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In order to ensure effectiveness of staff's performance using online meetings applications during coronavirus disease (COVID-19), having the behavioural intention is mandatory for staff to measure, test, and manage the staff's data. Understanding of Public Higher Education Institution (PHEI) staffs' intention and behaviour toward online meetings platforms is needed to develop and implement effective and efficient strategies. The objectives of this paper to identify the factors that affect staff to use online meetings applications, to develop a model that examining the factors that affect PHEI staff to online meetings applications and to validate the proposed model. This study used a cross-sectional quantitative correlational study with using UTAUT2 model by validating the model and mediating variables to enhance the model's explanatory power and to make the model more applicable to PHEI staff's behavioural intention.

The data were collected in Malaysia from March to May 2021. The survey took place using Google form and was send to PHEI staff for answer. This research particularly chooses PHEI as the location to carry out the research due to two main factors. Statistical analysis and hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling based on the optimisation technique of partial least squares. SmartPLS software, Version 3.0 (Hair et al., 2010) was used to conduct the analysis. A conceptualised estimation model was “drawn in” the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyse the consequences of the variables' relationships. In essence, the PLS-SEM simulation was carried out in a model by assessing and computing various parameters that included elements like validity, durability, and item loading. Henseler et al. (2009) suggested a two-step method that includes PLS model parameter computing. This is accomplished by first solving the estimation model in the structural model independently before calculating the direction coefficients. The results of data analysis using SmartPLS findings and interpretation of the data are addressed. The questionnaire was extensively examined to ensure that the data obtained were presented in a clear and intelligible manner, with the use of figures, and graphs.

This current study found that the usability of the material, the reliability of operating, the impact of the PHEI staff's views on its usage, and finally the familiarity with the online meetings platforms influenced PHEI staff's behavioural intention for adoption and long-term use of online meeting platforms using UTAUT2. The staff's behavioural intention for using online meeting platforms was significantly influenced by the effort expectancy, facilitating conditions and habit of online meeting platforms. There was a clear association between “Habit” and “Behavioural Intention” for the usage of information technology in learning in several studies (El-Masri and Tarhini, 2017; Uur and Turan, 2018; Mosunmola et al., 2018; Venkatesh et al., 2003). As a consequence of the utility of online meeting platforms in daily staff meetings and learning activities, this technology has been adopted.

This study used UTAUT2 and structural equations modelling in this study to assess respondents' perspectives on the use of online meetings platforms in PHEI, since users' perspective is a significant factor in the adoption and acceptance of online meeting applications. Staff's behavioural intention to use online meeting platforms was effectively enhanced by “Effort Expectancy,” “Facilitating Conditions” and “Habit” in this study. The study shows that identifying PHEI staff's perspectives will effectively increase the staff's aversion to utilising online meeting platforms for online meetings purposes.

The study aims to examine factors that influence customers' intention to use online food delivery applications using a smartphone. The factors examined in this study are based on the existing theory of Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) namely performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, information quality, price-saving orientation and time-saving orientation towards intention to use the applications. Moreover, this research model also has been expanded with an additional dimension, attitude towards online food delivery services which lead to the intention to use online food delivery services through a smartphone. Furthermore, the present study also tested the role of age as moderator constructs between attitude towards online food delivery services and intention to use online food delivery services through a smartphone.

The study employed a quantitative method and 256 respondents participated in this study. The questionnaires are distributed using a convenience sampling technique and the data is analysed using partial least square approach.

The result shows that four (4) constructs, i.e. social influence, information quality, price-saving orientation and time-saving orientation have a positive relationship and significant effect on attitude towards online food delivery service where it enhances the intention to use the application. Attitude towards online food delivery services also has a significant effect on the intention to use. Furthermore, age was not found significant to moderate the relationship between attitude and intention to use.

The output of this study has several practical contributions such as enhances the existing knowledge and skillset of the shared-economy industry, online food delivery service providers as well as restaurant owners in improving the quality of life of the customers. It also provides contextual knowledge and a deeper understanding of online food delivery applications for customers in Malaysia.

The findings provide a guiding principle for improving the present determinant factors, attitude towards online food delivery service and intention to use online food delivery applications.

The purpose of this paper is to examine both the characteristics of the business customers and the types of venture which make use of online loan applications. Despite the growth in the use of technology in banking and the advent of online banking, little research has been conducted on the factors underlying online loan application behaviour amongst business banking customers.

A multivariate analysis is conducted on a USA dataset to empirically test the hypotheses derived in this paper. The empirical evidence is drawn from the US Survey of Small Business Finances, which contains 3,561 sample ventures, representing 5.3 million small businesses in the USA.

The paper finds that online loan behaviour is largely determined by the characteristics of the entrepreneur, rather than that of the venture. It is also found that factors that trust, evident in the length of the relationship between the applicants and their primary lender, is important. Moderating these effects is further evidence that suggests the number of lenders and distance between lenders and applicants has a marked effect on online loan behaviour.

