Search results
1 – 10 of 644Vikas Gupta and Manohar Sajnani
This paper aims to explore the risk and benefit perceptions influencing beer patrons’ purchase and consumption decisions in India. It delves into the drivers behind consumers’…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the risk and benefit perceptions influencing beer patrons’ purchase and consumption decisions in India. It delves into the drivers behind consumers’ consumption patterns and attitudes towards beer, which subsequently impact their behavioural intentions, including word-of-mouth recommendations and repurchase intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a structured questionnaire to collect data from 306 beer patrons in Delhi and the National Capital Region. Through exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling, the research examines the risk (5) and benefit (3) factors associated with beer consumption using a factor model consisting of 29 constructs. A conceptual framework illustrates the interrelationships between variables, which are subsequently validated empirically.
Findings
The findings reveal that patrons’ attitudes towards beer are influenced by their perceptions of risk and benefit. Specifically, health and socio-psychological risks are identified as the most significant and negatively impacting factors on patrons’ attitudes. Factorial analysis demonstrates that patrons’ attitudes towards beer are positively influenced by their perception of benefits such as value for money, sensory appeal and convenience. Furthermore, the study highlights that an increase in benefit perception or a decrease in risk perception leads to a favourable shift in patrons’ attitudes towards beer.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study will be the first to investigate how beer consumers’ consumption patterns and purchase decisions are impacted by assessing consumer risk and benefit perceptions. This study will also aid stakeholders in tailoring their beer offerings better to meet the desires and requirements of their customers.
Details
Keywords
Tri Lam, Jon Heales and Nicole Hartley
The continuing development of digital technologies creates expanding opportunities for information transparency. Consumers use social media to provide online reviews that are…
Abstract
Purpose
The continuing development of digital technologies creates expanding opportunities for information transparency. Consumers use social media to provide online reviews that are focused on changing levels of consumer trust. This study examines the effect of perceived risk that prompts consumers to search for online reviews in the context of food safety.
Design/methodology/approach
Commitment-trust theory forms the theoretical lens to model changes in consumer trust resulting from online reviews. Consumer-based questionnaire surveys collected data to test the structural model, using structural equation modelling (SEM).
Findings
The findings show when consumers perceive high levels of risk, they use social media to obtain additional product-related information. The objective, unanimous, evidential and noticeable online reviews are perceived as informative to consumers. Perceived informativeness of positive online reviews is found to increase consumers trust and, in turn, increase their purchase intentions.
Originality/value
The findings contribute to the knowledge of online review-based trust literature and provide far-reaching implications for information system (IS)-practitioners in business.
Details
Keywords
Yu-Ping Chen, Margaret Shaffer, Janice R.W. Joplin and Richard Posthuma
Drawing on the challenge–hindrance stressor framework and the “too-much-of-a-good-thing” principle, this study examined the curvilinear effects of two emic social challenge…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on the challenge–hindrance stressor framework and the “too-much-of-a-good-thing” principle, this study examined the curvilinear effects of two emic social challenge stressors (guanxi beliefs and participative decision-making (PDM)) and the moderating effect of an etic social hindrance stressor (perceived organizational politics) on Hong Kong and United States nurses’ job satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative survey method was implemented, with the data provided by 355 Hong Kong nurses and 116 United States nurses. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the degree of measurement equivalence across Hong Kong and US nurses. The proposed model and the research questions were tested using nonlinear structural equation modeling analyses.
Findings
The results show that while guanxi beliefs only showed an inverted U-shaped relation on Hong Kong nurses’ job satisfaction, PDM had an inverted U-shaped relation with both Hong Kong and United States nurses’ job satisfaction. The authors also found that Hong Kong nurses experienced the highest job satisfaction when their guanxi beliefs and perceived organization politics were both high.
Research limitations/implications
The results add to the comprehension of the nuances of the often-held assumption of linearity in organizational sciences and support the speculation of social stressors-outcomes linkages.
Practical implications
Managers need to recognize that while the nurturing and development of effective relationships with employees via social interaction are important, managers also need to be aware that too much guanxi and PDM may lead employees to feel overwhelmed with expectations of reciprocity and reconciliation to such an extent that they suffer adverse outcomes and become dissatisfied with their jobs.
Originality/value
First, the authors found that influences of guanxi beliefs and PDM are not purely linear and that previous research may have neglected the curvilinear nature of their influences on job satisfaction. Second, the authors echo researchers’ call to consider an organization’s political context to fully understand employees’ attitudes and reactions toward social interactions at work. Third, the authors examine boundary conditions of curvilinear relationships to understand the delicate dynamics.
Details
Keywords
Atinuke Arinola Ajani and Daramola Thompson Olapade
The concept of aging-in-place has gained notable significance in the last decade due to a dramatic demographic shift in global population dynamics that have considerably affected…
Abstract
Purpose
The concept of aging-in-place has gained notable significance in the last decade due to a dramatic demographic shift in global population dynamics that have considerably affected the ability of societies to adequately cater for their aging population. This paper examines some of the barriers to aging-in-place in the context of health needs, housing design and the role of retrofitting/smart home technologies in overcoming these barriers.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a narrative literature review approach, the authors undertook a comprehensive search of recent relevant literature focusing on five core thematic areas: health and aging, aging in place, barriers to aging in place, retrofitting and smart home technologies for successful aging in place. The authors entered appropriate keywords into interdisciplinary research databases and synthesized a coherent narrative discussing the thematic areas using the data extracted from the literature search.
