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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 5 September 2023

Heini Utunen, Ranil Appuhamy, Melissa Attias, Ngouille Ndiaye, Richelle George, Elham Arabi and Anna Tokar

OpenWHO is the World Health Organization's online learning platform that was launched in 2017. The COVID-19 pandemic led to massive growth in the number of courses, enrolments and…

Abstract

Purpose

OpenWHO is the World Health Organization's online learning platform that was launched in 2017. The COVID-19 pandemic led to massive growth in the number of courses, enrolments and reach of the platform. The platform is built on a stable and scalable basis that can host a large volume of learners. The authors aim to identify key factors that led to this growth.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research paper, the authors examined OpenWHO metadata, end-of-course surveys and internal processes using a quantitative approach.

Findings

OpenWHO metadata showed that the platform has hosted over 190 health courses in 65 languages and over seven million course enrolments. Since the onset of the pandemic, there have been more women, older people and people from middle income countries accessing courses than before. Following data analysis of the platform metadata and course production process, it was found that several key factors contributed to the growth of the platform. First, OpenWHO has a standardised course production pathway that ensures efficiency, consistency and quality. Further, providing courses in different languages increased its reach to a variety of populations throughout the world. For this, multi-language translation is achieved through a network of translators and an automated system to ensure the efficient translation of learning products. Lastly, it was found that access was promoted for learners with disabilities by optimising accessibility in course production. Data analysis of learner feedback surveys for selected courses showed that the courses were well received in that learners found it useful to complete courses that were self-paced and flexible. In addition, results indicated that preferred learning methods included videos, downloadable documents, slides, quizzes and learning exercises.

Originality/value

Lessons learnt from the WHO's learning response will help prepare researchers for the next health emergency to ensure timely, equitable access to quality health knowledge for everyone. Findings of this study will provide valuable insights for educators, policymakers and researchers in the field who intend to use online learning to optimise knowledge acquisition and performance.

Details

The International Journal of Information and Learning Technology, vol. 40 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4880

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 17 March 2020

Ioanna Falagara Sigala, William J. Kettinger and Tina Wakolbinger

The purpose of this study is to explore what design principles need to be considered in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for humanitarian organizations (HOs) to enable…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore what design principles need to be considered in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for humanitarian organizations (HOs) to enable agile, adaptive and aligned (Triple-A) humanitarian supply chain capabilities and digitize humanitarian operations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows an embedded case study approach with a humanitarian medical relief organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which engaged in a multiyear ERP design at its humanitarian field missions.

Findings

This research shows that ERP systems for humanitarian organizations should be designed as unique systems addressing humanitarian organizations' challenges and unique missions, their value generation processes, and resource base in an effort to improve organizational performance. This study presents 12 general design principles that are unique for humanitarian organizations. These design principles provide a high-level structure of guidance under which specific requirements can be further defined and engineered to achieve success.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study are based on a single case study limiting generalizability. However, the case study was analyzed and presented as an embedded case study with five autonomous subunits using different business processes and following different adoption and implementation approaches. Therefore, the findings are derived based on considerable variance reflective of humanitarian organizations beyond MSF.

Practical implications

This study recognizes that HOs have unique routines that standard commercial ERP packages do not address easily at the field level. The primary contribution of this research is a set of design principles that consider these unique routines and guide ERP development in practice. National and international HOs that are planning to implement information systems, private companies that are trading partners of HOs as well as vendors of ERP systems that are looking for new opportunities would all benefit from this research.

Originality/value

This study fills the gap in the humanitarian literature regarding the design of ERP systems for humanitarian organizations that enable Triple–A supply chain capabilities and it advances the knowledge of the challenges of ERP design by HOs in the context of humanitarian operations.

Details

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6747

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 25 August 2021

Salvatore Ammirato, Alberto Michele Felicetti, Roberto Linzalone and Daniela Carlucci

Digitalization had a relevant impact on the cultural tourism sector, both demand and supply. If, on the one hand, advances in digital technologies provided tourists with new…

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Abstract

Purpose

Digitalization had a relevant impact on the cultural tourism sector, both demand and supply. If, on the one hand, advances in digital technologies provided tourists with new mobile services able to amplify the cultural experience, on the other hand, they catalyzed the development of new business models by digital enterprises. This paper has a twofold purpose: to detect business models and key characteristics of mobile apps for cultural tourism and to analyze the offering of app-based services in this sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors defined a methodology to identify, characterize and analyze a particular category of digital products for cultural tourism: app-based services. They are studied in terms of value creation, proposition and capture with the aim to identify the distinctive features of business models. As a result, the authors identified a classification framework on three main dimensions, namely “how to exploit mobile app features to create value for cultural tourists” (value creation), “which valuable services are delivered to cultural tourists” (value proposition) and “how companies are rewarded for the value they offered” (value capture). The authors apply the framework to perform a situation analysis of app-based services in the cultural tourism market.

