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Article
Publication date: 1 February 1991

Siew Meng Leong and Chin Tiong Tan

It is well‐accepted that effective strategy is founded on continuous and diagnostic monitoring of one's competitive position. Evidence revealing the skills and resources affording…

Abstract

It is well‐accepted that effective strategy is founded on continuous and diagnostic monitoring of one's competitive position. Evidence revealing the skills and resources affording the greatest leverage on future cost and differentiation advantages is particularly critical. Businesses that succeed are those which develop distinctive competences and manage for lowest delivered cost or differentiation through superior customer value.

Details

Asia Pacific International Journal of Marketing, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-7517

Article
Publication date: 14 March 2016

Li-Hsing Ho, Pi-Yun Chang and Tieh-Min Yen

The purpose of this paper is to propose a modified Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) model and calculates the performance of quality characteristic for the purpose of defining…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a modified Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) model and calculates the performance of quality characteristic for the purpose of defining quality improvement strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed modified IPA by introducing the Mahalanobis Distance and multiple regression analysis to evaluate the performance gap and implicit importance of quality characteristics. This paper used a large air-conditioning manufacturer in Taiwan as the case analysis and study targets. It discussed and validated the modified IPA analytical results by studying case history and market analysis.

Findings

Through the case study, the quality characteristics of air-conditioning product and service needed to be improved immediately are Green product (Q3) and Repair service (Q10), and the Price (Q11) and Serviceability (Q2) could be kept or enhanced to win the market competitive advantages.

Originality/value

This study developed a modified IPA to help organization identifying key quality characteristics of product and service, and choosing its improvement strategies to win the market competitive advantages effectively.

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2001

Martin O’Neill, Christine Wright and Frank Fitz

This paper investigates the conceptualisation and measurement of service quality in on‐line service environments. It reports the findings from an exploratory study of consumer…

3136

Abstract

This paper investigates the conceptualisation and measurement of service quality in on‐line service environments. It reports the findings from an exploratory study of consumer perceptions of service quality as they relate to an on‐line library service in a prominent public sector university in Western Australia. The results reveal the core service quality dimensions of significance to on‐line consumers and demonstrates the usefulness and relative simplicity of this measurement methodology for evaluating the service quality construct in on‐line environments. The study highlights not only how the service is perceived from a customer point of view, but also what is important to the customers in their use of on‐line services.

Details

Managing Service Quality: An International Journal, vol. 11 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-4529

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 November 2023

Ziaul Haque Munim, Dhanavanth Reddy Maditati, Sebastian Kummer and Hans-Joachim Schramm

This study aims to explore the gaps concerning the organizational operant resources (OORs) of logistics service providers (LSPs) expected in outsourcing relationships. The study…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the gaps concerning the organizational operant resources (OORs) of logistics service providers (LSPs) expected in outsourcing relationships. The study considers the views of both manufacturing firms (M-firms) and LSPs in India and DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) seeking gaps within and across regions.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employed a survey targeting executives from large M-firms and LSPs in both India and DACH. The perceptions about the importance and improvement expectations of 17 OORs are analyzed. A modified version of importance-improvement analysis (A-B), a novel comparative A-B analysis (CABA) method, has been proposed to identify the importance and improvement gaps in OORs between M-firms and LSPs within and across India and the DACH region.

Findings

There are more gaps between M-firms and LSPs in India compared to DACH. Cross-country comparisons reveal that LSPs in India and DACH have similar perceptions concerning the OORs, but M-firms in India have significantly higher improvement expectations than those in DACH.

Research limitations/implications

This study proposes an analytical approach that enables managers to identify improvement areas and better align with their outsourcing relationship partners. It also highlights aspects that need to be considered while entering emerging markets such as India.

Originality/value

The analysis approach using CABA is novel. Also, among the cross-country studies, this is the first to compare outsourcing relationships in India with the DACH region while involving both users' and service providers' perspectives.

Details

International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 March 2022

Akbar Rahimi and Akbar Alemtabriz

Given the need to simultaneously implement lean and agile (LeAgile) paradigms in supply chain, managers do not know which of these paradigms practices should be given priority…

Abstract

Purpose

Given the need to simultaneously implement lean and agile (LeAgile) paradigms in supply chain, managers do not know which of these paradigms practices should be given priority. Not knowing this, not only will they fail to apply these paradigms properly, but they will also waste significant financial resources. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the practices of LeAgile paradigms and their effects on the supply chain performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Because the military products play a key role in national security enhancement, this research is done in the military product supply chain. Research methodology is an exploratory, mixed and descriptive one. In terms of its purpose, it is an applied research based on identifying and searching for practices and the use of interpretive equations. First, the authors identify the most important and implementable LeAgile practices in the form of importance feasibility analysis matrices. Then, using fuzzy interpretative structural modeling, a model is presented to show the logical relationships and hierarchy between paradigms, practices and their impact on supply chain performance. The research tool in both main stages of the research was the questionnaire completed by industrial and academic experts. The selection of experts was done purposefully.

