Alexandros Chrysikos, Ejaz Ahmed and Rupert Ward
Retention is one of the key performance indicators in university quality assurance processes. The purpose of this paper is to identify the causes leading to low retention rates…
Abstract
Purpose
Retention is one of the key performance indicators in university quality assurance processes. The purpose of this paper is to identify the causes leading to low retention rates for first-year undergraduate computing students in a UK higher education institution (HEI).
Design/methodology/approach
The study applies Tinto’s student integration theory, and connects it with the behavioural patterns of students. Data were collected from 901 students using Pascarella and Terenzini’s questionnaire (integration scales). This data were combined with student enrolment information and analysed using the structural equation modelling technique.
Findings
The study results indicate that Tinto’s student integration theory is useful in analysing student retention, but this accounts for only a modest amount of variance in retention. Nevertheless, important relationships amongst student’s initial and later academic goals and commitments have been identified through this new approach to analysing retention. The largest direct effect on retention was accounted for by initial goals and institutional commitments, followed by later goals and institutional commitments. In addition, the results show that academic and social integration constructs can have an influence on the student retention processes. When all, or some, of these relationships are operating towards students’ benefits, appropriate services or programmes, such as student support systems, can have their maximum benefits.
Originality/value
The authors mapped behavioural-related retention factors using a learning community lens. The study explored students’ social and learning experiences within the context of a UK HEI by employing Tinto’s model. This is the first time the model has been tested in this context.
Details
Keywords
The aim of this study is to find out the type of motivation that provokes an individual to trust and use the internet banking system in a low income country. In this paper…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to find out the type of motivation that provokes an individual to trust and use the internet banking system in a low income country. In this paper, extrinsic motivation and intrinsic motivation are studied that may build trust in an individual to accept internet banking technology.
Design/methodology/approach
With the sample size of 109 respondents, structural equation modeling is used to find the measurement and the structural model for this research.
Findings
Extrinsic motivation did not fit within the measurement model and was therefore excluded. Finally, the research model showed that intrinsic motivation is responsible in building user's trust in the acceptance of internet banking.
Research limitations/implications
This research is difficult to generalize because of the relatively small sample size. However, the sample has been taken from the biggest city of Pakistan, Karachi, which accommodates people from almost every region of the country suggesting that the results could be generalized to an extent. Future research can use this model to study the adoption of internet banking in other regions.
Practical implications
This research contributes to the banking industry including foreign banks that have laid the foundations and infrastructure for a robust internet banking environment but still have not reached the optimal user base due to lack of trust. Banks need to follow a strategy to work on intrinsic motivational factors such as perceived ease of use, and perceived enjoyment to induce trust in individuals to attract more internet banking users.
Originality/value
Despite the benefits, internet banking is not being used extensively in low income countries. The research fills the gap for the low income country by using the motivation theory and the technology acceptance model to increase the level of trust in individuals to adopt internet banking. This integrated model can also be applied to other developing countries which are relatively new to internet banking.
Details
Keywords
More research is needed to understand the online shopping behaviors and intentions of consumers in emerging economies. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which…
Abstract
Purpose
More research is needed to understand the online shopping behaviors and intentions of consumers in emerging economies. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which key variables from the Technology Acceptance Model (perceived usefulness (PU) and ease of use (PEOU)), and others theoretically associated with digital engagement (distrust, perceived risk (PR), perceived enjoyment (PE) and legal framework (LF)), accounted for variation in online shopping intentions in Pakistan, focussing on affiliates of a large metropolitan university.
Design/methodology/approach
Online survey using a convenience sample of university staff, students and alumni recruited through the university’s online network. A questionnaire capturing the above constructs was tested for content validity and reliability prior to dissemination. The survey results were factor analyzed to determine the degree to which the constructs were independent, and regression was used to examine their ability to predict online purchasing intentions. User characteristics were analyzed descriptively.
Findings
All six independent factors, PU, PEOU, PR, PE, distrust and LF, in the model were independently predictive of intention to shop online and supported the theoretical model by demonstrating the predicted direction of the relationship.
Research limitations/implications
There are limitations in the generalizability of the findings. Most of the data being collected were only from Karachi, the biggest metropolitan city and the business hub of Pakistan.
Practical implications
This research may help retailers in becoming e-tailers. The model would also help existing e-tailers to streamline their business according to the research findings. In addition, government may work on policies to provide a better online business environment to the people of Pakistan.
Originality/value
A new online shopping model has been discovered for an emerging market, Pakistan. Developing countries could take advantage of this model to get real insights of their e-tailing industry.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this study is to develop active package films using clove essential oil (CEO) and biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) with varying weight…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop active package films using clove essential oil (CEO) and biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) with varying weight percentages of SiO2 nanoparticles (SiO2NPs), as well as to investigate the mechanical, barrier, thermal, optical, surface hydrophobicity and antibacterial properties of PBAT incorporated with CEO as a natural plasticizer and SiO2NPs as a nanofiller.
