Bassem E. Maamari and Youssef N. Salloum
The purpose of this paper is to answer two basic research questions: “Does high emotional intelligence affect teaching effectiveness at universities?” and “What role do…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to answer two basic research questions: “Does high emotional intelligence affect teaching effectiveness at universities?” and “What role do personality traits play in moderating that relationship?”
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is a quantitative study using self-reporting questionnaires on 410 students and 32 faculty members. The resulting relationships and model fit are confirmed using SEM.
Findings
The paper shows the importance of high emotional intelligent teachers in universities to increase teaching effectiveness. The paper also shows that the personality traits of the teacher moderate this positive relationship.
Research limitations/implications
The study uses students' responses. Students might negatively assess their professors for different purposes. This puts in question the reliability of student ratings, especially when taking into consideration students' mood.
Practical implications
The paper makes two major recommendations to universities. The first recommendation is to hire emotionally intelligent teachers. The second recommendation is to conduct emotional intelligence workshops for existing teachers in order to improve their EI skills. Both recommendations will increase teaching effectiveness, therefore, better learning and a higher chance of better students' academic achievement, better teacher-student relationship, higher students' satisfaction and better university environment/teaching reputation.
Originality/value
The research model is tested for the first time in the Lebanese higher educational sector.
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Prasenjit Roy, Matteo Rossi, Charbel Salloum, Hajer Jarrar and Biswajit Ghose
This study aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the working capital management (WCM) efficiency of resilient and nonresilient firms listed on India’s BSE 500…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the working capital management (WCM) efficiency of resilient and nonresilient firms listed on India’s BSE 500 index. It focuses on key WCM components such as cash conversion cycles (CCC), accounts receivable periods, inventory conversion periods and accounts payable periods.
Design/methodology/approach
Panel data from 2012 to 2023 is analyzed using the System Generalized Method of Moments model. This study differentiates between resilient and nonresilient firms based on liquidity stress tests and cash flow performance before and during the pandemic.
Findings
Resilient firms demonstrated superior WCM efficiency, maintaining shorter CCCs, effective receivables and inventory management and stable payables. Nonresilient firms faced significant inefficiencies, including extended CCCs and slower receivables and inventory turnover, exposing gaps in their WCM practices.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to the pandemic period. Future research could explore broader timeframes to understand the long-term effects on WCM.
Practical implications
Managers should enhance WCM strategies, focusing on cash flow optimization to strengthen firm resilience during crises.
Social implications
Efficient WCM supports job retention, preserves supplier relationships and stabilizes local economies, contributing to broader community resilience during crises.
Originality/value
This study extends the resource-based view by emphasizing WCM as a critical internal resource that supports firm resilience during economic crises. It contributes new insights into how Indian firms adapted their WCM strategies in response to COVID-19.
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Iman S. Youssef, Charbel Salloum and Maher Al Sayah
The purpose of this study is to examine determinants of profitability of non-financial firms listed small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK from 2012 till 2020. It…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine determinants of profitability of non-financial firms listed small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK from 2012 till 2020. It has been argued that profitability plays a key role in economic development and growth. Despite the important role that SMEs play in developed economies like UK, academic research into SMEs profitability determinants in developed countries is not extensive.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodologies used include dynamic panel data estimation techniques. Relationship of nine independent variables with profitability was examined. Two models are created using return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) as dependent variables. Size, age, efficiency, working capital, liquidity, leverage and volatility of the firm represent firm-specific independent variables. Two macroeconomic variables, namely, gross domestic product and inflation are also used as independent variables. Data obtained from Thomson Reuters Data Stream for 93 listed SMEs companies in the UK from 2012 to 2020. Fixed effects, random effects and generalized method of moments were used in data analysis.
Findings
All variables showed significant influence on profitability, except liquidity reflecting insignificant impact on profitability in two regression models conducted for 93 firms under study. Efficiency, liquidity and leverage are the only three independent variables with similar impact on both ROA and ROE.
Practical implications
Identifying determinants of profitability will help stakeholders and corporate executive make sound decisions to ensure sustainability and stability at the firm level. This is particularly important given the key role played by SMEs in economic development and growth. The findings of this study would help direct financial management practices to ensure a favorable sustainable organizational performance.
Originality/value
This study differs from previous studies that focused mainly on developing countries; with limited research conducted on profitability of SMEs in developed economies. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to examine factors influencing profitability of SMEs in UK. Previous studies concentrated on service sector like insurance and hotel firms.
