Mohammad Shamsuzzaman, Mohammad Khadem, Salah Haridy, Ahm Shamsuzzoha, Mohammad Abdalla, Marwan Al-Hanini, Hamdan Almheiri and Omar Masadeh
The purpose of this study is to implement lean six sigma (LSS) methodology to improve the admission process in a higher education institute (HEI).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to implement lean six sigma (LSS) methodology to improve the admission process in a higher education institute (HEI).
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, case study research methodology is adopted and implemented through an LSS define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) framework.
Findings
The preliminary investigation showed that the completion of the whole admission process of a new student takes an average of 88 min, which is equivalent to a sigma level of about 0.71 based on the targeted admission cycle time of 60 min. The implementation of the proposed LSS approach increased the sigma level from 0.71 to 2.57, which indicates a reduction in the mean admission cycle time by around 55%. This substantial improvement is expected not only to provide an efficient admission process but also to enhance the satisfaction of students and employees and increase the reputation of the HEI to a significant level.
Research limitations/implications
In this study, the sample size used in the analysis is considered small. In addition, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is investigated using a discrete event simulation with a single-case study, which may limit generalization of the results. However, this study can provide useful guidance for further research for the generalization of the results to wider scopes in terms of different sectors of HEIs and geographical locations.
Practical implications
This study uses several statistical process control tools and techniques through a LSS DMAIC framework to identify and element the root causes of the long admission cycle time at a HEI. The approach followed, and the lessons learned, as documented in the study, can be of a great benefit in improving different sectors of HEIs.
Originality/value
This study is one of the few attempts to implement LSS in HEIs to improve the administrative process so that better-quality services can be provided to customers, such as students and guardians. The project is implemented by a group of undergraduate students as a part of their senior design project, which paves the way for involving students in future LSS projects in HEIs. This study is expected to help to improve understanding of how LSS methodology can be implemented in solving quality-related problems in HEIs and to offer valuable insights for both academics and practitioners.
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Ra'ed Masa'deh, Omar Alananzeh, Omar Jawabreh, Rashed Alhalabi, Hassan Syam and Faisal Keswani
This study aims to quantify the associations among employee’s communication skills (language ability, body language and personal appearance), restaurant image and tourist…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to quantify the associations among employee’s communication skills (language ability, body language and personal appearance), restaurant image and tourist behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey instrument is used to examine the relationships in the proposed model by using structural equation modelling (SEM) technique. The collected primary data (n = 153) are analysed to test the relationship between exogenous and endogenous constructs expressed in the proposed structural model.
Findings
The results revealed that language ability, body language and personal appearance impacted restaurant image, which, in turn, affected tourist behaviour.
Practical implications
This study will contribute a better understanding towards employee’s communication skills in Aqaba city resorts and restaurants.
Originality/value
This study is considered the first in the region that links the tourist image of a restaurant with its employee’s skills and its impact on tourists’ behaviour.
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Ra’ed Masa’deh, Omar Alananzeh, Ali Tarhini and Oroub Algudah
This paper aims to investigate the effects of promotional mix in terms of advertisement, website and direct sale on job performance during the political crisis in the Middle East.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the effects of promotional mix in terms of advertisement, website and direct sale on job performance during the political crisis in the Middle East.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 121 Jordanian employees working in hotels in Aqaba city, using a self-administrated questionnaire including 35 items. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the research hypotheses.
Findings
The results of the current study revealed that there is a significant impact of hotels’ advertisement and hotels’ direct sale on hotel performance, whereas hotels’ website has no significant impact.
Originality/value
This is the first study that examines the effect of promotional mix on hotel performance during the political and economical crises in the Middle East and clarifies the most important elements that affect the countries’ economy, especially those involved in political conflicts.
