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Article
Publication date: 31 August 2012

Usman Ehsan

There are different factors that affect customers' experiences at restaurants, and this could lead towards the selection or rejection of a fast food restaurant. The primary…

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Abstract

Purpose

There are different factors that affect customers' experiences at restaurants, and this could lead towards the selection or rejection of a fast food restaurant. The primary purpose of this study is to explore the factors that are important for the selection of restaurants and also to identify the cultural or regional differences in consumer behaviours amongst student customers in relation to international fast food restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 447 questionnaires were randomly distributed among university students of three cities. Data analysis was done in SPSS Version 17. Important factors were identified by factor analysis and ANOVA was used to measure the differences (among cities).

Findings

According to the findings, customers considered price, variety of food, promotional deals and timely service as the important factors for the selection of fast food restaurants. Different factors were found in different cities. This implies that the choice and selection criteria of customers from different cities in the same country for fast food restaurants may vary.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study should only be generalised to the fast food sector as the research only explored the fast food industry. The respondents were selected only from university students of three cities in Pakistan. Other customer segments and geographical areas should be included in future studies.

Practical implications

The results enable marketers to focus on key points in formulating different strategies, like designing the pricing strategy, the service blueprint, the menu, and positioning and promotional strategies, so that they can provide memorable experiences to customers. The findings also suggest that while operating in multicultural countries, customers need to observe closely. Also, adaptation to local cultures should not be limited to the national level; it should also be tailored to the regional level (cities).

Originality/value

This paper puts forward the selection criteria for fast food restaurants in a large and ethnically diverse country like Pakistan. The paper also provides useful information for both academicians and marketers about new and emerging areas in how consumer choices vary in culturally diverse nations.

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Article
Publication date: 6 April 2021

Muhammad Tayyab, Muhammad Usman Awan, Nadeem Irfan Bukhari and Ehsan Sabet

Empirical studies on the supply chain quality management (SCQM) of the pharmaceutical sector are scarce and scattered. This paper investigates a set of key quality determinants in…

690

Abstract

Purpose

Empirical studies on the supply chain quality management (SCQM) of the pharmaceutical sector are scarce and scattered. This paper investigates a set of key quality determinants in the pharmaceutical sector to offer a holistic quality control framework for its supply chain (SC).

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method design was used. A focused group discussion with seven pharmaceutical SC managers summarized the narratives of the SCQM in this sector and helped to develop a questionnaire. The survey data were collected from the managers of 299 pharmaceutical firms.

Findings

The statistical results show the key determinants are leadership (LS), customer focus (CF), process integration and management (PIM), supplier relations (SR), quality practice (QP), human resource practices (HRP) and safety (SF). Unlike many other sectors, in the pharmaceutical SC, logistics and inventory costs have been proved to be not as important as other measures in the eyes of the SC managers and as part of SCQM performance measures, which can be a result of the priority systems influenced by the World Health Organization standards.

Originality/value

The study is distinctive in its scope as is carried out in a developing country with focus on concept of SCQM with reference to pharmaceutical SC. It shows great potential for further studies and improvements in logistics and warehousing in this sector, for the interest of the pharmaceutical SC managers and regulators who aim to ensure safety and quality in the health-care sector.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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Article
Publication date: 15 May 2024

Robert Kurniawan, Arya Candra Kusuma, Bagus Sumargo, Prana Ugiana Gio, Sri Kuswantono Wongsonadi and Karta Sasmita

This study aims to analyze the convergence of environmental degradation clubs in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In addition, this study also analyzes the…

153

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the convergence of environmental degradation clubs in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In addition, this study also analyzes the influence of renewable energy and foreign direct investment (FDI) on each club as an intervention to change the convergence pattern in each club.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes the club convergence of environmental degradation in an effort to find out the distribution of environmental degradation reduction policies. This study uses club convergence with the Phillips and Sul (PS) convergence methodology because it considers multiple steady-states and is robust. This study uses annual panel data from 1998 to 2020 and ASEAN country units with ecological footprints as proxies for environmental degradation. After obtaining the club results, the analysis continued by analyzing the impact of renewable energy and FDI on each club using panel data regression and the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology model specification.

