Developing Country Perspective Research Articles

Students career interest and understanding of corporate governance education in Ghana

PurposeGiven the perceived weak corporate governance systems in Ghana, corporate governance education curriculum requires empirical investigations to ascertain factors that can enhance student knowledge in governance systems based on their career interests and programme of study. Therefore, we investigate whether students with a career interest in corporate governance exhibit a significantly different level of comprehension compared to those without such an interest. Furthermore, we explore whether the comprehension of course concepts differs across various business-related programmes, investigating potential variations in understanding among students from diverse programme backgrounds.Design/methodology/approachUsing a descriptive design, we adopt a quantitative approach and survey method to collect cross-sectional data from 1,050 undergraduate students in selected Ghanaian public universities. We analyse the data using t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).FindingsWe establish no statistically significant difference in comprehension levels of corporate governance concepts between students with a career interest in corporate governance and those with no career interest. However, we find statistically significant differences in the comprehension of corporate governance concepts among students pursuing different business-related programmes.Practical implicationsOur findings imply that the corporate governance course should be taught practically, giving students insights into what the course entails from an industrial viewpoint. This may entail engaging experts from industry as visiting lecturers at intervals to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Students could also benefit from mentorship programmes from industry, internships and related placements to ensure an understanding of theoretical concepts from practical perspectives.Originality/valueOur study is novel and contributes to extant literature because it is the first empirical study on corporation governance education that emphasizes on students career interests and programme of study from a developing country perspective.

The nexus of employees’ in-role and extra-role behaviour and customer service: the moderating role of gender

PurposeThis paper investigates the influence of employees’ extra-role and in-role behaviours on customer service alongside the moderating role of gender.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employs the theory of behavioural intentions, cross-sectional survey design and quantitative approach to collect the data from 426 purposively sampled workers and customers of oil marketing companies. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation and the hierarchical regression model in SPSS.FindingsThe results indicate that employees’ extra-role behaviour has a significant positive effect on customer service while employees’ in-role behaviour has no significant effect on customer service. It is also established that gender of staff can significantly moderate the relationship between extra-role behaviour and customer service such that the behaviour of female staff has greater effect on customer service than their male counterparts. However, the gender of staff has no moderating effect on the relationship between in-role behaviour and customer service.Practical implicationsThe findings imply that female staff should be allowed to directly engage customers more often than male staff to promote superior customer service. Managers should continuously improve upon the behaviour of employees through orientations, workshops and mentoring. Behaviour stimuli such as awards, appreciations and recognition for best workers would have to be encouraged to induce employees to act beyond their prescribed-roles.Originality/valueThis study is the first to investigate how staff behaviours (in-role and extra-role) impact customer service, with gender of the employees as a moderator. This paper contributes to literature by empirically confirming the differential influence of employees’ extra role and in-role behaviours on customer service and the effectiveness of gender as a moderator on the relationship between extra-role behaviour and customer service from a developing country perspective and an industry where there is dearth of research.

Digital finance: a developing country perspective with special focus on gender and regional disparity

PurposeEven if digital financial services have a positive impact on financial inclusion, it creates a digital as well as gender divide within and across countries, creating regional disparity even within developing nations. Though pandemic has initiated digitalization of various services, there has been scanty research on whether digital transfer of income can improve digital financial inclusion in post-pandemic era, especially in developing countries. The purpose of the current study is to explain the regional disparity within developing countries from three regions East Asia Pacific, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, using latest World Findex data, 2021.Design/methodology/approachThe author takes an instrumental variable approach to run bivariate probit model to find the factors that motivate the users to make digital payments.FindingsThe study observes that electronic transfer of wages, government transfers and remittances can motivate individuals to make use of digital mode of transactions and mobile. The practice of formal saving and borrowings are the prerequisites. However, this mechanism holds good for East Asia Pacific and not for South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, which are poor in information and communication technology infrastructure. Women are lagging behind men, but digital transfer of wages motivate them to make digital transaction.Practical implicationsDigitalization of all government services and provision of affordable mobile network and internet services are necessary for regions like South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. In East Asia Pacific region, data protection, data governance and better regulatory framework are required. Higher female labor force participation with digital transfer of wages and empowerment with smartphones are key to reducing the Gender gap.Originality/valueThe current study corrects for the possible endogeneity issue, which the extant literature has not paid attention to, and provides region-specific and gender-specific policy recommendations for an improved digital inclusion.

