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Despite the digital penetration in the larger consumer market, the adoption of e-pharmacy services is reported to be very low in emerging economies like India. In this context, the purpose of the current study is to examine the influence of consumers’ risk perception on their intention to purchase medicines/pharmaceuticals through online pharmacies. Furthermore, the study seeks to understand to what extent the perceived usefulness of online pharmacy mediates the relationship between different dimensions of perceived risk and purchase intention.

The study was conducted among a sample of 800 consumers in India who are familiar with online e-commerce. To ensure the homogeneity of the sample and hence the generalizations of results, inclusion criteria were set as not to include respondents who have made a prior purchase through e-pharmacy services. Self-reporting questionnaires were administered among the respondents, who were selected through a purposive and convenience sampling method. Measurement modeling and path analysis were done using IBM SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 24.0 to test the hypotheses and draw inferences.

Results revealed that consumers’ risk perceptions, such as financial, product, source and privacy risks, had a significant direct and indirect effect on their intention to purchase medicines through online pharmacies. India is the major universal provider of generic medicines. The insights gained from this study can help policymakers, corporates, consumers, distributors, retailers and marketing managers to frame effective strategies for improved usage of online platforms for procuring medications.

This study is pioneering in conceptualizing and testing a theoretical model linking consumers’ risk perceptions, perceived usefulness and intention to purchase through online pharmacies, particularly in the context of an emerging economy like India. Implications regarding facilitating and nurturing a conducive platform for online purchasing medicines and its outcomes are elaborated, thus striving to fill a gap in the existing literature. By examining the proposed framework through the lens of the technology acceptance model and theory of risk perception, this study seeks to add to the emergent literature on online pharmacies, especially in emerging economies with huge market potential.

This study aims to investigate how cultural factors – specifically power distance (PD) and uncertainty avoidance (UA) – affect employees’ use of neutralization techniques to rationalize deviant information systems (IS) behaviors. The goal is to enhance strategies for managing insider threats and improving security policies.

A cross-sectional survey was used to examine how national culture affects neutralization strategies related to IS misuse. A scenario-based survey was used to gather data from 292 employees, stressing four top ranked IS deviant behaviors in Ethiopian organizations. Using SmartPLS 4.0 software, the study validates measurement and structural models using partial least squares structural equation modeling. It then uses bootstrapping procedures to assess hypotheses that predict the use of justifications in situations of IS misuse.

The research finds that all four neutralization techniques – appeal to higher loyalty, claim of normalcy, defense of necessity and denial of responsibility – significantly predicted employees’ IS deviant use intention behaviors. PD and UA cultures also significantly influence IS deviant use intention, with neutralization techniques mediating this relationship, validating the model’s predictive relevance.

The reliance on self-reported data and a cross-sectional design may limit the accuracy and causal inference of the findings. Additionally, the focus on Ethiopian respondents may restrict generalizability, highlighting the need for research in diverse contexts. Future studies could explore longitudinal or experimental designs and examine neutralization techniques and knowledge management to understand IS security.

This study introduces a novel model illustrating how cultural values, such as PD and UA, influence employees’ use of neutralization techniques to justify deviant behavior in Ethiopian organizations. It emphasizes the mediating role of these techniques and the need for culturally tailored anti-neutralization strategies and effective security awareness programs.

The main purpose of this chapter is dual fold: first, to offer an exhaustive examination of migration trends and factors influencing migrants' decisions to relocate. Second, to propose actionable suggestions aimed at minimising the harmful impacts of climate-induced migration originating from the Indian subcontinent.

This chapter adopts an intensive literature review and integrated approach emphasising safety and partaking rights to examine climate prejudices across various dimensions including age, vulnerability, background, gender, geographical location, pay levels, migrant/refugee/internally displaced status and their connections.

An in-depth assessment of evidence surfaced on environmental migrants reveal a complex interplay of social, environmental and personal dynamics collectively shaping migration patterns beyond purely economic considerations. Natural disasters and associated mental shocks, social tensions and safety concerns, livelihood diversification, educational and development opportunities in host region, family pressures, extent of possession of assets and potential health and well-being all pose as vital drivers in environmental migration.

A novel attempt is made to address the interconnected nature of climate change with other crises, exacerbating existing inequalities whilst emphasising the importance of incorporating diverse interdisciplinary and international perspectives, prioritising the voices of the victimised to effectively address the climate emergency.

