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In a competitive environment, effective communication between doctors and patients is vital throughout their hospital experience. This study focuses on nonverbal communication in the Indian healthcare context to attain the following objectives: i) to examine the relationship between nonverbal communication cues (e.g. facial expressions, gestures, body language) and emotional response of patients in hospital settings; ii) to assess the impact of positive nonverbal communication on patients’ revisit intention to the same hospital; and iii) to identify specific nonverbal communication behaviors or cues that significantly contribute to positive patient experiences and satisfaction.

Data for this study was collected from patients who visited both government and private hospitals during their respective outpatient departments. The data was collected from a specific sample of 320 respondents using a simple random sampling technique; however, only 303 responses were used for the analysis, with the remaining responses excluded due to their incompleteness. In this study, multiple-item scales were used to assess each construct. The survey instrument used in this research was divided into four parts, with the Hospital Service Evaluation section specifically focusing on the nonverbal communication of employees, emotional responses and customer satisfaction.

Kinesics, paralanguage and physical appearance have statistically significant and positive relationships with positive emotion. Proxemics does not have a statistically significant relationship with positive emotion. None of the predictors (kinesics, proxemics, paralanguage and physical appearance) show statistically significant relationships with the dependent variable (negative emotion). Positive emotion has a statistically significant and strong positive relationship with customer satisfaction. Positive emotion has a substantial impact on customer satisfaction. There is no statistically significant relationship between negative emotion and customer satisfaction. There exists a weak influence of negative emotion on customer satisfaction.

Hospitals should consider providing training programs for healthcare professionals to improve their nonverbal communication skills. This can be done by organizing workshops on body language, voice modulation and personal grooming, enabling staff to effectively convey empathy, warmth and professionalism to patients. To reduce the impact of negative emotions, hospitals should implement mechanisms for promptly addressing and resolving issues that can prevent negative experiences from affecting customer satisfaction. By implementing this, hospitals can effectively leverage nonverbal communication to enhance customer satisfaction and motivate patients to revisit the facility for their healthcare needs.

Originality report is based on turnitin software: 19% – Similarity Index; 15% – internet sources; 22% – publications; 16% – student papers. The similarity is mainly because of reference which is used to conduct this study. In this study, there are some words, such as kinesics, proxemics, paralanguage and physical presence, which are used many times in the study, so there is more similarity.

The income structure of banks has undergone a notable change in recent decades; therefore, non-interest-based activities have gained much attention. This paper aims to examine the impact of income diversification on bank performance in Pakistan.

A balanced panel data set of 20 Pakistani commercial banks is used from 2007 to 2020. The random effect model is employed to test the relationship between income diversification and financial performance.

The empirical results indicate a significant positive impact of income diversification of banks on risk-adjusted returns on assets and equity. Moreover, while banks' risk-adjusted profit performance improves with the increase in bank size, equity ratio and loan ratio, it deteriorates with high credit risk and technology. However, geographical diversification does not explain financial performance in all the risk-adjusted return on equity models. Among the macroeconomic factors, the interest rate influences bank risk-adjusted returns positively, whereas gross domestic product and inflation rate have a negative effect on banks' financial performance.

To the best of the author's knowledge, this study is the first to empirically investigate the relationships between income diversification and the risk-adjusted profits of Pakistani-listed commercial banks. This study has implications for regulators and policymakers of commercial banks.

The study is aimed at analyzing the perceptions of students and teachers regarding the effectiveness of massive open online courses (MOOCs) on learning efficiency of students and also evaluating MOOCs as an ideal tool for designing a blended model for education.

The analysis was carried out by using the data gathered from the students as well as teachers of University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Two separate sets of questionnaires were developed for both the categories of respondents. Also, the respondents were required to have prior experience in MOOCs. Further, the collected data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).

The study showed that MOOCs have a more positive influence on learning efficiency, as opined by both teachers and students. Negative views such as cheating during the assessment, lack of individual attention to students and low teacher-student ratio were also observed.

Many educational institutions view that the MOOCs do not influence learning efficiency and also do not support in achieving their vision. However, this study provides evidence that MOOCs are positively influencing the learning efficiency and also can be employed in a blended model of education so as to promote collaborative learning.

Technology is playing a pivotal role in all fields of life and the education sector is not an exception. It can be rightly said that the technology-based education models such as MOOCs are the need of the hour. This study may help higher education institutions to adopt MOOCs as part of their blended model of education, and, if already adopted, the outcome of the present study will help them to improve the effectiveness of the MOOCs they are offering.

