Low Sui Pheng, David K.H. Ho and Yeap Soon Ann
A study of property developers in Singapore showed that their crisis management capabilities are influenced by their size and opinion. Developers generally concentrate on…
Abstract
A study of property developers in Singapore showed that their crisis management capabilities are influenced by their size and opinion. Developers generally concentrate on preparing formal procedures to deal with crises pertaining to breakdowns. Explicit procedures to deal with crises in the areas of psychopathology and human resource factors were often found lacking. Few developers implement damage containment mechanisms for external information attack and human resource factors, much less effect the same for psychopathic attacks. Developers have identified the key personnel, tasks, services and products necessary to conduct business operations. However, the ability of developers to recover from crisis situations is hampered by the lack of alternative sites for their critical operations and backups to crucial business function. Although it is the requirement of the developers to discuss the lessons learned for those involved in accidents and crisis, the ability to learn from past mistakes is often impeded by the assignment of blame.
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Charmant Sengabira Ndereyimana, Antonio K.W. Lau, Dana-Nicoleta Lascu and Ajay K. Manrai
Heeding the call for insights into the Sub-Saharan African international marketing context, this study aims to empirically examine consumers' desires and motivations for buying…
Abstract
Purpose
Heeding the call for insights into the Sub-Saharan African international marketing context, this study aims to empirically examine consumers' desires and motivations for buying counterfeit luxury goods. It examines influences on consumers' attitudes and purchase intentions related to counterfeit luxury goods in Rwanda, one of Sub-Saharan Africa's fastest-growing economies and growing luxury markets, developing and testing a model examining the effect of social context on personal attributes, providing evidence on economic and social-status factors as drivers for counterfeiting.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected using an online survey administered in Rwanda to consumers who had previously purchased luxury goods and counterfeits. A total of 312 valid responses were analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Findings
This study found that normative and informational influences had a positive effect on Rwandan consumers' attitude toward purchasing counterfeit luxury products, with attitude influencing purchase intentions directly and indirectly, through mediating variable desire for status or through value consciousness and desire for status.
Originality/value
The study contributes to academic research − one of the first empirical studies to examine consumers' desires and motivations for buying counterfeit luxury goods in Sub-Saharan Africa, providing insights that benefit scholars and practitioners seeking to better understand a market where more than half of the world's fastest economies are located.
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Trust is one of the main pillars of many communication and interaction domains. Computing is no exception. Fog computing (FC) has emerged as mitigation of several cloud computing…
Abstract
Purpose
Trust is one of the main pillars of many communication and interaction domains. Computing is no exception. Fog computing (FC) has emerged as mitigation of several cloud computing limitations. However, selecting a trustworthy node from the fog network still presents serious challenges. This paper aims to propose an algorithm intended to mitigate the trust and the security issues related to selecting a node of a fog network.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed model/algorithm is based on two main concepts, namely, machine learning using fuzzy neural networks (FNNs) and the weighted weakest link (WWL) algorithm. The crux of the proposed model is to be trained, validated and used to classify the fog nodes according to their trust scores. A total of 2,482 certified computing products, in addition to a set of nodes composed of multiple items, are used to train, validate and test the proposed model. A scenario including nodes composed of multiple computing items is designed for applying and evaluating the performance of the proposed model/algorithm.
Findings
The results show a well-performing trust model with an accuracy of 0.9996. Thus, the end-users of FC services adopting the proposed approach could be more confident when selecting elected fog nodes. The trained, validated and tested model was able to classify the nodes according to their trust level. The proposed model is a novel approach to fog nodes selection in a fog network.
Research limitations/implications
Certainly, all data could be collected, however, some features are very difficult to have their scores. Available techniques such as regression analysis and the use of the experts have their own limitations. Experts might be subjective, even though the author used the fuzzy group decision-making model to mitigate the subjectivity effect. A methodical evaluation by specialized bodies such as the security certification process is paramount to mitigate these issues. The author recommends the repetition of the same study when data form such bodies is available.
Originality/value
The novel combination of FNN and WWL in a trust model mitigates uncertainty, subjectivity and enables the trust classification of complex FC nodes. Furthermore, the combination also allowed the classification of fog nodes composed of diverse computing items, which is not possible without the WWL. The proposed algorithm will provide the required intelligence for end-users (devices) to make sound decisions when requesting fog services.
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Brinda Sampat, Sahil Raj, Abhishek Behl and Sofia Schöbel
This paper examines the influence of facilitators and barriers on employees’ preference to work in a hybrid model. The study uses the theoretical lens of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the influence of facilitators and barriers on employees’ preference to work in a hybrid model. The study uses the theoretical lens of stimulus-organism-response (SOR) and dual factor theory (DFT). It examines the influence of health consciousness (stimulus), facilitators (e.g. work flexibility, work–life balance and team building) (organism) and barriers (e.g. pandemic and travel stressor and role overload [organism] on employees’ preference to work in a hybrid model) (response). Further, it tests the moderating influence of organizational culture.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was conducted among employees in India, Sri Lanka and Germany, obtaining 281 usable questionnaires. Structural equation modeling (SEM) using Warp PLS 7.0 was used as the analytical technique to examine the model fit and test hypotheses.
Findings
The findings reveal that health consciousness is essential in enhancing facilitators and motivating employees to prefer a hybrid working model. The study’s findings also prove the positive influence of work flexibility, work–life balance and team building as facilitators. The results suggest that pandemic and travel stressors inhibit employees’ preference for working in a hybrid model.
Research limitations/implications
The study is based on a cross-sectional research design to generalise the findings. Future researchers can utilize longitudinal design to decipher the variation in response over time. The study has developed a model combining SOR with DFT; the authors suggest that future researchers use other theories in combination with SOR, like self-determination theory (SDT), to decipher the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation of employees in the context of the hybrid working model.
Practical implications
This study identifies the need for open communication with the employees to overcome their concerns regarding the hybrid working model. The study also suggests that human resource (HR) managers need to prioritize the task that needs to be accomplished from the office versus working from home. The authors recommend various measures, like water cooler breaks and a buddy system, to motivate employees to work in a hybrid model.
Originality/value
This study is among the first studies focused on the hybrid working model. The current study adds to the limited literature on the facilitators and barriers of working in a hybrid work model.