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1 – 10 of over 108000Valérie Guillard and Céline Del Bucchia
Purpose – The present article explores a relatively new way for consumers to dispose of items they no longer use, namely free recycling websites. Online recycling is based on an…
Abstract
Purpose – The present article explores a relatively new way for consumers to dispose of items they no longer use, namely free recycling websites. Online recycling is based on an encounter with an unknown recipient to give something away ‘in person’.
Methodology – A phenomenological approach was used to understand the meaning of giving through free recycling websites. Placing the focus on the donor's perspective, we analysed Internet postings and conducted 27 in-depth interviews.
Findings – Our research shows that (1) when the object is given, the online giver is less concerned about the risk of refusal, since the recipient has deliberately made the choice to take the item; (2) when the item is received, the encounter with the recipient removes the anonymity of charities and (3) in return, the encounter with the recipient offers the giver acknowledgement for the gesture without committing them to a relationship with the recipient in the way a gift to kith or kin might do.
Research implications – While former literature has highlighted certain tensions in the gift economy, this study shows how free recycling websites can help to alleviate such tensions.
Social implications – The research highlights how this system of object disposition enhances social interactions between two strangers that share an interest in the same object.
Originality – The article shows how this new form of gift-giving relationship is both rewarding and liberating: it is rewarding thanks to the interaction with the recipient (unlike donations to charities) without necessarily creating a bond of dependence (unlike giving to someone you know).
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This study aims to examine the factors influencing online sadaqah acceptance among university graduates in Malaysia.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the factors influencing online sadaqah acceptance among university graduates in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing upon the theory of reasoned action (TRA), this study proposed a model to examine the effects of attitude, subjective norm, altruism and empathy on the online sadaqah acceptance, with the use of a questionnaire survey.
Findings
The results reveal that altruism empathy attitude subjective norm were significantly related to online sadaqah acceptance.
Research limitations/implications
This study has at least three limitations, namely, confined generalisations of the variables used the limited selection of samples and the specific context of the research conducted.
Practical implications
The findings provide valuable insights on improving online sadaqah acceptance from the perspective of university graduates.
Originality/value
This study is original in terms of its final output that enlightens the significant effects of altruism and empathy on the online sadaqah acceptance within the TRA’s context.
Mika Lehdonvirta, Vili Lehdonvirta and Akira Baba
Research on prosocial behaviour shows that help‐giving differs between the sexes. Gender role theory posits that males specialise in material aid, while females specialize in…
Abstract
Purpose
Research on prosocial behaviour shows that help‐giving differs between the sexes. Gender role theory posits that males specialise in material aid, while females specialize in emotional support. Today, people increasingly help and support each other via online environments. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the genders of avatars used in online interactions influence help‐giving behaviour in similar ways as physical sex does in face‐to‐face situations.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study was conducted using a unique observational data set from a Japanese massively‐multiplayer online game. Instances of help‐giving were identified from conversation logs, coded, and analysed statistically to discover differences between male and female avatars and different help types.
Findings
Avatar gender is found to influence help‐giving in ways that deviate from expected gender roles: female avatars are more likely than males to provide assistance in the form of material support and labour, and no more likely than males to provide emotional support. Female avatars are more likely to give help to male avatars than other females. The results are explained using behavioural confirmation and self‐perception theory.
Research limitations/implications
Physical sex was not controlled for, but most players were male. The study should be repeated in other environments.
Practical implications
The results suggest that designers can prime users towards prosocial behaviours by tuning the available line‐up of avatars.
Originality/value
The research question and use of observational data are novel. The study is valuable to online educators, companies seeking to reduce customer support costs through peer help, and policymakers dealing with ICTs and societal change.
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Rahmatina Awaliah Kasri and Syafira Rizma Chaerunnisa
This study aims to determine the role of knowledge, trust and religiosity in influencing the intention to donate cash waqf online among Muslim millennials in Indonesia.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the role of knowledge, trust and religiosity in influencing the intention to donate cash waqf online among Muslim millennials in Indonesia.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a framework based on the theory of planned behavior, primary data was collected from 418 Muslim millennials who domiciled in large cities in Indonesia and subsequently analyzed using the structural equation modeling method.
