Chechen Liao, Pui‐Lai To, Chuang‐Chun Liu, Pu‐Yuan Kuo and Shu‐Hui Chuang
A lack of differentiation in the function and appearance of web portals has led to fierce competition; attracting users' attention is no doubt the most important factor for portal…
Abstract
Purpose
A lack of differentiation in the function and appearance of web portals has led to fierce competition; attracting users' attention is no doubt the most important factor for portal success. This study aims to combine rational assessment factors and non‐rational assessment factors to examine their impact on the intended use of portals.
Design/methodology/approach
The research participants were individuals who have experience using web portals. A total of 215 valid questionnaires were collected. Structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypothesis.
Findings
This study is based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), a significant model in MIS research. The results show that all assessment factors have an impact on the intended use of web portals.
Research limitations/implications
TAM emphasised perceived usefulness as the key determinant of user acceptance of technology. This study finds, however, that in the portal context, non‐rational assessment factors such as perceived playfulness and habit have more significant effects on users' intention than perceived usefulness.
Practical implications
The paper concludes that non‐rational assessment factors are important boundary conditions to the validity of the technology acceptance model. To attract users, web site designers should be more aware of aesthetics and the hedonic nature of web users.
Originality/value
This study has contributed to the original TAM by incorporating non‐rational assessment factors. It also validates this empirical model. The results of this study can help practitioners create a more successful business model and help researchers better understand user behaviour on the internet.
Details
Keywords
Chechen Liao, Pui-Lai To and Fang-Chih Hsu
Knowledge sharing has played an important role in the proliferation of virtual communities. However little research has provided an integrated view of knowledge sharing for a…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge sharing has played an important role in the proliferation of virtual communities. However little research has provided an integrated view of knowledge sharing for a general-purpose (non-professional) virtual community. This study aims to suggest that four driving forces, i.e. utilitarian motivation, hedonic motivation, control belief (self-efficacy) and contextual force (sharing culture), motivate users' attitudes toward knowledge sharing.
Design/methodology/approach
The research participants are knowledge contributors who participate in general-purpose virtual communities. A total of 473 valid questionnaires were collected. Structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypothesis.
Findings
The results show that users' attitude toward knowledge is determined by all four key forces: utilitarian motivation (reciprocity, reputation), hedonic motivation (enjoying helping), control belief (self-efficacy) and contextual force (sharing culture). Users' attitude, self-efficacy and sharing culture have an effect on continuance intention to share knowledge.
Research limitations/implications
Contrary to prior studies of professional knowledge sharing, this study found that hedonic motivation is more important than utilitarian motivation in terms of intention to continue sharing knowledge.
Practical implications
Virtual community service providers should provide mechanisms for users to enjoy helping others, refine utilitarian benefits by improving honour and rewards systems, support a fair and open sharing culture, and help users to gain a stronger sense of competence as successful knowledge sharers.
Originality/value
This study articulates and empirically validates an integrated model of knowledge sharing. It helps researchers better understand continued knowledge sharing behaviour in virtual communities.
Details
Keywords
Chechen Liao, Pui‐Lai To and Chuang‐Chun Liu
There has been an explosive growth of blog usage recently. However, little research has explored the forces motivating people to engage in blog activities. The purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
There has been an explosive growth of blog usage recently. However, little research has explored the forces motivating people to engage in blog activities. The purpose of this paper is to suggest that the driving forces to engage in blog participation not only includes utilitarian motivation (i.e. perceived usefulness) and hedonic motivation (i.e. perceived playfulness) but also habitual behaviour and social identity (blog identification). The quality of the blog is included as an antecedent to perceived usefulness and perceived playfulness.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 225 valid questionnaires were collected from blog users. Structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypothesis.
Findings
The results show that blog users' intentions to participate in blogs are determined by all four key drivers: habit, perceived playfulness, blog identification, and perceived usefulness. Blog quality has an effect on perceived usefulness and perceived playfulness.
Research limitations/implications
Previous studies emphasise the importance of perceived usefulness as the key determinant for user acceptance of technology. However, in the blog context this study finds habit, perceived playfulness, and blog identification have more significant effects on users' intention than perceived usefulness.
