Search results
1 – 10 of 108Oswald A. J. Mascarenhas, Munish Thakur and Payal Kumar
Systems thinking calls for a shift of our mindset from seeing just parts to seeing the whole reality in its structured dynamic unity and interconnectedness. Systems thinking…
Abstract
Executive Summary
Systems thinking calls for a shift of our mindset from seeing just parts to seeing the whole reality in its structured dynamic unity and interconnectedness. Systems thinking fosters a sensibility to see subtle connections between components and parts of reality, especially the free enterprise capitalist system (FECS). It enables us to see ourselves as active participants or partners of FECS and not mere induced factors of its production–distribution–consumption processes. Systems thinking seeks to identify the economic “structures” that underlie complex situations in FECS that bring about high versus low leveraged changes. A system is strengthened and reinforced by feedback of reciprocal exchanges that makes the system alive, transparent, human, and humanizing.
In Part I, we explore basic laws or patterns of behaviors as understood by systems thinking; in Part II we examine the basic archetypes or structured behaviors of systems thinking; in both parts we strive to see reality through the lens of critical thinking to help us understand patterns and structures of behavior among systems and their component parts. In conclusion, we argue for compatibility and complementarity of critical thinking and systems thinking to identify and resolve management problems created by our flawed thinking, and sedimented by our wanton assumptions, presumptions, suppositions and presuppositions, biases, and prejudices. Such thinking will also identify unnecessary economic and political structures of the self-serving policies we create, which imprison us.
Irfana Rashid, Faseeh Amin, Aashiq Hussain Lone and Shahzada Shahid Gulzar
The present study has attempted to examine the connection between health literacy (HL) and subjective well-being (SWB) amongst university students in North India. In addition, the…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study has attempted to examine the connection between health literacy (HL) and subjective well-being (SWB) amongst university students in North India. In addition, the present research also sought to establish the role of “gender” and “absence/presence of health professional in the family” as a socio-demographic variable in the relationship between HL and SWB.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a descriptive and quantitative research design. Students were asked to respond to an online questionnaire as part of a survey strategy. Out of 550 respondents who completed the survey, only 511 responses were usable after data cleaning.
Findings
The structural equation modelling regression analysis revealed a positive association between HL and SWB. In addition, the moderating role of gender and the “presence/absence of health professionals in the family” between HL and SWB was also established.
Research limitations/implications
Although a sizable sample of university students responded to this poll, it was a convenience sample. The study cannot be generalised to the general population; thus, future scholars can include other socio-demographic sections. Theoretically, it has tested a research framework concerning multiple dimensions of students' SWB and HL. In addition, the moderating role of gender and the “presence/absence of health professionals in the family” is another unique research contribution of this study.
Practical implications
The results of the current study provided evidence that HL promotion efforts are needed amongst the student population in India to enhance their well-being. The objective of practitioners and relevant stakeholders (parents, government agencies and universities) should be to build capacities concerning HL at both personal and institutional levels. Based on the findings, more educational programmes should be created for the students to promote HL and raise awareness of healthy lifestyles.
Originality/value
The degree to which people can locate, comprehend and use information and services to support health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others is known as “health literacy.” HL is closely associated with SWB, which means how people perceive and assess their lives and particular spheres and activities within them. The current research on the relationship between the two domains is limited. This study looked into the effects of HL on SWB amongst university students in North India.
Details
Keywords
Millions of social media users over the last two decades have become dependent on social media that has negatively affected their lives, both physically and mentally. Earlier…
Abstract
Purpose
Millions of social media users over the last two decades have become dependent on social media that has negatively affected their lives, both physically and mentally. Earlier attempts on social media addiction (SMA) scale development have not been made in India which makes it essential to undertake such a study in this region. One of the objectives of this study was to explore and identify the relevant dimensions of the SMA in the literature. The main study objective was to develop and validate a scale on SMA in India.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design applied in this work was both qualitative and quantitative. Based on the literature review, some themes of SMA were recognized that were used to conduct semi-structured interviews with the concerned subjects. The interviews conducted were then transcribed, and using NVivo software application, content analysis was carried out. This helped in the identification of relevant themes that were used for preparing the questionnaire. After that an exploratory study was conducted to explore the factors of SMA. This was followed by a confirmatory analysis on a different sample that validated the instrument.
Findings
This work developed and validated a six-factor measure of SMA. The total numbers of items in the final instrument are 22. Salience, Tolerance, Mood Modification, Relapse, Withdrawal and Conflict are the six factors of the final scale.
Practical implications
The current designed instrument can be exceptionally functional for evaluating the occurrence and level of the SMA. This can also serve to assist in the handling and management of such online addictive behavior. A lot of productivity is lost due to the unwarranted time spent on the social media. By better understanding the dimensions of SMA, one can limit one's time on such networks.
