Search results

This study examines the effects of risk reduction, seller reputation, eWOM and warranties on consumer confidence and online impulse buying intentions through the lens of the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model. It also explores the role of installment options in online impulse buying.

We performed a between-subjects experiment (installment vs. no-installment option). Data were collected from 199 consumers and analyzed using SmartPLS 3.3.9.

The results show that risk reduction, eWOM and warranty positively affect consumer confidence (CC) in online shopping and that CC positively predicts online impulse buying intentions. It was also found that the effect of CC on online impulse buying intentions was stronger when consumers were offered an installment option than a no-installment option.

Findings suggest that online sellers should invest more resources in building consumer confidence, which affects online impulse buying intentions. Moreover, online sellers should offer installment options to consumers, thereby reaping stronger effects of consumer confidence on online impulse buying intentions.

Employing the experimental approach, this study makes a novel attempt to examine the role of the installment option in fostering online impulse buying intentions among Pakistani consumers. Likewise, this is one of the early studies to explore the effects of risk reduction, seller reputation, eWOM and warranties on CC among Pakistani consumers using the SOR model.

Pakistan is facing the momentous hazard of money laundering and a substantial risk of terror financing, which are seriously threatening its socioeconomic well-being. The purpose of this paper is to gauge the challenges posed by these threats in contrast with the existing potential and expertise of legal entities. It also examines legal and procedural measures enforced as a counter-strategy for terror financing and money laundering and the AMLA 2010 and National Action Plan (NAP) for countering terrorism financing.

This paper uses an analytical and comparative method using figures and comparative data on the success of the NAP and AMLA 2010 as national counterterrorism strategies. Terror financing and anti-money laundering regimes are confronted with grave legal and procedural odds, noncooperation and performance issues and conflicts of interest on the part of the enforcers/politicians. This paper highlights the issues that seriously jeopardize strategies to stop money laundering and terror financing, such as geography, informal financial transfers and exchange systems, un-regulated charities and real estate sectors, the modest performance of enforcement agencies and lukewarm political support for the NAP.

The situation requires the improvement of weak legislation and poor coordination and the adaptation of technological advancements and novel counter-strategies, along with properly trained enforcement personnel.

This paper will prove to be a valuable reference for exploring the shortcomings and insights. This will provide useful information for legal and financial practitioners, academicians, research scholars, policymakers and journalists.

The study investigates whether there is an association between climate types and farm risk attitudes of principal operators.

The study exploits temperature variation in the diverse climate types across the US and defines hot- and cold-climate states. Ordered logit and generalized ordered logit models are used to model principal operators' farm risk attitudes, which are measured on a Likert scale. The study uses two datasets. The first dataset is a 2017 survey of US large commercial producers (LCPs). The second dataset provides a Köppen-Geiger climate classification of the US at a spatial resolution of 5 arcmin for a 25-year period (1986–2010).

The study finds that principal operators in hot-climate states are 4–5% more likely to have a higher willingness to take farm risk compared to principal operators in cold-climate states.

It is likely that farm risk mitigation decisions differ between hot- and cold-climate states. For instance, the authors show that corn acres' enrollment in federal crop insurance and computers' usage for farm business are pursued more intensely in cold-climate states than in hot-climate states. A differentiation of farm risk attitude by hot- and cold-climate states may help agribusiness, the government and economists in their farm product offerings, farm risk management programs and agricultural finance models, respectively.

Based on Köppen-Geiger climate classification, the study introduces hot- and cold-climate concepts to understand the relationship between climate types and principal operators' farm risk attitudes.

This paper seeks to explore the influential role of religion in developing a nations brand and discusses the possibility of re-positioning the brand Pakistan as a “Sufi country” that is coherent with the cultural values and social realities of the country.

The paper follows a case study approach in delineating the image problem encountered by Pakistan and describing how governments in Pakistan related country branding efforts with the religious sentiments to foster their motives. This paper also follows an inductive approach in making a theoretical explanation about promoting Pakistan's image as a “Sufi country”.