Findings

The results show that of total 100 practices introduced in the previous research for LeAgile supply chain, 21 practices in the lean and agility of the supply chain of military industries are important and implementable. The final model of this study illustrates the hierarchical relationships between 21 practices and its effect on supply chain performance key measures. This model shows that LeAgile paradigms are intertwined and their simultaneous implementation leads to improved supply chain performance. In this model, supplier-related practices play a driving and fundamental role and become a top priority for implementation.

Research limitations/implications

Military products variation in land, air and sea areas and the large number of industries in each sectors, forced us to select the only land area. Although the results of this research can be used in the air and sea areas, one cannot say that Implementation of this study by its presented model will fully lead to the military industries supply chain (SC) lean and agility in air and sea sectors.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research on the SC legality in Iran’s military industry which tries to apply these two paradigms simultaneously in the SC and bridge the gap between theory and practice. Clustering LeAgile practices, based on two measures of importance and feasibility, and defining four strategies for implementing these measures, is a new approach to focus on deploying practices that are currently more feasible. Identifying a significant number of SC LeAgile practices (100 practices) and demonstrating the interactions between important and feasible practices in the military products SC are another innovation in this research.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 13 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 November 2023

Yanan Wang, Lee Yen Chaw, Choi-Meng Leong, Yet Mee Lim and Abdulkadir Barut

This study intends to investigate the determinants of learners' continuance intention to use massive open online courses (MOOCs) for personal or professional development.

Abstract

Purpose

This study intends to investigate the determinants of learners' continuance intention to use massive open online courses (MOOCs) for personal or professional development.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed quantitative research design. The respondents were individual learners from six selected universities in China who used MOOCs for continuous learning. A purposive sampling technique was employed to obtain 270 valid samples. Data were analyzed and analytical outputs were produced using the techniques of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling and Importance-Performance Matrix.

Findings

Expectation confirmation was found to have a positive relationship with perceived usefulness, flow experience, learning self-efficacy and satisfaction with MOOCs. Perceived usefulness, flow experience and leaning self-efficacy were also found to have a positive relationship with MOOC satisfaction. In addition, perceived usefulness, flow experience, learning self-efficacy and MOOC satisfaction had a positive impact on continuance usage intention.

Originality/value

The outcomes of the study can serve as a practical reference for MOOC providers and decision-makers to develop relevant strategies to increase the course completion rates.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2000

Marta Fernández Barcala, Ana Ma Díaz Martín and Juan A. Trespalacios Gutiérrez

Aims to provide the entities and institutions that train retailers with a series of recommendations to improve the quality of the courses they organise and give, especially…

Abstract

Aims to provide the entities and institutions that train retailers with a series of recommendations to improve the quality of the courses they organise and give, especially concerning the aspects where those actually receiving training detect the greatest shortcomings. Hence, the perceptions of the individuals attending the courses as well as the importance they give to each of the aspects considered to be relevant for evaluating the quality of training received have been analysed. To this end, a measurement instrument based on the SERVPERF scale has been developed and, according to the quality evaluations obtained, the retailers have been classified into homogeneous groups. Evaluating the quality of the training received, grouping the retailers, and detecting significant differences among the groups will enable the bodies organising and/or giving courses to diversify their offerings in terms of the characteristics of those receiving training. They will also be able to determine the strengths and weaknesses of these courses at an overall level as well as for each of the groups. Likewise, clues can be found to improve aspects of the training courses to which due attention may not be being paid at the present time.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 28 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 November 2018

Chin Fei Goh, Amran Rasli, Owee Kowang Tan and Sang Long Choi

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that drive students to use Facebook for educational communication and explore the impact of Facebook use for educational…

3007

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that drive students to use Facebook for educational communication and explore the impact of Facebook use for educational communication on perceived academic achievement.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted through a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from student Facebook users at a large technology and engineering university in Malaysia. Partial least squares path modeling was used to test the hypotheses in the research model.

