Muhammad Bilal, Umair Akram, Hassan Rasool, Xiaoyan Yang and Yasir Tanveer
In the recent decade, social media popularity and growth have boosted the development of social commerce (SC). This study aims to explore the significant impact of guanxi (关系…
Abstract
Purpose
In the recent decade, social media popularity and growth have boosted the development of social commerce (SC). This study aims to explore the significant impact of guanxi (关系) elements (ganqing 感情, renqing 人情 and xinren 信任) on online purchase intentions. Furthermore, this study investigated the moderating role of social support between electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and online purchase intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was conducted on 309 consumers who had online purchasing experience through WeChat, a famous social media application in China. Structural equational modeling was used to test all hypotheses.
Findings
The results indicate that guanxi elements are positively related to eWOM, affective attitude and online purchase intentions in SC. Additionally, social support has a significant moderating role between eWOM intention and online purchase intention.
Practical implications
Considering the effects of guanxi elements on eWOM affective attitude and online purchase intention in Chinese SC, online retailers are advised to carefully develop their marketing strategies to retain and attract new consumers. Furthermore, online retailers can use the findings from this study to understand the consequences when online purchase intention is strongly influenced by guanxi elements.
Originality/value
This research extends the current literature by applying the notion of guanxi components to the sense of SC and relating the notion of guanxi components and consumer decisions. The results show an understanding of the reality by which guanxi elements may affect the intention of eWOM sharing and boost online purchase intention.
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Muhammad Sohaib, Umair Akram, Peng Hui, Hassan Rasool, Zohaib Razzaq and Muhammad Kaleem Khan
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) motivations of regulatory-focused customers with positive and negative consumption experiences.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) motivations of regulatory-focused customers with positive and negative consumption experiences.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey is conducted in Beijing and Shanghai. A random sampling technique is used to collect data from 854 respondents. Two scenarios of eWOM communication – positive and negative consumption experiences – are randomly assigned to each respondent. This study employs the structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis techniques. However, it uses ordinary least squares and logistic regression to analyze 137 participants in the experimental study.
Findings
Promotion-focused customers that aim for self-enhancement and obtaining social benefits are motivated to spread positive eWOM on social networking sites. However, prevention-focused customers are driven by vengeance and anxiety, revealing higher intentions to post negative eWOM on review sites. eWOM generation is subject to gender, as promotion-focused male customers spread it more than both prevention-focused and promotion-focused female customers. Moreover, platform assistance (PA) has a significant positive impact upon regulatory-focused customers and eWOM (positive vs negative) relationships.
Practical implications
This study provides a deeper understanding of motivational factors of eWOM communication. Specifically, in case of product or service failure, negative consumption experiences drive prevention-focused customers to generate negative eWOM. Thus, using various tactics, marketers need to shift customers from focusing on prevention to focusing on promotion. For example, redeemable free coupons can shift customer attention and generate positive eWOM.
Originality/value
This study provides unique insights about eWOM motivation across genders. It examines regulatory focus, positive vs negative consumption experiences and moderation of PA.
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Bahadur Ali Soomro, Ghulam Rasool Lakhan and Naimatullah Shah
The present study examines the knowledge, attitude and practice towards the reduction of COVID-19 spread among entrepreneurs of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study examines the knowledge, attitude and practice towards the reduction of COVID-19 spread among entrepreneurs of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology (FUUAST), Karachi Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors employed cross-sectional data to infer the results. The data are collected through an online survey questionnaire. To target the respondents; a convenience sampling technique is adopted. In total, 222 usable answers proceed with final results. The structural equation model (SEM) is applied for the data analysis.
Findings
The study outcomes found a significant and positive role of knowledge about COVID-19, attitudes towards a stay at home and practices against COVID-19 in reducing the spread of the pandemic.
Practical implications
The study provides coherent knowledge about the factors that fight against the pandemic's further spread. The findings would provide the guidelines to policymakers to think about such factors and boost them enormously. Further, the results would contribute to the literature of COVID-19.
Originality/value
This study is original, which empirically confirmed the effect of knowledge about COVID-19, attitudes towards a stay at home and practices against COVID-19 in an academic institute.
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Tayyba Rasool, Nosheen Fatima Warraich and Abebe Rorissa
E-government websites/portals are effective modes of communication between governments and citizens. The information quality (IQ) of these websites/portals is of vital importance…
Abstract
Purpose
E-government websites/portals are effective modes of communication between governments and citizens. The information quality (IQ) of these websites/portals is of vital importance and, hence, is worth assessing, to ensure their effectiveness. This study aims to assess the IQ dimensions of e-government websites/portals in Pakistan and also evaluate the most significant IQ indicators.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a quantitative research method based on a survey. The data were collected from a sample of young citizens, and a questionnaire was adopted from a previous study by Kandari, et al. (2011) with minor changes to reflect the local context.
Findings
The findings revealed that out of 20 IQ indicators, 14 were rated 4 or 5 on a five-point Likert scale, indicating a reasonably high IQ for Pakistani e-government websites/portals. Value-added, “accessibility” and “objectivity” were the top three indicators, while timeliness, ease of operation and advertisement were the least rated indicators, suggesting that these need to be addressed. The findings of the study also revealed that IQ indicators are not affected by the different age groups of citizens.
