M.H. Adjali, M. Davies and J. Littler
Presents the results of a numerical simulation of measured heat transfer through a region surrounding a buried structure. The model applied in the study is a widely used whole…
Abstract
Presents the results of a numerical simulation of measured heat transfer through a region surrounding a buried structure. The model applied in the study is a widely used whole building thermal simulation program of a type which predicts the thermal response of structures for building services requirements. A multi‐dimensional numerical conductive heat transfer module has been added to this program but this does not specifically address earth‐contact heat flows. This work attempts to assess the accuracy of the overall package when predicting earth‐coupled heat transfer. It is common practice in the field of building services not to use specific earth‐contact models and so it is important to assess the likely errors thus involved. The predictions of the finite‐volume model are compared with one year of data from a basement test facility. The results are analysed using the Differential Sensitivity Analysis method and an attempt is made to correlate predictive errors with periods of rainfall and snow coverage. It seems that a purely conductive model may be capable, given accurate input data, of satisfactorily predicting the transient temperature variations in the soil/concrete envelope surrounding this structure for the period of the year when no snow coverage is present. However, if one is to accurately model regions of earth‐contact (particularly at shallow depths) in a climate in which rainfall and snow are significant then these influences should be explicitly modelled.
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Yunfei Gu and Martin Kunc
This paper aims to explore the applicability and strengths of proposing the three-paradigm hybrid simulation (HS) approach to developing and analysing strategies. The objective of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the applicability and strengths of proposing the three-paradigm hybrid simulation (HS) approach to developing and analysing strategies. The objective of the modelling effort is to conceptually illustrate its use in strategic planning by combining with the threat-opportunity-weakness-strength (TOWS) matrix, which builds a bridge between strategic management with the operations research community. The authors also aim to introduce a modelling framework to help model designers to apply HS to their own business issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a process to develop a HS model associated with the development of strategies using the TOWS matrix.
Findings
After developing the model and testing four strategies, the best option for the supermarket to increase market share and sales is implementing the strength–opportunity strategy, which involves online shopping to adapt to the digital world.
Research limitations/implications
First, some modelling assumptions are used to simplify the development process, but they need further validation. Second, the real data collection is limited. Third, the personal learning edition of the simulation software is not a comprehensive version and has some limitations.
Practical implications
The hybrid model and the scenario planning introduced, in this study, could allow decision makers to rehearse the potential strategy before actual implementation. The framework is easy to implement to other business and industry.
Originality/value
This study links HS with strategic management, which has not been performed previously and evaluates the capability of HS in strategic planning. The functionality of the modelling platform has been tested for simulating a completely dynamic system.
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Sunderarajan Sourirajan and Swamy Perumandla
The purpose of this paper is to determine whether affective factors such as goal desires, positive anticipated emotions, anticipated regret and non-volitional actions like habits…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine whether affective factors such as goal desires, positive anticipated emotions, anticipated regret and non-volitional actions like habits influence retail mutual fund investing.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the model of goal-directed behavior (MGB), the impact of affective factors and habits was compared against a cognitively driven model. Data were collected through a survey of 321 mutual fund investors across India and analyzed using the partial least squares method.
Findings
Goal-based desires were a significant driver of investing intentions while actual investing was driven by habits. Anticipated regret strongly influenced desires. The overall explanation of variance in intentions and investing behaviors was improved by 27 and 28% respectively by the new model.
Research limitations/implications
The current investments in mutual funds is used as a proxy for future investing behaviors so results need to be interpreted accordingly. Future research directions could include the effects of mood, impact of language, religion and culture.
Practical implications
For “emotionally complex” cultures, impact of emotive drivers and habits play a significant part in investing and fund houses need to orient their marketing accordingly.
Social implications
Awareness programs on how emotive issues and habits can hinder as well as enhance investment performance in markets would benefit retail investors.
Originality/value
The study is unique in analyzing affective and non-volitional factors and in showing that intentions are not sufficient to explain behaviors. It analyzes not just intentions as most studies do, but end behaviors of investors as well. It uses the MGB theoretical framework from behavioral psychology that has not been applied to financial behaviors before.
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Sameera Mohamed Al Zaidi, Shilpa Iyanna, Fauzia Jabeen and Khalid Mehmood
This paper aims to investigate the impact of situational factors and internal psychological states on employees’ decisions to perform voluntary pro-environmental behavior. This…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impact of situational factors and internal psychological states on employees’ decisions to perform voluntary pro-environmental behavior. This study used a model combining the theory of planned behavior, norm activation model and comprehensive action determination model. This stud also explored the moderating role of habit (HAB) on the relationship between intention and actual voluntary pro-environmental behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through three waves of time-lagged survey questionnaires from 519 employees of public organizations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Findings
Employees’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) had a significant impact on intention to perform voluntary pro-environmental behavior, as did all other variables except perceived behavioral control. HABs related to pro-environmental behavior enhanced the relationship between intention and actual behavior.