School reopening concerns amid a pandemic among higher education students: a developing country perspective for policy development

School reopening concerns amid a pandemic among higher education students: a developing country perspective for policy development

Artificial intelligence-based reverse logistics for improving circular economy performance: a developing country perspective

PurposeReverse logistics services are designed to move goods from their point of consumption to an endpoint to capture value or properly dispose of products and materials. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based reverse logistics will help Micro, Small, and medium Enterprises (MSMEs) adequately recycle and reuse the materials in the firms. This research aims to measure the adoption of AI-based reverse logistics to improve circular economy (CE) performance.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, we proposed ten hypotheses using the theory of natural resource-based view and technology, organizational and environmental framework. Data are collected from 363 Indian MSMEs as they are the backbone of the Indian economy, and there is a need for digital transformation in MSMEs. A structural equation modeling approach is applied to analyze and test the hypothesis.FindingsNine of the ten proposed hypotheses were accepted, and one was rejected. The results revealed that the relative advantage (RA), trust (TR), top management support (TMS), environmental regulations, industry dynamism (ID), compatibility, technology readiness and government support (GS) positively relate to AI-based reverse logistics adoption. AI-based reverse logistics indicated a positive relationship with CE performance. For mediation analysis, the results revealed that RA, TR, TMS and technological readiness are complementary mediation. Still, GS, ID, organizational flexibility, environmental uncertainty and technical capability have no mediation.Practical implicationsThe study contributed to the CE performance and AI-based reverse logistics literature. The study will help managers understand the importance of AI-based reverse logistics for improving the performance of the CE in MSMEs. This study will help firms reduce their carbon footprint and achieve sustainable development goals.Originality/valueFew studies focused on CE performance, but none measured the adoption of AI-based reverse logistics to enhance MSMEs’ CE performance.

Gender of firm leadership and environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting: evidence from banks listed on Ghana Stock Exchange

Purpose This study aims to examine how woman corporate leadership indicators and environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure in listed banks on Ghana Stock Exchange are related. Design/methodology/approach Data was obtained from the audited annual reports of the banks for the period 2006–2020. Empirical result estimation was achieved using Panel Corrected Standard Errors. Findings The result revealed that female chief executive officer (CEO), female board chairperson and board gender diversity are associated with higher disclosure of ESG issues in listed banks in Ghana in overall terms. However, in terms of individual disclosures, female board chairperson positively impacts social disclosure, whereas both female CEO and female board chairperson affect governance disclosure positively. Research limitations/implications In this era of business where there is much emphasis on green business and investment by various stakeholders for purposes of ensuring business legitimacy, the result implies that banks must consider females to occupy the positions of CEO and board chairperson since that can help to improve ESG performance of banks. Practical implications In this era of business where there is much emphasis on green business, socially responsible investment and impact investment by various stakeholders, the result implies that banks must consider improving the representation of women in leadership since that can help to improve ESG performance of banks and hence ability to attract more investors. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to provide empirical evidence from a developing country perspective in Sub-Saharan Africa that gender of bank leadership has implications for ESG disclosure.

Does location matter in IS research? A developing country perspective from India

AbstractThis paper examines the question of doing information systems (IS) research from a location, particularly from a developing country like India. Our analysis reveals that IS publications from India are relatively few in number, though increasing in recent years; hardly focussed on context‐specific issues and concerns; and are largely in lower‐ranked journals. Using neo‐institutional theory, we show that the reasons are dominantly coercive (measuring up to rankings and accreditation agencies) and mimetic (following leaders). Normative (influence of professional bodies) forces appear to counterbalance this by necessitating continuous improvement in research outputs and emphasising location‐specific, impactful research. Institutional responses to these forces manifest in policies and mechanisms to operationalise them, such as resource availability, balancing teaching load with research expectations, promotion and tenure policies amongst others. We examine the paths by which more rigorous and relevant research, responsible to a location can be achieved, based on the insights from a series of talks given by eminent IS scholars. We opine that there is a need to consciously seek out such paths, perhaps by actively seeking collaboration with other disciplines and practitioners; establishing programmes of research; and building contextualised theories. We conclude with a relook at the underlying dynamics of the various institutional responses, recommended paths and some policy implications of our findings.