Findings
There is a bidirectional relationship between aging and the home environment. Barriers to aging-in-place are mainly related to progressive decline in health, which alters the environmental needs of individuals. Appropriate building designs can significantly facilitate aging-in-place. The authors, therefore, highlight the role of retrofitting and smart home technologies as practical solutions to the challenges of the aging-in-place.
Practical implications
Forward planning in building design is essential to guarantee that the home environment is well adapted for the challenges of aging-in-place while also promoting healthy aging.
Originality/value
The paper shows the relationship between aging and the home environment and how building design considerations could enhance healthy aging-in-place.
Details
Keywords
Ricardo Correia, Manuela Cunha, Aida Carvalho and Bruno Sousa
This study aims to assess the online presence of three Portuguese low-density territories and analyze the communication strategies employed by public and private entities within…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the online presence of three Portuguese low-density territories and analyze the communication strategies employed by public and private entities within each municipality. The alignment between public and private entities within each municipality is also examined as a potential factor that could impact the effectiveness of digital communication strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative methodology that employed content analysis and interviews to gather data from selected public and private entities in each of the municipalities under study was used.
Findings
Despite the widespread availability of digital communication tools, the municipalities under study are yet to fully exploit their potential to promote and publicize their offerings. This could be attributed to several factors such as a lack of knowledge and/or resources and a defective strategic approach to digital communication.
Practical implications
The major obstacle in maximizing the potential of digital communication tools in low-density destinations was not solely a result of restricted access. Rather, it was largely due to insufficient knowledge and resources required for their effective utilization, coupled with a lack of aligned vision among various stakeholders.
Originality/value
The competitive landscape in which tourist actors operate has transformed significantly because of the widespread adoption of digital communication led by social networks. However, studies exploring digital communication in low-density territories are still scarce. This study adds new insights into the main factors that hinder the efficient use of digital communication in these regions.
Details
Keywords
Guizhi Lyu, Peng Wang, Guohong Li, Feng Lu and Shenglong Dai
The purpose of this paper is to present a wall-climbing robot platform for heavy-load with negative pressure adsorption, which could be equipped with a six-degree of freedom (DOF…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a wall-climbing robot platform for heavy-load with negative pressure adsorption, which could be equipped with a six-degree of freedom (DOF) collaborative robot (Cobot) and detection device for inspecting the overwater part of concrete bridge towers/piers for large bridges.
Design/methodology/approach
By analyzing the shortcomings of existing wall-climbing robots in detecting concrete structures, a wall-climbing mobile manipulator (WCMM), which could be compatible with various detection devices, is proposed for detecting the concrete towers/piers of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. The factors affecting the load capacity are obtained by analyzing the antislip and antioverturning conditions of the wall-climbing robot platform on the wall surface. Design strategies for each part of the structure of the wall-climbing robot are provided based on the influencing factors. By deriving the equivalent adsorption force equation, analyzed the influencing factors of equivalent adsorption force and provided schemes that could enhance the load capacity of the wall-climbing robot.
Findings
The adsorption test verifies the maximum negative pressure that the fan module could provide to the adsorption chamber. The load capacity test verifies it is feasible to achieve the expected bearing requirements of the wall-climbing robot. The motion tests prove that the developed climbing robot vehicle could move freely on the surface of the concrete structure after being equipped with a six-DOF Cobot.
Practical implications
The development of the heavy-load wall-climbing robot enables the Cobot to be installed and equipped on the wall-climbing robot, forming the WCMM, making them compatible with carrying various devices and expanding the application of the wall-climbing robot.
Originality/value
A heavy-load wall-climbing robot using negative pressure adsorption has been developed. The wall-climbing robot platform could carry a six-DOF Cobot, making it compatible with various detection devices for the inspection of concrete structures of large bridges. The WCMM could be expanded to detect the concretes with similar structures. The research and development process of the heavy-load wall-climbing robot could inspire the design of other negative-pressure wall-climbing robots.
Details
Keywords
Minggong Zhang, Xiaolong Xue, Ting Luo, Mengmeng Li and Xiaoling Tang
This study aims to establish an evaluation method for cross-regional major infrastructure project (CRMIP) supportability. The focus is to identify evaluation indicators from a…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to establish an evaluation method for cross-regional major infrastructure project (CRMIP) supportability. The focus is to identify evaluation indicators from a complexity perspective and develop an evaluation model using qualitative and quantitative methods. Case studies are carried out to verify the reliability of the evaluation model, thereby providing theoretical and practical guidance for CRMIP operations and maintenance (O&M).
