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The purpose of this study is to explore stakeholder responses to an airline’s sustainability signaling act. Responding stakeholders, their interpretations and feedback to the signal are studied in light of signaling theory and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

This study was conducted using the social media analytics approach. A total of 7,002 publications in the public domain were collected from the internet’s news services, blogs and major social media websites. These posts were subjected to content, sentiment and reach analyses.

Diverse stakeholder groups, ranging from industry professionals to societal influencers, responded via social media to a CSR-related press release, the main types being general influencers of society and those working in the aviation or tourism industry. The themes of responses ranged from sustainability, technical development and the future of transport to green transition policies. Hence, the press release as a signal was linked to other discussions prevalent in society. Sentiments of the publications were mainly neutral or positive, with very few negative responses from stakeholders. Many responses were supportive, and the critical responses did not contain accusations of greenwashing.

Environmental CSR communications are strategically important to companies operating in carbon-intensive industries. The public may view breakthroughs in technology as an efficient way of emissions reductions cascaded with improvements in processes and practices. Utilizing new technology also affects several stakeholders and creates new opportunities for them. Knowledge on the subject may influence the tone of discussion.

This study views a press release as sustainability-related signaling and examines stakeholder responses in social media, contributing to CSR and signaling research in the context of the airline industry by observing the signaling process over time along with the behavior of the actors involved.

This study delves into how perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness impacts consumer attitude and intention to adopt digital technologies in Ghana.

We utilized covariance-based structural equation modeling with a dataset consisting of 204 respondents to evaluate the model. The analysis was conducted using R (version 0.6–12).

The results confirm that both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are key predictors of the intention to adopt technology. Additionally, factors such as attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control also play a significant role in influencing adoption intent. Notably, the research indicates that perceived ease of use not only impacts peer influence among consumers, but also shapes their confidence in effectively using the technology. Furthermore, in contrast to previous studies, this investigation suggests that while perceived behavioral control impacts behavioral intent, it does not predict attitude in the Ghanaian context. The study advocates for development of user-centric technologies, promotion of digital literacy and cultivation of a digital culture.

Our use of a single country data restricts generalizability of the study. For a more comprehensive and profound understanding, we recommend a broader study across multiple sub-Saharan African countries with a mixed method or qualitative approach.

The significance of this research lies in its original contribution to the field in providing crucial insights for governments and industry players. It sheds light on factors influencing user readiness to adopt technology and makes a substantial contribution to the ongoing discussion on digital technology adoption in literature.

A systematic investigation of postgraduate leadership programs for health and/or human services offered by Australian higher education institutions was undertaken.

Quantitative analysis identified the core characteristics of the programs. A thematic analysis of the course learning outcomes was conducted and six major themes of disciplinary leadership and management knowledge; research and analytical skills; professional practice; communication and collaboration; creativity and innovation; and system knowledge are shared in this study.

The authors conclude that Australian universities have taken an evidence-based approach to leadership education.

More work might need to be undertaken to ensure leadership theories are incorporated into learning outcomes.

This paper aims to explore the impact of social segregation and exclusionary workplace hazing during lunch breaks on newcomers’ relational quality during the early socialisation phase.

This study draws on data from a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with recently employed nurses (n = 19) and nursing students (n = 42) about their workplace hazing experiences. The data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

The analysis revealed two main themes: “feeling isolated” and “justifying self-exclusion.” Newcomers reported feeling humiliated when subjected to exclusionary hazing by experienced colleagues, leading to feelings of alienation and impacting their relationships with their new colleagues. Newcomers tended to distance themselves in various ways and justified this behaviour as a means of self-care.

This paper adds to the limited knowledge about the effects of newcomers’ exposure to workplace hazing during their early socialisation. It provides a relational perspective on the consequences of workplace hazing and explains how the social context influences the normative expectations of newcomers.

The study aims to address the gap between leaders’ preventative self-regulatory focus and its impact on Chinese primary care physicians (PCPs) well-being, measured by work–family spillover stress and work exhaustion and on healthcare quality, measured by preventive service delivery and clinical guideline adherence.

