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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 24 September 2021

Fabio Cassia and Francesca Magno

Professional service firm (PSF) performance depends on the accumulation and application of specialist knowledge to find customised solutions to customer problems. However…

1582

Abstract

Purpose

Professional service firm (PSF) performance depends on the accumulation and application of specialist knowledge to find customised solutions to customer problems. However, available research has not examined whether knowledge acquired from external sources affects PSF outcomes by strengthening professionals’ beliefs rather than only by increasing technical competency. Drawing on self-efficacy theory, this study tests a model that links the quality of content acquired from external sources and the credibility of those sources to professionals’ self-efficacy and, in turn, to PSF outcomes (solution quality and firm performance). In particular, this paper aims to consider the case of professional content exchanged through professional social media.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional research design was applied. Data were collected from a sample of 208 accountants, auditors and lawyers who used professional social media and were analysed using covariance-based structural equation modelling.

Findings

When accessing professional content from external sources, source credibility and content quality are significant antecedents of professionals’ self-efficacy, which, in turn, has positive effects on PSF outcomes (solution quality and PSF performance).

Research limitations/implications

Self-efficacy plays a key role in the link between knowledge acquired from external sources (professional content) and PSF outcomes.

Practical implications

This study provides recommendations and actionable insights for PSFs, professionals and other actors who create and exchange professional content. Professional associations may also take an active role by contributing and sharing credible and high-quality content, using, for example, professional social media.

Originality/value

This paper advances the current understanding of the effects of professionals’ access to content from external sources on PSF outcomes. It provides an explanation of these effects based on the enhancement of professionals’ beliefs instead of their technical competencies, as indicated in previous research. In addition, it is the first research effort to consider professional social media as a communication channel to exchange content that affects the self-efficacy of PSF professionals.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 36 no. 13
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 September 2020

Gordon Monday Bubou and Gabriel Chibuzor Job

The purpose of this study is to explore the role individual innovativeness along with e-learning self-efficacy play in predicting the e-learning readiness of first- and…

7963

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the role individual innovativeness along with e-learning self-efficacy play in predicting the e-learning readiness of first- and second-year students of an open and distance education institutions in an African context.

Design/methodology/approach

Therefore, building on previous related research in this area, a quantitative approach was adopted to address the research questions and to establish whether a statistically significant relationship existed between individual innovativeness, e-learning self-efficacy, the independent variables; and e-learning readiness, the dependent variable. In total, 476 first- and second-years students of the university participated in the four-Likert-type scale survey. The research instrument which comprises 74 survey items was completed by 217 of the students. Statistical tools used for analysing data included both Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficients and t-tests.

Findings

It was discovered that a strong positive and significant relationship was observed between individual innovativeness and e-learning readiness of first- and second-year students of the Yenagoa Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN); a statistically significant relationship was also found between e-learning self-efficacy scores and the e-learning readiness of the first- and second-year students of the Yenagoa Study Centre of NOUN; there was a statistically significant joint relationship between the three variables under investigation; findings equally revealed that male respondents had higher e-learning readiness than their female counterparts.

Research limitations/implications

Like every other study of this nature, this one also suffers some limitations. First, NOUN is a very large university with over half a million students spread across almost 78 study centres. This means that observation from just one study centre amounts to a very small sample size. This according to Schweighofer, Weitlaner, Ebner and Rothe (2019) jeopardises the generalisability and validity of study results. The authors also maintain that empirical data generated from surveys that usually rely participants' abilities to read and select responses without further interpretation by the researchers suffer from cognitive biases like social desirability. To address the above limitations, detailed studies involving all studies centres of NOUN be undertaken and other qualitative and or mixed research methodologies be adopted in the future.

Practical implications

The implications for this study are that people who are innately innovative will willingly accept technology and by extension, learning in technology-rich environments like those found in like NOUN whose mode of study is blended learning inherently found in open and distance learning (ODL) institution. Therefore, this study is significant as it will provide relevant information to the management and administrators of NOUN, policymakers and regulatory institutions for the development, deployment and implementation of e-learning strategies. Findings will also benefit e-learning initiatives undertaken by similar institutions that adopt the ODL mode of education in Nigeria and other developing countries.

Originality/value

Even though, studies on the antecedents of e-learning readiness have been widely conducted across diverse contexts, studies exploring the associations between individual innovativeness, e-learning self-efficacy and e-learning readiness are relatively hard to come by. The above two variables as predicting the e-learning readiness in the study context are comparatively new. This study thus focuses on the relationships between the individual innovativeness levels, e-learning self-efficacy beliefs of students and their e-learning readiness which ultimately determines their ability to sustain studies in an ODL institution.

