Search results

Drawing on response style theory and conservation of resources theory, this study aims to examine how neuroticism indirectly influences negative affect via rumination, and whether this mediating effect is moderated directly by individual resources (i.e. emotion regulation) and indirectly by social resources (i.e. perceived organizational support [POS]).

A total of 181 valid responses were collected using two-wave self-reported questionnaires in Taiwan, and the research hypotheses were tested using partial least squares regression.

The results showed that when both emotion regulation and POS are low, neuroticism has a positive indirect effect on negative affect via rumination. However, this effect weakens or becomes insignificant under other conditions.

The findings of this study offer a more in-depth examination of the relationships among the traits, rumination, negative affect and both internal and external resources of frontline employees in the service industries. Neuroticism, as a personality trait, is not easily changed. Therefore, helping frontline employees at service sites improve their rumination, training them to regulate their emotions and enhancing the POS can be useful strategies for managers and human resource departments to pursue.

This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of online pharmacies in Qatar using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology-2 (UTAUT-2) framework. Specifically, this study examines the impact of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, habit, technology trust, perceived risk and users’ level of awareness of behavioral intention, which in turn affects the adoption of online pharmacies. Furthermore, this study explores the moderating role of word-of-mouth (WOM) recommendations on the relationship between behavioral intention and online pharmacy adaptation.

This study adopted a descriptive, quantitative approach to investigate the UTAUT-2 model in the context of consumers’ adoption of e-pharmacy in Qatar. Through convenience sampling, 455 responses were collected from regular customers accessing online pharmacy services. The data were analyzed using Smart-PLS 3.2 software to examine the hypothesized relationships.

The results showed that WOM recommendations significantly enhanced the relationship between behavioral intention and adopting online pharmacies in Qatar. This study identified the factors that may hinder or enable the adoption of online pharmacies, including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, habit, technology trust, perceived risk and users’ level of awareness.

This study contributes to the existing literature on technology acceptance by extending the UTAUT-2 model and recognizing three additional variables (perceived risk, technology trust and technology awareness). These need to be investigated against UTAUT-2 variables to detect the significance of their impact on adapting the e-health concept in Qatar. The potential for cultural change to accelerate the adoption of online pharmacies is highlighted. Future research should explore the role of moral and cultural factors in technology adoption.

The results underscore the economic and social significance of e-pharmacy adoption, particularly within the context of a developing country. Considering the positive intentions expressed by individuals toward e-pharmacy, it becomes crucial for managers and decision-makers to make strategic choices to address any challenges that may arise. Policymakers are encouraged to enhance their services and implement various development initiatives to expand e-pharmacy accessibility and availability.

This study builds upon previous research on e-commerce in the pharmaceutical industry and provides a comprehensive understanding of customers in developing countries. Extending the UTAUT-2 model and identifying additional variables contributes to the knowledge of e-health concepts in Qatar. The findings have practical implications for developing strategies to promote online pharmacy adoption in Qatar and other countries.

Current studies show that the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology is used all over the world, by different types of companies in different countries. However, this is not yet the case for certain developing countries such as Morocco, where this methodology is still being discovered and applied and where also the relationship between the adoption of this methodology and sustainable performance is not yet clear. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the impact of LSS tools, used by industrial companies in Morocco, on the three dimensions of performance: economic, social and environmental.

This study used partial least squares-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to conduct an empirical examination of the impact of LSS tools used by Moroccan manufacturing industries on their sustainable performance. Data were collected using a semistructured questionnaire, with a total of 121 valid responses collected for this study.

The results showed that the adoption of LSS tools has a positive effect on the sustainable performance of these industries. The analysis of the collected data also revealed that this effect is most significant when it comes to social performance, followed by environmental and finally economic performance. It was also found that Lean Management tools have a greater impact than Six Sigma tools.

The results of this study may encourage Moroccan industries that are new to LSS to adopt it, as it proves to have positive results not only on the economic aspects of the firm but also on the improvement of employee well-being and the protection of our planet’s environment. In addition, this study gives them an idea of the tools that are most widely used in their Moroccan context, thus facilitating the choice of tools with which they can begin to embed a continuous improvement mindset.

Although several studies have already analyzed the relationship between the LSS approach and sustainable performance, these studies have generally focused on developed countries that are well advanced in the use of these tools. Hence, the originality of this study is its relevance to the Moroccan context, which still needs more studies in the fields of continuous improvement and sustainability.