The purpose of this paper is to explore how bicultural consumers differ from monocultural consumers in terms of personality traits and identity negotiation.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how bicultural consumers differ from monocultural consumers in terms of personality traits and identity negotiation.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a multidisciplinary literature review, some anecdotally and qualitatively supported differences between biculturals and monoculturals are reviewed and formulated as hypotheses, and a survey is used to collect quantitative data from a mixed random‐purposeful sample.
Findings
Relative to monoculturals, biculturals exhibit greater concern about their acceptability within pertinent reference groups and society at large; have comparable levels of need for uniqueness and art enthusiasm; and consume more artwork as a means and in the process of their routine negotiation of (ethnic) identity. Ethnicity, need for social acceptability, need for group identification, and art enthusiasm are predictors of artwork consumption. Ethnicity, in particular, is a key precursor of artwork consumption.
Research limitations/implications
As a starting‐point for understanding the bicultural consumer, the study is subject to exploratory research limitations.
Originality/value
As partial manifestations of globalization, businesses are challenged today in several ways by the rise and proliferation of the bicultural neotribe. Businesses do not have to fall victim to these challenges; they can turn them around and strategically leverage them as marketplace opportunities. The study provides some early insights that can help businesses to leverage such opportunities.
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Mohammad Ali Zolfagharian and Qin Sun
The paper's aim is to explore how bicultural consumers differ from monocultural consumers, and among themselves, in terms of country‐of‐origin effect and ethnocentrism.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper's aim is to explore how bicultural consumers differ from monocultural consumers, and among themselves, in terms of country‐of‐origin effect and ethnocentrism.
Design/methodology/approach
A multidisciplinary literature review pointed to a set of hypotheses regarding the differences between biculturals (Mexican Americans) and monoculturals (Mexicans and Americans), and between bicultural groups (integrating biculturals versus alternating biculturals). Two pilot tests and two experiments were conducted to test the hypotheses.
Findings
Bicultural Mexican Americans are less ethnocentric than either American or Mexican monoculturals; exhibit more favorable quality evaluation and purchase intention toward American brands than Mexican monoculturals; and exhibit more favorable quality evaluation and purchase intention toward Mexican brands than American monoculturals. Although ethnocentrism does not significantly demarcate alternating biculturals from their integrating counterparts, alternators are more likely than integrators to provide a favorable evaluation of foreign brands and entertain the intention to purchase them.
Research limitations/implications
As a starting‐point for understanding the bicultural consumer, this study is subject to exploratory research limitations.
Originality/value
The country‐of‐origin literature implicitly assumes that consumers identify with either the country where the product is originated or the country where it is sold. This assumption, however, might not hold for ethnic groups who identify with both countries. Such bicultural consumers might identify with the product's origin country as well as target country and, therefore, be less amenable to the country‐of‐origin hypothesis. We address this important research gap.
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Rajasree K. Rajamma, Mohammad Ali Zolfagharian and Lou E. Pelton
The primary purpose of the present paper is to critically evaluate the extant literature on relational exchange, a fundamental driver of buyer‐seller relationship management in…
Abstract
Purpose
The primary purpose of the present paper is to critically evaluate the extant literature on relational exchange, a fundamental driver of buyer‐seller relationship management in the twenty‐first century. Toward that goal, a meta‐analytic approach is employed to determine specific conditions under which relational exchange may have a greater or lesser impact on B2B relationship outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were extracted from a multitude of effects in the large body of empirical research investigating relational exchange within the business and allied social sciences research. Then, a meta‐analytic methodology using multiple regression was used to assess the in/congruity across relational exchange effects.
Findings
The findings indicate that the association between relational exchange and outcome variables is highly dependent on three factors: how relational exchange is operationally defined, who evaluates the relationship (upstream firm versus downstream firm and high‐status employee versus low‐status employee within the organizational hierarchy), and the data source (from a single industry or from multiple industries).
Research limitations/implications
Despite the extensive attention afforded to relational exchange, an overarching limitation is the paucity of empirical attention as evidenced by the diminutive effects tested in the meta‐analysis. The meta‐analysis is also limited by the selective set of predictor variables that may account for variance in the effect size. Additional effects are needed to assess the conspicuous absence of potentially significant factors underlying B2B relationships (i.e. organization size and relational monitoring by the upstream firm).
