Yogesh K. Dwivedi, Ganesh P. Sahu, Nripendra P. Rana, Monika Singh and Rajesh K. Chandwani
Despite the increasing technological capabilities and its affordability, a significantly large proportion of developing nations’ population are still lacking resources to own…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the increasing technological capabilities and its affordability, a significantly large proportion of developing nations’ population are still lacking resources to own basic information and communication technologies such as computer and internet. This suggests that majority of the citizens from developing countries (e.g. India) are also not able to access and use emerging electronic government applications and services. This is leading to a further and bigger digital divide gap that already exists between rural and urban as well as economically less and more able population. To reduce the widening digital divide, India has innovated Common Services Centres (CSCs) as means to deliver public services electronically to citizens at the village level. This viewpoint paper aims to discuss some of the challenges and obstacles of such CSCs and to offer some recommendations for their effective implementations and sustainable operations.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a viewpoint paper that is based on authors’ awareness of the context as well as knowledge and issues relevant to the research topic. A number of appropriate and current citations have been utilised to illustrate the current state on the topic as well as to support authors’ arguments presented in this paper.
Findings
The paper identified a number of key issues relevant for effective implementation and sustainable operation of CSCs. The authors present their views and recommendations related to the following key issues: connectivity problems, lack of or delayed rollout of government to citizen (G2C) services, demotivated village-level entrepreneurs due to lack of G2C services, low computer literacy, lack of awareness about services and facilities, lack of adequate training and support, poor provisioning of an effective infrastructure, lack of support from the concerned government officials, inaccessible locations, burden of high investment, corruption at the government level, lack of skilled manpower to run the CSCs, lack of power supply, language barrier, lack of space, problem with maintenance and management of connectivity network and problem caused by the Naxalite and anarchist activity.
Originality/value
The discussion and recommendations presented in this paper would be valuable to various agencies (both from public and private sectors) as well as policymakers for effective implementation and long-term sustainability of CSCs. The approach discussed in this paper offers an effective way to diffuse e-government applications and services in other developing countries (particularly resource-constrained nations from African, Asian and Latin American regions).
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Nripendra P. Rana, Sunil Luthra and H. Raghav Rao
Digital financial services (DFS) have substantial prospect to offer a number of reasonable, appropriate and secure banking services to the underprivileged in developing countries…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital financial services (DFS) have substantial prospect to offer a number of reasonable, appropriate and secure banking services to the underprivileged in developing countries through pioneering technologies such as mobile phone based solutions, digital platforms and electronic money models. DFS allow unbanked people to obtain access to financial services through digital technologies. However, DFS face tough challenges of adoption. Realising this, the purpose of this paper is to identify such challenges and develop a framework.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors developed a framework of challenges by utilising interpretive structural modelling (ISM) and fuzzy MICMAC approach. The authors explored 18 such unique set of challenges culled from the literature and further gathered data from two sets of expert professionals. In the first phase, the authors gathered data from 29 professionals followed by 18 professionals in the second phase. All were pursuing Executive MBA programme from a metropolitan city in South India. The implementation of ISM and fuzzy MICMAC provided a precise set of driving, linkage and dependent variables that were used to derive a framework.
Findings
ISM model is split in eight different levels. The bottom level consists of a key driving challenge V11 (i.e. high cost and low return related problem), whereas the topmost level consists of two highly dependent challenges namely V1 (i.e. risk of using digital services) and V14 (i.e. lack of trust). The prescribed ISM model shows the involvement of “high cost and low return related problem (V11)”, which triggers further challenges of DFS.
Originality/value
None of the existing research has explored key challenges to DFS in detail nor formulated a framework for such challenges. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper on DFS that attempts to collate its challenges and incorporate them in a hierarchical model using ISM and further divide them into four categories of factors using fuzzy MICMAC analysis.
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Snehasish Banerjee, Jyoti Prakash Singh, Yogesh K. Dwivedi and Nripendra P. Rana
This study, an exploratory research, aims to investigate social media users' expectations of information systems (IS) products that are conceived but not yet launched. It…
Abstract
Purpose
This study, an exploratory research, aims to investigate social media users' expectations of information systems (IS) products that are conceived but not yet launched. It specifically analyses social media data from Twitter about forthcoming smartphones and smartwatches from Apple and Samsung, two firms known for their innovative gadgets.
Design/methodology/approach
Tweets related to the following four forthcoming IS products were retrieved from 1st January 2020 to 30th September 2020: (1) Apple iPhone 12 (6,125 tweets), (2) Apple Watch 6 (553 tweets), (3) Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 2 (923 tweets) and (4) Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3 (207 tweets). These 7,808 tweets were analysed using a combination of the Natural Language Processing Toolkit (NLTK) and sentiment analysis (SentiWordNet).
Findings
The online community was quite vocal about topics such as design, camera and hardware specifications. For all the forthcoming gadgets, the proportion of positive tweets exceeded that of negative tweets. The most prevalent sentiment expressed in Apple-related tweets was neutral, but in Samsung-related tweets was positive. Additionally, it was found that the proportion of tweets echoing negative sentiment was lower for Apple compared with Samsung.