Design/methodology/approach
PBAT-based bio-composites films were fabricated with different weight percentage of CEO (5% and 10%) and nanosilica (1% and 3%) by solution casting method. The packaging performance was investigated using universal testing machine, spectrophotometer, contact angle goniometer, oxygen and water vapour permeability tester. The antibacterial properties of PBAT-based nanocomposite and composite films were investigated using the ISO 22196 by zone of inhibition method.
Findings
The mechanical results exhibited that the addition of 10 Wt.% of CEO into PBAT increases the percentage of elongation, whereas, the addition of 3 Wt.% of SiO2NPs increases the tensile strength of the composite film. The presence of CEO in PBAT exhibits a good barrier against water permeability and SiO2NPs in the PBAT matrix help to reduce the opacity and hydrophobicity. The antimicrobial and thermal results revealed that the inclusion of 10 Wt.% of CEO and 3 Wt.% of SiO2NPs into PBAT polymer improved antimicrobial and thermal resistance properties.
Originality/value
A new PBAT-based active packaging film developed using natural plasticizers CEO and nanofiller SiO2 with a wide range of applications in the active food packaging applications. Moreover, they have good surface hydrophobicity, thermal stability, mechanical, barrier and antibacterial properties.
Details
Keywords
Suman Kumar Deb, Ruchi Jain, Sanjiv Marwah and Varsha Deb
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of mobile customer relationship management (mCRM), service innovation (SI) and word of mouth (WOM) on the investment decisions…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of mobile customer relationship management (mCRM), service innovation (SI) and word of mouth (WOM) on the investment decisions (IDs) of mutual fund investors.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a new model for impacting the IDs of mutual fund investors. To verify the suggested model, Partial Least Squares with Structural Equation Modelling are used. For analysis, a survey questionnaire is designed, and data inputs were invited from more than 400 online mutual fund investors in Delhi NCR.
Findings
The outcomes reveal that the ID of mutual fund investors is significantly influenced by WOM. WOM, in turn, is significantly impacted by mCRM applications through SI playing a mediating role.
Research limitations/implications
The limitation with reference to survey respondents was that only online mutual fund investors using mCRM applications were considered. Moreover, this study was conducted in Delhi NRC, and a limited sample was considered.
Practical implications
The result from this research helps the financial organisation to consider SI in their mCRM application as one of the main concerned areas for increased WOM that directly influences the ID of mutual fund investors.
Originality/value
This study highlighted the impact of SI and WOM on the mutual fund investors’ decision, who use mCRM application. The outcome may contribute to the theoretical framework of IDs concerning mCRM applications. The results of this research offer practical implications for financial organisations in strategising their marketing and product development plans in the context of mutual funds. Also, the mutual fund ID through mCRM application is positively influenced by SI and WOM using both constructs as sequential mediating tools. This research offers new insights into mCRM application for mutual fund investors and financial organisations in India.
Details
Keywords
Wenping Xu, Jitao Xu, David Proverbs and Yuwan Zhang
In modern urban governance, rescue materials storage points (RMSP) are a vital role to be considered in responding to public emergencies and improving a city's emergency…
Abstract
Purpose
In modern urban governance, rescue materials storage points (RMSP) are a vital role to be considered in responding to public emergencies and improving a city's emergency management. This study analyzes the siting of community-centered relief supply facilities.
Design/methodology/approach
Combining grey relational analysis, complex network and relative entropy, a new multi criteria method is proposed. It pays more attention to the needs of the community, taking into account the use of community hospitals, fire centers and neighborhood offices to establish small RMSP.
Findings
The research results firstly found suitable areas for RMSP site selection, including Hanyang, Qiaokou, Jiangan and Wuchang. The top 10 nodes in each region are found as the location of emergency facilities, and the network parameters are higher than ordinary nodes in traffic networks. The proposed method was applied in Wuhan, China and the method was verified by us-ing a complex network model combined with multi-criteria decision-making for emergency facility location.
Practical implications
This method solves the problem of how to choose the optimal solution and reduces the difficulty for decision makers. This method will help emergency managers to locate and plan RMSP more simply, especially in improving emergency siting modeling techniques and additionally in providing a reference for future research.
Originality/value
The method proposed in this study is beneficial to improve the decision-making ability of urban emergency departments. Using complex networks and comprehensive evaluation techniques, RMSP is incorporated into the urban community emergency network as a critical rescue force. More importantly, the findings highlight a new direction for further research on urban emergency facilities site selection based on a combination of sound theoretical basis as well as empirical evidence gained from real life case-based analysis.
Highlights:
Material reserve points are incorporated into the emergency supply network to maintain the advantage of quantity.
Build emergency site selection facilities centered on urban communities.
Use a complex network model to select the location of emergency supplies storage sites.
Material reserve points are incorporated into the emergency supply network to maintain the advantage of quantity.
Build emergency site selection facilities centered on urban communities.
Use a complex network model to select the location of emergency supplies storage sites.