Maram Saeed Alzaidi and Yasser Moustafa Shehawy
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in social isolation; nevertheless, universities will proceed throughout this trying period with the assistance of technology. As such, this…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in social isolation; nevertheless, universities will proceed throughout this trying period with the assistance of technology. As such, this paper seeks to develop a conceptual framework to investigate the continued intentions of students to use mobile learning during COVID-19 under different cultural contexts expanding upon the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the Expectation-Confirmation Model (ECM) under different cultural contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
The suggested model is empirically tested with 1,206 students from different universities in three societies (i.e. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UK) using SEM/PLS.
Findings
Performance expectancy, satisfaction, social influence, facilitating conditions and instructors' competencies positively influence students' continued intentions to use mobile learning. In addition, the findings of the current research indicate that student's isolation negatively impact the continuous usage behavior. Furthermore, the findings indicated that a “one-size-fits-all” approach is insufficient in capturing the heterogeneity of students' intentions to use mobile learning across countries.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that has been conducted to understand the main determinants of students' continued intentions to use mobile learning under different cultural contexts.
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Yasser Moustafa Shehawy, Ahmed Elbaz and Gomaa M. Agag
The importance of employees’ job embeddedness perception in the airline companies has not been given the required attention. To recognise the role of frontline employees’…
Abstract
Purpose
The importance of employees’ job embeddedness perception in the airline companies has not been given the required attention. To recognise the role of frontline employees’ perception regarding job embeddedness, the present research aims to develop and investigate a model that examines the determinants and consequences of employees’ job embeddedness in airline industry. The current study also aims to enrich the literature on human resources in the fields of transportation service management as the lifeblood of tourism industry as a related service industry by providing a comprehensive framework and measurement scale regarding the social exchange theory.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a survey among a sample representative of frontline employees operating in Egyptian airline industry across Egypt. In total, 870 questionnaires were collected and analysed using structural equation modelling using WarpPLS 6.0.
Findings
The results indicate that both supervisors’ support and employees’ advocacy have a significant effect on job embeddedness. In addition, it found out that job embeddedness has a significant effect on organisational commitment and employees’ intention to leave.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is conceptual in nature regarding the social exchange theory in service related industries such as airlines and tourism.
Practical implications
The authors intend to use these considerations as a basis for future research implications for tourism small- and medium-sized enterprises in the Middle-Eastern and North-African region.
Social implications
This paper contributes to the literature on social exchange theory by measuring factors affecting employees’ job embeddedness in the Egyptian airline industry, notably its related human resources as a service industry.
Originality/value
This study developed and empirically tested a comprehensive model of job embeddedness with its drivers and evaluated its impact on both organisational commitment and intention to leave. Such findings hold important implications for tourism small- and medium-sized enterprises in the Middle-Eastern and North-African region.
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Riyaz Abdullah Sheikh, Gaafar Mohamed Abdalkrim and Yasser Moustafa Shehawy
Higher education institutions are undergoing a change in their teaching–learning practices, with the core goal of giving students the necessary skills and competencies to succeed…
Abstract
Purpose
Higher education institutions are undergoing a change in their teaching–learning practices, with the core goal of giving students the necessary skills and competencies to succeed in a complex and uncertain society. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of business simulation as a pedagogical strategy for teaching 21st-century competencies to undergraduate students. The study looks at students’ self-perception on how business simulation impacts future skills such as entrepreneurship, employability and sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
The research incorporates a one-week workshop for undergraduate business students using AnyLogic business simulation. For this study, a 24-item skills-based survey was used as the instrument for eliciting input about students’ self-perceptions. To measure the impact of business simulation on overall student learning, a theoretical framework was developed and tested using SmartPLS version 4 for construct reliability, validity and hypotheses testing.
Findings
Based on the students’ feedback, the finding shows that most of the 24 soft skills were facilitated by the business simulation used. The simulation significantly affects the development of entrepreneurial and employable skills. On the contrary, it has little effect on enhancing sustainability skills. In addition, the study suggests that factors like gender and expertise had little overall impact on the results.
Practical implications
The most apparent practical implication of this study is that business schools should focus more on skill development by stressing on experiential teaching methods like business simulation to help students build various skills and become more prepared for the actual world of business.
