Amanda E. Major, S. Raj Chaudhury, Betsy M. Gilbertson and David T. King Jr
The purpose of this paper is to understand the lived experiences from the voice of the authors (a science professor, an instructional designer, a distance learning doctoral…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the lived experiences from the voice of the authors (a science professor, an instructional designer, a distance learning doctoral intern, and a distance learning director) in the process of transitioning a face-to-face science course to online modality at a large, research university.
Design/methodology/approach
The method of this qualitative inquiry involves a personal narrative approach in which the authors reflect on their experiences of this process and analyze it through writing.
Findings
The findings examine the challenges of moving a traditional course online and reiterate the value of a team approach to ensure its quality. The narrative offers clarity to the different phases of such a project and can enhance decision making among those involved in course design and delivery, as well as administrators incentivizing the conversion of traditional courses to the online modality.
Practical implications
Online education has emerged as a viable solution. The challenges and rewards of transitioning face-to-face courses to distance learning modalities are well documented, even for a senior science educator.
Social implications
Universities face several modern day challenges, including reductions in state appropriations, lack of available space for classes, challenges of engaging a technologically savvy generation, and preparing students for a global marketplace.
Originality/value
To support faculty members’ transition to online education, universities offer instructional design support, where ideas are exchanged with faculty members to ensure pedagogically sound and engaging distance learning. The authors conclude with recommendations for both practice and future research in the area of practice and process improvement for diffusion of online courses at traditional universities, one course at a time. This is important to those beginning to transition course offerings online.
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Jianjun (John) Zhu, Thomas S. Gruca and Lopo L. Rego
This study examines the empirical relationship between four broad antecedents of brand equity (branding strategy, brand structure, brand positioning and target market) and two…
Abstract
This study examines the empirical relationship between four broad antecedents of brand equity (branding strategy, brand structure, brand positioning and target market) and two separate dimensions of revenue premium: price premium and volume premium. Our modeling framework aims to explain how different antecedents of brand equity influence the realized velocity and margin of branded product sales, key drivers of operating cash flow. Our generalizable empirical analyses are based on a representative dataset of over 6,500 brands, across 200 consumer-packaged goods categories, spanning three years. We find that only 20% of brands command revenue premiums, for which volume premiums are the critical determinant. Branding strategies and brand structure primarily impact volume premium. In contrast, brand positioning has little effect. Target market substantially affects both premiums. Overall, these four elements account for 73% and 69% of the explained variations in price and volume premiums, respectively. This study provides generalizable, important, and novel insights for the theory and practice of brand management regarding price positioning and extending brands into new categories.
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Papassapa Rauyruen, Kenneth E. Miller and Markus Groth
A significant way of achieving high profitability is to retain existing customers who contribute to the service provider's revenue by continuously purchasing and paying more for…
Abstract
Purpose
A significant way of achieving high profitability is to retain existing customers who contribute to the service provider's revenue by continuously purchasing and paying more for products and services and building brand equity to the provider. The main objective of this study is to empirically examine and extend the knowledge underlying the linkage between service loyalty and brand equity performance outcomes in the context of business‐to‐business markets. It aims to develop and empirically test a theoretical model examining the antecedents and the outcomes of service loyalty in a business‐to‐business context. The model also aims to examine the relationship between service loyalty and customer share of wallet and price premium, as well as the links between the proposed antecedents (habitual buying, trust in the service provider, and perceived service quality) and service loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical model was empirically tested with a sample of 294 Australian small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), using online and paper‐and‐pencil surveys. Respondents were owners of SMEs, financial controllers, and managers who are decision‐makers in the selection and use of courier service providers for their businesses.
Findings
Findings provide support for the theoretical model in linking drivers of service loyalty with two types of loyalty, purchase intentions (i.e. behavioural loyalty) and attitudinal loyalty. Furthermore, the two types of loyalty are differential predictors of brand equity outcomes in that customer share of wallet is mainly driven by purchase intentions, whereas willingness to pay a price premium is mainly driven by attitudinal loyalty.
Originality/value
The paper examines the relationship between service loyalty and willingness to pay a price premium as one key indicator of brand equity.
