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1 – 10 of 100Ödül Bozkurt, Chul Chung, Norifumi Kawai and Motoko Honda-Howard
The paper aims to provide an understanding of how the transfer of progressive human resource management (HRM) practices may or may fail to render multinational enterprises (MNEs…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to provide an understanding of how the transfer of progressive human resource management (HRM) practices may or may fail to render multinational enterprises (MNEs) institutional entrepreneurs creating change in job quality and decent work to underprivileged workers in the low-pay retail sector in Japan.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on survey questionnaire data and interviews with workers and management in a foreign retailer in Japan.
Findings
The findings suggest that even where MNEs may provide some measurable material improvements in job quality, in this case equal pay for equal work, the total outcomes are nevertheless shaped by institutional context and constraints. In this case, the improvement in pay was intertwined with flexibility demands that were possible to meet for some workers but not others. In particular, women with care responsibilities and competing demands on their time were not able to experience “decent work” in the same way as others.
Research limitations/implications
The study had a relatively low response rate, due to lack of discretion over time experienced by workers in Japan, as well as limited data on program outcomes, with interviews conducted with a small number of participants.
Practical implications
The study suggests that spaces and opportunities exist for MNEs to diverge from dominant practices in given host country locations and exercise a level of agency as emissaries of decent work but successful outcomes require a very thorough understanding of individual worker experiences within the institutional constraints of given environments.
Social implications
The study offers insights into the complexities of initiatives by MNEs to contribute to the provision of decent work, particularly for workers in underprivileged positions including women in low-pay sectors such as retail, as firm-level practices lead to variable outcomes when filtered through local institutions.
Originality/value
The study brings together a focus on firm-level practices that inform much of the international HRM and international management scholarship with an emphasis on the experiences of workers, which is pursued in the sociology of work, to investigate whether MNEs can be actors in the realising of the Sustainable Development Goals around decent work.
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Emnet Tadesse Woldegiorgis and Otilia Chiramba
This qualitative study interrogates the barriers that historically disadvantaged higher education students in South Africa face when it comes to access and success. It…
Abstract
Purpose
This qualitative study interrogates the barriers that historically disadvantaged higher education students in South Africa face when it comes to access and success. It specifically explores the challenges black students encounter in gaining epistemic access within the South African higher education system.
Design/methodology/approach
This research draws upon empirical data collected from a mixed-methods research project conducted at six higher education institutions. It focuses on issues of epistemic access and success within humanities and sciences faculties. The dataset comprises interview transcripts involving 34 student and ten staff cases. Thematic analysis, aided by MaxQDA software, was meticulously conducted to extract and synthesise meaningful themes, crafting comprehensive narratives.
Findings
The study uncovers multifaceted challenges, including difficulties in understanding the admission process, financial barriers and language proficiency issues, faced by disadvantaged students when accessing universities and transitioning from basic to higher education. The research emphasises universities taking proactive measures, such as providing comprehensive early support, identifying at-risk students and collaborating with schools to prepare prospective students better. It advocates for the potential of resilience theory in addressing social justice issues related to access and success for these students. Furthermore, the study recommends developing inclusive curricula and underscores the need for universities to actively support disadvantaged students academically and socially.
Originality/value
This research departs from the conventional focus on physical access to universities, introducing a more comprehensive perspective that emphasises epistemic access as a pivotal aspect of higher education. Drawing on empirical data, it sheds light on the obstacles faced by disadvantaged students during the transition from high school to higher education while also exploring their resilience strategies.
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Mehedi Hasan, Tania Afrin and Vandna Misra
Microcharity is a non-profit organization promoting social brotherhood through small donations and volunteer services among diverse members, aiming to address poverty through…
Abstract
Purpose
Microcharity is a non-profit organization promoting social brotherhood through small donations and volunteer services among diverse members, aiming to address poverty through compassion, cooperation and humanitarianism. The study aims to comprehend the role of microcharity as an alternative to microcredit for poverty alleviation. It sheds light on the modus operandi, prospects and problems associated with microcharity.
Design/methodology/approach
The current study used a qualitative research design to investigate a social phenomenon while involving the researchers directly. The study applied participatory action research by involving participants and researchers to comprehend social challenges and evaluate their experiences. The study made considerable use of participant-observer data and field observations.
Findings
It has been revealed that microcharity has potential to address social challenges faced by the marginalized and vulnerable section of society.
