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The present study investigates the customers' behavioural intention to use voice-based artificial intelligence (AI) to find the appropriate hotels and resorts in an emerging nation. This study determines the influences of information quality, system quality, privacy, and novelty value on attitude and behavioural intention to use voice-based artificial intelligence to obtain the appropriate information and find the location of the hotels and resorts.

This study used a purposive sampling method for collecting data from the respondents, who are customers of the hotels and resorts in Bangladesh. A self-administered survey questionnaire was used to obtain responses from 378 respondents. After collecting the data, the reliability and validity of the constructs and hypotheses were tested via partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

The findings of the study indicate that information quality, system quality, privacy and novelty value have a positive and significant impact on attitude and behavioural intention to use voice-based AI assistant services in an emerging nation. However, system quality does not significantly influence behavioural intention to use voice-based AI assistant but it has an indirect significant influence on behavioural intention through the mediation effect of attitude.

The study’s findings provide essential guidelines for practitioners to understand the impacts of information quality, system quality, privacy, and novelty value on attitude and behavioural intention to use voice-based artificial intelligence to find the appropriate hotels and resorts to meet customers' needs and expectations.

This study contributes to the existing literature on technology adoption by highlighting the interconnectedness of various factors influencing users' behavioural intentions. The study’s focus on an emerging nation provides a valuable theoretical contribution. It highlights that user perceptions and attitudes towards technology adoption may differ from those in developed nations due to unique contextual factors.

The purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of training and development and work–life balance on employee engagement and job performance at private banks in Bangladesh. This study also investigates the indirect influence of training and development and work–life balance on the job performance of private banks through the mediating role of employee engagement.

The present study used a self-administered survey questionnaire to collect data from the private bank staff who had been working in the existing bank for more than one year. In this study, 450 survey questionnaires were distributed to the respondents and received 346 useful responses (76.88% response rate). The SmartPLS 4 software was used to determine the reliability and validity of the constructs. The SmartPLS 4 software was also used to test the hypothesised path coefficients via Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM).

The findings of the study indicate that both training and development and work–life balance significantly influence employee engagement and job performance in the private banks. The findings also indicate that both training and development and work–life balance indirectly significantly influence the job performance of the private bank through the mediating role of employee engagement.

This study suggests various practical implications. Managers should provide opportunities for employees to actively participate in employee training. The present study also suggests that managers should also prioritise and model a healthy work–life balance because when leaders value work–life balance, employees feel empowered. The findings of the study suggest that organisations should design effective employee development programmes and foster a supportive work environment to motivate their employees to contribute to organisational success.

This study makes significant theoretical contributions to the existing literature on employee engagement and job performance. The present study enhances theoretical depth by highlighting the mediating role of job engagement in achieving job performance, offering a new perspective on the relationship between these variables and paving the way for targeted interventions. The present study also enriches the existing body of literature by examining the impact of training and development and work–life balance through the lens of organisational support theory, presenting a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics at play.

The purpose of this study is to determine the level of awareness among library and information science (LIS) professionals regarding the perceived utility of big data (BD) and data analytics (DA) in academic libraries, as well as their influence on the provision of data services (DSs).

A cross-sectional survey was carried out to collect the data for this study. The population of this study comprised LIS professionals working in public sector university libraries. A four-factor measurement model estimating the influence of BD and DA on the provision of DSs in academic libraries was tested using the structural equation modelling.

The findings revealed that awareness (AW) (β = 0.141, CR = 2.534, p = 0.011) demonstrated a significant positive influence on the provision of DSs. The perceived utility of BD (β = 0.058, CR = 0.582, p = 0.561), and perceived utility of DA (β = 0.141, CR = 2.534, p = 0.905) exhibits a positive but statistically non-significant impact on the provision of DSs (β = 0.010, CR = 0.120, p = 0.905). The goodness of fit indices suggest a favourable fit for the model, as evidenced by the following values: χ² = 1.400, DF = 164; p = 0.001; IFI = 0.954; TLI = 0.946; CFI = 0.953; GFI = 0.906; and RMSEA = 0.043.

A new perspective on the use of BD and DA in academic libraries is presented in this study. It presents a four-factor measurement model on the influence of BD and DA on the provision of DSs in university libraries.

