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1 – 10 of 185Vikas Gupta and Karishma Sharma
This study evaluates the relative preference for local foods among foreign tourists. It also assessed how the sociodemographic profiles of tourists influence their local food…
Abstract
Purpose
This study evaluates the relative preference for local foods among foreign tourists. It also assessed how the sociodemographic profiles of tourists influence their local food preferences.
Design/methodology/approach
This research utilized a mixed-methods approach. The initial qualitative analysis phase involved semi-structured, in-depth interviews with stakeholders in Fiji’s local food sector, providing feedback on tourists’ preferred dishes. In the second phase, 204 foreign tourists were surveyed through the location intercept approach at various local restaurants, street food joints and eateries across Fiji. The preferences of these foreign tourists for the local food were subsequently analyzed utilizing the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) model and Chi-square statistics.
Findings
This research identified 25 local food dishes most preferred by foreign tourists. A pairwise comparison matrix revealed that “Kokoda” was most preferred, while “Tuna Ika Vakalolo” was the least preferred, and the normalized matrix presented the estimated overall priorities of the local foods based on taste and flavor. Among all the factors analyzed for their potential influence on the local food preferences of foreign tourists, “education attainment” and “marital status” were found to have no significant influence.
Originality/value
This study highlights the varied local dishes preferred by tourists, assessed through the AHP model, and provides the sociodemographic factors influencing these preferences. By identifying and presenting local Fijian dishes across regions and examining sociodemographics’ impact on food preference, this research provides invaluable implications for significantly benefiting the local food vending sector.
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Vikas Gupta and Manohar Sajnani
This paper aims to explore the risk and benefit perceptions influencing beer patrons’ purchase and consumption decisions in India. It delves into the drivers behind consumers’…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the risk and benefit perceptions influencing beer patrons’ purchase and consumption decisions in India. It delves into the drivers behind consumers’ consumption patterns and attitudes towards beer, which subsequently impact their behavioural intentions, including word-of-mouth recommendations and repurchase intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a structured questionnaire to collect data from 306 beer patrons in Delhi and the National Capital Region. Through exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling, the research examines the risk (5) and benefit (3) factors associated with beer consumption using a factor model consisting of 29 constructs. A conceptual framework illustrates the interrelationships between variables, which are subsequently validated empirically.
Findings
The findings reveal that patrons’ attitudes towards beer are influenced by their perceptions of risk and benefit. Specifically, health and socio-psychological risks are identified as the most significant and negatively impacting factors on patrons’ attitudes. Factorial analysis demonstrates that patrons’ attitudes towards beer are positively influenced by their perception of benefits such as value for money, sensory appeal and convenience. Furthermore, the study highlights that an increase in benefit perception or a decrease in risk perception leads to a favourable shift in patrons’ attitudes towards beer.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study will be the first to investigate how beer consumers’ consumption patterns and purchase decisions are impacted by assessing consumer risk and benefit perceptions. This study will also aid stakeholders in tailoring their beer offerings better to meet the desires and requirements of their customers.
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Bhanu Prakash Saripalli, Gagan Singh and Sonika Singh
Estimation of solar cell parameters, mathematical modeling and the actual performance analysis of photovoltaic (PV) cells at various ecological conditions are very important in…
Abstract
Purpose
Estimation of solar cell parameters, mathematical modeling and the actual performance analysis of photovoltaic (PV) cells at various ecological conditions are very important in the design and analysis of maximum power point trackers and power converters. This study aims to propose the analysis and modeling of a simplified three-diode model based on the manufacturer’s performance data.
Design/methodology/approach
A novel technique is presented to evaluate the PV cell constraints and simplify the existing equation using analytical and iterative methods. To examine the current equation, this study focuses on three crucial operational points: open circuit, short circuit and maximum operating points. The number of parameters needed to estimate these built-in models is decreased from nine to five by an effective iteration method, considerably reducing computational requirements.
Findings
The proposed model, in contrast to the previous complex nine-parameter three-diode model, simplifies the modeling and analysis process by requiring only five parameters. To ensure the reliability and accuracy of this proposed model, its results were carefully compared with datasheet values under standard test conditions (STC). This model was implemented using MATLAB/Simulink and validated using a polycrystalline solar cell under STC conditions.
Originality/value
The proposed three-diode model clearly outperforms the earlier existing two-diode model in terms of accuracy and performance, especially in lower irradiance settings, according to the results and comparison analysis.
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Issahaku Haruna and Charles Godfred Ackah
Africa's business environment (BE) is characteristically unfriendly and poses severe development challenges. This study evaluates the impact of business climate on productivity in…
Abstract
Purpose
Africa's business environment (BE) is characteristically unfriendly and poses severe development challenges. This study evaluates the impact of business climate on productivity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Design/methodology/approach
Macroeconomic data for 51 sub-Saharan African economies from 1990 to 2018 are employed for the analysis. The seemingly unrelated regression model is used to address inter-sectorial linkages.