Originality/value
The research presents fresh empirical data that add to the continuing discussion on active learning in business education and assist educators in avoiding some potential drawbacks of these innovative teaching techniques. With the right direction and criticism throughout the simulation, this learning experience has shown to be useful for everyone involved.
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Waleed Tarek Ali Shehata, Yasser Moustafa, Lobna Sherif and Ashraf Botros
Many of the heritage adaptive reuse projects in Islamic Cairo did not report success. Existing evaluations are usually drawn from a singular perspective – such as preservation and…
Abstract
Purpose
Many of the heritage adaptive reuse projects in Islamic Cairo did not report success. Existing evaluations are usually drawn from a singular perspective – such as preservation and sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to generate a comprehensive assessment framework of adaptively reused heritage buildings that is specifically developed for the case of Islamic heritage of Cairo.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper depends on an extensive literature review about primary goals of adapting heritage for reuse. Related to each goal, multiple criteria of assessment are derived from literature, and then explained to mention worldwide benchmarks in that field.
Findings
A successful heritage adaptation project shall aim to achieve: building preservation, success of new function, and local community development. The framework is able to organize the adaptive reuse literature in general, and to specifically provide direct goals and guidelines in the case of Cairo.
Research limitations/implications
In research and practice, priorities of heritage reuse vary from case-to case; however, this paper considers all assessment criteria to be of equal importance.
Practical implications
In order to apply and technically develop this assessment framework, future research can describe methodologies for assessment and to set optimum quantitative and/or qualitative indicators’ thresholds for each criterion.
Social implications
This paper highlights that new uses of heritage buildings should be assessed for having a role in the upgrading the socio-economic milieu of the people living. The new functions shall act as a stimulant for economic upraising and social reinforcement for the local business and small traditional industries.
Originality/value
The framework can be used as a checklist in either the planning of adaptive reuse projects or the evaluation of already completed ones. The framework shall assist governmental institutions, developers, owners, community groups, practitioners, and others in bringing forward successful adaptation schemes in Cairo.
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Ahmed Moustafa Maree, Yasser Tawfik Halim and Hosny Ibrahim Hamdy
This research examines the impact of logo changes within rebranding strategies, with a focus on the recent logo transformation of Burger King. Redesigns of logos often reflect…
Abstract
Purpose
This research examines the impact of logo changes within rebranding strategies, with a focus on the recent logo transformation of Burger King. Redesigns of logos often reflect shifts in brand strategies and consumer preferences. This study aims to evaluate the effects of logo changes on brand loyalty with the mediating role of brand attitude.
Design/methodology/approach
This study investigates the influence of Burger King’s logo change on consumer behavior, specifically regarding brand loyalty. The research involves an analysis of the appropriateness and familiarity of the old and new Burger King logos, based on data collected from 468 Egyptian consumers. Statistical analysis is conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the impact of logo changes on consumer loyalty.
Findings
The findings indicate that a change in logo can positively affect brand loyalty, particularly when the new logo is perceived as both appropriate and familiar to consumers. Additionally, the study highlights the mediating role of brand attitude, suggesting that favorable brand perceptions enhance the relationship between logo changes and consumer loyalty.
Practical implications
The practical implications of this study highlight key strategies for brand managers involved in rebranding efforts and the associated risks of such processes. Ensuring logo appropriateness and maintaining elements of familiarity are crucial to fostering consumer acceptance and loyalty.
Originality/value
This study highlights the important role of logo change “logo appropriateness and familiarity,” offering a new perspective on how aligning logos with brand identity and retaining familiar elements can enhance consumer acceptance and loyalty with the presence of brand attitude as a mediator in this relationship.
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Yan Wang, Kaleemullah Abbasi, Bola Babajide and Kemi C. Yekini
This study aims to examine the extent to which board characteristics and ownership structure affect firm performance with specific focus on providing new empirical insights…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the extent to which board characteristics and ownership structure affect firm performance with specific focus on providing new empirical insights following the revised corporate governance (CG) code 2012.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a sample of non-financial firms listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX)-100 index for the years 2011-2014. Firm performance is measured by accounting-based performance indicators (ROA and ROE) and market-based performance indicators (Tobin’s Q and MTB). This study uses multivariate regression techniques including fixed effects model and two-stage least squares (2SLS).