Details

Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2397-7604

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 12 July 2022

Claire M. Mason, Shanae M. Burns and Elinor A. Bester

The authors proposed that participation in large-scale, structured events designed to match students to employers' internship opportunities could support students' employability…

1380

Abstract

Purpose

The authors proposed that participation in large-scale, structured events designed to match students to employers' internship opportunities could support students' employability by focussing students' career goals, strengthening students' career self-efficacy and growing students' social capital.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were carried out with 49 students both before and after the students took part in the event to assess whether students career goals, self-efficacy or social capital changed after taking part in the events. In the second interview, the authors also asked students what outcomes students gained from the event and how the event process had contributed to these outcomes.

Findings

Students' descriptions of their outcomes from the event aligned with social capital theory and self-efficacy theory. The students valued the information, connections, skills and experience they developed through taking part in the interviews and connecting with employers and students. The longitudinal analyses revealed that most students career goals did not change, but students' career self-efficacy improved and students could identify more actions for achieving their career goals after taking part in the event. Importantly, these actions were often explicitly connected with information or connections that students gained from the event.

Originality/value

The interviews illustrate that students can build social capital from short, one-on-one engagement with employers that then enable them to identify ways of furthering students' career goals. The authors' findings suggest that structured, event-based engagement with employers can provide an efficient and equitable means of enhancing students' social capital and career self-efficacy.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 December 2019

Yi-Shun Wang, Timmy H. Tseng, Yu-Min Wang and Chun-Wei Chu

Understanding people’s intentions to be an internet entrepreneur is an important issue for educators, academics and practitioners. The purpose of this paper is to develop and…

7710

Abstract

Purpose

Understanding people’s intentions to be an internet entrepreneur is an important issue for educators, academics and practitioners. The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a scale to measure internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an analysis of 356 responses, a scale of internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy is validated in accordance with established scale development procedures.

Findings

The internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy scale has 16 items under three factors (i.e. leadership, technology utilization and internet marketing and e-commerce). The scale demonstrated adequate convergent validity, discriminant validity and criterion-related validity. Nomological validity was established by the positive correlation between the scale and, respectively, internet entrepreneurship knowledge and entrepreneurial intention.

Originality/value

This study is a pioneering effort to develop and validate a scale to measure internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The results of this study are helpful to researchers in building internet entrepreneurship theories and to educators in assessing and promoting individuals’ internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy and behavior.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 22 November 2022

Ahmed Taher Esawe

This study aims to investigate the factors that influence behavioral intention (BI) and usage of e-wallets by extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology…

11865

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the factors that influence behavioral intention (BI) and usage of e-wallets by extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) with constructs, namely, mobile self-efficacy, perceived enjoyment and satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This quantitative study used partial least squares structural equation modeling on a sample of 576 mobile e-wallet users surveyed online.

Findings

The key findings indicate that the model can explain 58.8% of the variance in behavioral intention and 53.8% in usage. Moreover, mobile self-efficacy has a significant influence on perceived enjoyment. Perceived enjoyment significantly affects satisfaction, effort expectancy and performance expectancy. Furthermore, effort expectancy significantly influences customer satisfaction in contrast to performance expectancy. In addition, although performance expectancy, social influence and satisfaction significantly impact consumers’ behavioral intention, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions condition have an insignificant influence on consumers’ behavioral intention. E-wallet stakeholders can use the findings of this study to make strategic decisions regarding the e-wallet ecosystem.

Originality/value

Although previous studies have independently addressed the impact of mobile self-efficacy, perceived enjoyment and satisfaction on consumers’ behavioral intention and usage behavior, the expanded framework with the possible relationships proposed in this study has never been adequately studied in previous research in the context of e-wallets in developing countries based on an empirical analysis. This study represents one of the first attempts to improve the UTAUT by empirically analyzing these relationships.

Propósito

Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar los factores que influyen en la intención de comportamiento y el uso de los monederos electrónicos mediante la ampliación de la teoría unificada de aceptación y uso de la tecnología (UTAUT) con los constructos de autoeficacia móvil, disfrute percibido y satisfacción.

Metodología

Este estudio cuantitativo utilizó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales de mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS-SEM) sobre una muestra de 576 usuarios de monederos electrónicos móviles encuestados en línea.

Resultados

Los principales resultados indican que el modelo puede explicar el 58,8% de la varianza en la intención de comportamiento y el 53,8% en el uso. Además, la autoeficacia en el uso del móvil influye significativamente en el disfrute percibido. El disfrute percibido afecta significativamente a la satisfacción, la expectativa de esfuerzo y la expectativa de rendimiento. Además, la expectativa de esfuerzo influye significativamente en la satisfacción del cliente, en contraste con la expectativa de rendimiento. Además, aunque la expectativa de rendimiento, la influencia social y la satisfacción influyen significativamente en la intención de comportamiento de los consumidores, la expectativa de esfuerzo y la condición de condiciones facilitadoras tienen una influencia insignificante en la intención de comportamiento de los consumidores. Las partes interesadas en los monederos electrónicos pueden utilizar las conclusiones de este estudio para tomar decisiones estratégicas en relación con el ecosistema de los monederos electrónicos.