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Saroj Kumar Singh, Alok Raj, J. Ajith Kumar and Cyril Foropon
The purpose of this paper is to identify potential constraints and determine the constraint structure in a steel manufacturing plant. “Potential constraint” is defined as a factor…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify potential constraints and determine the constraint structure in a steel manufacturing plant. “Potential constraint” is defined as a factor that is either a constraint at present or can become one in the future and “constraint structure” is used to denote the network of influences between the potential constraints in an organization.
Design/methodology/approach
A three-step methodology was followed. First, potential constraints in a steel manufacturing plant were identified with a literature review and expert inputs. Then, the fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (fuzzy DEMATEL) technique was applied to uncover the structure and finally, an ex-post validation and refinement of the results was done with help from other experts.
Findings
A total of 10 key potential constraints to steel manufacturing were identified. The two outputs of fuzzy DEMATEL – the influence scatter plot (ISP) and the influence network diagram (IND) – together reveal the constraint structure. The 10 potential constraints could be classified into three types – influencers, mediators and influenced – respectively. Of these “Top management commitment (TMC)” and “Clear vision and long-term planning (CLP)” influence other factors the most, and are themselves influenced the least; while “Customer Relationship Management (CRM)” is most influenced by other factors, while influencing other factors the least.
Practical implications
Potential constraints and the constraint structure can help decision makers in a steel manufacturing plant to identify which organizational factors to address and achieving the plant's goals.
Originality/value
This is the first study that analyzed organizational level constraints in a steel manufacturing context.
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Marc Fetscherin, Michèle Boulanger, Cid Gonçalves Filho and Gustavo Quiroga Souki
– This paper aims to investigate the effect of product category on consumer brand relationships.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the effect of product category on consumer brand relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a total of 800 consumers, respondents evaluated their relationship with their favorite brand in one of the four product categories studied (soft drink, mobile phone, shoes, cars). EFA, subsequent CFA, SEM and ANOVA were used to assess these relationships and the product category effect.
Findings
The authors find that brand love positively influences brand loyalty and both, influence positively WOM and purchase intention. Looking at the directionality of these relationships, the results show no product category differences. However, the authors found significant differences in terms of their intensity and their effect on the explanation power of the brand outcome variables WOM and purchase intention.
Research limitations/implications
The survey was conducted in Brazil and future research should assess the same product categories in other cultural settings as well as consider other product categories to assess the external validity of these results.
Practical implications
This paper demonstrates that consumer brand relationships are not product category specific. However, certain product categories tend to have more intense relationships than other product categories.
Originality/value
Despite the importance of the product category effect in the branding literature, this study shows that consumer brand relationship theory can be applied to different product categories. This suggests, the product category is less important in the study design than the unit of analysis which requires to be consumer's favorite brands.
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Ruksar Ali, Sujood, Ariba Naz and Mohd Azhar
The purpose of this study is to provide a review of the existing research landscape on work-life balance and women’s career motivation. It examines the relationship between…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to provide a review of the existing research landscape on work-life balance and women’s career motivation. It examines the relationship between work-life balance and career motivation in the context of Indian women. Specifically, it explores how the work-life balance of women influences the motivational aspects of their careers.
Design/methodology/approach
The research uses a systematic literature review to identify and analyze relevant literature on work-life balance and women’s career motivation among Indian women from the Scopus database.
Findings
The study uncovers critical insights into the connection between work-life balance and women’s career decisions. It gives insight on how work-life balance significantly impacts women’s career choices. The SLR reveals a notable and consistent upward trend in the domains of work-life balance and career motivation among women.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study can inform organizations in tailoring policies that foster women’s career growth while simultaneously supporting a healthy work-life balance. In addition, the research can empower women to make informed decisions about their careers and personal lives. Ultimately, it contributes to creating a more inclusive and gender-equitable work environment, promoting both women’s career aspirations and their overall well-being.
Originality/value
This research stands out in its examination of the relationship between work-life balance and women’s career motivation, particularly in the unique context of Indian women. While previous studies have explored these topics individually, this research bridges the gap by investigating their interplay. Moreover, the application of a systematic literature review approach to these variables in the context of Indian women represents a novel contribution.