The negative image of Pakistan is gaining worldwide currency due to the absence of proactive management by government and relevant stakeholders. Pakistan as a Sufi brand has a potential to grow into a strong country brand. Branding Pakistan as a Sufi country would not only pave the way for forming a different set of associations that would be positively contradictory to the current militancy and extremism oriented perceptions associated with Pakistan, but it would also benefit her as a tourism destination.

This paper is basically a policy recommendation regarding the reconstruction of brand Pakistan around the Sufi theme that is fairly consistent with the prevailing disposition of Pakistani society, in contrast to the current image of Pakistan cultivated in the World's media as a country with the terrorist roots. With thousands of Sufi Khanqahs, tombs and shrines spread throughout the country conforming to the ancient Islamic architecture with shades of Mughal artifacts presents with a significant ‘spiritual tourism’ opportunity provided with proper management and planning.

The present study makes significant contribution to the theory of nation's branding by discussing the potential role of religion in developing a nation's brand, a topic that hasn't been profoundly inquired. Moreover it discusses the reputation management of a country brand in a crisis, a topic that hasn't been adequately studied.

Purpose: This chapter aims to review and brief the role of Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (SCSR) in the tourism industry, targeting its impact on the performance and sustainability of the tourism industry. This chapter seeks to provide insights into how SCSR can lead to a positive transformation and competitive advantage.

Methodology: The chapter incorporates a brief literature review to examine current trends, hurdles, and benchmarking in the implementation of SCSR in the tourism industry. Comparative analysis and recent literature are used to extract valuable results and implications for effective tourism management.

Research limitations: The current chapter has limited potential biases in the selection of literature and the evolving nature of CSR in the tourism sector. Future research is required to check the developments in tourism and CSR.

Results: This chapter shed light on the complex association between the performance of CSR and business in the tourism industry, highlighting the importance of governance qualities and new initiatives for achieving financial sustainability.

Originality/value: This chapter adds valuable insights to the existing literature by shedding light on the most recent literature on SCSR in the tourism industry and provides inputs for setups looking for sustainability.

Purpose: This study examines sustainability communication’s direct and indirect effects on consumer loyalty and brand reputation. It also aims to identify sustainable practices that enhance consumer behaviour and brand reputation.

Methodology: The study used a cross-sectional survey design and collected data from 500 participants through an online survey. The survey included measures of sustainability communication, consumer loyalty, brand reputation, and demographic variables. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesised relationships between the variables.

Findings: The results of the SEM analysis suggest that sustainability communication has a direct and positive effect on consumer loyalty, which in turn positively impacts reputation. Furthermore, the study identifies specific sustainability practices, such as reducing the carbon footprint and promoting ethical sourcing, that can positively influence consumer behaviour and brand reputation.

Implications: The study underscores the significance of adept sustainability communication for fostering consumer loyalty and boosting brand reputation. Focusing on initiatives like loyalty programs and personalised offers can harness this connection. Additionally, the research identifies critical sustainable practices – carbon reduction, ethical sourcing, and renewable energy investment – that foster positive consumer behaviour and brand reputation.

Originality/value: This study provides new insights into the mechanisms by which sustainability communication can influence consumer behaviour and brand reputation. The study identifies the importance of consumer loyalty as a mediator between sustainability communication and brand reputation. It recommends companies seeking to enhance their brand reputation through sustainability practices.

This research analyzes the green activities implemented by banks in Indonesia following a new regulation on sustainable finance and the role of slack resources to fund the initiatives. Green practices of 35 banks in 2020–2021 were evaluated through the disclosure using green banking disclosure index (GBDI). The results show that the green practices have been disclosed adequately; however, no significant association was found for the role of financial and potential slack resources. This reflects the facts that the green activities might not have been adequately implemented and the organization’s resources might not have been allocated to support the green practices. The research periods that were still overloaded with COVID-19 issue might hinder the banks from the adequate and appropriate allocation of resources toward green practices. This research recommends a prioritization approach for the implementation of the sustainable finance regulation by banks and authorities through the increased implementation of substantive green practices, not only the increased disclosures.