J. Sasikala, G. Shylaja, Naidu V. Kesavulu, B. Venkatesh and S.M. Mallikarjunaiah
A finite element computational methodology on a curved boundary using an efficient subparametric point transformation is presented. The proposed collocation method uses one-side…
Abstract
Purpose
A finite element computational methodology on a curved boundary using an efficient subparametric point transformation is presented. The proposed collocation method uses one-side curved and two-side straight triangular elements to derive exact subparametric shape functions.
Design/methodology/approach
Our proposed method builds upon the domain discretization into linear, quadratic and cubic-order elements using subparametric spaces and such a discretization greatly reduces the computational complexity. A unique subparametric transformation for each triangle is derived from the unique parabolic arcs via a one-of-a-kind relationship between the nodal points.
Findings
The novel transformation derived in this paper is shown to increase the accuracy of the finite element approximation of the boundary value problem (BVP). Our overall strategy is shown to perform well for the BVP considered in this work. The accuracy of the finite element approximate solution increases with higher-order parabolic arcs.
Originality/value
The proposed collocation method uses one-side curved and two-side straight triangular elements to derive exact subparametric shape functions.
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Smart card-based E-payment systems are receiving increasing attention as the number of implementations is witnessed on the rise globally. Understanding of user adoption behavior…
Abstract
Smart card-based E-payment systems are receiving increasing attention as the number of implementations is witnessed on the rise globally. Understanding of user adoption behavior of E-payment systems that employ smart card technology becomes a research area that is of particular value and interest to both IS researchers and professionals. However, research interest focuses mostly on why a smart card-based E-payment system results in a failure or how the system could have grown into a success. This signals the fact that researchers have not had much opportunity to critically review a smart card-based E-payment system that has gained wide support and overcome the hurdle of critical mass adoption. The Octopus in Hong Kong has provided a rare opportunity for investigating smart card-based E-payment system because of its unprecedented success. This research seeks to thoroughly analyze the Octopus from technology adoption behavior perspectives.
Cultural impacts on adoption behavior are one of the key areas that this research posits to investigate. Since the present research is conducted in Hong Kong where a majority of population is Chinese ethnicity and yet is westernized in a number of aspects, assuming that users in Hong Kong are characterized by eastern or western culture is less useful. Explicit cultural characteristics at individual level are tapped into here instead of applying generalization of cultural beliefs to users to more accurately reflect cultural bias. In this vein, the technology acceptance model (TAM) is adapted, extended, and tested for its applicability cross-culturally in Hong Kong on the Octopus. Four cultural dimensions developed by Hofstede are included in this study, namely uncertainty avoidance, masculinity, individualism, and Confucian Dynamism (long-term orientation), to explore their influence on usage behavior through the mediation of perceived usefulness.
TAM is also integrated with the innovation diffusion theory (IDT) to borrow two constructs in relation to innovative characteristics, namely relative advantage and compatibility, in order to enhance the explanatory power of the proposed research model. Besides, the normative accountability of the research model is strengthened by embracing two social influences, namely subjective norm and image. As the last antecedent to perceived usefulness, prior experience serves to bring in the time variation factor to allow level of prior experience to exert both direct and moderating effects on perceived usefulness.
The resulting research model is analyzed by partial least squares (PLS)-based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach. The research findings reveal that all cultural dimensions demonstrate direct effect on perceived usefulness though the influence of uncertainty avoidance is found marginally significant. Other constructs on innovative characteristics and social influences are validated to be significant as hypothesized. Prior experience does indeed significantly moderate the two influences that perceived usefulness receives from relative advantage and compatibility, respectively. The research model has demonstrated convincing explanatory power and so may be employed for further studies in other contexts. In particular, cultural effects play a key role in contributing to the uniqueness of the model, enabling it to be an effective tool to help critically understand increasingly internationalized IS system development and implementation efforts. This research also suggests several practical implications in view of the findings that could better inform managerial decisions for designing, implementing, or promoting smart card-based E-payment system.