Findings
The study uncovers several findings. First, a high start-up cost substantially leads to productivity losses by limiting the funds available for investment in productivity-enhancing labour and technology and limiting the number of businesses that see the light of day. The productivity impacts of start-up costs are most enormous for industry, followed by services and agriculture. Second, economies with favourable financing environments tend to be more productive economy wide and sector wise. Third, high taxes and tax inefficiency lower productivity by reducing the resource envelope of firms, thus lowering investment amounts. Fourth, poor business infrastructure inflicts the most damage on productivity. Lastly, business administration and macroeconomic environments impact sectoral and economy-wide productivity.
Practical implications
SSA economies must strive to lower the cost of starting a business as high start-up costs injure productivity. One way of reducing start-up costs is to create a one-stop shop for registering and formalising a business. Another way is to automate business registration and administrative processes to reduce red tape and corruption.
Originality/value
The authors extend the body of knowledge by analysing sectoral and economy-wide productivity effects of various business climate indicators while accounting for inter-sectoral linkages, cross-sectional dependence and endogeneity.
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Tobignaré Florent Maré, Pam Zahonogo and Kimseyinga Savadogo
In a context where the promotion of a more sustainable agriculture is clearly aimed at, the paradoxical combination of sustainable agricultural practices (SAP) with chemical…
Abstract
Purpose
In a context where the promotion of a more sustainable agriculture is clearly aimed at, the paradoxical combination of sustainable agricultural practices (SAP) with chemical pesticides use instead of biological pest management techniques is recurrent in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries like Burkina Faso. Chemical pesticides are harmful to the environment and health. This paper aims to analyze the role of farmer education on the mode of adoption of SAP.
Design/methodology/approach
An endogenous treatment effect model is used with survey data on 1,898 rural households in Burkina Faso.
Findings
The results show a positive causal effect of farmer education on sustainable and chemical pesticide-free agriculture adoption.
Research limitations/implications
Formal education appears to be general. This research could be extended to consider the role of training or extension services. More detailed results, focusing on spatial effects, could reinforce those of the present research.
Originality/value
Unlike previous studies, this paper addresses for the first time the paradoxical behavior of combining SAP with chemical pesticides use. It shows that farmer education contributes to explain it and is therefore a determining factor for a more sustainable agriculture.
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Aamir Inam Bhutta, Jahanzaib Sultan, Muhammad Fayyaz Sheikh, Muhammad Sajid and Rizwan Mushtaq
Pakistan has experienced financial liberalization with rapid ups and downs in economic growth due to domestic issues during the last 2 decades. Motivated by inconclusive and…
Abstract
Purpose
Pakistan has experienced financial liberalization with rapid ups and downs in economic growth due to domestic issues during the last 2 decades. Motivated by inconclusive and conflicting time-driven findings about the performance of the business groups, this study examines the performance of business groups in Pakistan for a relatively long period from 2003 to 2018.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses 3,821 firm-year observations from non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). For the estimation, pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) with industry- and year fixed effects and two-step system generalized methods of moments (GMM) are used.
Findings
The study finds that group-affiliated firms outperform independent firms in accounting performance, while underperform in market performance. The outperformance is mainly driven by medium-sized business groups, while underperformance is driven by small and large business groups. Further, the study documents that the underperformance in terms of market performance of firms affiliated with small and large groups is greater before the economic downturn, while outperformance in terms of the accounting measure of firms affiliated with medium-sized groups is greater during the economic downturn. These findings support our time-driven concerns. Overall, the authors' findings are consistent with institutional and transaction cost theories.
Practical implications
Business groups are important channels to reduce market inefficiencies. Business groups may enhance the affiliated firms' resources and resistance capacity through active utilization of the internal capital market, specifically when market conditions are not ideal for affiliates. However, effective utilization of internal capital markets depends on group size. Therefore, investors should deliberate on the size of business groups and diversification within business groups.
Originality/value
The authors extend the literature by providing fresh evidence related to the performance of business groups in the Pakistani context while accounting for the role of the size of business groups.
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Ritika and Ashu Khanna
Peer-to-peer lending has emerged as a promising alternative investment avenue globally. This study explores the variables influencing investors' intention in peer-to-peer lending…
Abstract
Purpose
Peer-to-peer lending has emerged as a promising alternative investment avenue globally. This study explores the variables influencing investors' intention in peer-to-peer lending. Studying these factors is crucial for inspiring investor motivation, which leads to the growth of peer-to-peer lending platforms in India.
Design/methodology/approach
The research utilizes information gathered from 293 investors of the Rang de platform through a questionnaire. It employs ordinal logistic regression to assess how demographic characteristics, investor experience, social projects and investment factors influence the study’s outcomes.
Findings
The research indicates that the education qualification and income level of the investors are significant demographic variables in their investment decisions. Moreover, social projects, the experience of the investors and investment factors affect their intent to invest more in peer-to-peer lending projects.