Research limitations/implications
The focus of this study was limited to university students to understand their perceptions about IQ indicators of e-government websites in Pakistan, and the results can only be generalized to young Pakistani citizens and the developing countries with a similar context.
Practical implications
This study could provide some guidance to policy makers and websites designers in the development of e-government websites according to users’ needs and identifying the ways to regularly maintain and update these websites.
Originality/value
This study provides an understanding of the IQ of Pakistani e-government websites from the citizens’ perspective. It attempts to fill that gap and produce findings that could assist in making informed policy decisions.
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Suhaib Ahmed Soomro and Shuaib Ahmed Soomro
This study utilizes social exchange theory to investigate the relationship between green intellectual capital and employee environmental citizenship behavior through serial…
Abstract
Purpose
This study utilizes social exchange theory to investigate the relationship between green intellectual capital and employee environmental citizenship behavior through serial mediation of organizational agility and employee green creativity.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a multi-level and multi-wave dataset of 425 employees and 70 managers nested within 35 manufacturing firms. The authors followed a 2-2-1-1 research framework in which organizational green intellectual capital (a level 2 variable) influenced employee environmental citizenship behavior (a level 1 outcome variable), which was then mediated by organizational agility (a level 2 variable) and employee green creativity (a level 1 variable). This study used Jamovi for hypotheses testing.
Findings
The findings suggest a positive relationship between green intellectual capital and organizational agility, leading positively to employee environmental citizenship behavior and employee green creativity. It indicates that green intellectual capital positively relates to employee environmental citizenship behavior via serial mediation effects of organizational agility and employee green creativity.
Practical implications
This study provides valuable insights for manufacturing firms and policymakers. The study encourages environmental conservation and restoration efforts by individuals and organizations, supporting initiatives to protect the environment. Findings may help manufacturing firms and policymakers towards mitigating environmental harm to achieve their sustainability objectives.
Originality/value
This study enhances our understanding of the link between green intellectual capital and employee environmental citizenship behavior through indirect path of organizational agility and employee green creativity.
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Md. Wasiul Islam, Md. Mahfuz Ur Rahman and Shakil Ahmed
Visits to locations connected to historical atrocities, tragedy, suffering, or presumably dreadful events are referred to as “dark tourism”. While Bangladesh may not be widely…
Abstract
Visits to locations connected to historical atrocities, tragedy, suffering, or presumably dreadful events are referred to as “dark tourism”. While Bangladesh may not be widely known for dark tourism, several unexplored avenues may be of interest to those who engage in this type of unique and unconventional tourism experience. In addition to creating job opportunities and income generation in Bangladesh, it can achieve educational objectives, communicate with a broad audience, raise awareness of events of the past, and quench people's thirst for information, which can help them to comprehend a society. Though Bangladesh has several somber locations connected to tragic events including World War II, liberation war sites, mass killing sites, shipbreaking yards, Rohingya refugee camps, riots, and the mother language movement, traditional tourism predominates there. If managed responsibly, these varied resources, somber locations, and histories, some of which date back to 1800, could make Bangladesh a dark tourism destination. Although dark tourism in Bangladesh has the potential to contribute to historical awareness, preservation, educational opportunities, and socioeconomic development, it is yet unexplored due to a lack of knowledge, experience, policy, effective marketing, and some controversies. By approaching responsibly, Bangladesh can leverage its history to attract visitors' interests in exploring the darker aspects of the country's past. Hence, this chapter is designed to explore the status and potential significance, prospects, and challenges of dark tourism in Bangladesh. The findings will help policymakers, tourists, and other stakeholders to explore and enjoy enormous benefits from Bangladesh's untapped dark tourism opportunities.
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Md. Hasinul Elahi and S.M. Zabed Ahmed
The purpose of this paper is to assess the information quality of e-government websites by university-education citizens of Bangladesh. It also investigated citizens' demographic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the information quality of e-government websites by university-education citizens of Bangladesh. It also investigated citizens' demographic and Internet related variables associated with perceived information quality ratings and the validity of the underlying factor structure of information quality dimensions.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was conducted to assess information quality of e-government websites among a sample of university-educated citizens in Bangladesh. Descriptive statistics were obtained to examine respondents' ratings on information quality of these websites on a five-point Likert scale. A multiple linear regression model was applied to determine the effect of demographic and Internet use variables associated with information quality ratings on e-government websites. Finally, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to determine the underlying factor structure of information quality dimensions.
Findings
The findings revealed that the ratings on most information quality items were close to 4.00 on a five-point scale, indicating a generally high information quality of Bangladesh e-government websites. Out of 20 information quality dimensions, value-added and authority were the two top-rated information quality dimensions while security, completeness, reliability, advertisement, relevance and ease of use were the least rated dimensions. The results of multiple regression suggested that gender, age and the device used for accessing the Internet were significantly associated with information quality of e-government websites. The CFA results indicated that information quality dimensions corroborate the factor structure of information quality dimensions used in earlier studies, although the model fit statistics were not fully validated.