This paper identifies the factors determining small business online loan application behaviour. This is important because the nature of online loan behaviour is changing the existing relationships between banks and customers. Whilst online loan applications afford banks the opportunity to substantially reduce costs, the danger is that long term relationships with customers are harder to cement.

It seems that the Internet boom, which started at the end of the 1990s and finished with the spectacular collapse of the so-called dotcoms, is probably over. We are currently enjoying a period of fast and stable growth. This is manifested by the growing number of both Internet users and companies which – to an ever-increasing extent – use the Internet as a form of communication (both internal and external), promotion, sales etc. Expenditures on Internet advertising are growing continuously and now constitute more than 25% of all advertising expenditure. A natural consequence of this development is the need for the standardisation and organisation of the world of the Internet. These activities will result in a greater awareness of the benefits which this medium provides, increasing the possibilities of its use, and – most importantly – the opportunity to evaluate the return on investments made on the Internet. Nowadays, it is clear that many companies are striving to increase the quality of their activities on the Internet or to improve the effectiveness of such activities. As a consequence, the number of companies that look for indices which would enable the making of more precise and effective decisions in the scope of online operations is growing.

This chapter is dedicated to the phenomenon of the increasing role of the Internet in business, including the scale of its use by Polish and international companies. We present the most commonly used measures of marketing activities on the Internet and in social media. This group includes the indices which make it possible to determine whether a company actually needs a website. Other measures allow for the improvement in the effectiveness of the activity on the Internet, whereas others specify the costs of activities on the Internet and often serve as the basis for settlements between a company and advertising agencies or companies specialising in website design. It is worth emphasising that the Paid, Earned, Shared, Owned (PESO) model, worked out by Don Bartholomew,¹ is the basis for creation and description of indices concerning social media. This model has gained certain popularity in the social media industry. It does not, however, specify how individual indices should be named and calculated. It maps already existing indices and adapts them to specific levels of marketing communication measurement. All the measures indicated by the author of the model have been grouped into five major areas: exposure, engagement, brand awareness, action and recommendations. This model– similarly to all models of performance measurement – inspired by the sales funnel concept, adjusts certain standard indices and proposals of measurements for specific levels. Additionally, the measures are divided into four types, depending on who the owner of the content is: Paid (P) – refers to all forms of paid content; Owned (O) – all websites and web properties controlled by a company or brand; Earned (E) – the contents about a given brand created spontaneously by Internet users; and Shared (S) – the contents shared by Internet users.

The paper comprises an extended discussion of the possibilities that Web 2.0 applications offer to doctoral researchers, and where such applications fit in the early twenty‐first century in the research environment. It explores the main issues associated with their use by doctoral researchers, and how these factors have influenced the design of a series of four information and communication technologies (ICT) development courses.

Over 29 Web 2.0 applications were reviewed and grouped into 13 subject categories in terms of how they might support the activities of doctoral researchers. The resulting categories were then themed into four different groups to facilitate the delivery in order to address where and how Web 2.0 applications can enhance doctoral researchers' activities.

Four groups of applications emerged: social networking, online project collaboration, online virtual desks and reusable multi‐media. The four groups were developed into four courses that together comprise a new ICT skills development module intended for doctoral researchers.

In terms of portability, the 13 categories of web‐based applications identified could, when taken together, comprise the infrastructure for a complete research environment that can be accessed anywhere in the world on an internet‐connected PC or laptop. The aim of the module is to enhance the research experience of doctoral researchers by raising awareness of the potential and possibilities associated with using Web 2.0 applications in the research environment.

The paper offers both ICT developers and doctoral researchers insights into the possibilities and problems of using Web 2.0 applications in the process of academic research.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the eAdmissions National Project and provide some insights into a selection of the forms of research which have been conducted to inform the Project effectively.

Four different kinds of studies are described as examples of different themes being pursued towards developing a better understanding of parents'/carers' needs and providing information and guidelines to help local authorities achieve their objectives in relation to online school admissions.

The paper finds that the success of the work undertaken by the National Project is reflected in the increasing numbers of local authorities (LAs) that have already, or are in the process of, offering an online school admissions facility, as well as in the take‐up of this service by parents/carers within some of these authorities. Research undertaken by the Project has been key to this success and is now being directed towards the important issue of effecting significant take‐up of the online service by all local authorities that have responsibility for education. The outcomes from this research work have been applied to spread good practice, share information with all LAs and inform marketing campaigns. The effects of this research are beginning to be evidenced in the growing take‐up of online admissions.

While some of the research undertaken is specific to the requirements of the eAdmissions National Project, some of the approaches developed and data gathered may be applicable to projects of a similar nature where online services need to be made available to and taken up by particular sectors of the public.