Research limitations/implications
This study is based on participatory action research, and therefore, it suffers from academic standardization and heavily depends on researchers. On the other hand, it offers practical approach to solve social problems and would bring forth realistic resolution by offering insights of those making use of micro charity for philanthropic activities.
Practical implications
The article is especially helpful for communities that must respond to emergencies and will be beneficial to individuals and institutions working for social welfare.
Social implications
It will bring forth various facets of micro charity as an alternate for fundraising to rescue sufferers of social exigencies through collective efforts.
Originality/value
The article represents original scholarly research, leveraging the researchers' personal experience to enrich the understanding of microcharity. Its implications are valuable for communities involved in social welfare and can benefit individuals working for charitable institutions, cooperative societies, NGOs and social welfare programmes of government. Additionally, the study's insights can aid researchers in designing new methodologies to explore microcharity and its impact on social welfare initiatives.
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The literature review stated that financial inclusion (FI) influences economic growth through different channels. Hence, this paper aims to investigate the underlying process of…
Abstract
Purpose
The literature review stated that financial inclusion (FI) influences economic growth through different channels. Hence, this paper aims to investigate the underlying process of FI in Egypt theoretically, and to derive some policy implications for promoting the process and achieving more improvement in different financial and economic aspects, that is basically through discussing the opinions of FI's main stockholders in Egypt.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis used secondary data from the Global Findex and FAS Database, namely, automated teller machines, outstanding deposits and loans with commercial banks, debit and credit cards ownership. The research particularly used scientific methods as method of deduction, methods of graphical and tabular representation of data, comparative analysis and synthesis of partial knowledge. The paper is also based on a descriptive approach in addition to in-depth interviews with the main stakeholders of the financial inclusion process in Egypt.
Findings
The analyzed results of interviews revealed that new FI vision should have a deep understanding of the financial lives of the poor and low-income groups, including how they acquire, manage and use their money. However, the impact is becoming more prominent for the efficiency of the banking system and hence economic growth rather a regulatory and sound institutional framework enhances it. This finding supported the fact that Egypt can design an appropriate FI strategy, but the main challenge is how to implement it with the required speed and outreach capacity, especially in underprivileged communities.
Research limitations/implications
The result of this study has interesting implications for Egypt's ability to attain effective FI initiatives that promote sound financial choices and behavior which in turn help to stimulate financial and economic growth.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the literature by assessing the FI level in Egypt, its implications and how it should be enhanced for better performance and results in the future. It addresses the deep fact of this process through inclusive surveys and interviews that help in determining the road ahead.
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Achuthy Kottangal and Deepika Purohit
This study aims to analyze how conventional Bedouin weaving techniques have changed through the history of Israel, offering knowledge on the craft’s cultural relevance and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze how conventional Bedouin weaving techniques have changed through the history of Israel, offering knowledge on the craft’s cultural relevance and historical development among the Bedouin people and how their weaving and embroidery differ based on the three main geographic characteristics. It tries to comprehend the causes of the transition from organic to synthetic materials and the part played by the Lakiya Negev Bedouin Weaving women’s cooperative in maintaining this legacy.
Design/methodology/approach
The main goal of this study is to trace the emergence of Bedouin weaving traditions in the Negev Desert using a qualitative research methodology that combines historical analysis and ethnographic investigation. A thorough grasp of the subject’s significance is provided through the data gathering, which consists of interviews, archival research and field observations.
Findings
Through the years, Bedouin weaving techniques have significantly shifted away from using traditional organic materials in favor of synthetic replacements, according to the research. It emphasizes the crucial part played by the Lakiya Negev Bedouin Weaving women’s organization in safeguarding this traditional legacy and giving Bedouin women access to economic prospects.
Research limitations/implications
The limitation of the study includes its emphasis on the Negev region and the Israeli Bedouin community, which may not accurately reflect all Bedouin weaving techniques. Greater regional settings may be explored in future studies.
Practical implications
The investigation emphasizes the value of investing in initiatives for cultural preservation and the empowerment of underprivileged groups through economic possibilities.
Social implications
By preserving ancient weaving techniques, this research enables Bedouin women in the Negev Desert to maintain their cultural identity and socioeconomic well-being.
Originality/value
By emphasizing the socio-cultural dimensions and the organization’s role in preserving traditional craftsmanship in a changing socio-economic environment, this research presents a unique investigation of the evolution of Bedouin weaving techniques in Israel.
