Sharmin Majumder, Zannatul Najnin, Shamim Ahmed and Shafi Ullah Bhuiyan
Neonatal mortality rate is 24 deaths per 1,000 live births in Bangladesh and most of them die during early neonatal period. The purpose of this paper is to assess the knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
Neonatal mortality rate is 24 deaths per 1,000 live births in Bangladesh and most of them die during early neonatal period. The purpose of this paper is to assess the knowledge and attitude of neonatal care practices among postnatal mothers in a tertiary care hospital in order to provide a basis for the development of strategies to improve further.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh using a convenient sampling technique. In total 211 postnatal mothers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and χ2 test was used to analyze the data.
Findings
Among mothers, 37.9 percent were aged between 16–20 years; 16.1 percent had no institutional education; 55 percent were primipara and only 26.5 percent had attended antenatal visit for more than four times. Mothers had apparently good knowledge and attitude about thermoregulation, early initiation of breast-feeding, importance of providing colostrum to the newborn, exclusive breast-feeding (EBF) up to six months of age and immunization at birth. However, this study identified knowledge gap about cord care, eye care, first bathing and hygiene practices. Overall, only a small proportion of respondents had good level of knowledge (37 percent) and attitude (47.4 percent) on newborn care. Highly significant statistical association was found between the knowledge, attitude level and socio-demographic characteristics of respondents. Knowledge and attitude were strongly associated as well.
Research limitations/implications
There is scope for improvement by providing health education to antenatal and postnatal mothers. Therefore, implementation of the guidelines outlined in the Maternal and Child Handbook (MCH) is highly recommended.
Originality/value
There is scope for improvement by providing health education to antenatal and postnatal mothers. Therefore, implementation of the guidelines outlined in the MCH is highly recommended to enhance the knowledge and attitude on newborn care among postnatal mothers.
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Mohsen Ali Murshid and Zurina Mohaidin
The purpose of this paper is to examine reported literature on the influence of medical representatives (MRs) and other promotional tools on drug prescribing behaviour, and to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine reported literature on the influence of medical representatives (MRs) and other promotional tools on drug prescribing behaviour, and to assess whether this effect is different in developed and developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of the literature was conducted across online databases from 2000 to 2016. Eligible studies addressed MRs and other promotion tools used to influence drug prescribing in developed and developing countries.
Findings
A total of 40 reviewed studies met the inclusion requirements. In total, 22 of the studies were conducted in developed countries and 18 in developing countries. Out of ten studies that examined the influence of MRs on drug prescribing in developed countries, eight found a positive influence, one found only moderate and one finds no influence. Analogous results were found in developing countries. Six out of ten studies on the influence of MRs conducted in developing countries found a positive effect, three found only moderate effects, while one finds no influence. The influence of promotion tools on prescribing varied in developed countries, five found positive influence, four reported a small effect and one found negative influence. In developing countries, the size of effect also varied, five studies found positive influence of promotion tools on drug prescribing behaviour, five found a negligible or small effect, and one found no association. However, marked differences were observed between two sectors. In the developed countries, MRs are valued as a source of information and can have an effect on prescribing, while it is unreliable in developing countries. Sample drugs are more generally seen as an important promotional tool for prescribing in developed countries than developing countries.
Research limitations/implications
The results derived from this review are based on studies with varying methodological consistency. The review provides the crucial information that will be valuable to researchers working on comparative analysis of marketing efforts in developing and developed countries.
Originality/value
This paper is one of the few systematic reviews on the influence of MRs and other promotional tools on prescribing. It compares the influence of MRs and promotional efforts in both developed and developing countries.
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Islamic economics was initially established as a discipline within a noninterest framework to foster equitable and sustainable growth. Its focus on noninterest equality has…
Abstract
Purpose
Islamic economics was initially established as a discipline within a noninterest framework to foster equitable and sustainable growth. Its focus on noninterest equality has transitioned to noninterest finance over time. The finance-driven approach needs being reformed as it may not generate structural solutions for the current macroeconomic challenges – including high inequality of income, sluggish growth and high interest rates. This study aims to ascertain whether Islamic economics is progressing in the correct direction by estimating whether noninterest equality or noninterest finance has a greater impact on aggregate income and lending interest rates in three steps.
Design/methodology/approach
The first step involves estimating the total effect centrality of income inequality and interest-bearing finance in the economies of the US, the UK and Germany. In the second stage, it is estimated whether the negative impacts of lending interest rates on aggregate income in these nations are exacerbated to a greater extent by income inequality or interest-bearing finance. The third step involves estimating whether income inequality or interest-bearing finance has a greater impact on increasing lending interest rates.