Findings

The analysis highlights that digital enterprises offering app-based services do not fully exploit advances in technologies about users' value requirements. Hence, the results of our work suggest some directions that digital enterprises may follow to better exploit mobile app technology.

Originality/value

To date, little research has been devoted to investigating cultural tourism business models involving the exploitation of mobile app-based services. This research provides a useful framework to analyze fundamental aspects of business models in this sector. Such a framework represents a practical tool that provides fruitful insights for the design of a new generation of app-based services within the so-called “Internet of things” domain.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 28 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Digital Transformation and Society, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2755-0761

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 22 November 2023

María A. Bretos, Sergio Ibáñez-Sánchez and Carlos Orús

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how previous literature has analyzed the role of augmented reality and virtual reality in the field of tourism, distinguishing between…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how previous literature has analyzed the role of augmented reality and virtual reality in the field of tourism, distinguishing between studies focused on one technology or the other as both have characteristics that profoundly differentiate them.

Design/methodology/approach

This study carries out a critical review to assess and synthesize the literature on augmented reality and virtual reality in tourism. Literature searches are conducted using various keywords, resulting in a selection of 84 articles (19 on augmented reality and 65 on virtual reality) from 39 indexed journals.

Findings

The research findings demonstrate an increasing scholarly focus on exploring the application of virtual reality and augmented reality within the realm of tourism. These results highlight a noticeable progression in recent years with respect to different matters, such as methodologies, used theories or considered variables, among others. Based on these results, it is proposed a future research agenda that seeks to establish a cohesive framework and drive the development of both augmented reality and virtual reality research in tourism.

Originality/value

By conducting an individual and comparative review of the literature on the application of augmented reality and virtual reality in tourism, this research helps elucidate the specific lines of research for each technology while providing a better understanding of how each technology can be used to generate effective tourist experiences.

Propósito

El objetivo de este artículo es investigar cómo la literatura previa ha analizado el papel de la realidad aumentada y la realidad virtual en el ámbito del turismo, distinguiendo entre estudios centrados en una u otra tecnología ya que ambas tienen características que las diferencian profundamente.

Diseño/Metodología/Enfoque

Este estudio realiza una revisión crítica para evaluar y sintetizar la literatura sobre realidad aumentada y realidad virtual en turismo. Se realizan búsquedas de literatura utilizando diversas palabras clave, que dan como resultado la selección de 84 artículos (19 sobre realidad aumentada y 65 sobre realidad virtual) procedentes de 39 revistas indexadas.

Conclusiones

Los resultados de la investigación demuestran que existe un interés creciente en explorar la aplicación de la realidad virtual y la realidad aumentada en el ámbito del turismo. Asimismo, se pone de manifiesto una notable progresión en los últimos años con respecto a diferentes cuestiones, como las metodologías aplicadas, las teorías empleadas o las variables consideradas, entre otras. A partir de estos resultados, se propone una agenda de investigación futura que pretende establecer un marco cohesionado e impulsar el desarrollo de la investigación en el ámbito tanto de la realidad aumentada como de la realidad virtual en turismo.

Originalidad

Al realizar una revisión individual y comparativa de la literatura sobre la aplicación de la realidad aumentada y la realidad virtual en el turismo, esta investigación ayuda a esclarecer las líneas de investigación específicas de cada tecnología a la vez que proporciona una mejor comprensión de cómo cada tecnología puede ser utilizada para generar experiencias turísticas efectivas.

目的

本文旨在研究以往的文献是如何分析增强现实和虚拟现实在旅游领域的作用的, 并对侧重于其中一种技术或另一种技术的研究加以区分, 因为这两种技术都有深刻区别于其他技术的特点。

设计/方法/途径

本研究通过批判性综述来评估和归纳有关旅游业中增强现实和虚拟现实技术的文献。通过使用各种关键词进行文献检索, 从 39 种索引期刊中筛选出 84 篇文章(19 篇关于增强现实技术, 65 篇关于虚拟现实技术)。

研究结果

研究结果表明, 学术界越来越重视探索虚拟现实和增强现实在旅游业中的应用。这些结果突显了近年来在方法论、采用的理论或考虑的变量等不同方面的明显进步。在这些成果的基础上, 提出了未来的研究议程, 旨在建立一个具有凝聚力的框架, 推动旅游业中增强现实和虚拟现实研究的发展。

独创性

本研究通过对增强现实和虚拟现实技术在旅游业中应用的文献进行单独和比较审查, 有助于阐明每种技术的具体研究方向, 同时让人们更好地了解如何使用每种技术来产生有效的旅游体验。

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 October 2023

Jitendra Kumar Pandey

This study aims to meticulously evaluate the public service value-generation process facilitated by collaborative e-governance services within the framework of the National…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to meticulously evaluate the public service value-generation process facilitated by collaborative e-governance services within the framework of the National e-governance Plan (NeGP).

