Neha Mehta, Siddarth Singh Bist and Priya Shah
With past studies indicating a lack of skill development in engineering education, there is a need for new pedagogical tools that are application and skill-oriented. Hackathons…
Abstract
Purpose
With past studies indicating a lack of skill development in engineering education, there is a need for new pedagogical tools that are application and skill-oriented. Hackathons are widely accepted in the corporate world, in the engineering domain for skill development and recruitment but have not gained acceptance in mainstream engineering education. Very few studies have discussed engineering educator views regarding hackathons and their benefits. This paper intends to study engineering educators' perception of the hackathon and its benefits after participating in it. The findings could support hackathons as a pedagogical tool to develop an industry-oriented and skill-based engineering education.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed methods design was employed where initially qualitative study was conducted. Its findings were used to conduct survey of 162 engineering educators who had participated in a hackathon. A five point Likert scale was employed for data collection.
Findings
The findings reveal that engineering educators who participated in the hackathon perceived hackathons to support industry-focused learning, problem-solving and new skill development. They also acknowledged its role in their professional development. The further discussion suggests that engineering educators and institutes may collaborate with industry to design and use hackathons as a teaching tool to develop industry-ready graduates.
Research limitations/implications
The study was not designed to study how different aspects of hackathon lead to different benefits derived from participating in it. There is a need to study hackathons as a tool of pedagogy and assessment, focusing on how variables linked to it facilitate, moderate and hinder the learning and assessment process in participants. More in-depth studies need to be conducted to adopt the hackathon as a pedagogy and assessment tool in higher education.
Practical implications
The discussion suggests that designing hackathons effectively as a tool for learning and skill development will result in skilled graduates. Engineering educators should adopt hackathons as a pedagogy for their students. Management and policymakers of engineering institutes should consider hackathons as a part of pedagogy for students besides conducting hackathons for educators for their professional development that will be investment in skills helpful at workplace.
Originality/value
The notable contribution of this paper is to document perceptions of engineering educators regarding hackathons and their benefits after participating in a hackathon. The paper proposes that hackathons can be introduced in the engineering curriculum as they would offer educators a novel method of teaching and assessment and support engineering graduates in recruitment and making them industry-ready.
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Priya Shah, Amandeep Dhir, Rohit Joshi and Naliniprava Tripathy
Major cereal staples such as wheat, white rice and corn have a significant negative impact on the environment, a low nutritional profile and are associated with obesity. In…
Abstract
Purpose
Major cereal staples such as wheat, white rice and corn have a significant negative impact on the environment, a low nutritional profile and are associated with obesity. In comparison, alternative staples (such as rye, quinoa, buckwheat, etc.) are more environmentally sustainable and nutritious, yet are underused. There has been a recent surge in research into and awareness of alternative staples, but the current understanding of the different drivers of and barriers to their consumption remains fragmented.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study attempts to assimilate and incorporate the current knowledge on the drivers of and barriers to the consumption of alternative staples. Eighty-one empirical studies were curated and analysed according to stringent protocols in order to examine the existing research profile and themes arising from prior research in this domain.
Findings
The study presents a profile of the extensive existing literature examining the drivers of and barriers to the consumption of alternative staples. The thematic analysis of selected studies resulted in the identification of six drivers and seven barriers. The drivers are an awareness of health; awareness of environmental factors; recommendations; awareness of the brand, labels and source of origin; household structure and demographic attributes. The barriers are difficulty in preparation, lack of familiarity, lack of availability, lack of affordability, culture, product attributes and sensory attributes. The various research gaps and avenues for future research associated with the drivers and barriers identified are also presented.
Originality/value
The key outcomes of the study are the presentation of the research profile, the identification of various drivers and barriers, the recognition of gaps in the research and avenues for future research and, finally, the development of a theoretical framework entitled “Behavioral reasoning towards the consumption of alternative staples (BRCAS)”. The study offers various insights for nutritionists, marketers, policymakers and consumers by increasing awareness of alternative staples.
