Abdulwahab Alsarhan, Nayef Al-Shammari and Mohammad Alenezi
Testing the efficiency in the economy has been highly pronounced since the financial crisis in 2008, as many countries have started to deregulate their economic sectors. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Testing the efficiency in the economy has been highly pronounced since the financial crisis in 2008, as many countries have started to deregulate their economic sectors. The potential impact of testing efficiency is thus the key driver of world output and welfare. For this purpose, the main objective of the Capital Market Authority consists of more regulation of securities trading to boost economic efficiency. In particular, the purpose of this paper, is to examine the efficiency of 40 investment companies in Kuwait. In this study, the authors investigate the efficiency in the investment sector in Kuwait. Studying such a case is important for several reasons. First, the investment sector in Kuwait is affected by the World Trade Organization (WTO) conditions and regulations for more market liberalization. Second, most studies on efficiency have focussed on developed countries, such as those of Europe and the USA, with very few studies examining developing countries, such as Kuwait. Third, the study efficiency features is important in helping policy makers evaluate how the investment sector will be affected by increasing competition and then formulate policies that affect that sector and the economy as a whole.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, we use non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) to estimate investment companies’ efficiency in Kuwait. The authors test predictions of the model using yearly data for 2006-2010. In the analysis, the authors follow the two-stage approach suggested by Coelli et al. (1998). In the literature on DEA efficiency score measurement, this two-stage approach is the most prominent. This approach uses the efficiency score, measured by the DEA model, as the dependent variable in a regression model with explanatory variables that are supposed to capture the impact of external factors (Hahn, 2007). In the second stage, the authors used a Tobit model to investigate factors affecting the efficiency in the Kuwaiti investment sector.
Findings
The findings of the second stage suggest that 2008-2010 had a negative impact on firms’ efficiency in Kuwait. The results confirm the substantial influence of the 2008 global financial crisis on the investment sector in Kuwait. In addition, the results show that factors affecting production efficiency in the investment sector in Kuwait include the total revenues, total assets, government participation, and Islamic firm dummy. These second-stage results are confirmed using different specifications of a fixed effect model, a random effects model, and a logit model.
Originality/value
The results may be utilized by both monetary authorities and policy makers in establishing the general economic policy in the country. A number of policy implications may be derived from the estimates obtained in the current paper. First, the results show that the investment sector in Kuwait faced a sharp drop in its efficiency in 2008 due to the global financial crisis. This result tells us that there was a spillover effect of the global financial crisis in the Kuwaiti investment market, as companies in this market are highly vulnerable to global shocks. As a result, the investment sector needs to be regulated by, for example, encouraging more company mergers and acquisitions. Second, to meet the appropriate regulations in the investment sector in Kuwait, monetary authority in Kuwait should take into consideration the WTO conditions for more openness in the economic sector. Therefore, companies in the investment sector should be more efficient to compete with foreign investment companies that decide to enter into Kuwaiti market. Therefore, the need for regulations in the Kuwaiti investment sector is more necessary than before. Third, the study of efficiency features is important to help policy makers evaluate how the investment sector will be affected by increasing competition and then formulate policies that affect that sector and the economy as a whole. Furthermore, monetary policy can play an important role in influencing the efficiency in the investment sector. Therefore, the Central Bank of Kuwait should take a leading role in regulating abnormal financial activity in the Kuwaiti market.
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This paper aims to debate the main factors influencing trust in mobile government (m-government) in the developing country of Jordan. The transformation from government services…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to debate the main factors influencing trust in mobile government (m-government) in the developing country of Jordan. The transformation from government services offered through a government website to services offered via smartphone devices needs further investigation to better understand the factors that might influence citizens’ trust in m-government, in particular, young citizens. This paper presents the concept of m-government and reports on a study of the main predictors affecting citizens’ trust in it. The theoretical framework used is based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT).
Design/methodology/approach
A survey study of 510 Jordanian young citizens, who had access to the internet and were smartphone users, investigated the influence of the identified factors on their trust in m-government. The hypotheses testing used multiple regression analysis.
Findings
Contrary to previous claims reported in relation to facilitating conditions, the following predictors: trust in government, word of mouth (WOM), social influence and facilitating conditions were found to be significant factors in predicting Jordanian citizens’ trust in m-government services.