Findings

Based on club convergence, ASEAN countries can be grouped into three clubs with two divergent countries. Club 1 has an increasing pattern of environmental degradation, while Club 2 and Club 3 show no increase. Club 1 can primarily apply renewable energy to reduce environmental degradation, while Club 2 requires more FDI. The authors expect policymakers to take into account the clubs established to formulate collaborative policies among countries. The result that FDI reduces environmental degradation in this study is in line with the pollution halo hypothesis. This study also found that population has a significant effect on environmental degradation, so policies to regulate population need to be considered. On the other hand, increasing income has no effect on reducing environmental degradation. Therefore, the use of renewable energy and FDI toward green investment is expected to intensify within ASEAN countries to reduce environmental degradation.

Originality/value

This research is by far the first to apply PS Club convergence to environmental degradation in ASEAN. In addition, this study is also the first to analyze the influence of renewable energy and FDI on each club formed, considering the need for renewable energy use that has not been maximized in ASEAN.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. 18 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

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Publication date: 9 December 2024

Arjun J. Nair, Sridhar Manohar and Rishi Chaudhry

The discourse traverses the intricate landscape of the metaverse, exploring its evolution, intricacies, and the symbiotic integration of artificial intelligence (AI). The…

Abstract

The discourse traverses the intricate landscape of the metaverse, exploring its evolution, intricacies, and the symbiotic integration of artificial intelligence (AI). The metaverse, a virtual realm where individuals interact with digital entities, burgeons from a decades-old concept to a contemporary reality, captivating attention with its immersive potential. The union of AI and the metaverse heralds unprecedented possibilities and challenges. It fuels personalized recommendations, realistic avatars, intelligent Non-Playable Character (NPCs), and predictive analytics. However, concerns loom, spanning addiction, privacy, and security, as users immerse themselves in virtual realms, potentially neglecting real-world responsibilities and sharing sensitive information has been discussed in this chapter. The narrative further delves into the metaverse's anatomy, delineating its infrastructure, hardware, software, content creation, and commerce. The integration of AI into metaverse security epitomizes a confluence of innovation and growth. Balancing the potential benefits and risks, stakeholders embark on a journey toward a secure, immersive digital realm. The discourse advocates for proactive and responsible AI usage, encompassing transparency, accountability, and trustworthiness. Regulatory frameworks and standards emerge as essential guardrails, protecting user privacy and forestalling AI misuse.

Details

Augmenting Retail Reality, Part B: Blockchain, AR, VR, and AI
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83608-708-3

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Article
Publication date: 19 July 2021

Ewald Kuoribo, De-Graft Owusu-Manu, Roland Yomoah, Caleb Debrah, Alex Acheampong and David John Edwards

The construction industry is an enabler of economic growth in developing countries, but its performance is governed by the professional behaviour of construction professionals…

706

Abstract

Purpose

The construction industry is an enabler of economic growth in developing countries, but its performance is governed by the professional behaviour of construction professionals. Unethical behaviour (UB) breaches codes of practice and undermines economic performance hence, ubiquitous academic attention has been given to understanding this phenomenon. This paper aims to contribute to the ensuing discourse by reporting upon the most critical ethical behaviours (EBs and UBs) of professionals in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI).

Design/methodology/approach

The study compounded identified factors into a closed-ended questionnaire in a quantitative research strategy. Data analysis was conducted using the relative importance index and one sample t-test. To measure the reliability of the scale, Cronbach’s alpha was used, which indicated that all measured items were reliable for further analysis.

Findings

The study confirmed that professionals within the GCI are aware of the existence of UBs and revealed that the most prevalent ethical conducts exhibited, namely, level of accuracy, accountability, honesty, reliability, fairness and respect for colleagues. Common unethical conducts exhibited included: favouritism, bribery and corruption, professional negligence, falsification, fraud and overbilling.

Research limitations/implications

The study reported on the dominant ethical conduct among built environment professionals. The claims put forward in the analysis are, thus, affected by Ghana’s social, economic and political environments, which could restrict the generalization of the findings.

Practical implications

Incipient findings presented from this research will guide stakeholders to develop and device strategies that will aid alleviate persistent ethical issues within the built environment.

Social implications

The study highlights individuals’ perspectives on ethical issues persistent in the built environment. The findings suggest individuals adhere to ethical practices in a project environment by the evidence presented.

