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1 – 10 of 57Robert A. Opoku and Alhassan G. Abdul‐Muhmin
This study aims to investigate the house purchase behavior of low‐income Saudis regarding the sources of financing they wish to have access to, their preferences for alternative…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the house purchase behavior of low‐income Saudis regarding the sources of financing they wish to have access to, their preferences for alternative financing options, and the monthly payment amounts they could afford to make in case of mortgage financing across demographic groups.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey with a sample of 815 low‐income respondents with a monthly income of SR7,000 was conducted using a structured questionnaire.
Findings
The main findings of the study are that the loan from the government Real Estate Development Fund (REDF) is found to be the most preferred financing alternative, the second being cash payment; whilst the most frequently indicated option for monthly mortgage payments is between SR1,000 and SR1,500 (US$267 and US$400) among low‐income Saudis.
Research limitations/implications
This study provides a snapshot of low‐income Saudi consumers' knowledge of financing options and their choice among alternative financing options.
Practical implications
This also offers opportunities for real estate developers to seek competitive advantage by coming up with innovative financing options to target low‐income earners.
Originality/value
There is limited published work exploring consumer knowledge of house purchase finance options that captures this phenomenon from the perspectives of low‐income Saudi consumers. This study contributes in filling this gap.
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Magnus Hultman, Robert A. Opoku, Esmail Salehi‐Sangari, Pejvak Oghazi and Quang Thong Bui
This paper aims to gain a better understanding of how Swedish branded goods manufacturers (BGMs) deal with the increased usage of private labels.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to gain a better understanding of how Swedish branded goods manufacturers (BGMs) deal with the increased usage of private labels.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach takes the form of answering the three research questions of this study: how private labels are viewed by BGMs on the Swedish market; how Swedish BGMs strategically respond to the increases in private labels; and how the benefits and drawbacks of these strategic responses are perceived by Swedish BGMs. A contrasting multiple case study of four Swedish companies in the fast‐moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry was used.
Findings
The perceived advantages of private labels are connected to their overall control of the market in which they operate, whereas the advantages of BGMs are seen to be linked to product development and superior brand reputation. BGMs respond to private labels by taking them seriously and striving to increase the perceived distance of their brands from private labels in the eyes of the consumers. The overall benefit of these strategies is perceived to be preparedness for increased private label competition, while the drawbacks vary between companies.
Research limitations/implications
In addition to empirical testing based on previous research on private label competition in a new setting, the study also presents suggestions for future research and the implications of the findings for managers.
Practical implications
Findings indicate that BGMs should take the emergence of private labels seriously, while at the same time striving to maintain good business relationships with the retailers.
Originality/value
The study provides insights into the competitive situation between private labels and the manufacturer brands in the Swedish FMCG market.
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Robert A. Opoku and Edem B. Williams
Given the seeming lack of research on the influence of stakeholder activities on organisations such as political parties in the online environment, the purpose of this paper is to…
Abstract
Purpose
Given the seeming lack of research on the influence of stakeholder activities on organisations such as political parties in the online environment, the purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate how political parties use their web sites to serve and manage their relationships with stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a qualitative paper, in which a cross‐national comparative analysis has been conducted on four illustrative cases. Personal interviews and web site observations were used as the main data collection methods. Three concurrent flows of activities, i.e. data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing, have been applied in the data analysis.
Findings
The paper indicate that the stakeholders served by political parties on the web sites studied can be grouped into two categories: internal and external. This paper also revealed that another very important internal stakeholder group overlooked by previous studies is that of core party members.
Originality/value
The paper provides insights and new interesting empirical material which may help to strengthen the theoretical understanding stakeholder management in cyber politics.
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This paper aims at exploring and describing the tools used by small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) to collect customer feedback online, their components and the criteria…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims at exploring and describing the tools used by small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) to collect customer feedback online, their components and the criteria used in selecting these internet‐based tools.
Design/methodology/approach
Multiple in‐depth case studies were conducted on five SMEs all of which are engaged in customer feedback collection online. The data collected by personal interviews was analysed in a cross‐case analysis. Findings: We conclude that e‐mail is the most dominant tool though supported other offline means. Components of Internet‐based customer feedback system and the criteria for assessing Internet‐based customer feedback collection tool by SMEs were also identified.
