Saeid Karimi, Harm J.A. Biemans, Thomas Lans, Mohammad Chizari and Martin Mulder
This paper aims to, drawing on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), explore the effects of entrepreneurial role models on entrepreneurial intention (EI) and its antecedents and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to, drawing on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), explore the effects of entrepreneurial role models on entrepreneurial intention (EI) and its antecedents and examines the question of whether the effects vary by gender.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from a sample of 331 students at seven universities in Iran. Structural equation modelling and bootstrap procedure were used to analyse the data.
Findings
Consistent with the TPB, our results show entrepreneurial role models to indirectly influence EIs via the antecedents of intention. No gender differences in the relationship between perceived behaviour control and EIs were found, but gender did moderate the other relationships within the TPB. Attitude towards entrepreneurship was a weaker predictor and subjective norms a stronger predictor of EIs for female students than for their male counterparts. Furthermore, perceived behaviour control and attitudes towards entrepreneurship were more strongly influenced by role models for females as opposed to male students.
Research limitations/implications
Future studies should go beyond examining the mere fact of knowing entrepreneurial role models to examine the mechanisms underlying the relationship between role models and EIs.
Practical implications
The results of this study have clear implications for both educators and policymakers.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by incorporating entrepreneurial role models and gender into the TPB and investigating their mediating and moderating effects within the model.
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Leena Afroz Mostofa Chowdhury, Tarek Rana and Mohammad Istiaq Azim
The purpose of this paper is to, the first of its kind, investigate the relationship between the intellectual capital efficiency and organisational performance of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to, the first of its kind, investigate the relationship between the intellectual capital efficiency and organisational performance of the pharmaceutical sector in Bangladesh, an emerging economy that enjoys Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) relaxation.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used hand-picked data from annual reports for five years. The relationship between efficient use of intellectual capital and corporate performance was examined through the practical use of human capital, structural capital and capital employed. Multiple regressions were used to assess their impact on financial performance – specifically, return on assets, return on equity, asset turnover and market-to-book value.
Findings
Value-added intellectual coefficient components (i.e. human capital, structural capital and capital employed) significantly explained asset turnover and return on assets but failed to predict the return on equity outcome. Additionally, asset turnover was negatively influenced by structural capital and positively influenced by capital employed. The return on assets was mostly affected by variation in human capital. Intellectual capital did not predict market-to-book value or investment decisions.
Practical implications
This paper provides useful resources for evaluating the financial performance and value creation of companies in emerging economies that enjoy TRIPS exemptions; this research could also be extended using cross-industry comparisons. The findings have theoretical and practical implications, particularly for the pharmaceutical industry in emerging economy contexts, and for managers globally.
Originality/value
This study is among only a few that have reported on the relationship between intellectual capital efficiency and value creation in emerging economy contexts.
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Hee Song Ng, Daisy Mui Hung Kee and Mohammad Jamal Khan
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of proactive personality (PP), entrepreneurship education (EE) and entrepreneurial opportunities (EO) on shaping…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of proactive personality (PP), entrepreneurship education (EE) and entrepreneurial opportunities (EO) on shaping entrepreneurial intentions (EI) among university students through attitude toward entrepreneurship (ATE) and perceived behavioural control (PBC) according to Ajzen’s (1985) theory of planned behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used questionnaires to collect data from university students enroled in undergraduate programmes. A total of 209 surveys were successfully collected. SPSS and SmartPLS 3.0 software were used to analyse and test nine hypotheses derived from the intentions-centred model.
Findings
The results supported seven hypotheses. There were positive relationships between PP and ATE; PP and PBC; EE and ATE; EO and ATE; EO and PBC; ATE and EI; and PBC and EI. However, there were no relationships between EE and PBC, and subjective norms and EI.
Research limitations/implications
This study used a cross-sectional survey and self-report data which hinder conclusively making correlational inferences. In addition, the various developmental stages of students may influence perceptions of EI.
