Squares-structural Equation Research Articles

Brand attributes, corporate brand image and customer loyalty of Islamic banks in Malaysia

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to empirically examine the antecedents and consequences of corporate brand image in the context of Islamic banks in Malaysia. The antecedents of corporate brand image are divided into three categories which are functional brand attribute, emotional brand attribute and spiritual brand attribute. The consequence of corporate brand image on the other hand is loyalty.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered survey was used to collect data from experienced Islamic banking customers. A total of 281 questionnaires were analysed using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling.FindingsThis study found a significant relationship between some aspects of the brand attributes and corporate brand image. Corporate brand image, in turn, influences customer loyalty.Research limitations/implicationsThese findings contribute to the understanding that in the context of Islamic banks, the corporate brand image is not only influenced by the functional and emotional aspects, but also the spiritual aspect especially factors related to beliefs. Practically, this study provides insight to the management on the aspects valued by customers in regards to their bank, which could be used to guide Islamic bank positioning strategy.Originality/valueThe concept of corporate brand image has been explored from the perspective of functional and emotional aspects only. This study offers a new attribute influencing corporate brand image in the Islamic banking context, which is the spiritual brand attribute.

Predicting turnover intention of indonesian millennials workforce in the manufacturing industry: a PLS-SEM approach

PurposeThis study aims to assess the factors that can affect the turnover intention of millennial talents working in the Indonesian manufacturing industry.Design/methodology/approachThis work analyzes 115 responses from millennial talents working in the Indonesian manufacturing industry on the issue of turnover intention. Data were collected through an online questionnaire. The collected data were then tested using partial least square-structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings suggest that competency development, work–life balance and meaningful work have a direct impact on the employee satisfaction of millennials in the Indonesian manufacturing industry. However, compensation and benefits have no significant effect on job satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has limitations in data collection, concentrated merely in the Jakarta Greater Area. Hence, it would potentially influence the generalization of the results.Originality/valueThis study reveals the potential lack of awareness within Indonesian manufacturing companies in providing a valuable compensation and benefits program for millennials.

Does online assessments support of students in higher education? The moderating role of IT experience

PurposeThe advancement of technology in the last decades transformed the education from mortar and brick into online teaching and learning. It also changed the assessments from paper-based to technology-supported assessments. This study aims to examine how technology support student's online assessments in higher education institutions from diverse background.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 411 undergraduates in both public and private universities in Malaysia and analysed using partial least square-structural equation modelling.FindingsThe findings implied that performance expectancy and resources-facilitating conditions have a positive significant relationship with behavioural intention. IT experience moderates the relationship between effort expectancy, social influence and behaviour intention to use online assessment.Originality/valueThis study offered new insights into the intention to use online assessment among diverse student's background.

Factors Affecting Consumers’ Intention to Use Mobile Ride Hailing Services in Developing Countries

Sharing economy services are growing very quickly, including with successful implementations such as mobile ridehailing services, where by consumers and drivers can coordinate to share rides. This research investigates factors that are affecting consumers’ intention to use mobile ridehailing services in developing countries. The research data was collected in June 2021 from Jordanian consumers using an online questionnaire. The collected data was then analyzed to verify the research hypothesizes using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The empirical findings indicate that personalized benefits positively attract consumers to use mobile ridehailing applications. The findings also show that consumers’ privacy concerns negatively affect consumers’ intention to use mobile ridehailing applications. Moreover, the findings also show that the role of laws and regulations is significant in such contexts as it decreases the negative interaction between privacy concerns and consumers’ intention to use ridehailing applications. Accordingly, this research suggests that ridehailing practitioners should focus on providing more convienent services and at the same time governments and policy makers should provide protective legislations to overcome user’s privacy concerns.