This paper conducted a cross-sectional in-person survey with 38 leaders and 224 PCPs in 38 primary health centers (PHCs) in Jinan, Tianjin, Shenzhen and Shanghai. Guided by the regulatory focus theory, this paper built hierarchical linear regression models to examine the association between the leadership’s regulatory focus and physician burnout, work–family conflict, clinic guideline adherence and preventive service delivery.

This paper added the knowledge of leadership’s regulatory focus impact on the well-being and medical service quality of PCPs. Prevention regulatory focus of leaders was significantly associated with work exhaustion and physicians’ reported work–family conflict. There is no significant association between leadership’s prevention regulatory focus and PCPs’ preventive service delivery or clinical guideline adherence.

Data on the regulatory focus of PCPs were not collected. Future studies should collect longitudinal data, allowing for exploration of the mechanism.

This paper revealed that PHC leaders should restructure their leadership focus away from preventive regulatory behavior, promoting a team atmosphere and enhancing PCP attitudes, behaviors and well-being.

To improve the well-being of PCPs and the quality of medical services, our results recommend a focus on establishing a positive organizational culture and addressing the emotional and professional needs of PCPs. To achieve these aims, policymakers should implement measures that promote a more comprehensive and balanced regulatory focus within PHC institutions. These measures should aim to create an environment that supports physician well-being and enhances the quality of healthcare services. Providing ample resources and support, promoting a collaborative team atmosphere and encouraging open communication are vital to empowering PCPs.

This study examined the preventive regulatory focus of PHC leaders on the well-being and medical service quality of PCPs in China.

Cuteness has grown to be a global phenomenon fueled by the explosive usage of social media. Cute stimuli are ubiquitous, but few have explored their effects on consumer decision-making; direct evidence is particularly lacking in the area of risky choices. In this research, the authors theorize and demonstrate the unintended effects of cuteness exposure on people’s risk preference.

Across five experimental studies situated in various risk contexts, including health, financial and safety, the authors demonstrate that exposure to cuteness makes consumers more risk-seeking due to the reduction of situational conscientiousness. Study 1 used an experimental lab study with a real circumstance to test the effect on the risk associated with food consumption. Study 2 used a classical gambling experiment to test the effect on financial risk. Studies 3a and 3b used a mass shooting news article to test the effect on safety risk. Lastly, study 4 tested the mediating role of low conscientiousness with the classical gambling experiment.

The findings show that exposure to cuteness makes people more likely to take risks in various domains (e.g. food consumption, safety and financial decisions).

This study tested the effect of cuteness on risk-seeking with a limited number of domains of risk. In addition, the authors tested the effect with visual cuteness stimuli, while individuals may perceive cuteness through other senses, such as sound.

The findings have implications for business owners and marketers when deciding whether and how to use cuteness to promote their products and brands, as well as to avoid potential repercussions. For example, a marketer for a new extreme sports company could use videos or images of cute animals participating in sports on the company’s social media channels to expand its market share. In addition, findings from this research would make consumers more attentive when facing cute appeals as they gain a better understanding of how exposure to cuteness could impact their own decision-making.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to demonstrate that exposure to subtle, cute environmental cues has a robust effect on consumers’ risk preferences across various domains, regardless of age and gender.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of Customer Participation (CP) in the effectiveness of New Service Development (NSD) by examining the moderating roles of Customer Empowerment (CE) and Customer Satisfaction (CS). The research reduces the risk of failure of the NSD process and/or improves the NSD processes used by companies through the consideration of the results in the practical dimension.

This study investigates the effects of CP at different stages of NSD using a quantitative approach. Data were collected through an online survey questionnaire. Smart PLS was used to analyse the data collected from 509 newsreaders and users of the news agency’s application.

The model confirmed that CE has an impact on the effectiveness of NSD in the idea generation and commercialization stages, but not in the development stage. Empowerment and customer satisfaction did not influence the three stages of NSD indirectly but directly. The results show that CP, CS and CE do not always have a direct or indirect effect on the development of new services. Therefore, in order to design new service development projects, media news companies need to determine the level of user cooperation.

