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1 – 6 of 6Razia Sultana Sumi and Mahjabeen Ahmed
The purpose of this study is to explore the changing buying behavior of young Bangladeshi consumers in this pandemic situation toward online orientation. The major determinants of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the changing buying behavior of young Bangladeshi consumers in this pandemic situation toward online orientation. The major determinants of the technology acceptance model (TAM) and consumer value theory are used to explore their impact on buying attitudes toward behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, a model has been conceptualized to examine the influence of hedonic and utilitarian motivational values along with perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use on actual buying behavior under pandemic conditions. A structured questionnaire has been prepared for an online survey, and data have been collected from 395 online shoppers. The structural equation modeling technique has been applied to analyze the data using SPSS and SmartPLS 3 software.
Findings
The results of this study support that perceived enjoyment and utilitarian attributes (price, convenience and health aspects) positively affect online buying attitudes along with perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Finally, online buying behavior is significantly influenced by the positive attitude of consumers.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study may contribute to developing marketing strategies that may attract buyers toward a new business orientation with prosperous supreme features in the future. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the existing behavioral patterns of consumers and opened a new opportunity for marketers.
Practical implications
Young consumers are a larger section, and deep knowledge about youngsters may direct marketers toward appropriate use of marketing tools and strategies in the future.
Originality/value
This study integrated the TAM with hedonic and utilitarian motivational predictors to measure their impact on consumers' online buying behavior.
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Peter Nderitu Githaiga, Neddy Soi and Kibet Koskei Buigut
This paper examines the effect of intellectual capital (IC) on the financial sustainability of microfinance institutions (MFIs). The study is motivated by the increased calls for…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the effect of intellectual capital (IC) on the financial sustainability of microfinance institutions (MFIs). The study is motivated by the increased calls for MFIs to be self-sustainable and the growing importance of knowledge-based assets as contributors of competitive advantage and sustained performance.
Design/methodology/approach
With a global sample of 444 MFIs and data for 2013–2018, which yielded 2,664 MFIs-year observations, this study examines the effect of IC on MFIs’ financial sustainability. The data are extracted from the MIX Market database. Value added intellectual capital coefficients are used as proxy measures of IC. Operational self-sufficiency is used to measure financial sustainability. Data are analyzed using three-panel data estimation models: the fixed effect, the random effect and the dynamic panel system generalized method of moments.
Findings
The results show that human capital efficiency and capital employed efficiency have a positive and significant effect on the financial sustainability of MFIs. However, structural capital efficiency has a significantly negative effect on financial sustainability. These results confirm the relative importance of both tangible and intangible assets as important positive contributors of financial sustainability of MFIs.
Research limitations/implications
The paper focused on the association between IC and financial sustainability of MFIs. Therefore, examining nonfinancial institution may validate the contributions of this study.
Practical implications
Based on the findings, MFIs’ managers are encouraged to leverage IC, physical and financial capital to attain financial sustainability. In particular, MFIs should invest in employees training and development. Additionally, owing to the positive relationship between physical capital and financial sustainability, there is need for policy interventions to ensure MFIs access adequate funding. The study further recommends mandatory disclosure of IC among MFIs.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to investigate the relationship between IC and the financial sustainability of MFIs using panel data and a global sample of MFIs; therefore, it lays an empirical ground for future studies.
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Hasliza Hassan, Abu Bakar Sade and Lohan Selva Subramaniam
Health fitness has become a major issue in Malaysia since the population of overweight and obesity is becoming critical. One of the ways to achieve optimum health fitness is by…
Abstract
Purpose
Health fitness has become a major issue in Malaysia since the population of overweight and obesity is becoming critical. One of the ways to achieve optimum health fitness is by consistently consuming balanced diet meals. Hence, this paper aims to focus on the willingness of society to purchase functional foods as an alternative for their daily meals to stay fit.
Design/methodology/approach
The research framework was developed based on a combination of findings by other research scholars within a similar field. The willingness to purchase functional foods to stay fit is positioned as the dependent variable, while lifestyle adaptation, social media influence and food consumption awareness are placed as the independent variables. Quantitative research was conducted by collecting primary data from respondents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and regression analyses.
Findings
The willingness to purchase functional foods to stay fit is dependent on the lifestyle adaptation, social media influence and food consumption awareness.
Research limitations/implications
Although the current market for functional foods in Malaysia is still at a small scale, the market for this industry seems very promising. Nevertheless, greater awareness on functional food is still needed.
