Essam E. Ibrahim, Matthew Joseph and Kevin I.N. Ibeh
This study aims to explore the key factors of the electronic service quality (e‐SQ) perceptions of UK banking customers and to evaluate the customers’ perceptions of their banks’…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the key factors of the electronic service quality (e‐SQ) perceptions of UK banking customers and to evaluate the customers’ perceptions of their banks’ actual performance on the identified e‐SQ dimensions.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey has been used to collect primary data and 135 usable questionnaires were used in the analysis. Questionnaire items were developed through a two‐stage process involving a review of the main measurement scales employed in previous studies and two focus group interviews to identify a series of attributes for assessing electronic banking service quality. Factor analysis procedure was employed to identify the underlying structure among the explored e‐SQ attributes.
Findings
Exploratory factor analysis uncovered six composite dimensions of electronic service quality, including the provision of convenient/accurate electronic banking operations; the accessibility and reliability of service provision; good queue management; service personalisation; the provision of friendly and responsive customer service; and the provision of targeted customer service. Further analysis using importance‐performance analysis revealed that the UK customers’ perceptions of their bank actual performance on these revealed that e‐SQ dimensions were largely modest.
Research limitations/implications
Generally relate to the one industry focus, the exploratory factor analysis employed, and the rather generalized view of electronic banking adopted. Future research should aim to improve on these by replicating the study in multi‐industry settings, assessing the stability of the revealed factor structure, and examining whether particular e‐SQ factors vary in importance across different technology types.
Originality/value
This study has drawn on a sample of 135 UK retail banking customers in exploring the key dimensions of the relatively new electronic service quality (e‐SQ) construct, and evaluating how the survey respondents perceive their respective banks' performance on those critically regarded e‐SQ dimensions.
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Essam E. Ibrahim and Jacqueline Gill
The objectives of this research study were to measure the perception and satisfactions of consumers of the tourism product of Barbados, and to identify potential niche markets…
Abstract
Purpose
The objectives of this research study were to measure the perception and satisfactions of consumers of the tourism product of Barbados, and to identify potential niche markets that could be used in the development of the destination's positioning strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
Self‐completion questionnaires were distributed to tourists visiting the island at the peak of the 2003 tourism season. The scales used were adapted from two authoritative sources. Data from 400 completed questionnaires were analysed quantitatively by a variety of statistical techniques, including factor analysis and multiple regression. Answers to open‐ended questions were also used where necessary to explain top‐of‐mind attitudes to the tourism products consumed.
Findings
Four possible niche markets are identified that can inform the development of the destination's repositioning strategy: recreational, sports, culture and eco‐tourism.
Research limitations/implications
The time frame of the study was two winter months in one year, and only actual visitors completed the questionnaire. The study did not assess their evaluation of the quality of the services provided and consumed.
Practical implications/originality/value
The overall conclusions and discussion of the findings should provide a case‐based framework for the practical planning and implementation of positioning strategies in the tourism context.
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Ahmed Attia and Ingy Essam Eldin
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of knowledge management capabilities (KMCs) on organizational learning (OL) and supply chain management practices (SCMPs). In…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of knowledge management capabilities (KMCs) on organizational learning (OL) and supply chain management practices (SCMPs). In addition, to study the effect of OL, KMC and supply chain management on organizational performance (OP).
Design/methodology/approach
To study the relationships between KMC, OL, SCMP and OP, different techniques such as factor analysis, correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were used to verify the validity of the proposed conceptual model, and to test the suggested hypotheses, data collected from 165 companies in the Saudi food industry (representing a response rate of 64.9 per cent) were used.
Findings
According to the study’s findings, SCMP and OL are positively affected by KMC. Moreover, OP is directly affected by KMC, OL and SCMP.
Research limitations/implications
Owing to the specific nature of the sample, the findings of the current research are applicable only to the food industry.
Originality/value
The current research introduced a conceptual model, which has been tested and verified in the Saudi food industry. The findings recommend that both KMC and OL as well as SCMP will contribute to improving the OP. In addition, KMC will improve the SCMP and OL.
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Mathew Joseph, George W. Stone, Kimberly Grantham, Nukhet Harmancioglu and Essam Ibrahim
This exploratory study attempts to capture some of the principal benefits/factors attributable to service learning/community service projects, from a student perspective.
