Direct Positive Relationship Research Articles

The effects of personal control and perceived thermal comfort on occupant psychological health at the workplace

Personal control is an important influencing factor for perceived thermal comfort due to its physical and psychological impacts on occupants. However, an increasing body of research on personal control continues to place more emphasis on the physical consequences than the psychological implications for the occupant's health. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of personal control options and perceived thermal comfort on occupant psychological health in Malaysian office buildings. A total of 221 valid data were obtained through questionnaire survey in three regions in Malaysia, which were then analysed using the partial least squares of structural equation model (PLS-SEM). The findings demonstrated the significantly positive direct relationship between indoor air temperature, relative humidity and personal control on occupant psychological health. The importance of this research work is further highlighted considering the significant role of personal control on the improved quality of thermal comfort and occupant psychological health.

Playful work design in fostering organizational citizenship behaviors and performance: two studies on the mediating role of work engagement

PurposePlayful work design (PWD) is a set of proactive strategies implementing fun and self-challenge at work to actively create better work conditions. Following the job demands-resources theory, this study aims to investigate the effects of PWD’s dimensions – i.e. “designing fun” and “designing competition” – on task and contextual performance (Study 1) and on the dimensions of organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) – i.e. altruism, conscientiousness and civic virtue (Study 2). Furthermore, the present research investigates the mediating role of work engagement (WE) for both studies.Design/methodology/approachTwo samples of 339 and 141 Italian workers participated by filling in a self-report questionnaire. Measuring models and hypotheses have been tested by structural equation models.FindingsResults suggest that WE partially mediates the relationship of the “designing competition” subdimension of PWD with task and contextual performance (Study 1) and with conscientiousness and civic virtue of OCBs, while “designing fun” shows a positive direct relationship only with altruism (Study 2).Originality/valueThis paper contributes to expanding knowledge about PWD’s effectiveness in facilitating performance and positive behaviors. Furthermore, it disentangles the different effects of PWD’s dimensions on performance. In light of the results, both employees and managers should be aware of the beneficial consequences of introducing fun and self-competitiveness when completing their own work activities.

Unraveling the nexus of academic founders and innovation performance: The suppression effect of ownership structure within Sci‐Tech enterprises

AbstractThis paper aims to examine the influence of academic founders on firm innovation performance from the perspective of equity distribution in entrepreneurial teams. Based on the prospectus data of 466 science and technology enterprises that applied for registration on the STAR Market from 2016 to 2020, we use textual analysis to classify founder identities into academic founder, technical founder, and business founder. Our results show that the performance of technical innovation in Sci‐Tech enterprises is optimal for academic founder‐led firms, followed by technical founders, and finally business founders. Ownership structure suppresses the positive direct relationship between the academic founder and innovation performance.

The Impacts of Ethical Sales Behaviour on Customer Loyalty in the Life Insurance Industry in Pakistan

The life insurance industry in Pakistan is highly competitive, with customer loyalty playing a crucial role in long-term success. Ethical sales behaviour emerges as a key differentiator, potentially fostering trust and driving positive customer experiences. This research investigates the relationship among ethical sales behaviour, customer trust in company and trust in sales agent, which directly affect customer loyalty in the life insurance industry. The quantitative survey targets customers of five major life insurance companies, ensuring a representative sample across diverse demographics. The questionnaires were sent to all companies customer on a random basis. The questionnaires are distributed with the help of office employee of the companies.The finding of the study shows that there is a direct and positive relation between sales agent ethical sales behaviour and customer loyalty. Furthermore, the trust of the customer in the sales agent and trust of the customer in a company has direct positive mutual relation and customer trust both affect customer loyalty. By demonstrating the tangible benefits of ethical sales behaviour, the study can encourage companies to implement and prioritize ethical practices. The identified key drivers of customer loyalty can guide training programs and performance evaluations for insurance agents, ultimately fostering a culture of ethical conduct within the industry.

