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Consumers often face trade-offs between important product attributes. Previous research suggests that individuals tend to prioritize attribute differences that are easily processed and aligned. This paper aims to examine the contexts in which nonalignable attribute differences can positively impact consumers’ perceptions of products.

Four lab experiments were conducted to explore how consumer preferences for superior-alignable versus superior-nonalignable products vary based on purchase occasions, with a specific focus on routine and special occasions.

Consumers tend to prefer superior-nonalignable products on special occasions and superior-alignable products on routine occasions. This is driven by stronger uniqueness motives on special (vs routine) occasions, as consumers associate nonalignable attribute differences more closely with product specialness. The research also explores the moderating roles of consumers’ need for uniqueness (NFU) and psychological ownership. Consumers with higher levels of NFU consistently prefer superior-nonalignable products, regardless of the occasion type. Additionally, when consumers feel psychological ownership of products with superior-alignable attributes, the perceived specialness of these products increases, reducing the influence of occasion type on consumer preferences for attribute alignability.

This research emphasizes the importance of aligning product attribute differences with specific purchase occasions in marketing strategies.

Mobile banking (or m-banking) has become an inseparable part of the modern finance model. Its success relies on customers’ affective responses and behavioral decisions. This study aims to examine the important determinants of positive word-of-mouth (POW) toward m-banking among older consumers.

A quantitative approach was applied in examining a proposed model with data obtained from 358 respondents based on a Web-based survey from Vietnam using a questionnaire.

It was determined that attitude, usage intention and satisfaction are the fundamental facilitators of POW in m-banking. Furthermore, perceived usefulness, ease of use and trust are the main predictors of attitude and usage intention, and epistemic value, conditional value, social value and technological value are the primary motivators of usage intention. Ease of use and trust positively affect perceived usefulness. Usage intention fosters higher levels of satisfaction. This study affirms the insignificant effects of ease of use and hedonic value on usage intention as well as satisfaction on attitude.

The findings are insightful for developers to concentrate on how to promote cognitive, affective and behavioral responses among old consumers in m-banking. Marketers should boost value perceptions and trust as the prerequisite underlying judgment and behaviors toward m-banking.

This work validates the synergistic model of POW among older consumers in m-banking by combining the technology acceptance model (TAM) and theory of consumption values (TCV). Thus, it would increase the exploratory power of the theoretical base toward m-banking and in an emerging market.

Recognizing the transformative impact of financial technology (Fintech) and mobile wallets (m-wallets) on modern financial practices, this study aims to explore the complex dynamics of m-wallet adoption in Bangladesh, focusing on user perceptions and financial autonomy. By integrating self-determination theory (SDT) and diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory, the authors propose a model incorporating constructs such as perceived security (PS), perceived trust (PT), compatibility, ease of use (EOU), perceived financial autonomy (PFA), perceived financial competence (PFC), relative advantage (RA) and intention-to-use (IU).

This study used a survey-based methodology to gather data from m-wallets users in Bangladesh. In this survey, 445 individuals participated; 393 of those were deemed legitimate and were chosen for study. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used in the investigation. This method made sure that the relationships between the proposed model’s constructs were thoroughly examined.

The research findings confirm that PFC significantly impacts the IU m-wallets and PFA. PFA also positively influences the IU. PS impacts the IU and PT, which further affects the IU. EOU influences RA and the IU. The study highlights the importance of PFC, PS, PT and EOU in driving the adoption of m-wallets.

This study integrates SDT and DOI theory to explore m-wallet adoption. It highlights financial competence and autonomy as key factors, offering insights and practical strategies for Fintech stakeholders in emerging markets to enhance adoption through financial literacy, security measures and user-friendly designs.

This study aims to examine magnetohydrodynamic mixed convective phenomena and entropy generation within a semicircular porous channel, incorporating impinging jet cooling and the effects of thermal radiation. The present study analyzes the complex flow dynamics and heat transfer characteristics of a highly diluted 0.1% (volume) concentration Cu–Al₂O₃/water hybrid nanofluid, based on findings from previous studies. The investigation is intended to support the development of effective thermal management systems across diverse industries, such as cooling of electronic devices and enhanced energy system applications.