Innovation and corporate social responsibility during the Covid-19 in Ardakan (Iran)

PurposeIn developed countries, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an important element for firms, as CSR strategies enhance their competitiveness and corporate reputation, has CSR the same role in the emergent countries? To answer this question, the authors build a conceptual framework and focus their research on Iran's context with the aim to find an answer to the following research question: does CSR influence innovation processes and how much is it increasingly a cultural value in the same level of competitive ones? Therefore the purpose of this research is to study the role of CSR in firms operating in emergent countriesDesign/methodology/approachIn the pandemic era, CSR could be considered not what you do with your money once you have made it but how you make your money safeguarding environmental resources and answering community needs, in collaboration with other social and economic agents. While investigating CSR, we have to take into account the fact that different countries have different priorities and values that shape the way business operates.FindingsTo reach this aim, the authors carried out the research during the pandemic period, between September 2021 and December 2021, on almost 500 small and medium enterprises operating in Ardakan area in Iran, a simple random sample was surveyed by partial least squares-structural equation modelling.Originality/valueGiven the lack of empirical studies on the considered country, this research has attempted to determine the impact of CSR practices on innovation and, simultaneously, to check the effect of innovation on CSR practices, in order to test empirically whether there is a bidirectional relationship. Furthermore, the study reveals the importance of integrating social and economic stakeholders’ requirements and expectations about environmental and social concerns within a country in which the specific norms’ presence is weak.

Strategi Promosi melalui Media Sosial dan Electronic Word of Mouth untuk Komunikasi Konsumen

This study discusses issues related to purchasing decisions. The research focused on the social networking community on social media facebook with a sampling technique using non-probability sampling. The method used in this research is Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis with Smart-PLS version 3.3.5 software support. The results of the study conclude that promotional strategies through social media have a positive influence on purchasing decisions. Promotional strategies through social media have a positive influence on electronic word of mouth. Electronic word of mouth has a positive influence on purchasing decisions. Electronic word of mouth mediates the effect of promotional strategies through social media on purchasing decisions. The practical implication of this research is that companies in the organic agricultural sector, especially organic rice products, are recommended to carry out promotional strategies through social media because this strategy is one of the most effective and appropriate tools in marketing, so that electronic word-of-mouth marketing will be formed, which ultimately has an impact on purchasing decisions.

Predictors of the Behavioral Intention to Participate in Saiga Antelope Conservation among Chinese Young Residents

Promoting public participation is a practical move to strengthen wildlife conservation. This study focuses on saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica), an endangered species which has received international concern. Based on an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behavior and a sample of 536 Chinese residents aged 16–40 collected through an online survey, we applied Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling to explore the predictors of the behavioral intention to participate in saiga antelope conservation. The results show that perceived behavioral control is the most influential predictor that contributes to the value of the behavioral intention, followed by injunctive norm, attitude to participation, knowledge of saiga antelope, experience of wildlife conservation, and attitude to saiga antelope, altogether explaining 48.4% of the variance of the behavioral intention. To promote public participation in saiga antelope conservation, strengthening science popularization and broadening the channels of participation are suggested.

The moderating effect of corporate social responsibility between green human resource management and organizations’ environmental performance

Considering the fact that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is widely recognized for its positive impact on environmental performance, little research exists on its effect on the relationship between Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) and an Organization’s Environmental Performance (OEP). This study investigates how CSR affects GHRM and the OEP, along with its moderating effect. Data was collected from the Malaysian manufacturing industry and subsequently analyzed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results revealed that GHRM and CSR positively and significantly affect the OEP. The study also revealed that CSR strengthens the existing relationship between GHRM and the OEP. Therefore, this study contributes to the existing literature by providing new scholarly evidence on the moderating effect of CSR on the GHRM-OEP nexus. The findings provide policymakers and the management of the manufacturing industry in Malaysia with fresh insights into the formulation of effective policies to promote CSR and GHRM practices within organizations.

The Adoption of Mobile Banking Services in Jordanian Banks and Factors Affecting the Customers

There are several factors that impact a customer's decision to accept a mobile banking (m-banking) service in Jordan. UTAUT was used as a theoretical framework for this study, which was conducted using a quantitative approach. Using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method, a theoretical model was developed and tested. Also, connection and numerous direct relapse investigations were performed to evaluate the attack of yields of this model with the outcomes got from the overview. It was tracked down that a person's expectation to embrace m-banking administrations in Jordan is altogether affected by a few factors whose impacts decline in the request: individual imaginativeness, working with conditions, social impact, exertion hope, and execution anticipation. The consequences of this examination are relied upon to add to an inside and out comprehension of what segment and different variables mean for the reception of m-banking administrations in non-industrial nations and assume a basic part in working fair and square of their reception.