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Sumaiya Usman, Fazeelat Masood, Mubashir Ali Khan and Naveed ur Rehman Khan
This paper aims to address essential questions regarding social entrepreneurial intentions. Do traits such as perceived social impact, social worth and social network influence…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to address essential questions regarding social entrepreneurial intentions. Do traits such as perceived social impact, social worth and social network influence, social entrepreneurial intentions among the young populous generation of Pakistan? To get a deeper insight, this paper further raises questions regarding the relationship of these predictors and social entrepreneurial intentions with empathy which is considered as a key determinant and a distinguishing trait to become a social entrepreneur.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper involves a quantitative research design using a partial least square structural equation modeling approach to measure the effects of the structural model. For this, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with a purposive sample of 247 university students from Pakistan.
Findings
Results showed a positive relationship between antecedents and social entrepreneurial intentions. Overall analysis exhibited social worth as a dominant trait and social network as the least influencing trait to impact social entrepreneurial intentions.
Practical implications
It will help micro and macro-level policymakers including government officials and NGOs and educators to create awareness and provide support and encouragement to individuals who aim to initiate social enterprise.
Originality/value
The present study makes significant contributions to the social entrepreneurship literature, as it is one of the first academic studies on social entrepreneurial intentions in Pakistan. This paper enriches the theoretical foundation by assessing the influence of perceived social impact, social worth and social network on social entrepreneurial intentions. Also, the relationship of Empathy with each of these antecedents is examined for the first time in the social entrepreneurial intentions context which is a valuable contribution both theoretically and practically.
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Deepa Kumari and Ashutosh Dash
The students should be able to understand the potential and competitive advantage of community-based business model. The students should be able to familiarise themselves with the…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
The students should be able to understand the potential and competitive advantage of community-based business model. The students should be able to familiarise themselves with the concept of entrepreneurship through acquisitions. The students should be able to decide when a firm should use acquisition as a key driver coupled with fewer efforts on organic growth or vice-versa. The student should be able to evaluate the success or failure acquisition as a growth strategy. The student should be able to evaluate the key metrics and other variables in the acquisition of target companies. The students should be able to wear the shoes of the protagonist and resolve the dilemma.
Case overview/synopsis
The teaching case looks at the dilemma of Sairee Chahal. Chahal is the founder of SHEROES, an online community for women. SHEROES started as an online career ecosystem for women. As time progressed Chahal witnessed conversations beyond career and moved towards women-centric themes. Chahal decided to pivot it into an online community for women. Her growth strategy for SHEROES has primarily been driven by serial acquisitions coupled with dispersed efforts on organic growth. In the meanwhile, Chahal had harboured an ambition to bring 100 million users to SHEROES by the year 2024. In a period spanning from 2016–2020, SHEROES acquired six niche women-centric companies. SHEROES grew to be a community of 1 million users to 20+million women users by 2020. On the other hand, the industry leader, Mogul used a diametrical approach to grow the platform into 30+million users by 2020. It had primarily used organic growth strategies such as content development, designing courses, referrals and many more. However, Chahal found herself in a dilemma when a reporter posed a question to Chahal. Chahal’s growth strategy depended on acquisitions, coupled with less effort in organic growth. Conversely, Mogul grew primarily via organic growth strategies. The reporter’s question forced her to question and revisit her growth strategies. She wondered if a target of 100 million users could be achieved with the acquisition as a major driver and less effort invested in organic growth or whether it might be better to make organic growth the key growth strategy while pushing acquisitions to the back seat. The uniqueness of the case lies in the female protagonist who is trying to build a larger-than-life community primarily via acquisitions with little effort on organic growth. Such a phenomenon has rarely been explored in teaching cases. The case is based on secondary data and the information is available in the public domain.
Complexity academic level
The case is designed for post-graduate students in the entrepreneurship curriculum. Within entrepreneurship, it is well-suited for use in specialised courses on “growth of an entrepreneurial venture” or “entrepreneurial strategies”. An instructor may take it up in the middle of the module as students would have familiarised themselves with various growth strategies. An instructor may use the case for a very niche course such as entrepreneurship through acquisition. An instructor may take it up as an introductory case in such a course. It can also be used in the executive programme aimed at “women entrepreneurship”, “community-based model” and “serial acquisitions” to teach how women or founders create and grow entrepreneurial ventures with acquisitions or communities as their focal tenet. The case has been tested in the authors’ post-graduate student’s entrepreneurship course. An instructor can use it when the instructor wants to discuss the various growth strategies available to an entrepreneurial firm.