Breaking Barriers, Building Businesses, and International Markets: Strategies of Female Innovators in the Chinese Market

In China, which in the past was dominated by state-owned and male-led ventures, female entrepreneurs are now increasingly popular. However, the specific pathways to internationalization for female-owned firms in China and their contribution to the country’s economic growth remain unexplored. Based on the principles of the resource-based approach, the article explores the innovative strategies used by Chinese female-owned firms to overcome resource constraints, formal and informal institutional barriers to business internationalization (entering the global markets through indirect exports). The article puts forward and empirically tests 5 sets of hypotheses according to which Chinese female-owned firms are: 1) more efficient in internationalization through indirect export strategies; 2) more inclined to digital innovation; 3) not focused on innovation conversion, but rather on successful adaptation of existing offerings for international markets or efficiency gains; 4) do not prioritize innovation in communication technologies, focusing more on innovation to reach customers, build relationships and enter international markets; 5) use the female business ecosystem to obtain safer pathways to innovation, such as external partnerships or adapting existing technologies, rather than focusing on investing internal R&D with elevated risk. Within each block, 2 additional hypotheses were put forward. They consider the impact of the relevant factor (digital innovation, innovation conversion, communication innovation, internal innovation) on indirect exports and its role in mediating the relationship between female ownership and the success of business internationalization. The study is based on a sample of 2,700 Chinese firms surveyed from November 2011 to March 2013 using the World Bank Enterprise Surveys China 2012 (a comprehensive recoding was performed, adhering to established practices in quantitative research). The control variables are the location of the respondent company in the capital/province, city size and firm size. The study used two types of factor analysis – Exploratory (EFA, including Promax rotation, oblique rotation method) and Confirmatory (CFA, Alpha Cronbach test, full path analysis model, including both direct and indirect effects, Monte Carlo method). SPSS 29 software was used for the data sample and AMOS 26.0 for the modeling process. A direct positive relationship was found between female ownership and indirect exports in China and digital ecosystem innovations, as well as between communication innovations and indirect exports. A significant negative direct relationship was found between female ownership and communication innovations, between digital ecosystem innovations and indirect exports, and between internal innovations on indirect exports. It also reveals the absence of a significant direct impact of innovation conversion on indirect exports. Mediating effects were also confirmed for communication and digital ecosystem innovations; partially for internal innovations; not confirmed for innovation conversion.

The Influence of Social Capital and Human Capital on Food Security in Karangpatihan Village, Indonesia

Agriculture is vital to food security because it provides food, clothing, and shelter. Based on the 2022 Indonesian Food Security Index (IKP), Ponorogo Regency is ranked 19th out of 416 districts throughout Indonesia, with a food security score of 86.20. However, there will be a decline in rice production in Ponorogo Regency in 2022. It will, of course, impact the condition of food security in villages, one of which is Karangpatihan Village. Social capital is a fundamental aspect of creating sustainable agricultural development. This concept refers to the beliefs, networks, values, and norms facilitating cooperation and collective action to achieve common goals. The strong trust between farmers is vital to fostering cooperation and strengthening their social networks. A good social network reflects mutually agreed-upon norms for establishing relationships and interacting. This research aims to identify the influence of farmers' social and human capital in supporting food security in Karangpatihan Village. Research data was obtained based on questionnaires from 250 farmers in Karangpatihan Village. The analysis used is structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis, which is used to identify the influence between variables. Based on SEM analysis, there is a positive direct relationship between social capital and food security variables. Meanwhile, the direct relationship between human capital and food security variables is negative.

Impact of Perceived Servicescape on Patient Satisfaction through Mediating Role of Service Credibility and Moderating Role of Received Word of Mouth in Rehabilitation