Originality/value
This is one of few studies to investigate what influences trust in m-government by citizens in Jordan. The current research significantly contributes to the literature by incorporating factors from the UTAUT model with personal perception factors to elucidate m-government adoption. The integration of UTAUT with factors such as “WOM”, is a direction that can be followed in research on the adoption of and trust in e-government and m-government by citizens in any social community. This study clearly identities the relationship between m-government trust and the WOM construct, which is rarely discussed in this type of research context. Although the facilitating conditions construct is claimed to be non-significant in the presence of performance expectancy and effort expectancy, the current research shows the importance of including the facilitating conditions construct when considering the topic of m-government trust in Jordan. Finally, this paper provides a foundation for future empirical studies on the adoption of m-government.
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In an era where technology rapidly reshapes society, Kuwait stands at the forefront of digitalization and the realization of smart cities. This chapter examines the impact of this…
Abstract
In an era where technology rapidly reshapes society, Kuwait stands at the forefront of digitalization and the realization of smart cities. This chapter examines the impact of this technological revolution across diverse sectors within Kuwait. From integrating digital infrastructure in urban development to the role of social media in political, health, and corporate realms, it provides a comprehensive exploration of digitalization’s influence. The chapter begins by highlighting Kuwait’s $10 billion investment in 2024, marking a significant step toward becoming a smart city. It investigates the evolving role of social media in political campaigns, demonstrating how digital platforms shape political narratives and voter behavior. In public health, the chapter underscores the Kuwaiti government’s strategic use of social media to disseminate vital health information, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, influencing public behavior and community engagement. Furthermore, the discussion focuses on Kuwait’s Vision 2035, examining how governmental social media campaigns mold public perception and awareness. The chapter also explores the private sector, showing how companies leverage social media for innovation, performance enhancement, and talent acquisition. Additionally, it scrutinizes the influence of social media on political candidates’ brand personalities and voter behavior, providing insights into digital political communication dynamics. Finally, the chapter addresses the surge in online shopping during emergencies, discussing its implications for e-commerce, consumer behavior, and the challenges it presents in terms of infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the digital divide.
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Samaneh Abdoli, Mohammadreza Nili Ahmadabadi, Hashem Fardanesh and Mohammad Asgari
This study aims to identify the most important factors affecting the usability of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) and present these factors in the form of a comprehensive and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the most important factors affecting the usability of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) and present these factors in the form of a comprehensive and practical framework and validate the framework.
Design/methodology/approach
In this research, a mixed research method and sequential exploratory research design were used. In the qualitative section, the qualitative meta-synthesis method was utilized to extract usability factors from the research literature and formulate the framework of factors, and in the quantitative section, the survey method was employed to validate the framework. In the qualitative section, the research field included the research available in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, and the data collection tool included electronic and printed documents on the usability factors of LMSs. To validate the findings, in addition to citing research literature and theoretical foundations, the audit trail, consensual validity and expert peer review methods were used. Also, to analyze the data, the thematic analysis method and thematic network via MAXQDA 2020 software were used. In the quantitative section, the statistical population was students of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at Allameh Tabatabai University in Iran, and the sample included undergraduate students of this faculty with a volume of 200 people. The tool for collecting information was a researcher-made questionnaire that was provided to students in the first half of the academic year 2022–2023. To validate the findings, content-related validity through Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI) and construct validity through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Convergent Validity were examined. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and Composite Reliability (CR) were also used to check reliability. To analyze the data one-sample T-test via SPSS 27 software was used, and the PLS-SEM was utilized via SmartPLS 4 software to validate the framework proposed by the researcher.
Findings
The findings from the qualitative part of this research include basic themes and organizing themes related to the global theme of usability. Based on the findings from the qualitative part, it can be concluded that the factors in terms of frequency in the research literature have the following ranks: interaction (first rank), ease of use and usefulness (second rank), learnability (third rank), navigation (fourth rank), satisfaction and enjoyment, visual design and accessibility (fifth rank), help and assessment and feedback (sixth rank) and content, errors correction and privacy and security (seventh rank). The findings of the quantitative part include the external fit indexes of the framework and the internal fit index of the framework; based on the obtained values, it can be concluded that the framework of LMS usability factors has a good fit.