Abstract
Purpose
This exploratory study attempts to capture some of the principal benefits/factors attributable to service learning/community service projects, from a student perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 67 males and 83 females (16 graduate, 71 seniors, and 63 juniors) participated in the study.
Findings
Students believe that their college experience is preparing them for the job market, that critical thinking has been enhanced, and that their college academic experience has emphasized community service upon graduation.
Practical implications
The results increase one's knowledge of the benefits of service learning since so much emphasis is currently being placed on improving the critical thinking and problem‐solving ability of undergraduate business students.
Originality/value
Practitioners would be interested in understanding the impact that service learning can have on the problem‐solving ability of potential employees. If additional research could advance the proposition that students with service learning experience are generally superior in terms of their problem‐solving skills to students with no similar experience, then evidence of a service learning component on a student résumé suddenly adds value to the employer.
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Kevin I.N. Ibeh, Essam Ibrahim and Photis M. Panayides
The paper aims to explore the relevance of key marketing concepts, including market orientation, marketing competencies and resources, and competitive marketing strategies, in…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to explore the relevance of key marketing concepts, including market orientation, marketing competencies and resources, and competitive marketing strategies, in explaining international market success among smaller agri‐food companies.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a multi‐case research, involving five small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), from different agri‐food sub‐sectors. The research employed a semi‐structured interview guide, and subjected the generated data to meaning‐oriented content analysis procedure.
Findings
Evidence points to the influential impact of adopting a marketing orientation; developing advantage‐generating competencies in the product, channel and relationship management areas; leveraging strategically‐relevant managerial, production and brand/reputational resources; and deploying appropriate competitive marketing strategies.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations and implications of the research generally relate to the use of a small, non‐representative sample and the less than robust specification of the major constructs explored in the study. Future researchers should strive to obtain larger samples, develop a set of relevant hypotheses and test same using appropriate statistical techniques.
Originality/value
Findings offer a set of important lessons for smaller agri‐food companies and policy makers seeking to improve performance levels in international markets. They also add to the limited body of knowledge on the key influences on international marketing success within the agri‐food sector.
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Katerina Nicolopoulou, Ashraf M. Salama, Sahar Attia, Christine Samy, Donagh Horgan, Heba Allah Essam E. Khalil and Asser Bakhaty
This study aims to develop an innovative and comprehensive framework to address water-related challenges faced by communities located in urban settlements in the area of Greater…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop an innovative and comprehensive framework to address water-related challenges faced by communities located in urban settlements in the area of Greater Cairo. It is commonly accepted that such global challenges that border issues of resilience, community development, social equity and inclusive growth, call for a collaboration of disciplines. Such collaboration allows for the identification of synergies in ways that can enlighten and enrich the space of potential solutions and create pathways towards robust solutions.
Design/methodology/approach
The research process has been participatory, and it involved, apart from site interviews, engagement via a photographic exhibition, during an outreach and engagement event, of the researched sites in one of the academic institutions of the authors. A total of 12 women were interviewed and the expert’s workshop was attended by 12 experts.
Findings
Social innovation can promote agile processes to prototyping services, involving multiple sectors and stakeholders through open ecosystems. For urban settlements undergoing rapid expansion, social innovation can help communities and governments to build resilience in the face of resource gaps – often making use of advancements in technology and improvements from other disciplines (Horgan and Dimitrijevic, 2019). For the unplanned urban areas around Greater Cairo, input from different knowledge areas can offer valuable contributions; in terms of the project and the study that we report on in this paper, the contributing areas included architecture and urban planning, as well as women-led entrepreneurship targeting economic growth, social and community impacts.
Originality/value
In this paper, we demonstrate the significance of a transdisciplinary framework based on social innovation, for the study of women-led entrepreneurship as a response to water-based challenges within an urban settlement. The creation of such a framework can be a significant contribution to conceptualise, examine and respond to “wicked challenges” of urban sustainability. This paper also believes that the readership of the journal will be subsequently benefitting from another way to conceptualise the interplay of theoretical perspectives at the level of organisations and the individual to support the inquiry into such challenges.
