Sofiya Bano and Sandhya Pillai
The purpose of this paper is to prepare calcium oxide (CaO) nanoparticles by green synthesis technique and study its structural, morphological and optical properties. The prepared…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to prepare calcium oxide (CaO) nanoparticles by green synthesis technique and study its structural, morphological and optical properties. The prepared samples were calcined at, 200°C, 300°C and 500°C, and the variation in the properties at different temperatures were investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
Green approach has been used in the present work to synthesise the CaO nanoparticles using Murraya Koenigii leaf (curry leaves) extract as a capping agent. This technique involves the use of nontoxic reagents and natural products derived from various parts of plants.
Findings
Studies reveal that CaO nanoparticles with good optical properties can be synthesized successfully by green approach. The optical absorbance spectra show a broad absorption peak around 400–500 nm. FTIR studies confirm the presence of different functional groups that help in the stabilization of CaO nanoparticles. PL emission spectra show a high intensity emission peak at around 231 nm in addition to peaks at 375 nm and 400 nm. XRD studies show planes of CaO cubic phase. SEM images show a nonuniform distribution of spherical particles along with some clusters. EDX spectra confirm the presence of calcium and oxygen.
Practical implications
CaO nanoparticles have wide applications in optical devices as well as in phototherapy. It is thus interesting to devise new and eco-friendly techniques to synthesise these nanoparticles to suit these applications.
Originality/value
This work would provide a new insight into the preparation of different metal oxide nanoparticles by a very simple and cost-effective green technique without the use of toxic reagents.
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S.M. Fatah Uddin, Mohd. Danish Kirmani, Lamay Bin Sabir, Mohd. Nishat Faisal and Nripendra P. Rana
Despite an exponential rise in the frequency of online payments in India, the cause of consumer resistance towards the WhatsApp payment system (WPS) remains unexplored. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite an exponential rise in the frequency of online payments in India, the cause of consumer resistance towards the WhatsApp payment system (WPS) remains unexplored. This research is aimed at exploring the barriers to the adoption of WPS.
Design/methodology/approach
A research model was proposed using stimulus-organism-response framework and innovation resistance theory. Data were collected from 392 users of the WhatsApp application using the mall intercept technique, which also utilizes digital payment platforms. A co-variance based structural equation modelling was employed to test proposed relationships in this cross-sectional study.
Findings
The study findings indicate that personal innovativeness as a personal stimulus negatively influences the usage and value barrier, while negative word of mouth (NWOM) increases the intensity of tradition and the image barrier. Additionally, value barrier, usage barrier, risk barrier and tradition barrier were found to have a negative influence on the intention to adopt the WhatsApp payment system.
Originality/value
This research is an initial endeavour that sheds light on the consumer cognition resisting the adoption of the WPS.
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Shabir Hussain, Sameer Gupta and Sunil Bhardwaj
The main purpose of this study is to identify the determinants that inhibit the adoption or usage of digital payment systems (DPSs) in India.
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this study is to identify the determinants that inhibit the adoption or usage of digital payment systems (DPSs) in India.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a qualitative technique, including in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis, incorporating both deductive categorisation and inductive coding to identify factors responsible for the non-adoption or discontinuation of DPS use.
Findings
The findings are in the form of themes and sub-themes that were generated from the data analysis: digital divide (DD), which includes the digital access divide, digital capability divide and digital innovativeness divide; socio-demographic divide (SD), which includes education, geographical location, gender, age and income; psychological barriers, which include a lack of perceived ease of use, vulnerability to risks, technophobia and a lack of trust; and other barriers, which include a lack of awareness, a cash-dominated society and a lack of interoperability.
Research limitations/implications
The factors identified in this research can be further validated and tested in future studies using quantitative data. This will enable stakeholders to better comprehend the impacts of these factors on DPS adoption or usage.
Practical implications
The study’s practical implications are specifically relevant to the Union Territory (UT) administration of Ladakh, as there is a DD and an SD among different sections of the population of the UT of Ladakh. UT administrations must prioritise efforts to eliminate these divides. The implications for banks and DPS providers are that they should conduct financial literacy training about DPSs in remote rural areas and invest in developing user-friendly and simplified DPS user interfaces to improve relationships with DPS users and their long-term retention.
Originality/value
The findings of this study reveal the three levels of the DD that determine DPS adoption or usage, which have not been discussed together in the literature in the DPS context and that must be addressed to expand DPS adoption, thus providing a more holistic view of the DD in the context of DPS.
