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This study aims to investigate the impact of trust in the metaverse on the Islamic banking sector, particularly in facilitating market success. Additionally, it seeks to explore the relationship between metaverse-driven brand image, product features, service quality and overall performance in the market.

Data were collected from 187 participants in Jordan, with the SmartPLS software used to test the hypotheses.

The findings reveal a significant impact of metaverse-enhanced brand image, product features and service quality on Islamic banking market performance. Furthermore, customer trust in the metaverse plays a significant role in shaping the relationship between product features, service quality and Islamic banking market performance.

The study’s practical implications still suggest the need for a more holistic metaverse-driven approach. Investing in service quality initiatives alone may not adequately build and sustain customer trust in the metaverse. Instead, transparent communication on ethical practices in the metaverse is required to reinforce trust and magnify the positive influence of superior service quality in the metaverse.

This article reviews the intercultural adaptability (IA) development models for students in South Korea and China in response to the growing internationalisation of higher education. The article provides significant implications for Confucian heritage culture (CHC) countries and others that wish to enhance in higher education.

This scoping review systematically investigates the literature on different IA development strategies for students in higher education across these two Asian countries.

South Korea has promoted the self-growth model reflected in internationalised programmes such as English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI), an international learning environment with an increasing number of international students and student exchange programmes. Through these initiatives, domestic students’ identity and intercultural learning dynamics are enriched in an intercultural learning environment. Meanwhile, China has adopted the “Outward-oriented” higher education internationalisation model to attract international students to study in Chinese universities and entice Chinese returnees through its International Talent Training Programmes. In this strategy, international students are exposed to Chinese language and cultural knowledge development programmes, and Chinese students are motivated to learn the English language and cultures through interactions with their international peers.

Student IA development models in CHC countries remain underexplored. This article responds to the need of higher education institutions in Asian countries that wish to access and learn from effective IA models from other CHC countries. The study makes a valuable contribution by putting forward significant recommendations for developing students’ IA in CHC countries.

The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of the regulatory environment on the efficiency of transparency within Islamic finance practices. It specifically examines how the determination of Shariah compliance, corporate governance and auditing standards is shaped by regulatory frameworks and their effects on the level of transparent financial reporting.

The research path was defined, and the research hypotheses were evaluated in the model using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The study collected data through structured surveys from 203 respondents.

The results of the PLS analysis demonstrate that Shari’ah compliance practices enhance transparency by making it difficult to breach ethical or social norms. These practices also infuse the presence of good corporate practices and quality audits that promote a culture of financial accountability, which is key for market and stakeholder confidence. The regulatory environment adds a critical moderating influence in these relationships by providing the oversight and enforcement capability required to ensure uniformity in the application of Shari’ah adherence and set transparency standards across borders.

The findings of this study have practical implications for those who implement policies, develop regulatory structures and study Islamic finance, underscoring the importance of achieving robust governance and regulatory frameworks. However, the study admits weaknesses, such as limited geographical coverage, reliance on preexisting data and the use of a cross-sectional analysis. Future research directions should include longitudinal and cross-comparative designs, the effects of modern technologies and the integration of qualitative methods alongside quantitative ones.

This study aims to investigate the pragmatic issues on the radical call for the establishment of an external Shariah auditor (ESA) in the governance framework of Islamic banks (IBs).

From 11 well-established Malaysian IBs, 16 internal auditors were interviewed to provide an in-depth understanding on how ESA can provide greater assurance to stakeholders in Malaysian IBs.

This study reported mixed acceptance from internal auditors on the proposed additional governance layer to be undertaken by the ESA. Generally, internal auditors reluctantly agreed that Shariah auditing by the ESA would enhance the quality of Shariah assurance but maintain several practical concerns regarding lack of guidelines on Shariah auditing, the additional cost to be borne by IBs and the possible tensions between the ESA and Shariah board (SB) amid the diverse Shariah interpretations available for experts in the field.