Social implications
This work can provide valuable insight into this domain and help in understanding and treatment of this malaise. It can also help parents and other stakeholders at large to comprehend the danger linked with the excessive social media use and therefore, contribute towards the society. These dimensions can also help counsellors and psychologists to better understand the addiction behavior and accordingly counsel the concerned individual.
Originality/value
Although many instruments have been developed in the past by researchers to measure SMA,still some aspects of the concept remain under-researched. Moreover, most of such research has been confined to the developed world regions.
Details
Keywords
Natasha Saqib and Mir Shahid Satar
An Indian emerging market positioning taxonomy has been developed in response to the literature review's findings that existing positioning typologies/taxonomies are based on…
Abstract
Purpose
An Indian emerging market positioning taxonomy has been developed in response to the literature review's findings that existing positioning typologies/taxonomies are based on managerial perspectives rather than consumer/customer perceptions and are only developed for advanced countries.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a three-step process for developing and validating a scale in order to conduct its research. In the first phase, items are generated and selected based on a literature review, focus groups and expert opinion. Exploratory factor analysis is used to fine-tune the scale in the second phase. Phase 3 uses CFA to establish convergent, discriminant and nomological validity through the use of CFA.
Findings
A consumer-based taxonomy of positioning strategies were developed as a result of the research. Six distinct positioning strategies emerged that was named (1) Value for Money, (2) Functional (3) Premiumisation, (4) Promotional Campaign, (5) Brand Name (6) Visual Aesthetics.
Research limitations/implications
Developing and validating measurement scales will be made easier with the help of this paper. Target populations, industry and geography selection and a cross-sectional time horizon are just a few of the study's drawbacks.
Practical implications
The study's practical implications include six factors/strategies that managers, advertising executives and marketing experts of consumer electronics companies in the Indian emerging market could use to position their products, resulting in the overall success of their organisations.
Originality/value
This study adds to the marketing literature by providing a solid theoretical foundation and a validated instrument for operationalising positioning strategies.
Details
Keywords
Paavo Ritala, Mika Ruokonen and Laavanya Ramaul
This paper aims to demonstrate how the new generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool ChatGPT changes knowledge work for individuals and what are the implications of this change…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to demonstrate how the new generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool ChatGPT changes knowledge work for individuals and what are the implications of this change for companies.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on 22 interviews from informants across different industries, the authors conducted an inductive analysis on the use and utility of ChatGPT in knowledge work. Based on this initial analysis, they discovered different ways in which ChatGPT either augments human agency, makes it redundant or lacks capability in that regard.
Findings
The authors develop a 2 × 2 framework of algorithmic assistance, which demonstrates four ways in which ChatGPT (and generative AI in general) interacts with knowledge workers, depending on the usefulness of ChatGPT in particular tasks and the type of the task (routine vs creative).
Practical implications
Based on the insights from the interviews, the authors propose a set of actionable questions for individual knowledge workers and companies from four viewpoints: skills and capabilities; team structure and workflow coordination; culture and mindset; and business model innovation.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to identify and analyze the use of ChatGPT by knowledge workers across different industries.
Details
Keywords
Lütfi Sürücü, Halil Yıldız and Murat Sağbaş
This research aims to analyze the factors affecting the people's performance working in the health sector to improve the services the health sector provide to society and increase…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to analyze the factors affecting the people's performance working in the health sector to improve the services the health sector provide to society and increase the efficiency of their institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
Conceptual model covering paternalistic leadership, employee creativity and psychological safety as an intermediary role has been suggested. A questionnaire was applied to 600 employees of three hospitals in Izmir voluntarily and 531 questionnaire data were obtained to test the proposed model. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences-23 and Amos-18 were the statistical software used to analyze the data.
Findings
The results suggest that paternalistic leadership positively affects employee creativity and psychological safety plays a mediating role in this relationship. While the effects of paternalistic leadership on employee resourcefulness are readily available, paternalistic leadership's mechanisms need elucidation.
Originality/value
Previous studies have addressed issues, such as employees' job satisfaction and organizational commitment, covering Far East countries. Yet, the present research's findings enhance the cultural understanding of the conditions, where the paternalistic leader affects employee creativity. Moreover, leader affects must have managerial contributions to institutions.
Details
Keywords
Richard Gruss, David Goldberg, Nohel Zaman and Alan Abrahams
The widespread adoption of online purchasing has prompted increasing concerns about product safety, and regulators are beginning to hold e-commerce sites accountable for dangerous…
Abstract
Purpose
The widespread adoption of online purchasing has prompted increasing concerns about product safety, and regulators are beginning to hold e-commerce sites accountable for dangerous product defects. For online consumers, understanding the many inherent safety risks among the extensive array of products they browse is a formidable task. The authors attempt to address this problem via a client-side software artifact that warns shoppers about potential product safety hazards at the point of sale.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the authors built four candidate designs and assessed their effectiveness by means of a large randomized controlled experiment (n = 466). The authors define effectiveness as significant changes in dependent variables associated with health behaviors and technology adoption.