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R.V. ShabbirHusain, Atul Arun Pathak, Shabana Chandrasekaran and Balamurugan Annamalai
This study aims to explore the role of the linguistic style used in the brand-posted social media content on consumer engagement in the Fintech domain.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the role of the linguistic style used in the brand-posted social media content on consumer engagement in the Fintech domain.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 3,286 tweets (registering nearly 1.35 million impressions) published by 10 leading Fintech unicorns in India were extracted using the Twitter API. The Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) dictionary was used to analyse the linguistic characteristics of the shared tweets. Negative Binomial Regression (NBR) was used for testing the hypotheses.
Findings
This study finds that using drive words and cognitive language increases consumer engagement with Fintech messages via the central route of information processing. Further, affective words and conversational language drive consumer engagement through the peripheral route of information processing.
Research limitations/implications
The study extends the literature on brand engagement by unveiling the effect of linguistic features used to design social media messages.
Practical implications
The study provides guidance to social media marketers of Fintech brands regarding what content strategies best enhance consumer engagement. The linguistic style to improve online consumer engagement (OCE) is detailed.
Originality/value
The study’s findings contribute to the growing stream of Fintech literature by exploring the role of linguistic style on consumer engagement in social media communication. The study’s findings indicate the relevance of the dual processing mechanism of elaboration likelihood model (ELM) as an explanatory theory for evaluating consumer engagement with messages posted by Fintech brands.
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Sandhya R. Mahapatro, Arabinda Acharya and Pushpendra Singh
Changing demographic trends in India have resulted in a growing ageing population, and this poses many health challenges for older people. Lack of formal care institutions and…
Abstract
Purpose
Changing demographic trends in India have resulted in a growing ageing population, and this poses many health challenges for older people. Lack of formal care institutions and social security nets further aggravate the situation. Living arrangements are, thus, expected to play a significant role in determining the healthcare needs of older people. The purpose of this paper is to examine the association of living arrangements with health among older people in India.
Design/methodology/approach
Data for the study were drawn from the Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India (2011). The health status of older people was measured by assessing chronic illness, self-rated health and limitations in activities of daily living. Logistic regression was used to examine the influence of living arrangements on health outcomes. Further, a structural equation model was employed to observe whether poor health preceded co-residence.
Findings
Older people living in co-residential arrangements report more health disadvantages and older people with poor health prefer co-residence with their offspring. Perhaps the support, care and health awareness in co-residential arrangements helps older people obtain the healthcare interventions they require for the various illnesses they have had, and enable them to improve their ongoing health status.
Originality/value
The present study has extended the research on the relationship between health and living arrangements, and has also addressed the case of older people with poor health who prefer to stay in co-residential arrangements which has been taken up by limited studies.
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Veronika Fenyves, Kinga Emese Zsido, Ioan Bircea and Tibor Tarnoczi
Changes in food retailing (globalization, concentration) have negative impacts on smaller, “traditional” food retail businesses. Their market share decreasing year by year. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Changes in food retailing (globalization, concentration) have negative impacts on smaller, “traditional” food retail businesses. Their market share decreasing year by year. The purpose of this study is to examine and compare the financial performances of these businesses under the given circumstances and current economic environment in a Hungarian and a Romanian county.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on two complete databases, including all companies that behoove retail food activity (considering the NACE cod) in the counties of Hajdu-Bihar (Hungary) and Cluj (Romania). The database analyzed contains the financial statements for five consecutive years for 212 and 690 businesses. Databases were examined by the most typical financial indicators using the multivariate and univariate analysis of variance and the k-medoid cluster analysis methods.
Findings
The results of the analysis have shown that there are differences in the number of retail food companies in the case of two counties, both in number and in financial performance. Companies in Hajdú-Bihar county perform better in terms of financial ratios than those in Cluj county. The groups created by k-medoids cluster analysis are relatively well distinguished in the case of Hajdú-Bihar county, while the picture is much more mixed in the case of Kolozs county. However, it is also important to note that the companies analyzed should generally perform better to survive.
Research limitations/implications
Among the limitations of the study, it is important to note that the findings are relevant only to the two counties examined. Another limiting factor is that quite several companies had to be excluded from the analysis due to missing data or outliers.
Practical implications
The study presents for the corporate decision-makers the current performance of the companies of the sector examined in the two counties. The results of the study highlight the business areas of concern in management. The findings show that they need to change this performance to strengthen their market position. We believe that it is not enough to complain about the expansion of the supermarket chains, but they should take appropriate actions to improve their situation. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that there is a need to improve the financial efficiency of retail food companies in both counties to survive in the long run. This improvement is essential because retailers can play an important role in smaller settlements and narrower residential environments.