Findings
The study presents four findings. First, income inequality has a greater total effect centrality than bank credits in a network of aggregate income, lending interest rates, income inequality and bank credits in the UK and Germany. Second, the rising income inequality in the United States exacerbates the adverse effects of lending interest rates on aggregate income more significantly than bank credits. The slightly declining income inequality in the UK reduces the negative impact of lending interest rate on aggregate income, whereas bank credits exacerbate it. The negative effect of lending interest rates on aggregate income in Germany is converted into a positive effect by a progressively decreasing income inequality, whereas bank credits exacerbate it. Third, the extent of income equality’s alleviating (mediating) impact on the negative influence of lending interest rates on aggregate income intensifies with a greater reduction in income inequality. Fourth, banking credits convert the negative impacts of income inequality on lending interest rates into positive effects in the UK and Germany. They amplify the positive impact of income inequality on lending interest rates in the United States.
Practical implications
The study suggests that students of Islamic economics should focus on studying noninterest equality either no less than or more than noninterest finance to foster equitable growth, which is the most fundamental quantitative goal of Islamic economics.
Originality/value
This study is the first, to the author’s knowledge, to compare noninterest equality of income and noninterest finance using time-varying networks and mediation analysis. The study’s findings are crucial for comprehending the importance of income inequality in Islamic economic research, particularly in relation to its comparative significance with Islamic finance. Such an insight could potentially facilitate the application of the noninterest equality of income as a viable solution to the persistent predicament facing modern economies.
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Duncan Borg Ellul and Tracey Wond
The present study aims to conduct a critical review of an existing set of practices within the Maltese public sector.
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to conduct a critical review of an existing set of practices within the Maltese public sector.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on interpretivism (people-centred approach) embedded in a pragmatic research paradigm (the use of mixed methods).
Findings
Misconceptions about the role and practice of executive coaching in Malta relates to the similar roles ascribed to mentoring, supervision, therapy, consultation, coaching, audit and watchdog under the misnomer of “coaching”.
Research limitations/implications
The main contribution of this research is to the community of professional practitioners as well as to the Maltese central government to improve managerial effectiveness in the Maltese public sector with several endorsed policy-level recommendations presented in the study.
Practical implications
The results suggest a restructuring of a well-defined, structures, systems and dynamics within the Maltese public administration, the ability by senior management including senior public officers (SPOs) to recognise high-potential talents, the need to expand leadership capacity, the establishment of a professional coaching body and a national coaching network framework.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the role and impact of executive coaching in the Maltese public sector using quantitative and qualitative empirical data.
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Md Shamim Hossain, Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff and Mohammad Noor Hisham Bin Osman
The purpose of this study is to explore stakeholders’ perceptions on money creation and the impact of the accounting treatment for commercial banks’ money lending activity in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore stakeholders’ perceptions on money creation and the impact of the accounting treatment for commercial banks’ money lending activity in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
A phenomenological approach was used to examine the stakeholders’ perceptions through experience-sharing. A semi-structured interview approach was used to collect the data. Ten individuals from different stakeholder groups have been interviewed with their prior consent. For the data analysis, the current study adopted the inductive thematic approach.
Findings
Perceptions on money creation are influenced by the informants’ understanding and awareness of the research issue. Informants have agreed on the accounting treatment (debit loan and credit deposits) but explained the impact of this accounting treatment differently. The accounting treatment creates an opportunity for the commercial banks to create money as they want, and hence, the excess created money can create inflation and threat for the potential financial crisis. On the contrary, it is argued that money creation results from the systematic approach of the fractional reserve banking (FRB) in Malaysia. In addition, this money creation is not a threat to the economy as long as there is a strong controlling role of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
Research limitations/implications
Stakeholders’ perception indicates that awareness of the research issue can be a cause of crucial consequence for money lending activity. Moreover, this study may stimulate the chief regulatory body such as BNM, the central bank of Malaysia, to be more cautious in controlling the commercial banks’ money lending activity to prevent the potential future crisis. Furthermore, findings may help to explain the conflicting concept between the textbook explanation for FRB and current commercial banks’ money lending practice through the accounting treatment.
Originality/value
Monitoring and controlling of money creation and commercial banks’ money lending activity by BNM can be benefited from the stakeholders’ perceptions on this research issue. Because this is the first time study of the stakeholders’ perceptions on money creation and commercial banks’ money lending activity in Malaysia and hence, findings of this study may be worked as the input in the process of monitoring and controlling the money creation activity in Malaysia.
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Shamim Ahmad Siddiqui and Munshi Naser Ibne Afzal
The purpose of this study is to look at the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE's) progress toward economic diversification and becoming a knowledge-based economy.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to look at the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE's) progress toward economic diversification and becoming a knowledge-based economy.
Design/methodology/approach
The World Development Indicators (WDI) and GlobalEconomy websites provided all secondary data for this paper. The data are largely used to highlight the UAE's current level of diversification and, consequently, the atmosphere for a knowledge economy transition necessary for sustainable development. Additionally, the study conducts a nonparametric estimation using DEA to identify the condition of four variables pertaining to the UAE's knowledge economy. The Herfindahl-Hirschman index (HHI) was utilized empirically in this study to determine the current state of diversity.