The purpose of this paper is to compare the usage patterns of e-books among the students of social, agricultural, and engineering sciences; demonstrate how e-books are used by students for various purposes; explore the main reasons for using e-books; and uncover the major issues being encountered by students while using e-books in Pakistani Universities.

During May to July 2014, a convenient sample technique was adopted, and a close-ended questionnaire was used as a survey tool for 300 graduates (BSc honor) and postgraduate (masters and MS) students in the age group of 21-60 years. In this study, the respondents’ gender, age, educational level and major disciplines were individual contextual variables. The data collection process was successfully completed with a 100 per cent response rate. SPSS-19 was utilized for testing the reliability of the instrument, as well as descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square test).

The results show that the adoption of e-books has reached a level where they have become an integral component of academic library services. The results of this study verify the previous findings that the students are relying on e-book adoption for various academic and research purposes. Comparatively, male students, postgraduate students and those between the ages of 21 and 40 years are more frequently e-book users. In addition, the percentage of e-book readership among engineering students on a “daily basis” is greater than the students of agricultural and social sciences. They prefer reading e-books because of the following reasons: to support research endeavors and improve academic performance; and the e-format is quick to read and easy to manage. Insufficient e-contents, lack of personal computers and the variety of e-book formats are the major constraints in the effective utilization of e-books for learning, education and research needs. The study has concluded that e-books have a key role in the set-up of academic libraries and information resources in Pakistan, though further development of e-book readership capabilities and building of e-book collections are required to support users’ needs, and a parallel investigation into their most effective usage is also required.

This empirical research is a first and unique study that systematically and quantitatively compares the relationship between respondents’ e-books usage with their individual contextual variables in the perspective of academic libraries in Pakistan.

The purpose of the study is to investigate the international opportunity development process of born global firms embedded in two different institutional contexts: China, an emerging economy and Italy, a developed country. Drawing on the entrepreneurial opportunity literature and institutional theory, this study explores and draws insights into how home country institutions of born globals can influence the international opportunity development process of the firms.

This paper adopts a qualitative case study approach with in-depth, semi-structured interviews of six born global companies from China and Italy. In doing so, this study uses a flexible pattern matching design, which is consistent with the qualitative research design of the paper.

The findings of the study indicate that home institutions play an influential, yet differential role in the international opportunity development processes of Chinese and Italian born global firms. While the Italian firms shape their opportunities mainly through product innovation, their Chinese counterparts develop opportunities primarily through networks embedded in their home institutional context.

The key contributions of the paper relate to an integrated analysis of the international opportunity development process of born globals in China and Italy based on institutional theory, which has received limited attention in the international entrepreneurship literature. In addition, the study advances the similarities and differences in the international opportunity development process in two different countries, thus providing valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners to enter international markets successfully.

This study is a part of the doctoral dissertation that proposes concrete measures to improve health-care information outreach program for rural health-care professionals in primary and secondary health care in Punjab, Pakistan. This study aims to report on the barriers to accessing and using online health-care information from rural settings of the Punjab province of Pakistan.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in primary and secondary health-care settings in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The study’s population consisted of the rural primary care physicians (PCPs), who were geographically dispersed across 2,873 different remote health-care settings across Punjab. These practice settings included 2,455 basic health units, 293 rural health centers, 89 tehsil headquarter hospitals and 36 district headquarter hospitals.

Limited internet access, non-availability of required equipment and lack of training facilities were identified as the main barriers. PCPs’ gender, previous enrollment in post-graduation programs and type of health-care facility were significant factors in the perceived barriers related to both “non-availability of required equipment” and “inadequate training facilities on the use of information resources”.

The findings of the study hold some important practical implications for different stakeholders. This study identifies and addresses the barriers to accessing and using health-care information for PCPs in rural settings. The success of the health-care information outreach program in Punjab, Pakistan, should rely on the eradication of these barriers.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first large-scale study in Pakistan that assesses the barriers and proposes ways to overcome these barriers to effectively access and use health-care information.

This study reviews policies, green building regulations, key performance indicators (KPIs) and management methods related to construction and demolition waste (CDW) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It aims to develop a holistic framework based on the 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) principles to assess the current status of circular economy (CE) deployment and identify key determinants for efficient CDW management.

