Squares-structural Equation Modeling Research Articles

Readiness towards fintech adoption among micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia

Purpose People start to acknowledge, accept and adopt fintech applications due to its flexibilities, compatibility, ease to use, security and usefulness. A growing body of research reveals a positive perception of micro-enterprises towards fintech instruments. Looking at the potential of the fintech platforms and tools in Malaysia, the purpose of this study is to look at the readiness of micro-entrepreneurs towards using it as a medium in generating more income and profit for their business. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a quantitative approach with 200 questionnaires distributed to micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia. IBM SPSS was used to perform a preliminary analysis of the data (descriptive analysis), then partial least squares-structural equation modelling SmartPLS is used to test the hypothesised relationships. Findings This study found perceived ease of use H1 (β = 0.523, p < 0.01) and trust H4 (β = 0.211, p < 0.10) play an important role in readiness to adopt fintech. Whereas, security H3 (β = 0.068) and perceived usefulness, H2 (β = 0.120) are insignificant (rejected). Practical implications This study provides evidence on the factors that contribute most towards the inclination to use fintech application among micro-entrepreneurs. In fact, tightening the policy regarding the security matter could enhance the readiness of micro-entrepreneurs to use fintech application. Originality/value This study investigates factors that influence the readiness of micro-entrepreneurs to adopt fintech application, which were not considered by previous studies.

Investigation of Psychometric Properties and Correlation with Psychological Distress after Hurricane Hazards in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico (PR) is highly vulnerable to hurricanes, which severely impact cancer survivors by causing healthcare disruptions and increasing stress. This study investigates the reliability and factor structure of the Hurricane Hazards Inventory (HHI) and its relationship with psychological distress among cancer survivors and non-cancer controls in PR. Using secondary data from a longitudinal study following Hurricane Maria (HM), the baseline assessment included sociodemographic data from participants, HHI, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Among 260 participants, 78.7% were women, with a median age of 58.0 years. EFA reduced the HHI to 17 items grouped into three factors explaining 62.6% of the variance with excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.91). The three factors also showed good to excellent reliability (alpha 0.81 to 0.92). The median HHI score was 11.0 (range 4.0-26.5) out of 68. PLS-SEM revealed a direct effect of being a cancer survivor and tertiary hazards on depression and anxiety. The HHI is a valid and reliable tool for assessing mental health impact in cancer survivors after hurricanes. However, the study had limitations, including its small sample size and lack of control for all confounding variables. Future research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to further validate the HHI and examine its generalizability.

The Paradox of Progress towards SDG7: Governance Quality and Energy Poverty Dynamics in Pakistan

This study investigates the multidimensional aspects of energy poverty in Pakistan from 2000 to 2022, specifically evaluating the direct, indirect, and total effects of socioeconomic and environmental factors. We employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the impacts of income, population, governance quality, energy intensity, fuel prices, and renewable energy consumption on energy poverty. The study further contributes by examining the mediating role of governance quality and developing the World Governance Indicators (WGI) Index. The findings indicate significant negative effects of energy intensity and renewable energy consumption on energy poverty. Conversely, population growth and income levels demonstrate positive effects, contradicting conventional economic development and energy access assumptions. Governance quality establishes direct and indirect effects that mediate most relationships between independent variables and energy poverty. Bootstrapping analysis confirms the significance of governance quality as a mediator. The model describes significant energy poverty variance with robust predictive relevance. This study emphasizes the need to adopt a comprehensive strategy to decrease Pakistan’s energy poverty by articulating socioeconomic, environmental, and governance factors. Our findings offer valuable information for policymakers to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, embarking on governance reforms, promoting sustainable growth, and enforcing investments in energy efficiency and renewable sources as Pakistan approaches the 2030 SDG 7 deadline.

The Effect of High Performance Work System on Intention to Leave and Safety Workarounds: The Role of Burnout as Mediation and Mentoring & Coping Mechanism as Moderator

This study aims to analyze the influence of High Performance Work System (HPWS) on intention to leave and safety workarounds, with the role of burnout as a mediation variable and mentoring and coping mechanism as a moderator variable. The study was conducted on non-doctor employees at the Diponegoro National Hospital, Semarang. The method used is a quantitative approach with data collection techniques through questionnaires distributed to respondents. The data was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results of the study show that HPWS has a negative influence on burnout, which means that the implementation of HPWS can reduce the level of emotional fatigue of employees. In contrast, burnout has a positive effect on intention to leave and safety workarounds, indicating that employees who experience burnout are more likely to want to leave the company and ignore work safety procedures. In addition, burnout acts as a mediator between HPWS and the two variables. Good HPWS implementation is able to reduce burnout, thereby reducing employee intentions to move and increasing compliance with safety procedures. The conclusion of this study is that the effective implementation of HPWS can reduce employee burnout, reduce the desire to leave work, and increase compliance with occupational safety. Mentoring and coping mechanisms play an important role in strengthening the positive effects of HPWS.

