, in turn, negatively triggered purchase intentions and positively developed risk-protective behavior. Additionally, perceived vulnerability had a significant moderating impact on the proposed relationships, strengthening psychological distress.

Originality/value

In the current context, this study measures bipolar behavioral outcomes using the S-O-R model. Because cognitive processes influence participation in health preventative behavior during the spread of diseases, we highlighted how the perception of risk and vulnerability to a pandemic serves as a reliable indicator of certain behaviors. This study advances understanding of how the psychological mindset of tourists copes with such circumstances. Due to the pandemic, tourists face limitations in their choices and are placing greater emphasis on adopting protective measures to mitigate associated risks.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 March 2024

Jiyoung Lee and Jihyang Choi

Misperceptions hinder our ability to effectively respond to health crises such as the COVID-19. We aimed to examine the dynamic influences between information exposure…

Abstract

Purpose

Misperceptions hinder our ability to effectively respond to health crises such as the COVID-19. We aimed to examine the dynamic influences between information exposure, information trust and misperceptions during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we focused on the relative influence of exposure to COVID-19-related information via social media versus interpersonal offline communication.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study conducted a two-wave national survey of US adults in May and June of 2020 with a two-week time interval. A professional polling firm recruited participants, and 911 and 679 respondents participated in the first and the second wave survey, respectively. To test proposed hypotheses, researchers conducted path analyses using AMOS 27.0.

Findings

Findings show that individuals exposed to COVID-19-related information via social media are likely to hold increased misperceptions. In contrast, exposure to COVID-19-related information offline did not elicit any effects on misperceptions. The exposure to information on social media was positively associated with trust in that information, which, in turn, contributed to an increase in misperceptions. Furthermore, when examining the effects of misperception, it was found that misperceptions increased the likelihood of individuals being exposed to and having trust in COVID-19-related information on social media. The findings provide valuable insights into the role of social media as a platform where a detrimental cycle thrives, shaping the formation of misperceptions and cultivating a heightened dependence among individuals with elevated misperceptions.

Originality/value

The current study significantly extends the findings of prior research by examining the differential effects of social media and interpersonal communication offline on misperception and by revealing the intricate dynamics between information exposure and misperception by focusing on the role of trust. The findings emphasize the detrimental role of social media in generating a vicious information cycle. That said, seemingly superficial discussions about health crises within a social media environment rich in misinformation can contribute to fueling a self-reinforcing loop, making it challenging to effectively counteract misperceptions.

Details

Online Information Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1468-4527

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 February 2024

Anju Goswami and Pooja Malik

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused financial stress and limited their lending agility, resulting in more non-performing loans (NPLs) and lower performance during the II…

Abstract

Purpose

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused financial stress and limited their lending agility, resulting in more non-performing loans (NPLs) and lower performance during the II wave of the coronavirus crisis. Therefore, it is essential to identify the risky factors influencing the financial performance of Indian banks spanning 2018–2022.

Design/methodology/approach

Our sample consists of a balanced panel dataset of 75 scheduled commercial banks from three different ownership groups, including public, private and foreign banks, that were actively engaged in their operations during 2018–2022. Factor identification is performed via a fixed-effects model (FEM) that solves the issue of heterogeneity across different with banks over time. Additionally, to ensure the robustness of our findings, we also identify the risky drivers of the financial performance of Indian banks using an alternative measure, the pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) model.

Findings

Empirical evidence indicates that default risk, solvency risk and COVAR reduce financial performance in India. However, high liquidity, Z-score and the COVID-19 crisis enhance the financial performance of Indian banks. Unsystematic risk and systemic risk factors play an important role in determining the prognosis of COVID-19. The study supports the “bad-management,” “moral hazard” and “tail risk spillover of a single bank to the system” hypotheses. Public sector banks (PSBs) have considerable potential to achieve financial performance while controlling unsystematic risk and exogenous shocks relative to their peer group. Finally, robustness check estimates confirm the coefficients of the main model.

Practical implications

This study contributes to the knowledge in the banking literature by identifying risk factors that may affect financial performance during a crisis nexus and providing information about preventive measures. These insights are valuable to bankers, academics, managers and regulators for policy formulation. The findings of this paper provide important insights by considering all the risk factors that may be responsible for reducing the probability of financial performance in the banking system of an emerging market economy.