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Abdurra’uf M. Gora, Jayaprakash Jaganathan, M.P. Anwar and H.Y. Leung
Advanced fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been increasingly used over the past two decades for strengthening, upgrading and restoring degraded civil engineering…
Abstract
Purpose
Advanced fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been increasingly used over the past two decades for strengthening, upgrading and restoring degraded civil engineering infrastructure. Substantial experimental investigations have been conducted in recent years to understand the compressive behaviour of FRP-confined concrete columns. A considerable number of confinement models to predict the compressive behaviour of FRP-strengthened concrete columns have been developed from the results of these experimental investigations. The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of experimental investigations and theoretical models of circular and non-circular concrete columns confined with FRP reinforcement.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews previous experimental test results on circular and non-circular concrete columns confined with FRP reinforcement under concentric and eccentric loading conditions and highlights the behaviour and mechanics of FRP confinement in these columns. The paper also reviews existing confinement models for concrete columns confined with FRP composites in both circular and non-circular sections.
Findings
This paper demonstrates that the performance and effectiveness of FRP confinement in concrete columns have been extensively investigated and proven effective in enhancing the structural performance and ductility of strengthened columns. The strength and ductility enhancement depend on the number of FRP layers, concrete compressive strength, corner radius for non-circular columns and intensity of load eccentricity for eccentrically loaded columns. The impact of existing theoretical models and directions for future research are also presented.
Originality/value
Potential researchers will gain insight into existing experimental and theoretical studies and future research directions.
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Noble Arden Kuadey, Francois Mahama, Carlos Ankora, Lily Bensah, Gerald Tietaa Maale, Victor Kwaku Agbesi, Anthony Mawuena Kuadey and Laurene Adjei
This study aims to investigate factors that could predict the continued usage of e-learning systems, such as the learning management systems (LMS) at a Technical University in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate factors that could predict the continued usage of e-learning systems, such as the learning management systems (LMS) at a Technical University in Ghana using machine learning algorithms.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed model for this study adopted a unified theory of acceptance and use of technology as a base model and incorporated the following constructs: availability of resources (AR), computer self-efficacy (CSE), perceived enjoyment (PE) and continuance intention to use (CIU). The study used an online questionnaire to collect data from 280 students of a Technical University in Ghana. The partial least square-structural equation model (PLS-SEM) method was used to determine the measurement model’s reliability and validity. Machine learning algorithms were used to determine the relationships among the constructs in the proposed research model.
Findings
The findings from the study confirmed that AR, CSE, PE, performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence predicted students’ continuance intention to use the LMS. In addition, CIU and facilitating conditions predicted the continuance use of the LMS.
Originality/value
The use of machine learning algorithms in e-learning systems literature has been rarely used. Thus, this study contributes to the literature on the continuance use of e-learning systems using machine learning algorithms. Furthermore, this study contributes to the literature on the continuance use of e-learning systems in developing countries, especially in a Ghanaian higher education context.
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Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for online services has risen, with e-payment emerging as a prominent option for customers seeking faster and more…
Abstract
Purpose
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for online services has risen, with e-payment emerging as a prominent option for customers seeking faster and more convenient transactions to complete their online purchases. Nevertheless, e-payment adoption in Egypt remains a challenge that requires further investigation. Thus, this study aims to investigate the factors influencing online customers’ attitudes and intentions towards adopting e-payment for online transactions, social influence, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived trust, structural assurance and perceived privacy/security risk.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were gathered from 302 customers in Egypt and structurally analysed based on partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
The findings revealed that social influence, perceived usefulness and perceived trust are significant antecedents of attitude. Furthermore, perceived usefulness, perceived trust, perceived privacy/security risk and attitude directly influence behavioural intention. Structural assurance and perceived trust directly influence perceived privacy/security risk. Moreover, perceived usefulness, perceived trust and attitude were found to have several mediating roles.
Research limitations/implications
This study adds new empirical evidence from a developing country regarding the adoption of e-payment among online customers. In addition, its findings can help the government, practitioners and policymakers understand how to promote customers’ positive attitudes and encourage their intentions towards using e-payment.
Originality/value
The findings of this study can contribute to the digital transformation strategy in Egypt by providing insights into enhancing online shoppers’ attitudes and intentions towards e-payment adoption. This, in turn, can boost Egyptian e-commerce and the country's digital economy as a whole.
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Youssef Alami and Issam El Idrissi
This article aims to study the determinants of e-learning acceptability by university students based on their experiences with distance learning during the coronavirus disease…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to study the determinants of e-learning acceptability by university students based on their experiences with distance learning during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was used to collect data from 448 students enrolled in a Moroccan business school's fourth and fifth years. The technology acceptance model (TAM) was the primary framework used for this analysis, into which variables from the expectation confirmation model were injected, namely facilitating conditions, social influence, expectation confirmation and satisfaction. The proposed conceptual model was tested and evaluated using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. Then the authors have offered an in-depth analysis by employing the importance-performance map analysis (IPMA) approach.
Findings
The investigation suggested that the proposed measurement scale effectively assesses the factors impacting students' decision to continue using e-learning in the future. This study’s results show that e-learning acceptance depends significantly on the students' satisfaction, perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness (PU). In contrast, the facilitating conditions are not a valid measurement scale to determine students' attitudes toward e-learning.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies in the Moroccan context to evaluate e-learning acceptability by management students after COVID-19 using a unique research model.