The effect of essential skills on perceived employability: a case of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the effect of technical skills, soft skills and social mobility skills on the perceived employability of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities. This study also aims to investigate the moderating effects of academic performance on such relationships.Design/methodology/approachTo accomplish these objectives, this study employed partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse data obtained from 247 Malaysian undergraduates from public and private energy-focused universities across Malaysia. The Human Capital Theory served as the overarching theoretical framework for the study.FindingsThe study reveals that even if an undergraduate has stellar grades, they will not help him/her to land a job if they lack basic technical and computing skills. This study also indicates that undergraduates’ current academic performance affects their perceived employability despite already possessing the necessary soft skills. Along with academic performance, social mobility skills can be a determining factor in how graduates see their own employability. This is because social mobility has a significant impact on graduates’ chances of finding gainful employment.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides insights into how technical skills, soft skills and social mobility skills influence the perceived employability of Malaysian undergraduates, especially in energy-focused universities, and the role of various parties involved. These parties, such as higher education institutions, are the key players that can initiate strategies to enhance specific skills and steer a public conversation towards a more methodical strategy for boosting graduates’ employability for future employment. This research also sheds light on how to better prepare for emerging job opportunities in the energy sector.Originality/valueThe study examines the effect of technical skills, soft skills and social mobility skills on the perceived employability of Malaysian undergraduates in energy-focused universities for future employment among Malaysia’s universities’ graduates. By providing a multidisciplinary viewpoint, this study paves the way for future research partnerships among experts in higher education, researchers in related fields and career researchers.

Excellence in the management of local action groups: an empirical investigation of critical success factors

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the extent to which the criteria of the EFQM Excellence Model and the relationships between them are relevant in the management of rural territory development. Verifying this relevance is crucial as a first step to determine how the adoption of an excellence model could enhance the results of the local action groups (LAGs) in managing their territories. If successful, the benefits for the management of territorial rural development in Spain could be highly significant.Design/methodology/approachField data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to the managers of 253 LAGs in Spain during the first quarter of 2021. Hypotheses were formulated to evaluate the significance of the EFQM model in the outcomes achieved by LAGs. The data were analysed using partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and necessary conditions analysis (NCA).FindingsThis study validates all the formulated assumptions regarding the EFQM model, including the mediating role of process management in the impact of strategy and the technical team (people) on outcomes. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the adoption of a model of excellence could increase the effectiveness of LAGs in managing the development of their territories.Research limitations/implicationsLike all research, this study has its limitations. For example, the data used responds to an indirect approach to the criteria of the EFQM model. Direct measurement of the criteria was not possible because there were no LAG evaluations with the EFQM model or any other model of excellence. Additionally, the LAG sample used does not equally reflect the reality of the different autonomous communities, which, together with the relatively small nature of the sample, does not allow comparisons of the autonomous communities. The age of the participants was not included in the analysis, so it was not possible to evaluate the effect that this variable could have on the results. There are LAGs in other EU countries as well. It would be interesting to see whether the results obtained in this study with Spanish LAGs are consistent with those in other countries. The study was conducted at the criterion level. It would be of interest to delve deeper into the subcriterion level in future work. Finally, this study was based on the EFQM 2013, while the most recent study was from 2020, which is a limitation. When the study was designed, there was not yet sufficient experience with the 2020 model. It will be interesting to see in future work the extent to which the results and conclusions obtained remain consistent with those of the 2020 model.Practical implicationsApproaches to tackling the problem of rural development have often relied on intuitive and practical trial-and-error methods in the implementation of public policies rather than on a solid and validated theoretical foundation. Therefore, verifying the relevance of the criteria and their interrelationships, intrinsic to models such as the EFQM 2013 model, in the context of managing rural territories, can greatly aid the management of these types of organisations.Social implicationsThe development of rural territories is a critical issue that remains unresolved in many countries. Failure to address this, or not doing so in a timely manner, has consequences for equity and migration to large urban centres. Enhancing the effectiveness of the LAGs can improve the living conditions of people in rural areas and contribute to the overall development of rural territories in Spain. This can simultaneously help mitigate the depopulation of rural areas.Originality/valueTraditional approaches to rural development have often relied on practical trial-and-error methods in implementing public policies. The decision to adopt an excellence management model for the development of rural territories hinges on the validity of criteria and their interrelationships, such as those intrinsic to the EFQM 2013 model, within the context of rural development.HighlightsThe EFQM model of excellence is applicable in managing the development of rural territories, although some relationships between criteria, such as the case of Partnership and Resources on Results, are affected by the context in which local action groups currently operate in Spain.This study applies PLS-SEM in the analysis of the relationships between criteria of the EFQM model in the context of managing the development of rural territories.

