Wahyu Rafdinal and Widi Senalasari
This study aims to analyse the adoption of mobile payment applications during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using the technology acceptance model (TAM) and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyse the adoption of mobile payment applications during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using the technology acceptance model (TAM) and Technology Readiness Index (TRI).
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected from 400 mobile payment application users in Indonesia. The structural equation model–partial least square (SEM-PLS) analysis was conducted to analyse the relationship between variables and test a series of hypotheses.
Findings
TRI constructs affect perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, with the exception of discomfort which has no significant effect on the perceived usefulness. In addition, attitude is influenced by two main TAM variables: perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Meanwhile, the intention to use mobile payment applications is influenced by attitude.
Research limitations/implications
This study will assist mobile payment application service providers and policymakers in planning services and increasing the adoption of mobile payment applications during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study will also add the existing knowledge about the mobile payment applications literature in the context of a pandemic.
Originality/value
This study is the first to empirically employ the TAM and TRI in analysing the adoption of mobile payment applications during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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When the FASB adopted an impairment test approach in 2001, rather than amortisation, the accounting for goodwill arising from an acquisition took a step in a new direction. The…
Abstract
When the FASB adopted an impairment test approach in 2001, rather than amortisation, the accounting for goodwill arising from an acquisition took a step in a new direction. The IASB, seeking international convergence and global harmonisation, also implemented this change when it issued IFRS 3 in 2004. Moving away from amortisation towards an impairment test involves a radical change. The research on which this paper is based was undertaken to examine these two very different accounting practices for the treatment of goodwill and to assess the possible impact that a transition from the one to the other may have on financial reporting.
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Herbert H. Tsang and Kay C. Wiese
The purpose of this paper is to present a study of the effect of different types of annealing schedules for a ribonucleic acid (RNA) secondary structure prediction algorithm based…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a study of the effect of different types of annealing schedules for a ribonucleic acid (RNA) secondary structure prediction algorithm based on simulated annealing (SA).
Design/methodology/approach
An RNA folding algorithm was implemented that assembles the final structure from potential substructures (helixes). Structures are encoded as a permutation of helixes. An SA searches this space of permutations. Parameters and annealing schedules were studied and fine-tuned to optimize algorithm performance.
Findings
In comparing with mfold, the SA algorithm shows comparable results (in terms of F-measure) even with a less sophisticated thermodynamic model. In terms of average specificity, the SA algorithm has provided surpassing results.
Research limitations/implications
Most of the underlying thermodynamic models are too simplistic and incomplete to accurately model the free energy for larger structures. This is the largest limitation of free energy-based RNA folding algorithms in general.
Practical implications
The algorithm offers a different approach that can be used in practice to fold RNA sequences quickly.
Originality/value
The algorithm is one of only two SA-based RNA folding algorithms. The authors use a very different encoding, based on permutation of candidate helixes. The in depth study of annealing schedules and other parameters makes the algorithm a strong contender. Another benefit is that new thermodynamic models can be incorporated with relative ease (which is not the case for algorithms based on dynamic programming).
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Cong Doanh Duong, Xuan Hau Doan, Thi Huyen Nguyen, Van Thanh Dao and Thi Phuong Thu Nguyen
Little is known about how religious-related beliefs (i.e. karmic beliefs and beliefs in a just world) might affect consumers to engage in more environmentally friendly behavior…
Abstract
Purpose
Little is known about how religious-related beliefs (i.e. karmic beliefs and beliefs in a just world) might affect consumers to engage in more environmentally friendly behavior. Drawing on the justice motive theory, this study aims to explore the individual, complementary, congruent and incongruent impacts of karmic beliefs and belief in a just world on consumers’ proenvironmental consumption.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 736 consumers was recruited by means of a mall-intercept survey in the most populus cities in Vietnam. An advanced technique – polynomial regression with response surface analysis – was used to test the hypothesized model, whereas the PROCESS macro approach was used to estimate indirect effects.
Findings
The findings indicate that while karmic beliefs do not directly affect proenvironmental consumption, they can inspire environmentally friendly behaviors through belief in a just world. High levels of both beliefs enhance proenvironmental consumption, but imbalanced levels erode such behaviors. Importantly, the findings revealed gender differences concerning the role of religious beliefs in influencing proenvironmental consumption among male and female consumers.
Practical implications
The findings of this study offered several theoretical and managerial implications for proenvironmental consumption.
Originality/value
The research provides new insights into how religious beliefs (karmic beliefs and belief in a just world) affect, interact, balance and imbalance with each other to trigger proenvironmental consumption. The research also contributes to the sustainable consumption literature by indicating the mediation roles of belief in a just world and proenvironmental consumption intention in the relationship between beliefs in karma and actual proenvironmental consumption behavior, as well as offering empirical evidence about the gender differences regarding these relationships.
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Magnus Söderlund and Eeva-Liisa Oikarinen
Firms have begun to introduce virtual agents (VAs) in service encounters, both in online and offline environments. Such VAs typically resemble human frontline employees in several…
Abstract
Purpose
Firms have begun to introduce virtual agents (VAs) in service encounters, both in online and offline environments. Such VAs typically resemble human frontline employees in several ways (e.g. the VAs may have a gender and a name), which indicates the presence of an assumption by VA designers – and by firms that employ them – that VA humanness is a positively charged characteristic. This study aims to address this assumption by examining antecedents to perceived humanness in terms of attribution of agency, emotionality and morality, and the impact of perceived humanness on customer satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was distributed online to participants who had been interacting with existing VAs, and they were asked to focus on one of them for this study. The questionnaire comprised measures of antecedents to perceived humanness of VAs, perceived humanness per se and customer satisfaction. A structural equation modeling approach was used to assess associations between the variables.