Practical implications
The empirical findings provide new insights for policymakers, educators and academics about the antecedents governing EI. This study also enhances the understanding of the preconditions for EI, which can be utilised by practitioners to encourage and manage graduate entrepreneurship.
Originality/value
This study advances an intentions-based model which suggests a simultaneous presence of the three core factors, PP, EE and EO for an effective formation of EI. By doing so, the study addresses the issue of the scarcity of investigations on the combined effects, thus closing the research gap and bringing new perspective to the antecedents-intentions nexus of graduate entrepreneurship.
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Aboozar Ramezani, Seyed Javad Ghazimirsaeed, Fereydoon Azadeh, Mohammad Esmaeilpour Bandboni and Mohammad Hossein YektaKooshali
The purpose of this paper is to assess the quality of Iranian university libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the quality of Iranian university libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
This first systematic review and meta-analysis were based on the PRISMA guidelines by searching in national and international databases from 2003 to January 2017 with standard Persian and English keywords. Data searching, extracting and quality appraising were completed by two researchers, independently. Any unexpected documents were assessed by a third expert researcher. Data were extracted in accordance with the “Strength of the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology” checklist after the final selection of appraised documents. Random effects size based on Cochrane test and I2 were used for combining the obtained results from different studies together by considering the heterogeneity of studies.
Findings
Based on the meta-analysis conducted in 25 (6.42 percent) included studies, the total sample size was estimated. According to three dimensions of LibQUAL, findings of current information control, affect of service and the library as a place were estimated as 5.37 [CI95%: 5.02, 5.73], 6.91 [CI95%: 5.56, 6.26], and 5.46 percent [CI95%: 5.2, 5.73], respectively. Also, mean of service adequacy and superiority gap are equal to 0.07 [CI95%: −0.22, 0.36] and −2.06 [CI95%: −2.89, −1.23], respectively. There was a significant correlation between three dimensions of service quality and service superiority gap of LibQUAL and geographical regions of Iran (p<0.01). Also, a significant correlation was found between the gaps of services and three aspects of LibQUAL model and published years through a meta-regression test (p<0.01).
Practical implications
The results obtained from the present study showed that users are relatively satisfied with the quality of services provided by Iranian university libraries. An improvement in the quality of library services can promote the scientific level of universities.
Originality/value
The results of the present systematic review and meta-analysis study demonstrate a vital connection between primary research studies and decision-making for policymakers in Iranian university libraries to increase quality services.
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Wassim Aloulou, Faouzi Ayadi, Veland Ramadani and Léo-Paul Dana
The purpose of this study, based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and digital entrepreneurship literature, is to unveil the role of digital entrepreneurial knowledge and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study, based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and digital entrepreneurship literature, is to unveil the role of digital entrepreneurial knowledge and entrepreneurial role models in shaping digital entrepreneurial intentions (DEIs) among Saudi Youth through a moderated mediation perspective. This study aims to propose that the relationship between digital entrepreneurial knowledge and intention is mediated by main TPB antecedents under the moderating role of entrepreneurial role models.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from a sample of 487 Saudi students from three main Saudi public universities located in Riyadh using an online survey questionnaire. By applying SEM, this study builds and tests the measurement and structural models to examine the hypothesised relationships among main variables.
Findings
Results revealed that the main antecedents of TPB (namely, attitudes towards digital entrepreneurship and perceived control behaviour) are significantly related to DEI. In addition, digital entrepreneurial knowledge indicates indirect effects on intentions via these two antecedents. However, entrepreneurial role models exert only a negative and significant moderating effect on the relationship between perceived behaviour control and DEI.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to the literature by showing how most of the TPB antecedents can play a mediating role between digital entrepreneurial knowledge and the intentions of Saud Youth. The main limitation of this study is that it was not possible to generalise the findings. Future research directions are proposed to add new insights.
Practical implications
The results of this study have clear implications for both theory (entrepreneurship scholars) by investigating DEI and its determinants and for practice (entrepreneurship educators and policymakers) by promoting digital entrepreneurship among youth through university-based awareness and building capability programs and curricula.
