User Acceptance of Metaverse: Insights from Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Planned Behavior Theory (PBT)

Many innovations have entered human life with the rapid development of technology and its widespread use. The adaptation process of people to these innovations is very important in terms of efficiency and sustainability. In this research, the factors affecting the acceptance of metaverse technology, which is one of the most important innovations encountered in the last period, were examined. In this context, metaverse technology was analyzed with structural equation modeling (SEM) within the scope of PBT and TAM. For analysis, the Smart PLS 3 software was used. According to the hypothesis results, a significant positive correlation was found between PU, PEOU, AT, and Intention. In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between SN and AT, and PBC. It has been analyzed that the factors affecting the metaverse usage intention of the individuals participating in the research are parallel to the literature. When we assume that the usage area of metaverse technology will become widespread in the future, it is very important to expand the studies in this field in detail

Investigation of Ethnocentrism Effect on Turkish Textile Image and Consumer Purchase Intention: Isfahan and Tabriz Cities as a Case Study

Cultural factors such as ethnocentrism and cultural stereotypes also play a prominent role in consumers' perceptions of brands. This paper examines the impact of ethnocentrism on the image of Turkish textiles and the purchase intention of these goods among Isfahan and Tabriz citizens. The population of this research is residents of Isfahan and Tabriz cities. This study's hypotheses are examined using structural equation modelling through PLS software. The results showed that ethnocentrism has a significant relationship with the product image, but these results were inconsistent in Isfahan and Tabriz cities. On the other hand, the relationship between ethnocentrism and the cognitive image was confirmed. However, the result was not approved for the affective image in both cities either.

Real-Estate Entrepreneurship from Baumol's Productive and Unproductive Typology: A Contestable Markets Approach

The role of innovation in economic development has long been a topic of discussion among economists. Despite that, the economic pay-off mechanisms which support or hinder innovative entrepreneurial acts, particularly in the emerging economy context are significantly underexplored in academic studies. In this study, we aim to fill this important gap in the literature by taking Baumol’s contestable markets theory and the typology of productive and unproductive entrepreneurship. As Baumol has advocated, the economies that offer higher pay-offs to productive entrepreneurial acts are more likely to thrive mainly due to the increased capacity of economic growth, while developing and poor economies struggle. In this study, we posit that in the developing and emerging market contexts, formal policies are claimed to prioritize the production of more innovative and productive start-ups and a climate that supports and fosters productive entrepreneurial acts. Despite that, there are still major administrative, social and cultural barriers towards creation of innovative start-ups and a productive entrepreneurship ecosystem. Here, continuing political, economic and social support towards unproductive entrepreneurship acts, in particular real-estate entrepreneurship emerges as one of the main factors that hinder the flow of funds towards innovation and technology. We thus argue that, being unable to balance the role of these unproductive entrepreneurial acts with productive ones in economy significantly deteriorates the sustainable economic growth and a high standard of living in emerging and developing economy contexts. In the implications section, several precautions and support mechanisms for overcoming the barriers towards productive entrepreneurship are presented and discussed

The Effect of Regulations on Stock Market Risk (Volatility) in Nigeria

Recent regulations are directed at mitigating financial market risk, because risks, especially volatility dampen investors’ confidence, and hinder firms’ ability to raise funds at the exchange. Though, volatility had been investigated in the past, the joint utilization of micro and macro regulatory tools to address it after the global crisis is rare. It is on this backdrop that this study investigates the effect of regulations on stock market risk (volatility) in Nigeria. Thirteen interest charging banks listed in the Nigerian Exchange Limited for the period of 2010-2020 were investigated, because bank stocks are mostly traded at the exchange. Data for this study were collected from the banks’ annual reports, stock exchange official daily price lists as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin various issues. The first difference generalized method of moments (DGMM) and the dynamic model were engaged in the investigation. Results of this study reveal that regulatory liquidity ratio and monetary policy rate positively and significantly impact stock market risk (volatility), while prescribe cash reserve ratio has negative and significant effects. The implication of this finding is that regulations except cash reserve instruments constitute frictions impacting equity market risk. Therefore, it is recommended that caution is exercised in the use of micro and macro regulatory weapons. Otherwise, investors’ confidence will decline and investments will reduce

