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The main objective of this study is to identify the variables influencing consumers' perceptions of sustainable purchasing intentions and the effects such perceptions have on actual sustainable purchasing behavior. This paper aims to develop an understanding of the postmillennial generation's consumption of sustainable products.

A structured questionnaire was used to collect data for quantitative analysis. It involved sampling a total of 251 respondents, which were postmillennials belonging to the twin cities of Pakistan. A series of tests were applied through Smart PLS4 for all the variables, including descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling.

The results revealed that there is a significant relationship of social value and electronic word of mouth with digital media usage (DMU). Whereas, link of functional and emotional value with DMU was insignificant. The results also portrayed that there exists a positive link between DMU and sustainable consumption behavior (SCB). Moreover, green purchase intention moderated the relationship between DMU and SCB.

There exists a research gap on the role of postmillennial behavioral regulation and digital media use, as potential influences on their purchase behavior. Despite the fact that digital media has been shown to influence millennials' purchasing decisions in the past, there is still a reluctance among postmillennials to engage in environmentally friendly practices. Consequently, research is necessary to comprehend sustainable consumer behaviors; especially from an unaddressed Pakistani perspective.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship of advertising skepticism and need for cognition with consumers’ attitudes toward brand. There is currently limited understanding on how advertising skepticism and need for cognition relate to the consumers’ attitudes.

Using a “within-brand-comparison” strategy, a mock print advertisement of a telecom brand is shown to 204 cellular services users in Pakistan. This is followed by a survey. Data are analyzed using a variance-based structural equation modeling.

The relationship of advertising skepticism with attitude toward brand is negative and partially mediated by the sequence of brand image, advertisement believability and attitudes toward advertisement. In contrast, the relationship between need for cognition and attitude toward brand is positive and fully mediated by the sequence of brand image, advertisement believability and attitudes toward advertisement.

The paper fills some theoretical as well as empirical gaps by showing how (in a within-brand comparative advertisement context) advertising skepticism and need for cognition relate to the consumers’ attitudes toward brand.

This study aims to measure the level of public awareness about the threat of the emerging coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic among the Omani population. It also aims to investigate the mediating effect of the Omanis’ attitudes and behaviors with underlying conditions of COVID-19.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data via an online survey of Omani citizens and residents from various geographic areas in Oman, 305 responses were received. SPSS and partial least square-structural equation modeling were used for data analysis.

The study revealed that public awareness regarding the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly influenced by people’s perceived risk, information source and health-related knowledge. Further, preventive behavior during the disease spread has a significant direct and indirect impact on their awareness. However, an insignificant mediation effect of public attitude was found between the source of information and public awareness.

This study is limited by the scarcity of related literature in the Omani context. It is recommended that future research complete an in-depth study of public awareness regarding COVID-19, using other constructs and/or other data collection techniques.

This research will provide governmental health authorities and policymakers with a guideline to establish more efficient pandemic containment strategies to control public behavior toward the COVID-19 pandemic and curb viral prevalence.

This research will help in improving prevention measures against COVID-19 are recommended to be more educated through a more effective mechanism to raise public attitude regarding pandemic prevalence positively.

The originality of this research can be drawn from key findings that indicate that people overall gained knowledge about how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and the accuracy of information significantly impacts public awareness.

Reviewing the Food Standards Report on Misdescriptions contained in this issue—the terms, names, phrases widespread in the field of agriculture and food—one cannot fail to notice the impressive role that words generally play in everyday use of language, especially in those areas where widespread common usage imports regional differences. The modern tendency is to give to words new meanings and nowhere is this so apparent as in the food industry; the Food Standards Committee considered a number of these. The FSC see the pictorial device as making a deeper impression than mere words in relation to consumer preference, which is undoubtedly true. Even Memory can be compartmentalized and especially with the increasing years, the memory tends to become photographic, retaining visual impressions more strongly than the written word. Auditory impressions depend largely on their accompaniments; if words are spoken with the showing of a picture or sung to a catchy tune, these will be more strongly retained than mere words on a printed label. At best, pictorial devices give rise to transient impressions, depending on the needs and interests of the viewer. Many look but do not see, and as for spoken words, these may “go in one ear and out of the other!”.

This study aims to improve the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model by examining technological anxiety and other influential factors on international students' adoption of mobile learning (m-learning) during COVID-19 emergency remote teaching (ERT).

