Muhammad Ali, Chin-Hong Puah, Shafaque Fatima, Anum Hashmi and Muhammad Ashfaq
This research investigates the relationship between e-learning service quality dimensions, student e-learning satisfaction, commitment and behaviour towards finance courses in…
Abstract
Purpose
This research investigates the relationship between e-learning service quality dimensions, student e-learning satisfaction, commitment and behaviour towards finance courses in higher education institutes of Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
Due to specific study objectives, the authors gathered sample data of 359 university students who were enrolled in the traditional learning system and shifted to the e-learning environment. The study employed partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) based approach using Smart PLS version 3.0.
Findings
The results indicated that out of four e-learning service quality dimensions, three dimensions (system quality, course material and instructor quality, information technology (IT) and support service quality) positively impacted student e-learning satisfaction. The other dimension of e-learning service quality (course website quality) showed a positive but insignificant effect on e-learning satisfaction. Additionally, e-learning satisfaction was positively related to e-learning commitment, which, in turn, has a positive and significant influence on student e-learning behaviour towards finance courses.
Originality/value
Overall, the study’s findings provide useful policy implications for higher education institutes, particularly in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Details
Keywords
Assunta Di Vaio, Anum Zaffar and Meghna Chhabra
The aim of this study is to review the literature on how intellectual capital (IC) contributes to the decarbonization efforts of firms. It explores how carbon accounting can…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to review the literature on how intellectual capital (IC) contributes to the decarbonization efforts of firms. It explores how carbon accounting can measure the components of IC in decarbonization efforts to balance profitability with environmental and social goals, particularly in promoting decent work and economic growth (Sustainable Development Goal [SDG] 8 and its targets [2, 5, 6, 8]). Moreover, it emphasises the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships for sharing knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources (SDG17-Target 17.G) to meet SDG8.
Design/methodology/approach
As a consolidated methodological approach, a systematic literature review (SLR) was used in this study to fill the existing research gaps in sustainability accounting. To consolidate and clarify scholarly research on IC towards decarbonization, 149 English articles published in the Scopus database and Google Scholar between 1990 and 2024 were reviewed.
Findings
The results highlight that the current research does not sufficiently cover the intersection of carbon accounting and IC in the analysis of decarbonization practices. Stakeholders and regulatory bodies are increasingly pressuring firms to implement development-focused policies in line with SDG8 and its targets, requiring the integration of IC and its measures in decarbonization processes, supported by SDG17-Target 17.G. This integration is useful for creating business models that balance profitability and social and environmental responsibilities.
Originality/value
The integration of social dimension to design sustainable business models for emission reduction and provide a decent work environment by focusing on SDG17-Target 17.G has rarely been investigated in terms of theory and practice. Through carbon accounting, IC can be a key source of SDG8-Targets 8.[2, 5, 6, 8] and SDG17-Target 17.G. Historically, these major issues are not easily aligned with accounting research or decarbonization processes.
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Giovanna Gavana, Pietro Gottardo and Anna Maria Moisello
This paper aims to study how corporate governance and country-related contextual factors affect the relationship between board gender diversity and environmental, social and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study how corporate governance and country-related contextual factors affect the relationship between board gender diversity and environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure in its components: governance, social and environmental.
Design/methodology/approach
Using ordinary least-squares and two-stage least squares (2SLS) regressions, and retrieving ESG disclosure data from Bloomberg’s database, the paper analyses a sample of European nonfinancial listed firms (1,935 firm-year observations) over the period 2014–2022. The study adopts board independence and board cultural diversity as structural and demographic board attributes that characterize the corporate governance environment in which female directors operate; the enforcement of law and gender equality as country-related institutional and cultural factors.
Findings
Results suggest that female directors may substitute board independence in improving ESG and governance disclosure, whilst they co-occur with board cultural diversity in increasing ESG, governance and social disclosure. Findings indicate that the enforcement of law increases the positive effect of female directors on environmental disclosure and lowers the impact on governance disclosure. Conversely, a more gender-equal environment enhances female directors’ engagement in improving governance disclosure, reducing their beneficial effect on environmental information.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature suggesting that structural and other demographic board contextual aspects, as well as institutional and cultural country-related contextual factors, affect the relationship between board gender diversity and ESG disclosure differently and the effect may vary depending on ESG disclosure.