Policy recommendations encompass enhancing central and local government support by establishing migrant supportive legal frameworks, expanding livelihood diversification programs and factoring in migrant returnee programmes.

Work readiness and the ability to change how work is conducted are key dimensions of employability. This study focuses on alumni from the social psychiatric care (SPC) programme at University West in Trollhättan, Sweden. As their work readiness and work-changing abilities have not been studied to this point, the purpose was to explore the eventual main employability profiles in these alumni.

Between 8th November 2022 and 2nd January 2023, 94 SPC alumni responded to the Employee Agility and Resilience Short Swedish Version Measurement Scale, consisting of five subscales that represent different employability features. Cluster analysis was used to explore eventual employability profiles in these alumni.

Three clusters of SPC alumni with different employability profiles were identified. Cluster 1: Highly employable profile, which is represented by SPC alumni who scored high on each of the five employability features. Cluster 2: Employability with alliance-creating profile; this cluster comprise SPC alumni whose strengths lie in creating collegial relationships. Cluster 3: Employability with a strong social support profile, which comprise SPC alumni with a strong social backing at work. We discuss that SPC alumni of these employability profiles are variously equipped to (1) follow and develop how work is conducted in their fields and (2) adapt to changes at work.

The study presents employability profiles of SPC alumni and offers valuable insights that could enhance the prospects of these alumni becoming a recognised occupation within the realms of psychiatry, social services, institutional work and community work.

This study examines how AI-driven virtual travel influencers engage young consumers, with a focus on ethical consumerism. It analyses the content strategy on Instagram of Sena Zaro, the pioneering AI influencer in the travel and hospitality sector, created by Cenizaro Hotels. The purpose is to identify the adherence to ethical communication standards and evaluate the types of content that garner the highest engagement, analysing the emotions expressed through shared posts, and exploring the destinations promoted.

Through web scraping and AI-driven sentiment analysis, all textual posts from her profile and corresponding comments were examined. The stimulus-organism-response theory was applied to explore how ethical messaging (stimuli) impacted emotional engagement (organism), driving follower behaviour (response). The content was also categorized based on ethical tourism principles, as published by the World Tourism Organization’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

Results highlight that authenticity and transparency are crucial for successful virtual influencer (VI) marketing. Posts featuring Sena Zaro herself, especially in carousel format, had the highest engagement. Although cultural heritage and local benefit were the most common ethical themes and labour rights were underrepresented, they did not notably impact engagement levels.

Practical implications related to emotional dynamics, ethical communication and location are presented to enhance customer engagement, along with recommendations for future digital marketing strategies in tourism to effectively use VI marketing.

This research is the first to examine a VI in the tourism and hospitality industry, specifically analysing how such an influencer engages with young consumers. It emphasizes the importance of authenticity and emotional engagement.

This study examines how users' perceptions of application quality impact sustained usage, taking alternative options into account.

A hybrid approach combining partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) was used to capture linear and non-linear relationships in the continuous intention to use mobile retail applications through 505 valid responses.

The findings highlight the significant role of utilitarian attitude, hedonic emotion, and trust in driving the adoption and continued use of mobile retail applications. Service and information qualities were identified as factors reinforcing trust, utilitarian attitudes, and hedonic emotion. Notably, system quality exclusively influences utilitarian attitude. Additionally, the presence of alternative options negatively moderates utilitarian attitude and the intention to persistently use the application.

By integrating the S-O-R model and the ISS model, this study’s theoretical framework provides fresh insights into the relative importance of these factors, enhancing our understanding of consumers' intention to continue using mobile retail applications.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of Arrhenius kinetics on hydromagnetic free convection of an electrically conducting fluid flowing past a vertically stretched sheet maintained at a constant temperature, considering viscous dissipation. In this study, the understanding of the Biot number is essential for comprehending and enhancing heat transfer processes in a flow. Mastering this concept is crucial for the efficient design and management of various industrial and natural systems. The effect of Newtonian heating is accurately addressed by adjusting the traditional temperature boundary condition.

The presiding inconsistent Partial differential equations are contrasted to ordinary differential equations by similitude changes and the solutions are completed numerically by fourth-order Runge-Kutta (RK-4) and shooting procedures. Tables and graphs feature vividly in annotating the outcomes of changing parameters on the flow.

