May Alowi Eldrwish, Osaro Aigbogun, Yusuf Kani and Murali Sambasivan
Due to the proliferation of generic medicines, pharmaceutical marketing has become increasingly competitive, and marketing executives are now focusing their attention on…
Abstract
Purpose
Due to the proliferation of generic medicines, pharmaceutical marketing has become increasingly competitive, and marketing executives are now focusing their attention on understanding the prescribing behaviour of physicians to enable them to devise marketing strategies that would put them at a superior business position relative to their competitors. Previous studies carried out either lack a sound theoretical foundation, or report contrasting results, making generalizations sketchy. Thus, a better understanding of attitude-prescribing axiom is needed. Underpinned by the theory of reasoned action (TRA), this study aims to empirically examine the factors that predict the prescribing behaviour of physicians.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual model was developed and tested on a sample of 355 respondents drawn from 76 private and 50 public hospitals in Sudan. The data set from the questionnaire survey included both general practitioners (N = 200) and specialists (N = 155). Primary data gathered were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
The findings reveal that the prescribing behaviour of physicians is positively influenced by the physician’s attitude towards direct marketing, personal selling, educational travel and public relations, but negatively influenced by gifts. Besides, the moderating effect of subjective norms showed no significant influence on the relationship between attitude and prescribing behaviour. However, gender seems to moderate the attitude towards health sector-related charity on prescribing behaviour and the attitude towards scientific conferences on prescribing behaviour.
Research limitations/implications
The findings gathered from this study offers a significant contribution to the ongoing debate on the essential factors that influence the prescribing behaviour of physicians in the hospital setting.
Originality/value
By examining the essential factors that predict physicians’ prescribing behaviour, pharmaceutical companies can improve their understanding of physicians’ attitudes towards the pharmaceutical promotional tools. This is an aspect that is ill reflected in the literature.
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Godfred Matthew Yaw Owusu, Theodora Aba Abekah Koomson, Stanley Agbenya Alipoe and Yusuf Ahmed Kani
This paper aims to investigate the views of employees on the motives behind frequently reported fraudulent activities at the workplace. Using the fraud triangle theory (FTT) as…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the views of employees on the motives behind frequently reported fraudulent activities at the workplace. Using the fraud triangle theory (FTT) as the theoretical lens, the study examines the effect of pressure, opportunity and rationalization on fraudulent acts by employees at the workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
The study follows a correlational quantitative approach using questionnaires as the main data collection tool. A total of 243 valid responses from employees working in different state-owned enterprises in Ghana were used in the empirical analysis. The hypothesized relationships of the study were tested using the partial least square-structural equation modelling technique.
Findings
The results from the structural analysis showed that pressure, rationalization and opportunity are important in explaining why employees engage in fraudulent activities at the workplace.
Originality/value
The findings do not only provide empirical support for the applicability of the FTT in the Ghanaian context but most importantly offer some useful insights into the fraud discourse from the public sector workers’ perspective.
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Muhammad Aliff Asyraff, Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah, Nur Adilah Md Zain and Dina Hariani
This study utilised Mehrabian and Russel's stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model to investigate the inter-relationship between perceived social media information qualities (IQ…
Abstract
Purpose
This study utilised Mehrabian and Russel's stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model to investigate the inter-relationship between perceived social media information qualities (IQ) of online UGC, destination image, perceived travel risk and behavioural intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 255 responses from international tourists were collected. The data collection via an online survey was performed from October 2020 to February 2021. The study model and hypotheses were examined using partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
The result indicated that social media intrinsic, representational, and social IQ significantly influenced tourists perceived cognitive image, while only contextual and social IQ significantly predicted the perceived affective image. This study also confirms the significant effect of cognitive image on the affective image. In addition, the authors found that both destination image components, cognitive and affective, significantly affect tourists' behavioural intentions. However, surprisingly, tourists' perceived travel risk did not moderate the effect of destination image components on behavioural intentions.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to the body of knowledge by extending Mehrabian and Russel's SOR model in the tourism behaviour context.
Practical implications
From a practical perspective, this study proves that UGC significantly affects destination image and plays an integral part in luring tourists to visit a destination.
Originality/value
Previous research in this area is limited, making this study particularly novel. This study represents one of the initial attempts to evaluate the dimensions of information quality in UGC on social media and online review platforms, particularly within the field of tourism. Treating online travel UGC seriously could assist organisations in leveraging tourist behaviour and enhancing destination image.
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Mohd Shoaib Ansari and Aditya Tripathi
This study aims to evaluate the information behavior of the Banarasi Sarees weaving community and propose an information-focused policy tailored to their needs.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the information behavior of the Banarasi Sarees weaving community and propose an information-focused policy tailored to their needs.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was conducted in seven weaver-centered areas in Varanasi and was designed around semi-structured interviews to explore various information-related aspects among the weavers. It aims to focus on their knowledge of weaving, their information needs, seeking behavior, preferred communication channels, prioritization of information and methods for enhancing information-related situations.
Findings
It was found that a lack of information among weavers significantly impacts their livelihoods and businesses. They struggle to make product, pricing and marketing decisions without access to accurate, timely and relevant information. They cannot expand their businesses and invest in new equipment and materials. The weavers need a library with a specialized collection and a qualified librarian to guide them in using the information sources. They also need a dedicated information system and community information centers to provide better information services.
Originality/value
This study is a work whose expected results and findings would help policymakers adopt measures to encourage providing information services through public libraries and community information centers. The results of this study may be further used to frame information policy for weavers and other occupational communities.