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1 – 10 of 29Jessie Yao Foli, Fred Awaah and Yeboah Solomon
Corporate governance and its training in universities have become an essential addition to the educational curriculum. Despite its expansion, students still need help to grasp…
Abstract
Purpose
Corporate governance and its training in universities have become an essential addition to the educational curriculum. Despite its expansion, students still need help to grasp some concepts, affecting their academic performance. This paper examines the expected influence of gender and school libraries on comprehending corporate governance concepts in Ghanaian universities.
Design/methodology/approach
With the culturo-techno-contextual approach (CTCA) as the underlying theory, the study sampled 1050 undergraduate students from the selected Ghanaian public universities. The study adopted a quantitative approach, and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA.
Findings
The results show a statistically significant difference between male and female Ghanaian students in their understanding of corporate governance concepts, with the mean figures suggesting that males slightly understand corporate governance concepts more than females. The results also show a statistically significant difference among Ghanaian students studying using school libraries of varying quality in their understanding of corporate governance.
Originality/value
This study's novelty stems from examining the corporate governance curriculum in a developing country from the perspectives of gender and school library. Adopting the CTCA components in analysing school libraries and gender further evidences the study's novelty.
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Borja López-Alonso, Pablo Briz, Hector Sarnago, José M. Burdio and Oscar Lucia
This paper aims to study the feasibility of proposed method to focus the electroporation ablation by mean of multi-output multi-electrode system.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the feasibility of proposed method to focus the electroporation ablation by mean of multi-output multi-electrode system.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed method has been developed based on a previously designed electroporation system, which has the capabilities to modify the electric field distribution in real time, and to estimate the impedance distribution. Taking into consideration the features of the system and biological tissues, the problem has been addressed in three phases: modeling, control system design and simulation testing. In the first phase, a finite element analysis model has been proposed to reproduce the electric field distribution within the hepatic tissue, based on the characteristics of the electroporation system. Then, a control strategy has been proposed with the goal of ensuring complete ablation while minimizing the affected volume of healthy tissue. Finally, to check the feasibility of the proposal, several representative cases have been simulated, and the results have been compared with those obtained by a traditional system.
Findings
The proposed method achieves the proposed goal, as part of a complex electroporation system designed to improve the targeting, effectiveness and control of electroporation treatments and serve to demonstrate the feasibility of developing new electroporation systems capable of adapting to changes in the preplanning of the treatment in real-time.
Originality/value
The work presents a thorough study of control method to multi-output multi-electrode electroporation system by mean of a rigorous numerical simulation.
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Bamidele Temitope Arijeloye, Isaac Olaniyi Aje and Ayodeji Emmanuel Oke
The purpose of the study is to elicit risk factors that are peculiar to public-private partnership (PPP)-procured mass housing in Nigeria from the expert perspectives in ensuring…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to elicit risk factors that are peculiar to public-private partnership (PPP)-procured mass housing in Nigeria from the expert perspectives in ensuring the success of the scheme thereby reducing housing deficit in the country.
Design/methodology/approach
The risk inherent in construction projects had been established through literature in general. The risk in PPP projects is emerging because of the recent acceptance of the procurement option by governments all over the globe. The Nigerian Government has also adopted the procurement option in bridging the housing deficit in the country. This study, therefore, conducts a Delphi survey on the probability of risk occurrence peculiar to PPP mass housing projects (MHPs) in Nigeria. Pragmatic research approach through the mixed method of both quantitative and qualitative methods was adopted for this study. The quantitative method adopts the administration of questionnaires through the Delphi survey, whereas the qualitative method used interviews with the respondents. A two-stage Delphi questionnaire was administered to construction practitioners that cut across academics, the public and the private sectors by adopting convenient sampling techniques and following the Delphi principles and procedures. A total of 63 risk factors were submitted to the expert to rank on a Likert scale of 7 and any risk factors that the mean item score (MIS) falls below the grading scale of the five-point benchmark is deemed not necessary a risk factor associated with PPP MHPs and thereby expunged from the second round of the Delphi Survey. The interview was subsequently applied to the respondents to substantiate the risk factors that are peculiar to PPP-procured mass housing in the study area.
Findings
The findings show that risk factors such as maintenance frequent than expected, life of facility shorter than anticipated and maintenance cost higher than expected fall below 5.0 benchmark with MIS of 4.64 and 4.55 indicating that the risk factors are not peculiar to PPP mass housing in Nigeria.
Research limitations/implications
The implication for practise of this research is that these risk factors provide the PPP stakeholders with the comprehensive checklists that can aid in developing PPP risk assessment guidelines in the sector though both partners should be aware of the dynamic nature of risk because new ones might be emerging.
Originality/value
The authors hereby declare that the research findings are a product of a thorough research conducted in the study area and have not to be submitted or published by another person or publisher and due acknowledgement was made where necessary.
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Seongseop (Sam) Kim, Jungkeun Kim and Youngjoon Choi
This study aims to assess how airline companies can frame their message strategies given the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess how airline companies can frame their message strategies given the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
Message forms used in empirical tests included message framings, regulatory focuses and benefit types. A total of 450 participants were recruited through an online survey.