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of perceived servicescape (PS) and credibility of the healthcare service provider (CHSP) on patient satisfaction(PtS) in rehabilitation settings of public and private hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Mediating effect of CHSP and moderating effect of received word of mouth (WOM) have also been studied in this relationship. A sample of 300 patients receiving rehabilitation care was selected by applying convenience sampling technique. The design of this study was cross-sectional in nature. Self-administered questionnaire was designed to be utilized. Application of the correlation and regression were executed to analyze the collected quantitative data. The cross-sectional study method, limited geographical area coverage, and small sample size did not allow the detailed testing of the causal relations among study variables. Results of this study have indicated that there was a significant direct positive relationship between perceived servicescape and patient satisfaction and this relationship was also mediated positively by CHSP. There was a substantial direct positive relationship between perceived servicescape and CHSP and, between CHSP and patient satisfaction. However, the moderating effect of received WOM was found to be insignificant. It is recommended that healthcare managers should develop a credible service framework that focuses on better affordability, competitiveness, awareness, empathy, service expertise, pleasant interactions with patients through centeredness communication and beliefs and, subsequently, it will contribute to patient satisfaction and success of the rehabilitation settings. This is the first-ever study of the impact of perceived servicescape on patient satisfaction through CHSP as a mediator and the moderating influence of received WOM in rehabilitation.

The Effect of Contributed Capital Mix on Dividend Policy: Testing Life Cycle Theory in The Covid-19 Pandemic Era

Objective: This study aims to test whether life cycle theory is relevant in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. Specifically, whether the contributed capital mix has a significant effect on dividend policy. Theoretical framework: In this study, we tested the life cycle theory and whether it is relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The dividend policy of a corporation should be determined by where it is in its life cycle. Mature, well-established businesses usually give dividends. Method: We studied 66 companies in the non-cyclical consumer sector listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during the pandemic period from 2020 to 2022. The dependent variables used in this study are in the category of dividend payers and non-dividend payers. As for the independent variables, we use the variables return on assets, sales growth, rete, MarCap, Papen, teta, and cash holding. We use the logistic regression method with the data panel. Results and conclusion: It is statistically found that life cycle theory is relevant to some contributed capital mixes such as rete, MarCap, Papen, and cash holding. Meanwhile, ROA, SGR, and teta have no significant effect on dividend policy paying dividends or not but still have a positive relationship direction. Implications of the research: The life cycle hypothesis is being tested in the context of the pandemic era in this investigation. A better knowledge of how company financial decisions are impacted by economic crises may result from the results, regardless of whether they confirm or refute the life cycle theory. In terms of strategic financial planning, the research may provide financial managers with useful advice. It will assist them in understanding how to modify capital structure and dividend policies in response to economic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value: Studying Life Cycle Theory in the context of a pandemic enhances the research's theoretical components. It exhibits the willingness to adapt well-established ideas to unusual and intricate circumstances, which may result in a more thorough comprehension of the dynamics underlying corporate financial decisions.

The impact of forward-looking disclosure on the transparency of integrated reporting through identifying risks and opportunities, developing strategies, and allocating resources.

The research aims to reveal the extent to which forward-looking information contributes to influencing the transparency of the content of integrated reports through disclosure of risks, opportunities, strategy, and resource allocation. A questionnaire was conducted that clarifies the extent to which forward-looking information can enhance the transparency of integrated reports. The questionnaire was distributed to a group of beneficiaries of forward-looking information in the Iraqi stock market, including investors for the most part, and some auditors. The most important conclusions that were reached are that there is a positive (direct) relationship with a moral effect between forward-looking disclosure and knowledge of risks. And opportunities, strategy, and resource allocation. The most important recommendations are the preparation of training workshops by the Iraqi Stock Exchange to manage the economic unit, to help it know how to forecast and the basics of preparing forward-looking information.

Predicting Robotics Pedagogical Content Knowledge: The Role of Computational and Design Thinking Dispositions via Teaching Beliefs

This research aimed to investigate the structural relationships among teachers’ computational thinking (CT), design thinking (DT), robotics teaching beliefs, and robotics pedagogical content knowledge (RPCK). A total of 98 in-service and pre-service teachers who participated in a robotics teaching professional development workshop served as the sample of the study. A survey including the Computational Thinking Scale, the Design Thinking Disposition Scale, the Robotics Teaching Beliefs Scale and the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge–Robotics Scale was conducted after the workshop. A confirmatory factor analysis was employed to validate the measurement constructs, and Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was utilized to examine the relationships among the factors. The results revealed that both CT and DT dispositions could positively predict teachers’ robotics teaching beliefs, which subsequently predicted their RPCK. Moreover, a direct positive relationship between CT and RPCK was identified, while such a relationship was not evident for DT. The model demonstrates the critical role of CT in shaping teachers' beliefs and pedagogical strategies of robotics teaching, and provides insights into the indirect influence of DT. Finally, the Model of Robotics Teaching Professional Development (MRTPD) was proposed to profile how to promote teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge of robotics teaching from their CT and DT dispositions.

