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Article
Publication date: 17 March 2022

Mark A. Sipper and Madan M. Batra

The purpose of this qualitative paper is to identify and amplify the voice of those experts who advise practitioners faced with foreign market entry decisions. This paper reports…

319

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this qualitative paper is to identify and amplify the voice of those experts who advise practitioners faced with foreign market entry decisions. This paper reports the importance that experts place on the rule of law, a positive ethical climate in host nations and the experts’ knowledge of investment financial performance after five years of the initial foreign market entry.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample included 12 experienced expert professional interviewees who spent careers with publicly held multinational corporations, attorneys who advised multinational corporation officers, arbitrators with significant international dispute resolution experience, corporate ethics compliance experts, small global entrepreneurial business owners and an academic specializing in international commercial law and dispute resolution.

Findings

The rule of law and ethical climate significantly influence private market entry mode, dispute resolution choices and the likelihood of financial success. Finally, the findings illuminate the importance of the rule of law and a positive ethical climate in private foreign market entry decisions and their managerial and policy implications.

Originality/value

This study lays the foundation for the development of propositions to understand better the significant role of the rule of law in the private foreign investment decision-making process and the financial performance of the foreign investment.

Details

International Journal of Law and Management, vol. 64 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-243X

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Article
Publication date: 31 December 2021

Abdullah Murrar, Madan Batra, Veronica Paz, Bara Asfour and Marouane Balmakhtar

The purpose of this research is to explore the employer and employee perspectives about the employability skills of skilful jobs. The research is conducted in a developing country…

863

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to explore the employer and employee perspectives about the employability skills of skilful jobs. The research is conducted in a developing country (Palestine) which has a high percentage of university graduates, high unemployment rate and intense job competition. This paper defines skilful jobs as those that require employees who have attended a college or university and have completed a two-year diploma or a four-year degree.

Design/methodology/approach

This research integrates the components of discussion with local experts in the skilled labour market, primary data from employers (N = 415) and primary data from employees (N = 880). Binary logistic regression is used to measure the relationship between the dependent variable (likelihood of hire or not hire) and independent variables (job applicants' hard and soft skills).

Findings

The results from both employer and employee data revealed that the previous work experience, computer skills, professional certifications and high grade point average have significant impact on hiring and recruitment in the skilful jobs. In addition to these, the employers seek applicants who have communication skills. However, the employees consider personal relationship with employers to be a highly significant factor in accepting job offers.

Practical implications

To increase their likelihood of obtaining a skilful job, and then sustaining it, the job seekers should hone their soft skills and acquire professional certifications. The universities should adapt their curriculum to match these skills and move their focus from disciplinary knowledge to competencies. The public policy makers should design awareness and capacity building programmes that will facilitate the recent graduates' integration into the labour market. The empirical model in this study shows that previous work experience is the most important recruitment factor for employers – accordingly, creating internships and apprenticeship opportunities would be its clear policy implication.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature by providing a parsimonious employability model of skilful jobs, which fits as much as possible the perspectives of the employers and employees about the employability skills in a developing country.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 43 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

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Article
Publication date: 4 May 2021

Abdullah Murrar, Madan Batra and James Rodger

Service quality and customer satisfaction influence the financial performance of service organizations. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the path relationship of…

951

Abstract

Purpose

Service quality and customer satisfaction influence the financial performance of service organizations. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the path relationship of service quality to customer satisfaction to financial sustainability in the water service sector, which is vital to the sustainable future of mankind. Further, these three interrelated constructs and their dimensions are clearly articulated.

Design/methodology/approach

SERVQUAL questionnaire responses were collected from 635 household families, and the financial sustainability indicators of 56 water providers were gathered as well. Cronbach's alpha and factor analysis were conducted to measure the internal consistency and convergent validity. Path analysis was utilized to evaluate the causal diagram by examining the relationships among service quality, customer satisfaction and financial sustainability using the AMOS software package.

Findings

The results showed that the five dimensions of service quality explain 58% of the customer satisfaction variation. The responsiveness, empathy, assurance and reliability have significant impact on the customer satisfaction where p < 0.05, while the tangible dimension has an insignificant effect. The results also revealed that customer satisfaction has a significant impact on the financial sustainability indicators of the water providers, where p = 0.000 for the debt collection ratio indicator, and p = 0.003 for the financial efficiency ratio indicator.