Findings
Promotion-focused behavioral intention was more effective when personal economic benefit was negatively framed. However, prevention-focused behavioral intention was more effective where social benefit was positively framed. The results were moderated by personal traits such as the level of perceived COVID-19 threat.
Originality/value
The findings of this study can help create new communication strategies during risky or critical situations.
设计/方法/步骤
本文实证分析中所使用的信息形式包括信息框架、监管重点和利益类型。通过线上问卷调查, 共招募了450名参与者。数据分析采用了ANOVA检验和Hayes(2017)的PROCESS检验。
研究结果
当个人经济利益是负面框架时, 促进定向的行为意向更有效。然而, 当社会利益是正面框架时, 防御定向的行为意向更为有效。上述关系受到个人特质的调节, 如COVID-19感知威胁的程度。
独创性/价值
本研究的结果是新颖且有意义的, 有助于在风险或危急情况下创造新的传播策略。
Diseño/metodología/enfoque (límite 100 palabras)
Las formas de mensaje utilizadas en las pruebas empíricas incluyeron encuadres de mensajes, enfoques normativos y tipos de beneficios. Se reclutó a un total de 450 participantes a través de una empresa en línea porque era difícil recopilar datos durante la pandemia.
Objetivo (límite 100 palabras)
Este estudio pretende evaluar cómo las compañías aéreas pueden enmarcar sus estrategias de mensajes teniendo en cuenta los efectos de la pandemia de COVID-19.
Conclusiones (limite 100 palabras)
El comportamiento centrado en la promoción fue más eficaz cuando el beneficio económico personal se enmarcó negativamente. Sin embargo, el comportamiento centrado en la prevención fue más eficaz cuando el beneficio social se enmarcó positivamente. Los resultados fueron moderados por rasgos personales como el nivel de amenaza percibida de COVID-19.
Originalidad/valor (límite 100 palabras)
Las conclusiones de este estudio son muy novedosas y significativas en la medida en que pueden ayudar a crear nuevas estrategias de comunicación durante situaciones de riesgo o críticas.
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Zhikun Ding, Wanqi Nie, Vivian W.Y. Tam and Chethana Illankoon
The preferences and adoption of recycled materials by consumers are subject to a variety of factors, such as enablers and barriers. Despite this, there exists a paucity of…
Abstract
Purpose
The preferences and adoption of recycled materials by consumers are subject to a variety of factors, such as enablers and barriers. Despite this, there exists a paucity of research concerning stakeholders' perceived value and real purchase decision towards recycled products. Consequently, this research study aims to fill this gap by investigating stakeholders' perceived value of recycled products derived from construction and demolition (C&D) waste and its effect on purchase decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
Research data were collected from 219 valid questionnaires completed by Chinese stakeholders. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was then employed to test eight hypotheses.
Findings
The results show intrinsic cue (materials) and extrinsic cue (brand) influence the stakeholders’ judgment on C&D waste recycled products’ value and then their purchase intention. However, cues such as quality, word-of-mouth, price, policy and advertised have not play a significant role in practice.
Originality/value
This research study verified the significance of brand and material cues on decision making for purchasing C&D waste recycled products, providing new insights to policy making to enhance the uptake of C&D waste recycled products in construction industry.
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Thiago Da Silva Telles Constantino, Antônio Carlos Magalhães Da Silva and Maria Aline Moreira De Oliveira Constantino
Most scientific research has focused on understanding Ponzi schemes from the point of view of the schemes and their operators, based on qualitative analysis. This paper aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
Most scientific research has focused on understanding Ponzi schemes from the point of view of the schemes and their operators, based on qualitative analysis. This paper aims to analyze Ponzi schemes from the perspective of their investors, emphasizing behavioral aspects, which have been little explored in the scientific literature, especially in quantitative research. In this way, the authors sought to understand the effects of heuristics and cognitive biases in understanding investor behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
A logistic regression was carried out with Brazilian investors, some of them participants in Ponzi schemes, who answered a structured questionnaire by means of a survey.
Findings
The authors found that social pressures, overconfidence and deliberate ignorance lead to credulity, generating little risk analysis and the desire to make a lot of money quickly.
Practical implications
Helping investors improve their levels of information through financial education and self-knowledge about their behavior. Contribute to the competent authorities in the search for improvements in the information displayed to investors.
Social implications
Understanding the mechanisms used when making a financial decision from the point of view of investors in general, but especially those exposed to Ponzi schemes, has the mission of enlightening them about the importance of financial education and the weight of psychological factors so that they can reduce the effects of heuristics and analysis biases when faced with a financial decision.
Originality/value
The basis of this work will be the inclusion of psychological variables and financial education, adapting existing models in an attempt to demonstrate the effects they may or may not have on mental accounting in the specific case of investors
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Siu-Kam Jamie Lo, Pimtong Tavitiyaman and Wing-Sze Lancy Tsang
This research investigates the effects of consumers' online information searching on their dining satisfaction in upscale restaurants during the pandemic. Customers frequently…
Abstract
Purpose
This research investigates the effects of consumers' online information searching on their dining satisfaction in upscale restaurants during the pandemic. Customers frequently rely on online sources to gather information about upscale restaurants prior to their visits.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from 307 diners across the top ten popular upscale restaurants in Hong Kong were analysed by using SEM to explore the links between customers' needs, information search, restaurant attributes and customer satisfaction.
