This study aims to fill the gap between academia and reality by empirically confirming the effect of moral preferences on consumer responses (purchase intention) to fashion…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to fill the gap between academia and reality by empirically confirming the effect of moral preferences on consumer responses (purchase intention) to fashion companies’ unethical activities. This study also explores the moderating effect of collectivism and individualism on the paths from moral preferences to purchase intention.
Design/methodology/approach
Respondents read a stimulus passage describing unethical activities of imaginary fashion brand A and the economic benefits of purchasing/using the brand's products. Then, they were asked to answer questions about homo moralis, homo economicus, individualism, collectivism and purchase intention.
Findings
Homo moralis significantly and negatively influenced respondents’ purchase intention. Homo economicus significantly and positively affected purchase intention. Collectivism further increased the negative influence of homo moralis on purchase intention. In contrast, individualism increased the positive effect of homo economicus on purchase intention.
Research limitations/implications
The scope of future research should include various products and explore variables that help consumers perceive that the ethical issues of the industry are deeply related to themselves. Studies should also examine the intention not to purchase products from unethical companies as an outcome variable. The economic aspect that responds to incentives affects purchase intention more strongly than the moral aspect of consumers, which helps explain the behavior of consumers who think of themselves as ethical but purchase products from unethical companies.
Originality/value
This study can help fashion companies establish strategies such as corporate social responsibility that will lead to a positive effect on consumers’ purchase intention.
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Muhammad Sholihin and Arna Asna Annisa
This study aims to analyze the definition and contextual variations of homo islamicus in literature across disciplines, including beyond Islamic economics, and to explore their…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the definition and contextual variations of homo islamicus in literature across disciplines, including beyond Islamic economics, and to explore their implications for Islamic economic agents.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a machine learning-based text analysis approach, 61 articles will be examined to classify definitions and identify contextual clusters for homo islamicus.
Findings
This study reveals eight classifications of homo islamicus definitions and three distinct contexts. These findings suggest significant divergence between the concept of homo islamicus in Islamic economic tradition and its interpretation by non-Islamic scholars, attributable to underlying values and ideologies rather than methodological differences.
Research limitations/implications
This study focuses solely on textual analysis of articles using the term “homo islamicus” across disciplines, precluding the formulation of epistemological and ontological frameworks. Future research could expand on these aspects.
Practical implications
By presenting diverse perspectives on homo islamicus, this paper facilitates a more comprehensive understanding among scholars of Islamic economics, aiding in the resolution of disagreements within the field.
Originality/value
This study introduces novel classifications of homo islamicus definitions and contextualizes them, providing insights into their implications for Islamic economic agents.
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Literature on psychology highlights four traits that shape an amoral and antisocial personality: Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy and sadism. Together, these personality…
Abstract
Purpose
Literature on psychology highlights four traits that shape an amoral and antisocial personality: Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy and sadism. Together, these personality traits form the Dark Tetrad. In this study, the standard intertemporal utility maximization model is reassessed from the point of view of a representative economic agent endowed with the Dark Tetrad personality traits.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach followed in this paper consists of identifying how each of the Dark Tetrad traits might be logically associated with the dynamic utility problem, as well as exploring, in the context of the model, the implications, for consumption and utility, of admitting the presence of such traits in individuals’ personalities.
Findings
It is found that, typically, dark personalities penalize consumption growth, even when such traits are interpreted directly and positively contributing to the utility of the agent. It is also found that in economies with two or more interacting agents, the dark traits might have a mutually destructive nature.
Originality/value
Economics is going through a smooth revolution in the direction of becoming an eminently behavioral science. Most of the traditional economic models, based on the idea of the hyper-rational agent, are being replaced or complemented by a different view of the homo-economicus, in which, among other things, personality matters. This paper offers a novel contribution in this direction.
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This paper aims at assessing the impact of a number of behavioral interventions on the willingness of informal businesses, in the Egyptian informal sector, to join the formal…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims at assessing the impact of a number of behavioral interventions on the willingness of informal businesses, in the Egyptian informal sector, to join the formal sector.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses an experimental methodology to examine the impact of behavioral interventions on the formalization of the Egyptian informal sector. Specifically, it conducts a survey experiment on a total of 240 informal businesses, operating in the Egyptian informal sector. The primary data collected from the survey experiment is then analyzed using a binary logistic regression to assess the impact of the behavioral primes on the probability of joining the formal market.