Practical implications
The main factors influencing employees’ voluntary pro-environmental behavioral intentions were perceived CSR, personal moral norms, organizational citizenship behaviors toward the environment and attitude. Public organization planners, managers and practitioners can use these findings to improve their organization’s environmental performance, leveraging nonmandated actions.
Social implications
Employees can achieve a better work–life balance in organizations with flexible CSR policies and which sponsor social activities to improve public well-being and individuals’ life quality. Positive sense-making of corporate social activity helps employees develop social interactions with stakeholders, increasing their involvement in society and decreasing work stress.
Originality/value
This study sheds light on the factors influencing employees’ voluntary pro-environmental behavior. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to combine these three models to explain the variables affecting intent to perform voluntary pro-environmental behavior in the workplace.
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Pankaj Vishwakarma and Malaya Ranjan Mohapatra
Understanding consumer behavior across various contexts within marketing has long been the focus of studies. Although many models are used in explaining consumers' behavior, one…
Abstract
Purpose
Understanding consumer behavior across various contexts within marketing has long been the focus of studies. Although many models are used in explaining consumers' behavior, one of these is the Model of Goal-Directed Behavior (MGB), which is becoming prominent in explaining consumers' behavior in marketing. Given its popularity, prior research on MGB has shown inconsistent outcomes regarding the casual association of MGB variables. To overcome this, the authors have adopted a meta-analytic review of the marketing studies grounded on MGB theory in examining the consumers' behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
The study reviewed and analyzed 611 correlations from 27 studies with 31 samples (combined sample size of 9588) using a meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) technique.
Findings
The outcomes of MASEM confirm the significance of all the proposed relationships in the MGB model. However, the attitude has shown a strong influence on desire formation among all the proposed MGB relationships. Further, past buying experience and positive anticipated emotions strongly affect desire in developed nations compared to developing nations.
Research limitations/implications
The current work has considered the possibility of various recommended moderators (e.g. culture, crisis situation, sample size, method of data collection, etc.); however, the study lacks to consider the dimension of gender dominance in it. Hence, future researchers should keep it in mind while conducting similar studies. Future scholars can also perform a comparative study on MGB across the domains and subdomains to know more insights.
Originality/value
The current work offers a better understanding of MGB application in marketing. As this work is one of the first meta-analyses on MGB application in marketing that also considers the effect of various moderators, it thus adds knowledge to the literature on MGB in marketing. It will also help the future researchers to understand MGB as a framework and its application in marketing.
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Ai Chin Thoo, Shi Jie Tee, Hon Tat Huam and Adaviah Mas’od
This study aims to investigate the impact of theory of planned behavior (namely, attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control) on recycling intention, as well as the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of theory of planned behavior (namely, attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control) on recycling intention, as well as the relationship between recycling intention and behavior in one of the top five universities in Malaysia. In addition, the mediation effect of recycling intention on the relationships is investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 180 responses were collected using online survey that distributed via Google Form. SmartPLS was used for data analysis via outer and inner model assessment. The assessments include construct reliability, validity and hypotheses testing.
Findings
The findings indicated that attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control have a positive and significant relationship with students’ recycling intention. Besides, students’ recycling intention is positively related to actual recycling behavior. Additionally, this study also discovered that recycling intention mediates the relationship between attitude and recycling behavior, between subjective norm and recycling behavior, as well as between perceived behavioral control and recycling behavior.
Practical implications
The result of the study may serve as a guide for universities or higher education institutions to design effective recycling campaigns to promote the campus sustainability.
Originality/value
Universities are in a crucial position to make a huge impact when they recycle. In Malaysia, there is still a lack of high concern of universities toward green and sustainability concept. This paper fulfils the gap to study how recycling behavior can be enabled.
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The purpose of this paper is to review the academic literature on relationship marketing (RM), conduct a content analysis of the same for the purpose of classification and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the academic literature on relationship marketing (RM), conduct a content analysis of the same for the purpose of classification and provides a comprehensive bibliography.
Design/methodology/approach
A range of online databases were searched to review the literature on RM. Only, 209 papers had RM as the primary research topic. The full text of each paper was taken as the unit of analysis. The classification of all the units into mutually exclusive categories was done by two independent researchers.
Findings
The content analysis led to classification of literature into five mutually exclusive categories viz. objectives, defining constructs, instruments, industrial applications and issues. The contribution of research papers has been on the rise across the time frame and there has been a sharp rise in RM research publication in the recent years. The study revealed many other useful findings.
