Khawaja A. Saeed and Jingjun (David) Xu
The Bass model is widely used in the literature to capture the diffusion of innovations and shows excellent predictive power in the context of durable goods. However, the model's…
Abstract
Purpose
The Bass model is widely used in the literature to capture the diffusion of innovations and shows excellent predictive power in the context of durable goods. However, the model's efficacy fades when services are the target of analysis. Services that users adopt and subsequently utilize regularly are regarded as a continuous process that entails the possibility of dis-adoption and re-adoption. These aspects are not accounted for in the traditional Bass model. Thus, this study extends the Bass model to information system (IS)-based services by taking into account the unique nature of service adoption: the possibility of dis-adoption and re-adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed hypotheses were empirically tested using a longitudinal study of mobile service usage over 18 months. The longitudinal design provides a stronger position than the typical cross-sectional survey to understand the dynamics and infer causality.
Findings
Results show that the inclusion of the dis-adoption and re-adoption rates in the Bass model significantly improves the explanatory power over the traditional Bass model.
Originality/value
Consumption of services delivered through IS has exponentially increased. However, understanding on the diffusion pattern of IS-based services is limited. Our study is the first to examine the effect of dis-adoption and re-adoption together in the innovation diffusion process. The study offers significant implications for researchers and practitioners. The extended Bass model can help service firms develop an accurate prediction about the number of adopters at different periods of time.
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Sue Abdinnour and Khawaja Saeed
The purpose of this paper is to explore how key users’ perceptions (capability, value, timing, and acceptance) toward an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system change from the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how key users’ perceptions (capability, value, timing, and acceptance) toward an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system change from the pre-implementation to the post-implementation phase. The paper also examines how this change differs with varying levels of user involvement in the implementation process and users’ positions in the company.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors survey the employees of a major aircraft manufacturing company in the Midwest and analyze the data using repeated measures ANOVA. The authors use time as a within-subject independent variable, and involvement/position at the company as between-subject independent variables.
Findings
The results reveal a significant drop in users’ perceptions regarding the capability, value, and implementation timing of the ERP system. However, the perception of acceptance did not change significantly. Furthermore, there were more significant interactions of users’ perceptions with employee position than employee involvement in the implementation process.
Research limitations/implications
The study offers a better theoretical understanding of how users’ perceptions regarding an ERP system evolve over time. The use of one company is a limitation of the study, so future research can focus on extending the study in different sectors.
Practical implications
Management can design interventions to minimize users’ negative perceptions about the ERP system and increase usage in the post-implementation phase. For example, management can design training customized toward users’ positions in the company.
Originality/value
Post-implementation research in the ERP field is rare. Conducting a survey of users’ perceptions allows the authors to take an in-depth look at attitudes toward an ERP system.
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Khawaja Saeed, Manoj Malhotra and Sue Abdinnour
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that information systems (IS) artifacts (IS for automation and IS for analytics) and process standardization play in enhancing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that information systems (IS) artifacts (IS for automation and IS for analytics) and process standardization play in enhancing different dimensions of supply chain agility (SCA) (sensing, comprehending and responding).
Design/methodology/approach
Data collected through the survey approach was used to examine the research model. The results were analyzed based on regression analysis. Various tests were conducted to validate the results of the mediation hypotheses.
Findings
The results show that IS for analytics has a significant association with all dimensions of SCA and mediates the relationship between IS for automation and SCA’s sensing and comprehending dimensions. In addition, process standardization directly and uniquely influences the comprehending and responding dimensions of SCA.
Research limitations/implications
The assessment of the relationship between different IS features in the context of SCA enhancement contributes to theory development in the area of IS-enabled supply chains. Furthermore, investing in both process and IS-related initiatives offers unique value in the context of supply chains. The data collection approach limited us to a cross-sectional analysis, whereas longitudinal data could have offered deeper insights.
Practical implications
IS artifacts and process-based initiatives can be leveraged for organizational capability enhancement. Organizations that are vigilant, analysis driven and take quick actions, invest in IS-based tools that support analytics. The highest impact of these tools is visible in the enhancement of the comprehending dimension of SCA.
Originality/value
Prior research does not explicitly examine the interplay among the different IS artifacts. Furthermore, process-centric initiatives can also be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to IS-based initiatives. The originality of this work stems from jointly evaluating the role of IS artifacts and process standardization in making the supply chain more agile.