Originality/value
The study helps to understand the role of digital entrepreneurial knowledge in shaping DEI through the development of an extended TPB intention-based model. The findings also indicate that digital entrepreneurial knowledge has indirect effects on Youth's intentions. The findings show insights related to the influence of entrepreneurial role models on TPB antecedents in the transitional context of Saudi Arabia.
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Jamel Choukir, Wassim J. Aloulou, Faouzi Ayadi and Slim Mseddi
There have been few investigations regarding the relationship of gender and role models with students’ entrepreneurial intention (EI). The purpose of this study is to apply a…
Abstract
Purpose
There have been few investigations regarding the relationship of gender and role models with students’ entrepreneurial intention (EI). The purpose of this study is to apply a conceptual framework to explain the relationship of gender and role models with the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) constructs: attitudes towards behaviour (ATB), subjective norms (SN), perceived behaviour control (PBC) and intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on data collected from a questionnaire survey completed by 1,496 freshman Saudi students enrolled during the 2016-2017 academic year in business, finance and economics undergraduate programmes. To analyse the data and test the proposed hypotheses, a confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) are applied.
Findings
The results show that the TPB constructs are validated in the specific Saudi context. In fact, these constructs were significantly related to EI. Only the SN and PBC constructs mediate the relationship between role models and EI. Furthermore, gender moderates the relationships of role models with EI, PBC with EI and role models with the SN. More precisely, this study reveals that gender differences in SN and PBC, and women’s EI are more likely to be influenced by the SN and PBC than men’s EI. However, PBC is a relevant determinant for both male and female students. These results differ from those of previous studies on gender influences. These results could be explained by two main reasons, such as women’s socialization and institutional processes.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation is that it was not possible to claim generalization of findings. Theoretical and managerial implications are proposed to add new evidence in the field. These results could help all stakeholders engaged in promoting entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia and stimulate appropriate and customized entrepreneurial initiatives, curriculum and policies for both men and women.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first to conduct such investigations in Saudi Arabia and in institutions of higher education. This study removes the stereotypes about the entrepreneurial potential of women.
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Asyari Asyari, Perengki Susanto, Mohammad Enamul Hoque, Rika Widianita, Md. Kausar Alam and Abdullah Al Mamun
Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal role in fostering economic development by cultivating skilled workforce and generating knowledge and innovation. However, HEIs…
Abstract
Purpose
Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal role in fostering economic development by cultivating skilled workforce and generating knowledge and innovation. However, HEIs may pose a potential risk to sustainable economic development due to the generation of food waste inside their campus canteens. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of attitude, subjective norm (SN), perceived behavior control (PBC), religiosity and pro-social behavior among State Islamic Religious College (SIRC) students on their intention to avoid food waste behavior. This study also focused on the mediating role of the three original theory of planned behavior (TPB) variables and pro-social behavior in the relationship between religiosity and the intention to reduce food waste.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaires were used to collect data from 443 students at SIRC. The collected data were processed and analyzed using structural equation modelling to test direct, indirect and mediating effects.
Findings
The empirical results indicated that the eagerness of students at SIRC to reduce their behavior of leaving food behind can be driven by their negative attitudes or views toward food waste, the practice of religious teachings in their lives, the belief that they can avoid food waste and their concern for the environment. The empirical results reveal that even though religiosity influences SN, it is unable to strengthen the relationship between religiosity and the desire to be anti-food waste.
Practical implications
In addition to contributing to the food waste literature in the context of eating behavior, the results of this study have theoretical and practical implications.
Originality/value
To assess SIRC students’ behavioral intentions to avoid food waste behavior, this study used a contemporary setting to measure attitude, SN, PBC, religiosity and pro-social behavior, so strengthening the TPB’s empirical underpinning.
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Yassine Sefiani and Barry Davies
This study seeks to develop a clearer understanding of the motivational factors affecting Saudi female business undergraduates' choice of pursuing entrepreneurship.
