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1 – 10 of 108Sandeep Kumar Mogha, Shiv Prasad Yadav and S. P. Singh
– The purpose of this paper is to determine the relative efficiencies of public sector hospitals in Uttarakhand, India.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the relative efficiencies of public sector hospitals in Uttarakhand, India.
Design/methodology/approach
The study use data of public hospitals collected from Directorate of Medical Health and Family Welfare, Government of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, India for the year 2011. The cross-sectional data analyses are carried out by applying data envelopment analysis (DEA) based slack based model.
Findings
The analysis found that out of total 36 hospitals only ten hospitals are relatively overall technical efficient. The average overall technical efficiency 54.10 per cent indicates that an average hospital has the scope of producing the outputs with the inputs 45.90 per cent lesser than their existing levels. The slack analysis results show that on average 12.57 per cent of beds, 13.16 per cent of doctors, 14.04 per cent of paramedical staff can be reduced and 17.53 per cent of out-door patients, 66.55 per cent of in-door patients, 208.23 per cent of major surgeries, 110.73 per cent of minor surgeries can be expanded if all the inefficient hospitals operate at the level of efficient hospitals.
Originality/value
The present study is undertaken to measure the relative efficiencies of public sector hospitals in Uttarakhand. There is dearth of studies being done on Indian healthcare sector and this study will help to utilize healthcare resources efficiently for formulating policy implications for public hospitals in Uttarakhand. For the robustness of DEA results, Jackknifing analysis is also conducted.
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The study aims to empirically test the effects of antecedents on behavioral intentions towards Uber-ridesharing services. The antecedents are perceived value (hedonic…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to empirically test the effects of antecedents on behavioral intentions towards Uber-ridesharing services. The antecedents are perceived value (hedonic, utilitarian, epistemic, and symbolic value), e-Attitude, and technology attachment (smartphone use, Internet use, and e-Involvement). Moreover, the study explores the mediating effect of three-dimensional perceived value (hedonic, utilitarian, and epistemic value) and e-Attitude; and the moderating effect of symbolic value on behavioral intentions towards Uber-ridesharing services.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed survey (75% Google Form, 25% face to face) was conducted in Bangladesh to collect data from customers who had previously participated in Uber-ridesharing services, one of the largest ridesharing platforms in Bangladesh. Subsequently, data were analyzed based on the structural equation modeling technique using SmartPLS 3.3.3.
Findings
The study findings revealed that hedonic value, utilitarian value, epistemic value, symbolic value, e-Attitude, smartphone use, internet use, e-Involvement had a direct significant positive impact on behavioral intentions. Also, e-Attitude significantly impacted hedonic, utilitarian, and epistemic value. In addition, Smartphone use, internet use, and e-Involvement significantly influenced e-Attitude. Moreover, the study findings revealed that hedonic, utilitarian, and epistemic value partially mediates between e-Attitude and behavioral intentions; and e-Attitude partially mediates between Smartphone use, Internet use, and e-Involvement and hedonic, utilitarian, and epistemic value and behavioral intentions. Furthermore, the results indicate that epistemic value significantly moderates the relationship between hedonic, utilitarian, and epistemic value and behavioral intentions.
Practical implications
This study uncovers some insightful findings for ridesharing services providers and managers helping to build customers' positive behavioral intentions towards Uber-ridesharing services. In particular, practitioners can improve cost-efficiency, hedonic and symbolic aspects, availability of rides of Uber-ridesharing services. Moreover, the ridesharing services managers should adopt technology-based service opportunities.
Originality/value
The study enriches sharing economy literature, especially ridesharing services, exploring the direct effect of epistemic value, e-Attitude, smartphone use, Internet use, and e-Involvement on behavioral intentions. Moreover, this study presents smartphone use, Internet use, and e-Involvement as new antecedents of e-Attitude and behavioral intentions. Furthermore, the study explores the mediating effect of hedonic, utilitarian, and epistemic value and e-Attitude; and the moderating effect of symbolic value in Uber-ridesharing service perspective.
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Victor Karikari Acheamfour, Ernest Kissi and Theophilus Adjei-Kumi
The selection of a suitable contractor for a project has a significant impact on project success. In order to avoid the selection of an incapable contractor, the capabilities of…
Abstract
Purpose
The selection of a suitable contractor for a project has a significant impact on project success. In order to avoid the selection of an incapable contractor, the capabilities of contractors must be assessed prior to tendering through pre-qualification. However, the pre-qualification process is characterized by partiality and ambiguity. In view of this, numerous models have been developed to solve the pre-qualification problems. Prior to the development of such models, it is very important to assess how the pre-qualification criteria impact project success criteria so as to aid in the selection of pre-qualification criteria while considering the project and client’s objectives. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to ascertain the relationship between contractors’ pre-qualification criteria and project success criteria.
