Paulo M. Gama and Elsa Pedroso
Does societal trust influence short-term financial management? Recent papers uncover the importance of societal trust for financial management in specific countries and large…
Abstract
Purpose
Does societal trust influence short-term financial management? Recent papers uncover the importance of societal trust for financial management in specific countries and large firms. Our paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of societal trust on short-term financial policies of SMEs, namely working capital management and cash holdings.
Design/methodology/approach
We rely on a sample of 14,711 privately owned medium-sized manufacturing firms from 26 European countries with a sample period between 2014 and 2020. For estimation, we use pooled OLS and hierarchical linear models and control for several firm-specific and country-specific known determinants of short-term financial management. Moreover, our results are robust to the specific measurement of trust, financial constraints, and corruption.
Findings
We show a positive relationship between trust and working capital requirements investment and a negative relationship between trust and the level of cash holdings. Moreover, we show that trust attenuates the negative impact of being a financially constrained firm and the positive impact of national perceptions of corruption. Finally, in higher trustworthy environments, firms operate with relatively higher inventories and relatively lower trade credit granted and obtained.
Research limitations/implications
Results suggest that policies supporting societal trust may also foster business development and that when dealing with clients or suppliers from different trustworthy environments, firms may have to adapt their business models to incorporate trust differences between business environments.
Originality/value
Firstly, the comprehensive analysis of the impact of trust on working capital management and cash holdings while controlling for different firm-level and country-level known determinants of short-term financial management. Secondly, it addresses a European sample of unquoted, medium-sized firms. Thirdly, it studies the combined effect of trust and financial constraints and trust and corruption.
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This paper introduces a revenue efficiency DEA model with weight restrictions and variable returns to scale, designed to evaluate the efficiency of 38 ports in the Asia–Pacific…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper introduces a revenue efficiency DEA model with weight restrictions and variable returns to scale, designed to evaluate the efficiency of 38 ports in the Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used is the analysis of the data envelope, where the technical, cost and allocative efficiency is calculated with the incorporation of weight restrictions aimed at preventing the generation of unrealistically high efficiency scores.
Findings
The findings indicate that the implementation of weight restrictions successfully eliminated outliers. However, there was a general decrease in efficiency across three key measures: technical, revenue and allocative. In the realm of allocative efficiency, none of the ports reached a perfect score.
Practical implications
The major contribution of this research is that despite numerous studies on port efficiency utilizing DEA methodology, none have integrated weight restrictions into overall efficiency assessments. Therefore, the study’s objective is to gauge revenue efficiency, dissected into technical and allocative efficiency, across 38 ports in the APEC region. This is achieved through the implementation of weight restrictions alongside variable returns to scale.
Originality/value
The major contribution of this research is that despite numerous studies on port efficiency utilizing DEA methodology, none have integrated weight restrictions into overall efficiency assessments.
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Joseph Ikechukwu Uduji, Nduka Vitalis Elda Okolo-Obasi, Joy Ukamaka Uduji, Emeka Steve Emengini, Longinus Chukwudi Odoh, Deborah Patience Okoro and Chikodili Nkiruka Okafor
The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the multinational oil companies’ (MOCs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the multinational oil companies’ (MOCs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of the global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) on improving gender responsiveness of the cassava value chain (CVC) in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a survey research technique, aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 780 rural women respondents were sampled across the Niger Delta region.
Findings
The results from the use of a combined logit model and propensity score matching indicate that CSR of the MOCs using the GMoU model has recorded little but significant success in enhancing rural women’s participation in the CVC in the Niger Delta.
Practical implications
This implies that if CSR interventions are not tailored to enhance opportunities for women, they may contribute towards reducing the participation of women in economic, political and social development and, by extension, damping efforts of reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the Niger Delta.
Social implications
This suggests that MOCs’ CSR interventions in the CVC should consider gender relations to benefit men and women and alleviate household poverty.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the inequality debate in the agrifood value chain and inclusive growth literature from the CSR perspective in developing countries and the rationale for demand for social projects by host communities. It concludes that businesses has an obligation to help in solving problems of public concern.
