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This study aims to identify the factors that may account for the intention to use Paytech services within an Islamic context. The authors propose an expanded version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which includes religiosity (R) and social influence (SI), to develop a causal-predictive analysis.

The research model and hypotheses were assessed using partial least square-structured equation modeling on data collected from 531 potential Paytech users.

The results reveal that religiosity has a more significant direct effect on the intention to use Paytech services than on actual use, while social influence has a more significant direct effect on use than on the intention to use Paytech services.

Cultural differences within the Middle East and North Africa region could influence the acceptance and usage of the new Paytech services.

The valuable insights gained from this study can help Fintech managers, financial institutions and developers of new financial services design effective strategies to encourage user adoption of Paytech services. Companies could prioritize implementing word-of-mouth marketing initiatives to encourage early adopters to recommend the service.

The Paytech services would enable access to financial services for the entire Muslim population regardless of their location, gender or age, thereby fostering financial inclusion.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to explore the intention to use Paytech services in two Islamic countries: Saudi Arabia and Palestine. From a theoretical perspective, this work contributes to the academic literature by analyzing the mediating effects of two external variables, religiosity and social influence.

This study aims to examine the influence of gameful experience (GAMEX) on customer brand engagement in the context of e-tailing. Drawing on the self-determination and social learning theories, the authors have developed a comprehensive model incorporating cognitive, emotional and behavioral factors leading to brand advocacy and re-visit intention for the retail website.

The data for this study were obtained from 715 customers across various e-tailing websites. This research uses both quantitative method (partial least squares structural equation modeling − PLS-SEM) and qualitative method (fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis − fsQCA) to investigate the relationship between GAMEX and customer brand engagement in the e-tailing context, with a focus on the long-term outcomes of brand advocacy and re-visit intention.

The PLS-SEM results indicate a significant impact of GAMEX on customer brand engagement. In addition, the findings reveal the moderating role of fear of missing out, internet self-efficacy and technoeustress in the association among GAMEX, customer brand engagement, brand advocacy and re-visit intention. The findings from fsQCA support the results obtained from PLS-SEM and reveal four configurations for brand advocacy and five configurations for re-visit intentions.

This research evaluates the impact of GAMEX on customer brand engagement using a mixed-method approach involving qualitative and quantitative procedures. This study offers valuable insights into the design of gamified marketing activities and current practices for fostering greater engagement.

This study explores virtual platforms’ capabilities, particularly emphasising the influence of educational movies embedded with lifelike narratives to serve as a potent medium for immersive learning within the auditing discipline. Through this exploration, we aim to discern how cinematic depictions can educate and encapsulate the intricate dynamics of real-world auditing scenarios, thereby enriching the educational experience for budding auditors.

By employing an action research methodology, this study engaged 134 auditing students from China in an experiment, using a questionnaire to assess their grasp of auditing concepts like internal control, corporate governance, and professional ethics.

Preliminary findings underscore the efficacy of movies as pedagogical tools. These movie experiences bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and its real-world application, particularly highlighting the nuances of professional ethics and corporate governance. Results show that such a method amplifies students’ comprehension of auditor skillsets, practical complications, and ethical insight and nurtures professional scepticism about tangible audit issues.

This study illuminates a novel virtual learning approach using movies that primes students to exercise critical thinking and augments cognitive skillsets, especially when navigating ethical conundrums. The broader implication is the potential enhancement of auditing education quality in China, presenting educators with an innovative teaching modality that bolsters students’ critical analysis and cognitive development.

This study has multiple implications for auditing education policy. It underscores the imperative need for curriculum revision in contemporary auditing education. Our study can significantly change contemporary auditing education by incorporating movie-based experiential learning. Educators and institutions in China and other parts of the world explore this avenue, customising it to fit the unique requirements of their respective courses and the country’s contexts. Our study also highlights the challenges and recommendations for real-world audit simulation for auditing education. While our research highlights the promise of educational movies, it also sheds light on the potential difficulties in their integration. Audit educators need adequate support and training for effective assimilation, ensuring they leverage educational movies to maximise learning outcomes. Careful curation and selection of movies, combined with strategic planning, are paramount to this teaching method’s success. With the continual evolution of video tools, there is an opportunity for a more immersive and holistic education model, shaping the next generation of auditors.

This study offers insights into innovative strategies to imbue real-world experience into traditional curricula, ensuring relevance and applicability across diverse educational landscapes.

This paper aims to explore how nurses stay engaged in their work with the impact of structural empowerment and civility. It delves deeper into how kind, empathetic and respectful behaviours (civility) among colleagues influence the link between structural empowerment and nurses’ engagement.