Design/methodology/approach
The study utilized explanatory research design in testing 35 hypotheses. The views of 121 practising quantity surveyors were solicited using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using the partial least square structural equation modeling to validate the hypothesis.
Findings
In all, 13 of the 35 hypotheses were not supported. The findings indicated a clear relationship between contractors’ pre-qualification and project success.
Practical implications
Therefore, it is evident that the practice of lowest evaluate bidder is not adequate for providing a satisfactory project outcome. It is, therefore, suggested that more emphasis should be placed on contractor’s technical abilities, health and safety and management capabilities as they have proven to have a significant correlation with the project success.
Originality/value
This study provides insights to the how various pre-qualification criteria can impact the project success criteria and further contributes to the symbiotic that exist in the literature on pre-qualification and project success.
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Soujata Rughoobur-Seetah and Zuberia Aminah Hosanoo
Technology acceptance research in the L&T contexts has a necessity for enabling the significant inclusion of technology in educational settings (Scherer et al., 2019). Despite the…
Abstract
Purpose
Technology acceptance research in the L&T contexts has a necessity for enabling the significant inclusion of technology in educational settings (Scherer et al., 2019). Despite the propensity for information communication and technology to enhance the teaching and learning process, the acceptance or rejection of learning technology is essential. Technological acceptance model (TAM) has evolved to become a key model to depict the predictors of human behaviour towards prospective rejection or acceptance of technology (Granic and Marangunic, 2019). In their recent systematic review of the extensive literature on TAM, Granic and Marangunic (2019) found that most of TAM research originate from Asia (Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea and China), Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, research on TAM has been very scarce in small island economies. This study aims to guide the empirical model of Al-Fraihat et al. (2020), which wants to uncover the quality of learning by understanding the intentions and satisfaction of tertiary education learners on the acceptance and use of information technology (IT) for e-learning, during the confinement period.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a quantitative approach. The proposed framework was borrowed from Al-Fraihat et al. (2020) and amended based on the contextual aspect of the study. The model proposed by Al-Fraihat et al. (2020) takes into consideration the quality of e-learning through technical system quality, information quality, service quality, educational system quality, support system quality, learner quality and instructor quality. The framework has as the basis the TAM where the perceived satisfaction, perceived usefulness, use and benefits of E-learning have been evaluated. This current study evaluated the quality of the e-learning platform from the students’ perspective in the confinement period. The service quality construct has been broken into three different dimensions, namely, service quality from an IT perspective, service quality from an administration perspective and service quality from the faculty represented by the Head of Departments. Another dimension has been added so as to evaluate the learner’s point of view when studying during confinement, namely, confinement and learning quality.
Findings
The findings of this study did not support H25, that is the hypothesis that perceived usefulness has a positive relationship with perceived satisfaction, in contradiction to similar previous studies that confirmed the relationship (Al-Sabawy et al., 2011; Al-Fraihat et al., 2020). However, interestingly, the findings of this research supported the relationship between perceived satisfaction and benefits (H26). This means that the greater the satisfaction of the learner, the greater the benefits on students. The results of this study further supported that there is a positive relationship between perceived usefulness and benefits (H27); there is a positive relationship between perceived usefulness and use (H28); and finally, there is a positive relationship between use and benefits (H29). Such relationships were also found in the existing literature (Al-Sabawy et al., 2011; Cidral et al., 2018; Al-Fraihat et al., 2020). The perception of the usefulness of the e-learning system determines the benefits, usefulness and system use. When the learners feel that the system is enhancing their learning, learning activities and performance, hence learning more effectively, they tend to see the e-learning system as useful and they are more likely to use the e-learning system/tool. The use of the tool/system, thus positively impacts the benefits that the learners derived from the system.
Originality/value
The COVID-19 and overnight decision for a country-wide lockdown drastically changed the education sector. School and all teaching institutions were closed. However, most universities had to review their teaching and learning models to introduce e-learning to ensure the semester’s progress. Hence, the use of the various LMS tools became a necessity overnight. This study on e-learning in Mauritius uses the TAM as the theoretical foundation because the theory has long been extensively used to investigate the quality of learning eg. Davis (1989), Scherer et al. (2019), Al-Fraihat et al. (2020).
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Varun Mahajan, Sandeep Kumar Mogha and R.K.Pavan Kumar Pannala
The main purpose of this paper is to determine the bias-corrected efficiencies and rankings of the selected hotels and restaurants (H&Rs) in India.
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this paper is to determine the bias-corrected efficiencies and rankings of the selected hotels and restaurants (H&Rs) in India.