Originality/value

The empirical analysis has been done with a fresh perspective to consider unsystematic risk, systemic risk and exogenous risk (COVID-19) with the financial performance of Indian banks. Furthermore, none of the existing banking literature explicitly explores the drivers of the I and II waves of COVID-19 while considering COVID-19 as a dependent variable. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to make efforts in this direction.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 February 2024

Ethlyn A. Williams, Kate M. McCombs, Rajnandini Pillai and Kevin B. Lowe

This research aims to examine the influence of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) dark triad traits, follower COVID-19 anxiety and self-leadership on follower evaluations of the…

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to examine the influence of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) dark triad traits, follower COVID-19 anxiety and self-leadership on follower evaluations of the effectiveness of organizations’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper data were collected over two time periods. At time 1, mid-October 2021, 650 participants responded to questions on their CEO’s leadership traits and self-leadership. At time 2, (3-week lag) 275 matched individual responses provided followers’ evaluations of the effectiveness of the organization’s COVID-19 response and follower self-leadership.

Findings

CEO dark triad traits had direct and indirect negative effects on followers’ evaluations of the organization’s COVID-19 response (through COVID-19 anxiety). Follower self-leadership mitigated the negative effects.

Research limitations/implications

By examining the moderating role of self-leadership, we can offer organizations evidence-based strategies to mitigate some harmful effects of leaders exhibiting dark triad traits.

Practical implications

Given that organizations are still dealing with the ongoing ramifications of COVID-19 and planning for future crises, our findings emphasize the negative effects of dark traits on COVID-19 anxiety, and in turn, on follower’s evaluation of effective organization response to a crisis, highlighting the importance of top-level leader selection.

Social implications

Our results bolster Manz’s (1986) argument that self-leadership might be key to achieving peak performance in organizations and important for follower well-being.

Originality/value

This study of dark traits is especially important in a crisis context to understand how leaders affect followers’ perceptions about organizational outcomes and factors that might mediate or moderate the negative impact. Despite interest in understanding leadership during a crisis, the majority of research is focused on positive traits of leaders (Palmer et al., 2020).

Details

Journal of Managerial Psychology, vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-3946

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2024

Zhongwei Sun, Xuchuang Zhang and Xiaofang Wu

This study investigates the mediating role of wage and workforce adjustments, along with the moderating influence of collective bargaining system and employees’ localization, in…

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the mediating role of wage and workforce adjustments, along with the moderating influence of collective bargaining system and employees’ localization, in elucidating the relationship between the COVID-19 shock and workplace employee relations (ER) tension.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data from 1,483 enterprises across 21 prefectural cities in China’s Guangdong Province are collected. The hypotheses are tested by logistic regression.

Findings

The study reveals a positive correlation between the COVID-19 shock and workplace ER tension across crisis-hit enterprises, irrespective of their size or industrial sector. Wage reduction and mass layoffs emerge as significant mediators, while the collective bargaining system (CBS) and employees’ localization act as moderators.

Research limitations/implications

The measurement of ER is limited in a single-item scale. Representation of China is also limited since the study exclusively focuses on Guangdong province. The study offers some contributions that firm-level data reveal the pathway through which COVID-19 creates ER tension.

Practical implications

On the one hand, the authors recommend the establishment of an effective communication system between employers and employees. On the other hand, managers should consider the role of informal institutions. Furthermore, the authors suggest implementing tailored strategies at the enterprise level.

Social implications

Intense external shocks result in widespread layoffs and increased wage reductions within workplaces, and under such circumstances, formal or informal institutions may be insufficient to alleviate ER tension. In this case, the state authorities – including governments and other public agencies or bodies – are necessary to intervene in to organize tripartite dialogue.

Originality/value

While numerous emerging studies on COVID-19 explore how different countries manage industrial relations tension at the national level, few focus on ER at workplace level, particularly in developing countries. Understanding how workplace ER evolve during external shocks and identifying institutional measures to mitigate their negative impact is crucial for future crisis management.

Details

Employee Relations: The International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2024

Abdul Rahman Zahari and Elinda Esa

The purpose of this study is to determine whether COVID-19 had an impact on the brand equity of the Top 100 global brands in the Americas, European and Asian regions over the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine whether COVID-19 had an impact on the brand equity of the Top 100 global brands in the Americas, European and Asian regions over the three years of assessment (2020–2022).

Design/methodology/approach

A secondary data method (document scanning) was used to gather the study’s data from Brand Finance’s Global 500 annual reports from 2019 to 2022. The data for this study was analysed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. The data were subjected to a descriptive test and one-way analysis of variance.