The purpose of this paper is to recognize and prioritize the critical drivers (CDs) essential for establishing a sustainable foxnut supply chain (SFNSC) aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations. The objective is to make a meaningful contribution to the longevity and well-rounded sustainability of the foxnut industry by scrutinizing pivotal factors that endorse triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability aspect throughout the supply chain.

A systematic approach, integrating literature reviews and government reports, identified potential CDs for a sustainable foxnut supply chain. Expert opinions refined the list with the help of fuzzy-Delphi method (FDM), and the final CDs were analyzed with fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (F-DEMATEL) to establish their causal relationships and hierarchical importance.

The study identifies the top three CDs for a SFNSC: “Branding of the product”, “The Global increase in demand” and “Value addition of the foxnut”. Moreover, “Storage infrastructure”, “Mechanized processing” and “Proper transportation facilities” also contribute to the sustainability of the foxnut supply chain.

The results hold significance for various stakeholders in the foxnut industry, encompassing producers, policymakers and researchers. The identified CDs can guide decision-making and resource allocation to improve the sustainability of the foxnut supply chain. The study's framework and methodology can also be applied to other industries to promote sustainable practices and achieve SDGs.

This study enhances understanding of CDs for an SFNSC. FDM and F-DEMATEL techniques analyze causal relationships and rank key factors. The SFNSC model may help other major foxnut producers to become more sustainable.

The aim of this paper is to determine whether the efficiency of banks’ human capital (HC) has moderating effects on the relationship between asset diversification and bank performance over the 2008–2020 period.

Our study considers generalized least squares estimation in fixed effects panel.

Results show that banks with higher levels of HC and higher degree of diversification reduce bank profitability and efficiency. The results also depict that the financial stability-reducing effects of Income diversification decrease as bank HC efficiency increases. At the same time, the effects of income and asset diversity on financial stability change depending on the performance aspect.

Previous research on banks’ performance is concentrated on asset diversification. This article broadens to the HC, Asset diversification and the moderating effects of the profitability, stability and efficiency of French Banks.

This paper highlights public health issues arising in prisons due to overcrowding – focusing on existence of tuberculosis (TB) and its transmission in a TB endemic country. It further addresses feasible TB management, to develop an applicable preventive intervention that will control TB transmission and development within and outside prisons. This study aims to decrease morbidity and mortality caused by TB by identifying latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) cases.

A novel cross-sectional study conducted on male prisoners of Central Prison Rawalpindi, dividing them into three strata, i.e. under-trial (UTP), convicted (CTP) and condemned (CP) prisoners. Prevalence of latent TB infection within prisoners was methodologically calculated using multiple statistical analysis at 95% confidence interval. This research sourced an invasive skin test (Mantoux test) for primary data collection from targeted key population.

This research calculated existing prevalence of LTBI at 47.25%, 47.45% and 53%, respectively in UTP, CTP and CP prisoners, and 32.2% in total prison population. Overcrowding, poor health conditions and excessive smoking presented strong statistical significance to high LTBI prevalence across the prison population.

Limitations included accessibility to prisons due to procedural concealment, and unannounced release of UTPs that was dealt through supplementary testing. The presented research findings highlight the disease spread across key populations, and the importance of identifying, containing and controlling them. It elaborates the crucial use of Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) to identify and isolate LTBI and potential TB cases in a closed population. It also facilitates policy implications that promote health and safety for prisoners, law enforcers and associated external population.

TB is one of the top 10 fatal illnesses and second highest infectious disease worldwide. For decades, TB ruled over human health and threatened their survival. Health-care professionals face challenges in locating, isolating, treating and controlling TB across the globe. Pakistan is a TB endemic country that internationally ranks fifth in nations with high TB burden. LTBI prevalence is unknown in Pakistan. Key populations are well-known to comparatively live with higher rates of infectious disease. Therefore, this research targeted a key population and has successfully calculated LTBI prevalence in overcrowded male prison population.

Key populations are at high risk of contracting and transmitting communicable diseases. They not only possess higher disease incidences, but are also responsible for disease-spread within and outside their community. Targeting them will help in controlling for LTBI across prison population as well as the external population that is associated with the prisoners. TST allowed maximum screening coverage, encapsulated LTBI, spread awareness and eliminated stigmatisation.

Prevalence of TB and LTBI are unknown in Pakistan. This novel research calculated LTBI prevalence through primary data collection and targeted key populations. Authors collected primary data on case-by-case basis. This study has efficaciously located and isolated LTBI cases among the sample population following internationally standardised TST procedures.

This study aims to introduce a better knowledge mapping of the technology adoption for small-medium enterprises by referring to the literature reviews from the Scopus Database during 2009–2023.