This study utilized the modified UTAUT framework to test hypotheses through a cross-sectional survey method. Participants were university students studying Chinese as a foreign language who were selected using a convenience sampling approach. An online questionnaire was then administered. The data collected from the surveys were analyzed using the partial least squares method with SmartPLS 4 software.

The study examined 16 hypotheses and found support for six of them. The results confirmed that performance expectancy (PE) is a significant predictor of behavioral intention (BI), and anxiety influences both PE and effort expectancy. The negative effect of social influence on anxiety was found to be significant, while facilitating conditions had a negative impact on learners' self-efficacy. The model fit indices indicated a good overall fit for the model.

This study presents a valuable contribution to the literature on m-learning in emergency education by incorporating technological anxiety into the enhanced UTAUT model. Examining the relationships between the key factors of the model provides a better understanding of learners' intentions and can inspire researchers to establish new theoretical foundations to evaluate the roles of these factors in diverse educational settings.

The study found that performance expectations are linked to learners' intentions, and anxiety indirectly affects BIs to use mobile learning platforms. Thus, these platforms should be designed to meet learners' expectations with minimum effort and eliminate anxiety triggers to facilitate ease of use. Language curriculum developers and policymakers should incorporate mobile learning applications to support diverse language skills, address students' needs and encourage their use through professional development opportunities for instructors.

Social factors have been found to significantly influence anxiety levels among learners. Therefore, it is crucial for teachers and family members to play an essential role in mitigating anxiety's adverse effects. Discussing related issues can enhance the quality of mobile learning and stimulate social initiative by providers, ultimately improving the learning experience for all learners, regardless of their location or circumstances. This can also contribute to the growth and development of society.

This study contributes to the originality of m-learning development by proposing an enhanced UTAUT model that considers anxiety and emphasizes the critical role of foreign learners' BIs. It provides fundamental guidelines for designing and evaluating m-learning in ERT contexts.

This study investigated the production of free and encapsulated nanoemulsions using Cordia myxa fruit peel (CMFP) extract and vitamin D3.

The CMFP extract was obtained using an ultrasonic technique, and its characteristics such as total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis were assessed. CMFP was encapsulated in vitamin D3 oil droplets of nanoemulsion prepared by ultra-homogenization using calcium alginate polymer. The nanoemulsions were evaluated for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, antimicrobial activity, morphology, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and release rate in a simulated gastrointestinal model.

The GC/MS results revealed that pyrocatechol, cholestanoids and propionaldehyde were the predominant compounds in the extract. The highest cytotoxicity effect of CMFP was observed at concentrations of 6.25 and 12.5 ppm of the extract. Encapsulated nanoemulsions exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218). The antioxidant activity of the free and encapsulated nanoemulsions ranged from 25.81 to 36.08 mg/100g and 49.25–55.7 mg/100g, respectively. Free nanoemulsions showed a higher release rate in the simulated gastric model compared to encapsulated ones. The FTIR spectrum allowed for the identification of functional groups responsible for antioxidant and antibacterial properties, indicating that these properties of the nanoemulsions were maintained.

This study demonstrates the successful co-encapsulation of CMFP extract and vitamin D3 in nanoemulsions, which significantly enhanced the stability, bioavailability and functional properties of both compounds. Encapsulated nanoemulsions exhibited higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activities compared to their free counterparts, with controlled release in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. These findings confirm that nanoemulsion-based encapsulation is an effective strategy to protect and enhance the bioactivity of plant extracts and vitamins, supporting their potential use in functional food products and therapeutic application.

This paper aims to address the need to adopt circular economy models in the urban development and infrastructure of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia. The purpose is to provide insights into the progress, challenges and potential benefits of transitioning from a linear to a circular economic model in response to the environmental challenges posed by rapid economic development and population growth in the GCC region. The study emphasizes the relevance of this research in fostering economic diversification, mitigating ecological concerns and attracting sustainable investments.

The study adopts a qualitative approach to investigate the adoption of circular economy principles in each GCC country’s urban development and infrastructure. It details the specific strategies and initiatives undertaken by Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia. The research methodology includes a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), thematic, comparative and individual analysis of their goals, progress and the unique approaches employed. Additionally, a SWOT analysis is conducted to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with adopting circular economy models in the GCC region.

