Md Uzzal Hossain, Md Arman Hossain and Md Shariful Islam
The purpose of this paper is to assess the information needs and information-seeking behaviour of Members of Parliament (MPs) in Bangladesh. It aimed at determining the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the information needs and information-seeking behaviour of Members of Parliament (MPs) in Bangladesh. It aimed at determining the information sources, preferred information format, frequency of seeking information and access to information and communication technology and online information services by the MPs. The study also intended to assess the role of parliament library for satisfying the information needs of the MPs.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey method was adopted for data collection; the respondents were interviewed by the researchers with the guidance of a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was read out for the respondents and filled up by the interviewers based on the answers they received. Fifty MPs were selected for the study using simple random sampling. The data were analysed with the help of weighted mean.
Findings
The study found that the MPs mainly seek information to make a parliamentary request/inquiry, to make a speech and to make a decision. The most important sources of information were minutes of sessions, mass media, personal letters and information networks; and they preferred printed formats rather than online documents. The result also showed that only a few MPs were aware of the information services provided by the parliament library and were satisfied with the services they received.
Originality/value
There has been no study carried out on the information needs and information-seeking behaviour of MPs in Bangladesh prior to this research. The study will help the policymakers to improve the library services for MPs in Bangladesh.
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Md Arman Hossain and Eero Sormunen
The purpose of this study is to develop a novel guided inquiry-based pedagogical practice embedded into regular library and information science (LIS) courses to improve LIS…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a novel guided inquiry-based pedagogical practice embedded into regular library and information science (LIS) courses to improve LIS students’ information literacy (IL) in a developing country.
Design/methodology/approach
A guided inquiry-based pedagogical practice for IL instruction was introduced and embedded into two regular courses in an LIS school. The effectiveness of the new approach was evaluated in a longitudinal pre-test- and post-test-based teaching intervention with a control group.
Findings
All aspects of IL skills improved among the students participating in the teaching intervention showcasing the benefits of the inquiry-based pedagogical practice. In addition, the students in the intervention group learned the course subject content more in depth than students in the control group. However, no consistent learning benefits were achieved in IL knowledge, and only sporadic associations were found between IL knowledge and skills.
Originality/value
This study breaks new ground in IL teaching intervention in LIS schools. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first to apply an inquiry-based approach, embed teaching into more than one regular course, collect pre-test and post-test data to evaluate learning outcomes in IL knowledge and skills and control learning outcomes in subject contents.
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Wael ElRayes, Sana Malik, Bree Akesson, Iftikher Mahmood, Md Golam Hafiz, Mohammed Aldalaykeh, Arman Mahmood, Bhagwati Gautam, Shahidul Hoque, Farhana Ul Haque and Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway
This paper aims to understand the mental health experiences and needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from the perspective of mental health-care providers and hospital…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to understand the mental health experiences and needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from the perspective of mental health-care providers and hospital administrators.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper conducted a mixed methods study. Clinical data about refugee mental health care of 722 adult and pediatric patients were analyzed, and four focus groups with mental health providers (n = 4), primary health-care providers (n = 5), hospital administrators (n = 4) and midwives (n = 5) were held.
Findings
Clinical data analysis found that patients were diagnosed and treated for a variety of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, psychotic and neurological disorders. Misalignment between diagnosis and psychotropic medication prescription partly exists because of the unavailability of medications. Focus group findings indicate a lack of awareness of mental health conditions, and Rohingya visit hospitals for symptomatic physical ailments. Cultural and social factors discourage people from seeking mental health care. Patients are often brought by concerned family members or community health workers. A limited number of mental health-care providers are available to diagnose and treat Rohingya refugees, and follow-up care is often lacking.
Research limitations/implications
First, this paper only drew data from one field hospital in the camps. Future research should sample practitioners working in other health centers across all camps for a more comprehensive look at the prevalence and variations in mental health issues and mental health services provision. Second, this paper did not interview patients for this study as the study focused on the perspectives of administrators, health-care providers and support staff. Nevertheless, the inclusion of patients would have illuminated perceptions and attitudes and the social, familial and religious dynamics toward identifying mental health problems and seeking mental health services. Therefore, future research should aim to focus on participants’ voices and experiences.
Practical implications
Clinics across the camps should enhance the screening of refugees for common mental disorders and encourage them to report cases within their families. Further, health-care providers and support staff should explain to refugees the importance of non-pharmacological treatment approaches and that, according to studies, their effectiveness is equal to or sometimes more effective than pharmacological treatment.