Findings

This empirical study showed that Facebook use in educational communication is determined by subjective norms and purposive value. Facebook use in educational communication positively affected perceived academic achievement.

Practical implications

The findings provide useful insight for higher institutions and educators regarding the potential academic effects of integrating Facebook into higher education learning. Moreover, this study provides insight into the factors that drive Facebook use in educational communication.

Originality/value

Prior studies have largely investigated the determinants and the effects of Facebook use among university students. However, little research has focused on educational communication phenomena. This study investigated determinants and academic achievement effect of Facebook use in educational communication among university students.

Details

Aslib Journal of Information Management, vol. 71 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-3806

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 June 2021

Sayeda Zeenat Maryam, Ashfaq Ahmad, Nauman Aslam and Sadia Farooq

The purpose of this study is to examine the determinants of attitude and adoption intention of Islamic banking among the potential customers in Pakistan. The conceptual framework…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the determinants of attitude and adoption intention of Islamic banking among the potential customers in Pakistan. The conceptual framework is investigating the influence of salient beliefs (consisting of personal factors and external factors) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) construct, i.e. attitude and social influence on Islamic banking adoption intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

To realize the objective of the research, 500 questionnaires were distributed among the potential customers of Islamic banking in Pakistan. A purposive sampling technique was used; 375 questionnaires were returned, whereas only 300 were used for analysis. To test the model, structural equation modeling was conducted by using an algorithm and bootstrapping techniques, and the most important factor is identified through the importance performance map analysis model.

Findings

The findings of the research revealed that the attitude has immense importance. It is a strong determinant of Islamic banking adoption intention among potential customers. Second, it is fully mediating the relation of cost benefits, reputation and support for business and the adoption intentions of Islamic banking. However, attitude is partially mediating the relation of religious obligations, social influence and the criterion variable.

Research limitations/implications

This research is articulating literature by incorporating external and personal factors along with TPB’s constructs, i.e. attitude and social influence and tested the attitude as an intervening variable to explain the relation with adoption intention of Islamic banking. The unfolding results spring up a broad spectrum to policymakers and practitioners of Islamic banking by suggesting the push and pull strategies.

Originality/value

Numerous studies conducted to find the influencing factors of adoption intention of Islamic banking, but this research is identifying the determinant of attitude along with adoption intentions. This research is contributing to the existing research by taking reputation (brand image), cost benefits and government support along with religiosity, which is an important factor but is ignored in previous research. Theoretically, this research is contributing to the TPB by giving a scenario of salient beliefs along with attitude and social influence because beliefs play an important role in building the adoption intention of the subject.

Details

Journal of Islamic Marketing, vol. 13 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-0833

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 December 2021

Samar Rahi

This study attempts to gain insight into what factors influence individual behavior towards the adoption of telemedicine application during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19…

Abstract

Purpose

This study attempts to gain insight into what factors influence individual behavior towards the adoption of telemedicine application during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The research model incorporates two well-known theories namely the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) and DeLone and McLean information success model to examine individual behavior towards the adoption of telemedicine application.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design of this study is based on quantitative research approach. During research survey, 350 valid responses were received from Pakistani citizens and examined to understand citizen's behavior towards the adoption of telemedicine applications. The research model was empirically tested with the latest statistical approach namely variance-based structural equation modeling (VB-SEM).

Findings

The results of the structural equation modeling have revealed that altogether performance expectancy, social influence, effort expectancy, facilitating condition, habit, hedonic motivation, price values, information quality, system quality and service quality explained 77.9% variance in determining user behavior towards adoption of telemedicine application. The predictive relevance of the research model was found substantial in measuring user behavior to adopt telemedicine applications. The research framework is further extended with moderating role of perceived severity between the relationship of user intention and actual usage behavior. Results confirmed that the positive relationship between intention to adopt telemedicine health application and usage behavior will be stronger when perceived severity is higher.

Practical implications

Theoretically, this study integrates extended UTAUT2 and DeLone and McLean information success model and contributes to e-health literature. Practically, this research suggests that by improving user performance expectancy and effort expectancy, managers and healthcare professionals can boost user confidence towards the adoption of telemedicine applications.

Originality/value

This study is unique as it integrates the extended UTAUT2 with DeLone and McLean information success model and perceived severity to investigate user behavior towards adoption of telemedicine application during COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the integration of theories contributes to information system literature in the context of the adoption of telemedicine applications.

1 – 10 of 661