Originality/value

This pioneering study is a novel assessment on EBs and UBs of built environment professionals in the GCI. The study supplementary adds value to the literature on ethical and unethical practices. By identifying these practices, construction firms have a competitive edge in combating UB and promoting EB among built environment professionals in the GCI.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

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Article
Publication date: 21 April 2022

Hina Khan, Jawad Abbas, Kalpina Kumari and Hina Najam

Perception of organizational politics is one of the key factors of the organization's performance. Based on the principles of Game Theory, this study aims to examine the impact of…

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Abstract

Purpose

Perception of organizational politics is one of the key factors of the organization's performance. Based on the principles of Game Theory, this study aims to examine the impact of management's and employee's politics within an organization on the psychological and organizational stress levels of workers, followed by their task and contextual performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the non-probability convenience sampling technique, the data was collected from the managerial and non-managerial staff of public, private and semi-government services organizations in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Abbottabad and Karachi cities in Pakistan.

Findings

The structural analyses indicate that organizational politics is a major cause of stress among workers and has a significant positive impact on the psychological and organizational stress of workers. Moreover, both organizational politics and job stress hinder workers' performance.

Originality/value

The findings of the current research provide valuable insights into the management of firms about the destructive role of politics with a special focus on psychological and organizational stress, followed by job and contextual performance, particularly in the context of Pakistan. It also proposes strategies to counter this issue, improving worker's performance. Furthermore, the findings also suggest whether management or employees are more involved in organizational politics.

Details

Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, vol. 40 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2054-6238

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Article
Publication date: 17 May 2021

Annisa Fithria, Mahfud Sholihin, Usman Arief and Arif Anindita

This study aims to analyse the relationship between management ownership and the performance of Islamic microfinance institutions (MFIs) using panel data from Indonesian Islamic…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the relationship between management ownership and the performance of Islamic microfinance institutions (MFIs) using panel data from Indonesian Islamic rural banks (Bank Pembiayaan Rakyat Syariah [BPRS]).

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses unbalanced quarterly panel data from BPRS during the period from 2011 to 2016. Performance, as the dependent variable in this study, is analysed based on three sets of measures, namely, profitability, efficiency and the financing risk. Management ownership, as the independent variable in this study, is represented by ownership by the board of directors (BOD), the board of commissioners (BOC) and the sharia supervisory boards (SSB).

Findings

The results show that ownership by the BOD and BOC does not have a significant relationship with profitability and efficiency. However, the BOD ownership has a negative relationship with the financing risk and vice versa for the BOC ownership. Additionally, the study reveals that ownership by the SSB plays a positive and significant role in increasing the profitability and efficiency but does not have a significant impact on the financing risk.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to provide empirical results regarding the relationship between management (BOD, BOC and SSB) ownership and the performance of BPRS. The finding reveals that ownership by the SSB is very important to increase the profitability and efficiency of the BPRS.

Contribution to Impact

This study fills the gap in the literature about Islamic MFIs in Indonesia, especially the BPRS. This research also provides an insight into corporate governance practices and Islamic MFIs’ performance using BPRS data. The findings provide useful information for policy makers and regulators.

Details

International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, vol. 14 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8394

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Article
Publication date: 25 May 2021

Saeed Rabea Baatwah, Khaled Salmen Aljaaidi, Ehsan Saleh Almoataz and Zalailah Salleh

Although the effect of culture on financial reporting practices has been addressed in earlier studies, the existing empirical evidence totally neglects an important dimension in…

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Abstract

Purpose

Although the effect of culture on financial reporting practices has been addressed in earlier studies, the existing empirical evidence totally neglects an important dimension in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets: tribal culture. The authors fill this gap in the literature using Oman as the setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect data for 583 company-year observations for companies listed on the Omani capital market, 2007–2014. The authors run a two-way fixed effects panel data regression to test their hypothesis.

Findings

Tribal culture has a negative effect on financial reporting quality (FRQ), measured by both accrual-based and real earnings management. The findings are robust under a variety of sensitivity analyses. In additional analysis, the findings confirm that tribal culture negatively moderates the effectiveness of internal monitoring mechanisms and is associated with low-quality auditing. Further, the authors find tribal culture associated with delayed financial information.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, the study makes several contributions to the literature because it is the first archival evidence linking tribal culture with FRQ. It is the first to show that the effect of corporate governance mechanisms on FRQ is moderated by tribal culture. The study has valuable implications for policymakers, regulators, boards of directors and auditors in GCC countries as well as in countries with similar cultures.