The critical point on the manifestation of an ESA in the contemporary IB practice brought by this study highlights the need for regulation and policy promulgation that embrace a comprehensive approach to Shariah audit process within the religio-ethical dogma of Islamic banking and the pragmatic approach to banking.

This study provides evidence on the expected role and competency of an ESA and explores the implications produced by its implementation in Malaysian IBs. This study also clarifies how IBs should delineate the role of Shariah assurance from SB to ESA.

The scope of this study is to explore and summarize the pool of dimensions, models and measurement techniques of service quality used in healthcare services and to propose a comprehensive conceptual model for practitioners and researchers.

This research employs a comprehensive review of available literature by using multiple keywords on different electronic repositories using the recommendations of the PRISMA approach for the selection of articles. A critical analysis of available studies helped in compiling a list of core service quality dimensions in healthcare services.

This paper presents a comprehensive account of different dimensions and their measurement items used by various researchers to assess service quality in healthcare systems. Most of the researchers have used SERVQUAL model either in its original or modified form while the others have proposed and used totally different dimensions to assess the service quality in healthcare. Many dimensions are just an existing dimension of SERVQUAL that has undergone a name change while others are completely new. The dimensions used by many researchers have items drawn from more than one dimension of SERVQUAL model. The availability of so many dimensions and models adds to the confusion that researchers and practicing managers experience when determining the appropriate model to be used in their work. To mitigate this confusion, there is a need to develop a comprehensive model; the current work is an attempt to meet this need. Through our analysis, we identify four major service quality dimensions: clinical quality, infrastructural quality, relationship and managerial quality and propose a model named CIRMQUAL.

After exploring all available models in the domain of healthcare, this research presents the best possible areas to enhance the quality of healthcare services. It also enhances the research insights for academicians and working professionals by developing and proposing a comprehensive model for measuring healthcare service quality. The proposed model covers almost all of the service quality dimensions used by other researchers and will make the choice of dimensions/model easy for the future researchers/practitioners interested in measuring and improving the quality of services offered by their healthcare units. Such a comprehensive model has not been developed by any researcher thus far.

Most of current studies have explored the impact of entrepreneurial culture on entrepreneurial intentions in specific region rather than cross-cultural regions; in addition, these studies have looked more at entrepreneurial role models as part of the environmental factors that influence individuals’ entrepreneurial intentions (Lafuente et al., 2007), rather than viewing environmental factors as independent variables. Furthermore, less research exists to hypothesize and validate the mechanism of this process, even if some studies have already shown the similar ideas. To fill the aforementioned research gap in this area, based on new institutional theory and social cognitive career theory, this paper aims to explore the influence of entrepreneurial role models on entrepreneurial intentions in different cultural contexts by introducing two independent national-level factors, collectivism and media publicity, and subsequently examines the mediating role of self-efficacy.

Two major international databases, Adult Population Survey Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (APS GEM) 2017 and Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness (GLOBE), were used as data sources for this paper. In total, the authors obtained data from 174,128 respondents in the APS GEM 2017 database. Because there is a national-level variable, collectivism, which was collected by the GLOBE, the authors excluded 50,046 participants because their countries did not score collectivism in this database. After screening, 124,082 valid observations from 35 countries were obtained. In this study, hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used as the method and HLM 6.08 was adopted for data analysis. According to the purpose of the study, the following four different models will be tested in turn using the HLM, which include the null model, random coefficients regression model, intercepts as outcomes model and slopes as outcomes model.

Some previous studies have shown that entrepreneurial role models have a positive impact on individuals' entrepreneurial intentions, however, the exploration of this effect and its mechanisms in different cultural contexts is lacking (Abbasianchavari and Moritz, 2021). In response, based on a cross-level and cross-national survey, this paper advances the original literature by introducing two cultural dimensions, collectivism and media publicity. The current results suggest that the positive influence of entrepreneurial role models on individuals’ entrepreneurial intentions is somewhat generalized and that self-efficacy plays a mediating role. Moreover, collectivism and media publicity can negatively and positively moderate the effects of entrepreneurial role models on self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intentions, respectively. The findings provide some theoretical support for the role of cultural context in the formation of entrepreneurial intentions, which can help countries with diverse cultures to develop differentiated entrepreneurial role model advocacy strategies to better facilitate the emergence of potential entrepreneurs and advance their subsequent entrepreneurial activities.