Research limitation/implications
Five cases were investigated out of 60 and the study was restricted to the northern part of Sweden. Adding other methods could also have cross‐fertilised the study.
Practical implications
The study reinforces the need for SMEs managers to use the Internet to gather feedback from customers online, learn much about the nature and habits of their customers and the best medium to reach out to them – be it Internet‐based, offline or the combination of the two.
Originality/value
Application of the concept of customer feedback collection and theories on the components and the criteria used in selecting Internet‐based tools in a relatively new context.
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Robert Opoku, Samuel Famiyeh and Amoako Kwarteng
By relying on the Theory of Planned Behavior, this paper aims to understand the relative importance of attitude, subjective norm (SN), behavioral control, self-identity (SI) and…
Abstract
Purpose
By relying on the Theory of Planned Behavior, this paper aims to understand the relative importance of attitude, subjective norm (SN), behavioral control, self-identity (SI) and past behavior in the prediction of green purchase behavior among Ghanaian consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 306 graduate students were surveyed on the environmental considerations in their purchase behavior using hierarchical multiple regression analysis.
Findings
The results of the study indicate that, in general, attitude and SI are more important than SN in influencing green purchase intention in a collectivistic country, such as Ghana. Yet, most respondents were neutral in their responses to questions as to whether they are green consumers and/or if they consider themselves to be concerned about environmental issues.
Originality/value
This is the first attempt to study environmental consideration in purchase decisions in Ghana, a resource-rich, emerging and one of the strongest economies in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Abraham Ansong, Robert Ipiin Gnankob, Isaac Opoku Agyemang, Kassimu Issau and Edna Naa Amerley Okorley
The study analysed the influence of organizational justice on the duty orientation of employees in the mining sector of Ghana. Also, it examined the mediating role of…
Abstract
Purpose
The study analysed the influence of organizational justice on the duty orientation of employees in the mining sector of Ghana. Also, it examined the mediating role of supervisor-provided resources in the relationship between organizational justice and duty orientation.
Design/methodology/approach
The study obtained data through a self-administered questionnaire from 291 employees of a mining firm. The data were analysed and interpreted in light of the hypotheses using the partial least squares structural equation modelling technique.
Findings
The findings revealed that organizational justice had a significant positive relationship with duty orientation and supervisor-provided resources. The results again established that supervisor-provided resources had a significant positive relationship with duty orientation. The study finally documented that supervisor-provided resources partially mediate the relationship between organizational justice and duty orientation.
Practical implications
We recommended that the management of the mining companies devote resources to developing organizational justice policies based on fairness in resource allocation, clear roles, employee feedback and effective information dissemination. Furthermore, supervisors should place priority on acquiring and dispensing resources as employees demonstrate their willingness to improve duty orientation.
Originality/value
The study contributes to knowledge in a novel research area. It adds to empirical evidence by highlighting the possible variables that may influence employees to engage in duty orientation.
研究目的
本研究擬分析於迦納的採礦部門裏,組織公平感對僱員職責導向的影響;研究亦擬探討主管提供的資源,如何在組織公平感與職責導向間的關係上起著中介角色。
研究設計/方法/理念
研究人員透過一間採礦公司291名僱員自我測試的問卷,取得研究所需的數據,繼而以偏最小平方結構方程式模式分析法,進行數據分析,並按照研究的假設,對數據進行闡釋的工作。
研究結果
研究結果顯示,組織公平感與職責導向和主管提供的資源之間存在顯著的正向關係;研究結果亦確定了主管提供的資源與職責導向之間存在顯著的正向關係。最後,研究結果證明了主管提供的資源,會一定程度調節組織公平感與職責導向之間的關係。
實務方面的啟示
我們建議採礦企業的管理層應根據資源的公平分配、明確的角色、僱員的回饋和有效的信息傳播,把資源專用於發展組織公平感的政策上;而且,當僱員展示他們願意改善職責導向時,主管應把獲取資源,並加以發放列為優先事項。
研究的原創性
本研究在一個新穎的研究領域裏,幫助我們增進知識;研究透過強調影響僱員參與職責導向的可能變數,增加有關的經驗證據。
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Ogechi Adeola, Prince Gyimah, Kingsley Opoku Appiah and Robert N. Lussier
This study contributes to answering the question, can critical success factors of small businesses in emerging markets advance United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals…
Abstract
Purpose
This study contributes to answering the question, can critical success factors of small businesses in emerging markets advance United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Specifically, this study aims to explore the critical factors contributing to the success of small businesses and ultimately the UN SDGs in the emerging market of Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
The design is survey research testing the Lussier success vs failure prediction model for small businesses in Nigeria. The methodology includes a logistic regression model to better understand and predict the factors that contribute to success or failure using a data set of 201 small businesses in Nigeria.