Findings
The empirical findings of the survey experiment indicate that the biggest obstacle facing informal businesses is finding a formal source of finance that could help them in penetrating the market. Providing informal businesses with information on funding opportunities offered by the ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) significantly increased the probability of joining the formal sector to benefit from this opportunity.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to apply behavioral primes, in the form of informational cues, to the Egyptian case of informal business owners. Previous research on the use of behavioral nudges and primes has focused mainly on the western economies.
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The global financial crisis (GFC) has undermined the legitimacy of orthodox neo-classical economic assumptions, which nevertheless continue to frame the philosophical assumptions…
Abstract
Purpose
The global financial crisis (GFC) has undermined the legitimacy of orthodox neo-classical economic assumptions, which nevertheless continue to frame the philosophical assumptions of teaching in business schools. The purpose of this paper is to make a case in favour of an expansion of the business school curriculum to incorporate behavioural economics. The paper will also contend that behavioural economics can be connected to social economics, as they are both heterodox in this study and analyse economic phenomenon outside of a neo-classical framework. The aim is to contribute to arguments for an expanded curriculum, beyond the framing assumptions of neo-classical rationalism. This paper will also support its case by reviewing behavioural economics to make the case that this literature can be connected to social economics. This assertion is based on shared connections, including the importance of Kantianism in behavioural economics and in social economics. These connections will be discussed as a common point of reference points, or ties that can serve to broker links between these two economic paradigms. Practical implications (if applicable) the GFC presents an opportunity to re-shape the business school curriculum to acknowledge the centrality of socio-economics and behavioural economics, and consequently to offer an alternative to the dominant ontological assumptions – taken from the economic understanding of rationality – that have previously underpinned business school pedagogy.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents an inter-disciplinary teaching case, which incorporates socio-economic and behavioural economics perspectives. The teaching case concerned a socio-economic understanding of corruption and white-collar crime. It was also inter-disciplinary to include inputs from business history and criminology. The teaching case developed an appreciation among students that corruption, white-collar crime and entrepreneurship can be analysed within a social economics and behavioural economics lens.
Findings
The teaching case example discussed an alternative socio-economic and behavioural economics understanding to core areas of the MBA curriculum with the potential to be included in other academic disciplines. This enabled students to apply a behavioural economic approach to white-collar crime. The findings derived from this case study are that behavioural economics has the potential to enhance the teaching of socio-economics.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper is to apply behavioural economics to a socio-economic teaching case, in core subject areas of the MBA curriculum.
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Aminath Sudha, S.M. Ferdous Azam and Jacquline Tham
Though public sector organisations have continuously borrowed human resource management practices from the private sector, there seems to be sparse evidence on the effectiveness…
Abstract
Purpose
Though public sector organisations have continuously borrowed human resource management practices from the private sector, there seems to be sparse evidence on the effectiveness of financial rewards for public sector employees, especially in developing countries where pay remains low. Therefore, the objective of this research is to test the effectiveness of financial rewards on the job performance of those working in the Maldives civil service from the perspective of a developing country where public sector pay, especially civil pay, remains comparatively low. Additionally, this study tested the mediating effect of organisational commitment on the relationship between financial rewards and job performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional study was conducted using quantitative design methodology, whereby data were collected from 341 employees working in the Maldives civil service and analysed using structural equation modelling.
Findings
The findings indicate that financial rewards negatively affect civil service employees’ job performance. However, financial rewards improve organisational commitment, which reduces the negative effects, although the effect sizes of the mediator are not very significant.
Originality/value
The results of this study present critical theoretical and practical contributions to public administration researchers on using financial incentives as a mechanism to boost job performance, particularly in developing countries, where salaries and other benefits remain low. Furthermore, it presents practical recommendations for managing employees in the Maldives and other countries, where the public sector is less developed and budget constraints remain a challenge.