Details

International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. 18 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

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Article
Publication date: 15 May 2023

Ehsan Kordi, Mohammadreza Abdoli and Hassan Valiyan

With the emergence of the basis of intellectual capital, competitive advantage was considered as the focus of competitive strategies, and the knowledge resulting from this…

216

Abstract

Purpose

With the emergence of the basis of intellectual capital, competitive advantage was considered as the focus of competitive strategies, and the knowledge resulting from this approach became the basis for the development and strategic directions of companies in various fields of the company such as finance and accounting. The purpose of this study is sustainable intellectual capital reporting framework and evaluation of key examples in the context of capital market companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this study was exploratory from the point of view of the developmental result and based on the type of objective and qualitative and quantitative basis was used to collect the data. The statistical population in the qualitative part was university experts and in the quantitative part financial managers of capital market companies. Data collection tools were interviews in the qualitative part and fuzzy scales and language comparison checklists in the quantitative part. Therefore, first through three stages of coding, the dimensions of the model were identified, and based on the fuzzy Delphi analysis, the reliability level was determined through the average between the first round and the second round of Delphi. Finally, through the default tests, the appropriate fuzzy model was first determined, and then hierarchical fuzzy analysis based on TODIM's approach was used to determine the most favorable axis of sustainable intellectual capital reporting.

Findings

The results in the qualitative part indicate the existence of 3 categories and 6 components and 39 conceptual themes in the form of a six-dimensional model. In the quantitative part, the results showed that by confirming the dimensions identified through fuzzy Delphi analysis, the most desirable axis of intellectual capital reporting is the component of technological capital reporting, which can play a more effective role in sustainable reporting.

Originality/value

This study, relying on the importance of the consequences of sustainable intellectual capital reporting, tries to evaluate the consequences of this field of financial reporting due to the lack of a coherent theoretical framework about capital market companies. In addition, the framework presented in this study promotes integrated thinking for firms to it would provide some level of incentive to those charged with governance concerning the voluntary compliance with the sustainable intellectual capital reporting framework.

Details

Journal of Advances in Management Research, vol. 20 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0972-7981

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Article
Publication date: 8 December 2022

Md Aslam Mia, Tanzina Hossain, Zinnatun Nesa, Md Khaled Saifullah, Rozina Akter and Md Imran Hossain

Considering the existing evidence on the impact of female board members on the default risks of an organization, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of board…

295

Abstract

Purpose

Considering the existing evidence on the impact of female board members on the default risks of an organization, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of board gender diversity, alongside institutional characteristics and macroeconomic factors, on the financing costs of microfinance institutions (MFIs).

Design methodology approach

This study collected unbalanced panel data of 1,190 unique MFIs between 2010 and 2018 from the World Bank. The collected data, which covers a total of 95 developing and emerging countries, was thereafter analyzed using the pooled ordinary least squares and random effects model. To overcome endogeneity and omitted variable bias (e.g. time-invariant variables), the authors have also used the generalized method of moments and fixed effects model, respectively. Different proxies of board gender diversity and sub-sample analysis by regions were further undertaken to examine the robustness of the obtained results.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed that board gender diversity has a statistically significant negative effect on the financing costs of MFIs. This suggests that a gender-diverse board can generate cheaper funding for MFIs by minimizing their default risks through effective monitoring and strategic management. Furthermore, the negative impact of board gender diversity on financing costs appears to be more pronounced when there is a minimum of two female board members in the boardroom of MFIs. The results of this study remain consistent and valid regardless of alternate model specifications (e.g. sub-sample analysis, use of alternative proxies of board gender diversity and application of different estimators) and endogeneity issues. Ultimately, the findings in this study reiterate the importance of promoting and implementing gender diversity in the boardroom to minimize the financing costs of MFIs.

Originality value

This study investigated the relationship between board gender diversity and financing costs of MFIs by using relatively recent and global data. The minimum number of female board members required to significantly reduce the financing costs of MFIs was also identified.

Details

Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1985-2517

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