First, because this study assumes that entrepreneurial role models are templates that can inspire potential entrepreneurs and provide them with entrepreneurial approaches (Laviolette et al., 2012), which has a certain positive bias, it may mean that the findings of this paper are not applicable to all scenarios, as role models are usually classified by scholars into positive and negative ones. The effect of different types of role models on entrepreneurial intention in a cross-cultural context will be considered as one of the future research directions. Second, in the measurement of country-level variables, this paper assumes that the degree of media publicity and collectivism are homogeneous within a country and does not take into account the differences in these two variables across regions within the same country. Future research is expected to use more granular designs to explore, for example, the effect of entrepreneurial role models on entrepreneurial intentions based on regional differences in media publicity and collectivism, rather than national differences. Third, due to the cross-sectional research design used in this paper, the dynamic influence of entrepreneurial role models in the entrepreneurial process was not included in the analysis. In addition, the focus of this study is only on entrepreneurial intention, which is separated from the subsequent entrepreneurial behavior of entrepreneurs. Therefore, the longitudinal study design that explores the dynamic influence of role models in entrepreneurial process should receive more attention.

First, enhancing the exposure of entrepreneurial role models is necessary because the authors found that entrepreneurial role models can positively promote entrepreneurial intentions, whereas self-efficacy plays a mediating role. For example, it is advised for the society to publish entrepreneurs' autobiographies, open entrepreneurial forums, create entrepreneurial interview columns, etc. In these books and activities, detailed descriptions of successful entrepreneurs' methods and skills are highly needed, as these can help potential entrepreneurs to better understand the entrepreneurial process, thus improving their self-efficacy and facilitating their entrepreneurial activities (Zhao et al., 2005). It is necessary to note here that matching the characteristics of entrepreneurial role models and potential entrepreneurs cannot be ignored, as similar characteristics could facilitate the desire of potential entrepreneurs to become more like entrepreneurial role models (Hoffner and Buchanan, 2005).These similar characteristics encompass both demographic characteristics, such as gender, race and age (Garcia, 2017; Harwood, 1999; Jose, 1989), and personal characteristics, such as goal embodiment and educational background (Bosma et al., 2012; Morgenroth et al., 2015). Moreover, the authors believe that the media's promotion of entrepreneurial role models and entrepreneurial activities needs to be enhanced, for example, by incorporating entrepreneurship education in television programs, allowing youth to meet face-to-face with successful entrepreneurs, and developing entrepreneurship lectures or interview programs.

At the same time, role models should be presented differently in diverse cultural contexts. For example, in countries with a strong collectivist orientation, the media should include collectivist messages when promoting entrepreneurial role models, such as his cooperation with the government, family and friends, which is in line with collectivist values, so that potential entrepreneurs in a collectivist context may perceive more similarity to role models and thus increase their entrepreneurial intentions (Morris et al., 1994); On the contrary, in countries with low collectivist tendencies, the media can appropriately carry an element of individualism when promoting entrepreneurial role models, for example, by telling how entrepreneurs succeed on their own strength and superior abilities, which is in accordance with the values of individualism. Based on the same logic, potential entrepreneurs in the context of individualism may thus generate more entrepreneurial intentions (Morris et al., 1994).