Practical implications
Functional food producers should make an effort to gain the untapped market by focussing on the lifestyle adaptation, social media influence and food consumption awareness.
Originality/value
This research is a breakthrough to discover the willingness of Malaysians to purchase functional food to stay fit, which is influenced by lifestyle adaptation, social media and food consumption awareness.
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Nomusa Dube and Takawira Munyaradzi Ndofirepi
Keeping happy and committed workers is an imperative goal for organisations in any field, including higher education. Institutions must, however, have a thorough understanding of…
Abstract
Purpose
Keeping happy and committed workers is an imperative goal for organisations in any field, including higher education. Institutions must, however, have a thorough understanding of the elements that influence various organisational commitment levels before they can develop human resource management guidelines and procedures that work. Hence, by using social exchange theory, this study aimed to investigate the connection between work–life balance (WLB), job satisfaction and organisational commitment among a sample of Zimbabwean higher education institutions. These factors have received relatively minimal attention in academic institutions, particularly in developing nations.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey was conducted, using convenience sampling, to examine 224 members of the teaching staff from two universities in western Zimbabwe. The collected data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.
Findings
The results revealed that WLB significantly predicted job satisfaction. Furthermore, the relationship between WLB and affective and normative commitment was found to be indirect and mediated by job satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
The results of this study suggest that WLB and job satisfaction are crucial factors for higher education institutions that aim to secure their talented faculty's affective and normative commitment. Therefore, universities should implement firm policies and practices that encourage academic staff to maintain a healthy WLB and enhance job satisfaction.
Originality/value
The study's main contribution is the development of a conceptual model that contributes to the ongoing scholarly discourse on how to enhance organisational commitment among academic staff in under-resourced higher education institutions, as well as the concomitant implications for human resource policies within these institutions.
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Munshi Naser Ibne Afzal, Md Abu Nayeem Sadi and Shamim Ahmad Siddiqui
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) aims at upholding socio-economic condition of deprived communities prevailing in society as well as bringing profitability for corporate…
Abstract
Purpose
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) aims at upholding socio-economic condition of deprived communities prevailing in society as well as bringing profitability for corporate companies themselves. This study investigates to what extent the CSR initiatives of financial institutions in Bangladesh have been able to reach out to deprived communities and support various dimensions of financial inclusion (FI) in the country.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, both supply-side and demand-side data are included and discussed rigorously as tools to cross-check the result. Both qualitative and quantitative data are incorporated, and graphs and tables are used to represent the critical information better. A triangulation of in-depth interviews with secondary data is used to ensure rigor and trustworthiness. The triangulation approach works as a method to verify secondary data by interviewees in this study.
Findings
The result shows a positive geographical and demographical penetration of CSR activities, but it does not necessarily bring FI in all cases. This study identifies some key issues that prevail in the current context of Bangladesh, such as usage, distance, quality and cost of financial products.
Originality/value
This study makes use of both supply-side and demand-side information and thus explain the reasons behind the involuntary exclusion of financial services.
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Ekarat Sombatsawat, Titaporn Luangwilai, Parichat Ong-artborirak and Wattasit Siriwong
The purpose of this paper is to explore the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and determine factors influencing MSDs among rice farmers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and determine factors influencing MSDs among rice farmers.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional study was carried out among 156 rice farmers from 14 villages in Tarnlalord sub-district, Phimai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, from February 2017 to March 2017. Face-to-face interviews, including demographics, work characteristics and musculoskeletal pain, were conducted using a modified standardized Nordic questionnaire.
Findings
The results revealed that both 78 males and 78 females participated in the study to which the average of age and body mass index (BMI) was 45.5±11.4 years and 24.9±4.0 kg/m2, respectively. All rice farmers reported MSDs in at least one body region during the six months preceding the interview. The highest prevalence of MSDs showed 86.5 percent in the lower back area, followed by 85.9 percent in the neck, and 80.7 percent in the shoulders. The analysis of binary logistic regression and Spearman’s rank correlation showed that factors such as gender, age, BMI, work experience and farm size influence MSDs’ occurrence, and pain severity in one or more body regions (p < 0.05).
Originality/value
Musculoskeletal injuries are a significant health problem in rice farmers. The study indicated that appropriate agricultural practices such as working posture, equipment size selection and carrying loads should be recommended to prevent MSDs. Thus, the occupational health and safety services in agricultural workers are needed.
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