Findings
The findings support the validity of the Lussier model (p = 0.000) in Nigeria as the model accurately predicted 84.4% of the small businesses as successful or failed with a high R-square value (R = 0.540). The most significant factors (t-values < 0.05) that predict the success or failure of businesses support the findings that business owners that start with adequate capital, keep records and financial controls, use professional advice, have better product/service timing, and have parents who own businesses can increase the probability of success.
Practical implications
The study provides a list of critical success factors contributing to the growth of small business in Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa. The findings can help entrepreneurs avoid failure and advance UN SDGs 1, 2, 8 and 10. Implications for current and future entrepreneurs, public agencies, consultants, educators, policymakers, suppliers and investors are discussed.
Originality/value
This is the first study to determine the factors that contribute to the success or failure of small businesses in Nigeria using the Lussier model. It also discusses how to advance four of the UN sustainability goals. Results support the Lussier model's global validity that can be used in both emerging and developed markets, and it contributes to the development of theory.
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The role that peer influence plays in shaping young adult consumers' products purchase decision cannot be overemphasized. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of…
Abstract
Purpose
The role that peer influence plays in shaping young adult consumers' products purchase decision cannot be overemphasized. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of peer influence in shaping young adult male consumers' product purchase decisions in Saudi Arabia.
Design/methodology/approach
To measure peer influence in this study, a survey of around 200 university students aged between 16 and 30 was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Constructs were measured using well‐established scales. Hypotheses are tested by investigating and comparing mean levels of the susceptibility of these young adults to peer influence across four product categories.
Findings
With the products studied, the overall preliminary results suggest that the levels of influence were greater in normative influence than in informational situations. The results further provide a sense of the degree to which peer influence on purchase decision could be dictated by culture.
Practical implications
Based on the results of this study, practical implications for marketing strategies are suggested and future research directions proposed.
Originality/value
The paper adds richness to the peer influence theory from a unique culture such as Saudi Arabia, which is also under‐researched.
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Robert Ankomah Opoku, Russell Abratt, Mike Bendixen and Leyland Pitt
The purpose of this paper is to analyse web site brand communication by small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the restaurant franchise industry, using Aaker's brand…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse web site brand communication by small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the restaurant franchise industry, using Aaker's brand personality dimensions. It shows how an SME can test its intended positioning against competitors.
Design/methodology/approach
A multistage methodology using a combination of content analysis and correspondence analysis was used. The intention was to illustrate a technique that can be used by SMEs at low cost and with ease.
Findings
Food SMEs are able to communicate brand personality by way of their web sites. The brands and the personality types are presented which clearly reveals the positioning of the competitors.
Practical implications
This paper illustrates a powerful, but simple and relatively inexpensive way for SMEs to study communicated brand personality.
Originality/value
The major contribution of this study is to alert SME scholars and retailers to the potential of computerized content analysis as a means of studying web site content, and the subsequent use of correspondence analysis to understand how to position against competitors.
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Augustine Senanu Komla Kukah, Jin Xiaohua, Robert Osei-Kyei and Srinath Perera
This study aims to undertake a review of how carbon trading contributes to a reduction in emission of greenhouse gases (CHGs).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to undertake a review of how carbon trading contributes to a reduction in emission of greenhouse gases (CHGs).
Design/methodology/approach
A narrative literature review approach was adopted to identify and synthesise existing literature using the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Articles were limited to the past 10 years to obtain the most current literature. The various ways in which carbon trading leads to reductions in emissions were identified and discussed.
Findings
The results showed that the main ways in which carbon trading contributes to reductions in emissions are through innovation in low-carbon technologies, restoration of ecosystems through offset money, development of renewable and clean energy and providing information on investment related to emissions.
Practical implications
The value of this study is to contribute to the built environment’s climate change mitigation agenda by identifying the role of carbon trading.
Originality/value
The output of this research identifies and contextualises the role carbon trading plays in the reduction of CHG emissions.
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