Tagreed Ali and Piyush Maheshwari
Blockchain technology, renowned for its decentralization, security, reliability, and data integrity, has the potential to revolutionize businesses globally. However, its full…
Abstract
Blockchain technology, renowned for its decentralization, security, reliability, and data integrity, has the potential to revolutionize businesses globally. However, its full potential remains unrealized due to adoption barriers, necessitating further studies to address these challenges. Identifying these barriers is crucial for businesses and practitioners to effectively tackle them. This systematic review analyzed 70 eligible studies out of 1944 gathered from various databases to understand and identify common blockchain adoption barriers. The Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework was the most popular theory used in these studies. Despite differences in variable definitions, financial constraints, lack of stakeholder collaboration and coordination, and social influences like resistance to change and negative perceptions emerged as the top three barriers. The supply chain domain had the highest number of studies on blockchain adoption. Notably, there was a significant increase in studies addressing blockchain adoption in 2023, comprising 34.2% of the total reviewed studies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of identified barriers, serving as a valuable foundation for future research. Understanding these challenges allows researchers to design targeted studies aimed at developing solutions, strategies, and innovations to overcome obstacles hindering blockchain adoption.
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Bingzi Jin, Xiaojie Xu and Yun Zhang
Predicting commodity futures trading volumes represents an important matter to policymakers and a wide spectrum of market participants. The purpose of this study is to concentrate…
Abstract
Purpose
Predicting commodity futures trading volumes represents an important matter to policymakers and a wide spectrum of market participants. The purpose of this study is to concentrate on the energy sector and explore the trading volume prediction issue for the thermal coal futures traded in Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange in China with daily data spanning January 2016–December 2020.
Design/methodology/approach
The nonlinear autoregressive neural network is adopted for this purpose and prediction performance is examined based upon a variety of settings over algorithms for model estimations, numbers of hidden neurons and delays and ratios for splitting the trading volume series into training, validation and testing phases.
Findings
A relatively simple model setting is arrived at that leads to predictions of good accuracy and stabilities and maintains small prediction errors up to the 99.273th quantile of the observed trading volume.
Originality/value
The results could, on one hand, serve as standalone technical trading volume predictions. They could, on the other hand, be combined with different (fundamental) prediction results for forming perspectives of trading trends and carrying out policy analysis.
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Hassan Hessari, Fatemeh Daneshmandi, Peter Busch and Stephen Smith
In the evolving digital work landscape, where cyberloafing has become a notable challenge, this study aims to investigate the mechanisms through which organizations can…
Abstract
Purpose
In the evolving digital work landscape, where cyberloafing has become a notable challenge, this study aims to investigate the mechanisms through which organizations can effectively reduce such behaviors. Specifically, the research explores the role of employee adaptability in mitigating cyberloafing, taking into account the influences of temporal leadership, teamwork attitudes, and competitive work environments.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing the broaden-and-build theory and the job demands-resources (JD-R) model, we analyzed data from 245 employees through structural equation modeling (SEM) to investigate how various factors influence cyberloafing.
Findings
The results indicate that employee adaptability significantly mitigates cyberloafing and serves as a mediating factor between temporal leadership, teamwork attitudes, and the impact of competitive work environments on cyberloafing. Temporal leadership and teamwork attitudes positively correlate with increased adaptability, thereby reducing cyberloafing. Conversely, competitive work environments, while slightly enhancing adaptability, substantially increase cyberloafing.
Originality/value
The study contributes new insights into the dynamics of cyberloafing, emphasizing the critical roles of adaptability, teamwork attitudes, and temporal leadership in reducing such behaviors. It underscores the need for organizations to foster a supportive culture that minimizes competitive pressures and promotes teamwork and leadership strategies conducive to high productivity and minimal cyberloafing. This research offers practical implications for designing workplace strategies aimed at boosting productivity and curbing undesirable online behaviors during work hours.
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Atefeh Mirhoseini, Shahnaz Nayebzadeh and Alireza Rousta
The geographical location of Yazd province has significant potential for religious tourism. To make the most of this opportunity, it is important to develop an interpretive…
Abstract
Purpose
The geographical location of Yazd province has significant potential for religious tourism. To make the most of this opportunity, it is important to develop an interpretive structural modeling. This paper aims to outline a model for the development of religious tourism in Yazd province as a Global Religious Destination by identifying and analyzing the interaction of effective drivers in future religious tourism development.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology is based on the interpretative paradigm and is developmental in nature. It takes an exploratory-analytical approach through the adoption of an inductive method and uses mixed research (qualitative/quantitative) involving religious tourism experts and tourists. The study consists of three main steps. In the first step, effective drivers in future religious tourism development were identified through content analysis of published articles. In the second step, the identified drivers were finalized through a survey of experts. Using futures research and Micmac software, a model was designed to investigate the interaction of the future drivers of religious tourism development. In the third step of the research, 384 tourists who visited Yazd Global Religious Destination participated to check the accuracy of the presented model.