Assessment of Effects of Turbidity Variation on Water Temperature and Evaporation of Gilgel Gibe I Reservoir, Omo-Gibe River Basin, Ethiopia

Turbidity has a significant impact on reservoir water by raising the temperature and evaporation rates. This study provided clear and concise information about the effects of turbidity alteration on reservoir water. The main objective of this study was to assess the effects of turbidity variation on reservoir water temperature and evaporation. To determine these effects, the samples were taken from the reservoir by stratifying it randomly along the reservoir course. To evaluate the relationship between turbidity and water temperature and also to measure the vertical alteration of water temperature, ten pools were burrowed, and they were filled with turbid water. Two class A pans were installed in the field to determine the effect of turbidity on reservoir evaporation. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and MS Excel. The results depicted that turbidity has a direct, solid positive relationship with water temperature at 9:00 and 13:00 and a vigorous negative relationship at 17:00, and water temperature decreased vertically from the top to the bottom layer. There was a greater extinction of sunlight in most turbid water. The differences in water temperature between the top and bottom layers were 9.78°C and 1.53°C for most and least turbid water at 13:00 observation hour, respectively. Turbidity has a direct and strong positive relationship with reservoir evaporation. The relation was analyzed using Spearman’s ranked correlation coefficient, and the vertical alteration of water temperatures was analyzed using a box and whisker plot. The tested results were statistically significant. The study concluded that an increment in reservoir turbidity immensely heightens both reservoir water temperature and evaporation.

Examining the influence of functional value, social value and emotional value on purchase intention for tires in Japan

PurposeThis study aims to examine the relationships between functional value (quality and price), social value (extrinsic and intrinsic), emotional value and attitude toward a brand, as well as the direct relationship between attitude toward a brand and the purchase intention of tires. This research also explores the moderating effect of social influence on the relationship between attitude toward a brand and purchase intention.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model based on literature is developed and tested using an online survey, with a sample of 760 active drivers gathered through purposive sample judgment. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with AMOS 28 and Hayes Process Macro 4.FindingsThe results demonstrate that extrinsic social value has a positive direct relationship with attitude toward brands. The findings also indicate that intrinsic social value has a positive influence on attitudes toward brands. Attitude toward a brand is found to have a positive direct relationship with purchase intention.Originality/valueThis research extends the existing literature on consumption values and offers insights into the specific values that influence attitudes toward tire brands as well as purchase intention. The findings provide insights to tire businesses in values that they could focus on when developing strategies to increase positive brand attitude and purchase intention.

The impact of collaborative ePortfolios on academic learning in a university setting

This study is focused on promoting self-reflection and self-regulation of learning through the use of digital tools to improve the academic performance of university students. Specifically, the main objective is to evaluate the impact of the use of collaborative ePortfolios on facilitating the comprehension of the concepts being studied. During the 2021/2022 academic term, a voluntary survey was administered to 60 students in the Adaptation Course of the Primary Education Degree Program. Through a structural equation analysis, a theoretical model was analyzed in which the intensity of participation in the ePortfolio appears as a mediating variable between the different independent variables and the improvement in academic learning. The results of the study confirm this mediating function for some variables, while at the same time they show a direct positive relationship between the intensity of participation in the ePortfolio and comprehension of the course concepts. The findings of this study can have important implications for the promotion of digital tools, such as ePortfolios, to improve learning in the university context. In addition, the work offers methodological alternatives to the recurring problem of analyzing complex relationships (both direct and indirect effects) with small samples.

From Good Expectancy to Good Feelings: How Optimism Is Related to Subjective Well-Being in Chinese Adults through the Pathway of Coping.