Design/methodology/approach
The data for the Indian H&R sector are collected from the Prowess database. The bootstrap data envelopment analysis (DEA) based on a constant return to scale (CRS), variable return to scale-input oriented (VRS-IP) and variable return to scale-output oriented (VRS-OP) are applied on H&Rs to obtain the bias-corrected efficiencies.
Findings
It is found that relative efficiencies using basic DEA methods of all the 45 H&Rs of India are overestimated. These efficiencies are corrected using bias correction through bootstrap DEA methods. The bounds for the efficiencies of each H&R are computed using all the adopted methods. All H&Rs are ranked using bias-corrected efficiencies, and the linear trend between ranks suggests that the H&Rs are ranked almost similarly by all the adopted methods.
Practical implications
To improve efficiency, Indian H&R companies must rethink their personnel needs by enhancing their workforce management capabilities. The government needs to extend more support to this sector by introducing a liberal legislation framework and supporting infrastructure policies.
Originality/value
There is a paucity of studies on H&Rs in India. The current study focused on measuring bias-corrected efficiencies of the selected H&Rs of India. This study is one of the few initiatives to explore bias-corrected efficiencies extensively using the bootstrap DEA method.
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Preety Awasthi and Purnima S. Sangle
The aim of the paper is to identify interactions existing among the identified factors and understanding how they impact adoption intention so that better CRM strategies for…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the paper is to identify interactions existing among the identified factors and understanding how they impact adoption intention so that better CRM strategies for mobile channel can be orchestrated.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper empirically explores the underlying factors by the application of confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The study sample consists of 523 respondents with a response rate of 63.9 percent (usable response rate).
Findings
The empirical findings reveal that from the perspective of benefits, perceptions value, perceived usefulness and context were the three critical components significantly influencing adoption intention. On the apprehension side, the effects of perceived security assurance, perceived trust, perceived cost and perceived risk on perceived value as well as perceived usefulness were significant.
Research limitations/implications
The study had a few limitations such as selection of the sample from a limited number of places, and the model was cross-sectional measuring perceptions and intentions at a single point of time.
Practical implications
Based on the findings, banks should focus on increasing the value perceptions of the customers by considering the perceptions of usefulness in various service contexts. The structural assurances and risk mitigation strategies also need attention.
Originality/value
The findings provided insight into the factors that contribute to the acceptance of mobile CRM services in India from new consumers' perspective. This study demonstrated that in the case of mobile CRM, the factors related to service aspect dominate over the technical aspect.
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Selim Aren, Hatice Nayman Hamamci and Safvan Özcan
The aim of this study, the moderating effect of pleasure-seeking and loss aversion, was investigated in relation to the big five personality traits with regard to risky investment…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study, the moderating effect of pleasure-seeking and loss aversion, was investigated in relation to the big five personality traits with regard to risky investment intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
In the study, the data was obtained between January and November 2019 via an online survey with convenience sampling. The total number of subjects is 886. The authors used IBM SPSS Statistics for analysis. Exploratory factor analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis and discriminant analysis were performed.
Findings
Significant relationships were found between five personality traits and risky investment intentions. In these relationships, the moderator effect of pleasure-seeking for extraversion, conscientiousness and neuroticism personality traits was also determined. Besides, investment preferences for choosing “unknown and new investment” against “known and experienced investment”, which is a typical feature of the balloon periods, were modeled with big five personality traits and motivation variables (pleasure-seeking and loss aversion) and the equation was formed. As a result, high accuracy classification success was obtained.
Originality/value
The study is unique owing to its findings. In addition, general risk aversion and risky investment intention were investigated simultaneously to explain the different findings in the literature regarding the attitude of big five personality traits to risk and personality traits that show consistent approach were identified.
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Liping Ding, Jiangshan Li, Yuqing Wang, Jing Shuai and Xinxin Xu
Under the pressure of environment degradation and energy consumption rises, solar photovoltaic power generation (SPPG) has been seen as a strategic emerging industry in China…
Abstract
Purpose
Under the pressure of environment degradation and energy consumption rises, solar photovoltaic power generation (SPPG) has been seen as a strategic emerging industry in China. However, the SPPG projects have many uncertain factors in the process of the life cycle. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the investment risk comprehensively.
Design/methodology/approach
Specifically, this paper firstly identified the risk factors and consequences of SPPG project investment and constructed the investment risk factor evaluation index system. Secondly, the factor analysis method was used to reveal the key investment risk factors and risk consequences. Then, the research hypotheses and conceptual model were proposed, and the empirical analysis was conducted based on the structural equation model (SEM).