研究目的
本论文主要研究中东地区政治危机时期的促销组合对酒店绩效的各种影响, 其中促销组合是指广告、网站、和直接销售。
研究设计
本论文采用35个问题的自助问卷形式采集数据。数据样本取自亚喀巴城的121名约旦员工。本研究采用多元回归分析法以测量研究假设。
研究结果
本研究结果表明酒店的广告和直接销售对酒店绩效有显著作用, 但是酒店网站对于酒店绩效的作用并不显著。
研究原创性
本论文是首篇研究中东地区政治危机时期的促销组合对酒店绩效影响的文章。
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Ra’ed Masa’deh, Omar Alananzeh, Noof Algiatheen, Rawan Ryati, Reem Albayyari and Ali Tarhini
This study aims to quantify the associations among employees’ perception of implementing green supply chain management (i.e. through seven variables, namely, internal…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to quantify the associations among employees’ perception of implementing green supply chain management (i.e. through seven variables, namely, internal environmental management, green information systems, green purchasing, tourist perceptions, environmentally friendly activity, employee emotional behavior and environmental legislation) with hotel’s economic and operational performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey instrument is used to examine the relationships in the proposed model by using the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. An analysis of the primary data (n = 150) collected from employees in Aqaba hotels located in Jordan is conducted to test the relationship between exogenous and endogenous constructs expressed in the proposed structural model.
Findings
The findings revealed that while green information systems, employee emotional behavior and environmental legislation affected hotels’ economic performance, internal environmental management, green purchasing, tourist perceptions and environment-friendly activity did not. Also, hotels’ economic performance positively impacted hotels’ operational performance. However, as the coefficient of determination (R²) for the endogenous research variables for economic performance and operational performance was 0.16 and 0.17, respectively, the relationships between the exogenous and endogenous constructs were not supported.
Practical implications
This study will contribute towards a better understanding of employee perceptions of implementing green supply chain management and hotel performance in Aqaba City.
Originality/value
This is the first study that adequately covers the associations among employee perception of implementing green supply chain management on hotel’s economic and operational performance in the Middle East.
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Rana B.S. Madi Odeh, Bader Yousef Obeidat, Mais Osama Jaradat, Ra'ed Masa'deh and Muhammad Turki Alshurideh
This empirical research draws on the existing theory of transformational leadership, adaptive culture and organizational resilience, and investigates the effect of the elected TQM…
Abstract
Purpose
This empirical research draws on the existing theory of transformational leadership, adaptive culture and organizational resilience, and investigates the effect of the elected TQM leadership style “transformational leadership” through the mediating effect of adaptive culture on organizational resilience, that is the key of survival during crises like the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely impacted the business globally.
Design/methodology/approach
This study exploited a cross-sectional online questionnaire of a random sample of Dubai service firms, with the unit of analysis being at the firm level. In total, 379 usable responses were received. Regression analysis was conducted to test hypotheses.
Findings
The overall findings of this study supported that transformational leadership is positively associated with both adaptive culture and firm's resilience and significantly impacts them. Adaptive culture was found partially mediating the effect of transformational leadership on organizational resilience.
Practical implications
The research findings provide important insights to practitioners (managers and leaders) to better improve their transformational qualities, as these qualities are expected to improve the organizational adaptive cultures and capacity of resilience.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first studies to examine the transformational leadership effect on organizational adaptive culture and firm's resilience. This investigation expands the boundaries of leadership style theory into new arenas, attempting to partially address the identified knowledge gap in this vein.
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This study offers an in-depth examination of Google Bard, an advanced artificial intelligence chatbot created by Google, focusing specifically on its potential impact on academic…
Abstract
This study offers an in-depth examination of Google Bard, an advanced artificial intelligence chatbot created by Google, focusing specifically on its potential impact on academic research. This discussion aims to comprehensively explore the features of Google Bard, highlighting its capabilities in data management, facilitating collaborative discussions, and enhancing accessibility to complex research. In addition to the aforementioned positive characteristics, we will also delve into the limitations and ethical considerations associated with this innovative device. The functionality of the system is constrained by the limitations imposed by its pre-established algorithms and training data. In addition, there are significant concerns regarding data privacy, potential biases in its responses stemming from its training data, and the wider societal implications associated with a heavy reliance on machine-generated content. Ensuring responsible and ethical utilization of Bard necessitates Google's provision of transparent communication regarding its development process. In light of the prominent functionalities demonstrated by Google Bard, it is imperative for researchers to engage in a rigorous examination of the information it presents, thereby safeguarding against the inadvertent propagation of misinformation or biased viewpoints. This will lay the groundwork for its effective integration into the academic research methodology.
