Syed S. Andaleeb and Gretchen Vanneman Wolford
Studies on participation in organizational decision making in the context of developing countries are limited, especially from a gender perspective. Based on a survey of…
Abstract
Studies on participation in organizational decision making in the context of developing countries are limited, especially from a gender perspective. Based on a survey of government and private sector employees in Dhaka, Bangladesh, this study explores the extent to which women have been integrated in the workforce and how both genders perceive their participation in decision making. Organizational climate is perceived as healthy, while communication between the genders does not reflect major barriers or animosities. Yet, in the largely traditional male‐dominated organizational setting, it is interesting to note that while overt resistance to women has decreased, subtle hostilities continue to resonate. Such hostilities adversely affect perceived participation. A strain of conservatism also continues to exert some negative influence on perceived participation but mostly on women.
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Khan Md. Raziuddin Taufique, Md. Mahiuddin Sabbir, Sarah Quinton and Syed Saad Andaleeb
Acknowledging previous scholarly focus on functional attributes in understanding technology acceptance behaviour, the current study aims to offer a novel perspective by…
Abstract
Purpose
Acknowledging previous scholarly focus on functional attributes in understanding technology acceptance behaviour, the current study aims to offer a novel perspective by integrating eight different dimensions of utilitarian and hedonic attributes to examine their influence in delivering a holistic web-based retail shopping experience.
Design/methodology/approach
The research model was tested and validated through data collected from 370 online shoppers across both hedonic and utilitarian product ranges. Hypotheses were tested using covariance-based structural equation modelling with multi-group analysis to examine the moderation effect.
Findings
The findings strongly support the model confirming eight new utilitarian and hedonic dimensions that influence web-based retail shopping behaviour. The findings also confirm that hedonic attributes remain important even for utilitarian product purchasing.
Practical implications
The key managerial implication is the demonstrated need to balance utilitarian and hedonic attributes in web-based retail platforms, where previously, there has been an overemphasis on functional features. Web-based retailers should consider the optimal blend of utilitarian (e.g. information quality) and hedonic (e.g. aesthetic) attributes in the design of a retail shopping site, irrespective of the product category.
Originality/value
This study integrates multiple dimensions of utilitarian and hedonic attributes into a single model and highlights the interplay of these attributes, thus extending the technology acceptance model. This paper also advances scholarship through its identification of attribute impact across different product categories.
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Syed Saad Andaleeb, Md. Abu Saleh and Md. Yunus Ali
This study aims to examine whether and how cultural (dis) similarity between business entities enhances or impairs the development of commitment in the trust building process in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine whether and how cultural (dis) similarity between business entities enhances or impairs the development of commitment in the trust building process in industrial importer-foreign supplier relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on theoretical lenses of transaction cost economics, resource-based view and dynamic capability view, this study investigates how cultural (dis)similarity moderates the effects of opportunism, transaction-specific investment (TSI), the relative advantage of importing and communication on commitment, leading to building trust in business relationships. Using structural equation modeling and moderated regression analysis, the study tested several predicted effects using a sample of 154 industrial importers drawn from a developing country in Asia.
Findings
A key finding of the study suggests that supplier opportunism comes into play and is negatively associated with industrial importer commitment as cultural dissimilarity increases. For culturally similar countries, opportunism does not affect commitment. Conversely, TSI has a positive effect on commitment for culturally similar countries; for dissimilar countries, TSI has no effect. The study also corroborates several additional hypotheses prevalent in the literature.
Research limitations/implications
Cross-sectional data rather than longitudinal data, single country rather than multi-country perspectives and data from the importer’s side rather than from both importer and exporter may affect generalizability. Future research ought to address these issues to provide further insights.
Originality/value
The paper enriches the literature and extends the nomological network for international business theory by introducing the moderating effect of business cultural similarity in building commitment. Managerial perspectives are also gleaned from the findings.
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Mohammad Nurunnabi and Syed Kamrul Islam
The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceived Bangladesh privatized healthcare sector accountability gap.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceived Bangladesh privatized healthcare sector accountability gap.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 533 patients using services in 45 Dhaka city privatized hospitals. A questionnaire was designed based on 60 patient focus study group and the literature.
Findings
Structural equation modeling provides a comprehensive picture that allows healthcare constructs and accountability to be tested. The goodness‐of‐fit statistics supported the four factors of professionals, administration and management, legal enforcement, ethics and government, which were significantly associated with accountability. Despite Bangladeshi privatized healthcare growth, the study revealed that accountability mainly depends on government initiatives and effectively implementing existing laws.
Research limitations/implications
The study covered one Bangladesh city (Dhaka) owing to resource constraints. Qualitative methods may have enriched the findings.
Practical implications
The accountability dimensions may be applicable to other countries to examine the perceived accountability gap. The study looked at the current Bangladesh privatized healthcare sector. Major issues of Bangladesh privatized healthcare accountability are discussed and recommendations for policymakers are suggested to improve the current circumstances.
Originality/value
The study is the first of its kind to examine accountability among privatized healthcare providers in developing countries. Patients’ accountability views require urgent attention from policy makers.