Originalidad

Aunque estudios anteriores han abordado de forma independiente el impacto de la autoeficacia móvil, el disfrute percibido y la satisfacción en la intención de comportamiento y la conducta de uso de los consumidores, el marco ampliado con las posibles relaciones propuestas en este estudio nunca se ha estudiado adecuadamente en investigaciones anteriores en el contexto de los monederos electrónicos en los países en desarrollo sobre la base de un análisis empírico. Este estudio representa uno de los primeros intentos de mejorar el UTAUT analizando empíricamente estas relaciones.

目的

本研究旨在通过扩展统 – 的技术接受和使用理论 (UTAUT), 研究影响电子钱包行为意图和使用的因素, 包括移动自我效能、感知乐趣和满意度等建构。

方法

这项定量研究采用偏最小二乘法结构方程模型 (PLS-SEM), 对576名移动电子钱包用户进行了在线调查。

研究结果

主要研究结果表明, 该模型可以解释58.8%的行为意图和53.8%的使用差异。此外, 移动自我效能感对感知到的享受有显著影响。感知到的享受显著影响满意度、努力期望和绩效期望。此外, 与绩效期望相比, 努力期望对顾客满意度有显著影响。此外, 尽管绩效期望、社会影响和满意度对消费者的行为意图有显著影响, 但努力期望和便利条件对消费者的行为意图没有显著影响。电子钱包的利益相关者可以利用本研究的结果来做出有关电子钱包生态系统的战略决策。

原创性

尽管之前的研究已经独立地探讨了移动自我效能、感知享受和满意度对消费者行为意图和使用行为的影响, 但本研究提出的具有可能关系的扩展框架在之前的研究中从未基于实证分析对发展中国家的电子钱包进行充分研究。本研究是通过实证分析这些关系来改进UTAUT的首次尝试之一。

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 22 October 2021

Bilal Ahmad and Nadia Nasir

This study examines the relationship of positive career shocks and career optimism. The mediating role of career decision-making self-efficacy (CDSE) between positive career…

2956

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines the relationship of positive career shocks and career optimism. The mediating role of career decision-making self-efficacy (CDSE) between positive career shocks and career optimism and the moderating role of consideration of future consequences – immediate (CFC-I) between CDSE and career optimism are checked.

Design/methodology/approach

Through cluster sampling, cross-sectional data from 192 professionals of electronic media industry were collected via an electronically administered questionnaire. For preliminary descriptive data analysis, SPSS version 21 was used. SmartPLS version 3.0 was used for testing the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that positive career shocks have a relationship with career optimism via CDSE. Also, CFC-I moderated the relationship of CDSE and career optimism such that the relationship of CDSE and career optimism was stronger at higher level of CFC-I.

Practical implications

The study provides implications for the career consultants, human resource professionals and senior management of organizations. All these stakeholders can strive to build an inventory of positive career shocks. Also, shifting to a surprised business model of announcing compensations and promotions is another area to work on. The results of this study further suggest disengaging the fresh potential employees in the initial processes of recruitment. Interdepartmental coordination of health and safety department and human resource management department is also a very important implication for this study to highlight the positive aspects of being optimistic.

Originality/value

The study is among the few empirical studies which investigates the relationship between positive career shocks and career optimism via CDSE. Also, in light of the latest call of various empirical works in the domain, this study adds a moderating variable, i.e. CFC-I in predicting career optimism. Furthermore, contrary to the conventional approach of applying students' data on career models, this study tests the proposed career model on data collected from professionals.

Details

Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2515-964X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 28 October 2020

Arnab Kundu

The purpose of this study was to review the role of self-efficacy in online education with an objective to propose a holistic framework for strengthening participants'…

10047

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to review the role of self-efficacy in online education with an objective to propose a holistic framework for strengthening participants' self-efficacy, especially in the Asian context.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the potential role of self-efficacy of the participants of online academic activities, this study followed the conceptual analysis method, which is breaking down concepts into constituent elements to get a superior understanding of a particular philosophy.