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Md. Saiful Alam and Dewan Mahboob Hossain
The purpose of this research is to investigate how different accountability practices might be observed in the annual reports of non-government organisations (NGOs) in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to investigate how different accountability practices might be observed in the annual reports of non-government organisations (NGOs) in Bangladesh. The study further aims to understand whether such accountability disclosures support NGO legitimacy in Bangladesh and if so, in what form.
Design/methodology/approach
To fulfil this objective, a content analysis was conducted on the annual reports of 24 selected leading NGOs operating in Bangladesh. The data were then analysed through the not-for-profit accountability framework of Dhanani and Connolly (2012). Theoretical constructs of legitimacy were further mobilised to corroborate the evidence.
Findings
It was found that NGOs operating in Bangladesh discharged all four types of accountability, i.e., strategic, fiduciary, financial and procedural (Dhanani and Connolly, 2012) through annual reports. The findings further suggested that carrying out these accountabilities supported the legitimation process of NGOs. Moreover, we found that NGOs took care of the needs of both primary and secondary stakeholders although they widely used self-laudatory positively charged words to disclose information about their accountabilities.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the limited accounting research on the public disclosures of NGOs and not-for-profit firms particularly in emerging economy settings. Also, we contribute to the limited research on the accountability-legitimacy link of NGOs evident in public disclosures like annual reports.
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Kapil Gora, Barkha Dhingra and Mahender Yadav
Micro-finance has a significant role in the better performance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the existing…
Abstract
Purpose
Micro-finance has a significant role in the better performance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the existing literature on the role of micro-finance and its approaches in MSMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
This work performs a bibliometric analysis using a data set of 631 articles collected from the Scopus database. The Bibliometrix R package and Vosviewer are used to conduct performance analysis and scientific mapping. Performance analysis shows the publication trend, key authors, journals and top influential articles. Science mapping through a bibliographic coupling network of documents is prepared to discover the intellectual structure of the field.
Findings
This review has identified the four major themes: access to finance and schemes, women empowerment and poverty alleviation, the performance of micro-finance institutions and recent development in micro-financial institutions. With the help of these research themes, the paper also highlights future research agendas.
Originality/value
This paper enriches the understanding of the role of micro-finance services in performance of entrepreneurship with the bibliometric review of top contributors.
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Wei Li, Huan Liu and Yingshi Chen
This study aims to measure social enterprises’ (SEs’) social objectives under the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, and explore the impact of SEs’…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to measure social enterprises’ (SEs’) social objectives under the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, and explore the impact of SEs’ social objectives on their choices of legal forms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used semi-structured questionnaires followed up by field interviews and observations of the sampled SEs. The survey sample includes 80 participants of Social Entrepreneurs Stars Competition in Zhejiang Province of China. The authors conduct content analysis to measure the objectives of SEs. The authors also perform descriptive analysis, chi-square test and regression analysis on the data.
Findings
The findings confirm the theoretical discussions that SEs’ choices of legal forms reflect SEs’ strategies toward achieving social objectives. Similar to certain countries, some SEs in China register as nonprofit entities to concentrate on nonprofitable sustainability objectives, while others register as commercial enterprises or hybrid organizations to generate profits. However, some SEs focus on profitable non-sustainability issues and fail to prioritize social objectives over economic objectives. There are positive effects of social entrepreneurs’ background similarity and negative effects of social entrepreneurs’ educational level on their SEs’ choices to register as commercial enterprises.
Research limitations/implications
Due to the small size and nonrepresentative sample this study is based on, the findings need be further tested by a larger sample. SEs in different service domains rely on different types of financial resources (Mair et al., 2012; Doherty et al., 2014). In future research, the model can be expanded to test the effects of service domains and types of financial sources on SEs’ choices of legal forms.
Practical implications
To encourage more societal resources being allocated toward achieving the United Nations’ SDGs, policymakers and SE certification programs are recommended to explicitly incorporate sustainability objectives into the evaluation standards and supportive policies for SEs. Social entrepreneurs who aim to balance the social and economic objectives in their business are suggested to target the population with whom they share similar community background. Training or consulting programs for social entrepreneurs are suggested to provide advice tailored to their socio-economic background and personal experiences.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ this study is the first quantitative analysis to identify factors that associate with SEs’ choice of legal forms in China. The authors developed new instruments to measure SEs’ social objectives and service targets, access to financial resources and social entrepreneurs’ social-economic backgrounds.