Research limitations/implications
The findings can be generalized only to the population of selected online databases for the given time period but not to the larger universe of RM literature. The study identifies various untapped areas for further research in terms of industry, country of study, research methods, type of study, etc.
Practical implications
The paper provides a roster of field projects accompanied by a comprehensive bibliography that will be useful to both academics and practitioners for studying existing research as well as for contemplating future research.
Originality/value
This is the only paper that provides a literature review and bibliography of RM literature for the period 1994‐2006.
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With the growing acceptance of renewable energy sources in the world, new energy sources are pursued and investigated by customers. In India, residential PV technology is in an…
Abstract
Purpose
With the growing acceptance of renewable energy sources in the world, new energy sources are pursued and investigated by customers. In India, residential PV technology is in an early stage of development and very less in demand among households. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the major variables and its impact on customers purchase intention towards solar PV technology, especially in the context of central India.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on literature reviews, this study identifies six major independent variables having a relationship with purchase intentions. Using convenience sampling method, 413 customers’ data has been collected by the researcher and was investigated through structural equation modelling, using SmartPLS 2.0 and SPSS-20 software.
Findings
The study findings suggested that the construct promotional strategies, societal influence, customer awareness and government initiative plays an important role in generating customers purchase intention towards solar PV technology. While the constructs environmental concern and availability & cost having relationship, showed insignificant influence.
Research limitations/implications
The study outcomes provide some valuable insights to the government and policymakers in designing their policies and strategies to increase customer involvement in solar PV technology. This study suggested that the service providers need to offer more benefits in the form of subsidies and schemes that motivate customers to willingly show their purchase intention.
Originality/value
The major contribution of this study is the empirical analysis of six independent variables, which affects the customer purchase intentions towards solar PV technology over available conventional energy sources in an emerging Indian market.
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Marco Vriens and Alessandro Martins Alves
This paper aims to investigate modeling implicit attitudes as potential drivers of overall brand attitudes and stated behavior and investigate how the results are expected to be…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate modeling implicit attitudes as potential drivers of overall brand attitudes and stated behavior and investigate how the results are expected to be different from brand driver models that are based on explicit attitudes.
Design/methodology/approach
Data are collected via online surveys in five countries across 15 categories with sample sizes for each category/country combination in the range of about N = 1,000.
Findings
Implicit attitudes result in a higher number of significant effects than their explicit counterparts when used to explain behavioral intentions, brand closeness and brand usage in a multivariate situation with potential 12 brand attitude drivers. The authors also find fewer counter-intuitive effects in the implicit models. The results are consistent across 5 countries and across 15 categories (including CPG products, services and durable goods). They also show that implicit attitudes are less susceptible to response style effects (e.g. social desirability bias).
Research limitations/implications
The findings have implications for brand building and shopper activation. Further research should look into the impact of using implicit data on finding different brand segmentation and brand mapping results.
Practical implications
The findings have implications for brand building and shopper activation.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the fast-growing field of implicit attitudes. The paper confirms and generalizes previous findings. This is the first paper to the authors’ knowledge that has investigated the impact of implicit attitudes on overall brand attitudes and stated behavior in a multivariate context.
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The purpose of this paper is to assess how well digital piracy self‐report intentions predict actual digital piracy behaviors in service marketing research.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess how well digital piracy self‐report intentions predict actual digital piracy behaviors in service marketing research.
Design/methodology/approach
Study 1 collects 321 surveys to investigate potential measurement issues related to digital piracy intention formation. Study 2 replicates Study 1 based on a separate sample of 267 respondents, and additionally links digital piracy intentions to directly observed digital piracy behaviors across a peer‐to‐peer network.
Findings
The results first validate a strong predictive relationship between self‐report intentions and observed digital piracy behaviors (R2=0.36). Second, common method bias and measurement error do not appear to threaten the veracity of reported results. Third, a social psychological model of how digital piracy behaviors emerge is validated based upon the folk theory of the mind. Finally, a two‐dimensional conceptualization of frequency of past behaviors is identified based upon exploratory factor analysis using structural equation modeling.
Research limitations/implications
The research reported here relies on experimental methods of measuring peer‐to‐peer network activity. Future research might consider the motivational and attitudinal antecedents to digital piracy intention formation.
Practical implications
The results afford service marketers assurance that self‐report measures of digital piracy behavioral intentions can serve as predictive measures of future behaviors. This helps make the collection of data in this context both achievable and practical. Also, a methodological framework is identified to strengthen measurement models associated with this type of research.
Originality/value
The research provides a first effort to empirically relate behavioral intention data to unobtrusively observed digital piracy behaviors across peer‐to‐peer networks.