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1 – 10 of 666Zubair Ali Shahid, Muhammad Irfan Tariq, Justin Paul, Syed Ali Naqvi and Leonie Hallo
The purpose of this paper is to analyze to what extent and in what ways signaling theory has been explored within the field of international marketing. This paper systematically…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze to what extent and in what ways signaling theory has been explored within the field of international marketing. This paper systematically reviews the use of signaling theory in the field of international marketing. Communication is a core aspect of the international marketing process. Research in this field has explored effective and unique ways of improving the communication flow to reduce the asymmetry of information between international consumers and the firm. This notion is adopted, enhanced and strengthened by signaling theory. Signaling theory has recently received the attention of international marketing scholars.
Design/methodology/approach
The systematic review methodology was applied for the purpose of identifying the relevant studies. We extracted academic articles over the last 23 years from the domain of international marketing that directly contribute to signaling theory based on 57 journal articles extracted through the systematic review process.
Findings
Based on systematic research the results reveal that the topic has grown and continues to expand within the broader international marketing field. We offer a theoretical conceptual framework to better understand signaling theory in the context of international marketing.
Originality/value
The authors map and critically evaluate the use of signaling theory in international marketing. Relevance of signaling theory in international marketing is growing and authors present an integrative framework that organizes the existing literature, and provides scholars to further expand on emerging themes of the domain. The paper offers some useful future research directions.
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Ghulam Qader, Zubair Ali Shahid, Muhammad Junaid, Imran Mehboob Shaikh and Muhamamd Asif Qureshi
This paper aims to examine the factors that drive the exporter’s influence toward halal meat supply chain adoption by encompassing the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the factors that drive the exporter’s influence toward halal meat supply chain adoption by encompassing the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory in the context of Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
Using DOI as an underpinning theory, this study evaluates halal supply chain adoption by collecting data from the members of associations from Pakistan. A total of 258 useable responses were received, and PLS-SEM was adopted using SmartPLS.
Findings
The exporter’s adoption of the halal supply chain is determined not only by perceived relative advantage and perceived compatibility but also by perceived complexity, religious beliefs and awareness.
Research limitations/implications
Though this study has practical and managerial implications, it has few limitations. Further studies need to be conducted in other contexts as well with a larger population.
Originality/value
There are limited studies that have tested DOI theory in the context of the halal meat supply chain in Pakistan. Therefore, the author extends the diffusion theory of innovation in the current work. Further, this paper will be a helpful reference guide for academicians, practitioners and researchers.
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Yasir Jamal, Tahir Islam and Zubair Ali Shahid
This study explores the underlying mechanism of psychological reactance that leads to online shopping hate in social commerce. Based on self-congruity and psychological reactance…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the underlying mechanism of psychological reactance that leads to online shopping hate in social commerce. Based on self-congruity and psychological reactance theory, this study examines the antecedents (symbolic, functional and emotional incongruence) and consequences (online shopping hate) of psychological reactance among online users toward online shopping. Moreover, this study takes trustworthiness as a moderator in the relationship between attitude ambivalence and psychological reactance.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from online users.
Findings
The results show that symbolic-incongruence and functional-incongruence are responsible for attitude ambivalence, resulting in high psychological reactance. In addition, the study’s findings reveal that psychological reactance is positively linked with online shopping hate. This study extends and contributes to the self-congruence theory and empirically examines the influence of emotional incongruence. The moderating results reveal that trustworthiness moderated the relationship between attitude ambivalence and psychological reactance. The study findings are helpful for marketing managers to develop social commerce strategies.
Research limitations/implications
Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.
Practical implications
The study findings are helpful for marketing managers to develop social commerce strategies.
Originality/value
This study explains the underlying mechanism of brand hate through psychological reactance.
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Najam Akber Anjum, Zubair Ali Shahid, Muhammad Shujaat Mubarik and Ummad Mazhar
Purpose of this study is to explore the nature of relationship between internationalization of firms, sustainability of their supply chains, and the extent of their green…
Abstract
Purpose
Purpose of this study is to explore the nature of relationship between internationalization of firms, sustainability of their supply chains, and the extent of their green innovations. Understanding of the relationship between these constructs is important because of the ever increasing sustainability awareness of consumers in the leading economies of the world. This awareness is now compelling importers of goods from cheap-labor countries to ensure that their suppliers comply with sustainability regulations. This compliance becomes very challenging because of the lack of control on second-tier and third-tier suppliers in a supply chain. First-tier suppliers in this case may drive this effort but need to be motivated enough to do so. In case of environmental sustainability, green innovation (GI) may provide a gradual, and thus more affordable and practical, move toward more eco-friendly ways. As far as the motivation to commit to sustainability and GI is concerned, internationalization and export business expansion may act as one of the most effective motivators for these suppliers. However, the nature of relationship between these three constructs, i.e. internationalization of firms, sustainability of their supply chains and the extent of their GI requires a better understanding.