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to develop a clearer understanding of the motivational factors affecting Saudi female business undergraduates' choice of pursuing entrepreneurship.
Design/methodology/approach
The research adopts a quantitative approach to gain general understanding of the students' perceptions with regard to their motivations to pursue entrepreneurship. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey administered to 214 female business undergraduates at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU) in Al-Khobar, to investigate their perceptions of entrepreneurial motivations. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were used to identify the motivational factors. Multiple regression analysis was used to reveal relationships between the motivation factors and entrepreneurial motivation of female business undergraduates.
Findings
The study revealed four generalised entrepreneurial motivations among Saudi female business undergraduates: personal motivational factors with an emphasis on freedom and social status; business motivational factors such as financial rewards and security; social motivational factors manifested in the influence of the community, roles and family; and environmental motivations which were mainly associated to education, the market knowledge and ability to access finance.
Research limitations/implications
The study was restricted to female students at PMU University. Thus, generalisation of the results could be limited. The findings of the study could be useful to relevant authorities to enhance and boost entrepreneurship for female students and hence to contribute to the national Vision 2030.
Originality/value
This study is among those few studies located in the MENA region that explore Saudi female university students' attitude towards entrepreneurship. It adds to the authors' understanding on the four generalised factors by highlighting the importance of the family's role and entrepreneurship education in motivating Saudi female students towards entrepreneurship engagement. It also contributes to the understanding of these motivations that could be applied in other similar contexts.
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Hassan Behzadi and Mohammad Reza Davarpanah
The purpose of this paper is to study the research experience of PhD students of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and factors influencing this experience.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the research experience of PhD students of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and factors influencing this experience.
Design/methodology/approach
The information was gathered through a questionnaire which has been developed based on PREQ questionnaire. The statistical populations of this study consist of those PhD students whose research proposal had been approved by the educational council of their faculty or had defended their dissertation. By using random sampling method, 118 questionnaires were collected.
Findings
The findings showed that there is a significant relationship between all of the research experience factors and significant differences between overall satisfactions of the students on their research experience. Variables such as sex and different stages of research have positive and significant impact on the research experience of the respondents.
Originality/value
The outcomes of this study suggest that among the PhD students of Ferdowsi University, there is a relative satisfaction with factors making up the research experience.
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Wasim Qazi, Jawaid Ahmed Qureshi, Syed Ali Raza, Komal Akram Khan and Muhammad Asif Qureshi
The earth needs to go green as it clarifies that humans should adopt a sustainable lifestyle that will be friendly to the environment and society. The emerging stream of academic…
Abstract
Purpose
The earth needs to go green as it clarifies that humans should adopt a sustainable lifestyle that will be friendly to the environment and society. The emerging stream of academic literature on “go green” adds a new perspective to the deep-rooted conception of entrepreneurship. The objective of green entrepreneurship is to follow the traditional concepts of entrepreneurship but also brings the additional potential for society and the environment. The present paper is designed to study the impact of personality traits and university green entrepreneurial support on green entrepreneurial intentions along with the moderating role of environmental values.
Design/methodology/approach
The data are collected by using the survey method, and the five-point Likert scale is used for this purpose. The statistical techniques applied to the dataset were confirmatory factor analysis and partial least square structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results revealed that personality traits are positively and significantly associated with green entrepreneurial intention, but risk-averse students depict insignificant results towards green entrepreneurial intention. Also, university green entrepreneurial support results in positive green entrepreneurial intention. Environmental values also strengthen the association.
Originality/value
Previously, researchers emphasized the entrepreneurial intentions for the sake of improving the economy, decreasing unemployment and promoting small ventures, but none focused on the green aspects of entrepreneurship. To date, we still lack knowledge regarding students' green entrepreneurial intentions and how personality traits and green support affect the intention. The focus of the present study is to sustain nature and ecosystems through green entrepreneurship by providing directions and economic and noneconomic gains for investors, entrepreneurs, students, universities and societies.