Mahmood H. Hussein, Siew Hock Ow, Ishaq Ibrahim and Moamin A. Mahmoud
The use of learning management systems (LMSs) such as Google Classroom has increased significantly in higher education institutes during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, only a few…
Abstract
Purpose
The use of learning management systems (LMSs) such as Google Classroom has increased significantly in higher education institutes during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, only a few studies have investigated instructors’ continued intention to reuse LMS. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence instructors’ intention to reuse an LMS in higher education institutes.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a mixed-method research design. In the quantitative section, an integrated model of technology acceptance model and information system success model is proposed to explore the effects of system quality, service quality, information quality, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness on instructors’ satisfaction and how their satisfaction will influence their intention to reuse Google Classroom in the future. In the qualitative section, to gain more understanding, instructors were asked to identify the challenges that inhibit the adoption of e-Learning technologies in public universities in Iraq and what are their recommendations to rectify them.
Findings
The findings revealed that service quality had no positive influences on the satisfaction of instructors, while other factors had varying levels of influence, the findings further showed that inadequate internet service and students lack of interest are the biggest challenges instructors faced during their experience with Google Classroom.
Research limitations/implications
To improve the generalizability of the results, future studies are recommended to include larger samples, in addition, further studies are also advised to take individual traits such as age and gender into consideration.
Originality/value
The outcomes of this study are expected to benefit researchers, policymakers and LMS developers who are interested in factors that affect instructors’ intention to reuse LMS in higher education institutes in developing countries.
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Hussein Mohammed Badr, Ramzy Salim Ali and Jawad Radhi Mahmood
In the vast majority of published papers, the optimal allocation of photovoltaic distributed generation (PVDG) units and reconfiguration problems are proposed along with the…
Abstract
Purpose
In the vast majority of published papers, the optimal allocation of photovoltaic distributed generation (PVDG) units and reconfiguration problems are proposed along with the number of PVDG used in the simulation. However, optimisation without selecting the number of PVDG units installed in the distribution grid is insufficient to achieve a better operational performance of power systems. Moreover, multi-objective installation of PVDG units and reconfiguration aims to simultaneously relieve congestion problems, improve voltage profile and minimise the active and reactive power losses. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a new modified camel algorithm (NMCA) to solve multi-objective problems considering radial distribution system to achieve secure and stable operation of electric power system with good performance.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the decision variables include the location and size of PVDG units with specific rang to determine the number of PVDG units needed to install and open network lines determined using NMCA based on the L_∞ technique. This also satisfies the operating and radial constraints. Furthermore, a benchmark comparison with different well known optimisation algorithms has been made to confirm the solutions. Finally, an analysis of the findings was conducted, and the feasibility of solutions was fully verified and discussed.
Findings
Two test systems – the institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 33-bus and IEEE 69-bus, were used to examine the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The findings obtained amply proved the efficiency and superiority of the NMCA algorithm over the other different optimisation algorithms.
Originality/value
The proposed approach is applied to solve the installation PVDG unit’s problem and reconfiguration problem in the radial distribution system, satisfying the operating and radial constraints. Also, it minimises active and reactive power losses and improves voltage profile.
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Oluwagbemiga Paul Agboola and Meryem Muzeyyen Findikgil
The goals of the contemporary environment in this new era of the Internet of Things (IoT), digital technologies (DTs) and smartisation are to enhance economic, social and…
Abstract
The goals of the contemporary environment in this new era of the Internet of Things (IoT), digital technologies (DTs) and smartisation are to enhance economic, social and environmental sustainability while also concentrating on the citizens' quality of life. As these initiatives advance, more determination is required to offer effective approaches to the problem posed by the accomplishment of the Sustainable City Project in Nigeria as a developing nation. To address these problems and facilitate the process for Nigeria's major cities to become ‘smart cities’, universities, research institutions and other stakeholders must collaborate alongside. This chapter aims to establish a model or framework that addresses urban intelligence, social inclusion, resilience and technological innovation, mobility, urbanisation and residents' quality of life. The reviews of the characteristics and management of smart cities in developed countries were documented to serve as a comparison study of the cities in African sub-Saharan regions. This will assist in building models that can produce predictions about possible smart solutions in the areas of mobility, urban infrastructure and ecological problems brought on by climate change in African cities. This chapter brings attention to the body of knowledge by envisioning the benefits to the government and citizens in making appropriate decisions to enhance sustainable development, a better resilience environment, improved infrastructure, smart city environments and residents' quality of life. The study's implications centre on how the government could prioritise urban features and services as indicated in the smart cities framework.
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Nowadays, the main challenge in the higher education is the daunting task of transforming universities into digital era institutions. Improving HE students' competence to meet the…
Abstract
Nowadays, the main challenge in the higher education is the daunting task of transforming universities into digital era institutions. Improving HE students' competence to meet the flow of technological innovations through DT has been the focus of many countries. This task has imposed the restraint that HE institutions should implement the most effective strategies of DT. This chapter is focusing on how DT strategies play their role in making the transformation itself become germane and give its fruits. Therefore, this chapter presents the most effective DT strategies that can be implemented by HE institutions in order to prepare their students for the existing professional roles in their societies. A good DT strategy is one that connects the organization's current level of digital maturity with its future ambition. The well-known strategies in the DT field are as follows: the strategy of electronic projects, strategy of smart electronic platforms, integrated training strategy, participatory e-learning strategy, smart learning strategy, pervasive learning strategy, microlearning strategy and e-design thinking strategy, in addition to the strategy in which traditional learning methods are combined with e-learning methods. It is worth noting here that the chapter is not an attempt to favor a strategy over another or compare and contrast them to uncover their differences at any level. On the contrary, the writer will work on displaying how each strategy can be implemented in order to accomplish DT in HE instructional practices. Also, this chapter will show how complementary these strategies can be once they are utilized to reach DT.