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The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the economic conditions and business strategy in the Arab countries are favourable for business incubation, and to suggest…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the economic conditions and business strategy in the Arab countries are favourable for business incubation, and to suggest possible directions for establishing and implementing more business incubation in the Arab countries.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts quantitative strategy and uses a snowball approach for the distribution of designed questionnaire to the incubation units in Jordan and the UAE.
Findings
The findings of the research contribute to the literature of business support services, innovation and entrepreneurship development, which enhances the knowledge and skills within the incubation units.
Practical implications
The implementation and development of business incubators (BIs) is a key requirement for the high technology industry. As developing countries, Arab countries have to make efforts to accelerate the birth and growth of incubators, aim of catching up with technologically more advanced countries.
Originality/value
The study ensures the acceleration of successful development of young entrepreneurs and their businesses in the Arab countries through the establishment and implementation directives for BIs.
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Omar Ikbal Tawfik and Hamada Elsaid Elmaasrawy
This study aims to assesses the factors that affected the development of cloud-based accounting education (DCBAE) and students' academic performance at Oman Universities.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assesses the factors that affected the development of cloud-based accounting education (DCBAE) and students' academic performance at Oman Universities.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper a questionnaire was used to collect data for a sample of students. Partial least squares (PLS) were used to assess the hypotheses and model.
Findings
Results indicate that human factors and cultural and social factors have a direct positive effect on the DCBAE and students' academic performance.
Practical implications
This study is carried out after five semesters since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, it can help universities (accounting education in particular) in the Sultanate of Oman know the factors that affect the development of accounting education and adopt policies and strategies that depend on cloud computing in education operations, even after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this study is to evaluate the factors that affected the DCBAE and the academic performance of students in the Sultanate of Oman from March 15, 2020 to June 2022, a period that witnessed the application of cloud-based education, either in whole or in part using a questionnaire about the opinions of students.
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Rose Boitumelo Mathafena and Jabulile Msimango-Galawe
The study aims to investigate the extent to which interfunctional coordination (IFC) moderates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO), market orientation (MO…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to investigate the extent to which interfunctional coordination (IFC) moderates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO), market orientation (MO) and organisational opportunity exploitation (OE) and business performance (BP); second, to examine the impact of EO, MO and organisational OE on the BP.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a cross-sectional design approach, with the research framework tested on a sample of 203 cases of employees mostly at skilled, professional and management levels in Gauteng Province. Data was analysed through correlation, regression and moderation analysis.
Findings
The results indicated that EO, MO and OE account for BP. Furthermore, IFC significantly moderates only the relationship between MO and BP (financial) and OE and BP (non-financial). While the relationship between EO and BP is not significantly moderated.
Practical implications
The study highlights that IFC is not yet embedded in organisational practice and culture. Scaling interventions to promote IFC as a performance enabler, particularly in conjunction with the entrepreneurial, market-oriented and OE activities, is essential in the South African corporate entrepreneurial environment.
Originality/value
Although EO, MO and OE are widely recognised as performance enablers, very little is known about the potential moderating role of IFC towards these identified complementary strategic capabilities within the South African corporate context. The empirical research strengthens awareness about the need and criticality of IFC in improving organisational performance in emerging economies.
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Abu Bashar, Brighton Nyagadza, Neo Ligaraba and Eugine Tafadzwa Maziriri
This paper is a bibliometric analysis of articles published on the influence of Covid-19 on consumer behaviour.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper is a bibliometric analysis of articles published on the influence of Covid-19 on consumer behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
Biblioshiny and VOSviewer applications are employed for the bibliometric analysis and visualisation, respectively.
Findings
The most influential documents, authors, affiliations, countries and journals are presented. Citation, Co-citation and keyword co-occurrence analysis is conducted and presented in the form of a clustered network diagram.
Practical implications
This paper found three main themes of the research in consumer behaviour amid Covid-19 a) Food purchasing decisions and food wastage, b) Adoption of technology and c) Intrinsic and extrinsic influence on consumer behaviour.
Social implications
The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken the world’s economy and left behind its adverse effect on almost every walk of life. Consumer behaviour is no exception, studies have reported paradigm shifts in the way consumers are reacting to marketing stimuli, making purchase and consumption decisions. For the marketers to sustain profitability, they need to understand the changing behaviour and tailor their offerings accordingly.
Originality/value
The article offers the emerging theme and sub-themes in the consumer behaviour research that leads to future expansion of this research domain.