Originality/value
This paper is the earliest empirical work to examine the degree to which social media chatter can be used by project managers for IS development projects, specifically for the purpose of end-users' expectation management.
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S.M. Fatah Uddin, Mohd. Danish Kirmani, Lamay Bin Sabir, Mohd. Nishat Faisal and Nripendra P. Rana
Despite an exponential rise in the frequency of online payments in India, the cause of consumer resistance towards the WhatsApp payment system (WPS) remains unexplored. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite an exponential rise in the frequency of online payments in India, the cause of consumer resistance towards the WhatsApp payment system (WPS) remains unexplored. This research is aimed at exploring the barriers to the adoption of WPS.
Design/methodology/approach
A research model was proposed using stimulus-organism-response framework and innovation resistance theory. Data were collected from 392 users of the WhatsApp application using the mall intercept technique, which also utilizes digital payment platforms. A co-variance based structural equation modelling was employed to test proposed relationships in this cross-sectional study.
Findings
The study findings indicate that personal innovativeness as a personal stimulus negatively influences the usage and value barrier, while negative word of mouth (NWOM) increases the intensity of tradition and the image barrier. Additionally, value barrier, usage barrier, risk barrier and tradition barrier were found to have a negative influence on the intention to adopt the WhatsApp payment system.
Originality/value
This research is an initial endeavour that sheds light on the consumer cognition resisting the adoption of the WPS.
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Yassine Jadil, Anand Jeyaraj, Yogesh K. Dwivedi, Nripendra P. Rana and Prianka Sarker
In recent years, the proliferation of social commerce (s-commerce) has attracted many researchers to investigate the drivers of individuals' intentions. However, the empirical…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, the proliferation of social commerce (s-commerce) has attracted many researchers to investigate the drivers of individuals' intentions. However, the empirical results reported in these studies were fragmented and inconsistent. This has led various meta-analyses to synthesize these findings, but without including a large number of s-commerce studies. In addition, investigating meta-analytically the effects of moderators such as the six dimensions of Hofstede's national culture is still lacking.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on nine theories and models, this meta-analysis aims to summarize the findings reported in 109 s-commerce studies published between 2011 and 2021 and to examine the moderating role of national culture. The correlation coefficient (r) has been used as the main effect size for this study. Based on the random-effects method, the CMA V3 software has been employed to calculate the weighted mean effect sizes.
Findings
The meta-analysis results showed that all the 11 hypothesized direct relationships are positive and significant. The moderator results also revealed that five out of six cultural dimensions significantly moderate the examined associations.
Originality/value
This research serves to enrich the existing s-commerce literature by addressing contradictory and mixed results reported in the empirical studies. This study is one of the first of its kind to investigate the role of Hofstede's six cultural dimensions as moderators in the field of s-commerce using the meta-analytic techniques.
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Abdullah M. Baabdullah, Ali A. Alalwan, Nripendra P. Rana, Pushp Patil and Yogesh K. Dwivedi
The purpose of this paper is to identify and examine the most important factors that could predict the Saudi customer’s continued intention towards adoption of mobile banking.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify and examine the most important factors that could predict the Saudi customer’s continued intention towards adoption of mobile banking.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed conceptual model was based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and task-technology fit (TTF) model. This is also expanded by considering two additional factors: perceived privacy and perceived security. By using a self-administered questionnaire, the data were collected from a convenience sample of Saudi banking customers from different parts of Saudi Arabia.
Findings
The main results based on structural equation modelling analyses supported the impact of perceived privacy, perceived security, perceived usefulness and TTF on the customers’ continued intention to use mobile banking.
Research limitations/implications
The moderation influence of the demographic factors (i.e. age, gender, income level, educational level) was not tested. The data were also collected using a self-report questionnaire; however, it would be more accurate to utilise more statistics from the bank database about the users of m-banking.
Originality/value
This study represents a worthy attempt to test such novel technology (m-banking) in the KSA where there is a scarcity of literature. A considerable theoretical contribution was also made by integrating the TTF model with the TAM in addition to consider privacy and security in one single model. Moreover, considering both perceived privacy and security in the current model creates an accurate picture about the adoption of m-banking especially as there are a limited number of m-banking studies that have considered privacy and security alongside the TTF model and TAM in the same model.
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Sirsha Pattanayak, M. Ramkumar, Mohit Goswami, Gopalakrishnan Narayanamurthy and Nripendra P. Rana
Anchored in the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) and Dynamic Capabilities theory, this study examines blockchain’s role in facilitating firms' transition to a circular economy…
Abstract
Purpose
Anchored in the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) and Dynamic Capabilities theory, this study examines blockchain’s role in facilitating firms' transition to a circular economy (CE), aiming to provide a robust framework for understanding the interplay between blockchain, CE and sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses an interpretivistic approach and semi-structured interviews to explore how blockchain can drive the transition to a CE.