Findings

The findings showed that most of the Top 100 global brands from the Americas, Europe and Asia experienced little or no impact due to COVID-19. Thus, no significant differences were found to exist among the Top 100 global regional brands due to COVID-19 in the years 2020 and 2021. However, there is a significant difference in 2022 due to its small effect size.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper contribute to brand equity literature and global branding literature in the context of COVID-19. This paper innovatively frames brand equity and provides guidelines to help brands sustain their financial-based brand equity during a worldwide crisis.

Details

Journal of Contemporary Marketing Science, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2516-7480

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 March 2024

Suresh Renukappa, Subashini Suresh, Nisha Shetty, Lingaraja Gandhi, Wala Abdalla, Nagaraju Yabbati and Rahul Hiremath

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected around 216 countries and territories worldwide and more than 2000 cities in India, alone. The smart cities mission (SCM) in India started in…

21

Abstract

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected around 216 countries and territories worldwide and more than 2000 cities in India, alone. The smart cities mission (SCM) in India started in 2015 and 100 smart cities were selected to be initiated with a total project cost of INR 2031.72 billion. Smart city strategies play an important role in implementing the measures adopted by the government such as the issuance of social distancing regulations and other COVID-19 mitigation strategies. However, there is no research reported on the role of smart cities strategies in managing the COVID-19 outbreak in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to address the research gap in smart cities, technology and healthcare management through a review of the literature and primary data collected using semi-structured interviews.

Findings

Each city is unique and has different challenges, the study revealed six key findings on how smart cities in India managed the COVID-19 outbreak. They used: Integrated Command and Control Centres, Artificial Intelligence and Innovative Application-based Solutions, Smart Waste Management Solutions, Smart Healthcare Management, Smart Data Management and Smart Surveillance.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to informing policymakers of key lessons learnt from the management of COVID-19 in developing countries like India from a smart cities’ perspective. This paper draws on the six Cs for the implications directed to leaders and decision-makers to rethink and act on COVID-19. The six Cs are: Crisis management leadership, Credible communication, Collaboration, Creative governance, Capturing knowledge and Capacity building.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 March 2024

Hisham Hanfy Ayob and Tarek Ibrahim Hamada

This study was done to compare the modes of teaching mathematics in higher education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The three teaching methods were used as follow: before…

Abstract

Purpose

This study was done to compare the modes of teaching mathematics in higher education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The three teaching methods were used as follow: before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The three teaching methods are: (1). Normal on-campus face-to-face teaching and learning activity before the COVID-19 pandemic. (2). Full online teaching and learning activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. (3). Blended teaching and learning activity after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Over the last few years, there has been a considerable amount of literature investigating the efficacy of the various delivery modes: on-campus delivery (face-to-face), online delivery and blended learning (hybrid), in helping college students improve their mathematical skills. However, the extent to which one learner learns best has been hotly debated among the researchers. Therefore, this study aims to compare the efficacy of implementing three teaching and learning delivery modes before, while, and after the COVID-19 pandemic: on-campus delivery (face-to-face), online delivery and blended learning (hybrid) on academic achievement in mathematics at a higher education institution in the UAE. The main research question explores whether there is a statistically significant difference (p = 0.05) in students’ academic based on the delivery methods: on-campus face-to-face, online and blended learning. The participants in the study were students from one of the largest higher education institutions in the UAE, and all of them studied the same mathematics course before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Student scores in the three academic semesters were thoroughly compared and analyzed using the ANOVA test to check if there is a significant difference between the three groups followed by a Tukey test to identify the significant difference in favor of which group. The results showed that there were significant differences in the mean scores in the students’ achievement in the mathematics courses favoring the blended learning delivery mode. The findings also show that the students’ achievement in mathematics using the on-campus face-to-face teaching and learning was better than the students’ achievement in mathematics using online teaching and learning delivery modes.