Supplementary materials
Teaching Notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
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Dwi Suhartanto, David Dean, Tuan Ahmad Tuan Ismail and Ratna Sundari
This paper aims to examine mobile banking adoption in Islamic banks by integrating technology adoption model (TAM) and Religiosity-Behavioural Intention Model.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine mobile banking adoption in Islamic banks by integrating technology adoption model (TAM) and Religiosity-Behavioural Intention Model.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a sample of 300 mobile banking customers of Islamic banks from West Java Province, Indonesia. Partial least square was applied to assess the association between perceived usefulness, perceived ease-of-use, religiosity, satisfaction, and adoption.
Findings
The results of this study disclosed that the integration of TAM and Religiosity-Intention model provides a more complete explanation of Islamic bank consumers’ adoption of mobile banking. Besides perceived usefulness and perceived ease-of-use, the results of this study emphasise the importance of religiosity in mobile banking adoption.
Practical implications
This study offers an opportunity for Islamic bank managers to increase the adoption of their mobile banking services. To increase the adoption of mobile banking services, Islamic banks must not only provide an application that is useful and easy to use but also consider the customer’s religiosity. All of their mobile banking marketing strategies should focus on providing high-quality mobile service while ensuring the bank’s operations are compliant with the Islamic law.
Originality/value
This study is the first attempt to integrate TAM and Religiosity-Intention Model to assess mobile banking adoption.
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Ahmad Y. Khasawneh and Qais A. Dasouqi
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of debt financing on both performance and systematic risk in Amman Stock Exchange listed firms. The authors focus the study to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of debt financing on both performance and systematic risk in Amman Stock Exchange listed firms. The authors focus the study to analyze the differences between services and industrial firms in one sense and the differences between international and domestic firms in the other sense, as the study depends on the geographical distribution of sales to classify the nationality of firms.
Design/methodology/approach
The study sample includes all listed Jordanian firms in Amman Stock Exchange from 2005 to 2013 for both industrial and services sectors. Using panel data techniques, fixed effects regression with modified Driscoll-Kraay standard error as a remedy for heteroscedasticity problem is employed.
Findings
The results show that there is a significant negative impact of debt financing on the firm’s performance, where the sector and the sales nationality play an important role. Moreover, the results indicate that there is a significant positive impact of debt financing on the firm’s systematic risk. Taking the sector and sales nationality into consideration, the authors find that the debt financing has no significant impact on the systematic risk of services firms and domestic firms. Additionally, the findings indicate that services firms and international firms are, on average, more riskier than industrial firms and domestic firms, respectively.
Originality/value
The paper provides a visibility on the comparison between international and local firms in Jordan in terms of the impact of debt financing on the financial performance and systematic risk in one research.
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This chapter employs a single case study of Safeer (pseudonym) (25 years old) who has been part of the tribal conflict involving the Rind clan against another Rind clan and the…
Abstract
This chapter employs a single case study of Safeer (pseudonym) (25 years old) who has been part of the tribal conflict involving the Rind clan against another Rind clan and the Lashari tribe in the Dadu district of Sindh, Pakistan. It investigates how youth, in the name of tribal honor, actively resist rival tribes, serving as potential actors during conflicts. Safeer actively engaged in numerous tribal conflicts during broad daylight. Not only due to tribal conflicts but also out of fear of the police, Safeer led a conscious and vigilant life from childhood to protect himself and his extended clan members, reflecting a shared sentiment among the youth of his clan. Safeer’s case provides insight into the prevailing perception of youth across more than eight tribal districts in Sindh, excessively affected by conflict consequences yet actively resisting and challenging atrocities. He, like many others in his clan, felt compelled to seek revenge for the murder of an innocent clan member. Safeer’s perspective also highlights the police’s incompetence and the public’s lack of trust in formal justice (especially courts), as a major cause leading young individuals into tribal clashes. Safeer’s case extends beyond an individual narrative, illustrating a broader political landscape in the vast geography of Sindh. It reflects the adversity and resilience of rural youth facing immense challenges, including declining agricultural activities due to reduced irrigation water, rising agricultural input prices, inflation, unemployment, and a shrinking small-scale industrial base in rural Sindh.