Research limitations/implications
This research is the first comprehensive study of all theories on the usability of LMSs, in which a framework is proposed that combines the important factors mentioned in the relevant theories and models for the first time. Additionally, practical and applicable suggestions are provided in this study to enhance each of the usability factors of LMS.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research presents a framework for the first time in which all important factors of usability theories and models are combined and prioritizes these factors based on their importance in relevant research. It also provides practical recommendations for enhancing these factors in LMSs for system developers and instructional designers.
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Iqra Yaseen and Mohammad Shafi Sofi
The purpose of this study is to conduct a comprehensive systematic literature review using bibliometric approach to investigate the academic structure of World Trade Organization…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to conduct a comprehensive systematic literature review using bibliometric approach to investigate the academic structure of World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement research.
Design/methodology/approach
The study examines the bibliographic information for 1,858 articles from Scopus and the Australian Business Deans Council-indexed journals published between 1995 and 2024 using Dimensions.ai and Google Scholar search engines. Exploratory-cum-descriptive research design with bibliometric approach is used to answer the stated literature review research questions.
Findings
The data shows a gradual decline in WTO-Dispute Settlement System (WTO-DSS) research relative to the total international business area in the three decades. Developed countries appear as key contributors to the research, with the USA and the UK standing out as the most productive and influential research countries. The study shows a significant change in the focus of this research corpus from legalized to non-legalized approaches, with a greater emphasis on transparency and environmental sustainability. The research identifies global politics and international trade law as influential subjects in the discipline.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study is a first of its kind where bibliometric approach has been used to study the evolution of WTO-DSS literature. The study adds to the understanding of WTO Dispute Settlement research patterns and recommends future research options.
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Krishnadas Nanath, Supriya Kaitheri, Sonia Malik and Shahid Mustafa
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that significantly affect the prediction of fake news from the virality theory perspective. The paper looks at a mix of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that significantly affect the prediction of fake news from the virality theory perspective. The paper looks at a mix of emotion-driven content, sentimental resonance, topic modeling and linguistic features of news articles to predict the probability of fake news.
Design/methodology/approach
A data set of over 12,000 articles was chosen to develop a model for fake news detection. Machine learning algorithms and natural language processing techniques were used to handle big data with efficiency. Lexicon-based emotion analysis provided eight kinds of emotions used in the article text. The cluster of topics was extracted using topic modeling (five topics), while sentiment analysis provided the resonance between the title and the text. Linguistic features were added to the coding outcomes to develop a logistic regression predictive model for testing the significant variables. Other machine learning algorithms were also executed and compared.
Findings
The results revealed that positive emotions in a text lower the probability of news being fake. It was also found that sensational content like illegal activities and crime-related content were associated with fake news. The news title and the text exhibiting similar sentiments were found to be having lower chances of being fake. News titles with more words and content with fewer words were found to impact fake news detection significantly.
Practical implications
Several systems and social media platforms today are trying to implement fake news detection methods to filter the content. This research provides exciting parameters from a viral theory perspective that could help develop automated fake news detectors.
Originality/value
While several studies have explored fake news detection, this study uses a new perspective on viral theory. It also introduces new parameters like sentimental resonance that could help predict fake news. This study deals with an extensive data set and uses advanced natural language processing to automate the coding techniques in developing the prediction model.
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Sanjay Kumar Tyagi and Raghunathan Krishankumar
The purpose of this study is to analyze the combined effect of eight factors – performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), hedonic motivation (HM), system quality (SQ)…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyze the combined effect of eight factors – performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), hedonic motivation (HM), system quality (SQ), information quality (IQ), service quality (SEQ), digital literacy (DL) and computer anxiety (CA) on learners’ behavioral intention (BI) toward the adoption of e-learning in higher education institutions (HEIs) in India.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used factors from two theoretical models, the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and the DeLone and McLean Information Systems Success model. The study also considered DL and CA as additional factors because they could affect a learner’s intention in a developing country like India. Data were collected from three HEIs in Southern India and analyzed using fuzzy qualitative and comparative analysis (fsQCA).
Findings
The results of the study emphasize the importance of considering both individual and technological factors in e-learning adoption and provide evidence for the significance of integrating multiple theories in understanding the complex relationship between factors and learners’ BI. Four different configurations of the eight factors: EE*HM*SQ*IQ*SEQ*DL*∼CA; PE*EE*HM*SQ*IQ*DL*CA; PE*EE*HM*IQ*SEQ*DL*CA; and PE*EE*SQ*IQ*SEQ*DL*CA found to be sufficient to cause learners’ BI to use e-learning.