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Anna Bastone, Daniele Leone, Maria Vincenza Ciasullo and Raj Matho
Today, collaborative consumption platforms support business activities. In particular, the sharing economy (SE) increases social and economic dynamism and reduces environmental…
Abstract
Purpose
Today, collaborative consumption platforms support business activities. In particular, the sharing economy (SE) increases social and economic dynamism and reduces environmental impact by conserving resources. Therefore, this paper investigates the sustainable value drivers of sharing economy practices.
Design/methodology/approach
We explore multiple case studies as a research approach to answer the research question. Multiple sources of evidence were used to triangulate the data. The SE practices influence several sectors; thus, we conducted a sector analysis investigating the healthcare, food and fashion industries. Analysing different sectors provides valuable theoretical and practical insights, facilitating decision-making and fostering innovation. Sectoral differences emphasize how different sustainable SE models are configured.
Findings
The findings highlight that SE allows for the development of sustainable business models attesting to: (1) value capture in the food industry, (2) value delivery in the healthcare industry and (3) value creation in the fashion industry. The study opens avenues for future research.
Originality/value
The originality of this study is in the new lens from which the phenomenon is observed.
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Alcina G. Ferreira and Filipe J. Coelho
This paper aims to contribute to the literature on brand loyalty by illustrating the mechanisms through which product involvement influences brand loyalty. In doing so, the study…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to contribute to the literature on brand loyalty by illustrating the mechanisms through which product involvement influences brand loyalty. In doing so, the study is original in considering the mediating role of the multidimensional price perceptions’ construct.
Design/methodology/approach
Two thousand questionnaires were distributed in two shopping malls, yielding a sample of 535 consumers, covering eight different grocery products. To test the hypothesized model, the authors relied on structural equation modelling.
Findings
Product involvement influences on brand loyalty are partially mediated by price perceptions. This is a novel finding. Moreover, product involvement relates positively to six price perceptions, and this is also original. As expected, value consciousness and sale proneness are detrimental to brand loyalty, whereas price – quality schema contributes to it. Unexpectedly, however, price consciousness, sale proneness and price mavenism are positively related to loyalty.
Practical implications
Managers can improve brand loyalty by increasing consumers’ product involvement, by reducing the reliance on a value-for-money orientation and on non-coupon promotions and by focusing on lower or higher prices and on coupon promotions and emphasizing a price – quality association.
Originality/value
The product involvement/brand loyalty relationship has been characterized by mixed findings. This paper contributes to this debate by clarifying the mechanisms through which involvement relates to loyalty. In doing this, this paper also innovates by investigating the relationship between involvement and the multidimensional price perceptions’ construct. In this process, this paper also inquires how seven price perceptions relate to brand loyalty, with novel findings emerging.
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Raj K. Kovid, Neetika Singh, Gunjan Mohan Sharma, Priya Gaur and Kapil Pandla
The study is designed to investigate whether women’s entrepreneurial success is affected by their emotional intelligence. It also investigates the mediating role of innovativeness…
Abstract
Purpose
The study is designed to investigate whether women’s entrepreneurial success is affected by their emotional intelligence. It also investigates the mediating role of innovativeness in influencing the relationship of their emotional intelligence with entrepreneurial success.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a cross-sectional design, this study used a structured questionnaire to gather data from 274 women entrepreneurs spanning across various industries in north India. The data collected was analysed using the partial least squares structured equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique.
Findings
The findings demonstrate a notable and positive association between emotional intelligence and the entrepreneurial success of women. Additionally, innovativeness was found to partially mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial success. Entrepreneurial experience moderates the relationship between emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial success. Furthermore, age was not observed to moderate the connection between emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial success.
Originality/value
This study provides valuable insights for female entrepreneurs seeking to achieve success by harnessing their emotional intelligence and fostering innovativeness in their entrepreneurial pursuits. The study mainly provides evidence on the conclusive role of emotional intelligence among women entrepreneurs in their success in the relatively underresearched context of India, thereby consolidating knowledge on gendered entrepreneurship.