Findings
The main findings suggest that knowledge, trust and religiosity play a positive role in explaining the intention to donate cash waqf online among Indonesia’s millennials. Religiosity is found to be the most powerful factor in influencing attitude, while knowledge is the least significant factor influencing the attitude, which subsequently influences the intention to engage in online cash waqf. Social norms and perceived behavioral control are also positively influencing such intention.
Practical implications
These results imply that it is important for waqf institutions to reflect strong Islamic values in their cash waqf products and to more strongly communicate religious messages about the benefits of giving cash waqf to the millennials. It is also crucial to increase waqf literacy through appropriate campaigns. Moreover, they need to be more transparent and accountable to establish, maintain and enhance trust in their organizations. Overall, these findings are expected to provide insights enabling waqf institutions to devise effective marketing strategies for raising the level of online cash waqf donation in Indonesia.
Originality/value
This is thought to be one of the first studies to investigate the factors influencing online cash waqf donations among Muslim millennials in Indonesia.
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Saeed Awadh Bin-Nashwan and Meshari Al-Daihani
The rapid outbreak of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has triggered unprecedented restrictions on not only human movement but also a wide sphere of economic activities, disrupting…
Abstract
Purpose
The rapid outbreak of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has triggered unprecedented restrictions on not only human movement but also a wide sphere of economic activities, disrupting livelihood, welfare and business worldwide. In response, some Muslim communities have launched fundraising campaigns to mitigate the socio-economic impacts of the virus on the front-liners and the most affected segments of vulnerable populations. The purpose of this study is to explore the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of donors to these campaigns who contribute via social media platforms (SMPs).
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a cross-sectional research design using an online survey conducted in a typical Muslim community such as Kuwait. A total of 565 samples of data (356 women, 209 men) were used for analysis. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used to estimate the research model and extract meaningful conclusions.
Findings
The results show that charitable projects, internet technology features, SMP features and religiosity are significant motivations that influence attitudes toward online donations related to COVID-19 response. All these relationships are indirectly related to intentions to donate via SMP through a significant mediating effect of attitude.
Practical implications
The outcome of this study could support the efforts of governments, non-profit organizations and communities to focus attention on suitable proactive strategies to boost online fundraising campaigns for those affected by epidemic diseases.
Originality/value
This study enriches the literature by integrating both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of online donations into a new and unique related context such as SMP, especially amid the COVID-19 crisis.
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Violetta Wilk, Geoffrey N. Soutar and Paul Harrigan
The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of the online brand advocacy (OBA) and brand loyalty relationship through a social identity theory lens.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of the online brand advocacy (OBA) and brand loyalty relationship through a social identity theory lens.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was used to obtain the needed data and the relationships of interest were examined using a partial least squares structural equation modelling approach.
Findings
Brand loyalty and consumer-brand identification were found to be predictors of OBA, while OBA impacted on purchase intent. In addition, a strong reciprocal relationship was found between OBA and brand loyalty, which has not been reported in prior studies.
Research limitations/implications
This study highlighted OBA's complexity. It suggested OBA is not only an outcome of a consumer-brand relationship but also that OBA plays a key role in the development of such relationships. A consumer's identification with a brand fosters brand loyalty and purchase intent through the giving of OBA.
Practical implications
The more consumers vocalise their brand relationships through OBA, the more they strengthen their relationship with brands. The inclusion of OBA management in brand and marketing strategies should enable organisations to foster opportunities for online consumer-brand interactions that strengthen consumer-brand relationships.
Originality/value
First, unlike previous studies that have used makeshift scales to measure OBA, the authors used a recently developed OBA scale. Second, the important reciprocal relationship between OBA and brand loyalty, which has significant implications, has not been reported in prior research.
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So-Hyun Lee, Su-Jin Choi and Hee-Woong Kim
Social network services (SNS) gifting is a new business model, but many SNS providers continue to face challenges as they explore ways to increase their revenues from gifting. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Social network services (SNS) gifting is a new business model, but many SNS providers continue to face challenges as they explore ways to increase their revenues from gifting. The purpose of this paper is to examine the key factors involved in gift giving via SNS platforms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a mixed methods approach through qualitative and quantitative research. In the first stage (qualitative study), the authors extract factors from interviews with users of SNS gifting services. In the second stage (quantitative study), the authors interpret decisional factors explored in the first stage on the basis of customer value theory, develop a research model and empirically test it.
