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A number of new service development (NSD) tools have been proposed to facilitate NSD processes. Despite the proved values, NSD tools are not used frequently. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the usage pattern of NSD tools and to identify the factors that influence their adoption.

By integrating the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the literature on organizational adoption of innovation, a framework was developed. Empirical data from financial institutions in Singapore and Taiwan were collected. Partial least squares was used to test the model comprising both reflective and formative constructs.

The framework shows satisfactory predictive power. Attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behaviour control are significantly related to behaviour intention. Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are antecedents of attitude. Competitive pressure influences subjective norm. Perceived behaviour control is determined by compatibility and resource commitment.

TPB can be applied at the firm level by treating the opinion of managers as the proxy of that of the organization. Findings are limited to the small sample size and a focus on only financial services.

Only a small group of NSD tools are used frequently in the firms surveyed. Service firms should pay more attention to the tools available and the factors associated with their adoption.

The paper identifies factors worth noticing when researchers and practitioners develop and implement NSD tools. Also, the data confirmed the appropriateness of the extension of TPB to predict organizational adoption behaviour.

The purpose of this paper is to rigorously devise a new tool that helps analyze and improve NSD processes.

An NSD maturity model (NSDMM) is theoretically developed through a combination of the maturity model concept and findings from NSD success studies.

NSD success factors can be categorized into four management processes – strategy management, process formalization, knowledge management, and customer involvement. Maturity dimensions and levels are further devised for each process. It is hypothesized that a higher capability to handle these processes positively associates with higher NSD performance.

Studies on NSD success factors are often descriptive rather than prescriptive. This research identified four management processes which are important to focus on when implementing NSD projects. It is among the first to apply the maturity model in the service industry. That said, this research needs to be tested empirically.

The proposed NSDMM enables companies to conduct evaluations of their NSD capabilities. By determining the desired maturity levels, companies can engage in continuous improvement so as to calibrate the NSD process.

By integrating the concept of the maturity model and the NSD success studies, NSDMM serves not only as a diagnostic model to assess current NSD practices, but also as a guideline for continuous NSD process improvement.

Cyber-bullying is a form of harassment that is perpetrated using electronic media. The practice has become increasingly common especially with the growing ubiquity of social media platforms. Most cyber-bullying cases inevitably occur on Facebook because it is the most preferred social media platform. However, little is known about cyber-bullying research in Kenya. This paper aims to analyse the quantity, quality, visibility and authorship trends of scholarly publications on cyber-bullying from and/or about Kenya.

This study was conducted as a systematic literature review. A meta-analysis approach was used. Bibliometrics approaches were used to conduct the analysis. Data on the publications was collected from Google Scholar using Harzing's “Publish or Perish” software and then analysed and presented using Microsoft Excel, Notepad and VOSviewer.

The study yielded 359 research publications on cyber-bullying in Kenya. There was a gradual increment in the number of publications, peaking in 2018. Nearly half of the publications have not been cited indicating low uptake of research on cyber-bullying in Kenya. It also emerged that most of the research has been published on subscription channels thereby restricting their visibility, access and use. Minimal collaboration in research on cyber-bullying in Kenya was also observed since 67.4% of the publications were written by a single (one) author. The authors conclude that the quantity, quality and visibility of research on cyber-bullying in Kenya is low.

This is an empirical study. The findings can be used to promote and mainstream research on cyber-bullying in Kenya.

The purpose of this paper is to provide the historical background of genealogical records and analyze the value of Chinese genealogical research through the study of names and genealogical resources.

The paper examines the historical evolution and value of Chinese genealogical records, with the focus on researching the Islamic Chinese names used by the people living in Guilin. The highlight of this paper includes the analysis and evolution of the Islamic Chinese names commonly adopted by the local people in Guilin. It concludes with the recommendations on emphasizing and making the best use of genealogical records to enhance the research value of Chinese overseas studies.

The paper covers the history of Islam and describes how the religion was introduced into China, as well as Muslims' ethnicity and identity. It also places focus on the importance of building a research collection in Asian history and Chinese genealogy.

This research study has a strong subject focus on Chinese genealogy, Asian history, and Islamic Chinese surnames. It is a narrow field that few researchers have delved into.

The results of this study will assist students, researchers, and the general public in tracing the origin of their surnames and developing their interest in the social and historical value of Chinese local history and genealogies.

The study of Chinese surnames is, by itself, a particular field for researching the social and political implications of contemporary Chinese society during the time the family members lived.

Very little research has been done in the area of Chinese local history and genealogy. The paper would be of value to researchers such as historians, sociologists, ethnologists and archaeologists, as well as students and anyone interested in researching a surname origin, its history and evolution.

While the peer effects of technology adoption are well established, few studies have considered the variation in peer effects resulting from the mutual proximity between leaders and followers and the heterogeneity of farmers' learning technology. This study addresses the gap in the literature by analyzing the peer effects of technology adoption among Chinese farmers.

Drawing on a government-led soil testing and formulated fertilization program, this study uses survey data of farmers from three Chinese provinces to examine the peer effects of technology adoption. This study uses a probit model to examine how mutual proximity influences peer effects and their heterogeneity. Accordingly, farmers were divided into two groups, namely small- and large-scale farmers, and then into leaders or followers depending on whether they were selected by the government as model farmers.

Both small- and large-scale farmers are more likely to use formula fertilizer if their peers do so. However, a large-scale farmer is more likely to adopt formula fertilizer if the average adoption behavior of other large-scale model (leader) farmers is higher, while a small-scale farmer is more likely to adopt formula fertilizer if other small-scale non-model (follower) farmers have higher average adoption behavior. Moreover, the peer effect was weakened by geographic distance among small-scale farmers and by economic distance among large-scale farmers.

This study elucidates the means of optimizing social learning and technology adoption among farmers.