Findings
This study uncovers customers' online search behaviours and identifies restaurant attributes that are associated with customer satisfaction, which were not typically emphasised before the COVID-19 pandemic. Driven by their social and psychological needs, customers devoted more time to reading written comments by other consumers compared to visual images or self-descriptions from restaurants. Only service attribute significantly influenced customer satisfaction, while food and price attributes were not significant.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study provide valuable insights for researchers and practitioners, shedding light on the altered needs and preferences of consumers following the unprecedented health crisis.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the development of expectancy disconfirmation theory and needs theory through the investigation of consumers' online information searching behaviours and dining satisfaction in upscale restaurants during the pandemic. By identifying the most important attributes influencing customer satisfaction, this research can aid upscale restaurants in developing effective marketing strategies and enhancing customer experiences.
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Khai Trieu Tran, Anh Tran Tram Truong, Van-Anh T. Truong and Tuan Trong Luu
This study aims to answer the following questions: How do consumers’ perceptions of brand coolness affect brand relationship outcomes and how do brand coolness effects differ…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to answer the following questions: How do consumers’ perceptions of brand coolness affect brand relationship outcomes and how do brand coolness effects differ between product brands and service brands?
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative survey was used to collect data from 1,500 consumers assigned to assess one of 20 popular product and service brands in Vietnam. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.
Findings
Data analysis reveals that both dimensions of brand coolness (i.e. self-oriented and other-oriented coolness) exert positive impacts on brand relationship outcomes (i.e. brand satisfaction, brand love and brand advocacy) through brand attitude (i.e. the evaluative mechanism) and self-brand connection (i.e. the identity mechanism). While the identity mechanism of brand coolness effects is more prominent in product brands, the evaluative mechanism is more pronounced for service brands.
Practical implications
This research provides practical guidance for brand managers to build strong customer relationships by leveraging their brand coolness and the mechanisms underlying coolness effects. This study suggests a tailored application of brand coolness dimensions to different branded entities.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the brand coolness literature by validating a two-dimensional brand coolness structure encompassing self-oriented and other-oriented coolness, in accordance with a value-based conceptualization of the concept. For mass brand studies, this study recommends the exclusion of rebellious and subcultural attributes, as well as the utility of pre-determined brands as evaluated objects, in measuring brand coolness. This study also illuminates dual mediation mechanisms and moderation of the branded entity underlying brand coolness effects on consumer–brand relationships.
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Rongduo Liu and Klaus G. Grunert
This study aimed to investigate changes in food consumption during the COVID-19 lockdown period in a sample of female college students in China. The study employed a dual…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to investigate changes in food consumption during the COVID-19 lockdown period in a sample of female college students in China. The study employed a dual processing approach that simultaneously investigates the effects of students' beliefs about the importance of healthy eating and the effect of emotional eating due to anxiety induced by the pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 645 female college students in China using a self-administered questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used for the data analysis.
Findings
Beliefs about the importance of healthy eating have a greater impact on changes in food consumption than anxiety. Emotional eating was positively associated with changes in vegetable consumption. The findings reveal that a shift from “food as health” to “food as well-being” in the role of food in the food-related life of Chinese consumers is underway. “Food as health” remains important in food-related decision-making in China during the pandemic. Concurrently, a well-being centered or a more holistic perspective, including the psychological and emotional aspects of food, should be included in food-related research and health promotion in China.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature on reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic by simultaneously investigating both the cognitive impact of beliefs regarding the importance of healthy eating and the affective impact of anxiety on changes in food consumption due to COVID-19.
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This study is based on the heuristic-systematic model (HSM) to dynamically examine the effect of review variance on sales and the boundary conditions that mitigate this effect.
Abstract
Purpose
This study is based on the heuristic-systematic model (HSM) to dynamically examine the effect of review variance on sales and the boundary conditions that mitigate this effect.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the theoretical domain of HSM, a conceptual model is proposed that analyzes the nonlinear relationship between review variance and sales and the interaction and motivation factors that moderate these relationships. Review data from websites targeting the film industry in the USA and South Korea (Korea) were collected to empirically analyze the authors' hypothesis, and panel regression analysis was used for confirmation.
Findings
Moderated by interactive and motivational factors, review variance exhibits an inverse-U-shaped relationship with review variance. Specifically, as an interaction factor, review valence and owned social media (OSM) resulted in positive interaction effects, and as a motivation factor, the number of alternatives exhibited a positive interaction effect with review variance. The effect of review variance was less pronounced in the USA than in Korea.
Originality/value
The study outcomes reveal a nonlinear relationship between review variance and sales, thus supporting the contradictory findings of previous studies. This study contributes to the literature by using the HSM as a theoretical framework to verify various HSM mechanisms using online review data. This exploratory study also contributes to the international marketing literature by showing that the effects of review variance vary across cultures.
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