Findings
The authors find that all of the designs score high on adoption likelihood, that designs incorporating highlighting and scoring are better at increasing safety knowledge and that simpler designs are better at enhancing safety awareness.
Originality/value
These findings will inform the design of safety information dissemination systems and open new areas of safety awareness enhancement research. More generally, the authors introduce a novel method of testing text visualization variations and their impact on behavioral decisions.
Details
Keywords
Subaveerapandiyan A., Sakthivel N., Mohammad Amees and Upasana Yadav
This study aims to explore the potential of virtual positioning systems (VPSs) in revolutionising library access. It examines the benefits and challenges associated with…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the potential of virtual positioning systems (VPSs) in revolutionising library access. It examines the benefits and challenges associated with implementing VPSs.
Design/methodology/approach
The study takes a comprehensive approach by analysing library users’ current challenges in accessing physical resources and services within traditional library settings. It analyses the benefits of VPSs in enhancing library access, considering factors such as improved navigation, accessibility for personalised recommendations, virtual tours and interactive experiences. The study also examines the implications of implementing VPSs regarding library resource management, staff training and infrastructure requirements.
Findings
The findings reveal that VPS has the potential to address various challenges faced by library users, such as limited availability of resources, inconvenient locations and inadequate access for individuals with special needs. VPS offers improved navigation, enhanced accessibility, personalised recommendations, virtual tours and interactive experiences. Implementing VPSs requires robust technological infrastructure, user adoption, privacy considerations and system maintenance. Libraries must invest in hardware, network infrastructure, staff training and data protection measures.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding the transformation of libraries and the assimilation of emergent technologies. It highlights the potential of VPSs in revolutionising library access. By embracing the latent potential of VPSs, libraries can transcend physical boundaries, enhance user experiences and ensure seamless access to a wealth of resources in a digitised world.
Details
Keywords
Yanmin Zhou, Zheng Yan, Ye Yang, Zhipeng Wang, Ping Lu, Philip F. Yuan and Bin He
Vision, audition, olfactory, tactile and taste are five important senses that human uses to interact with the real world. As facing more and more complex environments, a sensing…
Abstract
Purpose
Vision, audition, olfactory, tactile and taste are five important senses that human uses to interact with the real world. As facing more and more complex environments, a sensing system is essential for intelligent robots with various types of sensors. To mimic human-like abilities, sensors similar to human perception capabilities are indispensable. However, most research only concentrated on analyzing literature on single-modal sensors and their robotics application.
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents a systematic review of five bioinspired senses, especially considering a brief introduction of multimodal sensing applications and predicting current trends and future directions of this field, which may have continuous enlightenments.
Findings
This review shows that bioinspired sensors can enable robots to better understand the environment, and multiple sensor combinations can support the robot’s ability to behave intelligently.
Originality/value
The review starts with a brief survey of the biological sensing mechanisms of the five senses, which are followed by their bioinspired electronic counterparts. Their applications in the robots are then reviewed as another emphasis, covering the main application scopes of localization and navigation, objection identification, dexterous manipulation, compliant interaction and so on. Finally, the trends, difficulties and challenges of this research were discussed to help guide future research on intelligent robot sensors.
Details
Keywords
Neena Sinha, Sanjay Dhingra, Ritu Sehrawat, Varnika Jain and Himanshu Himanshu
The emergence of virtual reality (VR) has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including tourism, as it delivers a simulated environment that closely emulates…
Abstract
Purpose
The emergence of virtual reality (VR) has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including tourism, as it delivers a simulated environment that closely emulates real-life experiences. Therefore, this study aims to explore how the factors, i.e. enjoyment, emotional involvement, flow state, perceived privacy risk, physical risk and cost, influence the customers’ intention to use VR for tourism.
Design/methodology/approach
This study integrates the technology acceptance model, hedonic consumption theory with other factors, including cognitive response, authenticity, perceived privacy risk, perceived physical risk, perceived cost and perceived presence. Partial least squares structural equation modelling approach was used to test the proposed research model.
Findings
The finding based on the sample of 252 respondents revealed that authenticity is the most influential factor impacting behavior intention followed by perceived cost, attitude, cognitive response and enjoyment. Also, the study supported the moderating impact of personal innovativeness between attitude and behavioral intention to use VR for tourism.
Practical implications
The findings of the study offers practical implications for service providers, site managers, destination marketers, tourist organizations and policymaker to develop more effective strategies for offering VR services for tourism.
Originality/value
This study enriches the current understanding of VR adoption in context of tourism with empirical evidences.
Details