Findings

The findings revealed that self-efficacy, the level of confidence someone has to perform a particular task, is an important factor among teachers and students operating online platforms, and enhanced efficacy is capable of encouraging online practices. Finally, the study proposed a framework to strengthen self-efficacy among participants with intervention measures to make online education effective and impressive.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed framework will help stakeholders of online education to improve their efficacy and leverage the potential of online education to the fullest. Millions of first-generation online users in many Asian countries who possess low self-confidence in their ability might find the framework easier for better integration, interaction and collaboration in the online learning environment.

Originality/value

A vast literature survey was made before proposing this framework that could open up a new dimension in online education by scaffolding participants' inner thrust.

Details

Asian Association of Open Universities Journal, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1858-3431

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 9 May 2022

Hsing-Er Lin, Rachel Sheli Shinnar, Yongchuan Shi and Dan Hsu

This study explores the role of polychronic temporal orientation and decision-making decentralization on founders' perceptions of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE).

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores the role of polychronic temporal orientation and decision-making decentralization on founders' perceptions of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE).

Design/methodology/approach

Longitudinal survey data were collected from 141 business founders in China.

Findings

Findings suggest that decision-making decentralization is positively associated with founders' ESE. In addition, a polychronic temporal orientation is positively related to ESE, and this relationship is mediated by decision-making decentralization.

Originality/value

This study adds to existing knowledge on ESE and temporal related issues by presenting empirical evidence that explains how and why the temporal orientation context and the practice of decision-making decentralization can shape ESE perceptions among venture founders.

Details

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship, vol. 25 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2574-8904

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 October 2023

Fatima Riyaz Khateeb

This research aims to investigate the symbiotic relationship between work and family life among doctors in India, with a focus on work–family…

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to investigate the symbiotic relationship between work and family life among doctors in India, with a focus on work–family enrichment (WFE) as a positive interplay. The study seeks to examine the impact of two aspects of WFE, namely, work-to-family enrichment (WTFE) and family-to-work enrichment (FTWE) on job satisfaction (JS) and life satisfaction (LS), while exploring the mediating role of self-efficacy (SE).

Design/methodology/approach

The research employs a comprehensive survey to gather data from Indian doctors. The survey includes measures of WTFE, FTWE, JS, LS and SE. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the proposed connections among the research constructs, using IBM AMOS v.23.

Findings

The findings reveal that WTFE significantly impacts both JS and LS. However, FTWE does not show a direct influence on JS, though it does positively impact LS. SE plays a noteworthy role, having a strong direct influence on both job and life satisfaction. In terms of indirect influence, WTFE impacts job and life satisfaction through the mechanism of SE. Nevertheless, no significant indirect effect was found between FTWE and both types of satisfaction through SE.

Originality/value

This research presents several original contributions to the study of work–life balance among healthcare professionals. Firstly, its unique geographic focus on North India distinguishes it from existing literature, offering fresh insights into the experiences of doctors in this region. Moreover, the study's multifaceted examination of WFE, SE, JS, and LS introduces a comprehensive perspective seldom seen in current research.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 2 October 2019

Imran Anwar and Imran Saleem

The purpose of this paper is to explore the entrepreneurial characteristics among university students in India studying business and also comparing the levels of entrepreneurial…

6182

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the entrepreneurial characteristics among university students in India studying business and also comparing the levels of entrepreneurial characteristics between entrepreneurially inclined and entrepreneurially not inclined students.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors included six entrepreneurial characteristics, namely, risk taking propensity, innovativeness, locus of control, need for achievement, general self-efficacy and tolerance for ambiguity to define the entrepreneurial profile of students. Convenient sampling was used for collecting the data using a seven-point Likert scale based on 38-items self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected from three universities of different cities, namely, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, CSJM University, Kanpur and KMCUAF University, Lucknow. In total, 300 questionnaires were distributed in each of the universities, and 719 questionnaires were found statistically suitable for the study. Students were asked the question “What career option are you planning to choose after completing your graduation?” to know the inclination of the students.

Findings

Results of the t-test confirmed that levels of all the entrepreneurial characteristics are higher in entrepreneurially inclined students when compared to entrepreneurially not inclined students except in terms of general self-efficacy. Thus, entrepreneurially inclined students carry higher risk taking propensity, innovativeness, locus of control, need for achievement and tolerance for ambiguity.

Research limitations/implications

This study is confined only to undergraduate students from business background, and only three universities were included in the sample. Further research can be done taking students from different streams, namely, engineering, science and technology and arts etc. University-wise studies can also be conducted with the view to bring comparability among the students in terms of levels of entrepreneurial characteristics based upon the inclination shown.

Practical implications

This research provides the deeper understanding about what course contents are effective in developing entrepreneurial characteristics among the students and what are to be added with the view to raise potential entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to establishing the differences across different entrepreneurial characteristics between entrepreneurially inclined and non-inclined undergraduate students.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2071-1395

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 1000