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Mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression are prevalent among the prisoners, highlighting the urgent need to address mental health challenges in prison…
Abstract
Purpose
Mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression are prevalent among the prisoners, highlighting the urgent need to address mental health challenges in prison facilities. Existing research highlights the crucial role of recreational and extracurricular (R&E) programs in promoting the mental well-being of prisoners. Another stream of literature identifies the importance of effective leadership within the prison system to the success of these programs and services aimed at improving the mental health of incarcerated individuals. The purpose of this study is to provide a thorough examination of the breadth, scope and characteristics of the published literature, focusing on how positive leadership in prison settings can foster the success of R&E programs in addressing mental health challenges among prisoners.
Design/methodology/approach
In this scoping review, a systematic literature review (SLR), using the guidelines of preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA, 2020) by Page et al. (2021), was followed which provides guidelines for study selection and research question, identification of relevant studies via databases and registers, multi-step screening to exclude literatures that are not directly relevant and finalizing body of literature for theory development, summarizing and reporting. The included studies for theory development were appraised for quality using methodology-specific tools. A critical narrative synthesis was adopted to present a theoretical framework for positive leadership influence on R&E programs to promote prisoner engagement and their mental well-being.
Findings
The SLR procedure resulted in a total of 122 studies that met the inclusion criteria for the topics of the current paper. The finalized list of studies that were used for theory development included 21studies in the area of prison and prison system (including organizations), 33 in the area of individual and team behavior (including inmates and correctional officers), 26 in the area of leadership (both organizational and correctional facilities), 12 in the area of R&E (including training and education), 31 in the area of mental health and behavior and 2 studies on research methods. Of these 122 studies, 83 studies were peer-reviewed scientific publications, selected chapters from 7 books, while the remaining 32 included nonscientific and anecdotal reports.
Originality/value
Despite the plethora of literature on the significance of effective leadership within organizational strategies and operations, there remains a notable gap in literature regarding the role of leadership and other enabling factors in the implementation and management of effective programs within correctional facilities aimed at improving the mental well-being of prisoners. This paper explores the role and relationship of leadership and R&E programs and activities in prisons to improve the mental well-being of prisoners. Specifically, a program’s resource sufficiency, positive reinforcement of prisoner behavior during the engagement and psychological conditions of the program are critical for successful prisoner engagement in such programs. Based on organizational theories of positive leadership and engagement (i.e. prisoner participation and engagement in R&E programs), this study offers four propositions to develop a theoretical framework of positive leadership in influencing such programs, which in turn can be a catalyst to reduce mental health issues among prisoners in correction facilities.
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Mohd Ziyauddin Khan, Ashwani Kumar, Harshit Kumar Singh and Syed Abdullah Ashraf
This study systematically reviews the existing literature on the application of gamification in logistics and supply chain management (LSCM). This study aims to categorise the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study systematically reviews the existing literature on the application of gamification in logistics and supply chain management (LSCM). This study aims to categorise the literature in various logistics and supply chain domains, to conceptualise the gamification framework pertinent in the context of LSCM and to provide a research agenda for scholars in the area.
Design/methodology/approach
The study’s methodology adopts the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis framework to conduct a systematic literature review. Forty relevant papers published from 2012 to 2023 are included in the analysis.
Findings
Augmented reality, blockchain, education, sustainability and warehousing have been identified as the key focus areas in which gamification is applied. Furthermore, the paper highlights different research approaches used to study these domains, maps the literature with gamification constructs (affordances, psychological outcomes and behavioural outcomes) and provides potential research avenues for future scholars.
Research limitations/implications
This review offers evidence of the impact of gamification on workforce dynamics, employee motivation, job satisfaction, trust, employee engagement and productivity. The study significantly contributes to the academic community by offering a conceptual framework and meaningful avenues for future researchers.
Originality/value
This research work contributes to the gamification, logistics and supply chain literature by providing a more comprehensive and methodical knowledge of the field. This study adds to the body of knowledge by offering a reference framework for future scholars based on a synthesis of the studies published so far in the area.