Findings
The results showed that the six key risk factors (political, economic, technological, management, market and natural) have a significant impact on the risks during the whole period. The influence degree of risk factors in the operational period is such that market factor > political factor > economic factor > management factor > natural factor > technical factor. In addition, the risk of constructional period has a significant impact during the risk of operational period. Except for natural factors, all risk factors are correlated among the mutual influence relationship of risk factors. Finally, this paper puts forward management implications based on the above conclusions: effectively identify investment risk factors and comprehensively improve risk management ability; (refine the risk factors of SPPG project investment and develop targeted risk prevention and control strategies; define risk management objectives and make relevant strategic plans.
Research limitations/implications
Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalisability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.
Practical implications
It can also help stakeholders propose risk prevention strategies throughout the entire process, to promote the sustainable development of SPPG projects.
Originality/value
This study focuses on the investment risk of SPPG projects, by building an evaluation index system to identify key risk factors, and then establishes a SEM covering constructional period risks and operational period risks to better explore SPPG project risks, in an effort to reveal the mutual influence relationship and influence path of investment risk factors of the projects.
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Ahmed Boussaidi and Mounira Hamed-Sidhom
This study sheds light on the determinants related to the corporate board of directors and the firms’ ownership nature of tax aggressiveness strategies of Tunisian listed firms and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study sheds light on the determinants related to the corporate board of directors and the firms’ ownership nature of tax aggressiveness strategies of Tunisian listed firms and what could be their effect on its level in a postrevolution context.
Design/methodology/approach
Our research considers only nonfinancial firms listed in the Tunisian stock exchange during the 2011–2017 period. It is based on unbalanced panel data.
Findings
Findings suggest that women presence on the corporate board, CEO duality, the managerial and institutional ownership regularize significantly the level and the management's behavior of engagement in tax aggressiveness practices and reduce the firm’s overall risks of its consequences in terms of tax positions stability.
Research limitations/implications
Our investigation considers only nonfinancial firms to avoid noisy results and for the significant differences between accounting standards within financial and nonfinancial firms, besides sample homogeneity and comparability considerations.
Practical implications
This study provides evidence that some governance mechanisms, even reasonably dedicated to consider the risk of tax aggressiveness and to prevent its consequences, have a paradoxical effect and amplify the tax aggressiveness’ level rather than defending the firm’s viability and its financial stability. It offers signals to managers about specific governance attributes that strengthen and/or control the extent of tax aggressive strategies.
Social implications
This research gives a particular road map for society, investors and practitioners to depict the firms’ level of tax aggressiveness and especially to understand its attributes related to the corporate board of directors and the ownership's nature through evidences from a postrevolution context.
Originality/value
Our research contributes to prior literature by examining the effect of corporate board characteristics and different ownership natures on the extent of tax aggressiveness during and after the revolution period in Tunisia and confirms and infers some prior findings of tax aggressive determinants in underdevelopment context.
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The purpose of this paper is to discover and enumerate the elements of the digital library and measure how much an individual library was equipped with the characteristics of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discover and enumerate the elements of the digital library and measure how much an individual library was equipped with the characteristics of the digital library accordingly.
Design/methodology/approach
For this purpose several steps were taken. First, research on the characteristics and the representative services of the digital library were comprehensively reviewed. Second, examples of the library services that were being considered for the next generation digital library were investigated to compare with the conventional library services. Third, the elements of the conventional and the digital libraries initially extracted were examined by ten experts. These experts were composed of researchers and professors specializing in digital libraries, and career librarians who had worked in the digital library field for at least ten years. The elements were verified through discussions with them. Fourth, 19 university libraries, 16 public libraries, and 17 special libraries were selected in accordance with the verified elements of the conventional and the digital libraries to measure the digitization level of the libraries.
Findings
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the first eight evaluation items, which are covered in Part 1 of this study. The remaining five items will be covered in Part 2. First, the digitization level of the acquisition element and classification and cataloguing was significantly high. Second, book collections excluding “digital video,” reference service, library program service, and space service showed significantly conventional characteristics. Third, in the element of circulation services, the item of lending books offline and returning the books scored 92.64 and the item of lending-returning with use of smart devices and social media obtained significantly low scores. Also, the average in using the book return desk for the circulation service was 81.39, much higher than using the automatic book return machine, which scored 18.61, by a wide margin. Fourth, in the element of user services, the digital item of providing support for mobile services related to the library resources demonstrated higher scores than the conventional item, but other items showed more conventional characteristics. In particular, the item of duplication services for material scored 94.99, but other items such as support for publication/bookbinding services using digital publication tools and devices obtained significantly low scores.
Originality/value
This study is first study in the world to measure the level of digitization of the library. Therefore, hereafter, each library will be able to measure and determine its digital position based on these elements. Up to now, some research was performed in pursuit of extracting the elements of a library but it has relied solely on literature review. Comprehensive research had never been performed as in this study.
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