Findings
The findings show that board diversity increases over the two periods (pre-2012 and post-2012), whereas there are cases that companies have not fully complied with the revised CG code 2012 in terms of board independence. In addition, the multiple regression results show that firm performance is negatively and significantly associated with institutional ownership. Nevertheless, the results show that board size, board independent, board diversity and board meetings do not have significant impact on firm performance. The findings are fairly consistent and robust across two periods (pre-2012 and post 2012) and a number of econometric models that sufficiently address the potential endogeneity problems.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study which investigates the impact of the compliance and implementation of 2012 CG code on firm performance in Pakistan. This study is different from the most prior studies in that they use independent non-executive directors rather than conventional non-executive directors to measure board independence.
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Maha Mohamed Ramadan and Mostafa Kamal Hassan
The study aimed to examine the effect of corporate governance mechanisms on the performance of Egyptian firms listed in the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX) between 2014 and 2016.
Abstract
Purpose
The study aimed to examine the effect of corporate governance mechanisms on the performance of Egyptian firms listed in the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX) between 2014 and 2016.
Design/methodology/approach
We relied on agency theory and resource dependence theory to generate testable hypotheses and capture the empirical findings. We regressed various performance measures (Return on Assets; Asset Utilization Ratio, Tobin's Q) regarding governance mechanisms (institutional ownership, managerial ownership, board size, board frequent meetings, the presence of non-executive directors and female directors) while controlling for firm size, leverage, years of listing and market share. The study uses ordinary least square (OLS) and two stages least square (2SLS) regression analysis to address the possible endogenous impact of the firms' ownership structure.
Findings
Board gender diversity, the managerial ownership and frequent board meetings positively influence the Egyptian firms' efficiency measured by assets utilization, while the institutional ownership and board size have negative effects. When using Tobin's Q, the managerial ownership shows a negative effect while institutional ownership and board size present positive effects. When using 2SLS regression, findings remained stable whereas non-executive directors showed a significant negative association with assets utilization.
Practical implications
Policy makers are recommended to draft policies related to limiting the number of board members, diluting the government's indirect ownership of firms, empowering women in boardrooms and developing the skills needed for non-executive directors.
Originality/value
To the best of our knowledge, our study is one of very few that address firms' performance after a period of political instability accompanied by a greater role for females in the boardrooms of Egypt.
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Consistent with the board of directors and top executive management’s role in ensuring and promoting investments for economic development, this paper aims to examine Omani…
Abstract
Purpose
Consistent with the board of directors and top executive management’s role in ensuring and promoting investments for economic development, this paper aims to examine Omani executive management’s role in helping goals achievement in firms. This paper examines the relationships among the study variables, which are top executive management characteristics and corporate performance in the context of Omani listed firms, with the help of two control variables.
Design/methodology/approach
The study focused on a unique context, a developing nation, Oman and its exchange market for the past seven years (2011-2017). In addition, the data were collected from annual report according to board of directors and top executive management variables, and the financial data were obtained from DataStream. The study used the panel data approach to test the relationships characteristics of board of directors, top executive management and corporate performance.
Findings
Based on the obtained results, showed positive and significant positive relationships between some characteristics of top executive management and corporate performance, and significant negative relationships between others and the same. Specifically, board size, non-executive directors, general experience and account experience were in the former category, while board meeting was in the latter category. Finally, size and professional certificate of top executive management did not have a significant relationship with corporate performance.
Research limitations/implications
This study, like previous studies has some limitations such as sample, country, variables and years; therefore, at the end of this study, many limitations and suggestions for future research studies are provided. Moreover, the study findings can be used by the market to assist managers to enhance corporate weaknesses.
Originality/value
The focus of the study was placed on the top executive management and corporate governance of Omani listed firms that has implications for practitioners particularly concerning the top executive management role. Added to this, the study conducted an investigation of the integration between board of directors and top executive management, with corporate governance among Omani listed firms. The study also provided information that has implications to academics when it comes to board of directors and top executive management strategies to encourage consideration of the relationship to develop best practices.