Core self-evaluation:an empirical study in the in the Colombian context

core self-evaluation (CSE) refers to the essential judgments individuals make regarding their self-performance. This study aims to empi-rically examine the correlation between employee’s CSE and key organizational variables, encompassing happiness, motivation, job satisfaction,work commitment, and person-job fit. Through a cross-sectional self-administered instrument, the research delves into the perspectives of 241employees within four retail industry companies in northeastern Colombia. Employing a partial least squares-structural equation model, theanalysis explores the relationships among these variables. The results identify a lack of full reciprocity in the examined associations. When treating CSE as the dependent variable, the study validates only the hypotheses proposing job satisfaction and motivation as independent variables.Nevertheless, a significant association emerges between CSE, and all examined organizational variables when applying a supplemental analysiswith inverted hypotheses. These findings emphasize the importance of adopting a multifaceted approach to enhance organizational outcomes for employees in a business setting. Furthermore, they suggest that, beyond conventional knowledge, CSR could function as a significant catalyst for various organizational behaviors, thereby advocating for its exploration and application in similar studies.

Street food in the digital era: unraveling the influence of food vloggers credibility and information quality on consumer intentions

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of credibility and information quality (IQ) of online food vloggers on consumer attitude and purchase intention towards street food consumption. It also examines the relationship between consumer attitude and purchase intention influenced by online food vlogger reviews in North India.Design/methodology/approachIn order to evaluate the framework, primary data were gathered from 389 street food consumers located in Jammu, Chandigarh and Delhi – cities situated in northern India. The collected data were then subjected to analysis using the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) techniques.FindingsThe results indicate that the perceived value of street food, influenced by the credibility of food vloggers and the quality of information provided, has a positive impact on consumer attitude and purchase intention towards street food consumption. A positive impact of consumer attitude on the purchase and consumption of street food was also observed.Originality/valueThis research offers a thorough investigation into the elements that influence consumers' opinions regarding vloggers endorsements. The findings reveal that consumer's attitudes towards vloggers recommendations are mainly influenced by the quality of information provided, followed by credibility and the intention to make a purchase. Furthermore, this research is of significance to practitioners and academics interested in comprehending consumer behavior in the realms of tourism and food-related endeavors.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2024-0158

Impact of Exposure to Online Advertising on The Intention to Download Online Loan Applications Among Young Adults (18-27 Years) in Indonesia

This study examines the impact of online loan advertisements on the behavior of Generation Z (Gen-Z) in Indonesia, specifically their propensity to download loan applications. Data from Gen-Z individuals aged 18-27 were analyzed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to evaluate the effects of informativeness, entertainment, irritation, and incentives on advertisement value. Findings show that these advertising elements, especially incentives, significantly influence inspire-to behavior. Mediating factors such as advertisement value, perceived risk, and trust also play a significant role. The respondent profile indicates a majority of males, Bachelor's degree holders, and students. The study suggests that enhancing marketing strategies in the online loan sector requires understanding the factors influencing Gen-Z's decisions. It also highlights the importance of reducing unacceptable advertising elements. Future research should consider a more diverse sample and updated theoretical models. This study contributes to digital marketing and consumer behavior literature, providing insights for more effective and responsible online loan advertising in Indonesia.