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Stanislav Mamonov and Raquel Benbunan-Fich
This study examines the factorial structure of salient user beliefs associated with smart locks. We also examine the predictive value of the identified constructs on the smart…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the factorial structure of salient user beliefs associated with smart locks. We also examine the predictive value of the identified constructs on the smart lock adoption intention and we evaluate gender differences in the predictive value of the identified constructs.
Design/methodology/approach
The study assumes pragmatic epistemological stance and it leverages mixed-methods research design. The research progresses through three stages: belief elicitation, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis within a nomological network. New groups of participants were recruited for each stage of the study.
Findings
We find that while potential adopters express a broad range of perceived benefits and concerns associated with smart locks, only the perceived relative advantage of smart locks vis-à-vis conventional locks in providing safety and security is significantly correlated with adoption intention for both genders. We also find that perceived novel benefits are a significant predictor of the smart lock adoption intention for women, but not for men.
Research limitations/implications
Our results indicate that perceived relative advantage can be the singular critical consideration in the adoption of smart home technologies that replace incumbent solutions. The results also demonstrate that gender-specific models can better capture gender effects that influence technology adoption and use.
Practical implications
Smart home technology vendors would need to convince prospective users that new technology is better than the incumbent solutions on the core affordances of the incumbent technology. Men and women differ in the consideration of novel benefits afforded by novel technologies.
Originality/value
This is among the first studies to examine salient beliefs that affect smart home technology adoption. The findings suggest that the traditional models (TAM, UTAUT) do not capture the key salient beliefs that can influence innovative smart home technology adoption. The study also suggests that gendered models are needed to understand technology adoption in contexts where technology adoption intersects with gender roles.
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Muhammad Sharif Abbasi, Fida Hussain Chandio, Abdul Fatah Soomro and Farwa Shah
It has been argued that behavioural models of technology acceptance do not serve equally across cultures. This study aims to extend technology acceptance model (TAM) to suit in a…
Abstract
Purpose
It has been argued that behavioural models of technology acceptance do not serve equally across cultures. This study aims to extend technology acceptance model (TAM) to suit in a developing country context. The model attempts to identify the relationship between social norms, management support and moderating factors voluntariness and experience.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a quantitative methodology to investigate the correlational paths. A cross‐sectional survey was completed by 504 academics working in higher educational institutes of Pakistan. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) based on partial least squares (PLS) methods.
Findings
The extended model achieved acceptable fit and most of the hypothesised paths were significant. Determinant perceived usefulness was an important construct of the internet acceptance, i.e. R2=34 per cent more than behavioural intention. Moderator experience diminished the impact of usefulness on behaviour usage.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that expecting acceptance behaviour from individuals on the basis of only TAM's constructs is not enough for introducing new IT technologies. The study reveals that an individual's perceptions are formed/changed through attitudinal and social beliefs, along with management support and usage experience.
Originality/value
The study is useful in non‐western cultural contexts. Specifically, in contrast to previous studies, diversity of individuals' acceptance behaviour is examined within a single south‐Asian country's context.
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Muhammad Sharif Abbasi, Ali Tarhini, Tariq Elyas and Farwa Shah
The purpose of this paper is to develop an extended model of technology acceptance to include behavioural beliefs (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use), subjective…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an extended model of technology acceptance to include behavioural beliefs (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use), subjective norms, management support (at institutional and governmental levels) to examine the academics’ internet acceptance behaviour within the Pakistan and Turkish context. In addition to this, impact of cultural dimension individualism-collectivism (IC) is also examined on the basis of moderator construct.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 380 academics’ using a cross-sectional survey. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling (partial least squares) in conjunction with multiple group analysis.
Findings
The results revealed that proposed model achieved acceptable fit with the data (i.e. R2=39 per cent in intention) and most of the hypothesised relationships were supported. The results also revealed that culture showed a moderating effect on hypothetical relationships. Specifically, the effects of management support were stronger for the respondents having high on collectivist society (i.e. Pakistan).
Originality/value
The study is useful in non-western cultural contexts. Specifically, in contrast to previous studies, diversity of individuals’ acceptance behaviour is examined in Turkey and Pakistan. Additionally, this study had examined moderating impact of cultural dimension (i.e. IC) over academic’s behavioural intention to accept the internet technology.