Originality/value
Comparative analysis of retail food companies in similar counties in these two neighboring countries has not been conducted using complex financial analysis. The study revealed the common and/or individual characteristics of these companies.
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Rajasshrie Pillai and Brijesh Sivathanu
This study aims to use the novel approach of applying the behavioural reasoning theory (BRT) to understand the relative influence of reason for and reason against the adoption of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to use the novel approach of applying the behavioural reasoning theory (BRT) to understand the relative influence of reason for and reason against the adoption of mobile learning applications (M-learning apps) among information technology (IT) and information technology enabled services (ITeS) employees.
Design/methodology/approach
This study surveys 680 employees of IT and ITeS companies in India to examine the adoption of M-learning apps for learning using the BRT and the primary data analysis was done using the partial least squares-structural equation modelling technique.
Findings
It is found that the context-specific adoption factors for M-learning apps are hedonic motivation, self-efficacy, learning autonomy, ubiquitous and relative advantage, whereas the reasons against adoption of the M-learning apps are traditional barrier, usage barrier and image barrier. It is also found that values of openness to change positively affect the reasons for adoption and do not significantly affect reasons against adoption of M-learning. Values of openness to change affect the attitude towards M-learning apps and attitude affects the adoption intention of M-learning apps for learning.
Research/limitations/implications
This cross-sectional study was conducted only in the Indian IT/ITeS firms and future research can be conducted in other sectors and countries to generalize the results.
Practical implications
This research uniquely highlights the adoption factors both for and against, which should be considered while developing marketing strategies for M-learning apps’ adoption. It is imperative for training managers to consider these factors during the selection of M-learning apps and for designers while designing the M-learning apps.
Originality/value
This study provides new insights towards the use of mobile apps for learning with the employees’ perspective using the BRT theory and it highlights the reason for adoption and reason against adoption of M-learning apps.
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The purpose of this paper is to cull out leadership lessons from one of India's oldest books on statecraft and economics – The Arthashastra by Kautilya – and present an Indian…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to cull out leadership lessons from one of India's oldest books on statecraft and economics – The Arthashastra by Kautilya – and present an Indian model of leadership which may be used by scholars and practitioners for leadership development in modern global context.
Design/methodology/approach
An analysis of Kautilya's teachings is done based on English translation of his original works by two eminent scholars. A model of leadership is derived on the basis of Kautilya's writings.
Findings
Kautilya presents a holistic perspective as he synthesizes the Eastern and Western approaches on leadership. His skill‐based and strategic approach gets support and direction from his value‐based, ethical considerations. Also, an in depth study of his writings shows that he was a precursor to a few leadership theories developed in the Western world in modern times.
Originality/value
Scholars have studied The Arthashastra as a treatise on economics, politics, diplomacy and statecraft. Lessons have also been drawn on a few aspects of management and leadership. There is no comprehensive commentary available on his views on leadership. In this paper, an attempt is made to develop a leadership model which integrates the Eastern and the Western approaches on leadership and can be used for leadership development in modern times.
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Anand S. Patel and Kaushik M. Patel
This paper aims to develop an initial understanding of the Lean Six Sigma methodology since its inception and examine the few Lean Six Sigma dimensions as a research domain…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop an initial understanding of the Lean Six Sigma methodology since its inception and examine the few Lean Six Sigma dimensions as a research domain through a critical review of the literature.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is structured in two-part. The first part of the paper attempts to dwell on the evolution of the Lean Philosophy and Six Sigma methodology individually and the emergence of Lean Six Sigma methodology, covered under the Lean Six Sigma: a historical outline section. The second part of the study examines the dimensions associated with Lean Six Sigma such as frameworks, critical success factors, critical failure factors, type of industry, performance metric, year, publisher and journal, based on a total of 223 articles published in 72 reputed journals from the year 2000 to 2019 as a literature review.
Findings
The adoption of Lean Six Sigma, as a continuous improvement methodology, has grown enormously in the manufacturing and few service sectors such as health care and higher education during the past decade. The study revealed that researchers came out with conceptual frameworks for the implementation of Lean Six Sigma, whereas the validation through case studies seems to be lacking. The integration of Lean Six Sigma and other approaches with a focus on sustainability and the environment has emerged as a research field. A few of the most common critical success and failure factors were identified from the articles studied during the study.
Research limitations/implications
This paper may not have included some of the studies due to the inaccessibility and selection criteria followed for the study.
Originality/value
This paper will provide an initial introduction on Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma and research insights Lean Six Sigma to beginners such as students, researchers and entry-level professionals.