Data was collected from 580 nurses working in a Public Hospital in the metropolitan area of Lisbon. Self-report questionnaires measuring civility, structural empowerment and engagement were administered. Hayes’ PROCESS macro for mediation analysis in SPSS was used to test the hypothesised model.

Results demonstrated that civility and structural empowerment were positively associated (r = 0.491, p < 0.01) also showing a positive influence on nurses’ engagement (r = 0.492, p < 0.01; r = 0.485, p < 0.01, respectively). Civility was found to partially mediate the association between structural empowerment and engagement (ß = 0.315, 95% CI [0.222, 0.417], 5,000 bootstrap resamples).

Findings from this study may be used for health-care employees and organisations, implying that when nurses perceive themselves as structurally empowered at work within a respectful environment, they experience an enhanced sense of community and involvement in their organization.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt in exploring the relationship of combined workplace civility, structural empowerment and engagement in a sample of Portuguese nurses. Future research could substantially increase our understanding of how civility contributes to a positive workplace.

Este artículo explora cómo las enfermeras se mantienen comprometidas (work engagement) en su trabajo con el impacto del empoderamiento estructural y la civilidad. Profundiza en cómo los comportamientos amables, empáticos y respetuosos (civilidad) entre colegas influyen en el vínculo entre el empoderamiento estructural y el work engagement de las enfermeras/os.

Se recogieron datos de 580 enfermeras que trabajaban en un hospital público del área metropolitana de Lisboa. Se administraron cuestionarios de autoinforme que medían la civilidad, el empoderamiento estructural y el work engagement. Se utilizó la macro PROCESS de Hayes para el análisis de mediación en SPSS con el fin de probar el modelo hipotetizado.

Los resultados demostraron que la civilidad y el empoderamiento estructural estaban positivamente asociados (r = 0.491, p < 0.01) mostrando también una influencia positiva en el work engagement de las enfermeras (r = 0.492, p < 0.01; r = 0.485, p < 0.01, respectivamente). Se observó que la civilidad mediaba parcialmente la asociación entre el empoderamiento estructural y el work engagement (β = 0.315, 95% CI [0.222, 0.417], 5,000 resamples bootstrap).

Los resultados de este estudio pueden ser utilizados por los empleados y las organizaciones sanitarias, ya que implican que cuando las enfermeras se perciben a sí mismas como estructuralmente empoderadas en el trabajo dentro de un entorno respetuoso, experimentan un mayor sentido de comunidad e implicación en su organización.

Hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer intento de explorar la relación entre la civilidad en el lugar de trabajo, el empoderamiento estructural y el work engagement en una muestra de enfermeras portuguesas. Futuras investigaciones podrían aumentar sustancialmente nuestra comprensión de cómo el civismo contribuye a un lugar de trabajo positivo.

Este documento explora a forma como os enfermeiras/os se mantêm empenhados e envolvidos (work engagement) no seu trabalho, tendo em conta o impacto do empoderamento estrutural e da civilidade. Aprofunda a forma como os comportamentos de gentileza, empatia e respeito (civilidade) entre colegas influenciam a relação entre o empoderamento estrutural e o work engagement dos enfermeiros.

Foram recolhidos dados de 580 enfermeiros de um Hospital Público da área metropolitana de Lisboa. Foram aplicados questionários de auto-relato para avaliar a civilidade, o empoderamento estrutural e o work engagement. A macro PROCESS de Hayes para análise de mediação no SPSS foi utilizada para testar o modelo hipotético.

Os resultados demonstraram que a civilidade e o empoderamento estrutural estavam positivamente associados (r = 0.491, p < 0.01), mostrando também uma influência positiva no work engagement dos enfermeiros (r = 0.492, p < 0.01; r = 0.485, p < 0.01, respetivamente). Verificou-se que a civilidade medeia, parcialmente, a associação entre a empoderamento estrutural e o work engagement (β = 0.315, 95% CI [0.222, 0.417], 5,000 resamples bootstrap).

Os resultados deste estudo podem ser uteis para os trabalhadores e organizações de cuidados de saúde, implicando que, quando os enfermeiros se consideram estruturalmente capacitados no trabalho num ambiente de respeito, experimentam um maior sentido de comunidade e envolvimento na sua organização.

Até à data, esta é a primeira tentativa de explorar a relação entre civilidade no local de trabalho, empoderamento estrutural e work engagement numa amostra de enfermeiros portugueses. Futuras investigações poderão aumentar substancialmente a nossa compreensão de como a civilidade contribui para um ambiente laboral positivo.