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Abdullah Alajmi and Andrew C. Worthington
This study aims to examine the link between boards and audit committees and firm performance in Kuwaiti listed firms in the context of recent and extensive corporate governance…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the link between boards and audit committees and firm performance in Kuwaiti listed firms in the context of recent and extensive corporate governance regulatory reform.
Design/methodology/approach
Panel data regression analysis with fixed effects and clustered standard errors of firm performance for 61–97 listed industrial and services firms in Kuwait over a seven-year period. The dependent variables are the returns on assets and equity, the debt-to-equity ratio and leverage and Tobin’s Q and the independent variables comprise board of directors and audit committee characteristics, including size, the number of meetings and the numbers of independent and outside board and expert committee members. Firm size, subsidiary status and cash flow serve as control variables.
Findings
Mixed results with respect to the characteristics of the board of directors. Board size and independent and outsider board members positively relate only to Tobin’s Q and insiders only to debt to equity. For audit committee characteristics, committee size, independence and expertise positively relate to the return on equity and committee size and expertise only to Tobin’s Q. Of the five performance measures considered, board and audit committee characteristics together best determine Tobin’s Q.
Research limitations/implications
Data from a single country limits generalisability and control variables necessarily limited in a developing market context. Need for qualitative insights into corporate governance reform as a complement to conventional quantitative analysis. In combining accounting and market information, Tobin’s Q appears best able to recognise the performance benefits of good corporate governance in terms of internal organisational change.
Practical implications
The recent corporate governance code and guidelines reforms exert a mixed impact on firm performance, with audit committees, not boards, of most influence. But recent reforms implied most change to boards of directors. One suggestion is that non-market reform may have been unneeded given existing market pressure on listed firms and firms anticipating regulatory change.
Social implications
Kuwait’s corporate governance reforms codified corporate governance practices already in place among many of its firms in pursuit of organisational legitimacy, and while invoking substantial change to audit committees, involved minor change to firm performance, at least in the short term. Some firms may also have delisted in expectation of stronger corporate governance requirements. Regardless, these direct and indirect processes both improved the overall quality of listed firm corporate governance and performance in Kuwait.
Originality/value
Seminal analysis of corporate governance reforms in Kuwait, which have rapidly progressed from no corporate governance code and guidelines to an initially voluntary and then compulsory regime. Only known analysis to incorporate both board of directors and audit committee characteristics. Reveals studies of the corporate governance–firm performance relationship may face difficulty in model specification, and empirical significance, given the complexity of corporate governance codes and guidelines, leads in changing firm behaviour and self-selection of firms into and out of regulated markets.
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Mohamed M. El-Dyasty and Ahmed A. Elamer
This study aims to examine how female directors on corporate boards and audit committees, and auditor affiliations (Big 4 versus Egyptian firms affiliated with foreign auditors)…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how female directors on corporate boards and audit committees, and auditor affiliations (Big 4 versus Egyptian firms affiliated with foreign auditors), influence audit fees. This examination is driven by the global call for increased female representation in leadership roles and its potential implications for audit quality and financial transparency.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of non-financial companies listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange is used for the period 2011–2020. The authors used multivariate regression models, the Heckman two-stage and tokenism to support the analysis.
Findings
The results are threefold. First, this analysis reveals that female directors, whether on corporate boards or audit committees, are more likely to choose higher-quality audits in the form of high audit fees. Second, both Big 4 firms and Egyptian audit firms affiliated with foreign auditors are positively associated with audit fees and earn significant audit fee premiums. Third, a minor difference in audit fee premiums could be attributed to the existence of female directors.
Research limitations/implications
Future research may expand the analysis performed in this study by investigating the characteristics related to female directors (e.g. education, experience and age) on audit fees.
Practical implications
This study suggests insights for regulatory bodies, corporate decision-makers, auditors and corporate governance researchers. For instance, this study reveals that the Big 4 are not homogenous and provide different audit quality levels along with significant audit fee premiums.
Originality/value
This study extends and contributes to the growing literature on female representation in corporate leadership. First, this study adds to the limited research in Egypt by examining the effect of female board representation on audit quality. Second, this study adds to the extant literature on the gender of financial experts by demonstrating that female financial expert is more likely to demand high-quality audits. Finally, the results have significant implications for policymakers. For instance, this study reveals that the Big 4 are not homogenous and provide different audit quality levels along with significant audit fee premiums.