The lack of objective data, especially on company performance, forces researchers to use questionnaires to analyse NSD effectiveness. Another limitation is that newspaper users answered the questionnaires, which creates “common method variance.”

Researchers on NSD effectiveness must use questionnaires due to a lack of objective data, especially on company performance. Another limitation is “common method variance” from newspaper users answering questionnaires.

This paper is a response to a perceived need for an examination of how new service development can be successful and effective.

The integration of building information modelling (BIM) and life cycle assessment (LCA) is an effective means of achieving sustainability in the built environment. However, research remains scant on BIM-LCA integration in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI). This study aims to evaluate the barriers to BIM-LCA integration in the GCI from the perspective of construction professionals.

Epistemologically relevant theory was developed using interpretivism and post-positivist principles and tested using primary quantitative data. Firstly, a comprehensive literature review identified and examined BIM-LCA integration barriers. Structured surveys of 216 Ghanaian construction professionals collected data on BIM-LCA integration barriers. Data was then analysed using exploratory factor analysis.

Findings revealed three clusters of barriers, namely, organisational barriers; technical complexity; and knowledge and education. These findings identify and recommend solutions to BIM-LCA integration barriers to standardise processes, raise awareness and integrate project management systems. BIM-LCA adoption will increase productivity, sustainability, construction sector employment (and skills development) and economic growth. This paper concludes with future research on how artificial intelligence and machine learning could improve BIM-LCA integration in building designs. Such work would reveal how new technologies can be used to overcome adoption barriers and promote sustainable building.

This research provides novel knowledge on the barriers to BIM-LCA adoption in Ghana. Practical recommendations for overcoming these barriers are also proposed, e.g. developing standardised procedures and protocols, increasing awareness and education and integrating BIM-LCA into project management systems.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of urban homeowners’ green perceived values (i.e. green functional, emotional, ecological and aesthetic values) on their greening behavioural intention. The study further tested the mediating role of green attitude in the relationship between the green perceived value dimensions and greening intention through the theoretical lens of the customer value theory (CVT) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB).

A quantitative survey design was employed for this study. Empirical data were drawn from 501 households in Ghana using a purposive sampling technique. The hypothesized relationships were analysed using structural equation modelling.

The results of this study revealed that urban homeowners’ intention to adopt greening behaviour is directly influenced by their perception of green functional, ecological and aesthetic values. In addition, the study found that green attitude partially mediated the links between homeowners’ green functional, ecological and aesthetic values and their greening intention. Green emotional value on the other hand did not have a significant direct effect on homeowners’ greening intention. However, it had an indirect effect on greening intention through green attitude. Thus, we can conclude that green attitude fully mediated urban homeowners’ perception of green emotional value and their greening intention.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to attempt to integrate the CVT and the TPB to understand urban homeowners’ greening intention. The study which focuses on Ghana provides new insights into the pathway for promoting voluntary greening behaviour within a developing country

This paper explores the relationship between droughts and U.S. agricultural sector profitability in select U.S. regions. We also examine the extent to which the farm safety net, including direct government payments and the federal crop insurance program, may compensate for the impacts of drought on farm sector profitability.

Fixed effect regressions estimate the relationship between drought and profitability for the farm sector. The analysis uses a panel of annual, state-level net farm income and its subcomponents (from the USDA, Economic Research Service) and state-level annual drought measures constructed from county crop damage days (as reported in the Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database for the United States, or SHELDUS). SHELDUS includes Severe (D2) or more intense drought shocks for the states east of the Rocky Mountains, and these states provide the focus for our analysis.

Market net farm income negatively correlates with the drought measures. This relation is partially driven by the increase in production expenses during drought episodes. Further, sales from inventories tend to increase during drought periods. A significant share of damages to sector performance are offset by federal crop insurance program indemnities. Finally, our results show that drought impacts and the effects of the farm safety net are distributed differently across geographic regions.

To our knowledge, this study is the first attempt to examine drought impacts on the components of agricultural profitability, including the farm safety net and production expenses, at the sector level.