Ruqia Khan, Tahir Mumtaz Awan, Tayyba Fatima and Maria Javed
The purpose of this study is to identify the accelerators of sharing economy that lead to sustainability by adopting green consumption. Nostalgia is studied as a mediator along…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the accelerators of sharing economy that lead to sustainability by adopting green consumption. Nostalgia is studied as a mediator along with social connectedness and past orientation. Specifically, the study is based upon a framework to explore the outcomes of sharing economy through an individual's green consumption behavior from the perspective of mortality anxiety.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative research technique was employed by collecting data from 537 households through snowball sampling. The model was tested using partial least squares (SEM-VB). The validity of the theoretical and measurement model was assessed.
Findings
The results revealed that nostalgia positively influences social connectedness and past orientation, whereas social connectedness and past orientation accelerate green consumption. However, it was confirmed that nostalgia decreases green consumption.
Research limitations/implications
The drivers of sharing economy lead toward environmentally friendly consumer behavior by providing opportunities for different agents to increase the usage of shared consumption. The model can be improved by introducing other mediating variables to enrich understanding.
Practical implications
The study may provide opportunities for practitioners and the government to identify the key factors in a sharing economy, specifically with reference to green consumption and social connectedness. It is predicted that it will help reduce environmental deterioration.
Originality/value
This study identifies the role of mortality anxiety and nostalgia toward green consumption, predominantly in the context of a sharing economy. It is a forward to collaborative consumption.
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Tehreem Raza Ch, Tahir Mumtaz Awan, Haider Ali Malik and Tayyba Fatima
Because of the increasing significance of green marketing and its aspects, it develops a need for examining the impact of all these factors on green product buying behavior. As…
Abstract
Purpose
Because of the increasing significance of green marketing and its aspects, it develops a need for examining the impact of all these factors on green product buying behavior. As social media marketing also has an enormous positive impact on green product buying behavior, this study aims to provide a cohesive role of green marketing and social media marketing in determining green purchase behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, data were collected through an online survey by using convenience sampling from 692 respondents, and through structural equation modeling, the hypothesized associations among variables of this study were empirically tested.
Findings
The findings suggest that attitude, eco-labels and green advertising had a significant influence on the decision to purchase green products. The influence of peer groups, behavioral intention and price consciousness was also examined. Peer influence did not moderate the relation between green buying behavior and environmental concern.
Originality/value
The influence of factors like attitudes, price consciousness, behavioral intentions social media marketing, eco-labels, and environmental concern green purchase behavior has not been scrutinized cohesively in the past. The current study used the theory of planned behavior in elucidating green buying behavior.
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Muhammad Awais, Tayyba Fatima and Tahir Mumtaz Awan
This study aims to investigate people pro-environmental behavior toward solar energy in Pakistan. Solar energy is perceived as environment friendly because it does not need any…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate people pro-environmental behavior toward solar energy in Pakistan. Solar energy is perceived as environment friendly because it does not need any fossil fuel and is free of greenhouse gas emission. Hence current research used to employ value-belief-norm theory with regard to solar energy to recognize people's interest for solar energy. Further this study also makes an effort for extend of value-belief-norm framework via using social norm as being a predictor of pro-environmental behavior and personal norm.
Design/methodology/approach
This study follows positivism philosophy based on quantitative in nature. Proposed hypothesis was tested through deductive research approach. Data was collected through survey method. Further general public was selected as population and non-probability convenience sampling technique was used for data collection. A total 1,000 online questionnaire were sent through different mediums on Internet, out of which 624 responses were received. Further this study used Smart-Pls 3 software for the analysis of data.
Findings
The results show that all hypothesis were approved except one. Furthermore, social norm was discovered as a positive indicator of personal norm, and pro-environmental behavior. Also, personal norm was found as mediating the relation between social norm and people's pro-environment behavior toward solar energy.
Practical implications
This research also adds to the existing research in field of environmental sustainability. Furthermore, it would prove to be a rational document for policymakers and the government to develop strategies to overcome environment and energy related issues.
Originality/value
This study identifies the people's pro-environmental behavior toward solar energy by applying value-belief-norm theory in context of Pakistan, to overcome energy related environmental issues.
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Tayyba Rasool, Nosheen Fatima Warraich and Abebe Rorissa
E-government websites/portals are effective modes of communication between governments and citizens. The information quality (IQ) of these websites/portals is of vital importance…
Abstract
Purpose
E-government websites/portals are effective modes of communication between governments and citizens. The information quality (IQ) of these websites/portals is of vital importance and, hence, is worth assessing, to ensure their effectiveness. This study aims to assess the IQ dimensions of e-government websites/portals in Pakistan and also evaluate the most significant IQ indicators.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a quantitative research method based on a survey. The data were collected from a sample of young citizens, and a questionnaire was adopted from a previous study by Kandari, et al. (2011) with minor changes to reflect the local context.
Findings
The findings revealed that out of 20 IQ indicators, 14 were rated 4 or 5 on a five-point Likert scale, indicating a reasonably high IQ for Pakistani e-government websites/portals. Value-added, “accessibility” and “objectivity” were the top three indicators, while timeliness, ease of operation and advertisement were the least rated indicators, suggesting that these need to be addressed. The findings of the study also revealed that IQ indicators are not affected by the different age groups of citizens.
Research limitations/implications
The focus of this study was limited to university students to understand their perceptions about IQ indicators of e-government websites in Pakistan, and the results can only be generalized to young Pakistani citizens and the developing countries with a similar context.
Practical implications
This study could provide some guidance to policy makers and websites designers in the development of e-government websites according to users’ needs and identifying the ways to regularly maintain and update these websites.
Originality/value
This study provides an understanding of the IQ of Pakistani e-government websites from the citizens’ perspective. It attempts to fill that gap and produce findings that could assist in making informed policy decisions.
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Nosheen Fatima Warraich, Abebe Rorissa and Tayyba Rasool
This study aims to present a broad discussion of Linked Data (LD) and Semantic Web technologies, specifically their potential application in information environments such as…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to present a broad discussion of Linked Data (LD) and Semantic Web technologies, specifically their potential application in information environments such as libraries. It aims to explore library professionals’ conception about barriers to implement LD in libraries and strategies to take advantage of this technology.
Design/methodology/approach
It is a qualitative study and uses phenomenology to explore library professionals’ common conceptions regarding the implementation of LD technology in libraries. Data were collected through interviews with the experts who are professionals and researchers, immersed with technology, actively involved in LD initiatives and/or are advocates of its implementation in libraries. Data were analyzed through NVivo software.
Findings
Based on the study findings, it is elucidated that lack of awareness and skills among information professionals along with non-compatibility of traditional machine-readable cataloging-based standards with LD are some barriers that are creating hindrance in the implementation of LD. Findings also show that LD technology applications in Pakistan are at infancy level and facing legal, ethical and technical challenges. information communication technology skills of library professionals, designing new library management systems, structured data, standards, frameworks and training sessions, workshops, seminars and conferences are proposed strategies to implement LD in libraries in the perspective of a developing country.
Research limitations/implications
This study has a few limitations; first, its focus is on prospects and perceptions of information professionals instead of LD practices in libraries. Second, sample is limited to information professionals immersed in technology and actively involved in LD initiatives and/or are advocates of its implementation in libraries, as Pakistan is a developing country and limited numbers of information professionals familiar and use LD technology. Finally, the results of this study are based on information professionals’ perceptions, so there is a need to measure actual application of LD technology with assessments.
Originality/value
The findings of the study are helpful for the library professionals, teachers and system designers. The library professionals may know the need for LD in the libraries.