To acknowledge or conceal: an exploratory study on designers' self-determination factors and attitudes toward artificial intelligence participation in their works

PurposeThe rapid development and widespread application of artificial intelligence tools have raised concerns about how designers are embracing these technologies. This study investigates the factors influencing designers' behavioral intention to use and disclose the use of generative artificial intelligence.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research approach was employed, designing a structured questionnaire based on Self-Determination Theory to assess the impact of various psychological and social dimensions. The questionnaire included dimensions such as autonomy, competence, relatedness, social influence, value fit and social innovativeness. A Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling analysis was conducted on 309 valid responses from diverse design fields.FindingsCompetence and relatedness are significant factors influencing designers' continuance intention to use generative artificial intelligence. Although autonomy does not significantly affect continuance intention, it plays a crucial role in the decision to disclose artificial intelligence participation. Social influence and value fit significantly shape autonomy, competence and relatedness, while the impact of social innovativeness is relatively limited.Originality/valueThis study clarifies the factors influencing designers' continuance intention and disclosure of generative artificial intelligence tools from both individual and social dimensions, enhancing the understanding of the relationship between designers and generative artificial intelligence tools. It provides valuable insights for the development of artificial intelligence technology and the future trends in the design industry, offering significant theoretical and practical value.

Determining factors affecting the upselling acceptance of business class seats among Filipino passengers: An extended theory of planned behavior approach

Upselling of business class seats has been implemented by many commercial airlines as part of their revenue management strategies. The purpose of this was to determine factors affecting the upselling acceptance of business class seats among Filipino passengers by utilizing an extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) approach. A total 323 Filipinos voluntarily answered an online questionnaire that was distributed through a purposive sampling approach. The questionnaire consisted of 41 items that covered various factors such as Price (PR), Perceived Value (PV), Social Status (SS), Facilitating Conditions (FC), Hedonic Motivation (HM), Subjective Norm (SN), Attitude (A), Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC), and Intention (I). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) showed SN was the most significant factor affecting passengers' intention to accept business class upselling offer, followed by PBC, PR, A, and FC. In addition, PV, FC, and A had significant effects on PBC which subsequently led to I. Furthermore, HM, P, and SS had significant effects on A which subsequently led to SN and I. Meanwhile, only two hypotheses were not supported by the study. This study is one of the first studies that explored the upselling in the business class seats using behavioral factors and additional variables to determine their intentions. The results of this study could help the airline industry to evaluate their strategy in revenue management. Finally, the findings of this study add to the current literature and help airlines’ marketing strategy and promote seat bidding.

The Influence of Word of Mouth and Perceived Value on Parents' Decisions to Choose Kids Republic Jakarta School

This study aims to analyze the influence of Word of Mouth (WoM) and perceived value on parents' decisions to enroll their children at Sekolah Kids Republic Jakarta, an early childhood education institution (PAUD) located in Jakarta. The population for this study comprised 204 parents of students currently enrolled at Sekolah Kids Republic Jakarta. A sample of 68 parents was selected using a sampling technique with a 10% margin of error. The analysis used the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. The study yielded the following findings: (1) Perceived value has a significant and dominant influence on parents' decisions in choosing Sekolah Kids Republic Jakarta; (2) Word of Mouth (WoM) has a relatively weak and statistically insignificant influence on these decisions; and (3) The combined effect of WoM and perceived value moderately explains the variance in parents' decisions, supporting the hypothesis that both variables together significantly influence decision-making, with perceived value playing a more dominant role.

The moderating effect of system quality on the relationship between customer satisfaction and purchase intention: PLS-SEM & fsQCA approaches

The study aims to understand the antecedents of customer behaviour that lead to high purchase intention, encompassing moderating role of system quality to achieve purchase intention. Theoretically, this research employs the technology acceptance model to examine the proposed relationship and complexity theory to employ fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) as a robust complementary method to the partial least squares-structural equation model (PLS-SEM). The proposed conceptual model is measured using data gathered from online customers in Bangladesh's electronic market. A survey of 311 e-commerce customers, using PLS-SEM and fsQCA models, reveals that the antecedents of the customer behavioural practices are highly correlated to achieving purchase intention. The findings from PLS-SEM show that perceived enjoyment and perceived ease of use are highly supported by purchase intention. Similarly, system quality influences purchase intention and acts as a moderator. In the fsQCA analysis, hedonic motivation and perceived enjoyment are necessary conditions to achieve a high purchase intention. The hybrid models add the methodological contribution by combining both symmetric and asymmetric relationships, thereby providing a holistic understanding of system quality as a moderating factor to achieve high purchase intention, especially in the context of the e-commerce market in Bangladesh. This research outlines implications for the theoretical and managerial perspectives to build a better relationship between factors of satisfaction and purchase intention and enable policymakers to contribute better managerial decisions.