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Lior Solomovich and Villy Abraham
The present study’s aims are twofold: 1) to contribute to theory development by accounting for both personality and trust in the conceptualization of technology acceptance using…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study’s aims are twofold: 1) to contribute to theory development by accounting for both personality and trust in the conceptualization of technology acceptance using the technology acceptance model (TAM) as the theoretical framework; and 2) to explore the influence of ChatGPT-integrated chatbots on tourism behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
The target population for this study was travelers who previously used technology (website/ app) to plan their holiday abroad. An online survey questionnaire created with Google Forms was distributed via a panel company (iPanel). A screening question was included to filter out respondents who have not previously used technological means to plan their holiday abroad. A panel company (iPanel) was hired to collect data from a convenience sample of 305 Israeli tourists who met the above criterion between August 22 and 27, 2023, and were at least 18.
Findings
A significant and positive relationship was observed between trust in ChaptGPT and perceived usefulness. Furthermore, a significant and positive association was observed between perceived ease of use and intentions to use ChatGPT-integrated chatbots to plan future holidays. Post hoc analyses suggest that perceived ease of use mediates the relationship between extraversion and trust, trust mediates the relationship between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness and age moderates the relationship between perceived ease of use and behavioral intentions.
Research limitations/implications
Data was collected from a convenience sample of Israeli travelers. Hence, generalizations to other countries, nationalities and cultures should be treated carefully; the study is cross-sectional and thus represents respondents’ beliefs and behavioral intentions at a particular time; and the study is based on one of several theoretical frameworks that can be used to conceptualize behaviors associated with using AI by tourists.
Practical implications
The findings of the present study point to the importance of accounting for tourists’ personal factors, such as personality and age, in developing AI products in the tourism industry. chief executive officers and relevant shareholders would benefit from conducting market research to obtain insights into the factors that may enhance or hamper tourists’ adoption of AI-based technology for planning their holidays abroad.
Originality/value
Previous work falls short of accounting for personality traits and trust in a single model using the TAM framework. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study empirically investigating tourism behavior related to ChatGPT based chatbots as a tool to plan future holidays abroad. Furthermore, the possible role of age as a moderating variable was overlooked in past research.
目的
本研究的目标有两个:1)采用技术接受模型作为理论框架, 通过考虑技术接受概念化中的个性和信任来促进理论发展; 2)探讨ChatGPT集成的聊天机器人对旅游行为的影响。
设计/方法/途径
本研究的目标人群是以前使用技术(网站/应用程序)计划出国度假的旅行者。使用 Google Forms 创建的在线调查问卷通过小组公司 (iPanel) 分发。其中包含一个筛选问题, 以筛选出之前未使用技术手段计划出国度假的受访者。聘请了一家调查公司(iPanel)来收集 305 名以色列游客的便利样本数据, 这些游客在 2023 年 8 月 22 日至 27 日期间符合上述标准, 且年龄至少为 18 岁。
研究结果
在 ChaptGPT 的信任度和感知有用性之间观察到显着且积极的关系。此外, 观察到易用性与使用集成 ChatGPT 的聊天机器人来计划未来假期的意向之间存在显着且正相关的关系。事后分析表明, 感知的易用性调节了外向性和信任之间的关系; 信任调节感知易用性和感知有用性之间的关系, 年龄调节感知易用性和行为意愿之间的关系。
原创性
以前的工作未能在单个模型中使用技术接受模型框架来解释个性特征和信任。这是第一项实证研究, 调查与 ChatGPT 集成聊天机器人相关的旅游行为, 作为规划未来出国度假的工具。此外, 过去的研究忽视了年龄作为调节变量的可能作用。
研究局限性/影响
1)数据是从以色列旅行者的便利样本中收集的。因此, 应该谨慎对待对其他国家、民族和文化的概括; 2)该研究是横断面的, 因此代表了受访者在特定时间的信念和行为意愿; 3)该研究基于几个理论框架之一, 该框架可用于概念化游客使用 ChatGPT 集成聊天机器人来计划未来出国度假的意向。
实际影响
本研究的结果表明, 在开发用于旅游业的基于 ChatGPT 的聊天机器人时, 考虑游客的个人因素(例如个性和年龄)的重要性。首席技术官和相关股东将受益于进行市场研究, 以深入了解可能增强或阻碍游客采用基于 ChatGPT 的聊天机器人来规划未来出国度假的因素。
Objetivo
Los objetivos del presente ossib son dos: 1) contribuir al ossibleo de la teoría incorporando la personalidad y confianza en la conceptualización de la aceptación de la tecnología empleando el Modelo de Aceptación de la Tecnología como marco teórico; 2) analizar la influencia de los chatbots integrados en ChatGPT en el comportamiento turístico.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
La población objetivo de este ossib fueron los viajeros que anteriormente utilizaban tecnología (página web/aplicación) para planificar sus vacaciones en el extranjero. Se distribuyó un cuestionario online creado con Google Forms a través de una empresa de paneles (iPanel). Se incluyó una pregunta de selección para filtrar a los encuestados que no habían utilizado previamente medios tecnológicos para planificar sus vacaciones en el extranjero. Se contrató a una empresa de paneles (iPanel) para recopilar datos de una muestra de conveniencia de 305 turistas israelíes que cumplieron el criterio anterior entre el 22 y el 27 de ossib de 2023, y con una edad ossib de 18 años.