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Edgar Centeno, Michael J. Harker, Essam B. Ibrahim and Lee‐Wei Wang
This paper seeks to highlight the significance of the recent debate on the “academic‐practitioner divide” for postgraduate marketing education in terms of informing objectives…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to highlight the significance of the recent debate on the “academic‐practitioner divide” for postgraduate marketing education in terms of informing objectives, chosen scope and structure and service provision.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected on 60 programmes at 45 UK higher education institutions (HEIs) by desk research and from 129 PG students enrolled at five British Universities by means of a questionnaire.
Findings
It was found that these were close parallels between PG and UG programmes in the UK. From the perspective of students intending to become marketing practitioners, five key strengths and weaknesses of current marketing education provision were identified.
Research limitations/implications
Data on current PG marketing programmes was only collected from a sample of UK HEI's and not internationally. Data from students was collected only from five UK Universities.
Practical implications
Suggestions are made for the ways and means by which PG programmes can be enhanced pedagogically and made more relevant to practice. Brief proposals are also made in respect of improving input into programme and class design by current practitioners – especially programme alumni.
Originality/value
It is hoped that all sections of this paper will be of value to postgraduate programme leaders in directing, leading and developing their courses strategically and tactically.
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Md. Hazrat Ali, Gani Issayev, Essam Shehab and Shoaib Sarfraz
In recent years, 3D printing technologies have been widely used in the construction industry. 3D printing in construction is very attractive because of its capability of process…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, 3D printing technologies have been widely used in the construction industry. 3D printing in construction is very attractive because of its capability of process automation and the possibility of saving labor, waste materials, construction time and hazardous procedures for humans. Significant researches were conducted to identify the performance of the materials, while some researches focused on the development of novel techniques and methods, such as building information modeling. This paper aims to provide a detailed overview of the state-of-the-art of currently used 3D printing technologies in the construction areas and global acceptance in its applications.
Design/methodology/approach
The working principle of additive manufacturing in construction engineering (CE) is presented in terms of structural design, materials used and theoretical background of the leading technologies that are used to construct buildings and structures as well as their distinctive features.
Findings
The trends of 3D printing processes in CE are very promising, as well as the development of novel materials, will gain further momentum. The findings also indicate that the digital twin (DT) in construction technology would bring the industry a step forward toward achieving the goal of Industry 5.0.
Originality/value
This review highlights the prospects of digital manufacturing and the DT in construction engineering. It also indicates the future research direction of 3D printing in various constriction sectors.
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Reima Daher Alsemiry, Rabea E. Abo Elkhair, Taghreed H. Alarabi, Sana Abdulkream Alharbi, Reem Allogmany and Essam M. Elsaid
Studying the shear stress and pressure resulting on the walls of blood vessels, especially during high-pressure cases, which may lead to the explosion or rupture of these vessels…
Abstract
Purpose
Studying the shear stress and pressure resulting on the walls of blood vessels, especially during high-pressure cases, which may lead to the explosion or rupture of these vessels, can also lead to the death of many patients. Therefore, it was necessary to try to control the shear and normal stresses on these veins through nanoparticles in the presence of some external forces, such as exposure to some electromagnetic shocks, to reduce the risk of high pressure and stress on those blood vessels. This study aims to examines the shear and normal stresses of electroosmotic-magnetized Sutterby Buongiorno’s nanofluid in a symmetric peristaltic channel with a moderate Reynolds number and curvature. The production of thermal radiation is also considered. Sutterby nanofluids equations of motion, energy equation, nanoparticles concentration, induced magnetic field and electric potential are calculated without approximation using small and long wavelengths with moderate Reynolds numbers.
Design/methodology/approach
The Adomian decomposition method solves the nonlinear partial differential equations with related boundary conditions. Graphs and tables show flow features and biophysical factors like shear and normal stresses.
Findings
This study found that when curvature and a moderate Reynolds number are present, the non-Newtonian Sutterby fluid raises shear stress across all domains due to velocity decay, resulting in high shear stress. Additionally, modest mobility increases shear stress across all channel domains. The Sutterby parameter causes fluid motion resistance, which results in low energy generation and a decrease in the temperature distribution.
Originality/value
Equations of motion, energy equation, nanoparticle concentration, induced magnetic field and electric potential for Sutterby nano-fluids are obtained without any approximation i.e. the authors take small and long wavelengths and also moderate Reynolds numbers.