This study addresses the growing challenges of food security, livelihood generation and sustainable urban living in the context of increasing urbanization in developing countries. As urban populations are projected to rise significantly in the coming decades, urban agriculture emerges as a potential solution to support dietary needs and economic empowerment. However, urban farming practices in developing countries face unique socio-economic, cultural and technological challenges compared to developed nations. This paper aims to analyze global urban agriculture practices, examine success stories from developed countries and propose an adaptable, inclusive urban agriculture model tailored to developing countries.

The research systematically reviews global urban agriculture practices, emphasizing successful implementations in developed nations. The research highlights gaps and areas of opportunity by comparing these practices with the unique socio-economic and cultural contexts of developing countries. Focus group interviews were conducted among urban farmers from India to finalize the key variables of urban agriculture in developing countries. The second phase involves the construction of a context-specific model for developing countries and proposing interventions. A comparative method is devised to identify developed country’s urban agricultural practices and policies to derive an optimal urban agricultural model for developing countries.

The findings from the study reveal that in developed countries, urban agriculture is motivated by the urge to become self-sustainable and to maintain a connection with the community shaped by different socio-economic, environmental and technological factors. In developing countries, the prime motive is to generate a secondary income source and ensure food security. Still, they face limited technological access, insufficient policy support and socio-cultural barriers. Technology-supported urban agricultural infrastructure and support from the government and other stakeholders would be a potential solution in developing countries to implement successful integrative solutions. To support this, adaptive policies in urban agriculture are required to bridge the gap in the current system.

This research offers practical implications for policymakers, urban planners and agricultural stakeholders in developing countries. It emphasizes the importance of designing policies that address resource constraints, such as land availability and financial access and promote sustainable farming techniques. The study recommends creating supportive frameworks to empower urban farmers, including subsidies, training programs and efficient market mechanisms. Integrating urban farming into city planning can foster green spaces, enhance food security and drive economic development. These actionable recommendations aim to facilitate the growth of urban agriculture as a sustainable and inclusive practice in developing countries.

Participation and social cohesiveness aspects of urban agriculture provide beneficial food accessibility with the concept of food for all, ensuring socio-cultural equality in accessing quality food. This study highlights the role of urban agriculture in addressing socio-economic inequalities, particularly in developing countries. By engaging communities in sustainable farming practices, urban agriculture can create collaborative networks, promote healthier lifestyles and improve access to fresh produce. The study also underscores the importance of empowering urban populations through targeted interventions in urban farming. These social implications reinforce the value of urban agriculture in enhancing the overall quality of urban life.

This study makes a unique contribution by focusing on the contextual adaptation of urban agriculture models for developing countries. While urban farming has been extensively studied in developed nations, limited research addresses developing regions’ specific challenges and opportunities. By proposing a comprehensive and inclusive model that bridges socio-economic and cultural gaps, this research provides a novel framework for integrating urban farming into the urban planning and policy landscape of developing countries. The originality lies in its comparative approach, leveraging global best practices while tailoring solutions to local contexts, thereby advancing the discourse on sustainable urban agriculture.

The present study aims to analyse the presumed relationship between VLC use and students’ grades.

The research strategy unfolds as a case study (Yin, 1994), framed by how undergraduate students of pharmaceutical sciences used video lecture capture (VLC) and the impact of VLC on pedagogic differentiation. Looking at the course of Mechanistic Toxicology (MecTox), the objective is to describe this case of pharmaceutical sciences in depth.

The findings reveal that over 90% of students engaged with VLC videos, with the average viewing time exceeding the total available video minutes, indicating strong student engagement. The study particularly highlights VLC’s positive impact on students with lower academic performance (grades D and E), suggesting that VLC can help reduce the performance gap and support a more inclusive educational environment.

The findings may have limited generalisability beyond the specific context and sample used. However, this study allows the research findings to be compared with previous research (Remião et al., 2022), contributing to the debate on how pedagogic research can promote evidence-based decisions regarding innovative strategies. The meaning of educational inclusion processes and diversity is, thus, contingent on the institutionalisation of research as a practice of teaching and learning.

The results of this study thus provide interesting insights for the design of strategic action, considering the diversity of students as seen in parents’ academic qualifications and students’ conditions (e.g. student-workers, living away from home, holding a grant of economic and social support).

The implications of research findings for society bring the issue of equity in education to the fore. By addressing the diverse needs of students, HEIs can contribute to greater educational equity.

Using VLC as a differentiated pedagogic device might give diversity “real” content insofar as institutional and national policies can mitigate the possible negative effects of parents’ low academic qualifications and the students’ conditions of living away from their residence area and holding a grant of economic and social support.

This study examined the influence of social media use on graduateness and the employability of exit students in South Africa.

The study used quantitative and descriptive research designs to test the proposed hypotheses. An online survey was used to collect the data from a study sample. A sample of 411 respondents was received, with structural equation modelling (SEM) being used to assess the model fit.