A mixed-method approach was used, including desk-based searches, systematic literature reviews and searches of official government websites to review existing CDW management policies and methods in the UAE. Scholarly databases were reviewed to identify CDW management challenges from a 3R perspective. A conceptual CE framework based on the 3R principles was developed using the study's findings.

The study provides a comprehensive review of CDW management in the UAE, analyzing associated management challenges in the construction sector. It proposes a holistic 3R principles-based framework, emphasizing strategic steps in the building lifecycle, site waste management (SWM) plans, drivers for circular construction and systematic adoption guidelines for effective CE deployment to achieve sustainable CDW management in the UAE construction sector.

This study explores existing policies and challenges in CDW management in the UAE and offers a 3R principles-based framework for CE deployment in the construction sector. It provides valuable insights for manufacturers of recycled products and for integrating circularity into construction projects’ design and procurement processes.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Cyfenter Development Partnership action research programme primarily aimed at under‐represented entrepreneurs in Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government and the EQUAL initiative of the European Social Fund support the programme with the objective of informing and developing inclusive policies, strategies and practices within mainstream enterprise support.

The methodology used to identify the needs of under‐represented groups when establishing a business and barriers to the start‐up process has been action research, which combines both information gathering and facilitation of change.

The research data indicate that all under‐represented groups face similar challenges and issues and many experiences are not exclusive to any one particular group. Financial risk, lack of collateral and self‐finance were significant issues for the under‐represented groups.

Although the overall response rate of 12 per cent for the telephone and postal surveys was low, it was felt that the responses were sufficient for the study to proceed as further qualitative data gathering was undertaken.

Through the empowerment of excluded entrepreneurs, to express and suggest potential solutions, it is expected that policies and practices can be leveraged where enterprise support can become more relevant and appropriate for all. It is also expected that this will lead a greater number of under‐represented entrepreneurs to access mainstream enterprise support.

A key objective of the programme is to create and facilitate a platform for direct communication between under‐represented groups, policy makers and enterprise support provision, within a solutions‐oriented context.

The purpose of this paper is to appraise the possible response outcomes (no response, fear control or danger control) of a fear-based message on falling behind current medical knowledge among health-care professionals (HCPs).

This study was conducted using a quantitative research design. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2,873 health-care facilities across 36 districts of Punjab. The Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) provided a theoretical framework for this study. The important components to EPPM such as threat, efficacy and outcomes were used to collect the data. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.

HCPs perceived high susceptibility and threat of falling behind current medical knowledge. A majority of the HCPs were at the danger control process and engaged in a behavior that is recommended for adaptive behavioral changes. Clinical experience and enrollment in post-graduation programs (e.g. FCPS, MCPS) were significant factors as to HCPs’ perceived response efficacy.

The responses were obtained using a structured questionnaire, which is always subject to respondents’ personal biases and ability to understand the question’s statement.

This study has important implications in terms of introducing promotional, educational and logistical interventions that could help in HCPs overcoming the fear of falling behind current medical knowledge and develop productive and adoptive information behavior thus improving patient care and outcome.

This is the first large-scale empirical study in Pakistan that measured the level of threat and efficacy among HCPs using the EPPM. It proposes a framework for developing long-lasting adaptive information behavioral changes that may result in informed patient care and better decision-making.

The aim of the paper is to determine the asymmetric impact of tourism on the deficit in the balance of payments (BOPs).

The research uses the non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to investigate the asymmetric impact of tourism on Pakistan's BOPs deficit using quarterly data from 1995 to 2019.

The finding reveals that due to the positive change in tourism, the BOPs deficit decreases by 27%, although due to the negative change in tourism, the BOPs deficit rises by 2.3%. In addition, the significance of F-statistics (10.609) confirms the existence of co-integration between tourism and the deficit in the BOPs. The Wald test confirms the asymmetric association between tourism and the deficit in the BOPs over the long term.

In order to improve tourism in Pakistan, policymakers must consider the following implications. First, there is a need for an adequate infrastructure that can help the tourist. Second, the Government must maintain a stable law and order situation as a whole and particularly at tourist destinations. Finally, the Government should develop tourism-friendly policies in order to boost tourism in Pakistan.

The research provides new evidence of the impact of tourism on the BOPs using the novel non-linear ARDL (NARDL) technique. The evidence will help policymakers to develop policies to improve tourism in order to reduce the BOPs deficit.