Skylar Tibbits and Kenny Cheung
The purpose of this paper is to explain a current implementation of a programmable and computational material, Logic Matter, and to describe potential applications for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explain a current implementation of a programmable and computational material, Logic Matter, and to describe potential applications for computational materials and self‐guided assembly.
Design/methodology/approach
Following an introduction, the paper describes the types of information currently found in architectural construction, then introduces Logic Matter, a building block embodying physical digital logic. Examples of structural optimization and construction scenarios are given, to demonstrate the benefits of programmable and computational physical materials for assembly.
Findings
Logic Matter demonstrates a prototype with embedded digital logic and programmability, offering new applications for automated assembly, online material analysis and physical computing.
Originality/value
The paper describes the existing types of architectural construction information and proposes a novel application of programmable and computational material for automated assembly.
Details
Keywords
Yang Gao, Ekaterina Turkina and Ari Van Assche
Cultural and creative industries (CCIs) have been argued to play an important role in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, the mechanisms through which…
Abstract
Cultural and creative industries (CCIs) have been argued to play an important role in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, the mechanisms through which CCIs contribute to the attainment of SDGs remain underexplored. In this study, the authors adopt a network perspective to examine how the structure of a local CCI network relates to its local sustainability performance. By examining a database of 210,182 networked firms out of 1.34 million CCI firms across 294 cities in China, the authors conclude that both the scale and the density of a local CCI network improve the city’s performance in terms of attaining SDGs 8–12. The authors discuss the implications of these findings and propose future research avenues in international business.
Details
Keywords
Daniel Remar, Anupama Sukhu and Anil Bilgihan
This research examines the influence of consumer environmental consciousness and perception of menu information in the formation of restaurant image. The concepts of mindfulness…
Abstract
Purpose
This research examines the influence of consumer environmental consciousness and perception of menu information in the formation of restaurant image. The concepts of mindfulness and mindful consumption were used as the theoretical background for the study.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a quasi-experimental setting, data were collected from restaurant consumers dining at an upscale casual restaurant in the southeastern United States over a four-week time. Structural equation modeling, multi-group analysis and mediation analysis were used to test the hypothesized relationships between research constructs.
Findings
Results suggested that consumer environmental consciousness does not have a direct effect on the formation of restaurant image. However, consumer environmental consciousness influenced consumers' perception of menu information, and the perception of menu information consequently influences the restaurant image.
Practical implications
Foodservice industry increasingly interested in sustainability practices. Consumers want to know the connections between food and its impact on their health and the environment. Findings reveal that environmentally conscious consumers actively sought out menu information, and that once the information they were seeking was perceived, it significantly strengthened the perception of restaurant image.
Originality/value
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first research that investigated the environmental consciousness construct in a live restaurant context.
Details
Keywords
Jon Charterina, Jon Landeta and Imanol Basterretxea
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the mediating role of contracts and trust on the generation of product innovations stemming from buyer-supplier knowledge-sharing (KS…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the mediating role of contracts and trust on the generation of product innovations stemming from buyer-supplier knowledge-sharing (KS) among the members of the supply chain. Together with the individual effects of trust and contracts, their joint effect is examined in order to determine whether these are complementary or alternative mechanisms of safeguarding and control.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on a survey of 202 European machine tool firms acting as buyers and sellers, the authors propose and evaluate a structural equation model.
Findings
Results confirm that there is a positive relation between contracts and trust with respect to buyer-supplier KS, and of the latter with respect to innovation performance. They also show that firms in which both the levels of trust and contract use are high reinforce their product-innovation capability based on buyer-supplier interaction (complementarity thesis). However, results also show that, contrary to trust, contracts by themselves do not act as a stimulus for product innovation.
Research limitations/implications
Establishing contracts seems to be a highly recommended action in a buyer-supplier relationship focused on increasing innovation capacity. This does not go against engendering trust in a relationship. Both trust with a degree of formalization, in different ways, help to increase the effect of sharing valuable knowledge on innovation capacity.
Originality/value
To the authors’ best knowledge, no prior study has delved into differentiating the use of contracts and trust as mechanisms in mediating the effect originated from knowledge-sharing on product innovation performance with two different samples formed by buying and selling firms.
Details
Keywords
Kishalay Adhikari and Rajeev Kumar Panda
The present research attempts to empirically examine the influence of consumer-brand engagement, its potent antecedents, and relationship quality towards creating and enhancing…
Abstract
Purpose
The present research attempts to empirically examine the influence of consumer-brand engagement, its potent antecedents, and relationship quality towards creating and enhancing brand loyalty of automobile brands in Indian context.
Design/methodology/approach
Primary data through survey questionnaires were used to gather empirical data from 443 automobile consumers, out of which 417 samples were included in the final analysis. Structural equation modelling technique was used for assessing the hypothesized direct and indirect relationships among the constructs.