The study found that the direct effect of social media use on graduateness skills is significant. Secondly, the direct effect of graduateness skills on perceived employability is also significant. The results also showed existence of support for the mediation of graduateness skills on the relationship between social media use and perceived employability.

The study provides empirical evidence to the proposed model and infers the potential role of social media in addressing issues related to graduateness and the employability of exit students.

In addressing the challenge of unemployment, the use of social media can potentially aid in matters of skills acquisition.

The results demonstrate how technology through the use of social media potentially fits within enhancing graduateness and employability skills.

This paper presents a reflection in memory and tribute to the work and life of Professor Barbara Czarniawska (1948–2024).

We invited those colleagues whom we knew to be close to Barbara to submit reflections about her contributions to academia alongside their memories of her as a person. We present these reflections in the order we received them, and they have only been edited for minor grammatical and punctuation issues to preserve the voice of the contributing authors.

The reflections in this paper represent different translations of Barbara’s academic and theoretical contributions. However, she also contributed to people. While we can count the number of papers, books and book chapters she published, we must also count the number of co-authors, Ph.D. supervisions, visiting professorships and conference plenaries she touched. This (ac)counting tells the story of Barbara reaching out to work and interact with people, especially students and early career researchers. She touched their lives, and the publications are an artefact of a human being, not an academic stuck in an ivory tower.

A paper in Barbara Czarniawska’s honour where some of her closest colleagues can leave translations of her work through a narrative reflection, seems to be a fitting tribute.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamics in the relationship between tax practitioners and their tax clients, to understand how tax practitioners reconcile competing logics in their tax work.

This research adopts a qualitative approach in which semi-structured interviews are conducted with 68 tax practitioners across 11 countries, allowing for the examination of an in-depth personal perspective on tax practitioners’ relationships with their clients.

Using a Bourdieusian frame, I find that long-term client relationships built on trust and shared values, as moderated by risk appetite and cultural markers, can enable tax practitioners to reconcile competing logics in their advisory work.

The research findings presented reflect the way in which tax practitioners navigate, build up and maintain long-term relationships with their clients. The findings are highly relevant for regulators as my research shows that clients share a similar tax risk appetite with their tax advisor, thus this can assist regulators in curbing tax non-compliance and in identifying more tax-aggressive tax practitioners and taxpayers.

Previous studies (Carter and Spence, 2014; Harber and Willows, 2022) have examined the tension between commercial and other professional logics among senior accountants working in Big 4 firms. I extend and deepen this work to tax practitioners, drawing on a substantial corpus of interviews to examine the role of the client relationship in explaining the heterogeneity of the field. These findings add to the understanding of client agency and to the subtleties of professional relationships within the tax domain.

With the pandemic reshaping healthcare delivery, telemedicine has emerged as a vital solution for overcoming access barriers, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Hence, this study explores the key drivers behind the sustained use of telemedicine services in low-income countries during the post-pandemic period.

Using a quantitative research approach and purposive sampling technique, 273 valid responses were gathered from participants in Bangladesh. A comparative analysis utilizing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) were conducted to ensure greater accuracy.

The PLS-SEM analysis revealed that expectation confirmation and perceived ease of use positively influence satisfaction. Similarly, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use directly impact Attitude toward telemedicine services. However, perceived usefulness and perceived security were not significantly associated with satisfaction and attitude toward telemedicine services, respectively. The findings highlight that user satisfaction drives continuance use intention for telemedicine services, but only when it also cultivates a positive attitude toward telemedicine services. While the PLS-SEM findings indicate that perceived usefulness has no significant relationship with satisfaction and perceived security is not significantly associated with attitude toward telemedicine services, the fsQCA results offer a different perspective. fsQCA reveals that perceived usefulness retains a significant association with satisfaction and that perceived security, regardless of whether its effect is high or low, is equally effective in contributing to the intention for continuous telemedicine use. These findings underscore fsQCA’s ability to provide deeper insights into the complex causal relationships among the antecedents.

The findings provide valuable insights for hospitals, doctors and telemedicine providers on retaining existing users. Additionally, governments can leverage this information to address healthcare disparities between urban and rural areas. The study also identifies strategies to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of healthcare services.

This study advances telemedicine research by employing the extended technology continuance theory (ETCT) alongside a hybrid analytical approach that integrates PLS-SEM and fsQCA. It highlights that telemedicine organizations can boost patient confidence and encourage continued use by enhancing satisfaction and cultivating a positive user attitude. The innovative use of ETCT and the combined methodologies provide a comprehensive analysis, offering actionable strategies to retain telemedicine users in low-income countries during the post-pandemic period.