Investigating patient revisit intention in community health centres: a mediational study

Purpose Community health centres (CHCs) play a vital role in healthcare service delivery in rural India and act as a crucial link between the primary and tertiary healthcare systems. The rural population in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir primarily depends on CHCs for healthcare services due to the scarcity of private healthcare infrastructure and the lack of access to tertiary hospitals. The purpose of this study is to analyse the impact of management capability, staff competence, waiting time and patient satisfaction on revisit intention among patients visiting CHCs for care needs. It further examines the mediational role of patient satisfaction between antecedents of patient satisfaction and revisit intention. Design/methodology/approach A survey by questionnaire was used to collect data from 318 inpatients and outpatients visiting CHCs. Partial least square-structural equation modelling was performed with the help of SmartPLS 3 software to evaluate the causal relationships between variables. Findings The findings of the study ascertain that staff competence and waiting time are strong predictors of patient satisfaction while management capability was reported as an insignificant factor. Patient satisfaction significantly affects revisit intention and successfully mediates the impact of management capability, staff competence and waiting time on revisit intention. Originality/value CHCs play a significant role in bridging the gap between primary healthcare and tertiary healthcare and in delivering healthcare services to the vast rural population in India. This study necessitates the active participation of management to ensure the smooth functioning of CHCs. There is a need to provide adequate staff and necessary infrastructural facilities to reduce the treatment waiting time.

Catalysts of social change and innovation: Mediating role of social self-efficacy and social support on social entrepreneurial intentions

There has been a recent surge in social entrepreneurship to address pressing social problems. Social ventures drive positive change and reshape traditional business norms by providing innovative solutions and fostering inclusive growth. Social entrepreneurial intention (SEI) is crucial to studying social entrepreneurship since it sheds light on the underlying motivations and factors that drive people to engage in social enterprise. The study examines empathy, moral obligation, perceived social support, social self-efficacy, risk-taking motive, and innovativeness as determinants of SEI. Data collected through an online questionnaire from 349 commerce and management students were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results reveal a significant influence of social self-efficacy, perceived social support, risk-taking motive, and innovativeness on SEI. Notably, the results highlight an indirect influence of empathy and moral obligation on SEI mediated by social self-efficacy and perceived social support. The study also reveals how social vision and social proactiveness relate to social self-efficacy. The findings have significant implications for encouraging social entrepreneurship. Policymakers and educators may use these insights to develop specific activities that assist prospective social entrepreneurs by enhancing the attributes that affect their desire to establish social ventures.

Analysis of the Influence of Psychological Empowerment, Relational Psychological Contract, and Pay Satisfaction on Turnover Intention mediated by Work Engagement in Employees

The tendency of generation Z, which is the newest group in the workforce, to leave their jobs is significant both globally and in Indonesia. This research aims to reveal the impact of salary satisfaction, psychological empowerment, and relational psychological contract on turnover intention, with work engagement as a mediator. Using a quantitative research design that adopts a cross-sectional approach, data was obtained from 220 generation Z employees. Data analysis was carried out using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The research results show that there is a direct influence of psychological empowerment on turnover intention, while the relational psychological contract and salary satisfaction do not have a direct influence. Additionally, work engagement was identified as a mediating factor in the relationship between psychological empowerment, relational psychological contract, pay satisfaction, and turnover intention.

Resident Participation in Environmental Governance of Sustainable Tourism in Rural Destination

The rapid development of rural tourism has placed significant pressure on the rural environment, and relying solely on the government and market forces is insufficient for effective governance. It is urgent to integrate endogenous rural forces into environmental governance. The development of social behavior theory offers new insights into exploring sustainable approaches for resident participation in environmental governance in rural tourism areas. This paper, based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) theoretical framework from social behavior theory, outlines the entire process of rural tourism residents transitioning from individual stimuli to psychological responses and ultimately to participation in environmental governance. This study combines the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability (MOA) model to analyze the stimulus factors affecting local residents and jointly constructs a path mechanism model for resident participation in environmental governance in rural tourism areas. A total of 462 valid questionnaires were collected through a survey, and the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method was used for empirical testing to determine the path coefficients between variables. On this basis, a system dynamics model was constructed to simulate the dynamic evolution of the relationships between variables. This study found the following: (1) In the process of rural tourism, residents’ participation in environmental governance relies on motivational factors at the stimulus level to play a core leading role; opportunity factors act as catalysts, and ability factors serve as auxiliaries; participation willingness at the organism level plays a crucial role. (2) Material pursuit and formal institutions are the strongest single sustainable factors for residents’ participation in environmental governance in rural tourism areas; combinations of variables such as local attachment, governance knowledge, and governance identity have significant effects. It is recommended that future rural tourism leverage government guidance, coordinate interests, and adhere to a collaborative development approach to ensure the sustainable development of the rural tourism environment.