Research limitations/implications
It helps stakeholders and borrowers of crowdfunding platforms think about these aspects when creating plans to bring in and keep investors. This approach also enhances the openness and dependability of lending processes.
Originality/value
This research sheds light on Indian investors' behavior toward peer-to-peer lending platforms and includes new investment factors like project categories and impact partners that other researchers did not identify.
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Kritika Khanna, Jagwinder Singh and Sarbjit Singh Bedi
This study aims to build a comprehensive model for developing higher education institutes (HEIs) brand equity by examining the impact of HEIs intangible resources, brand…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to build a comprehensive model for developing higher education institutes (HEIs) brand equity by examining the impact of HEIs intangible resources, brand management aspects, attachment strength and student’s contemporary citizenship behavior (CCB).
Design/methodology/approach
Data were gathered through a self-administered questionnaire from Indian students and alumni (n = 703). The study examines the proposed comprehensive model through serial and multiple mediation analysis.
Findings
The study unfolded “service quality? brand image? attachment strength? word-of-mouth? brand equity” as the most significant path to develop HEI’s brand equity.
Research limitations/implications
This study pioneers an empirically validated mechanism for developing brand equity in HEIs, addressing gaps identified by previous studies and offering a theoretical framework that elucidates how HEIs can leverage intangible resources through strategic brand management to foster attachment and influence positive student behaviors, thereby contributing to the development of HEI brand equity.
Practical implications
HEIs need to understand that relying solely on tangible aspects leads to short-lived effects. To maintain a lasting competitive advantage, HEIs should focus on crafting a rich historical narrative, retaining talented faculty and staff and earning respect from the public to build a lasting reputation.
Originality/value
This study develops the mechanism for developing brand equity of HEIs using its valuable, rare and inimitable intangible resources. Along with the introduction of novel constructs like competence, heritage and word-of-mouth to existing study, the proposed conceptual model is premised on the theory of self-congruence, social-exchange theory and CCB.
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Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the impact mechanism of the degree of innovation failure on breakthrough innovation in Chinese listed companies, and examines the moderating effect of the company’s own knowledge-based capabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on organizational learning theory and using the innovation failure data of invention patents from Chinese A-share listed companies on the main board from 2003 to 2017 as research samples, this study constructs and examines a comprehensive framework and its impact on breakthrough innovation regarding “what kind of innovation failure will promote breakthrough innovation”, focusing on innovation failure, enterprise knowledge base, and breakthrough innovation.
Findings
Empirical research has found a U-shaped relationship between innovation failure and breakthrough innovation. In other words, both a low level of failure and an extremely high level of failure can significantly promote breakthrough innovation in enterprises. Furthermore, when the depth of enterprise knowledge is high, it further strengthens the non-linear relationship between innovation failure and breakthrough innovation.
Originality/value
The research results enrich the study of the failure predicament and breakthrough innovation of Chinese technology innovation enterprises, revealing effective paths for Chinese technology innovation enterprises to get rid of the passive situation of innovation failure, and providing theoretical support and practical reference for “breaking new ground and achieving breakthrough innovation”.
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Kommi Kalpana and Gulshan Lal Khanna
Dietary diversity (DD) is a proxy indicator of nutrient adequacy and has been propagated as a health beneficial component of dietary behavior. This study aims to understand DD and…
Abstract
Purpose
Dietary diversity (DD) is a proxy indicator of nutrient adequacy and has been propagated as a health beneficial component of dietary behavior. This study aims to understand DD and its association with lipid indices among Indian Kho-Kho players.
Design/methodology/approach
In all, 50 Indian Kho-Kho players aged between 16 years and 31 years belonging to different regions of India were recruited. Dietary diversity score (DDS; food groups/day) and food variety score (FVS; number of food items/day) were considered to assess the DD. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization food frequency questionnaire was used as a tool. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), LDL, VLDL and HDL were measured.
Findings
The DDS and FVS showed that athletes were consuming approximately 7 of 9 food groups (Mean ± SD: 6.5 ± 1.3) and 27 varieties of foods (Mean ± SD:27.0 ± 8.6) from 9 food groups per day. This study could not find significant differences for DDS and FVS among athletes belonging to different regions. FVSs of organ meat, eggs and spices and condiments were significantly positively associated with TG (p < 0.036, p < 0.020 and p < 0.001) and VLDL (p < 0.054, p < 0.021 and p < 0.001). LDL was inversely significantly associated with FVS of cereals, white root and tubers (p < 0.032).
Research limitations/implications
DDS and FVS were not associated with lipid indices among Kho-Kho players. However, individual FVS of organ meat, eggs and spices and condiments may increase TG and VLDL. Optimum consumption of cereals and root tubers may help to maintain LDL levels among Kho-Kho players.
Originality/value
It was found that daily consumption of organ meat and eggs may increase TG and VLDL, and optimum consumption of cereals and white roots and tubers may help to maintain LDL. High energy and fat foods may act as mediators along with spices and condiments in increasing TG and VLDL.
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