Findings
The study shows blockchain can expedite the shift to a CE through pollution prevention, product stewardship and sustainable development, by leveraging dynamic capabilities (DC). It emphasizes blockchain as a micro foundation of DCs, with these capabilities enabling NRBV strategic capabilities.
Originality/value
This study investigates the intersection of blockchain and CE, offering empirical validation for a robust conceptual framework and revealing the societal impact of the CE transition.
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Indu Sharma, Vivek Tiwari, Shivam Gupta and Nripendra P. Rana
The recent pandemic (COVID-19) and the continuous ICT advancements have resulted in increased levels of technostress. On this basis, the present work tried to explore how…
Abstract
Purpose
The recent pandemic (COVID-19) and the continuous ICT advancements have resulted in increased levels of technostress. On this basis, the present work tried to explore how technostress influences employees’ turnover intention with the mediation of work-exhaustion. Deploying the theoretical lens of job demands-resources theory, the authors also aim to investigate the part that positive psychological capital (PsyCap) has to play as a moderator in between technostress and work-exhaustion.
Design/methodology/approach
The study utilizes a time-lagged methodological design; data was gathered from 544 Indian IT employees. Additionally, PLS-SEM was used to carry out the aforementioned moderation-mediation analysis.
Findings
All the hypotheses proposed were confirmed. It was found that technostress significantly impacts employees’ turnover intention. Additionally, work-exhaustion does mediate the relationship between technostress and employees’ turnover intention. Furthermore, PsyCap did play the role of a moderator between Technostress and work-exhaustion.
Practical implications
This paper provides an augmented understanding of technostress in IT organizations and highlights the role of personal resources in aiding employees’ to deal with technostress.
Originality/value
This study is one of the early studies to highlight the role of positive psychological capital in mitigating the impact of technology-induced exhaustion and employees’ turnover intention.
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Rajasshrie Pillai, Raman Preet, Brijesh Sivathanu and Nripendra P. Rana
The emergence of cryptocurrency has developed a new payment system that is changing how financial transactions happen in hospitality. Consumers/travelers have started…
Abstract
Purpose
The emergence of cryptocurrency has developed a new payment system that is changing how financial transactions happen in hospitality. Consumers/travelers have started experimenting with cryptocurrency payments in hotels and restaurants. However, extant research is lacking in understanding the consumer adoption intention of cryptocurrency payments. This study investigates the intention to use cryptocurrency payments in the hospitality industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The conceptual model in this study is based on the Behavioral Reasoning Theory, and it explores the motivating and deterring factors influencing the adoption of cryptocurrency payments in the hospitality industry. A quantitative survey was conducted among 1,080 consumers to examine and confirm the model, with data being analyzed through the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method.
Findings
The outcome of this work showed that the “reasons for” positively influence and “reasons against” negatively influence consumers’ attitudes and use intentions. Consumers’ values of openness to change positively influence the “reasons for” and do not influence the “reasons against” and attitude toward the use of cryptocurrency payments.
Practical implications
This work contributes to practice by providing insights to customers (users/payee), hospitality managers (investors) and organizations/firms (receiving crypto payments) as well as to financial firms and the government.
Originality/value
This research contributes to cryptocurrency payment adoption and behavioral finance literature. The research uniquely provides the adoption and inhibiting factors for cryptocurrency payment in an integrated framework in the hospitality sector.
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Rajat Kumar Behera, Pradip Kumar Bala, Nripendra P. Rana, Raed Salah Algharabat and Kumod Kumar
With the advancement of digital transformation, it is important for e-retailers to use artificial intelligence (AI) for customer engagement (CE), as CE enables e-retail brands to…
Abstract
Purpose
With the advancement of digital transformation, it is important for e-retailers to use artificial intelligence (AI) for customer engagement (CE), as CE enables e-retail brands to succeed. Essentially, AI e-marketing (AIeMktg) is the use of AI technological approaches in e-marketing by blending customer data, and Retail 4.0 is the digitisation of the physical shopping experience. Therefore, in the era of Retail 4.0, this study investigates the factors influencing the use of AIeMktg for transforming CE.
Design/methodology/approach
The primary data were collected from 305 e-retailer customers, and the analysis was performed using a quantitative methodology.
Findings
The results reveal that AIeMktg has tremendous applications in Retail 4.0 for CE. First, it enables marketers to swiftly and responsibly use data to anticipate and predict customer demands and to provide relevant personalised messages and offers with location-based e-marketing. Second, through a continuous feedback loop, AIeMktg improves offerings by analysing and incorporating insights from a 360-degree view of CE.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this study is to provide theoretical underpinnings of CE, AIeMktg, factors influencing the use of AIeMktg, and customer commitment in the era of Retail 4.0. Subsequently, it builds and validates structural relationships among such theoretical underpinning variables in transforming CE with AIeMktg, which is important for customers to expect a different type of shopping experience across digital channels.