The Effect of Inventory Flexibility on Financial Performance: Moderating Role of Firm Size and Growth

This study aims to explore how flexible inventory management affects financial performance from the perspective of quick adjustments of inventory deviations, in which firm growth and firm size are moderators. Using the empirical data collected from 1953 listed manufacturing enterprises in China from 2005 to 2021, this research employs the moderation model combined with the three-way interaction analysis to test hypotheses. The results reveal that the relationship between inventory flexibility and financial performance is positive, while firm growth weakens this relationship. Furthermore, firm size reduces the negative moderating effect of firm growth on the relationship between inventory flexibility and financial performance. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the role of quick adjustments in flexible inventory management. From a developing country perspective, this study identifies the important relationships between inventory flexibility, firm growth, firm size and financial performance. The findings will be of interest to both emerging and other developing countries.

Assessing green innovation practices in construction firms: a developing-country perspective

PurposeIn developing countries, construction organizations are seeking to effectively implement green innovation strategies. Thus, this study aims to assess the importance of green innovation practices and develop a measurement model for quantifying the green innovation degrees of construction firms.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods research approach is adopted. First, an extensive literature review is performed to identify potential green innovation items, which are then used to design a preliminary questionnaire. Next, expert interviews are conducted to pilot-test this questionnaire. Subsequently, by using a convenience non-probability sampling method, 88 valid responses are collected from construction firms in Vietnam. Then, one-sample and independent-samples t tests are employed to assess the importance of green innovation practices. Fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) is also applied to quantitatively compare such practices. Finally, green innovation level (GIL) is proposed to measure the green innovation indexes and validated by a case study of seven construction firms.FindingsThis study identifies 13 green innovation variables, of which several key practices are highlighted for small/medium and large construction firms. The results of FSE analysis indicate that green process innovation is the most vital green category in construction firms, followed by green product and management innovations, respectively. As a quantitative measure, GIL could allow construction firms to frequently evaluate their green innovation indexes, thereby promoting green innovation practices comprehensively. Hence, construction firms would significantly enhance green competitive advantages and increasingly contribute to green and sustainable construction developments.Originality/valueThis research is one of the first attempts to integrate various green innovation practices into a comprehensive formulation. The established indexes offer detailed green innovation evaluations, which could be considered as valuable references for construction practitioners. Furthermore, a reliable and practical tool (i.e. GIL) is proposed to measure the GILs of construction firms in developing countries.

An Analysis into the Factors Affecting Online Customers’ Satisfaction: A Developing Country Perspective

An Analysis into the Factors Affecting Online Customers’ Satisfaction: A Developing Country Perspective

Exploring the relationships between knowledge management enablers, employee innovativeness and market development performance in A/E/C firms: a developing country perspective

Purpose This study aims to explore the relationships between knowledge management (KM) enablers, employee innovativeness (EI) and market development performance (MDP) in architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C) firms. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey is conducted to collect empirical data from A/E/C practitioners in Vietnam. First, factor analysis is used to identify KM enablers in A/E/C firms. Then, a framework which shows the links between KM enablers, EI and MDP is proposed. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to examine the proposed relationships. Findings This study identifies five constructs which can enable A/E/C firms to achieve effective KM implementation, including mutual trust and collaboration, organizational values and norms, information and communication systems, organizational policies and empowerment. Furthermore, the SEM results show that except for organizational policies, four remaining KM enablers significantly affect EI. It is also found that EI has a significant impact on MDP. Practical implications The findings could help A/E/C firms to know which KM enablers are critical to EI and provide a better understanding of the link between EI and MDP. Hence, they could make appropriate investments in KM practices to improve both EI and MDP. Originality/value The results of this study fill the gap in knowledge by empirically structuring the relationships between KM enablers, EI and MDP. Such results may provide A/E/C firms with useful information to enhance EI and MDP in today’s intensively competitive construction environments.

