Sarra Rajhi, Muhammad Ali Asadullah and Walid Derbel
The usage of social media at the workplace has become an undeniable reality, yet the role of social media use (SMU) in job-related outcomes is still unclear. This study uncovers…
Abstract
Purpose
The usage of social media at the workplace has become an undeniable reality, yet the role of social media use (SMU) in job-related outcomes is still unclear. This study uncovers a chain process through which SMU may strengthen job security perception of employees through social media disorder (SMD) and networking behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
This quantitative study used ratings of 197 Emirati students enrolled in a higher education institution located in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The respondents were professionals serving in different public and private organizations in UAE.
Findings
The statistical results supported a significant serial mediation of SMD and networking behavior between SMU and job security perceptions of employees.
Practical implications
This study offers implications for employees and their supervisors about the usage of social media for strengthening their perceptions of job security.
Originality/value
This study contributed to the existing stream of research on SMU to explain a chain process through which employees may benefit from social media to strengthen their perceptions of job security.
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Keywords
Waqar Ali Shah and Asadullah Lashari
This paper discusses the challenges that two doctoral researchers faced while researching religious minorities and women in a culturally sensitive society such as Pakistan. Their…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper discusses the challenges that two doctoral researchers faced while researching religious minorities and women in a culturally sensitive society such as Pakistan. Their shared interest in sensitive topics related to gender and minorities in Pakistan led both researchers to collaborate in this study to provide a better understanding of issues in qualitative research in the same research context. They discuss the challenges of interviewing participants within the educational context. They also suggest some ways to overcome such challenges.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on Foucualt's writings on regimes of truth, discourse and systems of exclusion, the authors in this study analyze how patriarchal and faith-based regimes of truth constrain some discourses that affect participants’ willingness and insights to reflect on the issues freely.
Findings
While reflecting on their experiences in data collection, authors report that qualitative researchers struggle to access participants to investigate issues related to gender subjectivities and minority faiths in educational contexts in developing societies like Pakistan. Researchers face a variety of problems, from their own positionality to participants’ access to their responses. The reason for this is patriarchal and religious regimes and also their intersecting relations that restrict participants’ ability to reflect on their issues. Minorities in Pakistan are often prevented from expressing their views freely by blasphemy fears. The discourses of gender are also sensitive. Therefore, the study suggests that in societies such as Pakistan, where religion and gender are emotive terms, the problem can be handled by counter-discourses that challenge truth regimes by conceiving research as a transformative practice. Moreover, such societies require a policy for protecting researchers and participants in the interest of knowledge production and dissemination.
Originality/value
This study is originally based on the primary data used in two doctoral studies.
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Dijana Peras and Renata Mekovec
The purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of cloud service users’ privacy concerns, which are anticipated to considerably hinder cloud service market growth. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of cloud service users’ privacy concerns, which are anticipated to considerably hinder cloud service market growth. The researchers have explored privacy concerns from dimensions that were identified as relevant in the cloud context.
Design/methodology/approach
Content analysis was used to identify privacy problems that were most often raised in previous cloud research. Multidimensional developmental theory (MDT) was used to build a conceptual model of cloud privacy concerns. Literature review was made to identify the privacy-related constructs used to measure privacy concerns in previous cloud research.
Findings
The paper provides systematization of recent cloud privacy research, proposal of a conceptual model of cloud privacy concerns, identification of measuring instruments that were used to measure privacy concerns in previous cloud research and identification of categories of problems that need to be addressed in future cloud research.
Originality/value
This paper has identified the categories of privacy problems and dimensions that have not yet been measured in the cloud context, to the best of the authors’ knowledge. Their simultaneous examination could clarify the effects of different dimensions on the privacy concerns of cloud users. The conceptual model of cloud privacy concerns will allow cloud service providers to focus on key cloud problems affecting users’ privacy concerns and use the most appropriate privacy protection communication and preservation approaches.
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Syed Ali Raza, Komal Akram Khan and Bushra Qamar
The research analyzes the influence of three environmental triggers, i.e. awareness, concern and knowledge on environmental attachment and green motivation that affect tourists'…
Abstract
Purpose
The research analyzes the influence of three environmental triggers, i.e. awareness, concern and knowledge on environmental attachment and green motivation that affect tourists' pro-environmental behavior in the Pakistan’s tourism industry. Furthermore, this study has analyzed the moderating role of moral obligation concerning environmental attachment and green motivation on tourists' pro-environmental behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were gathered via a structured questionnaire by 237 local (domestic) tourists of Pakistan. Furthermore, the data were examined by employing SmartPLS.
Findings
Findings demonstrate that all three environmental triggers have a positive and significant relationship with environmental attachment and green motivation. Accordingly, environmental attachment and green motivation promote tourists' pro-environmental behavior. Furthermore, the moderating role of moral obligations has also been incorporated in the study. The finding reveals a strong and positive relationship among environmental attachment and tourists' pro-environmental behaviors during high moral obligations. In contrast, moral obligations do not moderate association between green motivation and tourists' pro-environmental behavior. Therefore, competent authorities should facilitate tourists to adopt environmentally friendly practices; which will ultimately promote pro-environmental behavior.
Originality/value
This study provides useful insights regarding the role of tourism in fostering environmental attachment and green motivation that sequentially influence tourist pro-environmental behavior. Secondly, this research has employed moral obligations as a moderator to identify the changes in tourists’ pro-environmental behavior based on individuals' ethical considerations. Hence, the study provides an in-depth insight into tourists' behavior. Lastly, the present research offers effective strategies for the tourism sector and other competent authorities to increase green activities that can embed the importance of the environment among individuals.