Findings
The empirical findings exhibit consumer involvement and brand interactivity contributes positively and significantly towards consumer-brand engagement, while self-brand image congruity does not significantly influence consumer-brand engagement. Further, mediation analysis results show that relationship quality partially mediates the linkage between consumer-brand engagement and brand loyalty.
Research limitations/implications
The outcomes of this research may provide novel insights and contribute to the limited body of knowledge regarding consumer-brand engagement. In addition, the findings may assist the automobile brand managers and market strategists to design strategies aimed at developing long-term consumer relationships.
Originality/value
This empirical research assesses the mediating effect of relationship quality in the linkage between consumer-brand engagement and brand loyalty for automobile brands, and to the best of our knowledge, has not been attempted by prior researchers in this domain.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors which influence positive and antagonistic job behavior of employees and their effects on work outcome. Such factors are…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors which influence positive and antagonistic job behavior of employees and their effects on work outcome. Such factors are regulated by the job design and policies of an organization. This is part of the findings.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper surveys a sample of 635 middle and lower level executives working in insurance organizations. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the nomological network.
Findings
Results reveal significant roles of empowerment and job interdependence in explaining positive job behavior and its influence on work outcome. In addition, limited role of organization support on employee job behavior was observed.
Research limitations/implications
This study was limited by its cross-sectional design and self- reported data. Issues of common method bias have been addressed. The outcome of this quantitative research provides input for job design focused on increasing work outcome.
Originality/value
This study highlights that empowerment at work brings about positive work behavior that significantly enhances employee commitment to customer service. Further, organization support at work does not explain employee behavior influencing work outcome; whereas, most past studies show significant role of support factors. Antagonistic behavior does not necessarily make an individual decide to leave the organization, indicating that such behaviors can be controlled by managing the contextual factors. The findings offer insights to motivation and behavior-related theories and suggest a shift in HR practices by predicting employee behavior.
Details
Keywords
Jiahong Zhang, Mantak Yuen and Gaowei Chen
The purpose of this paper is to review identified key features of teacher support and its influence on students’ career decision making and development. It also examines the types…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review identified key features of teacher support and its influence on students’ career decision making and development. It also examines the types of research approaches to data collection and analysis in order to provide a more in-depth evaluation of this field of study.
Design/methodology/approach
The review examined 18 studies, the majority being quantitative in design. Cross-sectional and longitudinal effects of teacher support were investigated, and differences in teacher support relative to grade level and gender were considered.
Findings
Results indicated that since 2000, there has been an increase in the number of empirical studies of teacher support in the career development field, the majority involving middle and high school students. The most commonly cited frameworks that underpin the studies are the social cognitive career theory, the career construction theory and Super’s career development theory. The most frequently used instrument for data collection was the teacher support scale (Metheny et al., 2008).
Originality/value
The review will be beneficial to researchers, teachers and policy makers seeking to optimize support systems for students’ career development. The findings contribute to further theory development and have practical implications for the career guidance field. Recommendations for future research and practice are suggested.
Details
Keywords
Information and communications technology (ICT) offers enormous opportunities for individuals, businesses and society. The application of ICT is equally important to economic and…
Abstract
Information and communications technology (ICT) offers enormous opportunities for individuals, businesses and society. The application of ICT is equally important to economic and non-economic activities. Researchers have increasingly focused on the adoption and use of ICT by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as the economic development of a country is largely dependent on them. Following the success of ICT utilisation in SMEs in developed countries, many developing countries are looking to utilise the potential of the technology to develop SMEs. Past studies have shown that the contribution of ICT to the performance of SMEs is not clear and certain. Thus, it is crucial to determine the effectiveness of ICT in generating firm performance since this has implications for SMEs’ expenditure on the technology. This research examines the diffusion of ICT among SMEs with respect to the typical stages from innovation adoption to post-adoption, by analysing the actual usage of ICT and value creation. The mediating effects of integration and utilisation on SME performance are also studied. Grounded in the innovation diffusion literature, institutional theory and resource-based theory, this study has developed a comprehensive integrated research model focused on the research objectives. Following a positivist research paradigm, this study employs a mixed-method research approach. A preliminary conceptual framework is developed through an extensive literature review and is refined by results from an in-depth field study. During the field study, a total of 11 SME owners or decision-makers were interviewed. The recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed using NVivo 10 to refine the model to develop the research hypotheses. The final research model is composed of 30 first-order and five higher-order constructs which involve both reflective and formative measures. Partial least squares-based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) is employed to test the theoretical model with a cross-sectional data set of 282 SMEs in Bangladesh. Survey data were collected using a structured questionnaire issued to SMEs selected by applying a stratified random sampling technique. The structural equation modelling utilises a two-step procedure of data analysis. Prior to estimating the structural model, the measurement model is examined for construct validity of the study variables (i.e. convergent and discriminant validity).