Design/methodology/approach

The study formulates a comprehensive research model through a combination of literature review, insights from domain experts and hands-on experience gained from the e-governance project. A conceptual research model was meticulously structured, validated, and interpreted by using a reflective measurement theory. The analytical tool SmartPLS3 was used to assess the proposed model rigorously.

Findings

The analysis of collected data reveals a statistically significant positive correlation between the implementation of collaborative e-governance strategies and the creation of public service value. This relationship is further reinforced by a strong alignment between the perceived aspects of collaborative e-governance, such as responsiveness, transparency and service delivery and their substantial contribution to the enhancement of public service value.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the scholarly discourse by introducing an innovative methodology for assessing public service value through analyzing empirical data from citizen-centric collaborative e-governance projects. It is noteworthy that no prior studies have examined the nuanced concept of public service value in the context of collaborative e-governance.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 August 2021

Barbara Orser, Xiaolu (Diane) Liao, Allan L. Riding, Quang Duong and Jerome Catimel

This paper aims to inform strategies to enhance public procurement opportunities for women-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To do so, the study examines two…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to inform strategies to enhance public procurement opportunities for women-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To do so, the study examines two research questions: To what extent are women-owned enterprises under-represented among SME suppliers to government; and Do barriers to public procurement – as perceived by SME owners – differ across gender?

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm and on theories of role congruity and social feminism to develop the study’s hypotheses. Empirical analyses rely on comparisons of a sample of 1,021 SMEs that had been suppliers to government and 9,376 employer firms that had not been suppliers to government. Data were collected by Statistics Canada and are nationally representative. Logistic regression analysis was used to control for systemic firm and owner differences.

Findings

Controlling firm and owner attributes, majority women-owned businesses were underrepresented as SME suppliers to government in some, but not all sectors. Women-owned SMEs in Wholesale and Retail and in Other Services were, ceteris paribus, half as likely as to be government suppliers as counterpart SMEs owned by men. Among Goods Producers and for Professional, Scientific and Technical Services SMEs, there were no significant gender differences in the propensity to supply the federal government. “Complexity of the contracting process” and “difficulty finding contract opportunities” were the obstacles to contracting cited most frequently.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of using secondary analyses of data are well documented and apply here. The findings reflect only the perspectives of “successful bidders” and do not capture SMEs that submitted bids but were not successful. Furthermore, the survey did not include questions about sub-contractor enterprises, data that would likely provide even more insights about SMEs in government supply chains. Accordingly, the study could not address sub-contracting strategies to increase the number of women-owned businesses on government contracts. Statistics Canada’s privacy protocols also limited the extent to which the research team could examine sub-groups of small business owners, such as visible minorities and Indigenous/Aboriginal persons. It is also notable that much of the SME literature, as well as this study, define gender as a dichotomous (women/female, men/male) attribute. Comparing women/female and men/males implicitly assumes within group homogeneity. Future research should use a more inclusive definition of gender. Research is also required to inform about the obstacles to government procurement among the population of SMEs that were unsuccessful in their bids.

Practical implications

The study provides benchmarks on, and directions to, enhance the participation of women-owned SMEs or enterprises in public procurement. Strategies to support women-owned small businesses that comply with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are advanced.

Social implications

The study offers insights to reconcile economic efficiency and social (gender equity) policy goals in the context of public procurement. The “policy-practice divides” in public procurement and women’s enterprise policies are discussed.

Originality/value

The study is among the first to use a feminist lens to examine the associations between gender of SME ownership and public procurement, while controlling for other salient owner and firm attributes.

Details

Journal of Public Procurement, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1535-0118

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 12 April 2018

Kinshuk Kumar and Vivekanandan Vivekanandan

Smart learning analytics (Smart LA) – i.e. the process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting data on how students learn – has great potentials to support opportunistic…

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Abstract

Purpose

Smart learning analytics (Smart LA) – i.e. the process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting data on how students learn – has great potentials to support opportunistic learning and offer better – and more personalized – learning experiences. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the latest developments and features of Smart LA by reviewing relevant cases.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper studies several representative cases of Smart LA implementation, and highlights the key features of Smart LA. In addition, it discusses how instructors can use Smart LA to better understand the efforts their students make, and to improve learning experiences.