This study incorporates a heated curved bottom wall and a cooling jet of Cu–Al₂O₃/water hybrid nanofluid impinging from the central top inlet, with two horizontal exit ports along the rectangular duct. Finite element-based simulations are conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics, using a single-phase homogeneous model justified by earlier works. This method uses experimental data of effective thermal conductivity and viscosity, emphasizing the evaluation of thermal performance in scenarios involving intricate geometries and multiphysical conditions. The study analyzes nondimensional variables such as Reynolds number (Re), modified Rayleigh number (Ra_m), Hartmann number (Ha), Darcy number (Da) and radiation parameter while maintaining a constant nanofluid volume fraction. A grid independence study and code validation were performed to ensure numerical accuracy.

The analysis indicates that elevated Re contribute to a lessening in the thermal boundary layer thickness, prompting flow separation and significantly amplifying the average Nusselt number. The mixed convective heat transfer enhancement, coupled with an overall reduction in total entropy generation, diminishes with a rising Ha. However, optimized combinations of higher values for modified Ra_m and Da yield improved heat transfer performance, particularly pronounced with increasing Ha. Radiative heat transfer exerts a detrimental impact on both heat transfer and entropy production.

While the single-phase model captures key macroscopic effects differentiating nanofluids from base fluids, it does not provide insights at the nanoparticle level. Future studies could incorporate two-phase models to capture particle-level dispersion effects. In addition, experimental validation of the findings would strengthen the study’s conclusions.

This work represents innovative perspectives on the development of efficient hydrothermal systems, accounting for the influences of thermal radiation, porous media and hybrid nanofluids within a complex geometry. The results offer critical insights for enhancing heat transfer efficiency in real-world applications, especially in sectors demanding advanced cooling solutions.

The article aims to provide an accurate and efficient numerical algorithm for viscous flows in power-law fluids under various thermal boundary and partial slip conditions.

We are conducting a numerical investigation using the Taylor–Galerkin/pressure correction finite element method, which builds upon the work of previous researchers. Here, attention is therefore given to the interplay of various thermal boundary and stick-slip conditions and their impact on non-isothermal inelastic fluid.

The results demonstrate the influence of the Prandtl, Brinkman and Reynolds numbers on the flow’s thermal and hydrodynamic behavior, concentrating on the impact of slip at the wall. Furthermore, we have presented the effects of these dimensionless parameters on the detailed local and average Nusselt numbers, illustrated the high accuracy we obtained for numerical convergence, and compared our results with those of previous papers, observing excellent agreement.

We have successfully tested the code under the presented industrial conditions. Future research directions on this topic aim for efficient and robust solvers for non-Newtonian thermal rheological models; this algorithm can be used for that purpose.

This algorithm has never been used for numerical analysis of such a problem previously.

The purpose of this study is to (1) improve the spectral features of the second-order uniformly non-oscillatory (UNO) slope limiters, and (2) numerical simulation of the unified-form of generalized fully-coupled saturated thermo-poro-elastic systems in the axisymmetric cylindrical coordinate via cell-adaptive Kurganov-Tadmor (KT) central high-resolution scheme using the UNO limiters.

(1) The spectral features of the UNO limiter are improved by compression-adaptive MINMOD (MM) limiters, achieved by blending different types of MM limiters to achieve less numerical dissipation and dispersion. These blended MM limiters preserve the total variation diminishing (TVD) feature over non-uniform non-centered cells. Also, the spectral features of the central schemes using the UNO limiters are investigated. (2) For the thermo-poro-elastic problem, corresponding first-order hyperbolic system is provided, including flux, source, diffusion and nonlinear terms. Where, there are different interacting components in the source and flux terms. The nonlinear terms are also considered by the Picard-like linearization concept.

Compression-adaptive UNO limiters would be stable over adapted cells with centered and non-centered cells. The benchmarks confirm that both spectral features and numerical accuracy are improved. For the generalized thermo-poro-elastic problem, corresponding responses including the shock waves can properly be captured.

Studying heat effects (e.g. hot fluid or freezing) and explosions on tunnels. Also, the UNO limiters could be used for simulations of various systems of conservation laws.

Strategic leveraging of Mobile Commerce (M-commerce) holds immense potential for augmenting firm performance within the realm of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. This study seeks to unravel the important role played by specific factors, namely, relative advantage, security, complexity, firm performance, organizational competence, M-commerce knowledge, competitive pressure, customer value and information intensity in influencing M-commerce adoption and its subsequent impact on SME performance. Drawing on the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, the study posits that technological factors (relative advantage, security and complexity), organizational factors (organizational IT competence and M-commerce knowledge) and environmental factors (competitive pressure, customer value and information intensity) collectively shape M-commerce adoption, thereby influencing SME performance.

The study employs a quantitative approach, engaging SME owners in Malaysia as participants, with a sample size of 150 selected through an online survey. Analysis was conducted using Smart PLS, revealing crucial insights.