Social implications
To address mental health-related stigma, conducting awareness campaigns in close collaboration with local leaders is critical to improving the level of knowledge among refugees, which could improve mental health-seeking behaviors.
Originality/value
This paper fulfills an identified gap in the mental health experiences and needs among the Rohingya refugees. The true prevalence of the range of mental health challenges among the Rohingya population is not accurately known; however, its impact is immense. The data indicates that mental health providers in remote regions be provided with training opportunities so they can effectively treat mental health conditions. Additionally, existing underlying root causes should be addressed through inclusive awareness programs in tandem with increasing the number of mental health clinics and providers across the camps and allocating more resources to provide medications for appropriate case treatment.
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Md. Wasiul Islam, Md. Mahfuz Ur Rahman and Shakil Ahmed
Visits to locations connected to historical atrocities, tragedy, suffering, or presumably dreadful events are referred to as “dark tourism”. While Bangladesh may not be widely…
Abstract
Visits to locations connected to historical atrocities, tragedy, suffering, or presumably dreadful events are referred to as “dark tourism”. While Bangladesh may not be widely known for dark tourism, several unexplored avenues may be of interest to those who engage in this type of unique and unconventional tourism experience. In addition to creating job opportunities and income generation in Bangladesh, it can achieve educational objectives, communicate with a broad audience, raise awareness of events of the past, and quench people's thirst for information, which can help them to comprehend a society. Though Bangladesh has several somber locations connected to tragic events including World War II, liberation war sites, mass killing sites, shipbreaking yards, Rohingya refugee camps, riots, and the mother language movement, traditional tourism predominates there. If managed responsibly, these varied resources, somber locations, and histories, some of which date back to 1800, could make Bangladesh a dark tourism destination. Although dark tourism in Bangladesh has the potential to contribute to historical awareness, preservation, educational opportunities, and socioeconomic development, it is yet unexplored due to a lack of knowledge, experience, policy, effective marketing, and some controversies. By approaching responsibly, Bangladesh can leverage its history to attract visitors' interests in exploring the darker aspects of the country's past. Hence, this chapter is designed to explore the status and potential significance, prospects, and challenges of dark tourism in Bangladesh. The findings will help policymakers, tourists, and other stakeholders to explore and enjoy enormous benefits from Bangladesh's untapped dark tourism opportunities.
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The purpose of this chapter is to illustrate the role of higher education establishments in Middle Eastern countries specifically Saudi Arabia. The contributions of higher…
Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to illustrate the role of higher education establishments in Middle Eastern countries specifically Saudi Arabia. The contributions of higher education establishments are particularly significant in relation to regional and national innovation system, which have been earmarked as engine for growth of the local economy across the region. Our study has chartered the dynamic nature of higher education in the region and their networking capabilities in order to be recognized as key stakeholders of the emerging economy. The study is informed by theoretical dimensions of “open innovation” and how the framework can accommodate the dynamic nature of higher education establishments in order to provide further impetus to ambitious projects such as Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia. Our study is limited by further empirical evidence but has implication for the region in offering new insights around the evolving conceptualization of entrepreneurial universities and national innovation system.
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Md. Rifat Mahmud, Raiyan Bin Reza and S.M. Zabed Ahmed
The main purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the general population in Bangladesh and the role of misinformation in this process.
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the general population in Bangladesh and the role of misinformation in this process.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was conducted to assess COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among ordinary citizens. In addition to demographic and vaccine-related information, a five-point Likert scale was used to measure vaccine-related misinformation beliefs and how to counter them. Chi-square tests were used to examine the relationship between demographic variables and vaccine acceptance. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify vaccine hesitancy by different demographic groups. Nonparametric Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were performed to determine the significance of difference between demographic groups in terms of their vaccine-related misinformation beliefs. Finally, the total misinformation score was computed to examine the correlation between vaccine hesitancy and the total score.
Findings
This study found that nearly half of the respondents were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine, whereas more than one third of the participants were unsure about taking the vaccine. Demographic variables (e.g., gender, age and education) were found to be significantly related to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that respondents who were below 40 years of age, females and those who had lower education attainments had significantly higher odds of vaccine hesitancy. There were significant differences in participants’ vaccine-related misinformation beliefs based on their demographic characteristics, particularly in the case of educational accomplishments. A highly significant negative correlation was found between total misinformation score and vaccine acceptance.
Research limitations/implications
The survey was conducted online, and therefore, it automatically precluded non-internet users from completing the survey. Further, the number of participants from villages was relatively low. Overall, the results may not be representative of the entire population in Bangladesh.
