ShiNa Li, Lawrence Hoc Nang Fong, Carol Xiaoyue Zhang and Mengxin Chen
This paper aims to identify peer-to-peer accommodation hosts’ perceived motivations and constraints, to examine the prediction of the motivation and constraint factors on hosts’…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify peer-to-peer accommodation hosts’ perceived motivations and constraints, to examine the prediction of the motivation and constraint factors on hosts’ intention to continue business based on hosts’ attitudes and to explore the moderating role of the business scale.
Design/methodology/approach
A scale for hosts’ perceived motivators and constraints was developed. Mixed methods were used to develop and analyse a conceptual framework for demonstrating how constraints and motivations influence hosts’ behavioural intentions. Findings from interviews with hosts interpretatively supported the survey results.
Findings
Chinese hosts’ perceived constraints and motivators are identified and explained. The survey results indicate that constraints lower intention to continue one’s business and motivators heightens it. Motivators have a higher effect on attitudes and intentions than constraints do. The business scale was confirmed as a moderator in the constraint–attitude link but not in the motivator–attitude relationship.
Practical implications
This paper offers policy implications for governments, online platforms and hosts in terms of establishing incentives and solving problems so that Chinese hosts can sustainably operate their businesses.
Originality/value
This paper identifies constraints and motivators and develops a measurement scale for both simultaneously, which provides a holistic explanation of hosts’ attitude and behavioural intention. It also reveals the moderating role of the business scale. In investigating the thoughts of existing hosts operating on global and local platforms in China, this paper complements the literature, which mainly focuses on the Western context and a single global platform.
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Hanan Ahmed Al-Balushi, Harcharanjit Singh and Irfan Saleem
This study, using stakeholder theory and diffusion of innovations (DOIs), aims to examine the readiness of Omani health-care firms to adopt artificial intelligence (AI). This…
Abstract
Purpose
This study, using stakeholder theory and diffusion of innovations (DOIs), aims to examine the readiness of Omani health-care firms to adopt artificial intelligence (AI). This adoption is seen as a key step towards ensuring green innovation and sustainable performance (SP) in the health-care sector.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted convenience and referral sampling techniques to enhance the response rate for the limited number of health-care firms using AI. Using explanatory research design, structure equation modelling and employees as the unit of analysis, a random sample technique is used to distribute the structured questionnaire to five hospitals in North Al-Batinah, including Shinas, Liwa and Sohar cities. Smart PLS 4.1 analyses the responses.
Findings
The research demonstrates that AI could significantly enhance SP, a finding that is of utmost importance in the current health-care landscape. This study also tested green knowledge sharing as a boundary condition. Furthermore, the study’s findings indicate that AI leads to the emergence of green innovation and SP, suggesting that firms are willing to adopt AI and achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Practical implications
This study implies that stakeholders, including the Omani Government and Middle Eastern firms, should prioritize investments in AI technologies tailored to sustainability initiatives.
Originality/value
This research study makes three significant and unique contributions. Firstly, it uniquely integrates stakeholder and DOIs theories to explain the mediating function of green innovation and the moderating effect of green knowledge sharing. Secondly, it provides a unique Middle Eastern context, where the government’s focus on the health sector is crucial. Finally, this study outlines a clear and actionable pathway for the Middle East to achieve the SDGs, thereby enlightening the reader on the potential of AI in the health-care sector.
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Kosmas Pipyros and Sotiroula Liasidou
The purpose of this research is to emphasize the importance of cybersecurity in the hospitality industry and to propose a particular cybersecurity framework of best practices and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to emphasize the importance of cybersecurity in the hospitality industry and to propose a particular cybersecurity framework of best practices and techniques to mitigate vulnerabilities and prevent cyberattacks in hotels.
Design/methodology/approach
Exploratory research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with hotel managers. The interview content enables the retrieval of real-case cybersecurity incidents, identifies hotels’ vulnerabilities and suggests a new methodological approach to conduct risk assessment in the hospitality industry to mitigate threats and ensure cybersecurity and data protection.
Findings
Research results show that hotels need to prioritize cybersecurity and limit cyber threats. To achieve this, hotels must develop effective risk assessment methods and mechanisms followed by implementing the necessary technical and organizational measures to mitigate threats and vulnerabilities, prevent malicious cyberattacks and ensure information security.
Originality/value
This research highlights a new methodological approach to perform effective risk assessment in the hospitality industry as well as a framework of cybersecurity methods and techniques to implement effective controls and mitigate cybersecurity risks.