The case studies reveal each GCC country’s diverse approaches and progress in adopting circular economy models. Bahrain aims for carbon neutrality by 2060, Kuwait prioritizes sustainability in urban development, Oman focuses on waste reduction, Qatar integrates circular economy principles into its Vision 2030 initiative and Saudi Arabia explores closed-loop material flows. Whereas, the UAE focuses on infrastructure development with unique technological advancements in the near future. Despite common challenges such as traditional linear models and economic obstacles, the benefits of transitioning to circular economies in the GCC region are substantial. These include social, environmental and economic advantages, emphasizing sustainable growth, resource efficiency and enhanced environmental protection.

This paper contributes original insights into the adoption of circular economy models in the GCC region, providing a clear and succinct case for its value. The research underscores this transition’s economic, environmental and social benefits. It emphasizes the significance of sustainable resource management and economic opportunities while acknowledging challenges such as implementation obstacles and potential business impacts. The study invites reflection on future research steps, fostering a balanced and fair analysis of the value of the results. It positions the adoption of circular economy models as a crucial step toward achieving economic diversification, and environmental sustainability and attracting green investments in the GCC region.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between employees' exposure to supervisor incivility and their engagement in insubordinate behavior, by detailing a mediating role of ruminations about interpersonal offenses and a moderating role of supervisor task conflict.

The research hypotheses were assessed with three rounds of data, obtained from employees and their peers, working for firms in various industries.

An important reason that employees' sense that their supervisor treats them disrespectfully escalates into defiance of supervisor authority is that the employees cannot stop thinking about how they have been wronged. The mediating role of such ruminations is particularly prominent when employees' viewpoints clash with those of their supervisor.

A critical danger exists for employees who are annoyed with a rude supervisor: They ponder their negative treatment, which prompts them to disobey, a response that likely diminishes the chances that supervisors might change their behaviors. This detrimental process is particularly salient when employee–supervisor interactions are marked by unpleasant task-related fights.

This study unpacks an unexplored link between supervisor incivility and supervisor-directed insubordination by explicating the pertinent roles of two critical factors (rumination and task conflict) in this link.

Smart cities in India are going to be a reality very soon by turning challenges into opportunities for the society. However, due to rapid increase in population burden, fast urbanization and growing demand of advanced services in the smart cities, the quantity of per capita municipal solid waste (MSW) has escalated. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has further challenged the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system with the increasing amount of infectious wastes coming from households (HHs), quarantine centers, healthcare facilities, vaccination centers, etc. Therefore, the present study attempts to explore and analyze the various dimensions of sustainable MSWM system in the smart cities.

The study identifies 13 factors of sustainable MSWM system from the literature, field surveys and stakeholders' opinions. Thereafter, stakeholders' opinions are collected and analyzed using total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) approach to explore the interrelationships among the factors of sustainable MSWM system. These relationships are further validated through the empirical investigation of the real-life case study of Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC), Odisha, India.

The TISM approach places all 13 factors into six levels in the hierarchical digraph depending upon the inputs received from the various stakeholders on their interrelationships. Study also validates the proposed TISM model by collecting the data of RMC, Odisha, on the development of MSWM system over the period of 2015–2021.

The study also highlights various implications for the other developing cities and stakeholders to set up the roadmap for developing the sustainable MSWM system. Study defines “IT platform” and “awareness among citizens” as the base of the sustainable MSWM system in any smart city.

The present study is the first of its kind to explore the interrelationships among the factors of sustainable MSWM system by using TISM approach. Moreover, the proposed TISM framework is further validated through the empirical journey of one of the smart cities in India.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of financial inclusion (FI) on control of corruption in selected African countries.

The study employs secondary data spanning over a period of 2005–2016. These data are sourced from IMF's International Financial Statistics, World Bank Development Indicators, Global Financial Development Database, Transparency International and International Country Risk Guide. The author uses Sarma (2008) approach to construct the FI index for 13 countries in Africa. The author applies random effect, robust least square and instrumental variable (IV) estimations to examine the impact of FI on control of corruption in Africa.

The author finds that financial inclusion improves the control of corruption. The author tests for possible FI threshold to avoid the case of extreme FI in Africa. The results show that there is a threshold level if reached, FI would have negative impacts in the control of corruption. This may likely happen mainly due to weak institutions in Africa. The results are robust to alternative proxy for control of corruption and various alternative estimation techniques.

The finding indicates that FI can serve as part of toolkits for reducing corruption in Africa.

This study stresses the important role of FI in the economic system. It is the first paper that empirically suggests the role of FI in controlling corruption in Africa.