Findings
Content analysis and review of scientific documents have identified 14 effective drivers in future religious tourism development that have finalized in a layered model. The model identified factors from the most influential at level one to the least influential at level eight. the theoretical foundations of this research confirmed by 384 visitors participated.
Originality/value
developing religious tourism, whether in the form of a religious city, a religious value system, a religious ceremony and a religious business, requires a comprehensive view that includes tourist’s mental and visual imagery, destination brand’s ideals and visions, religious belief, governmental and formal activities and the material and spiritual capital that can offer religious life style in the world markets to audiences from all over the world in the best way and in the dynamic conditions of competition between destination brands, occupy the first rungs of the audience’s mental ladder.
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Divya Mishra and Nidhi Maheshwari
This paper aims to explore the dimensions of spiritual tourism development, examine its current status, effectiveness and scope and analyze the knowledge landscape in terms of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the dimensions of spiritual tourism development, examine its current status, effectiveness and scope and analyze the knowledge landscape in terms of theories, contexts and research methodologies. The study also seeks to guide future research on spiritual tourism development.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis were used using a framework-based approach. The theories, constructs, characteristics and methods (TCCM) framework guided the SLR, whereas VOS-Viewer facilitated comprehensive bibliometric analysis.
Findings
The study conducted a quantitative SLR, analyzing 80 research articles published between 2003 and 2023. Using the TCCM framework, the research identified crucial factors influencing the growth of spiritual tourist destinations, such as intrinsic motivation, destination physicality, tourist experience, spiritual activities and host community support.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to theoretical advancement in spiritual tourism, provides insights into the current research landscape, offers practical guidance for stakeholders and serves as a roadmap for future research endeavors.
Originality/value
This research enhances knowledge by thoroughly assessing prior research, addressing gaps and offering practical managerial insights for spiritual tourism development. The managerial implications outlined in the study offer practical insights for destination planning and promotion in the context of spiritual tourism.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the unique and interactive effects of hard lean practices (HLPs) and soft lean practices (SLPs) on corporate social performance (CSP)…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the unique and interactive effects of hard lean practices (HLPs) and soft lean practices (SLPs) on corporate social performance (CSP), as well as the moderating effect of lean maturity on the relationships between each type of practices and CSP.
Design/methodology/approach
Adopting a purely quantitative approach, a survey-based questionnaire methodology was used as a tool to collect data from 127 manufacturing companies located in Tunisia, and a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was employed to analyze the collected data and validate the research hypotheses.
Findings
The study findings indicate that, firstly, HLPs negatively affect CSP; secondly, SLPs positively influence CSP; and thirdly, the interaction effect of HLPs and SLPs is negative regarding CSP. Additionally, the moderating effect of lean maturity on the relationship between HLPs, SLPs and CSP was found to be insignificant.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to manufacturing companies in Tunisia, and its results cannot reflect other geographical contexts.
Practical implications
The current research provides valuable insights for practitioners by showing the importance of SLPs, in particular, in enhancing CSP.
Originality/value
This research provides new insights into the various findings and conclusions reached by previous studies in the literature regarding the impact of lean manufacturing practices on CSP by highlighting the unique and interactive effect of HLPs and SLPs on CSP.
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Fatma Achour, Chaima Bejaoui and Anis Jedidi
One of the open questions is how to define a complete semantic description of an Internet of Things (IoT) system and how to ensure the device’s identification in this type of…
Abstract
Purpose
One of the open questions is how to define a complete semantic description of an Internet of Things (IoT) system and how to ensure the device’s identification in this type of system. To answer this question, the authors needed to propose a mechanism to describe an IoT system based on an IoT context ontology description. This mechanism is based on semantic web services creation to identify objects in IoT system. This paper aims to propose a model to describe the IoT system. The authors suggest an approach to describe each category of contextual information separately and ensure the adaptation in the IoT system.
Design/methodology/approach
One of the open questions is how to define a complete semantic description of an IoT system and how to ensure the device’s identification in this type of system. To answer this question, the authors needed to propose a mechanism to describe an IoT system based on an IoT context ontology description. This mechanism is based on semantic web services creation to identify objects in IoT system.
Findings
One of the open questions is how to define a complete semantic description of an IoT system and how to ensure the device’s identification in this type of system. To answer this question, the authors needed to propose a mechanism to describe an IoT system based on an IoT context ontology description. This mechanism is based on semantic web services creation to identify objects in IoT system. This paper aims to propose a model to describe the IoT system. The authors suggest an approach to describe each category of contextual information separately and ensure the adaptation in the IoT system.