Findings
According to this research, the UAE economy was reasonably diverse until recently. The number of patents and journal papers published per resident both add to the UAE's GDP. Furthermore, the UAE's information and communication technology (ICT) exports are inconsistent; a declining trend in the number of researchers and the education sector's continuous struggles are major concerns. Furthermore, Figure 1 in the introduction reinforces this conclusion by noting that construction and building remained the greatest employer of labor throughout the time period. This is a significant finding because, as illustrated in this research, low labor force participation in the education sector, combined with lower citizen participation in advanced education in the UAE, results in low scientific research and publications, with low knowledge output as patent applications. In general, the majority of the UAE's population is expat, and the extent to which locals and expats contribute to the overall advancement of education remains an open question. According to the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model, three variables in the knowledge economy are productive, and they are economic incentive and institutional regime, innovation systems and ICT. The findings of this article will aid policymakers in the UAE, and more generally in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, in developing more successful policies that help in the growth of a knowledge- and innovation-based economy.
Practical implications
This study is appropriate for UAE economic policymakers to monitor the state and policies required for the UAE's transition to a knowledge economy.
Originality/value
This issue has rarely been addressed by the use of robust parametric and nonparametric processes, as well as robust data visualization tools.
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Sabeen Hussain Bhatti, Beata Gavurova, Adeel Ahmed, Maria Rosaria Marcone and Gabriele Santoro
Remote working has brought forward many challenges for employees as the phenomenon is still new for most employees across the globe. Some of these challenges may be addressed by…
Abstract
Purpose
Remote working has brought forward many challenges for employees as the phenomenon is still new for most employees across the globe. Some of these challenges may be addressed by the recent adoption of digital technologies by organizations. In this vein, our study explores the impact of digital platform capability on the creativity of employees through the mediating mechanism of explicit and tacit knowledge sharing.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were gathered from higher education institutes (HEIs) in a developing country, Pakistan which recently saw a major disruption during the Covid-19 pandemic. The proposed hypotheses were tested through Structural Equational Modeling (SEM) and the results confirmed our hypotheses.
Findings
The findings confirmed that the digital platform capabilities impact both tacit and explicit knowledge sharing among these remote employees. Likewise, the results also supported the mediating role of both explicit and tacit knowledge sharing on the creativity of these remote workers.
Originality/value
Our results are significant as they confirm the impact of digitalization on remote workers’ creativity predisposition. We thus advance the academic debate on the problems of knowledge sharing in remote working. We prove that digital capabilities outweigh the challenges created due to new forms of work driven by the pandemic. It further highlights the important areas to focus on while planning human resource policies in the new normal.
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Amjad Shamim, Junaid Siddique, Uzma Noor and Rohail Hassan
This study aims to explore the customers’ behaviour towards online shopping during COVID-19 in a Muslim country and proposes a co-creative service design for online businesses…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the customers’ behaviour towards online shopping during COVID-19 in a Muslim country and proposes a co-creative service design for online businesses (webstore) in the post-COVID-19 era.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a qualitative design for collecting the data where in-depth interviews from 18 customers were conducted following the qualitative design protocol. Due to the limitation of physical distancing, the interviews were conducted online using Microsoft teams.
Findings
Based on the findings, new potential services are proposed for webstores for customer engagement, the need for expansion of product lines and safety measures for customers and staff during and post-COVID-19 era. Following the findings, a co-creative service design is proposed for webstores to revamp the business during and post-COVID-19.
Originality/value
The study is unique because it has developed various unique strategic factors essential for revamping online businesses for better growth in post-COVID-19. The proposed new co-creative service design model for an online service provider is expected to create customers engagement and loyalty during and in post-COVID-19.
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Ubaid Ur Rehman and Amjad Iqbal
The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of knowledge-oriented leadership on organizational performance of higher education institutions (HEIs) and examine the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of knowledge-oriented leadership on organizational performance of higher education institutions (HEIs) and examine the neglected mediating role of knowledge management (KM) processes and innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
Following the quantitative and cross-sectional research design, data were collected through self-administered questionnaire from 312 faculty members of HEIs of Pakistan. The partial least squares structural equation modelling data analysis technique was applied to test the hypothesized relationships.
Findings
The results indicate that knowledge-oriented leadership has direct and positive effect on organizational performance. Moreover, the findings reveal that KM processes and innovation partially mediate the effect of knowledge-oriented leadership on organizational performance.
Practical implications
This study underscores the imrportant role of knowledge-oriented leadership in HEIs. Findings of this research suggest that by exhibiting knowledge-oriented behaviours, managers of HEIs can effectively manage their knowledge assets, ensure successful implementation of KM processes and augment product and process innovation leading towards superior organizational performance.
Originality/value
This is amongst one of the first studies that proposes an integrated research model and examines interrelationships amongst knowledge-oriented leadership, KM processes, innovation and organizational performance in the context of HEIs.