Teik-Leong Chuah, Meenchee Hong and Behzad Foroughi
Infection and cross-contamination have been massive concerns in the medical field. This study aims to investigate consumers’ awareness and their choices of endoscopes, which may…
Abstract
Purpose
Infection and cross-contamination have been massive concerns in the medical field. This study aims to investigate consumers’ awareness and their choices of endoscopes, which may deter them from the cross-contamination problem.
Design/methodology/approach
A discrete choice experiment survey was administered to 166 respondents in Penang, Malaysia. Participants were asked to make hypothetical choices and estimate their preference for endoscopes. The multinomial logit model was used to estimate the assumptions based on the stated preference data collected.
Findings
Only two-fifths of respondents are aware of their rights regarding endoscope selection. The findings are consistent with utility theory, where choices are made to maximise personal satisfaction. If given the choice, consumers preferred the single-use endoscope over the reusable or the doctor’s preferred endoscope. Price, insurance coverage and personal income are significant determinants of the consumer’s choice of endoscopes.
Research limitations/implications
This study only investigates subjects living in Penang. Other possible important attributes to endoscope choices, such as environmental and device availability may be considered in future study.
Practical implications
The findings may create awareness among consumers about their rights when choosing medical devices. It may also improve health-care institutions’ (users’) and device manufacturers’ (industry players’) understanding of consumer needs and demands from socioeconomic perspectives.
Social implications
The research offers insights into consumer rights and awareness of health-care services. Ultimately leading to better policy to protect consumers’ rights and safety.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the rare literature on consumer rights toward medical devices, in particular, the consumer’s awareness of the choice of endoscopes.
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Meenchee Hong, Sizhong Sun, A.B.M. Rabiul Beg and Zhangyue Zhou
With a fast-growing Muslim population and consumer income, the demand for halal products by Chinese Muslims has expanded strongly. However, literature addressing Chinese Muslims’…
Abstract
Purpose
With a fast-growing Muslim population and consumer income, the demand for halal products by Chinese Muslims has expanded strongly. However, literature addressing Chinese Muslims’ consumption is limited, and their demand for halal products is little understood. This study aims to investigate what affects Chinese Muslims’ demand for halal products, with a focus on halal personal care products.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 500 respondents was conducted to collect cross-sectional data in northwest China. Data were processed and analysed with a logit model.
Findings
Apart from faithfulness, reliability of recommendations, product price, product availability and halal authenticity are most important determinants influencing the purchase of halal products by Chinese Muslims.
Research limitations/implications
In this study, the focus is only on Muslims from China’s Northwest. Due to various constraints, the cluster and convenience sampling methods are used.
Practical implications
The findings are invaluable for governments and industry bodies to form policies to better meet the burgeoning demand for halal products by Chinese Muslims. They are also very invaluable for producers and exporters who intend to penetrate the halal market in non-Muslim-dominant countries like China.
Originality/value
Studies on understanding the needs of Muslims in non-Muslim countries are limited. Given the sheer size of the Muslim population in China, understanding their demand for halal products and influential determinants concerning such demand adds to the literature and helps the industry to better serve and capitalise on the growing market.
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Wei-Zhi Ang, Suresh Narayanan and Meenchee Hong
Food wastage is a major contributor to pervasive world hunger. Cutting global food waste in half by 2030 is one of the United Nation's top priorities. Hence, this paper aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
Food wastage is a major contributor to pervasive world hunger. Cutting global food waste in half by 2030 is one of the United Nation's top priorities. Hence, this paper aims to provide useful insights on how individual behavior might be influenced to help reduce food wastage and hunger by identifying individual food waste determinants.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 297 useable responses were obtained from a survey using a food diary method. A logit model was employed to estimate the relationship between leftovers and its determinants (preparedness to take own action, price conscious, food review, religiosity, health conscious, cost, marital status and gender).
Findings
Results show that preparedness to be responsible for one's actions, depending on food reviews and being waste conscious had a significant positive relationship with food waste reducing behavior, along with being male and being married.
Research limitations/implications
The study suggests that there is scope for policy initiatives to reduce the individual utility from discarding food and increase the individual utility from food saving activities. Penalizing individual or household food wastage through a tax will directly raise the cost of wastage and reduce the net utility from discarding food. Reducing food waste could help reduce global hunger.
Originality/value
Rationally, no one will have any intention to waste when buying food. Instead, in the context of deciding whether or not to leave leftover food, an individual is posited to weigh the potential utility from saving food or throwing it away. Thus, this study examines food waste behavior by utilizing economic tools, which is rare in the food waste literature.
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Mohammad Iranmanesh, Kok Hong Lim, Behzad Foroughi, Meen Chee Hong and Morteza Ghobakhloo
Present research aims to study the determinants of big data analytics (BDA) adoption intention and outsourcing in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Abstract
Purpose
Present research aims to study the determinants of big data analytics (BDA) adoption intention and outsourcing in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
The partial least squares approach was employed to analyse data collected from 187 SMEs.
Findings
The findings indicate that relative advantage, competitive pressure and environmental uncertainty significantly influence SMEs' BDA adoption intention. Top management support moderates the association between the regulatory environment and BDA adoption intention. Furthermore, organisational readiness moderates negatively the association between BDA adoption intention and propensity to outsource BDA.
Practical implications
The findings benefit SMEs' managers/owners in making well-informed decisions in the BDA adoption process.
Originality/value
The majority of the previous research on BDA adoption intention is limited to large corporations. To address the gap on determinant factors of BDA adoption intention among SMEs, the drivers of BDA adoption intention and propensity to outsource were investigated using the technology-organisation-environment model.