Research limitations/implications

This research on financial sustainability is based on evidence about service quality and customer satisfaction in the Palestinian water sector. Future research on financial sustainability of the water sector may focus on the pricing mechanism and debt collection of water service.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that water providers should recognize the importance of service quality dimensions, which strengthen the customer satisfaction, which, in turn, is a significant driver for their financial sustainability. It is, therefore, sound to draw action-oriented managerial implications from these results.

Originality/value

The study adds to the literature of water service sector and is based on empirical evidence from primary data of household families and secondary data of water service providers from developing countries. This paper also contributes toward the strengthening of sustainability of the water service sector in Palestine – a worthy humanitarian cause. The study provides evidence useful for policy makers toward carving out policies aimed at strengthening the financial sustainability of the water service sector.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 33 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

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Article
Publication date: 23 January 2025

Abdullah Murrar, Veronica Paz, Madan Batra and David Yerger

Artificial intelligence (AI) in mobile apps is growing rapidly, with features such as image recognition, personalized notifications and prescriptive analytics becoming more…

31

Abstract

Purpose

Artificial intelligence (AI) in mobile apps is growing rapidly, with features such as image recognition, personalized notifications and prescriptive analytics becoming more common. One such app is the Equalizer AI-powered mobile app, which uses AI to process water invoices, advise customers on fair prices and consumption and allow for online payment and data submission. This study aims to develop a technology adoption model for AI-powered mobile apps in the water sector by extending the value-based adoption model (VAM) to include customer trust.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data was collected from 385 smartphone-using water customers. A stratified sampling approach ensured a representative sample of Palestinian water customers in the West Bank region. The study used a validated tool to measure perceived customer value, trust and adoption intention. It also used structural equation modeling to develop a causal diagram using the AMOS software.

Findings

The results confirmed a positive relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived innovation and perceived value and a negative relationship between perceived technical difficulty and perceived value. Contrary to VAM theory, the study showed a positive relationship between perceived fees and perceived value, indicating that users view premium fees as a cue of quality, accuracy, innovation and trustworthiness.

Practical implications

The high adoption intention of these apps holds significant implications for both the government and the water sector. This is because it results in the accumulation of substantial data, which can be used by government authorities and water providers to monitor and sustain the sector effectively.

Originality/value

This research extends existing technology adoption models by integrating customer trust and applying them to the water sector in a developing country. It offers new insights into public service innovations, addressing the unique cultural and sectoral challenges in this context.

Details

Journal of Systems and Information Technology, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1328-7265

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Article
Publication date: 29 February 2024

Abdullah Murrar, Veronica Paz, Madan Batra and David Yerger

Several studies have examined the relationship between service quality and willingness to pay in many industries. However, this relationship has not been explored through the lens…

437

Abstract

Purpose

Several studies have examined the relationship between service quality and willingness to pay in many industries. However, this relationship has not been explored through the lens of customer perceived value and their willingness to pay for improving and sustaining water service. This study aims to examine the impact of technical and functional service quality dimensions on customer perceived value and assess the influence of customer perceived value and socio-economic factors on customers' willingness to pay for improving and sustaining the water service.

Design/methodology/approach

Technical service quality includes core water service such as water delivery and maintenance, while functional service quality refers to the appearance of facilities, employees’ dress, and communication. SERVQUAL questionnaire responses were collected from 333 Palestinian household customers. Cronbach’s alpha was conducted to measure internal consistency and convergent validity. Path analysis was utilized to evaluate a causal diagram by examining the relationships among the constructs.

Findings

The results showed that technical and functional service quality and relative price explain 52% of the customer perceived value variation. Additionally, the results revealed that customer perceived value, technical service quality, and relative price significantly impact the customer’s willingness to pay for improving and sustaining service. In contrast, the functional service quality and socio-economic factors have insignificant effects. These predictors explain 60% of the customer’s willingness to pay for improving and sustaining service.

Practical implications

The study suggests that water providers should prioritize improving and sustaining technical service quality to increase customer willingness to pay. Furthermore, they should be aware that other factors, such as employee appearance and politeness, are less influential in driving customers’ willingness to pay.

Originality/value

The study presents a water service improvement model that utilizes data from a developing country to assess the influence of perceived customer value, along with its dimensions, on the willingness to pay for improving and sustaining water service quality.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

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Article
Publication date: 26 January 2021

Royal Madan and Shubhankar Bhowmick

Functionally graded materials are a special class of composites in which material are graded either continuously or layered wise depending upon its applications. With such…

383

Abstract

Purpose

Functionally graded materials are a special class of composites in which material are graded either continuously or layered wise depending upon its applications. With such variations of materials, the properties of structure vary either lengthwise or thickness wise. This paper aims to investigate models for effective estimation of material properties, as it is necessary for industries to identify the properties of composites or functionally graded materials (FGM’s) before manufacturing and also to develop novel material combinations.