This paper provides a source of information to interested parties on the aims and early achievements of the eAdmissions National Project. Further and more detailed information can be found at www.eadmissions.org

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are becoming increasingly interwoven into people's daily lives, with applications in fields such as science, engineering, medical, the arts, education, finance and business. While much study has been conducted in the field of VR and AR in a variety of areas, less attention has been paid to online education. The purpose of this research is to conduct a systematic review of studies on AR and VR, as well as its applications in many disciplines of education, with a special emphasis on online education.

The data were gathered from the SCOPUS database under the subject “Augmented and Virtual Reality Applications in Online Education.” The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) format has been used to summarize the available literature and research in academics throughout the world. First, systematic literature reviews and later bibliometric analysis were conducted for performance and science mapping analysis.

The research adds to the body of knowledge about the role of AR and VR in online education and its future prospects. AR and VR have demonstrated a substantial contribution to facilitating teaching in a variety of fields, including engineering, medicine, nursing and chemistry. Additionally, this research indicates that AR and VR can be utilized to teach various areas and specialties. Additionally, it can be used in other aspects of online education, such as admissions, industry visits, training, internationalization and specific courses for students with disabilities.

This research lays the framework for educational institutions, legislators and researchers to investigate additional applications of VR and AR. Though this research suggests some possible uses for AR and VR in the online education system, more applications can be integrated into the online education system to fully leverage the potential of AR and VR worldwide. AR and VR have the potential to be a very cost-effective method of delivering online education on a wide scale in the future.

The article explores the applicability of VR and AR in education using bibliometric analysis. This is one of the first studies to do an assessment of VR and AR, evaluating their strengths, drawbacks and current applications. Future application areas are also identified as a result of the investigation.

The purpose of this article is to investigate urban and rural differences for online activities and e‐payment behavior patterns.

This study applied the MLCA model to investigate Internet usage patterns from 11 online applications among 10,909 Taiwan residents in 25 different regions.

The results showed that online behavior patterns exhibited regional differences, as the regional segments affected the individual segments of different use patterns. For instance, the urban area comprised a higher proportion of members who were accustomed to internet applications and skilled in online shopping by using a credit card. The rural area made up a higher proportion of members who only occasionally used online services. Moreover, rural region residents used other payment methods (excluding credit cards) more often than urban region residents. As expected, users’ personal characteristics also dictated the online behavior pattern. For instance, people with higher‐level income spent relatively more money for online shopping and often used various internet applications than others.

The findings herein should help Internet service providers form an applicable guideline for developing service strategies of higher service satisfaction regarding products and users’ needs.

This study implemented a multilevel latent class model to investigate online behavior patterns that exhibited urban and rural differences, with the goal of providing service providers an understanding and mastery of their target users.

Purpose – This study aims to introduce an application of web‐based data mining that integrates online data collection and data mining in selling strategies for online auctions. This study seeks to illustrate the process of spider online data collection from eBay and the application of the classification and regression tree (CART) in constructing effective selling strategies. Design/methodology/approach – After developing a prototype of web‐based data mining, the four steps of spider online data collection and CART data mining are shown. A business dataset from eBay is collected, and the application to derive effective selling strategies for online auctions is used. Findings – In the web‐based data‐mining application the spiders can effectively and efficiently collect online auction data from the internet, and the CART model provides sellers with effective selling strategies. By using expected auction prices with the classification and regression trees, sellers can integrate their two primary goals, i.e. auction success and anticipated prices, in their selling strategies for online auctions. Practical implications – This study provides sellers with a useful tool to construct effective selling strategies by taking advantage of web‐based data mining. These effective selling strategies will help improve their online auction performance. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature by providing an innovative tool for collecting online data and for constructing effective selling strategies, which are important for the growth of electronic marketplaces.

Online shopping has continued to grow in popularity, and the advance of internet technology has enhanced customers’ experiences. One technology online retailers have been using to increase sales is virtual try-on (VTO). The purpose of this paper is to investigate how such technology affects online consumers’ purchase decision process towards purchase intention, especially from an integration of utilitarian, hedonic and risk perspectives, by using advanced partial least square (PLS) approaches.

This study applied a web-based survey approach for data collection from online apparel retailing websites. The survey instrument was developed by adapting previously validated measurement items. The valid data collected were analysed using PLS with multi-group analyses. Advanced PLS techniques such as examination of discriminant validity using heterotrait-monotrait ratio, tests of out-of-sample prediction performance, and measurement invariance of composite models were applied.

The results of examining the proposed model reveal that customers’ attitude towards VTO technology can affect their intention to purchase a garment online, which is affected by perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment and perceived privacy risk. Perceived ease of use is found to affect perceived usefulness and perceived helpfulness. The results also show no significant differences among age groups and genders in terms of the role of VTO technology in the full decision process towards online purchase intention.

This study enhances the understanding of the roles that VTO technology plays in consumers’ online purchase intention by providing an integrative view of its utilitarian value, hedonic value and risk. This study demonstrates the feasibility of applying advanced PLS techniques to investigate online consumer behaviour, particularly in the field of VTO application in online retailing. Implications for online retailers and designers of VTO technology are also derived from the findings.