Notably, the Biot number significantly impacts temperature gradients and distribution, which subsequently affect the flow’s velocity and thermal characteristics; that is, velocity and temperature contours increase directly to an upsurge in the Biot number. Contrasting with existing work, a perfect harmony is experienced. Arrhenius kinetics are essential for predicting and managing fluid flow behaviour in systems where reactions are sensitive to temperature. Grasping this relationship helps engineers and scientists enhance process efficiency, ensure safety and optimize fluid-based systems. Similarly, Newtonian heating significantly impacts fluid flow by affecting temperature distribution, viscosity, buoyancy-driven flows and flow stability. Mastering the control of this heating process is vital in both natural and engineered fluid systems. Technical applications of this research include variation cooling and atomic power generation refrigeration.

The distinguishing quality of this research lies in the scrutiny of Arrhenius steady hydromagnetic heat transfer to natural convection flow in a stretching upright sheet: viscous dissipation and Newtonian heating. To best of the authors’ understanding, a problem like this has not been considered. The findings in this work will give useful information to scientists and engineers.

The primary purpose of the research is to examine the impact of financial socialisation (FS) on the financial well-being (FWB) of unskilled internal migrant labourers, particularly focusing on the intervening roles of financial knowledge (FK) and financial behaviour (FB).

Using a cross-sectional research design, primary data from 269 unskilled internal migrant labourers were collected, applying the purposive sampling method. Using the data, the direct and mediated effects are examined through a three-path mediation model with structural equation modelling (SEM).

Direct relationship analysis of FS on FWB exhibits an insignificant relationship, and FK also does not mediate the relationship; instead, FB acts as a potent mediator in both relationships.

The study enriches existing literature as it contributes to understanding the FWB of internal migrant labour, highlighting the pivotal role of FS and FB. Further, it provides insights for policymakers to enhance FWB through targeted interventions and inclusive policies, promoting social inclusion, economic empowerment and inclusive development.

Despite the significant economic role of unskilled internal migrant labours, studies have not focused on their FWB. Hence, the study delves into their FWB through FS directly as well as indirectly using a three-path mediation model for achieving sustainable development.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-01-2024-0044

The timeliness and quality of information provided to board members are crucial for them to effectively monitor and advise a firm. This study examines the influence of board composition and structure on (1) the board’s actions to mitigate the information asymmetry problem by implementing enterprise information systems (EIS) and (2) the board of directors’ awareness of information asymmetry, their perception of its causes and their efforts to address it.

Our research employs a mixed-methods approach. First, using data from 115 publicly listed Chinese companies, we empirically assess the likelihood of top-level EIS modules adoption at the firm level. Subsequently, through 23 semi-structured interviews, we aim to gain deeper insights into the behavioral motivations behind directors’ attempts to reduce information asymmetry.

The study reveals that boards with a higher number of independent directors or with a strategy committee – indicative of a greater concern regarding information asymmetry problems – are more inclined to adopt top-level EIS modules. Additionally, we identify three primary sources of information asymmetry that directors consider significant in prompting the adoption of top-level EIS modules to alleviate perceived information asymmetry.

This study contributes to both the corporate governance and information systems literature. The implementation and utilization of EIS at the board level have not been extensively explored previously. Moreover, while the issue of information asymmetry at the board level is recognized as a critical governance challenge, the ways in which directors perceive and address this issue remain largely unknown. Our research seeks to illuminate this relatively less-explored area.

This paper is the third part of a research effort that aims to identify how various crises affected basic business processes using Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires (INSEAD’s) industrial excellence framework (IEF) in large organizations.

This research compares three data sets from the same four companies against quality management benchmarks, with a span of more than two decades: (1) data collected in 2005 operating under a financially thriving corporate environment; (2) data collected in 2015, operating under a strong financial crisis and (3) data collected in 2022, operating under the serious COVID-19 crisis.

The authors identify the characteristics that helped them navigate successfully through almost two crises in a row. These companies successfully navigated crises by applying assessment and continuous improvement processes, forging close relationships with their suppliers and training their people systematically.

The findings can be adopted by practitioners who wish to navigate their organizations during serious crises. Researchers and academics may also find this study interesting for managing quality during a pandemic.

There are not many studies that investigate how the pandemic influenced the quality management practices in organizations in Greece in sequential crises. This paper brings insights into the enduring advantages of adopting a quality framework.