Practical implications
The findings offer insights for researchers and practitioners who deal with dyadic relationships in B2B exchanges. One of the most important implications of this meta‐analysis is the need to clarify the operational definition of relational exchange. The disparity across measures and measurements of relational exchange highlights the need for greater clarity in defining the seminal factors that underlie this important managerial direction.
Originality/value
The findings of this study point to the inconsistencies that exist in the current literature with regard to the operational definition of relational exchange, as well as the study designs employed by different researchers. These inconsistencies have led to inconclusive results across effects. This research challenges B2B researchers and practitioners alike to reconsider the presumed benefits of relational exchange in inter‐organizational relationship management.
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Anas Abdelsatar Mohammad Salameh, Hartini Ahmad, Faisal Zulhumadi and Faruq Muhammad Abubakar
This study aims to explore the impact of system quality dimensions, namely, ease of use, accessibility, interactivity and website innovativeness on service quality (SQ) and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the impact of system quality dimensions, namely, ease of use, accessibility, interactivity and website innovativeness on service quality (SQ) and customer satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a quantitative approach, by using a survey method. The unit of analysis was the individual. A total of 618 questionnaires were randomly distributed to university students and staff in Jordan. The partial least square path-modeling method was used in the estimation of causal relationships of the constructs examined in the study.
Findings
The outcomes of this study showed that ease of use, interactivity and website innovativeness have significant positive relationships with the SQ. Consequently, SQ significantly influences customer satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations of this research were related to the unit of analysis, as it was conducted within the geographical region of Jordan and the university context, where the culture and level of the technological advancement may be different than other countries.
Practical implications
This research can assist mobile commerce (m-commerce) service policymakers to formulate significant policies that could enhance the nature of services being rendered and thus bring greater benefits to the customers.
Originality/value
This research has extended the body of knowledge on emerging trends in m-commerce innovation adoption, more specifically in the university context. Furthermore, it offers insight on the importance of m-commerce in the minds of customers, in such a way that it will bring about the intention to repeat patronage in the future.
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Anan Deek, Khaled Alshaketheep, Omar Zraqat, Bara Asfour and Arafat Deeb
In today's contemporary landscape, profound shifts are being driven by technological advancements that are propelling innovation to unprecedented heights. As societal needs and…
Abstract
In today's contemporary landscape, profound shifts are being driven by technological advancements that are propelling innovation to unprecedented heights. As societal needs and demands are undergoing perpetual evolution, organizations find themselves compelled to be continually pursued excellence, thereby redefining technologies to elicit consumer satisfaction and secure a competitive edge. Concurrently, the prevalence of online decision-making processes is being surged, mirroring a consumer base that is increasingly inclined toward digital transactions and technological interfaces. Moreover, the global proliferation of plastic currency underscores the dynamic nature of societal needs and the imperative for innovation, as individuals are readily adapting to the evolving milieu. This study is being endeavored to elucidate the most salient technologies employed to enhance the customer online decision-making process within the Middle East region. Employing a qualitative research approach rooted in descriptive research philosophy, the study is meticulously analyzing the theoretical and practical implications of these technologies. Furthermore, recommendations and strategic insights are being proffered for both future research endeavors and organizational frameworks, with the aim of fostering seamless operational efficacy.
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Karen Ramos and Onesimo Cuamea
The purpose of this study is to find out the factors that influence dental travelers’ revisit intention (RI) to Tijuana, Mexico.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to find out the factors that influence dental travelers’ revisit intention (RI) to Tijuana, Mexico.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the push and pull model, five constructs were included: quality service, price, supporting services, cultural proximity and quality information. The information was obtained by applying an online survey to a sample of 384 dental tourists in Tijuana, Mexico, who were repeat patients of a dental clinic in Tijuana after the COVID-19 pandemic. Exploratory factor analysis, average variance explained and composite reliability were conducted to ensure the validity of each construct. Multiple regression analysis was done to identify predictors of travelers’ RI.
