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1 – 3 of 3Mohammad Ali Ashraf, Sarker Rafij Ahmed Ratan, Tanzila Amir, Mohd Hasanur Raihan Joarder and Abu Rashed Osman
This study aims to investigate the effects of standardization, accreditation process on academic freedom and quality learning in higher education institutes (HEIs). In addition…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effects of standardization, accreditation process on academic freedom and quality learning in higher education institutes (HEIs). In addition, this study explores the mediating effects of academic freedom between standardization, accreditation and learning.
Design/methodology/approach
To attain the objective, the study uses the theory of self-determination as its theoretical underpinning. The smart PLS-SEM technique is applied for analyzing data.
Findings
The results indicate that the accreditation process has a significant negative influence on faculty academic freedom and quality of learning in the sampled HEIs. There is also a significant mediating effect of academic freedom.
Research limitations/implications
There are a few limitations in this study. First, the study considers the faculty members only as respondents. Second, this study only considers the faculty members of private universities as respondents. In the future, public HEIs could also be included in similar studies. Finally, this research has been done in the context of a developing country.
Practical implications
The findings of the study have pervasive implications for the authorities in HEIs. The authorities of HEIs might capitalize on this evidence in formulating the appropriate policy for their HEIs.
Social implications
As the accreditation process weakens academic freedom and quality learning, accreditation should not be viewed as an institutional development and quality assurance tool. Rather, accreditation ought to allow for amplifying faculty voices, empowering faculty and protecting their rights.
Originality/value
Quantitative analysis on the subject addressed in the current study is scarce. Therefore, this research can be considered valuable for stakeholders of HEIs.
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Keywords
Mohammad Ali Ashraf, Mohd Hasanur Raihan Joarder and Sarker Rafij Ahmed Ratan
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors affecting anti-consumption behavior of the consumers toward organic food purchase: in particular, how do individual beliefs…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors affecting anti-consumption behavior of the consumers toward organic food purchase: in particular, how do individual beliefs about trustworthiness of organic foods, normative structure of social pressure and self-efficacy affect individual intentions to make organic food purchases and actual purchasing behavior? To answer this question, a theoretical framework of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as its foundation has been established. Using measurement scales in order to measure different aspects of trustworthiness, normative structure, self-efficacy, attitude, perceived behavioral control (PBC) and subjective norms, a survey instrument has been developed to examine the several associations implied by the model of TPB.
Design/methodology/approach
In doing so, data on a structured questionnaire were collected from various parts of a city based on convenience random sampling procedure. The respondents were interviewed face-to-face to collect information on a structured questionnaire. Data (n=337) were analyzed using a research framework formulated based on the TPB through the structural equation modeling procedure.
Findings
The findings of the study indicate that among the seven independent variables of trustworthiness, normative structure, self-efficacy, attitude, subjective norm and PBC, only subjective norm has not been statistically significant to influence organic food purchase behavior.
Research limitations/implications
The result implies that various sociopolitical forces and skewed monthly incomes are inhibiting the consumers (anti-consumption) to increasingly buy the organic food products.
Practical implications
In this regard, government, policy planners, academia as well as media have profound roles to play to encourage people to buy more organic food for their health safety and overall consumer well-being.
Originality/value
This research is based on primary data collected from the respondents of a sub-urban areas of a metropolitan city. The findings will help formulate a sound food policy for ensuring social well-being of the consumers.
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Keywords
Mohammad A. Ashraf, Abu Zafar Rashed Osman and Sarker Rafij Ahmed Ratan
– The purpose of the present study is to identify the determinants that potentially influence quality education in private universities in Bangladesh.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the present study is to identify the determinants that potentially influence quality education in private universities in Bangladesh.
Design/methodology/approach
To attain this objective, 234 data were collected through face-to-face interviews on campus during February-March 2013 from Bachelor of Business Administration students. The bootstrapping procedure through AMOS was applied to analyze the data apart from exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.
Findings
The bootstrap path coefficients suggest that seven factors are statistically significant among the eight postulated independent variables. The outcomes of the confirmatory factor analysis, such as factor loadings, eigenvalues and percentage of variance explained, as well as reliability coefficients, are observed to conform to the results of path analysis, such as item loadings and path coefficients, which consistently increased the robustness of the study.
Practical implications
The overall results of the study would be beneficial to the planners to formulate the proper policy to ensure the quality excellence in the private higher educational institutes.
Originality/value
The research is based on empirical evidence which deserves originality in terms of data and methods of analysis.
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