Practical implications
Blog hosts should encourage habitual blog usage (habit), pay more attention to the hedonic nature of the blog (perceived playfulness) and establish a stronger sense of blog identification among participants, in order to retain active users.
Originality/value
This study articulates and empirically validates a motivational research model of blog usage, helping researchers to better understand such behaviour.
Details
Keywords
Diane Roberts and Daniel Hin‐Wing Chan
Contributes towards the research into the potential dangers of unprotected hotel rooms by highlighting the incidence, and cause, of some major hotel fires in Asia and USA…
Abstract
Contributes towards the research into the potential dangers of unprotected hotel rooms by highlighting the incidence, and cause, of some major hotel fires in Asia and USA. Additionally, through the use of fire modelling computer software, predicts various fire scenarios inside the guest room, demonstrates how little time is available for evacuation, and states that without specific precautions, fire fatalities will continue to occur. Suggests that once such an appreciation becomes widespread, together with the worldwide publicity resulting from fires in hospitality environments, this may influence the demands made by travellers, and that hoteliers might be well advised to exceed the requirements placed upon them by statute, and advertise such personal safety guarantees alongside their usual facilities, as part of an overall strategy in the battle for competitive edge.
Details
Keywords
Enes Eryarsoy, Alev Özer Torgalöz, Mehmet Fatih Acar and Selim Zaim
The aim of this article is to shed light on the impact of intangible resources, such as organizational learning (OL), organizational agility (OA) and organizational innovativeness…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this article is to shed light on the impact of intangible resources, such as organizational learning (OL), organizational agility (OA) and organizational innovativeness (OI), on supply chain resilience (SCR). For this, a theoretical model is developed to analyze the development of relationships between chosen resource variables.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on a cross-sectional questionnaire. Survey data were collected from 180 businesses including only medium to senior level managers to ensure a thorough understanding about the company's inner workings and supply chain (SC). The validity of the model is determined using structural equation modeling (SEM) and tested using lavaan package in R.
Findings
The findings indicate a statistically significant relationship between OL and SCR. Two organizational resource constructs, OI and OA, are found to have a strong mediating effect on this relationship. OL ability mediated by OA and OI results in increased SCR.
Research limitations/implications
The data cover multiple sectors but are collected from one country. The dataset is also limited in that it is collected from mid- to high-level managers working on manufacturing and supply chain-related departments.
Practical implications
The authors believe that the results of this study will guide both managers and academics in developing effective measures to avoid SC disruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic or other comparable risks.
Originality/value
This is the first study that examines the relationship between OL and SCR. Prior studies have examined the relationship between OA and SCR. However, OL and OI, in particular, have not featured frequently in SCR-related studies. In this regard, this research is also unique in that it examines the mediating role of OA and OI in the relationship between OL and SCR.
Details
Keywords
Arun Kumar Tarofder, Govindan Marthandan, Avvari V. Mohan and Prashantini Tarofder
The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically the critical factors for the diffusion of web technologies in supply chain management (SCM) functions, based on the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically the critical factors for the diffusion of web technologies in supply chain management (SCM) functions, based on the technology‐organizational‐environment model, and to identify the benefits resulting from diffusion.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected, via an internet survey, from 251 respondents, ranging from middle‐level to top‐level managers, from firms which currently utilize web technologies for their supply chain activities. Structural equation modelling was employed for five factors: relative advantage; competitive pressure; complexity; trialability; and top management support, which have been hypothesized to affect the diffusion of web technologies in SCM functions.
Findings
The results suggest that all the factors except trialability are significant predictors of web technologies' diffusion in supply chain functions. The results show also that by diffusing web technologies, organizations can enhance their supply chain activities.
Research limitations/implications
The survey was conducted in a Malaysian context, using a limited set of variables, thus limiting the generalizability of the findings.
Practical implications
This study provides a greater understanding of managers' perception of web technology diffusion in their organizational SCM functions, and benefits realizing from diffusion of web technology, such as operational efficiency.
Originality/value
Those interested in adopting web technologies in their supply chain activities may find these results helpful in guiding their efforts.