Positive psychology has attracted increasing attention from many scholars worldwide. There is a considerable body of knowledge on the relationship between optimism and subjective well-being (SWB). However, their mediation mechanism has not been fully studied, and most of the current conclusions were formulated within the context of Western culture, with a limited number of empirical studies specifically targeting Chinese people. Based on the theories of self-regulation and stress coping, our research aimed to validate the association between optimism and SWB among Chinese adults and further investigate the mediating effect of positive and negative coping in this relationship. In Study 1, using a national dataset from the Chinese General Social Survey (N = 12,582), we captured the direct positive relationship between optimism and SWB. In Study 2, taking a cross-sectional study (N = 272), we found the mediating effect of positive and negative coping in the relationship between optimism and SWB according to correlation and regression analysis. In Study 3, taking a cross-lagged study (N = 343), we reverified the results of Study 2 and found negative coping no longer played a role as a mediator after accounting for the factors of social desirability and state anxiety in the analysis. These findings are worthwhile for paying attention to Chinese people's optimistic traits and the pathways to improving their subjective well-being using different coping behaviors.

Analisis Pendapatan Asli Daerah dan Penanaman Modal dalam Negeri terhadap Indeks Pembangunan Manusia dengan Tingkat Kemiskinan sebagai Variabel Intervening pada Provinsi Jawa Timur

This research aims to evaluate the impact of Regional Original Income (PAD) and Domestic Investment (PMDN) on the Human Development Index (HDI) in East Java province during the 2007-2021 period, with poverty as an intermediate variable or intervening variable. A quantitative approach is applied using multiple linear regression techniques and path analysis as the main methods. The research results show that there is a direct positive and significant relationship between PAD, PMDN, and HDI. However, through path analysis, there is no indication of an indirect influence through poverty on HDI from PAD and PMDN. The implications of these findings can provide a deeper insight into regional development strategies, by highlighting the importance of increasing PAD and PMDN directly to support increasing HDI. In conclusion, the results of this research contribute to understanding the dynamics of the interaction of economic and social variables in the context of regional development in the province of East Java. Keywords: Human Development Index, Regional Original Income, Domestic Investment, Poverty Level

Work and family conflicts, depressive symptoms and coparenting conflict behaviours: An interdependent approach

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the relationships between work and family conflicts, specifically work‐to‐family and family‐to‐work conflicts, parental depressive symptoms and coparenting conflict behaviours during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This national survey study involved the participation of 830 families in mainland China, including fathers, mothers and adolescents. Fathers and mothers provided self‐reports on their experiences of work‐to‐family conflicts, family‐to‐work conflicts and depressive symptoms. Meanwhile, adolescents reported their perceptions of coparenting conflict behaviours exhibited by both fathers and mothers. The Actor‐Partner Interdependence Mediation Model was employed to analyse these relationships. In the Actor‐Partner Interdependence Mediation Model, paternal family‐to‐work conflicts were found to be positively associated with both paternal and maternal coparenting conflict behaviours, mediated through paternal depressive symptoms. Similarly, maternal family‐to‐work conflicts were positively linked to both paternal and maternal coparenting conflict behaviours, mediated through maternal depressive symptoms. Additionally, paternal family‐to‐work conflicts exhibited a direct positive relationship with both paternal and maternal coparenting conflict behaviours. However, paternal work‐to‐family conflicts demonstrated a direct negative association with paternal coparenting conflict behaviours. This study sheds light on the complex interconnectedness between work and family conflicts, parental depressive symptoms and coparenting conflict behaviours during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The findings highlight the importance of addressing work and family conflicts in understanding and managing coparenting dynamics, particularly during challenging times such as a pandemic. Such insights can inform interventions and support systems to promote healthier coparenting relationships and family well‐being.