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Mega Fariziah Nur Humairoh, Utami Widiati, Eva Nikmatul Rabbianty and Yazid Basthomi
Digital multimodal composing (DMC) has received considerable attention in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms. While empirical studies on DMC have been widely…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital multimodal composing (DMC) has received considerable attention in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms. While empirical studies on DMC have been widely conducted, there is a scarcity of research specifically examining the experience of pre-service English teachers in employing DMC during their teaching practicum. They might be familiar with DMC concepts, yet their beliefs about implementing DMC-mediated language teaching in classroom settings is worth further investigation. To fill this gap, this study aims to investigate the perspectives of three pre-service English teachers on DMC-mediated language teaching during their teaching practicum program.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a case study design and was conducted in a state Islamic university in East Java Province, Indonesia. A semi-structured interview was conducted with three pre-service English teachers to collect data about the beliefs of pre-service English teachers in implementing DMC in their teaching practicum. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis.
Findings
From the analysis, the study unveils three important findings: (1) pre-service teachers' awareness of implementing DMC in English classrooms, (2) pre-service teachers' pedagogical preference for DMC projects and (3) pre-service teachers' perceived challenges in teaching through DMC.
Originality/value
The study suggests that equipping pre-service teachers with adequate pedagogical competence in DMC will enhance their capacity for technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK).
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Kulvinder Kaur and Pawan Kumar
Advancement in technology has increased the use of social media among Internet users. People are on social media all day and brands cannot miss this opportunity to turn these…
Abstract
Purpose
Advancement in technology has increased the use of social media among Internet users. People are on social media all day and brands cannot miss this opportunity to turn these users into potential customers. The purpose of this research paper is to identify the prominent social media platforms in Indian beauty and wellness industry and to establish dimensions of social media activities.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a qualitative study in which in-depth interviews were conducted with owners and managers of beauty and wellness centres, who use social media for promotion of their business.
Findings
This study establishes 5M's of social media activities (Motives, Media, Management, Merits and Metrics) that play a major role in social media promotion. It also identifies that Facebook and Instagram are prominent social media platforms for this industry, followed by Snapchat, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Research limitations/implications
Being a qualitative study, it is exploratory in nature and confined to beauty and wellness centres only, thus, findings cannot be generalised. Research implication is that social media still preserves its popularity over traditional media for marketing purposes.
Practical implications
The results of the study are useful for business owners, promoters and marketers, who are struggling to effectively use this low-cost marketing tool.
Social implications
The result of the study are useful in providing awareness and the importance of social media in promoting benefits to the society.
Originality/value
Social media is extensively used for promotion of beauty services but there are very few theoretical studies on the same. This paper provides rich understanding about how to use social media effectively using 5M's.
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Amir Motallebzadeh, Erdem Atar and Huseyin Cimenoglu
This paper aims to study microstructure and high temperature tribological performance of hypo-eutectic CoCrWC hardfacing alloy (Stellite 12) deposited on steel substrate by…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study microstructure and high temperature tribological performance of hypo-eutectic CoCrWC hardfacing alloy (Stellite 12) deposited on steel substrate by plasma-transferred arc (PTA) welding technique.
Design/methodology/approach
Microstructural characterization of the deposited coating was made using electron probe microanalysis, X-ray diffraction and microhardness tester. Dry sliding wear tests were carried out with a ball-on-disc type tribometer at room and elevated temperature. Worn surfaces of the samples were examined by the EDX equipped SEM and Raman spectroscopy.
Findings
Results revealed that at room temperature and 300°C plasticity dominated wear mechanism was operative. Under oxidation dominated wear conditions (400, 500, 600 and 700°C), testing temperature plays a crucial role on the characteristics of the oxide tribolayers formed on worn surfaces. Development of Cr2O3 in the tribolayer at 600 and 700°C was beneficial in increasing wear resistance of examined coating.
Originality/value
While the sliding wear performance of Stellite alloys at room temperature has been investigated in details, published studies on tribological behavior of Stellite alloys with varying temperature are scarce. Therefore, the present work was undertaken to study the wear mechanisms and the type of tribolayers formed during sliding wear of PTA welding deposited hypo-eutectic Stellite 12 coating with increasing temperature up to 700°C.
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This study aims to examine the role of institutional investors in improving board diversity for the companies in which they invest (investee companies) using evidence from…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the role of institutional investors in improving board diversity for the companies in which they invest (investee companies) using evidence from corporate board characteristics across the globe. Additionally, this study also investigates the association between institutional investors and board diversity under various institutional settings, including varying economic conditions (pre-crisis, crisis and post-crisis), legal systems and ownership structures.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a sample collected from 15 countries for the period 2006 to 2012, the paper uses panel data analysis to examine the association between institutional investors and board diversity.