The estimates show cognitive evaluation as an important antecedent for expectation which is shaped primarily by the entrepreneurs’ beliefs (perception) and also influenced by the owners’ innovativeness and culture. Culture further influences expectation. The study finds that facilitating condition, environmental pressure and country readiness are important antecedents of expectation and ICT use. The results also reveal that integration and the degree of ICT utilisation significantly affect SMEs’ performance. Surprisingly, the findings do not reveal any significant impact of ICT usage on performance which apparently suggests the possibility of the ICT productivity paradox. However, the analysis finally proves the non-existence of the paradox by demonstrating the mediating role of ICT integration and degree of utilisation explain the influence of information technology (IT) usage on firm performance which is consistent with the resource-based theory. The results suggest that the use of ICT can enhance SMEs’ performance if the technology is integrated and properly utilised. SME owners or managers, interested stakeholders and policy makers may follow the study’s outcomes and focus on ICT integration and degree of utilisation with a view to attaining superior organisational performance.
This study urges concerned business enterprises and government to look at the environmental and cultural factors with a view to achieving ICT usage success in terms of enhanced firm performance. In particular, improving organisational practices and procedures by eliminating the traditional power distance inside organisations and implementing necessary rules and regulations are important actions for managing environmental and cultural uncertainties. The application of a Bengali user interface may help to ensure the productivity of ICT use by SMEs in Bangladesh. Establishing a favourable national technology infrastructure and legal environment may contribute positively to improving the overall situation. This study also suggests some changes and modifications in the country’s existing policies and strategies. The government and policy makers should undertake mass promotional programs to disseminate information about the various uses of computers and their contribution in developing better organisational performance. Organising specialised training programs for SME capacity building may succeed in attaining the motivation for SMEs to use ICT. Ensuring easy access to the technology by providing loans, grants and subsidies is important. Various stakeholders, partners and related organisations should come forward to support government policies and priorities in order to ensure the productive use of ICT among SMEs which finally will help to foster Bangladesh’s economic development.
Details
Keywords
Shahid Khokhar, Maayda Shahid, Sana Hafeez and Muhammad Shahid Tufail
The purpose is to understand the fundamental mechanism of the consumer decision-making process and how perceived financial risk of search and experience goods influences…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose is to understand the fundamental mechanism of the consumer decision-making process and how perceived financial risk of search and experience goods influences electronic word-of-mouth adoption (e-WOMA) on social networking sites (SNSs), which will lead to purchase intention.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on information processing theory, the study conceptualizes a moderated mediation model to investigate the underlying influence of perceived financial risk and online social ties on e-WOMA and the subsequent effect on online purchase intention. Survey data from 275 individuals were analyzed through statistical tools using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
Findings
The results revealed that e-WOMA mediates the effect of perceived financial risk of search and experience goods on online purchase intention. Strength of online social ties on SNSs positively moderates the electric word of mouth adoption for both the experience and search goods.
Research limitations
The limitation of this study was about the researcher's restrictions related to the length of the survey. Moreover, causal explanations can't be deduced as this is a cross-sectional study.
Practical implications
This research offers insight into the consumers that allow marketers to dive into the target market. Marketers should focus on social ties importance while selling products/services of markets online.
Originality/value
The study is novel in the context of an emerging economy to educate marketers on the product categorization of search goods and experience goods based on financial risk.
Details
Keywords
Christian Nitzl, Jose L. Roldan and Gabriel Cepeda
Indirect or mediated effects constitute a type of relationship between constructs that often occurs in partial least squares (PLS) path modeling. Over the past few years, the…
Abstract
Purpose
Indirect or mediated effects constitute a type of relationship between constructs that often occurs in partial least squares (PLS) path modeling. Over the past few years, the methods for testing mediation have become more sophisticated. However, many researchers continue to use outdated methods to test mediating effects in PLS, which can lead to erroneous results. One reason for the use of outdated methods or even the lack of their use altogether is that no systematic tutorials on PLS exist that draw on the newest statistical findings. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This study illustrates the state-of-the-art use of mediation analysis in the context of PLS-structural equation modeling (SEM).
Findings
This study facilitates the adoption of modern procedures in PLS-SEM by challenging the conventional approach to mediation analysis and providing more accurate alternatives. In addition, the authors propose a decision tree and classification of mediation effects.
Originality/value
The recommended approach offers a wide range of testing options (e.g. multiple mediators) that go beyond simple mediation analysis alternatives, helping researchers discuss their studies in a more accurate way.