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Zia Ur Rehman, Imran Shafique, Kausar Fiaz Khawaja, Munazza Saeed and Masood Nawaz Kalyar
Drawing upon the institutional theory, this study examines the influence of responsible leadership on firm performance. Furthermore, this research investigates environmental…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing upon the institutional theory, this study examines the influence of responsible leadership on firm performance. Furthermore, this research investigates environmental management practices (EnvMP) as an underlying mechanism and institutional pressures as boundary condition between responsible leadership and firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Time-lagged data were collected using survey-questionnaire from 385 mid-level employees of construction industry in Pakistan. Partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data.
Findings
Results demonstrate that responsible leadership impacts firm performance (financial and nonfinancial) directly and through EnvMP. Furthermore, institutional pressure moderates the link between responsible leadership and EnvMP. However, moderated mediation effect of intuitional pressures was found insignificant.
Practical implications
This study suggest that EnvMP is a key process through which responsible leadership influences firms' financial and nonfinancial performance and shed lights as to when responsible leaders matter most in terms of firm performance through low or high institutional pressures.
Originality/value
This paper is an early attempt which contributes to the body of literature on responsible leadership by investigating mechanisms (how) and boundary condition (when) through which responsible leadership influences firms' financial and environmental performance.
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The purpose of this paper is to discuss a technique of restoring data from a broken/damaged near-field communication (NFC) tag whose coil is damaged and seems unrecoverable.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss a technique of restoring data from a broken/damaged near-field communication (NFC) tag whose coil is damaged and seems unrecoverable.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper discusses a method to restore data from damaged NFC tags by designing a coil that matches the technical specification of NFC for restoring information. In this paper, an NFC tag with a broken antenna coil and its operational NFC chip is used for restoring data by making an external loop antenna for the same chip.
Findings
If the NFC tag is damaged, the information stored on the tag can be lost and can cause serious inconvenience. This research provides an excellent mechanism for retrieving all the information accurately from a damaged NFC tag provided the NFC chip is not damaged.
Research limitations/implications
One of the major limitations of this research is that the NFC chip remains intact without any damages. Data can only be recoverable if just the antenna of the NFC tag is damaged; any damage to the NFC chip would make it impossible for the data to be recoverable.
Practical implications
The research is carried out with limited resources in an academic institute and hence cannot be compared to antenna designs of the industry. Furthermore, industry vendors are using aluminum to design the coil; however, in this study a copper coil is used for coil design since it is far less expensive than aluminum coil.
Originality/value
NFC is a rather new short-range wireless technology and not much work is done in this field as far as antenna study is concerned. This study brings a technique to design a coil antenna for a damaged NFC tag to retrieve all the information without losing even a single bit of sensitive information.
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This study aims to identify the location of the micropyle, the role of the micropyle in seed germination and the association between the micropyle size and seed weight of grass…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the location of the micropyle, the role of the micropyle in seed germination and the association between the micropyle size and seed weight of grass peas.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the micropyle was identified by cutting the seed in half and observing the seeds under the electron microscope. Second, the micropyle was covered by lanolin to block water imbibition. The rate of imbibition and germination was then observed. Lastly, micropyle sizes of various grass pea genotypes were identified by capturing seed images under a light microscope and converting the sizes to mm2 using computer software (ImageJ).
Findings
The location of micropyle was located nearby the hilum, similar to soybean seeds. Seed imbibition was significantly lower in lanolin application (<87%) than in the control (>124%) after 24 hours of submergence. Germination was a day delay for lanolin application on the micropyle compared to lanolin application on the non-micropyle. The germination delay resulted in a significantly lower germination percentage at <57% on the micropyle lanolin application than at >79% on the non-micropyle lanolin application after 10 days of sowing. There is no correlation between the micropyle size and seed weight.
Originality/value
These findings add information on the location and the role of the micropyle for grass pea seed germination.
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By any count or criterion, Pakistan is a national security state. It always was. The country has fought four wars with India, and it continues to suffer the devastating…
Abstract
By any count or criterion, Pakistan is a national security state. It always was. The country has fought four wars with India, and it continues to suffer the devastating consequences of confrontation with its formidable neighbor – India; it has been put under siege for more than 40 years by the terrorist and religious extremist groups; it has suffered long spells of military rule; its political structure remains fragile; its civil society organizations are vulnerable, weak, and toothless; and its media, universities, research institutes, and judiciary are under huge stress. Given the state of affairs, the realization is rather slow to grow that human development strengthens national power and national security much more than weapons. It is in this context that a study on food insecurity in Pakistan has been undertaken. It aims to explain as to how a predominantly agricultural country has been reduced into a food resource poor country, and how has the neglect of social, economic, and cultural sectors made Pakistan more insecure. This study covers a number of related issues as well, but it mainly looks for answer to two questions: first, should food insecurity be studied in isolation as a separate issue or as a part of the larger issue of governance, security, and people; and second, isn't there a need to drastically restructure the economic, political, and security landscape and framework to significantly diminish poverty, illiteracy, and food insecurity in the country?