The investigation revealed a positive relationship between relative advantage, security, complexity, competitive pressure, customer value and information intensity, and the adoption of M-commerce within SMEs in Malaysia. Moreover, a positive relationship was identified between M-commerce adoption and firm performance among Malaysian SMEs. Intriguingly, there was no discernible relationship between Organizational IT competence, M-commerce knowledge and the adoption of M-commerce.

This research contributes to the scant literature exploring SMEs’ inclination toward M-commerce for performance enhancement. The proactive adoption of M-commerce stands poised to empower SMEs in Malaysia, enabling them to play a more substantial role in the national economic structure. Consequently, it emphasizes the need for effective communication of government policies pertaining to M-commerce adoption, particularly among SME stakeholders.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the American pricing problem under the assumption that the holder exercises not only when the underlying asset hits the optimal boundary but also when it falls in a properly defined e-optimal set.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the American pricing problem under the assumption that the holder exercises not only when the underlying asset hits the optimal boundary but also when it falls in a properly defined e-optimal set. The put and call versions are examined separately. We derive closed-form formulas for the perpetual case. A numerical algorithm for approximating the e-optimal strip is constructed when the maturity is finite. We adapt the Crank–Nicolson finite difference approach to derive the option price or, more precisely, the interval at which it varies. Some numerical experiments are provided.

We derive closed-form formulas for the perpetual options. A numerical algorithm for approximating the e-optimal strip is constructed when the maturity is finite. We adapt the Crank–Nicolson finite difference approach to derive the option price or, more precisely, the interval in which it varies. Some numerical experiments are provided.

We examine the American pricing problem under the assumption that the holder exercises not only when the underlying asset hits the optimal boundary but also when it falls in a properly defined e-optimal set. This is important to take into account the risk preferences of the investors. Closed-form formulas for the perpetual options are derived. A numerical algorithm for approximating the e-optimal strip is constructed when the maturity is finite. We adapt the Crank–Nicolson finite difference approach to derive the price.

This paper aims to investigate the influence of environmental, social and governance (ESG) on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) decisions/activities and organisational performance in UK – financial and non-financial firms over the period (2012–2022).

The theoretical lenses underpinning this study are rooted in stakeholder theory and resource-based theory. The empirical analysis is based on a sample of financial and non-financial firms selected from FTSE ALL-listed companies over the period (2012–2022).

Findings of this study reveal that ESG score has a statistically significant impact on both financial and non-financial firms. An increase in firm ESG performance significantly increases the likelihood of M&A. The results reveal that the impact of ESG on firm financial performance is negative and significant, but this is not the case for non-financial firms where the impact despite being positive is insignificant.

This research was conducted using data from firms within the UK context. Future research may adopt or adapt the research questions in different context and settings. Future studies may adopt a case study approach or survey-based questionnaires or employ various theoretical lenses.

Findings of this study have managerial and theoretical implications. Integrating ESG into operational and strategic organisational activities enhances attractiveness to potential bidders and contributes to sustainable financial performance because acquiring targets with high ESG performance can have a positive effect on the acquirer’s post-merger market value, thereby strongly confirming the use of ESG as a value-enhancing strategy to promote corporate external growth.

Our findings add to the extant literature, a recent empirical evidence that, to the best of our knowledge, our this study is among the first to examine the influence of ESG on M&A and firm performance through comparison between the financial and non-financial sectors.

The purpose of this study is to review the literature on the adoption determinants of mobile health (M-health) applications for health behavior change following a systematic methodology.

This review systematically identified 134 peer-reviewed studies out of 10,687 from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) published between 2010 and 2021. This review used a thematic analysis to produce the main themes conceptualizing a holistic framework of the investigated M-health application adoption factors.

Despite the exploration of multifaceted adoption determinants and behaviors, the current publications exhibit limitations. The studies not only show a lack of representation of multiple health behaviors and medical conditions but also fail to involve data from low- and middle-developing countries, where M-health application utilization is crucial. Findings revealed that there is a considerable absence of a solid theoretical foundation that unveils a gap in interpreting the adoption factors effectively. Understanding cultural and demographic variances and exploring financial factors and healthcare provider involvement is essential for tailoring M-health application interventions. Continuous assessment of technological factors and evaluation of the actual impact of M-health application usage on behavioral changes and health outcomes will further enhance the effectiveness and adoption of these technologies.

This review is one of the first comprehensive reviews of determinants of M-health application adoption targeting health behavior change for the general public and patients.