Findings
The study provides evidence that institutional investors do not promote board diversity and show that in general there is no association between institutional ownership and various board diversity attributes such as gender, age, nationality and education. However, the study finds that institutional investors are positively associated with the educational diversity of boards during times of crisis and are negatively associated with board age diversity during pre-crisis and post-crisis periods. Furthermore, while in common law countries institutional investors are found to be negatively associated with board age diversity, they do not influence board diversity outcomes (i.e. gender, age, nationality and education) in civil law countries. The results also show that the associations between institutional investors and board diversity are mixed and insignificant according to different ownership structures (family and non-family owned firms). The main findings of the study are robust and apply to various estimation methods.
Originality/value
This study provides a unique perspective on the impact of institutional investors on board diversity using a sample collected from 15 countries. Furthermore, the study provides an insight that the institutional settings should be considered when investigating the activism of institutional investors in improving governance practices.
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Yi-Ming Wei, Bi-Ying Yu, Hui Li, Jia-Ning Kang, Jin-Wei Wang and Wei-Ming Chen
Climate engineering management (CEM) as an emerging and cross-disciplinary subject gradually draws the attention to researchers. This paper aims to focus on economic and social…
Abstract
Purpose
Climate engineering management (CEM) as an emerging and cross-disciplinary subject gradually draws the attention to researchers. This paper aims to focus on economic and social impacts on the technologies of climate engineering themselves. However, very few research concentrates on the management of climate engineering. Furthermore, scientific knowledge and a unified system of CEM are limited.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the concept of CEM and its characteristics are proposed and elaborated. In addition, the framework of CEM is established based on management objectives, management processes and supporting theory and technology of management. Moreover, a multi-agent synergistic theory of CEM is put forward to guide efficient management of climate engineering, which is composed of time synergy, space synergy, and factor synergy. This theory is suitable for solving all problems encountered in the management of various climate engineering rather than a specific climate engineering. Specifically, the proposed CEM system aims to mitigate the impact of climate change via refining and summarizing the interrelationship of each component.
Findings
Overall, the six research frontiers and hotspots in the field of CEM are explored based on the current status of research.
Originality/value
In terms of the objectives listed above, this paper seeks to provide a reference for formulating the standards and norms in the management of various climate engineering, as well as contribute to policy implementation and efficient management.
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Ali Faghani, Masoud Bijani and Naser Valizadeh
Many environmental problems are due to the unfavorable environmental intentions and cultural–behavioral weaknesses in the relationship between man and nature. This study aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
Many environmental problems are due to the unfavorable environmental intentions and cultural–behavioral weaknesses in the relationship between man and nature. This study aims to adopt an environmental psychological perspective to green intention (GI) and green behavior (GB) of agricultural students; to this end, protection motivation theory (PMT) was used as the core of the theoretical base.
Design/methodology/approach
This research method was based on descriptive–correlational and causal–relational analyses. The statistical population included agricultural students of Iranian universities with green university standards (N = 5,582). Out of the total population, 384 students were selected as the study sample. The research instrument was a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed using a panel of experts and the average variance extracted. Also, its reliability was verified by Cronbach’s alpha coefficients (0.61 ≤ α ≤ 0.92), principal component analysis and composite reliability index.
Findings
The results of structural equation modeling showed that the obtained model is able to explain 36.3% and 5.56% of GB and GI variance changes, respectively. In addition, the results revealed that GI has the greatest effect on GB (β = 0.362).
Research limitations/implications
It is worth to mention that according to the results, most of the independent variables, besides the direct effects they have on students’ GB, also indirectly affect this variable. This effect was performed through the key variable – GI. In other words, it can be concluded that the GI variable successfully mediates the effects of variables such as response efficacy (RE), self-efficacy (SE) and environmental norms (EN). Therefore, it is suggested that in the behavioral changes interventions in GB of agricultural studies, it should be considered that the presence or absence of GI can affect the actual behavior of individuals. In other words, it is recommended that to accelerate actual behavioral changes, behavioral interventionists should first focus on encouraging people’s GI.
Practical implications
It can be said that the conclusion of this research can provide a basis for the successful encouragement of students to GB. First, GI, as a key element, can mediate the impacts of variables such as RE, SE and EN on students’ GB. Second, PS only directly affects students’ GB. Third, RE has no significant impact on GB, but its effect on GI is significant. Fourth, RC affects students’ GI directly, without mediation. Fifth, SE and EN constructs affect students both directly and indirectly GB of students through GI. Knowing the location of the effect of these variables on each other and the role they have in explaining GI and GB of agricultural students presented some suggestions that can prepare the ground for further development of GB. Hence, managers, students, agricultural educators and other users can use these results to accelerate GB changes.
Originality/value
The conclusion of this research might provide a basis for the successful encouragement of students to GB. In interventions to change GB, it would be essential to pay enough attention to the fact that the presence or absence of GI might affect the actual behavior. It is suggested that behavioral interventionists focus on encouraging people’s GI so as to be able to accelerate the actual behavioral changes.