Practical implications
The findings of this paper could guide government agencies and policymakers in devising appropriate strategies to counter COVID-related misinformation to reduce the level of vaccine hesitancy in Bangladesh.
Originality/value
To the authors’ best knowledge, this study is the first to measure the level of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and the influence of misinformation in this process among the general public in Bangladesh.
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Ahshan Habib, Md. Feroz Khan, Md. Nasir Mia and Rokibul Hasan Sakib
The purpose of this study is to scrutinize the extent of forward-looking (FL) disclosures and explore the impact of corporate governance (CG) on FL disclosures in integrated…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to scrutinize the extent of forward-looking (FL) disclosures and explore the impact of corporate governance (CG) on FL disclosures in integrated reporting (IR) in the context of the banking industry in Bangladesh.
Design/methodology/approach
Twenty-two listed banks in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) are selected as a sample from 2018 to 2022. For content analysis purposes, the study has developed an unweighted self-constructed disclosure index with 58 items and extracted data manually from the integrated annual report. Furthermore, descriptive statistics is conducted to analyze the extent of FL disclosures, and a pooled ordinary least squares regression model is used to examine the impact of CG (directors’ ownership, institutional ownership, foreign ownership, board of directors, independent directors, female directors and audit quality) on the FL disclosures.
Findings
This study reveals that the banking industry’s average FL disclosure score is only approximately 43%, indicating a meager degree of disclosures in Bangladesh’s well-structured sector. This study also finds that directors’ ownership, foreign ownership, female directors and audit quality have a statistically significant and positive relationship with FL disclosures at a 5% significance level. By contrast, institutional directors and the board of directors have a substantial but negative impact on FL disclosures. However, the other exponential variable, independent directors, has no impact on FL disclosures.
Research limitations/implications
This study has some limitations, such as: i) the sample size is restricted to 22 banks, whereas nearly 36 banks are listed in the DSE. The sample size should be increased for better results. ii) The study only considers the banking sector with a small sample, but other sectors have been omitted from the sample. iii) The data have been extracted from the annual report, but other relevant sources such as banks’ websites, prospectuses, press releases, and media releases are not considered. iv) Finally, the self-constructed unweighted disclosure index is affected by subjective judgment. For depth analysis, a weighted method for content analysis purposes will be applicable.
Practical implications
Since there is no specific guideline for FL disclosures, this study suggests that the practical implication is for the regulatory body and policymakers to take the initiative to design a framework for FL disclosures that will improve disclosure quality. Second, they can investigate the independent director’s role in the banking sector to discover the existence of old-boy network problems.
Social implications
Investors will benefit from the proper judgment about the firm’s forward-looking disclosures, hence making effective decisions.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no particular study has been conducted on CG mechanisms and FL disclosures in the IR perspective of the banking sector in Bangladesh. So, this study may contribute to the existing literature.
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Roberto Pessoa de Queiroz Falcão, Michel Mott Machado, Eduardo Picanço Cruz and Caroline Shenaz Hossein
The purpose of this article is to investigate how social integration, immigrant networks and barriers to ventureing affect the entrepreneurial activities of Brazilians in Canada…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to investigate how social integration, immigrant networks and barriers to ventureing affect the entrepreneurial activities of Brazilians in Canada, indicating how mixed embeddedness takes place in that context.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected in Toronto, through the application of a survey with 74 Brazilian entrepreneur respondents and 42 semi-structured interviews with selected subjects, thus representing a multi-method approach. The analysis included descriptive statistics from the survey data and a qualitative analysis of the trajectories and life stories of Brazilian immigrants.
Findings
Our sample comprises respondents with a high level of education and proficiency in English, coming predominantly from the southeast of Brazil, white, aged from 30 to 49. The majority of businesses are small and related to the service sector. The article contributes to the literature by discussing the elements related to mixed embeddedness, including the need for cultural adaptation and for the creation of networks as a crucial element for business venturing.
Research limitations/implications
The study focuses on entrepreneurs regardless of their businesses sector or formality/informality status. It could be used as an instrument to support Canadian public policies for welcoming Brazilians and for the Brazilian government to prevent the evasion of potential entrepreneurs.
Originality/value
The article contributes to the body of knowledge of immigrant entrepreneurship in Canada and of Brazilian entrepreneurship overseas. The results suggest factors that may be relevant to the expansion of their business, such as social networking, cultural embeddedness and adaptation of the products/services to a wider range of target customers.