Findings
Attributions of agency, emotionality and morality to VAs contributed positively to the perceived humanness of the VAs, and perceived humanness was positively associated with customer satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
Additional humanness capabilities should be explored in further research.
Practical implications
Firms using VAs in service encounters should make attempts to maximize perceived VA humanness, and this study shows that it may be beneficial if such attempts comprise signals that VAs have agency, emotionality and morality.
Originality/value
By examining VAs in terms of a set of fundamental human capabilities, the present study contributes to existing research on human–VA service encounters, which to date has focused on more superficial VA characteristics (such as if the VA has a face and gender).
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Lori Rothenberg and Delisia Matthews
The purpose of this paper is to identify the realistic trade-offs young consumers make when purchasing organic T-shirts.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the realistic trade-offs young consumers make when purchasing organic T-shirts.
Design/methodology/approach
A full profile discrete choice design was used. The data were analysed using a multinomial logit model and desirability indices.
Findings
Price was the most important attribute to consumers followed by the place of production and then sustainability. Consumers were most willing to purchase T-shirts that are eco-friendly, Made In America, made from wrinkle-free technology and cotton jersey knit fabric, and have a price of $15. Although consumers were most willing to pay $15, some were still willing to pay $25 or even $35 for the same eco-friendly T-shirt.
Practical implications
Consumers in the current study were more willing to purchase eco-friendly as opposed to organic apparel. The findings suggest that retailers need to consider the language used when communicating with consumers. Also, consumers were more willing to purchase T-shirts Made In America. Retailers may want to promote their domestic manufacturing through in-depth branding and promotions.
Originality/value
In order to identify the attributes to be used in the current study, labels on T-shirts in stores were examined and then those attributes were verified in the literature. In addition, the inclusion of price as an attribute, rather than as a separate independent question, provides a more realistic view of young consumers’ decision making.
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Zuraihana Bachok, Aizat Abas, Hehgeraj A/L Raja Gobal, Norwahida Yusoff, Mohamad Riduwan Ramli, Mohamad Fikri Mohd Sharif, Fakhrozi Che Ani and Muhamed Abdul Fatah Muhamed Mukhtar
This study aims to investigate crack propagation in a moisture-preconditioned soft-termination multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) during thermal reflow process.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate crack propagation in a moisture-preconditioned soft-termination multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) during thermal reflow process.
Design/methodology/approach
Experimental and extended finite element method (X-FEM) numerical analyses were used to analyse the soft-termination MLCC during thermal reflow. A cross-sectional field emission scanning electron microscope image of an actual MLCC’s crack was used to validate the accuracy of the simulation results generated in the study.
Findings
At 270°C, micro-voids between the copper-electrode and copper-epoxy layers absorbed 284.2 mm/mg3 of moisture, which generated 6.29 MPa of vapour pressure and caused a crack to propagate. Moisture that rapidly vaporises during reflow can cause stresses that exceed the adhesive/substrate interface’s adhesion strength of 6 MPa. Higher vapour pressure reduces crack development resistance. Thus, the maximum crack propagation between the copper-electrode and copper-epoxy layers at high reflow temperature was 0.077 mm. The numerical model was well-validated, as the maximum crack propagation discrepancy was 2.6%.
Practical implications
This research holds significant implications for the industry by providing valuable insights into the moisture-induced crack propagation mechanisms in soft-termination MLCCs during the reflow process. The findings can be used to optimise the design, manufacturing and assembly processes, ultimately leading to enhanced product quality, improved performance and increased reliability in various electronic applications. Moreover, while the study focused on a specific type of soft-termination MLCC in the reflow process, the methodologies and principles used in this research can be extended to other types of MLCC packages. The fundamental understanding gained from this study can be extrapolated to similar structures, enabling manufacturers to implement effective strategies for crack reduction across a wider range of MLCC applications.
Originality/value
The moisture-induced crack propagation in the soft-termination MLCC during thermal reflow process has not been reported to date. X-FEM numerical analysis on crack propagation have never been researched on the soft-termination MLCC.
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Benjamin Loynes and Jean O'Hara
The purpose of this paper is to identify approaches that mental health clinicians, working in intellectual disability services, can adopt to ensure the spiritual needs of their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify approaches that mental health clinicians, working in intellectual disability services, can adopt to ensure the spiritual needs of their service users are met.
Design/methodology/approach
A narrative literature review examining original research, expert opinion pieces and book chapters was undertaken. To broaden the perspective of the paper, publications from different academic areas were reviewed including intellectual disabilities, mental health, neurodevelopmental disorders, general health and spirituality literature.
Findings
The main principles of spiritual assessment tools from the general health literature can be applied to this group. However, the literature would suggest that certain approaches are of particular importance in intellectual disabilities mental health including advocating for service users to attend the religious services they wish to and working collaboratively with families and carers when addressing spiritual issues.
Research limitations/implications
The question of how to meet the spiritual needs of people with autism and severe intellectual disability is a neglected research area. Research examining the spiritual needs of service users with intellectual disabilities, on mental health inpatient units, is also needed as well as a review of whether spiritual needs are being met in current person-centred care plans.
Originality/value
No published literature review was identified that specifically addressed the question of how mental health clinicians should approach the spiritual needs of their service users.
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Michael Truong and Anne Zanzucchi
In this chapter, we explore how new technologies, namely, video essays, audio-based feedback, and electronic portfolios, can transform traditional composition curriculum and…
Abstract
In this chapter, we explore how new technologies, namely, video essays, audio-based feedback, and electronic portfolios, can transform traditional composition curriculum and deepen student learning. We begin by discussing how new technologies connect and enhance learning experiences, especially within writing-intensive courses. For each of the three technologies, we provide a brief literature review, give a local case study, and conclude with suggested applications and related resources.