First, building on previous studies that explored the relationship between entrepreneurial role models and individuals’ entrepreneurial intentions (Stupacher et al., 2017), the authors further validated the moderating role of two national-level situational factors, collectivism and media advocacy, in this process, which echoes Abbasianchavari and Moritz (2021) that exploring the effects of entrepreneurial role models on entrepreneurial intentions in different cultural context is an essential topic for the future research. Second, the authors demonstrated that self-efficacy can mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial role models and entrepreneurial intentions and that this finding is generalizable. This responds to the hypothesis presented by Morgenroth et al. (2015) that role models, who are served as behavioral templates, can facilitate the generation of goals and behavioral intentions by increasing role aspirates’ self-efficacy, as it enhances their perceived accessibility to goals. Another contribution is that the authors found a possible explanation that the interaction of collectivism and media publicity with entrepreneurial role models may influence individuals' entrepreneurial intentions by affecting their self-efficacy, which unifies the new institutional theory and social cognition career theory.

This study aims to investigate the role of Islamic finance in supporting sustainable economic growth, innovation and digital transformation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Amid global challenges like the Russia–Ukraine conflict and COVID-19, the focus extends beyond the GCC’s oil dependency to explore how Islamic finance can enable technological advancements and foster a digitally innovative economy. The research aims to reveal the potential of Islamic finance in driving economic diversification, technological progress and sustainable development in the GCC.

Using a content analysis approach, this study critically examines the economic repercussions of recent global crises, shedding light on how Islamic finance contributes to socio-economic justice and the provision of social goods in the GCC. The research synthesises findings from various secondary sources, including academic literature, reports and industry standards, to analyse Islamic finance’s role from an ethical and strategic perspective within the GCC’s evolving economic landscape.

The findings reveal Islamic finance’s potential to significantly contribute to the GCC’s economic diversification and resilience against global economic downturns. The study highlights how Islamic finance aligns with the sustainable development goals and its effectiveness in promoting ethical financial practices and socio-economic justice.

Future research should focus on global comparative studies to understand Islamic finance’s impact on sustainable development beyond the GCC. Longitudinal studies are also essential to assess the long-term effects of Islamic financial instruments on economic stability.

The research advocates for incorporating Islamic finance principles into the GCC’s economic strategies, emphasising its role in providing resilient and ethical financial alternatives conducive to sustainable development. It underscores the need for policy initiatives integrating Islamic finance to bolster socio-economic welfare and environmental sustainability.

Offering a novel perspective, this paper enriches the discourse on the contribution of Islamic finance to sustainable economic development. It presents critical insights into how Islamic finance can underpin long-term economic resilience and growth in the GCC. It provides valuable implications for academia and policymaking, particularly in emerging economies’ science and technology policy management.

Based on social identity theory and parasocial interaction theory, this paper investigates the psychological influence mechanism of social media green influencers (GIs) on users' green consumption intention (GCI). It also examines the effects of users' environmental concern (EC), follow status (follower/non-follower), and nationality (Chinese/Pakistani).

This study uses convenience and exponential non-discriminatory snowball sampling to collect 393 valid data from China and Pakistan. Research hypotheses are tested using Smart-PLS 4.0.

The results confirm that parasocial relationships (PRs) and interactions (PIs) significantly influence green influencers' identification (GII) and green self-identification (GSI), which then positively affect green life attitudes (GLA) and ultimately promote GCI. Unsurprisingly, it proves EC moderates the relationship between GLA and GCI. Additionally, users' follow status (follower/non-follower) and nationality (Chinese/Pakistani) do not significantly moderate the hypotheses proposed in the study.

This study enriches the research on GIs and the psychological influence mechanism of GCI by combining media communication and consumer behavior. Furthermore, it provides new insights into the moderating role of social media users’ follow status and nationality.

Farmers' risk attitudes and risk perceptions play an essential role in shaping risk management strategies to address risks and uncertainties. Contract farming is considered as one of the feasible approaches to tackle farmers' concerns. However, risk perspectives under various categories have not been included in studies on farmers' preferences for contract farming in the literature, especially in Vietnam. This study aims to determine factors affecting farmers' choices of different contract farming practices.