BITCOIN INVESTMENT DURING COVID-19: THE CRITICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING ITS ADOPTION

Bitcoin was the first virtual currency to be created in 2009 as a decentralized digital currency that could be transferred from one user to another over the peer-to-peer bitcoin network without the use of intermediaries such as banks and other financial institutions. In terms of finance, governments and other experts are concerned that Bitcoin can be used to avoid currency restrictions, for money manipulation, or criminal activities, and that it may be risky for investors due to the absence of regulations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing Bitcoin investment adoption in Covid-19, examine the mediating factors influencing Bitcoin investment adoption in Covid-19, and propose a model of influencing Bitcoin investment adoption in Covid-19. Therefore, a methodological method was employed to accomplish these aims. The theory adopted is the theory of planned behaviour. Purposive sampling was used as the sampling method for the study. A total of 101 full responses were obtained to the web-based questionnaire. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM 3) is utilized to analyze the study's findings. Perceived Behavior Control and Perceived Lack of Alternatives were found to have a favourable association with Intention to Invest in Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Perceived External Pressure has the reverse result, having a marginal influence on the Decision to Invest in Bitcoin. Surprisingly, Perceived Lack of Alternative completely mediates the interaction between Perceived External Pressure and Desire to Invest in Bitcoin. It is anticipated that this analysis would have a clearer picture of Investors' and Consumers' Action on Investing in Bitcoin During Covid-19.

Psychometric Properties of Self-Regulated Learning Strategies in Learning English Grammar and English Grammar Self-Efficacy Scales

The study reports on the psychometric properties of instruments that can measure EFL students’ self-regulated learning strategy use and English grammar self-efficacy and examines the relationship between these two constructs. 350 male and 432 female students, aged between 16 and 17, from two high schools in Vietnam participated in the survey. The participants answered the Questionnaire of Self-Regulated Learning Strategies in Learning English Grammar (QSRLSLEG), and the Questionnaire of English Grammar Self-Efficacy (QEGSE). The disjoint two-stage approach for Partial Least Square-Structural Equation was used to analyze the data. The results showed that the 24-item QSRLSLEG and 8-item QEGSE have face, content, and construct validity and reliability. A moderate relationship between SRL strategies in English grammar learning and English grammar SE was found. Both instruments are reliable and valid assessment tools, providing useful information for researchers and English teachers to investigate important aspects of students’ self-regulation in learning English grammar.

Consuming Halal Products: The Dynamics of Trustworthiness, Self-Efficacy and Purchase Intention

This study aims to investigate the factors that affect the purchasing intention of halal products among Malaysian Muslim consumers in East Malaysia. In specific, this study will examine the relationship between trustworthiness, self- efficacy, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavior control, and purchase intention. Data of this study were collected from 142 consumers from East Malaysia who consume Halal products by using an online questionnaire survey. The data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. This study found that the intention to purchase halal products was influenced by attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. Besides, it was found that determinants such as self-efficacy, and trustworthiness have a significant positive impact on attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. This study helps marketers and producer to understand the factors that influence East Malaysia consumers to purchase Halal products. Hence, the findings will enhance the marketing strategy on any promotional material that relates to Halal products according to appropriate Halal guidelines.

Internal and External Factors Influencing Millennials’ Sharing Behaviour of Online Video Advertisements

This study aimed to uncover the internal and external factors driving Millennial consumers to engage in Online Video Advertisements (OVAs) sharing. Underpinned by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the internal factors tested in this study were attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. The external factors predicted to influence consumers’ intention and actual sharing behaviour of OVAs were company reputation, brand awareness, and celebrity endorsement were underpinned by Stimulus Organism Response Model (S-O-R). The study included perceived intrusiveness as a moderator between the aforementioned antecedents and the sharing behaviour of OVAs. A total of 220 Millennial respondents was collected in Selangor, Malaysia. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis showed that attitude and subjective norms significantly predict consumers’ intention to share OVAs. In terms of external antecedents, only celebrity endorsements were found to positively influence the sharing intention of OVAs. The study also revealed that perceived intrusiveness negatively moderates the effects of attitude and social norms on the intention to share OVAs.