Findings
The results show that five factors – convenience of SNS gifting, symbolic representation of SNS gifting, relationship support of SNS gifting, pleasure of SNS gifting, and an SNS gifting norm – directly or indirectly affect SNS gifting decisions.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to electronic commerce research by extending the customer value theory and adding to the literature on SNS gifting and gift giving in general.
Practical implications
The study informs SNS providers regarding the promotion of SNS gifting services for revenue generation.
Originality/value
This study is among the first to comprehensively examine decision-making in SNS gifting through the lens of customer value theory.
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VINE is produced at least four times a year with the object of providing up‐to‐date news of work being done in the automation of library housekeeping processes, principally in the…
Abstract
VINE is produced at least four times a year with the object of providing up‐to‐date news of work being done in the automation of library housekeeping processes, principally in the UK. It is edited and substantially written by Tony McSean, Information Officer for Library Automation based in Southampton University Library and supported by a grant from the British Library Research and Development Department. Copyright for VINE articles rests with the British Library Board, but opinions expressed in VINE do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the British Library. The subscription to VINE is £10 per year and the subscription period runs from January to December.
INSEAD, the European Institute for Business Administration, at Fontainebleau, near Paris, offers advanced management education for over 400 students a year, mainly through the MBA…
Abstract
INSEAD, the European Institute for Business Administration, at Fontainebleau, near Paris, offers advanced management education for over 400 students a year, mainly through the MBA course. The Library first set up online access in 1984, and now has extensive online training facilities for students, as well as services for professors, researchers and administrative staff. As demand for online training from students has increased, some professors have encouraged Library online specialists to give brief presentations at the start of courses, helping students to aim their information searching directly towards project needs. In 1987, with pressure on the present three online specialists, we started to explore ways of increasing the participation of staff and student end users in their own searching. More attention was given to existing online menu‐driven systems like Textline, while the growth of professional datafiles on France's Minitel videotex system made it worthwhile to explore their potential as subsidiary search options. In 1988, to develop direct end user searching further, two CD‐ROM workstations were installed, which now offer six disc databases on free access. There has also been an exploration of the role of databases issued on floppy disk as offline alternatives. To help campus users understand the range of database options available, a booklet listing by subject major databases accessible on campus, on both online and offline media, was recently issued. Currently, a prototype simple expert system is being developed from this to help users to move between offline and online searching more easily. The present efforts are aimed at a more user‐oriented information access as the Library prepares to transfer next year to a new building.
Alain Yee‐Loong Chong, Keng‐Boon Ooi, Binshan Lin and Boon‐In Tan
This paper aims to empirically examine the factors that affect the adoption of online banking in Vietnam. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust and government support…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to empirically examine the factors that affect the adoption of online banking in Vietnam. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust and government support were examined to determine if these factors are affecting online banking adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was distributed to 156 respondents in Vietnam with 103 usable samples giving a response rate of 66 percent. Data were analyzed by employing correlation and multiple regression analysis.
Findings
The results showed that perceived usefulness, trust and government support all positively associated with the intention to use online banking in Vietnam. Contrary to the technology acceptance model, perceived ease of use was found to be not significant in this study.
Research limitations/implications
This study was conducted in Vietnam and future research can use this model to study the adoption of online banking in other countries.
Practical implications
The results allow banks' decision makers to develop strategies that can increase the adoption of online banking. Banks should improve the security and privacy of the web sites, which will increase the trust of users. Banks should also create features which are useful to users and make sure users are aware of these features. Lastly, government should also play a role to support banks in their efforts to increase online banking adoption.
Originality/value
The findings allow the factors that can influence the adoption of online banking in Vietnam to be understood. Unlike existing studies based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study includes both security and government support on top of the existing variables used in TAM. Most studies on adoption of online banking are focused on developed countries. By focusing on Vietnam, this model can also be applied to other countries which are relatively new to e‐commerce and online banking.
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