Vishakha Sharma, Renu Mogra and Azad Mordia
Study on chia seeds is receiving increasing interest because of their nutritional and health-promoting properties that have been recognized by their high content of antioxidants…
Abstract
Purpose
Study on chia seeds is receiving increasing interest because of their nutritional and health-promoting properties that have been recognized by their high content of antioxidants, proteins, minerals and dietary fibers. Hence, the purpose of this study is to develop a value-added food product using chia seeds and to assess the nutritional properties, shelf life and consumer acceptability of the developed product.
Design/methodology/approach
Six different formulations of muffin mix were prepared by incorporating chia seeds with wheat flour in various ratios and evaluated for sensory characteristics. The nutritional components and shelf lives of the developed products were also evaluated. The developed product was stored for three months to assess the shelf life.
Findings
Results indicated that muffins made with chia seeds can be added up to 20% in wheat flour without affecting the sensory scores (p = 0.0014). Regarding nutritional evaluation, the results revealed that 20% incorporation of chia seeds significantly increased the total antioxidant activity (p = 0.001), increased the crude protein (p = 0.0001), fat (p = 0.0001) and crude fiber (p = 0.001) contents and lowered the carbohydrate (p = 0.0001) content when compared to the control sample. Muffin mix made with chia seeds had significantly higher mineral content (calcium, phosphorus, zinc and iron) than did the control. The developed product had a shelf-life stability of three months in terms of moisture content, peroxide value and total bacterial count and was well accepted by consumers.
Originality/value
Intrinsic characteristics of chia seeds can improve the quality of muffins and bring health benefits to the consumers.
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Vishakha Chauhan and Mahim Sagar
Consumer confusion is an emerging phenomenon of interest that significantly drives choice behaviour. Considering the dearth of scholarly focus on confusion faced by consumers in a…
Abstract
Purpose
Consumer confusion is an emerging phenomenon of interest that significantly drives choice behaviour. Considering the dearth of scholarly focus on confusion faced by consumers in a healthcare setting, this paper aims to conceptualize and validate a patient confusion model consisting of its drivers and outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing upon adaptive decision-making framework and consumer confusion literature, patient confusion model has been developed. Empirical data of 310 patients from three private sector hospitals in India was collected through pen and paper survey administration. The hypothesized patient confusion model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to derive confirmatory results.
Findings
The results confirm the role of decision-making variables such as information overload, information similarity, information ambiguity, information asymmetry, patient involvement and physician-patient communication in the occurrence of patient confusion. A significant impact of confusion on switching intention was also confirmed, providing insights for healthcare managers.
Practical implications
The effect of confusion on switching intention of consumers found through the present study holds significant implications from a healthcare management standpoint. Dissemination of credible information, improved communication between doctors and patients and creation of organized channels of health information provision also represent some of the notable implications for healthcare managers to mitigate patient confusion.
Originality/value
This study presents an empirically validated model of patient confusion creating a research agenda for theory development in this emerging area. Consumer confusion represents a core consumer behaviour problem that is of utmost significance in the healthcare sector. This paper is one of the first and early attempts to address this research problem.
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Junyi (Amy) Xie, Olamide Olajuwon-Ige, Chatura Ranaweera, Seonjeong (Ally) Lee and Vishakha Kumari
Technological innovations are rapidly transforming service frontlines, resulting in increasingly complex service touchpoints. These touchpoints place greater demands on frontline…
Abstract
Purpose
Technological innovations are rapidly transforming service frontlines, resulting in increasingly complex service touchpoints. These touchpoints place greater demands on frontline employees (FLEs) to deliver a positive customer experience. Despite the considerable extant body of knowledge on FLE competencies, the literature on frameworks for managing the complexity of contemporary frontlines from the FLE’s perspective is sparse. This paper aims to fill this critical gap by developing a framework that enables FLEs to deliver positive moments of truth (MOTs) while ensuring the well-being of all actors involved.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a conceptual approach rooted in the organizational mindfulness and individual mindfulness literature as the theoretical lens. This is complemented by a comprehensive review of the FLE skills literature supported by marketplace examples to illustrate the optimal use of the said skills.
Findings
This paper proposes a conceptual framework of mindfulness orientation which delineates how FLE competencies underpinned by a set of key skills can deliver positive MOTs and actor well-being.
Research limitations/implications
The research is conceptual in nature and does not contain validation through empirical data.
Practical implications
This comprehensive skill set provides a clear roadmap for firms in both recruitment and developing training for their FLEs, thus contributing to practice.
Originality/value
Firstly, we present a conceptual framework of mindfulness, combining organizational mindfulness and individual mindfulness that will enable employees to help facilitate the creation of positive MOTs. Secondly, we develop a comprehensive set of employee skills that underpin the mindfulness orientation framework.
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The non-executive Chairman, Chaturvedi, must lead the Board of Directors of ICICI Bank as it deals with the adverse findings by a former Supreme Court judge against Ms. Chanda…
Abstract
The non-executive Chairman, Chaturvedi, must lead the Board of Directors of ICICI Bank as it deals with the adverse findings by a former Supreme Court judge against Ms. Chanda Kochhar, the former Chief Executive of the Bank. She had not disclosed a conflict of interest regarding a loan to a corporate group that had business dealings with her husband. Months earlier, the Board had exonerated her and also allowed her to retire from the Bank. Could and should the Board now reclassify Kochhar's retirement as ‘Termination for Cause’ and claw back her past bonuses?
Details
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