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Priya Saha, Md. Shakhawat Hossain, Nirmal Chandra Roy, Abdullah Al Masud and Ruhul Amin
This study aims to evaluate students’ intention and actual use (AU) of artificial intelligence (AI) tools’ to discover how the power of AI influences learning and academic success.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate students’ intention and actual use (AU) of artificial intelligence (AI) tools’ to discover how the power of AI influences learning and academic success.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper used the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to develop a structural equation model (SEM) and used convenience sampling to measure 304 students’ five-point Likert scale responses. The model was tested with AMOS-24 and SPSS-25, and the study found that AI boosted students’ learning experiences and explain importance of AI skills and knowledge.
Findings
Performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence and facilitating condition directly and indirectly affect AU via intent to use (IU), while subjective norms determining the use of AI tools’ and have no substantial influence. Attitude (ATT) moderates PE and EE, although the data show that ATT has no substantial effect on EE.
Originality/value
These insights may help student to understand how AI tools’ benefit them and what factors affect their utilization. When correctly designed and executed, UTAUT provides an appropriate integrated theoretical framework for robust statistical analysis like SEM.
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The study aims to explore the role of frugal and sustainable entrepreneurship in fostering inclusive development. It specifically investigates the role of social entrepreneurs who…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to explore the role of frugal and sustainable entrepreneurship in fostering inclusive development. It specifically investigates the role of social entrepreneurs who use innovative approaches to address societal challenges.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a qualitative approach using a case study based on Gioia method. Content analysis of interviews with the social entrepreneurs and their team members help establish the underlying principles of frugal innovation (FI).
Findings
The study highlights how social entrepreneurs use FI principles (re-use, re-purpose, re-combine and rapidity) to address the social needs and promote inclusive development.
Practical implications
The research offers valuable insights for both new and established social entrepreneurs. By showcasing the practical application of the FI principles, the study provides a guiding light for fostering sustainable and inclusive development. Frugal entrepreneurship, with its collaborative nature and ability to maximize limited resources, may emerge as a key strategy for social entrepreneurs to create a more inclusive, secure and sustainable future.
Originality/value
The research breaks new ground by examining the role of frugal and sustainable entrepreneurship in fostering inclusive development. This unique perspective explains how frugal and sustainable practices are tailored and adapted to address localized issues. Furthermore, the use of a case study allowed for the emergence of new themes and insights not anticipated earlier.
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Samant Shant Priya, Vineet Jain, Meenu Shant Priya, Sushil Kumar Dixit and Gaurav Joshi
This study aims to examine which organisational and other factors can facilitate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Indian management institutes and their…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine which organisational and other factors can facilitate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Indian management institutes and their interrelationship.
Design/methodology/approach
To determine the factors influencing AI adoption, a synthesis-based examination of the literature was used. The interpretative structural modelling (ISM) method is used to determine the most effective factors among the identified ones and the inter-relationship among the factors, while the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method is used to analyse the cause-and-effect relationships among the factors in a quantitative manner. The approaches used in the analysis aid in understanding the relationship among the factors affecting AI adoption in management institutes of India.
Findings
This study concludes that leadership support plays the most significant role in the adoption of AI in Indian management institutes. The results from the DEMATEL analysis also confirmed the findings from the ISM and Matrice d’ Impacts croises- multiplication applique and classment (MICMAC) analyses. Remarkably, no linkage factor (unstable one) was reported in the research. Leadership support, technological context, financial consideration, organizational context and human resource readiness are reported as independent factors.
Practical implications
This study provides a listing of the important factors affecting the adoption of AI in Indian management institutes with their structural relationships. The findings provide a deeper insight about AI adoption. The study's societal implications include the delivery of better outcomes by Indian management institutes.
Originality/value
According to the authors, this study is a one-of-a-kind effort that involves the synthesis of several validated models and frameworks and uncovers the key elements and their connections in the adoption of AI in Indian management institutes.