The explanatory factor analysis (EFA) and multinomial logit model (MNL) were applied to explore the impacts of risk perspectives on farmers' preferences for contract farming. Data have been collected from 211 rice farmers in An Giang Province, “the rice bowl” of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

The study found that farm size, cooperatives, extension, market access and trust have significantly impacted on contract participation while a delay payment was a barrier for farmers' motivation to opt for the contract. Farmers' contract choices were also influenced by their risk attitudes and perceptions under different risk dimensions. The financial, policy and human risk-averse behavior predisposed farmers to single out the full contract while the policy and human risk-loving and production, market and finance risk-averse respondents were in favor of the marketing contract. Moreover, the findings indicated that the more farmers concerned about risk of weather and market, the more choices for the full contract, whereas the risk perceptions of weather and policy encouraged farmers to use the limited contract. By contrast, farmers who perceived the impacts of risk of diseases/pests and human were likely to adopt the marketing contract.

This study just focuses on collecting data from farmers’ perspective. Future studies involving stakeholders such as enterprises and policy makers are strongly recommended so as to design suitable contracts and enforce contract schemes effectively in Vietnam.

The findings also contribute to the literature on different types of contracts and the multidimensional aspect of risk for rice production in Vietnam.

The objective of this work is twofold: firstly, to develop a model for assessing healthcare service quality (HSQ), and secondly, to evaluate the effectiveness of machine learning algorithms in predicting the quality of healthcare services.

In this study, a comprehensive literature review has been performed to identify key quality dimensions in the healthcare services domain. Delphi’s method has been used to confirm the criticality of these dimensions based on experts’ opinions and proposed a novel CIRMQUAL model. Factor analysis techniques have been used to further validate the CIRMQUAL model. Using the data collected through a questionnaire survey, a number of machine learning models have been developed to predict the customer satisfaction level based on the service quality (SQ) performance of a healthcare unit on different dimensions of the CIRMQUAL model.

The study developed a CIRMQUAL model with 14 dimensions (quality of care, safety and security, skill and conduct, staff attitude, tangibles, quality of the atmosphere, patient rights, follow-up, communication, cost of treatment, availability of resources, accessibility, waiting time and services), and these dimensions have been clubbed into four major dimensions, i.e. clinical quality, infrastructural quality, relationship and managerial quality. Furthermore, the application of machine learning algorithms has demonstrated significant accuracy in predicting SQ, highlighting its ability to improve healthcare services and the satisfaction level of patients.

Managers of healthcare units work hard to identify and address the pain points of the patients and improve the working of the healthcare units being managed by them. The availability of many scales with numerous dimensions adds to their confusion in selecting a suitable scale. The current work addresses this confusion and provides four clear areas for assessing the quality of healthcare units. By using this scale, managers can assess the quality of services provided by them, identify the dimensions of low performance, plan and take suitable corrective actions to improve the performance of their healthcare units.

A comprehensive SQ model, i.e. CIRMQUAL has been proposed as a new scale to assess SQ in healthcare units. The model has been developed after analyzing the dimensions used by many researchers available in the literature. This model can be used by future researchers to assess the SQ in healthcare units. Moreover, an attempt has been made to use artificial intelligence-based techniques for predicting customer satisfaction. Such attempts are in the initial stage for healthcare sector. Future researchers can take this concept forward and test the applicability of different machine learning techniques in different functional areas of healthcare.

Good health is of utmost importance for all human beings. In spite of the expenditure of substantial time and efforts by various stakeholders, the service delivery doesn’t match the expectations of patients. Many times, the service providers are not aware of this dissatisfaction and specific aspects of service delivery that need to be improved to reduce dissatisfaction. The model proposed will help the service providers in this regard and the service providers will be able to take focused steps. Such initiatives will definitely improve patient’s satisfaction and their social well-being.

This work is unique because it uses a novel technique to redefine the quality of services in healthcare by using a dual methodology. The research presents a model that includes various factors and it is specially developed to evaluate the quality of services in healthcare settings. This study advances the area’s progress by implementing computational tools for accurate evaluation of HSQ. The healthcare decision-makers may use this novel perspective to evaluate and enhance the quality of service.