Design/methodology/approach
The work uses a novel data set collected from 146 medium and large textile firms operating in Pakistan. The partial least square-structural equation modeling approach is used for data analysis.
Findings
All three constructs of internationalization, GI and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) are significantly associated and thus complement each other.
Originality/value
This work uses a novel agency theory perspective to analyze the relationship between internationalization, GI and SSCM. In that sense, the findings indicate that internationalization could be one of the incentives that can be used by the principals to deal with agents’ goal conflict and information asymmetry.
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Shahid Ali, Junrui Zhang, Muhammad Usman, Muhammad Kaleem Khan, Farman Ullah Khan and Muhammad Abubakkar Siddique
This study aims to investigate the question concerning whether tournament incentives motivate chief executive officers (CEOs) to be socially responsible.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the question concerning whether tournament incentives motivate chief executive officers (CEOs) to be socially responsible.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from all A-share Chinese companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges for the period from 2010 to 2015 are used. To draw inferences from the data, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and cluster OLS are used as a baseline methodology. To control for the possible issue of endogeneity, firm-fixed-effects regression, two-stage least squares regression and propensity score matching are used.
Findings
A reliable evidence is found that tournament incentives motivate CEOs to be more socially responsible. Additional analysis reveals that the positive effect of CEO tournament incentives on corporate social responsibility performance (CSRP) is more pronounced in state-owned firms than it is in non-state-owned firms. The study’s findings are consistent with tournament theory and the conventional wisdom hypothesis, which proposes that better incentives lead to competitiveness, which improves financial and social performance.
Practical implications
The study’s findings have implications for companies and regulators who wish to enhance CSRP by giving tournament incentives to top managers. Investment in social responsibility may reduce the conflict between executives and employees and improve the corporate culture.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing literature by providing the first evidence that CEOs’ tournament incentives play a vital role in CSRP. The study’s findings contribute to tournament theory.
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Maryam Khashij, Arash Dalvand, Mohammad Mehralian, Ali Asghar Ebrahimi and Rasoul Khosravi
The purpose of this paper is to analyze zero valent iron nanoparticles (NZVIs) by a novel green method, taken from Thymus vulgaris (TV) plant extract, were synthesized and applied…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze zero valent iron nanoparticles (NZVIs) by a novel green method, taken from Thymus vulgaris (TV) plant extract, were synthesized and applied to degrade reactive black 5 (RB5) azo dye.
Design/methodology/approach
The optimum conditions for the highest removal of RB5 dye were determined. Characterization of NZVIs was done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The NZVIs were used for the removal of dye RB5, and the parameters affecting were discussed like pH, initial concentration, contact time and NZVIs dosage.
Findings
The characterization results of NZVIs by SEM, TEM, FTIR and XRD show that polyphenols, organic acids and proteins reduce not only the green synthesis of NZVIs but also the aggregation of nanoparticles. The maximum dye removal efficiency of 99.6 per cent occurred at pH 4, NZVIs dose of 600 mg/L, and contact time of 5 min. The adsorption of RB5 dye onto the NZVIs surface and scavenging of the azo bond (−N = N) by the strong reduction of NZVIs were the proposed mechanisms for dye removal. The application of NZVIs to treat wastewater containing reactive dye shows high degradation efficiency.
Research limitations/implications
The findings may greatly benefit the application of the NZVIs taken from Thymus vulgaris (TV) in the fields of dye adsorption.
Practical implications
The present study is novel because it incorporated the morphological and structural properties of the synthesized NZVIs using a native plant of Iran and studied the capability of green-synthesized NZVIs to remove RB5 as a water contaminant.
Social implications
The native plant presented here can be developed for reduced environmental pollution before discharge to accepted water.
Originality/value
The NZVIs is prepared via green-synthesized method, which is prepared with leaves of TV. There are two main innovations. One is that the novel NZVIs is prepared successfully by native plant via green-synthesized method. The other is that the optimized conditions were obtained for the removal of RB5 dye as a water contaminant. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, no study has ever investigated the removal of RB5 by NZVIs produced using a native plant in Iran.