Findings

Ongoing research in Smart LA involves testing across various learning domains, learning sensors and LA platforms. Through the collection, analysis and visualization of learner data and performance, instructors and learners gain more accurate understandings of individual learning behavior and ways to effectively address learner needs. As a result, students can make better decisions when refining their study plans (either by themselves or in collaboration with others), and instructors obtain a convenient monitor of student progress. In summary, Smart LA promotes self-regulated and/or co-regulated learning by discovering opportunities for remediation, and by prescribing materials and pedagogy for remedial instruction.

Originality/value

Characteristically, Smart LA helps instructors give students effective and efficient learning experiences, by integrating the advanced learning analytics technology, fine-grained domain knowledge and locale-based information. This paper discusses notable cases illustrating the potential of Smart LA.

Details

Asian Association of Open Universities Journal, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2414-6994

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 7 December 2021

Lifu Li, Kyeong Kang and Osama Sohaib

This study aims to present the Chinese entrepreneurial environment and explore Chinese tertiary students’ online-startup motivation on live streaming platforms. Based on the COM-B…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to present the Chinese entrepreneurial environment and explore Chinese tertiary students’ online-startup motivation on live streaming platforms. Based on the COM-B behaviour changing theory, this paper discovers various influencing factors from environmental opportunity and personal capability aspects. It analyses their effects under the cooperative system established among official departments, industries and universities. Meanwhile, considering social and cultural control, it also refers to the uncertainty-avoidance dimension from the Hofstede cultural theory and re-evaluates its influence on Chinese tertiary students’ online-startup motivation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyse 474 responses from online questionnaires through partial least squares path modelling and variance-based structural equation modelling. The paper claims that environmental opportunity and personal capability factors positively affect students’ online-startup motivation, but uncertainty-avoidance thinking plays a negative role. The study also measures the importance-performance map analysis to explore additional findings and discuss managerial implications.

Findings

Both platform support and official department support positively impact Chinese tertiary students’ online-startup motivation and entrepreneurial skills learned from universities are beneficial for them to build online-startup confidence. Meanwhile, influenced by the cooperative system implemented among official departments, industries and universities, official department support positively affects platform support and entrepreneurial skills. Conversely, influenced by Chinese traditional Confucian culture, uncertainty-avoidance thinking negatively affects tertiary students’ online-startup motivation.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates the analysis of Chinese tertiary students’ online-startup motivation drawing on the COM-B behaviour changing and Hofstede cultural theories. Specifically, this study divides influencing factors into three specific aspects as follows: environmental opportunity, personal capability and social and cultural control. Unlike existing research applying traditional research models, the combination of the COM-B behaviour changing theory and the Hofstede cultural theory could be conducive to making the research model reflect influencing factors and present their different relationships.

Details

Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4604

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 May 2022

Pedro Simões Coelho, Paulo Rita and Ricardo F. Ramos

This paper analyzes previously unmeasured effects of a response to a service incident called “benevolent” within the customer –firm relationship.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper analyzes previously unmeasured effects of a response to a service incident called “benevolent” within the customer –firm relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was administered to telecommunication customers in a Western European country, and the model was estimated using partial least squares (PLS).

Findings

This study shows that the customer–firm relationship is surprisingly affected by the response to expected incidents that the customer interprets as acts of benevolence or opportunism. This research also shows that the firm's incident response interpreted as benevolence or opportunism has an effect that merely positive or negative events do not. Acts of benevolence response towards an incident positively affect customer–firm relationship quality, and expectations of such acts may lead to an upward spiral in customer commitment.

Originality/value

While benevolence trust has been proposed and studied before, the response to incidents interpreted as benevolent or opportunistic and their consequences have been under-studied, hence exhibiting a research gap.

研究目的

在公司與顧客之間的關係的範疇內, 公司對服務事故所作的被稱為仁慈的反應的影響不曾被測量; 本研究擬就該反應的影響進行分析和探討。

研究設計/方法/理念

研究以問卷方式進行¸ 對象為一個西歐國家裏的電訊服務客戶。研究人員使用偏最小平方法作估算, 設計有關的模型。

研究結果

研究結果顯示、若顧客對公司就預期的事故所作的反應看作是仁慈的話, 又或相反地視為是投機主義所驅使的, 則公司與顧客之間的關係會出人意表地受到影響。研究結果亦顯示、顧客的仁慈、抑或是投機主義的闡釋和理解所帶來的影響, 與單純積極正面事件或消極負面事件所帶來的影響是不一樣的。公司對事件仁厚的回應會給予顧客之間的關係的質量帶來正面的影響; 而且, 對這種回應的預期、或會給客戶承諾帶來螺旋上升。

研究的原創性/價值

對仁厚之信賴曾被提出並作探討。唯對被視為仁慈的或機會主義作祟的反應所作的研究則不足, 這方面實存研究缺口。

Details

European Journal of Management and Business Economics, vol. 32 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2444-8451

Keywords

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