This study employs a Bibliometric approach to reveal the causality’s direction between (1) digital and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and (2) technology adoption and SMEs. This causality direction has a far-reaching impact on public policy, entrepreneurship and economic development. The Bibliometric approach provides analysis overviews of time, journal, co-authorship, keyword, citation, country and institution.

The findings have a substantial impact on the field. From 2009 to 2017, there was a lack of literature on technology adoption (digitalization) and SMEs, while from 2018 to 2023, the literature increased rapidly. The journal analysis shows that sustainability (Switzerland) contributes the most to the literature. In addition, journals that focus on business, management and accounting have published the most literature on technology adoption and SMEs. The significance is often judged by how the research could change current understanding, lead to practical applications or open new avenues for further research. Therefore, this study presents new perspectives that developed countries, in the case is Germany, still dominate technology adoption in SMEs and the relationship between business, management and accounting.

This study suggests that collaboration among countries can stimulate research and publication on technology adoption (digitalization) and SMEs.

This study suggests that collaboration among countries can stimulate research and publication on technology adoption (digitalization) and SMEs. Besides, this study leads future studies to develop empirical studies on technology adoption (digital business/entrepreneurship) and SMEs at both country and cross-country levels. The author’s findings can be recommendations for public policy and economic development through digital adoption in entrepreneurship.

This study provides a better understanding and mapping about the technology adoption for SMEs. The literature of technology adoption for SMEs has grown rapidly during the last five years. However, there is a lack of technology adoption mapping for SMEs in the current literature.

While extant literature explores the influence of institutions on the national innovation system (NIS), most research has either focused on specific institutional aspects or treated institutions as a unified entity. This study aims to examine the effect of various institutional factors on a country’s NIS.

The conceptual model was empirically validated using regression analysis. The study sample comprised a total of 84 countries.

This study identifies and empirically validates a comprehensive set of institutional factors. It also highlights the significant institutional factors (including political stability, government effectiveness, ease of resolving insolvency and the rule of law) that can help improve a country’s NIS.

The research provides practical implications for organizations and policymakers seeking to understand and foster an innovative culture within the NIS. Policymakers are encouraged to develop a nurturing environment within the NIS by focusing on significant institutional factors. Organizations are encouraged to closely monitor developments in the NIS of a country to make informed strategic decisions at the business, corporate and international levels.

This study demonstrates the necessary and significant role of national formal institutional frameworks in shaping the quality of e-governance in Asian countries. Moreover, it presents a robust model of e-governance as a necessary and significant driver of sustainable human development.

This study applied the cross-lagged panel method in path modelling and conducted competing model and necessary condition analyses to test the lagged, necessary and positive effects of formal institutions on the level of e-governance and sustainable human development in 45 Asian countries from 2012 to 2022.

Formal governance institutions have necessary direct and indirect (through e-governance development) causal effects on a country’s sustainable human development.

Future studies should explore how informal institutions such as culture, industry and government norms and practices shape the extent of e-governance development and sustainable socio-economic development in Asia and beyond over time.

A renewed focus on the institutional fundamentals of governance and development should be the legislative priority of policymakers and leaders of Asian countries.

Proactive digital citizen engagement in institutional building in respective countries is critical to developing sound, human-development-centred institutional governance in Asia.

The study presents robust necessary condition models that offer more nuanced explanations of the institutional imperatives of enabling Asian countries to strengthen their e-governance towards sustainable human development.

This study aims to delve into the underlying factors that play a pivotal role in shaping effective digital marketing communication (DMC) to promote sustainability. Further, it explores the mediating effect of online customer experience (OCE) on the dynamic relationship between DMC and sustainable purchase intention (SPI) and the moderating impact of social media marketing activities (SMMAs) on the relationship between DMC and OCE.

Based on single cross-sectional survey, 300 responses from green apparel users are analyzed by using partial least squares-structural equation modeling to corroborate the relationships among DMC, OCE, SMMAs and SPI.

Perceived usefulness, ease of use, web attractiveness, hedonic motivation and subjective norms significantly impact DMC, which in turn positively influences OCE and SPI. Further, OCE significantly mediates the relationship between DMC and SPI, highlighting the crucial role of OCE. The moderation analysis shows that interactivity negatively moderates the DMC-OCE relationship, suggesting that excessive interactivity may diminish the OCE, while personalization and trendiness do not have significant moderating effects.

The findings provide valuable insights for marketers to align their DMC strategies with sustainable business initiatives to create a seamless online experience, thereby fostering SPI in the contemporary digital era.

While previous studies have examined aspects of these relationships separately, this study integrates them into a cohesive framework to provide a more holistic understanding of how digital marketing strategies can promote sustainability.