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Andrea Sestino, Alessandro Bernardo, Cristian Rizzo and Stefano Bresciani
Gamification unlocks unprecedented opportunities in healthcare, wellness and lifestyle context. In this scenario, by leveraging on such an approach, information technologies now…
Abstract
Purpose
Gamification unlocks unprecedented opportunities in healthcare, wellness and lifestyle context. In this scenario, by leveraging on such an approach, information technologies now enabled gamification-based mobile applications primarily employed in health and wellness contexts, focusing on areas such as disease prevention, self-management, medication adherence and telehealth programs. The synergistic integration of gamification-based methodologies in conjunction with the utilization of digital tools, (e.g. as for Internet of Things, mobile applications) for the realm of digital therapeutics (DTx), thus unveiled powerful approaches and paradigms, yielding innovative applications that, through the harnessing of sensors and software-based systems, transform healthcare maintenance, wellness and lifestyle into an engaging pursuit, as a game. This paper explores the factors influencing individuals' intention to autonomously utilize mobile gamification-based apps for self-care and wellness maintenance.
Design/methodology/approach
Through explorative research designs an experiment has been conducted among a sample of 376 participants regarding the use of a fictitious gamification-based DTx solution, consisting in a mobile app namely “Health'n’Fit”.
Findings
Findings from an experiment conducted with a sample of 460 participants shed light on the possible antecedents and consequents of gamification. Results of the SEM model indicate that customization (CU), trust (TR), mobility (MO) and social value (SV) are the main determinants, although at a different extent of the playful experience; Moreover, gamification positively impacts attitudes and, in turn, perceived usefulness, intention to use and behavioral intentions.
Practical implications
This paper offers a dual-pronged approach that holds practical significance in the realm of healthcare innovation. First, the authors delve into the antecedents shaping individuals' intention to engage with gamification-based DTx, unraveling the factors that influence user adoption. Beyond this, the authors extend their focus to the realm of healthcare service design. By harnessing the potential of gamification and technology, the authors illuminate pathways to conceptualize and create novel healthcare services. This work not only identifies the building blocks of user engagement but also serves as a guide to innovatively craft healthcare solutions that leverage this amalgamation of technology and gamification, contributing to the evolution of modern healthcare paradigms.
Social implications
In a social context, the paper introduces pioneering technological synergies that merge gamification and DTx to enhance individuals' health and wellness maintenance. By proposing innovative combinations, the authors present novel avenues for promoting healthier lifestyles and behavior change. This not only underscores the potential of technology to positively impact individuals but also highlights the significance of aligning technological advancements with societal well-being. As the research advocates for these innovative solutions, it reinforces the importance of collaborative technological and marketing endeavors, ultimately contributing to the betterment of society as a whole.
Originality/value
This is the first paper exploring the combined effect of gamification and DTx, by shedding light on the peculiarities of both the antecedents of individuals' intention to use such combined technologies.
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Paul Shrivastava and Laszlo Zsolnai
This paper aims to reconsider the role of universities in the context of the grand challenges of the Anthropocene era, namely, climate change, biodiversity loss, ecosystems…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to reconsider the role of universities in the context of the grand challenges of the Anthropocene era, namely, climate change, biodiversity loss, ecosystems collapse, growing inequalities, welfare deficiencies and social unrest.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses the “idealized design” methodology, which suggests imagining what the ideal solution would be and then working backward to where the authors are today. In line with this methodology, the paper redefines the idea of the university in the context of the Anthropocene and analyzes the shortcomings of today’s universities. Then, it proposes a solution framework for transforming universities to become planet-positive institutions and discusses the internal and external barriers of this transformation.
Findings
This study advances a view of the university as an autonomous learning community and redefines its functions as follows: to generate an universal orientation across disciplines and cultures, to assist the whole person development of its members, to create a new holistic understanding of planetary challenges, including transdisciplinary codesigned, stakeholder engaged and solutions-oriented research, to bring forth responsible practitioners, to enhance the problem-solving capabilities of society and to catalyze progressive changes in human–Earth systems.
Originality/value
The paper presents examples of transformative university initiatives from the USA, Europe and India. It discusses the required changes in university actions, research and policy to cope with the new reality of the Anthropocene era.