Examining the Effect of Brand Like and Brand Love on Brand Loyalty

This study investigates the effect of brand liking on brand love. It also assesses the moderating role of alternative brand attractiveness in the relationship between brand liking and brand love. Furthermore, this study examines the effects of brand love and liking on brand loyalty. Lastly, the study investigates the mediating role of brand love in the relationship between brand liking and brand loyalty. This study employed a survey research design where questionnaires were used to collect data from bank customers in Ghana. In all, there were a total of 503 respondents. These respondents were selected using the intercept approach. We used PLS-SEM for the data analysis. The results show a significant relationship between brand liking and brand love (intimacy, commitment, and passion). We also found a direct positive relationship between brand liking and brand loyalty. Furthermore, the findings show a positive relationship between brand love (intimacy, commitment, and passion) and brand loyalty.
 
 Additionally, we found that brand love mediates the relationship between brand liking and brand loyalty. Our study shows that higher brand liking leads to brand love, positively impacting brand loyalty. The study further shows that alternative brands have no modifying impact regarding brand love as a predictor of brand loyalty.

How can agrifood businesses improve their performance? The role of digital transformation

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to analyse the moderating effect of digital transformation (DT) on the relationship between innovation capacity and the performance of agrifood businesses.Design/methodology/approachBased on a structured questionnaire, data on 98 agrifood small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Spain were collected. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling to test the proposed model and study the moderating effect of DT on the relationship between the innovation capacity and performance of agrifood businesses.FindingsThe study finds support for the hypotheses and shows the existence of a direct positive relationship between the DT and performance of agrifood businesses. Developing new practices focussed on customer service and performing actions such as improving sales, promoting a new product or service and including a post-sales service influence the capacity of a business to undertake DT.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies should include other factors in the analysis. For example, the impact of knowledge transfer and research and development (R&D) on agrifood businesses' performance should be studied. Education and training, as well as having a diverse network, can help develop and boost businesses' capacity to use and apply the required innovation. Networks play an important role in learning how to apply DT.Originality/valueThis quantitative study is the first to examine the moderating effect of DT in the Spanish agrifood sector on the relationship between innovation capacity and performance. The study examines the role of the DT of companies and explores the competitiveness and efficiency tools that digitalisation offers. Innovation capacity is crucial for the application of these tools.

Relationship between students' attitude towards, and performance in mathematics word problems.

The study explored the relationship between students' attitude towards, and performance in mathematics word problems (MWTs), mediated by the active learning heuristic problem solving (ALHPS) approach. Specifically, this study investigated the correlation between students' performance and their attitude towards linear programming word tasks (ATLPWTs). Tools for data collection were: the adapted Attitude towards Mathematics Inventory-Short Form (ATMI-SF), (α = .75) as a multidimensional measurement tool, and linear programming achievement tests (pre-test and post-test). A quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test non-equivalent control group study design was adopted. A sample of 608 eleventh-grade Ugandan students (291 male and 317 female) from eight secondary schools (both public and private) participated. Data were analyzed using PROCESS macro (v.4) for SPSS version 26. The results revealed a direct significant positive relationship between students' performance and their ATLPWTs. Thus, students' attitude positively and directly impacted their performance in solving linear programming word problems. The present study contributes to the literature on performance and attitude towards learning mathematics. Overall, the findings carry useful practical implications that can support theoretical and conceptual framework for enhancing students' performance and attitude towards mathematics word problems.

The fraternity/sorority experience revisted: The relationships between fraternity/sorority membership and student engagment, learning outcomes, grades, and satisfaction with college

Fraternities and sororities are an important part of American higher education. However, some scholars question the value of fraternities and sororities. Recent research on the educational outcomes of fraternity/sorority membership is limited, with more research focused on health and safety issues. The present research addresses the gap in the literature by examining the direct and indirect relationships among fraternity/sorority membership, student engagement, and college outcomes using structural equation modeling and data from the 2017 administration of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Results revealed fraternity/sorority membership had significant, positive direct relationships with student engagement and strong positive indirect relationships with self-reports of learning, and acting through student engagement. Moreover, despite being less diverse than students in general, fraternity/sorority members reported higher levels of interaction with people different from themselves than did other students. In addition, the largest positive effects were generally found for first-year students, arguing against deferring recruitment until the second semester or second year. Membership in a fraternity or sorority was negatively related to self-reported grades, particularly for males and seniors.