Findings

The main study question was: is there a statistical significant difference at the significance level (a = 0.05) in students’ achievements in mathematics courses at higher education in the UAE, which can be attributed to the method of teaching? The descriptive statistics reveal that the average student’s score in the final exam after the COVID-19 pandemic is 65.7 with a standard deviation of 16.65, which are higher than the average student’s score in the final exam before the COVID-19 pandemic of 58.7 with a standard deviation 20.53, and both are higher than the average students’ score in the final exam during the COVID-19 pandemic 51.8 with standard deviation 21.48. Then, the ANOVA test reveals that there is a statistically significant difference between the three groups in the final exam marks. The researchers used the multiple comparison tests (Tukey test) to determine the difference. The Tukey test reveals that there is a statically significant difference between the average students’ score in the final exam after the COVID-19 pandemic and the average students’ score in the final exam during the COVID-19 pandemic, where p = 0.015 < 0.05 as well as there is a statically significant difference between the average students’ score in the final exam after the COVID-19 pandemic and the average students’ score in the final exam before the COVID-19 pandemic, where p = 0.000 < 0.05 in favor of the average students’ score in the final exam after the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, there is a statically significant difference between the average students’ score in the final exam before the COVID-19 pandemic and the average students’ score in the final exam during the COVID-19 pandemic, where p = 0.016 < 0.05 in favor of the average students’ score in the final exam before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research limitations/implications

There are several limitations that may reduce the possibility of generalizing the expected results of the current study to students outside the study population: (1) The study is limited to students of a federally funded postsecondary education institution in the UAE, in which most students are studying in their non-native language. (2) The study is limited to the mathematics courses. (3) The achievement test used in the study is a standardized test developed by the college as a cross-campus summative assessment.

Practical implications

The hybrid education model, also known as blended learning, combines traditional face-to-face instruction with online learning components. When applied to teaching mathematics in higher education, this approach can have several implications and benefits. Here are some key points supported by references: (1) Enhanced Accessibility and Flexibility: hybrid models offer flexibility in learning, allowing students to access course materials, lectures and resources online. This flexibility can accommodate diverse learning styles and preferences. A study by Means et al. (2013) in “Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning” highlights how blended learning can improve accessibility and engagement for students in higher education. (2) Personalized Learning Experience: by incorporating online resources, instructors can create a more personalized learning experience. Adaptive learning platforms and online quizzes can provide tailored feedback and adaptive content based on individual student needs (Freeman et al., 2017). This individualization can improve student performance and understanding of mathematical concepts. (3) Increased Student Engagement: the integration of online components, such as interactive simulations, videos and discussion forums, can enhance student engagement and participation (Bonk and Graham, 2012). Engaged students tend to have better learning outcomes in mathematics. (4) Improved Assessment and Feedback Mechanisms: hybrid models allow for the implementation of various assessment tools, including online quizzes, instant feedback mechanisms and data analytics, which can aid instructors in monitoring students’ progress more effectively (Means et al., 2013). This timely feedback loop can help students identify areas needing improvement and reinforce their understanding of mathematical concepts. (5) Cost-Effectiveness and Resource Optimization: integrating online materials can potentially reduce overall instructional costs by optimizing resources and enabling efficient use of classroom time (Graham, 2013). (6) Challenges and Considerations: despite the benefits, challenges such as technological barriers, designing effective online materials and ensuring equitable access for all students need to be addressed (Garrison and Vaughan, 2014). It requires thoughtful course design and continuous support for both students and instructors. When implementing a hybrid education model in teaching mathematics, instructors should consider pedagogical strategies, technological infrastructure and ongoing support mechanisms for students and faculty.

Originality/value

The research is the first research in the UAE to discuss the difference in teaching mathematics in higher education before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2024

Jing Dai, Dong Xu, Jinan Shao, Jia Jia Lim and Wuyue Shangguan

Drawing upon the theory of communication visibility, this research intends to investigate the direct effect of enterprise social media (ESM) usage on team members’ knowledge…

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing upon the theory of communication visibility, this research intends to investigate the direct effect of enterprise social media (ESM) usage on team members’ knowledge creation capability (KCC) and the mediating effects of psychological safety and team identification. In addition, it aims to untangle how the efficacy of ESM usage varies between pre- and post-COVID-19 periods.

Design/methodology/approach

Using two-wave survey data from 240 members nested within 60 teams, this study utilizes a multilevel approach to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

We discover that ESM usage enhances team members’ KCC. More importantly, the results show that psychological safety and team identification mediate the ESM–KCC linkage. Interestingly, we further find that the impacts of ESM usage on team members’ KCC, psychological safety, and team identification are stronger in the pre-COVID-19 period than those in the post-COVID-19 period.

Originality/value

This research sheds light on the ESM literature by unraveling the mechanisms of psychological safety and team identification underlying the linkage between ESM usage and team members’ KCC. Moreover, it advances our understanding of the differential efficacy of ESM usage in pre- and post-COVID-19 periods.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

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