Research limitations/implications
This study explores the complex relationship between different factors and learners’ intention to adopt e-learning using the fsQCA method. These findings may need further validation in HEIs across different geographical locations.
Practical implications
This study provides practical insights for HEIs in India and other developing countries on how different factors combine and interact to determine e-learning adoption in multiple contexts.
Originality/value
Using fsQCA as a novel and rigorous method, this study uncovers the complex and nonlinear causal relationships among various factors that affect e-learning adoption. This study provides a holistic and contextualized understanding of e-learning adoption in a developing country’s scenario. This study can inform educators and policymakers on how to design and implement effective e-learning strategies that suit different learner profiles and contexts.
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Seyed Mohammad Hadi Baghdadi, Ehsan Dehghani, Mohammad Hossein Dehghani Sadrabadi, Mahdi Heydari and Maryam Nili
Spurred by the high turnover in the pharmaceutical industry, locating pharmacies inside urban areas along with the high product perishability in this industry, the pharmaceutical…
Abstract
Purpose
Spurred by the high turnover in the pharmaceutical industry, locating pharmacies inside urban areas along with the high product perishability in this industry, the pharmaceutical supply chain management has recently gained increasing attention. Accordingly, this paper unveils an inventory-routing problem for designing a pharmaceutical supply chain with perishable products and time-dependent travel time in an uncertain environment.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, mathematical programming is employed to formulate a multi-graph network affected by the traffic volume in order to adapt to real-world situations. Likewise, by transforming the travel speed function to the travel time function using a step-by-step algorithm, the first-in-first-out property is warranted. Moreover, the Box–Jenkins forecasting method is employed to diminish the demand uncertainty.
Findings
An appealing result is that the delivery horizon constraint in the under-study multi-graph network may eventuate in selecting a longer path. Our analysis also indicates that the customers located in the busy places in the city are not predominantly visited in the initial and last delivery horizon, which are the rush times. Moreover, it is concluded that integrating disruption management, routing planning and inventory management in the studied network leads to a reduction of costs in the long term.
Originality/value
Applying the time-dependent travel time with a heterogeneous fleet of vehicles on the multi-graph network, considering perishability in the products for reducing inventory costs, considering multiple trips of transfer fleet, considering disruption impacts on supply chain components and utilizing the Box–Jenkins method to reduce uncertainty are the contributions of the present study.
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Janshid Ali Turi, Sami Al Kharusi, Muddasar Ghani Khwaja, Mohammad Rezaur Razzak and Shahid Bashir
This study aims to investigate the influence of requirement engineering (RE) on project performance (PP) in the context of NEOM* in Saudi Arabia. The study also aims to examine…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the influence of requirement engineering (RE) on project performance (PP) in the context of NEOM* in Saudi Arabia. The study also aims to examine the relationship between three components of RE, evolving market needs (ECN), market changes (MC) and technological advancements (TA), on PP, through the mediating influence of effective communication (EC), change readiness (CR) and stakeholder engagement (SE). Further, the study aims to examine the moderating effect of team cohesion (TC) on the RE–PP relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
A research framework is developed by drawing on the resource-based theory and with the support of empirical evidence and rational arguments to propose a set of hypotheses relating to the constructs in the framework. The hypotheses are tested through survey data collected from individual employees working on different projects across NEOM. A total of 336 useable responses were collected that were analyzed through covariance-based structural equation modeling using AMOS v.28.
Findings
The results show although ECN and TA both have a positive impact on PP, MC had no significant relationship with PP. In terms of the mediation hypotheses, EC, CR and SE all partially mediate the relationships between ECN and TA with PP. However, there was no mediating effect in the relationship between MC and PP. Moreover, EC, CR and SE themselves have a significant positive influence on PP. Finally, TC proved to be a significant moderator between ECN and PP and TA and PP, but not in the case of MC and PP.
Originality/value
This study makes three novel contributions. First, most prior empirical studies examined the overall impact of RE on PP; however, the current study provides a more nuanced insight into the relationships between the three components of RE (i.e. ECN, MC and TA) and PP. Second, the mediating roles of EC, CR and SE between components of RE and PP present a finer-grained understanding of how project resources are linked to project success goals through features of the project team. Third, moderating influence of TC with regard to a higher possibility of success for projects are highlighted through this discovery.