Customer satisfaction optimization: Impact of PLN mobile application and price in the context of PT. PLN Palembang services

This study aims to evaluate the effect of the PLN Mobile application and price on customer satisfaction at PT. PLN (Persero) UP3 Palembang ULP Rivai. This study also examines the role of price as a mediating variable in the relationship between the PLN Mobile application and customer satisfaction. The method used in this study is a quantitative approach with data analysis using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Primary data were collected through a survey involving 100 PLN Mobile customer respondents. The results of the analysis show that the PLN Mobile application has a positive and significant effect on customer satisfaction, with a path coefficient of 5.588 and a p-value <0.001. Price also has a significant effect on customer satisfaction with a path coefficient of 4.434 and a p-value <0.001. Furthermore, the indirect effect analysis revealed that price functions as a partial mediating variable between the PLN Mobile application and customer satisfaction, with a path coefficient of 3.513 and a p-value <0.001. These findings indicate that the PLN Mobile application and price directly affect customer satisfaction, and price plays an important role in strengthening the influence of the PLN Mobile application on satisfaction. Based on these results, it is recommended that PT. PLN continues to optimize the features and services of the PLN Mobile application to improve customer satisfaction and consider competitive pricing strategies. This study also suggests further studies to explore other factors that may affect customer satisfaction in the public service sector.

Do consumers’ perceptions of algorithms and trusting beliefs in providers affect perceived structural assurances of AI-powered applications?

This study aims to understand how perceptions of algorithms and trusting beliefs in service providers facilitate consumers’ perceived structural assurance of using commercial AI applications. The present study adopts a combined approach of partial least squares-structural equation modeling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (PLS-SEM-fsQCA) to understand the linear and combined effects of the studied factors on perceived structural assurance with 297 effective responses. The PLS-SEM findings revealed that algorithmic perceptions (i.e., Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency) and trusting beliefs (i.e., Benevolence, Competence, and Integrity) were positively associated with Perceived Structural Assurance. The fsQCA findings indicate four configural solutions of causal conditions that explain Perceived Structural Assurance, and each solution reflects a particular type of consumers who have unique considerations when assessing commercial AI’s structural assurance. This study adds to consumer behavior studies by introducing consumers’ perceptions of algorithms and trusting beliefs in evaluating their structural assurances in commercial AI applications from linear and complexity perspectives.

Big data analytics capabilities and leadership: catalysts of firm performance in telecommunications

PurposeThe proliferation of big data analytics (BDA)-enabled tools and technologies has endowed organizations with the capacity to augment decision-making processes, optimize operational endeavors and foster innovation across diverse business domains. Consequently, BDA has been posited as a catalyst for enhanced customer relationship management, improved risk mitigation strategies and heightened operational efficiencies, all of which converge to augment overall firm performance. Thus, the purpose of this research is to introduce a conceptual framework aimed at explaining the influence of BDA capabilities on the performance of telecommunications firms in Pakistan. Additionally, it examines the potential mediating effect of talent capabilities and moderating effect of top management attitude on firm performance.Design/methodology/approachData from a sample comprising 520 participants were collected via survey questionnaires. The study employed Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling to empirically evaluate the proposed model.FindingsResults reveal a positive association between BDA technology and information capabilities with both BDA talent capabilities and firm performance. Furthermore, the analysis suggests that BDA talent capabilities mediate the relationship between BDA dynamic capabilities and firm performance, while top management attitude acts as a moderator, enhancing the relationship between BDA talent capabilities and firm performance.Originality/valueThere is a scarcity of research that has examined the relationship of BDA capabilities, top management attitude and firm performance. This study attempts to examine their interrelationships. First, it enhances the extant literature by elucidating the mediating role of BDA talent capabilities in the relationship between BDA technology and information capabilities and firm performance. Second, the study introduces a novel dimension by incorporating top management attitude as a moderator variable. This augmentation adds layers of complexity to comprehending BDA implementation dynamics, emphasizing leadership’s role in fostering an enabling environment for effective utilization of BDA capabilities.