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Amra Kapo, Alisa Mujkic, Lejla Turulja and Jasna Kovačević
Conceptual model in this paper combines existing scientific knowledge grounded in theories of planned behavior, diffusion of innovation and a unified theory of acceptance and use…
Abstract
Purpose
Conceptual model in this paper combines existing scientific knowledge grounded in theories of planned behavior, diffusion of innovation and a unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, while aiming to identify relevant determinants of continuous use of e-learning by employees who used e-learning in the past year at their workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors developed and empirically tested the positive impact of professional, personal, IT and environmental factors on the continued use of e-learning among 672 employees across different sectors using the structural equation modeling technique.
Findings
Research results suggest that the most powerful determinant of continuous use of e-learning are personal factors. Environmental influences and technological aspects also exhibit a positive and significant impact on the continuous use of e-learning. Research hypothesis related to the positive influence of professional factors on the continuous use of e-learning has not been empirically confirmed. Also, results demonstrated that continued use of e-learning contributes to better individual business performance.
Practical implications
The practical contribution is threefold: to companies, education institutions and human resource managers. For companies, identification of key determinants will lead to a better understanding of employees needs regarding continuous job improvements. The findings can be used by educational institutions to design e-learning programs according to results and real value to employees. On the other hand, human resource managers can benefit from this study in terms of getting concrete factors that motivate employees for continuous job improvement.
Originality/value
The research sheds light on the proposed integrated model that tests the post-adoption of the continuous use of e-learning within an organizational context.
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Sousana K. Papadopoulou, Maria Mantzorou, Desspina Koutridou, Elias Tassoulas, Styliani Sakellaropoulou, Fani Biskanaki, Efthymis Xatziapostolou and Dimitrios Papandreou
The purpose of this paper is to critically summarize the current data concerning the impact of obesity and micronutrient adequacy and supplementation on the risk and severity of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to critically summarize the current data concerning the impact of obesity and micronutrient adequacy and supplementation on the risk and severity of COVID-19 disease, and their potential impact on treatment and rehabilitation.
Design/methodology/approach
PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases were thoroughly searched to identify studies concerning obesity and nutritional status, vitamin and other micronutrients adequacy with COVID-19 severity.
Findings
Individuals with higher body mass index are in greater risk of severe disease and need for mechanical ventilation. Concerning micronutrient adequacy, no published studies at the present time have evaluated the effect of supplementation on the risk and the treatment of the novel disease.
Originality/value
Recently, COVID-19 has monopolized the interest of the medical community regarding diet and nutritional status and it possibly plays an important role in disease severity.
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Shahab Pourfakhimi, Tara Duncan and Willem Coetzee
The purpose of this study is to evaluate eTourism technology acceptance literature to illustrate current gaps in the field and suggest two alternative perspectives that could be…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate eTourism technology acceptance literature to illustrate current gaps in the field and suggest two alternative perspectives that could be adopted.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of academic literature in the field of eTourism technology acceptance was undertaken combining a systematic keyword-based search and snowballing techniques leading to the identification of relevant academic journal articles published since the year 2000.
Findings
While the field of eTourism technology acceptance research has grown substantially over the past few decades, this study highlights that the majority of this research seems to have been conducted within a narrow theoretical scope. The study suggests that this has led to contemporary theoretical and philosophical advancements in understanding the psychological, sociological and neuroscientific aspects of consumer behaviour not yet being mirrored in the eTourism technology acceptance research.
Research limitations/implications
This study invites researchers to adapt alternative theoretical perspectives to create a more in-depth understanding of aspects of technology acceptance behaviour that have yet to be understood. Two distinct alternative perspectives, NeuroIS and interpretivism, are suggested.
Practical implications
This study assists researchers in developing alternative research agendas and diversifying the theoretical foundations of eTourism technology acceptance research.
Originality/value
eTourism technology acceptance research risks being left behind if it does not begin to think beyond current theoretical conceptions of consumer behaviour research. This study contributes to the wider literature by highlighting how eTourism literature is falling behind and by suggesting two innovative alternatives that allow eTourism research an exciting way forward.