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Ali Asghar Ghasemi, Hooshang Yazdani and Mohammad Amin Mozaheb
This study explores whether metacognitive strategy training can influence the lexical knowledge of L2 learners of the present study, and what they think about the use of…
Abstract
This study explores whether metacognitive strategy training can influence the lexical knowledge of L2 learners of the present study, and what they think about the use of metacognitive strategies in language learning classes. To do so, a 50-item multiple-choice vocabulary test, developed by the researchers based upon Nation’s (1990) levels of language proficiency, was employed to measure the learners’ vocabulary knowledge progress during the period of instruction. The instruction received by the experimental group was based on the Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) Model, developed and validated by Chamot and O’Malley (1994). The findings revealed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in their endeavors for comprehending and producing vocabulary. This may be attributed to the fact that after this intervention, participants have developed their metacognitive awareness and their thinking skills. The study concludes with pedagogical implications and highlights avenues for future research.
ﺗ مّ د ﻣ ﺞ ا ﺳ ﺗ ر ا ﺗ ﯾ ﺟ ﯾ ﺎ ت ﻣ ﺎ و ر ا ء ا ﻟ ﻣ ﻌ ر ﻓ ﯾ ﺔ (MS) ، ا ﻟ ﺗ ﻲ ﺗ ﻌ ﺗ ﺑ ر ا ﻟ ﻔ ﺋ ﺔ ا ﻟ ﻔ ر ﻋ ﯾ ﺔ ا ﻟ ر ﺋ ﯾ ﺳ ﯾ ﺔ ﻻ ﺳ ﺗ ر ا ﺗ ﯾ ﺟ ﯾ ﺎ ت ﺗ ﻌ ﻠّ م ا ﻟ ﻠّ ﻐ ﺔ ﻓ ﻲ ﻣ ﻧ ﺎ ھ ﺞ ﺗ ﻌ ﻠّ م ا ﻟ ﻠّ ﻐ ﺔ ا ﻷ ﺟ ﻧ ﺑ ﯾ ﺔ ﻟ ﺗ ﺳ ﮭ ﯾ ل ا ﻟ ﺗ ﻔ ﻛ ﯾ ر ا ﻟ ﻌ ﺎ ﻟ ﻲ و ا ﻟ ﺗ ﺧ ط ﯾ ط ا ﻟ ذ ا ﺗ ﻲ و ا ﻟ ﺗ ﻌ ﻠّ م ا ﻟ ﻣ ﺳ ﺗ ﻘِّل و ا ﻟ ﺗ ﻌ ﻠ م ا ﻷ ﻓ ﺿ ل ﻓ ﻲ ﻧ ﮭ ﺎ ﯾ ﺔ ا ﻟ ﻣ ط ﺎ ف . و ﻓ ﻘًﺎ ﻟ ذ ﻟ ك ، ﺗ ﻌ دّ ھ ذ ه ا ﻟ دّر ا ﺳ ﺔ ﻣ ﺣ ﺎ و ﻟ ﺔً ﻟ ﻺ ﺟ ﺎ ﺑ ﺔ ﻋ ﻣ ﺎ إ ذ ا ﻛ ﺎ ن ا ﻟ ﺗ د ر ﯾ ب ﻋ ﻠ ﻰ ا ﺳ ﺗ ر ا ﺗ ﯾ ﺟ ﯾ ﺔ ﻣ ﺎ و ر ا ء ا ﻟ ﻣ ﻌ ر ﻓ ﻲ ﯾ ﻣ ﻛ ن أ ن ﯾ ؤ ﺛّ ر ﻋ ﻠ ﻰ ا ﻟ ﻣ ﻌ ر ﻓ ﺔ ا ﻟ ﻣُﻌ ﺟ ﻣ ﯾ ﺔ ﻟ ﻠ ﻣ ﺗ ﻌ ﻠ ﻣ ﯾ ن و ﻣ ﺎ ذ ا ﯾ ﻔ ﻛّر ﻓ ﯾ ﮫ ا ﻟ ﻣ ﺗ ﻌ ﻠّ ﻣ و ن ﺣ ول ﺗ د ر ﯾ س ا ﺳ ﺗ ر ا ﺗ ﯾ ﺟ ﯾ ﺎ ت ﻣ ﺎ و ر ا ء ا ﻟ ﻣ ﻌ ر ﻓ ﯾ ﺔ . و ﻟ ﻠ ﻘ ﯾ ﺎ م ﺑ ذ ﻟ ك ، ﺗ مّ ا ﺳ ﺗ ﺧ د ا م ا ﺧ ﺗ ﺑ ﺎ ر ﻣ ﻛ و ن ﻣ ن 50 ﻋ ﻧ ﺻ ر اً ﻣ ﺗ ﻌ د د ا ﻻ ﺧ ﺗ ﯾ ﺎ ر ا ت ا ﻟّ ذ ي ﺗ مّ ﺗ ط و ﯾ ر ه ﺑ و ا ﺳ ط ﺔ ا ﻟ ﺑ ﺎ ﺣ ﺛ ﯾ ن ا ﺳ ﺗ ﻧ ﺎ دًا إ ﻟ ﻰ ﻣ ﺳ ﺗ و ﯾ ﺎ ت ا ﻟ ﻛ ﻔ ﺎ ء ة ا ﻟ ﻠ ﻐ و ﯾ ﺔ ﻟ د ى ا ﻟ ﺷ ﻌ ب (Nation) (1990 م ( ، ﻟ ﻘ ﯾ ﺎ س ﺗ ط وّ ر ﻣ ﻌ ر ﻓ ﺔ ا ﻟ ﻣ ﻔ ر د ا ت أ ﺛ ﻧ ﺎ ء ﻓ ﺗ ر ة اﻟ ﺗد ر ﯾ س . ا ﺳ ﺗ ﻧ د ت ا ﻟ ﺗ ﻌ ﻠ ﯾ ﻣ ﺎ ت ا ﻟ ﺗ ﻲ ﺗ ﻠ ﻘّﺗ ﮭ ﺎ ا ﻟ ﻣ ﺟ ﻣ و ﻋ ﺔ ا ﻟ ﺗ ﺟ ر ﯾ ﺑ ﯾ ﺔ إ ﻟ ﻰ ﻧ ﻣ و ذ ج ﻣ ﻧ ﮭ ﺞ ا ﻟ ﺗ ﻌ ﻠ م ا ﻟ ﻣ ﻌ ر ﻓ ﻲ ا ﻷ ﻛ ﺎ د ﯾ ﻣ ﻲ ) CALLA ( ا ﻟ ذّي أ ﻋ دّه و و ا ﻓ ق ﻋﻠ ﯾ ﮫ ﺷﺎ ﻣو ت وأ وﻣﺎﻟ ﻲ ) 1994 ( . ﻛ ﺷ ﻔ ت ا ﻟ ﻧ ﺗ ﺎ ﺋ ﺞ أ نّ ا ﻟ ﻣ ﺟ ﻣ و ﻋ ﺔ ا ﻟ ﺗ ﺟ ر ﯾ ﺑ ﯾ ﺔ ﺗ ﻔ و ﻗ ت ﻋ ﻠ ﻰ ا ﻟ ﻣ ﺟ ﻣ و ﻋ ﺔ ا ﻟ ﺗ ﺣ ﻛ ﻣ ﯾ ﺔ ﺑ ﺎ ﻟ ﻧّﺳ ﺑ ﺔ ﻟ ﻔ ﮭ م و إ ﻧ ﺗ ﺎ ج ا ﻟ ﻣ ﻔ ر د ا ت . ﻣن اﻟ ﻣﻣﮑن أ ن ﯾﻌود ذ ﻟ ك إ ﻟ ﻰ ﺣ ﻘ ﯾ ﻘ ﺔ أ نّ ا ﻟ ﻣ ﺗ ﻌ ﻠ ﻣ ﯾ ن ﺑ ﻌ د ھ ذ ا ا ﻟ ﻌ ﻼ ج ﯾ ﻣ ﻛ ﻧ ﮭ م ا ﻟ ﺗ ﻔ ﻛ ﯾ ر أ ﻛ ﺛ ر و ر ا ء ا ﻟ ﻣ ﻌ ر ﻓ ﯾ ﺔ و ﺗ ط و ﯾ ر ﺗ ﻘ دّم ﺗ ﻔ ﻛ ﯾ ر ھ م . ﺗ ﺧ ﺗ ﺗ م ا ﻟ دّر ا ﺳ ﺔ ﺑ ذ ﮐ ر ﺑ ﻌ ض ا ﻵ ﻓ ﺎ ق ا ﻟ ﺗ ر ﺑ و ﯾّﺔ و ﺗ ﺳ ﻠ ﯾ ط ا ﻟ ﺿّو ء ﻋ ﻠ ﻰ ﺑ ﻌ ض ا ﻟ ﺳّﺑ ل ﻟ ﻠ ﺑ ﺣ ث ﻓ ﻲ ا ﻟ ﻣ ﺳ ﺗ ﻘ ﺑ ل .