Resultados
Se identificó una relación ossibleon y ossible entre la confianza en ChaptGPT y la utilidad percibida. Además, se evidenció una asociación ossibleon y ossible entre la facilidad de uso percibida y la intención de ossible chatbots integrados en ChatGPT para planificar futuras vacaciones. Los análisis post-hoc sugieren que la facilidad de uso percibida media la relación entre la ossibleon y la confianza; la confianza media la relación entre la facilidad de uso percibida y la utilidad percibida, y la edad modera la relación entre la facilidad de uso percibida y las intenciones de comportamiento.
Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación
1) los datos se recopilaron de una muestra de conveniencia de viajeros israelíes. Por tanto, las generalizaciones a otros países, nacionalidades y culturas deben tratarse con cuidado; 2) el ossib es transversal y, por tanto, representa las creencias y las intenciones de comportamiento de los encuestados en un momento determinado; 3) el ossib se basa en uno de los diversos marcos teóricos que pueden emplearse para conceptualizar la intención de los turistas de ossible chatbots integrados en ChatGPT para planificar futuras vacaciones en el extranjero.
Implicaciones ossible
Los resultados del presente ossib señalan la importancia de tener en cuenta los factores personales de los turistas, como la personalidad y la edad, en el ossibleo de chatbots basados en ChatGPT para su uso en la industria turística. Los directores de tecnología y los stakeholders relevantes se beneficiarían de investigación de mercado para obtener información sobre los factores que pueden mejorar o dificultar la adopción de chatbots basados en ChatGPT por parte de los turistas para planificar futuras vacaciones en el extranjero.
Originalidad
Los trabajos anteriores no tienen en cuenta los rasgos de personalidad y la confianza en un único modelo utilizando ossible TAM. Este es el primer ossib que investiga empíricamente el comportamiento turístico relacionado con los chatbots basados en ChatGPT como herramienta para planificar las futuras vacaciones en el extranjero. Además, en investigaciones anteriores no se ossible el ossible papel de la edad como variable moderadora.
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This qualitative study aims to examine bankers’ perspectives regarding financial inclusion, the challenges it faces and the scope for improvement. This research proposes a…
Abstract
Purpose
This qualitative study aims to examine bankers’ perspectives regarding financial inclusion, the challenges it faces and the scope for improvement. This research proposes a financial inclusion model, considering the inputs received by bankers. Financial exclusion of different sections is an issue common to emerging countries.
Design/methodology/approach
Data for qualitative research were collected through interviews with bank officials. The information was gathered from 32 bankers from India’s several zones (North, South, West and East). The data were collected from bankers from different public and private sector banks. Thematic analysis was performed up to the point of saturation to study the response received from bankers.
Findings
Bank-related issues such as frequent computer problems, network connectivity problems, costs, a shortage of bank branches, fewer transactions through automated teller machines and a shortage of banking staff affect customers’ confidence in formal banking. Banking services are disrupted by a lack of trust in banking correspondents (BCs), as they are not regular employees of banks. Limits on daily transactions discourage high-value customers from using BCs and kiosks. The time spent on administrative formalities impacts customers. Financial inclusion is affected by availability, accessibility, usage and affordability. Digital financial literacy is essential for ease of transaction, but awareness about financial products helps protect customers from cyber scams. The findings of this research would benefit financial institutions globally in developing their businesses and helping to achieve financial inclusion and the United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Originality/value
This research paper undertakes a qualitative analysis of the views collected from bankers. Bankers are crucial stakeholders in the successful implementation of the National Financial Inclusion Policy of the Government of India. Bankers’ perspectives will be important not only for India and its researchers but also in the global context, as the UN’s SDGs focus on leaving no one behind.
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