Efficacy of Smartphone-based Fundus Photo in Vision Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy Screening: Developing Country Perspective

Background Vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR) is a microvascular retinal complication caused by diabetes mellitus, which may lead to blindness if left untreated. One of the most effective methods to prevent diabetic-related ocular complications is through diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening. The community rarely carries out diabetic retinopathy-related eye examinations because using non-portable fundus photographs as its gold standard is costly and impracticable. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of smartphone-based fundus photographs as a practical and affordable tool for VTDR screening in developing countries. Methods This cross-sectional study used a consecutive technique at Cicendo National Eye Hospital, Indonesia. Patients with diabetes mellitus aged ≥20 years were evaluated for two-field mydriatic fundus photos using a non-portable fundus photo and a smartphone- based fundus photo utilizing the i-Spot fundus adapter. Results were analyzed to determine diagnostic test parameters. Results Two hundred and nineteen two-field mydriatic fundus photos were obtained from 139 patients. Smartphone-based fundus photography demonstrated a sensitivity of 98.4% (CI 96.6–100%), a specificity of 87.1% (CI 75.3–98.9%), a positive predictive value of 97.9% (CI 95.9–99.9%), a negative predictive value of 90.0% (CI 79.3–100%), and an accuracy of 96.8% (CI 94.5–99.8%). Conclusion The use of smartphone-captured fundus images proves to be a reliable screening method for VTDR. This tool has the potential to effectively screen the population, helping prevent future visual loss attributed to the disease.

Effects of cyberbullying on the academic life of Ghanaian tertiary students

Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of cyberbullying on the academic lives of Ghanaian university students. It also establishes whether cyberbullying victims, perpetrators, victim-perpetrators and bystanders differed in their thoughts on the effects of cyberbullying on students’ academic lives. Design/methodology/approach This study is anchored on Bandura’s theory of triadic reciprocal determinism and Abraham Maslow’s theory of needs. This study uses a cross-sectional survey design and quantitative approach to collect the data from 1,374 students from three public universities. The authors use descriptive statistics and ANOVA techniques to analyse the data. Findings The results show that the effects of cyberbullying on academic life are difficulty concentrating on studies, difficulty studying in groups and difficulty assessing important academic information online. There is also a statistically significant difference among cyberbullying victims, perpetrators, victim-perpetrators and bystanders in their thoughts on the effects of cyberbullying on students’ academic lives. Originality/value This research contributes to the literature on cyberbullying in the Ghanaian tertiary education environment. Even though the impact of cyberbullying on academics in Ghanaian universities may seem minimal, it is still imperative that it be checked, as it is significant enough to disrupt effective academic work. Thus, this study adds to the existing literature on cyberbullying from a developing country perspective.

Developing The E-Learning System Success Model: A Developing Country Perspective

This study aimed to develop a comprehensive e-learning system success model from a developing country perspective. The integrated lens of DeLone & McLean-Information System Success Model, the Model for Measuring E-learning System Success, and the Social Cognitive Theory was used to develop a research model. Twelve hypotheses were developed and tested with 188 participants. The study employed the Structural Equation Modeling technique to analyze data. Out of 12 hypotheses, two were rejected. At the same time, ten were supported, implying that variables such as contentment and information quality, user self-efficacy, user satisfaction, intention to use/use, net benefits, and loyalty to the system were appropriate for measuring the e-learning system success in developing countries. Based on these results, we recommend that the technical system quality and educational system quality of e-learning systems should be improved.

(Dis)engaging with green hotels: behavioural reasoning, willingness to pay and patronage intention: a developing country perspective

(Dis)engaging with green hotels: behavioural reasoning, willingness to pay and patronage intention: a developing country perspective

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Collection: Challenges and Opportunities in a Developing Country Perspective

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Collection: Challenges and Opportunities in a Developing Country Perspective

Understanding the impact of computer-based technology storytelling for help seeking and help receiving among victims' of flood disaster