Shahid Ali, Fazli Rabbi, Umar Hayat and Naveed Ali
– This study is an attempt to examine the role of sub categories of government expenditures under democratic and military regimes in Pakistan for the period of 1972-2009.
Abstract
Purpose
This study is an attempt to examine the role of sub categories of government expenditures under democratic and military regimes in Pakistan for the period of 1972-2009.
Design/methodology/approach
This study exercised autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model.
Findings
The results show that contractionary fiscal expansion occurs in Pakistan. Moreover, the coefficient of development expenditure positively affects economic growth. It supports the public capital hypothesis that states that public and private investments are complements to each other. The results also show that current expenditure does not contribute to economic growth.
Practical implications
The study recommends that for the purpose of macroeconomic stability, government should reduce its unproductive expenditure and should enhance its resource mobilization.
Originality/value
This study is an attempt to examine the dynamic relationship between the composition of government expenditures and economic growth for Pakistan over the period of 1972-2009. The work is different from already existing literature in Pakistan. The authors' investigated the impact of different categories of government expenditures on economic growth, which has not been studied previously. Moreover, this study included a set of control variables by performing sensitivity analysis which is a significant contribution to the existing literature.
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M. Saeed Ansari, Ali Mahani and Karim Mohammadi
To increase protection level against transient faults, circuit designers usually take advantage of redundant structures like Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR). Since redundancy…
Abstract
Purpose
To increase protection level against transient faults, circuit designers usually take advantage of redundant structures like Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR). Since redundancy compel a significant power overhead, proposing a low power fault tolerant technique in digital circuits is the main objective of this research work.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to moderate power consumption, we use a dual to triple modular redundancy. In fact, we put one of the modules in a TMR system in sleep mode while the other two operating modules are producing the same outputs. Once a mismatch is detected, the third one exits the sleep mode and the dual modular redundancy (DMR) approach turns into a conventional TMR. Also a novel stoppable clock generator is proposed to handle the sleep mode of the third module. Finally, a new three-input majority voter, compatible with our proposed technique, is presented.
Findings
Power analysis of combinational circuit benchmarks, ISCAS85, and ISCAS89 as sequential circuit benchmarks are depicted. Simulation results show the power reduction of up to 30% in comparison with the conventional modular redundancy approach.
Originality/value
Since modular redundancy is the most effective and the most well-known fault tolerant approach which is widely used in reliable circuits designs, it is important to reduce its power consumption. In this paper configuring the sleep mode operation of a circuit and stoppable clock generator lead to a new TMR technique in which the power consumption is strongly reduced.
Abdul Ghaffar, Syed Shahid Zaheer Zaidi and Tahir Islam
Unsustainable spending patterns of consumers directly contribute to 30–40% of environmental degradation, mainly in waste. Packaging is a vital part of responding to the main…
Abstract
Purpose
Unsustainable spending patterns of consumers directly contribute to 30–40% of environmental degradation, mainly in waste. Packaging is a vital part of responding to the main challenges of sustainable food consumption on the global stage. This study aims to investigate how environmental concern and trust in sustainable producers impact the sustainable consumption behaviors of consumers via the mediation of consumer xenocentrism and the moderation of eco-label and country of origin (COO) of buying sustainable packaged foreign food brands.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a quantitative method. The authors used Smart PLS 3.0 structural equation modeling (SEM) technique for data analysis. Data from the participants were collected through the convenience sampling technique. A total of 343 valid responses were received.
Findings
The results indicate that xenocentrism is an emerging behavior among Pakistani consumers. The authors found that a high degree of environmental concern and trust in sustainable producers are the antecedents of consumer xenocentrism, which leads to sustainable consumption behavior.
Research limitations/implications
This research highlights the importance of customers’ xenocentric attitudes that lead to sustainable consumption behavior. The research findings provide vital information for researchers, policymakers, academics, practitioners, industry professionals, brand managers and top management, especially in designing the environmental sustainability framework. Although the findings support theory of planned behavior (TPB), future studies can contrast different theories’ contributions to sustainable consumption behavior improvement. Also future researchers may analyze the impact of culture on the association between sustainable consumption and consumer attitudes toward environmental concerns and trust in sustainable producers.
Originality/value
This research contributes to practice and theory, as consumer xenocentrism is a relatively unexplored area of research in developing countries. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to examine consumers’ xenocentric attitudes to sustainable consumption empirically.
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