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Ali Raza, Muhammad Farrukh, Khawaja Fawad Latif and Aldona Glinska-Newes
This study, drawing on the attribution, attachment, and regret theories, examined the predictors of brand love. It also aimed to assess the mediating role of brand authenticity…
Abstract
Purpose
This study, drawing on the attribution, attachment, and regret theories, examined the predictors of brand love. It also aimed to assess the mediating role of brand authenticity dimensions, i.e. brand continuity, brand credibility and brand naturalness, on the relationship between customer perception of hotel corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and brand love. The moderating role of alternative attractiveness was also evaluated in relation to customer perception of hotel CSR initiatives and brand authenticity dimensions.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors surveyed customers from hotels in different cities in Pakistan. To test the theoretical framework, partial least square-based structural equation modeling was used.
Findings
The results confirm customer perception of hotel CSR initiatives as a predictor of brand love. The partial mediating role of brand naturalness and brand credibility was found between customer perception of hotel CSR initiatives and brand love, and no mediation of brand continuity was found. Alternative attractiveness negatively moderated the link between customer perception of hotel CSR initiatives, brand credibility and brand naturalness. However, alternative attractiveness did not moderate the relationship between customer perception of hotel CSR initiatives and brand continuity.
Practical implications
Hospitality practitioners can enhance brand love by strategically communicating CSR initiatives to customers, prioritizing brand credibility and brand naturalness and considering the role of attractive alternatives. This knowledge empowers practitioners to make informed decisions that can significantly impact their brand’s success.
Originality/value
This is the first study to explore the moderating role of alternative attractiveness on the relationship between customer perception of hotel CSR initiatives and brand authenticity dimensions. Equally, it is the first to investigate the mediating role of brand authenticity dimensions on the relationship between customer perception of hotel CSR initiatives and brand love.
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Sarah E. Ryan, Sarah A. Evans and Suliman Hawamdeh
Public libraries are incubators for collective action in the knowledge economy. As three case studies from the United States and Singapore demonstrate, public libraries can serve…
Abstract
Public libraries are incubators for collective action in the knowledge economy. As three case studies from the United States and Singapore demonstrate, public libraries can serve as influential champions that garner financial resources, communicate an urgent need for change, and respond to the unmet information and economic needs of marginalized individuals and communities. In the Raise Up Radio (RUR) case, public librarians engaged schools, museums, youth, and families in rural communities to develop and deliver STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) content over local radio stations. In collaboration with organizational partners, RUR librarians created a model for library-community-radio projects for the rural United States. In the What Health Looks Like (WHLL) case, public librarians engaged senior citizens in discussions of health and the creation of health comics. In partnership with an interdisciplinary health research team, WHLL librarians developed a pilot for library-community-public health projects aimed at information dissemination and health narrative generation. In the Singapore shopping mall libraries case, the National Library Board (NLB) created public libraries in commercial spaces serving working families, senior citizens, and the Chinese community. The NLB developed an exportable model for locating information centers in convenient, popular, and useful business spaces. These case studies demonstrate how libraries are nodes in the knowledge economy, providing vital services such as preservation of cultural heritage, technology education, community outreach, information access, and services to working families, small- and medium-size businesses, and other patrons. In the years to come, public libraries will be called upon to respond to shifting social norms, inequitable opportunities, emergencies and disasters, and information asymmetries. As the cases of RUR, WHLL, and the shopping mall libraries show, public librarians have the vision and capacities to serve as influential champions for collective action to solve complex problems and foster sustainable development and equitable participation in the knowledge economy.
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Abstract
Purpose
Comparison.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative, Analytical.
Findings
The paper will suggest where the Pakistani legislation will have to be amended without affecting the core subject of the transgender rights in Pakistan.
Originality/value
Novel idea of comparing Pakistani law with an identical Indian law on transgender has been proposed.