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Hussein-Elhakim Al Issa, Tahir Noaman Abdullatif, Joseph Ntayi and Mohammed Khalifa Abdelsalam
This research aims to examine the role of green intellectual capital (GIC) dimensions in promoting sustainable healthcare as reflected by sustainable performance. The mediating…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to examine the role of green intellectual capital (GIC) dimensions in promoting sustainable healthcare as reflected by sustainable performance. The mediating effect of green absorptive capacity (GAC) and moderating role of environmental turbulence were also explored.
Design/methodology/approach
Structural equation modeling was utilized for hypotheses testing of a survey data set of 387 at healthcare organizations operating in Iraq. The data were collected using purposive sampling with expert judgment from senior managers and professionals.
Findings
Contrary to previous studies, the findings showed that only green human and relational capitals predict green performance and only green human capital predicted economic performance. GAC was related to green human capital, green structural capital and performance, and played a significant mediating role on the relationships.
Research limitations/implications
Even though the research was limited to one region of a single country, Iraq, GAC can be modified by managers to enhance GIC for sustainable healthcare performance. This action must be viewed in terms of the future timing of the impact while managers display strong conviction for sustainability commitment. Managers will find GRC least associated with performance, but that GIC dimensions work best in unison.
Originality/value
The examination of GIC with GAC as moderated by environmental turbulence contributes nascent theoretical insights in sustainable healthcare.
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Muhammad Shujaat Mubarik, Nick Bontis, Mobasher Mubarik and Tarique Mahmood
The main objective of this study is to test whether firms with a higher level of intellectual capital (IC) perform better in terms of their supply chain resilience compared to…
Abstract
Purpose
The main objective of this study is to test whether firms with a higher level of intellectual capital (IC) perform better in terms of their supply chain resilience compared to those with lower levels of IC. Likewise, the study also examines the impact of IC (characterized by human capital, relational capital and structural capital) on supply chain resilience directly and through supply chain learning.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from the 159 processed-food sector firms using a close-ended questionnaire during the corona virus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), partial least squares multigroup analysis (PLS-MGA) and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to test a set of hypotheses emanating from a conceptual model of IC and supply chain resilience.
Findings
Empirical results revealed a significant influence of all dimension of IC on a firm's supply chain learning and supply chain resilience. Likewise, findings also exhibit a momentous role of supply chain learning in reinforcing the impact of IC on supply chain resilience. Cross-firm size comparison reveals that supply chain resilience of firms with a higher level of IC performed significantly better than those with lower levels of IC. Firms with a higher level of structural capital had a highly resilient supply chain.
Practical implications
Findings of the study imply that IC and supply chain learning should be considered as a strategic tool and should be strategically developed for uplifting a supply chain performance of a firm. The development of IC and supply chain learning (SCL) not only improves the supply chain resilience of a firm but also can help to integrate the internal and external knowledge for harnessing supply chain resilience.
Originality/value
This research study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic which provides a unique setting to examine resiliency and learning.
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Ehab Alshamaileh, Mazen Al-Sulaibi, Ahmad Al-Khawaldeh, Mansour H. Almatarneh, Dina El-Sabawi and Aiman Al-Rawajfeh
The current status of nanotechnology research and development in Jordan is analyzed. In recent years, Jordanian institutions demonstrated considerable interest in the development…
Abstract
Purpose
The current status of nanotechnology research and development in Jordan is analyzed. In recent years, Jordanian institutions demonstrated considerable interest in the development and production of nanotechnology. Here the purpose of this paper is to provide detailed information about the status of nanotechnology in Jordan in terms of several factors that influence selectivity in nanotechnology and the number of published peer-reviewed research articles.
Design/methodology/approach
Several factors that influence selectivity in nanotechnology and the number of published peer-reviewed research articles were analyzed. A detailed analysis of the collected data reveals that the number of publications, citations, and patents is highly dependent on the amount of research fund.
Findings
The development in nanotechnology is associated with presence and accessibility of sensitive laboratory equipment. The nanotechnology research output in Jordan is still lower than it should be due to the lack of necessary laboratory infrastructure. This is due to the insufficient funds allocated to scientific research, the restrictive access to available instruments and the bureaucracy of some governmental departments. Compared to some developed countries, Jordan is noticeably behind in developing a nanotechnology system of research and industry. It will take time as well as technical and financial resources in order to achieve an advanced level in the field of nanotechnology in Jordan. Nevertheless, many Jordanian researchers are doing their best and are producing some good research articles.
Research limitations/implications
The many applications to the same approach.
Practical implications
Time and publications’ resources.
Social implications
Peer cooperation.
Originality/value
First comprehensive review ever. A base for researchers and decision makers.
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Sophia Su and Kevin Baird
This study aims to examine the mediating role of organisational fairness on the association between the emphasis on budgets and budget difficulty with budget value and job stress…
Abstract
This study aims to examine the mediating role of organisational fairness on the association between the emphasis on budgets and budget difficulty with budget value and job stress. Data were collected using an online survey questionnaire with 515 responses from middle and lower-level managers in Australian business organisations. The results indicate that organisational fairness fully mediates the association between budget difficulty with both budget value and job stress. Organisational fairness was not found to mediate the association between the emphasis on budgets with budget value and job stress. Rather, the emphasis on budgets was significantly negatively associated with job stress, implying that a greater emphasis on budgets is desirable in alleviating job stress. The findings have important implications for practice.