Students’ behavioural intention towards e-learning practices through augmented reality app during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT This study investigates students’ behavioural intention towards e-learning practices through the augmented reality app during the COVID-19 pandemic. It extends the literature on the effectiveness of e-learning through the augmented reality app by investigating the students’ social, personal, emotional, and cognitive roles in their behavioural intention towards e-learning in Saudi Arabian higher education institutions. For this study, convenience sampling was used to collect data from 152 graduate and postgraduate students from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. For data analysis, the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling method was applied to investigate the proposed hypotheses’ path modelling. Furthermore, the proposed model for students’ behavioural intention towards e-learning through augmented reality was tested using the social cognitive theory dimensions. It was discovered that personal, social, and emotional factors positively impact the students’ cognitive engagement and behavioural intention towards e-learning. Moreover, the results revealed that the personal, social, and emotional factors affect the behavioural intention of the students towards e-learning through the mediating effect of cognitive engagement. The findings of this study indicated that the students were motivated to learn through the augmented reality app. Thus, educational institutions should upgrade their e-learning practices from traditional to advanced learning techniques such as augmented reality.

The mediating role of employee commitment between quality of work-life and job performance of the faculty

PurposeThis study aims to examine the mediating role of employee commitment between the quality of work-life (QWL) and job performance among the faculty of technical institutions established in the province of Punjab (India).Design/methodology/approachThe data collected from 434 faculty members with a response rate of 72% is analyzed and the mediation effect of employee commitment between the QWL and job performance of the faculty is modeled through partial least square-structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results indicate that employee commitment partially mediates between QWL and job performance. To strengthen the result, mediation of employee commitment is also tested for each dimension of the QWL with job performance. All the factors of QWL also supported a partial mediation effect.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study may help the policymakers to understand, frame and implement appropriate policies for improving the work-life quality and commitment among the faculty. This may further assist in augmenting the overall performance of the faculty amidst a crisis in the sector.Originality/valueThe study highlights the role of employee commitment as a mediator between the QWL and job performance of the faculty in the technical education sector which is one of its kind and possibly not yet explored. Besides, the study proposes some measures in improving the work-life quality and job performance of the faculty.

THE ROLE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING INFORMATION IN IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA DURING THE INTENSITY OF MARKET COMPETITION

This study aims to understand the impact of the intensity of market competition on the performance of the manufacturing industry in Malaysia. It also examines how management accounting information mediates the relationship between the intensity of market competition and the performance of the manufacturing industry in Malaysia. This study focuses on the manufacturing industry in Malaysia. Data consists of 74 electrical and electronics manufacturing companies that are listed in the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) directory. The analysis is conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Partial Least Square-Structural Equation (PLS-SEM). The findings suggest that the intensity of market competition is related positively to the performance of the manufacturing industry in Malaysia. Also, management accounting information plays a mediating role between the intensity of market competition and the performance of the manufacturing industry in Malaysia. This study contributes to the management accounting literature by expanding the understanding of using management accounting information in improving the performance of the manufacturing industry in Malaysia during the intensity of market competition. Also, the findings of this study give empirical evidence to the practitioners that the intensity of market competition positively influenced organizational performance, and that the use of management accounting information supports managers to improve organizational performance.

How do innovation and financial reporting influence public sector performance in a transition market?

PurposeDrawing on new public management (NPM) theory and institutional theory, this research examined the direct and indirect effects of an innovation-oriented culture on organisational performance as measured based on financial reporting quality and accountability. The investigation involved public organisations in Vietnam, which is a transition market.Design/methodology/approachA survey was administered to accountants and finance managers working in the public sector, and 248 valid questionnaires were subjected to analysis. The research model and hypotheses were tested via partial least squares-structural equation modelling.FindingsResults indicated that an innovation-oriented culture favourably affects the performance of public sector organisations. The quality of financial reporting and accountability mediate the relationship between the aforementioned culture and performance.Originality/valueThis study is the first to examine the chain of activities that spans innovation, financial reporting quality, accountability and organisational performance in the context of public sector organisations in an Asian transition market.