Research limitations/implications
The focus of this study was confined to university-educated citizens in Bangladesh. Therefore, the results of this study may not be generalized to other demographic groups in Bangladesh or elsewhere.
Practical implications
This paper can provide guidelines for developing high-quality, informative and citizen-centric e-government websites and suggest ways on how these websites can be evaluated for information quality.
Originality/value
This study is the first to examine the information quality of e-government websites from the citizens' perspective in Bangladesh. The findings of this paper can assist responsible government agencies in making the websites more informative and useful for a diverse group of users.
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Umair Akram, Peng Hui, Muhammad Kaleem Khan, Yasir Tanveer, Khalid Mehmood and Wasim Ahmad
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of website quality on online impulse buying behavior (OIBB) in China, and assess the moderating roles of sales promotion and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of website quality on online impulse buying behavior (OIBB) in China, and assess the moderating roles of sales promotion and credit card use.
Design/methodology/approach
An online and personal survey from 1,161 online shoppers belonging to three big cities of China – Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing – was conducted. A random sampling technique was utilized for data collection. Data were analyzed using validity and reliability tests, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling.
Findings
Three major findings discovered are: first, the website quality positively affects the OIBB; second, the sales promotion significantly influences OIBB and acts as a strong moderator on the relationship between website quality and online impulse buying; and third, the online impulse purchases are positively influenced by use of credit card, and the use of credit card enhances the relationship between website quality and online impulse buying.
Research limitations/implications
First, the website quality positively affects the OIBB; second, the sales promotion significantly influences OIBB and acts as a strong moderator in the relationship between website quality and online impulse buying; and third, online impulse purchases are positively influenced by credit card use. Moreover, credit card use enhances the relationship between website quality and online impulse buying.
Originality/value
This research is the first to investigate the relationship between website quality and OIBB in China, with sales promotion and credit card use as moderators.
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Nadia Aslam, Umar Farooq Sahibzada, Muhammad Shakil Ahmad and Anthony Stevenson
Drawing upon the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and social cognitive theory (SCT), the present study explores the role of green learning orientation (GLO) and green creativity…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing upon the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and social cognitive theory (SCT), the present study explores the role of green learning orientation (GLO) and green creativity (GC) as a mediating variable in the relationship between green transformational leadership (GTL) and green innovation (GI) in the Italian hotel industry. The research further assesses environmental performance (EP) and corporate green image (CGI) as a resultant factor of GI.
Design/methodology/approach
Two studies were conducted in Italy to evaluate theoretical models with workers in the lodging industry. Study 1 employed a three-wave, two-week time-lagged design with a total sample size of 303. Study 2 utilized a two-wave (four-week apart) design, with 349 participants using structural equation modeling.
Findings
The research findings emphasize that the enhancement of employees’ GLO and GC can be facilitated by providing GTL. This, in turn, may lead to the enhancement of GI, which improves the EP and CGI of a hotel.
Originality/value
The study comprehensively analyzes the previously unexamined relationships of employee-driven factors associated with GLO and GC. These factors are essential for promoting GI through GTL, ultimately enhancing EP and CGI. Therefore, it contributes by explaining previously unexplored employee and organizational factors in a unified model, utilizing time-lagged data, and enhancing the understanding of how organizations can elevate EP and CGI, particularly within the Italian hospitality sector.
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Asma Javed, Qian Li and Abdul Basit
In the context of the environmental degradation challenge in manufacturing firms, greening the supply chain (SC) is the most widely endorsed method to mitigate the adverse…
Abstract
Purpose
In the context of the environmental degradation challenge in manufacturing firms, greening the supply chain (SC) is the most widely endorsed method to mitigate the adverse repercussions of climate change. Based on organizational learning and resource dependence theories, the aim of this research is to know how green supply chain external integration (GSCEI) and green supply chain internal integration (GSCII) influence ambidextrous green innovation (AGI). It also examines the mediating roles of green absorptive capacity (GAC) and green knowledge integration capability (GKIC), as well as the moderating role of green technology dynamism (GTD).
Design/methodology/approach
To assess the hypothesized model, data were obtained with 386 questionnaires from managers employed in manufacturing firms in Pakistan applying a cross-sectional approach. A partial least square structural equation modeling technique was implemented to evaluate the data.
Findings
The results revealed that GSCEI and GSCII substantially impact AGI. Moreover, GAC and GKIC serve as mediators between GSCEI and AGI. GAC and GKIC also intervene in the relationship between GSCII and AGI. GTD was significant as a moderator for the correlation between GSCEI and AGI. However, it does not moderate the relationship between GSCII and AGI.
Practical implications
This research offers significant comprehension and an innovative approach for manufacturing organizations to curb environmental corrosion by stimulating AGI through green SC integration. It suggests to practitioners that integrating internal knowledge with external partners expands communication and collaboration to ensure that resources connected with environmental preservation flow smoothly.
Originality/value
This research is a valuable addition to the field, as it explores for the first time the missing link among the studied constructs. It opened the black box of how knowledge-related capabilities facilitate knowledge resources to elicit AGI, an area that has not yet been explored.