研究目的
本论文旨在审视eTourism技术接受研究文献, 以指出当前文献的不足, 并且提出两个未来可能研究方向。
研究设计/方法/途径
研究样本为关于eTourism技术接受研究的文献, 文献搜集方法采用系统关键词搜索和雪球搜索技术, 共74篇相关研究文献, 发表年代为2000年至今。
研究结果
eTourism技术接受研究自过去几十年的发展, 其研究成果已经显著增长。本论文强调这方面研究大多数局限在一个狭小理论领域中。本论文建议此方面的研究可以扩展到心理学 社会学 神经科学等消费者行为的领域,提高eTourism技术接受研究的现代理论和哲学进步,而这些方面在eTourism技术接受研究领域中, 还未涉足。
研究理论限制/意义
本论文邀请学者采用其他理论角度来增强技术接受行为的深入理解。两个显著研究方向包括NeuroIS和解释主义。
研究实际意义
本论文启示学者在eTourism技术接受研究方面的开发新的研究征程, 以及丰富其相关理论基础。
研究原创性/价值
eTourism技术接受研究将被落下, 如果学者不扩展当前关于消费者行为方面的理论基础。本论文拓宽了对eTourism文献的论述, 并且就其如何可能研究落后以及建议两个创新性方向, 使得eTourism研究将有一个崭新前进。
关键词
技术接受、电子旅游、技术接受模型(TAM)、神经资讯系统(NeuroIS)、 神经科学旅游(Neurotourism)、解释主义
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The purpose of this article is to provide an insight into the determinants of customers' internet banking (IB) acceptance. Therefore, it attempts to address a research need for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to provide an insight into the determinants of customers' internet banking (IB) acceptance. Therefore, it attempts to address a research need for extending the technology acceptance model (TAM) by adding contextual factors for IB case.
Design/methodology/approach
A research model reflecting the effects of perceived risk (PR), perceived playfulness (PPL) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) on TAM constructs is proposed. The partial least squares (PLS) procedure is used to analyze 161 cases collected from individual IB users through a web‐based survey.
Findings
The results indicate that perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) are immediate direct determinants of customers' attitudes towards using IB (ATT). PU, PR and ATT determine the large proportion of behavioral intentions to use IB (BI). Although PPL positively influences only PEOU, PBC exerts positive direct effects on PEOU and PU and indirect effects on PU and ATT.
Research limitations/implications
The study findings were obtained from the single snapshot research, the small data set covering only active e‐mail users and the participants' self‐reports about BI. Therefore, the future research should carry a longitudinal nature to show the temporal change effects, remedy the possibility of self‐selection bias with a broader research sample and validate the IB usage externally instead of self‐reported BI.
Originality/value
This study supplies the valuable information for researchers and practitioners about the effects of PR, PPL and PBC on IB adaptation behavior of Turkish customers. Furthermore, the study reveals that extended TAM could be used to provide a solid theoretical foundation of IB acceptance case.
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Abeer F. Alkhwaldi and Amir A. Abdulmuhsin
This paper aims to investigate the factors that affect the acceptance of distance learning systems by university academic staff and students in Jordan. To achieve this objective…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the factors that affect the acceptance of distance learning systems by university academic staff and students in Jordan. To achieve this objective, it has been proposed to examine the distance learning experience of Jordanian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) after the universities institution suspended face-to-face (traditional) courses delivery owing to novel Coronavirus’ (COVID-19) fears.
Design/methodology/approach
This study expands upon unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 by incorporating contextual variables such as trust (TR), autonomy (AUT) and compatibility (CMP). Data collection has been carried out through an online survey, which targeted participants at public and private universities during the crisis time of coronavirus. Structural equation modelling has been used to validate the proposed research model.
Findings
The outcomes revealed that performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, TR and AUT were the significant predictors of distance learning acceptance in both samples. By identifying the factors affecting the acceptance of distance learning systems, it will be more useful to offer better services of distance learning. This will also help to demonstrate that distance learning will be capable of delivering the educational aims of HEIs to areas where a pandemic outbreak in the Middle East.
Originality/value
Distance learning provides university students with quality education, engaging platforms and most significantly a safe teaching environment. The results and implications to both practice and theory are described.