Originality/value
One of the open questions is how to define a complete semantic description of an IoT system and how to ensure the device’s identification in this type of system. To answer this question, the authors needed to propose a mechanism to describe an IoT system based on an IoT context ontology description. This mechanism is based on semantic web services creation to identify objects in IoT system. This paper aims to propose a model to describe the IoT system. The authors suggest an approach to describe each category of contextual information separately and ensure the adaptation in the IoT system.
Meltem Saygili, Neset Hikmet and Gamze Yorgancioglu Tarcan
This study aims to evaluate the effects of perceived leader–-member exchange and working conditions on turnover intention among healthcare employees.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the effects of perceived leader–-member exchange and working conditions on turnover intention among healthcare employees.
Design/methodology/approach
The study population consisted of healthcare employees working in a medical faculty hospital in Türkiye. A stratified sampling method was used in sample selection. The data were obtained by the questionnaire method, and voluntary participation was taken as a basis. The questionnaire included sociodemographic information, a leader–-member exchange (LMX) scale and a turnover intention scale. The research was conducted between April and May 2022 and completed with 400 participants. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multiple linear stepwise regression analyses were chosen for data analysis.
Findings
The findings showed that the participants had a medium-level perception of leader–-member exchange and a medium-level turnover intention. Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis revealed that especially “affect and professional respect” sub-dimensions of LMX had a statistically significant and negative effect on turnover intention scores. In addition, weekly working hours had a statistically significant and positive effect on turnover intention (p < 0.05). Finally, it was determined that the variance in turnover intention score was explained by the “affect and professional respect” sub-dimensions of LMX and weekly working hours (R2 = 0.241).
Originality/value
This study provides evidence on the impact of the “affect” and “professional respect” sub-dimensions of leader–member exchange as well as work environment factors on the turnover intentions of healthcare employees. The results are expected to guide healthcare organization leaders and managers on how to create a collaborative work environment that leads to employee retention.
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Yasmeen Abu Sumaqa, Sajeda Alhamory, Manar Abu-Abbas, Ahmad Rayan, Mutaz Foad Alradaydeh, Nour Alrida, Omymah Zain Alddin Al-Rajabi, Mohammad Y. Alzaatreh, Anas H. Khalifeh, Saleh Al Omar and Manal Mohamed Abd EINaeem
The purpose of this paper is to assess the perceived level of Jordanian nurses’ competencies in offering care to the community during a disaster.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the perceived level of Jordanian nurses’ competencies in offering care to the community during a disaster.
Design/methodology/approach
A correlational descriptive design was used to assess nurses’ competencies in offering care for the community during a disaster.
Findings
A total of 370 nurses (55 % males) aged 25−55 agreed to participate. The mean score of competencies of nurses who offer care to the community during the disaster was 2.11 (SD = 0.59) points. The results of correlation coefficient tests revealed a significant positive correlation between stated competencies level and nurses’ sex, receiving disaster education and training with rpb (371) = 0.13, p < 0.01; rpb (598) = 0.15, p = 0.004; rpb (598) = 0.21, p < 0.001, respectively. Furthermore, the “care of communities” subscale had a weak positive correlation with the.
Originality/value
Nurses play a critical role in disaster response. However, there was a gap in nurses’ competencies for disaster, which shows there is a crucial need to include disaster management courses in the nursing curriculum and update disaster management courses in hospitals based on nurses’ needs to improve their competencies during disasters.
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Maisa Al Shomali and Yamen N. Al-Betawi
This research paper aims to shed light on Amman’s stairways and explore the potential of being successful urban spaces. It tries to identify critical design factors that…
Abstract
Purpose
This research paper aims to shed light on Amman’s stairways and explore the potential of being successful urban spaces. It tries to identify critical design factors that contribute to making these stairs livable urban spaces to help further develop this type of urban space.
Design/methodology/approach
Three popular stairs were identified, for which a series of exploratory visits were conducted to document the morphological characteristics and essential activities around each stairway. This was followed by administering a questionnaire to measure users’ satisfaction with four criteria, including protection, comfort, attractiveness and functionality, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each stair.
Findings
Results confirmed the presence of essential design aspects that encourage users to come and practice certain activities that enhance urban social life. Aspects of concern include security and protection, aesthetic quality, uniqueness, variety of activities, room to walk, sit and socialize and good management of space.
Research limitations/implications
Results can be taken as a departure frame for future research to conduct deeper analysis to comprehend the stairways’ physical, contextual and social characteristics. Understanding the settings of such vital urban spaces will help revive their roles and bring back their brilliance to restore the city’s liveliness and maintain a better life quality for its residents.
Originality/value
Research interests almost lack studies addressing urban stairways aiming to understand the qualities that enable them to attract people and activities. The manuscript presents beneficial research that tackles the vitality of urban stairways, as an example of linear public spaces. Enhancing the quality of these spaces will help stimulate pedestrian movement and activate walking as an essential sustainable means of commuting at the city level.