Despite the increasing use of social media for help-seeking and receiving, less focus has been devoted to social media's role in seeking and receiving help during disaster periods like flooding, especially from a developing country perspective like Nigeria, which is facing recent worrisome flood disasters. In this study, we looked at the impact of social media storytelling on seeking and receiving help among victims of a recent flood disaster in Nigeria. An online survey was employed to collect data from 470 flood victims in Nigeria. SPSS version 25 and Smart PLS version 4 were used for data analysis. We found a positive association between social media storytelling and help-seeking among flood victims in Nigeria. The inference is that social media storytelling gives Nigerian flood victims a crucial platform to ask for assistance because of the ongoing flood disaster in the nation. Additionally, we discovered a positive connection between social media storytelling and the support provided to flood victims in Nigeria. Accordingly, assistance grew as Nigerian flood victims told more stories on social media. Finally, the study discovered that presenting stories on open platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook drew more immediate feedback and support than storytelling on Facebook and WhatsApp groups as well as interpersonal communication between social media network members. Flood victims, their families and all relevant authorities are encouraged to present flood stories on open platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook to draw more immediate feedback and support.

Implications of algorithmic management on careers and employment relationships in the gig economy – a developing country perspective

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the implications of algorithmic management on careers and employment relationships in the Nigerian gig economy. Specifically, drawing on labour process theory (LPT), this study provides an understanding of the production relations beyond the “traditional standard” to “nonstandard” forms of employment in a gig economy mediated by digital platforms or digital forms of work, especially on ride-hailing platforms (Uber and Bolt).Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted the interpretive qualitative approach and a semi-structured interview of 49 participants, including 46 platform drivers and 3 platform managers from Uber and Bolt.FindingsThis study addresses the theoretical underpinnings of the LPT as it relates to algorithmic management and control in the digital platform economy. The study revealed that, despite the ultra-precarious working conditions and persistent uncertainty in employment relations under algorithmic management, the underlying key factors that motivate workers to engage in digital platform work include higher job flexibility and autonomy, as well as having a source of income. This study captured the human-digital interface and labour processes related to digital platform work in Nigeria. Findings of this study also revealed that algorithmic management enables a transactional exchange between platform providers and drivers, while relational exchanges occur between drivers and customers/passengers. Finally, this study highlighted the perceived impact of algorithmic management on the attitude and performance of workers.Originality/valueThe research presents an interesting case study to investigate the influence of algorithmic management and labour processes on employment relationships in the largest emerging economy in Africa.

The Interplay Between Supplier Management Practices and Customer Satisfaction: An Empirical Investigation of the Banking Industry in a Developing Country

The study aims to investigate the interplay among supplier quality management (SQM), supplier relationship practices (SRP), process management (PRM), and customer focus (CF) within the value chain of the banking industry in a developing country perspective and to identify how these factors influence customer satisfaction (CS). Empirical data have been collected through a structured questionnaire from 463 bank employees of a developing country using a nonprobability convenience sampling strategy. The study employs a structural equation modeling approach to analyze the relationship between endogenous and exogenous variables. The study finds that SRP, PRM, and CF have a significant positive influence over CS. It also highlights that SQM has a significant positive relationship with the SRP and PRM. The study reveals that PRM mediates the relationship partially between SQM & CF and SQM & CS. Further, CF mediates the relationship partially between PRM and CS, while SRP mediates the relationship partially between SQM and CS. The findings of this research provide valuable insight into the stakeholders associated with the banking sector and policymakers regarding the importance of supplier management practices, particularly enabling the banks of emerging economies to understand the influence of SQM and SRP on guiding PRM, CF, and CS. The study only focuses on one developing country perspective and one specific industry, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other contexts. Future research could expand the scope to include multiple developing countries and industries to validate the findings and investigate the moderating effect of contextual factors on the relationships between SQM, SRP, PRM, CF, and CS.

Financial Technology Issues from Developing Countries Perspective: Role and Challenges a Systematic Literature Review

This article aims to explain the acceptance of the use of financial technology based on the perspective of developing countries. The ease of obtaining financial services has an impact on the development of financial services business from traditional to financial technology based. The development of financial technology has changed the way and attitude of the public in conducting financial transactions. However, the potential benefits of technology-based financial services have not been fully adopted simultaneously, especially in developing countries. This is due to several conditions both related to demographics and socio-culture which result in different perspectives on financial technology. 31 papers were found to be pertinent to the study topic “explain the role and challenges in the adoption of financial technology in developing countries” after 215 asticles had been chosen.