Design/methodology/approach

Available models were compared for different material combinations and tested with experimental data for properties such as Young’s modulus, density, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and thermal conductivity. Combinations of metal–ceramic and metal–metal were selected such that their ratios cover a wide range of materials.

Findings

This study reveals different models will be required depending on the material used and properties to be identified.

Practical implications

The results of the present work will help researchers in the effective modeling of composites or FGM’s for any analysis.

Originality/value

This paper presents a comparison and review of various analytical methods with experimental data graphically to find out the best suitable method. For the first time, the Halpin-Tsai model was extended in the analysis of the CTE which shows good approximations.

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Article
Publication date: 18 November 2019

Royal Madan, Kashinath Saha and Shubhankar Bhowmick

The limit elastic speed of rotating disk is an important design criterion, as it defines the limit before onset of yielding initiates. The purpose of this paper is to establish…

80

Abstract

Purpose

The limit elastic speed of rotating disk is an important design criterion, as it defines the limit before onset of yielding initiates. The purpose of this paper is to establish the limit elastic speeds for S-FG disks and report the stresses induced at such speeds.

Design/methodology/approach

For S-FGM disk, effective Young’s modulus is calculated using modified rule of mixture and subsequently effective yield stress is also calculated by taking into consideration of stress-strain transfer ratio. The S-FGM disk is subject to centrifugal loading and the stress and deformation characteristics are investigated using variational principle wherein the solution is obtained by Galerkin’s error minimization principle. Based on von-Mises yield criteria, equivalent stress is calculated at different angular speeds till the equivalent stress at any given location in the disk attains the value of effective yield stress at the given location (location of yield initiation). This defines the limit elastic speed for the S-FGM disk (for given n).

Findings

The limit elastic speed of S-FGM disks for a range of grading index (n) and corresponding stresses within the disk are reported. Results are reported for uniform disks of different aspect ratio and the results reported could be used as practical design data.

Practical implications

Functional grading of material in structures opens a new horizon to explore the possibility of manufacturing high strength component at low weight. Material grading plays a significant role in achieving desired material properties, and literature review reveals reporting of numerous grading functions to approximate material distribution in structure.

Originality/value

The work has not been addressed earlier and findings provide a pioneering insight into the performance of S-FG disks.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 16 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

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Book part
Publication date: 7 September 2023

Martin Götz and Ernest H. O’Boyle

The overall goal of science is to build a valid and reliable body of knowledge about the functioning of the world and how applying that knowledge can change it. As personnel and…

Abstract

The overall goal of science is to build a valid and reliable body of knowledge about the functioning of the world and how applying that knowledge can change it. As personnel and human resources management researchers, we aim to contribute to the respective bodies of knowledge to provide both employers and employees with a workable foundation to help with those problems they are confronted with. However, what research on research has consistently demonstrated is that the scientific endeavor possesses existential issues including a substantial lack of (a) solid theory, (b) replicability, (c) reproducibility, (d) proper and generalizable samples, (e) sufficient quality control (i.e., peer review), (f) robust and trustworthy statistical results, (g) availability of research, and (h) sufficient practical implications. In this chapter, we first sing a song of sorrow regarding the current state of the social sciences in general and personnel and human resources management specifically. Then, we investigate potential grievances that might have led to it (i.e., questionable research practices, misplaced incentives), only to end with a verse of hope by outlining an avenue for betterment (i.e., open science and policy changes at multiple levels).

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Book part
Publication date: 16 September 2022

Amina Mohamed Buallay

This chapter discusses and investigates the sustainability reporting across different sectors. The first section discusses and investigates the relationship between sustainability…

Abstract

This chapter discusses and investigates the sustainability reporting across different sectors. The first section discusses and investigates the relationship between sustainability reporting and primary sector's performance (Agriculture and Food Industries Sector and Energy Sector). The second section discusses and investigates the relationship between sustainability reporting and secondary sector's performance (Manufacturing Sector). The final section discusses and investigates the relationship between sustainability reporting and tertiary sector's performance (Banks and Financial Services Sector, Retail Sector, Telecommunication and Information Technology Sector, and Tourism Sector).

Available. Content available
Book part
Publication date: 24 June 2024

Noel Scott, Brent Moyle, Ana Cláudia Campos, Liubov Skavronskaya and Biqiang Liu

Free Access. Free Access

Abstract

Details

Cognitive Psychology and Tourism
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-579-0

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