BARRIER FACTORS AFFECTING DEVELOPMENT OF INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEM PROJECTS

This paper identifies potential barrier factors affecting effectiveness and development (ED) of ITS projects as well as criteria for measuring ED of ITS projects in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The study discovers the barrier constructs, and analyzes data using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling method (PLS-SEM). The results provides a general and comprehensive overview of the main issues of ITS, and identifies 28 barrier factors with five main constructs affecting ED of ITS projects, namely the lack of undivided attention from the government (AG), financial constraints for ITS (FC), inadequate transport infrastructure (ITI), the over-development of urbanization (ODU), and the readiness and integration for ITS (RI). This paper fill the knowledge gap by discovering the causal relationships between barrier constructs and ED of ITS projects in Vietnam. Also it proposes several solutions for these issues, which are also a useful measurement tool for government agencies, planners, and traffic system designers to help them self-assess and make action plans now or in the near future.

An integrative model of patients\u2019 perceived value of healthcare service quality in North Cyprus

BackgroundImproving healthcare quality has become an essential objective for all health institutions worldwide to address the need to improve services, manage costs and satisfy patient expectations about the quality of care. As health is one of the leading service sectors of the North Cyprus economy, analysing patients’ perceived value of healthcare service quality is crucial. In this research, a comparative analysis of existing models revealed affordability, acceptability and accessibility as the leading modern service quality indicators affecting patients’ perceived value of healthcare service quality. The quality of services is a leading factor impacting business competition and retention dictated by the current market. This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence patient perceptions of healthcare service quality in North Cyprus.MethodsA self-administered questionnaire was carried out among 388 patients of public and private hospitals in North Cyprus, and the data were analysed using partial least squares-structural equation modelling.ResultsEmpirical results highlight that the acceptability of healthcare services is a prerequisite for perceiving a high value of service quality. The affordability and accessibility of services, respectively, were less effective. Results concerning mediating effects confirm that acceptability could fully mediate the relationship between affordability and perceived value and could partially mediate the impact of accessibility on the perceived quality of healthcare services.ConclusionThis study contributes to healthcare theory and practice by developing a conceptual framework to provide policymakers and managers with a practical understanding of factors that affect healthcare service quality.

Entrepreneurial orientation and performance of SMEs: the roles of marketing capabilities and social media usage

PurposeSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are an important contributor to emerging countries’ economic growth. However, SMEs have been struggling to sustain their performance in a highly competitive environment. Thus, this study aims to re-examine the effect of SMEs’ entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on firms’ performance during the COVID-19. This study has also studied the moderating role of social media usage and the mediating role of marketing capabilities and social media usage.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a structured questionnaire for data collection, where the unit of analysis was the manager or owner of SMEs. The data were analyzed using partial least square-structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings show that an EO has a significant and positive effect on an SME’s performance, but the outcomes are conditional on the role of social media and marketing capabilities. The empirical results reveal that marketing capabilities significantly mediate the relationship between EO and SME performance. In addition, social media usage moderates the relationship between EO and SME performance and it also partially mediates the EO-performance nexus of SMEs. Finally, this study discovers that the EO-Performance nexus of SMEs is serially mediated by social media usage and marketing capabilities.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has important implications for SMEs that are seeking to gain a competitive advantage. For example, an SME should deploy market activities through social media channels. In situations such as a pandemic and uncertainty, this could be the most effective tool.Originality/valueThis study builds a theory-based mediation-moderation model to explain the link between EO and SME performance. In explaining mediation-moderation effects, the current study provides insight into EO-performance relationships. Moreover, the current model facilitates exploring whether serial mediation passes through social media usage and market capabilities. Therefore, with new findings, the study extends the literature on serial mediation in the EO-performance of SMEs. Additionally, this study extends the literature on the moderating role of social media on SMEs in Indonesia, which has not been investigated. Besides, the current study adds new insight into the EO-performance of SME in COVID-19 condition.