Design/methodology/approach
Guided by the idea of complexity management, the evaluation indicators of CRMIP supportability are determined through literature analysis, actual O&M experience and expert interviews. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, consisting of sequential relationship analysis, entropy weighting, game theory and cloud model, is developed to determine the indicator weights. Finally, the evaluation model is used to evaluate the supportability of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (HZMB), which tests the rationality of the model and reveals its supportability level.
Findings
The results demonstrate that CRMIPs' supportability is influenced by 6 guideline-level and 18 indicator-level indicators, and the priority of the influencing factors includes “organization,” “technology,” “system,” “human resources,” “material system,” and “funding.” As for specific indicators, “organizational objectives,” “organizational structure and synergy mechanism,” and “technical systems and procedures” are critical to CRMIPs' O&M supportability. The results also indicate that the supportability level of the HZMB falls between good and excellent.
Originality/value
Under the guidance of complexity management thinking, this study proposes a supportability evaluation framework based on the combined weights of game theory and the cloud model. This study provides a valuable reference and scientific judgment for the health and safety of CRMIPs' O&M.
Details
Keywords
Ashly Pinnington, Farzana Asad Mir and Zehua Ai
The purpose of this study is to address the mixed predictions about the relationship between general skills training and turnover intention of early career graduates by examining…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to address the mixed predictions about the relationship between general skills training and turnover intention of early career graduates by examining the mediating mechanisms of perceived organizational support (POS) and job satisfaction (JS) through which this relationship might be enacted. This study adopts organizational support theory as the guiding theory and examines the concept of POS as critical for predicting and explaining relationships in the conceptual framework.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative survey method was used on a sample of 147 Chinese early career graduate trainees. Analysis was conducted using partial least square-based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
The main finding is that participation in general skills training (PGST) does not directly impact turnover intention, rather POS is a mechanism through which this negative relationship operates. This study also found significant evidence for serial mediation by POS on PGST and its relationship with turnover intention. Importantly, JS only has an effect on turnover intention when in the presence of serial mediation by POS.
Research limitations/implications
Cross-sectional study of a small survey sample. Nonetheless, the findings have major implications for research theories on the relationship of general skills training with employee turnover.
Social implications
PGST does not directly impact turnover intention, rather POS is a mechanism through which this negative relationship operates.
Originality/value
This research emphasizes the important role of POS in the relationship between early career graduate trainees’ PGST and their turnover intentions.
Details
Keywords
Damion Waymer and Theon E. Hill
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to science communication literature by further highlighting the underexplored role of organizational and corporate perspectives in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to science communication literature by further highlighting the underexplored role of organizational and corporate perspectives in science communication.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper takes the form of a conceptual article that uses two illustrative vignettes to highlight the power of corporate science communication.
Findings
The key argument is that corporate science communication is a compound ideology that results from merging the hegemonic corporate voice with the ultimate/god-term science (see the work of Kenneth Burke) to form a mega-ideological construct and discourse. Such communication can be so powerful that vulnerable publics and powerful advocates speaking on their behalf have little to no recourse to effectively challenge such discourse. While critiques of corporate science communication in practice are not new, what the authors offer is a possible explanation as to why such discourse is so powerful and hard to combat.
Originality/value
The value of this paper is in the degree to which it both sets an important applied research agenda for the field and fills a critical void in the science communication literature. This conceptual article, in the form of a critical analysis, fills the void by advocating for the inclusion of organizational perspectives in science communication research because of the great potential that organizations have, via science communication, to shape societal behavior and outcomes both positively and negatively. It also coins the terms “compound ideology” and “mega-ideology” to denote that while all ideologies are powerful, ideologies can operate in concert (compound) to change their meaning and effectiveness. By exposing the hegemonic power of corporate science communication, future researchers and practitioners can use these findings as a foundation to combat misinformation and disinformation campaigns wielded by big corporate science entities and the public relations firms often hired to carry out these campaigns.
Details
Keywords
Thomas Howard Morris, Michael Schön and Michael Charles Drayson
There has been an unprecedented increase in online learning worldwide, including in teacher education. However, student lurking can be a common issue, leading to a non-interactive…
Abstract
Purpose
There has been an unprecedented increase in online learning worldwide, including in teacher education. However, student lurking can be a common issue, leading to a non-interactive learning environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors employed a qualitative case study with thematic analysis to examine a novel “self-directed” pre-service teacher online degree module that engaged students in regular peer-feedback, which intended to promote student engagement and interactivity. The research questions were as follows: To what extent did the seminar series represent the principles of self-directed learning and were learning outcomes effective from the process? And, how effective was the use of peer feedback?
Findings
The thematic analysis revealed that student progression and course completion was successful, and it represented some principles of self-directed learning; but (a) it cannot be presumed that pre-service teachers are competent in giving (peer) feedback and (b) pre-service teachers may need specific guidance and training for providing competent feedback.
Originality/value
This paper is highly original in respect of its combination of the self-directed learning framework with use of peer feedback, to engage students in an interactive learning environment. The present paper identifies that peer feedback is a powerful tool in online learning; peer feedback can supplement self- and teacher-assessment; but it should not be assumed that pre-service teachers are competent in providing (peer) feedback – pre-service teachers may need specific training in providing feedback.
Details