Findings
The results obtained show that cultural proximity, quality service, price and supporting services influenced the travelers’ revisit behavior after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the body of knowledge on travel behavior in dental tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, which has been scarcely studied. Also, RI was analyzed, focusing on repeated travelers to propose a model mainly for borders or frontiers where developed and developing countries co-exist and interact.
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Innocent Chigozie Osuizugbo and Olalekan Shamsideen Oshodi
The awareness and practice of buildability is still at its infancy stage in the construction sector of developing countries. Information gleaned from literature shows that…
Abstract
Purpose
The awareness and practice of buildability is still at its infancy stage in the construction sector of developing countries. Information gleaned from literature shows that embedding buildability into practice is beneficial to construction projects. This study seeks to examine the buildability attributes that are important for improving the practice of construction management.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was developed to address the aim of the study. Data were collected through the administration of questionnaires to purposively selected group of architects, engineers, builders and quantity surveyors. A total of 368 questionnaires were administered and a response rate of 60% (219 questionnaires were returned) was achieved. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analysing the data.
Findings
The results revealed that discussion centred on buildable designs among builders and designers as the most critical attribute of buildability for improving the practice of construction management in the Nigerian construction industry. The finding also revealed that, there is a statistically significant agreement between different groups of construction organisations in Lagos state, Nigeria concerning buildability attributes for improving the practice of construction management.
Originality/value
This study highlights the buildability attributes which are important for improving the practice of construction management. An understanding of these attributes is essential for improving and embedding buildability as a practice in the construction industry.
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N. Dhanunjayarao Borra and Venkata Swamy Naidu Neigapula
The tear strength (Ts) is a significant property for any kind of soft polymeric material such as rubber, elastomer, viscoelastic material and its composites, to quantify the…
Abstract
Purpose
The tear strength (Ts) is a significant property for any kind of soft polymeric material such as rubber, elastomer, viscoelastic material and its composites, to quantify the suitability of a material for any shape memory applications. Many times, the soft elastomeric polymer material has to be capable enough to deform to a maximum extent of displacement but at the same time, it has to withstand the maximum load without fail. Along with shape recovery properties (i.e. the ability to recover its shape from programmed to the original), the success of the shape memory cycle is mainly depending on its stiffness and strength. It has to resist tear during stretching (i.e. programming stage) as repeatedly subjected to deformation, and, hence, it is important to study the tear behaviour for shape memory polymers (SMPs) and their composites. The purpose of the work is to investigate the effect of parameters on Ts of 4D printed specimen using Taguchi method.
Design/methodology/approach
The objective of the work is to tailor the Ts of SMPs by reinforcing the graphene nano particles (GNPs) in a blended photopolymer (PP) resin with flexible PP and hard PP resin. In this study, a total of nine experiments were designed based on the L9 orthogonal array (OA) using the design of experiments (DOEs). All the shape memory photopolymer composite’s (SMPPCs) specimens are fabricated using masked stereolithography (MSLA), also known as resin three-dimensional printing (R3DP) technique.
Findings
Specimens are tested using universal testing machine (UTM) for maximum tear force (Fmax) and displacement (δ) caused by tearing the specimen to evaluate the strength against the tear. The results showed that the Wt.% of resin blend highly influenced both Fmax and δ, while GNPs also had an impact on δ. The specimens are offering more tear resistance for those specimens blended with less Wt.% of flexible PP at the same time the specimens enable more δ for those specimens reinforced with 0.3 Wt.% GNPs at 10-s exposure time. The optimum combinations are A1, B1 and C3 for the Fmax and Ts and at the same time A1, B3 and C3 for δ.
Research limitations/implications
To customise the tear resistance of SMPPCs using MSLA 3 D printing, this study suggested a blend of PP resins reinforced with GNPs. This opens up a new path for creating novel, inexpensive multi-functional 4-dimensional (4D) printed parts.
Originality/value
The use of flexible PP and hard PP resin blends, fabricating the SMPPCs specimens using 3 D printed MSLA technology, investigating the effect of GNPs, resin blend and exposure time, optimizing the process parameters using Taguchi and the work were all validated using confirmation tests and regression analysis using test train method, which increases the originality and novelty.