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Huiying Du, Jing Li, Kevin Kam Fung So and Ceridwyn King
With recent advances in artificial intelligence, the hospitality industry has introduced the concept of unmanned smart hotels staffed by service robots instead of human employees…
Abstract
Purpose
With recent advances in artificial intelligence, the hospitality industry has introduced the concept of unmanned smart hotels staffed by service robots instead of human employees. Research is needed to understand consumers’ receptivity to such an innovation. This paper examines factors associated with consumers’ potential resistance to using automated service hotels via two sequential studies. Given that younger generations of consumers are typically early adopters of advanced technology and innovative services, our sampling approach focused on this consumer group.
Design/methodology/approach
Two studies were conducted. Study 1 proposed and empirically tested a theoretical model. Results revealed that attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control each positively influenced individuals’ intentions to use unmanned smart hotels. In Study 2, we further investigated aspects informing perceived security, a key variable in the use of unmanned smart hotels.
Findings
Findings showed how people’s beliefs about unmanned smart hotels and security control assurances led to perceived security. These perceptions were shaped by perceived physical risks, privacy concerns, website design and hotel reputation. Overall, this research provides theoretical and practical implications for various stakeholders associated with unmanned smart hotels.
Practical implications
Findings of this study suggested that managers of unmanned smart hotels should design user-friendly, secure processes and offer comprehensive support resources to enhance customer experience and usage.
Originality/value
The findings provide a holistic understanding of consumers’ receptivity to unmanned smart hotels.
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Auxane Boch and Bethany Rhea Thomas
Social robotics is a rapidly growing application of artificial intelligence (AI) in society, encompassing an expanding range of applications. This paper aims to contribute to the…
Abstract
Purpose
Social robotics is a rapidly growing application of artificial intelligence (AI) in society, encompassing an expanding range of applications. This paper aims to contribute to the ongoing integration of psychology into social robotics ethics by reviewing current theories and empirical findings related to human–robot interaction (HRI) and addressing critical points of contention within the ethics discourse.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors will explore the factors influencing the acceptance of social robots, explore the development of relationships between humans and robots and delve into three prominent controversies: deception, dehumanisation and violence.
Findings
The authors first propose design factors allowing for a positive interaction with the robot, and further discuss precise dimensions to evaluate when designing a social robot to ensure ethical design technology, building on the four ethical principles for trustworthy AI. The final section of this paper will outline and offer explicit recommendations for future research endeavours.
Originality/value
This paper provides originality and value to the field of social robotics ethics by integrating psychology into the ethical discourse and offering a comprehensive understanding of HRI. It introduces three ethical dimensions and provides recommendations for implementing them, contributing to the development of ethical design in social robots and trustworthy AI.
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Safdar Khan, Sujood Sujood, Asad Rehman and Ramzi Al Rousan
The aim of this paper is to explore how information shared by SMIs affects consumers' food tasting intentions. To achieve this, it integrates the IAM and TAM, in conjunction with…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to explore how information shared by SMIs affects consumers' food tasting intentions. To achieve this, it integrates the IAM and TAM, in conjunction with trust and EWOM.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper utilized a convenience sampling technique, employing a survey instrument to gather data online. The questionnaire was distributed across the social media pages of food bloggers from September 11 to November 30, 2023. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS and AMOS.
Findings
We developed a research framework that integrates IAM, TAM, Trust, and EWOM variables to assess how information shared by SMIs influence consumers' intentions to explore new food tastes. The model demonstrated enhanced predictive and explanatory capabilities.
Research limitations/implications
This study enriches the existing literature on information adoption and technology acceptance by advancing our understanding of how SMIs influence consumers’ food tasting intentions. Additionally, it aids SMIs in comprehending their role in endorsing new food products and restaurants, fostering trust and reliability among their followers. This study enables consumers to make more informed decisions about trying new food products or dining establishments, empowering them to evaluate influencer recommendations critically.
Originality/value
This study uniquely focuses on the influence of information shared by SMIs on consumers' intentions to taste new foods. While SMIs have been extensively studied in various contexts, such as fashion, beauty, and travel, this research offers a fresh perspective on understanding their impact on consumer behavior within the food industry.