Cultural and Attitudinal Tenets of Ghanaians on Insurance Service: An Empirical Study

This study compared the cultural and attitudinal tenets of Ghanaians towards insurance service in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. The research utilized the convenience sampling to gather data from 291 respondents. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used and the relationship between the demographic variables and the actual variables was examined. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) statistical technique using smart Partial Least Square (PLS) 3.0 was also used to assess the study's hypothesized relationships. It was observed that a significant relationship existed between attitudinal trends and awareness, attitudinal trends and perception, attitudinal trends and purchase intention, awareness and purchase intention, cultural trends and awareness, cultural trends and purchase intention. Conversely, a significant relationship did not exist between cultural trends and perception, as well as perception and purchase intention. The study revealed that attitudinal trends have a greater effect on awareness, perception, and purchase intention than cultural trends, while awareness has the strongest relationship with purchase intention but perception has the weakest relationship with purchase intention. These findings may help to bring about social change by raising awareness of the importance of life insurance in the socioeconomic development of individuals, families, organizations, and communities, resulting in insurance coverage and the reduction of poverty in Ghana. Insurance practitioners who want to increase insurance penetration for business and sustainability can find the study useful.This study compared the cultural and attitudinal tenets of Ghanaians towards insurance service in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. The research utilized the convenience sampling to gather data from 291 respondents. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used and the relationship between the demographic variables and the actual variables was examined. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) statistical technique using smart Partial Least Square (PLS) 3.0 was also used to assess the study's hypothesized relationships. It was observed that a significant relationship existed between attitudinal trends and awareness, attitudinal trends and perception, attitudinal trends and purchase intention, awareness and purchase intention, cultural trends and awareness, cultural trends and purchase intention. Conversely, a significant relationship did not exist between cultural trends and perception, as well as perception and purchase intention. The study revealed that attitudinal trends have a greater effect on awareness, perception, and purchase intention than cultural trends, while awareness has the strongest relationship with purchase intention but perception has the weakest relationship with purchase intention. These findings may help to bring about social change by raising awareness of the importance of life insurance in the socioeconomic development of individuals, families, organizations, and communities, resulting in insurance coverage and the reduction of poverty in Ghana. Insurance practitioners who want to increase insurance penetration for business and sustainability can find the study useful

Effects of Changes in Financial Ratios of Companies on the Performance of Stock Prices in the Exchange Market: The Automotive Sector

By examining the relationship between financial ratios of companies and stock prices, this study investigates whether changes in the financial ratios of companies affect stock prices. Twelve financial ratios were used as independent variables and stock price was used as the dependent variable. The study was conducted via panel data analysis method with data from seven automotive companies traded in Borsa İstanbul (BIST) and six automotive companies traded in stock markets of Germany, the USA, and Sweden for the period of 2007Q1-2018Q4. For automotive companies traded in BIST, stock price is affected by liquidity ratios, financial structure ratios, and activity ratios but there is no statistically significant relationship between stock price and profitability ratios. On the other hand, for the automotive companies traded in stock exchanges in other countries, stock price is seen to be affected by liquidity ratios, financial structure ratios, activity ratios, and profitability ratios

Paint Marketing and Factors Affecting the Consumers’ Paint Purchase Preference from the Viewpoint of Paint Industry Members in Turkey

The aim of this research was to examine the consumers' preference of paint purchase from the viewpoint of individuals employed in the Turkish paint industry. It was aimed to reach at least 278 individuals with a sampling error of 5%. Within this scope, 350 questionnaire forms were distributed and 330 were received back in the year of 2017. Since 4 of the returned questionnaires had a missing question, study was conducted with 326 questionnaires. The questionnaire form was used as the data collection tool. It included 5 questions about demographic characteristics, 17 questions concerning purchasing and using behaviors, and 29 questions regarding consumers' preferences of paints. Data analysis of the study was done using the SPSS 16 package program. Through the analysis of data, descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard error were presented. In addition, t test and ANOVA test were applied to test the relationship among variables. Based on research findings, the most important factors for the preference of paint purchase in Turkey were determined as the aging of existing wall painting, marriage and cleaning issues. Moreover, it was found out that the experiences of consumers were also effective for the paint purchase decision and preference. Within the scope of the study, it was determined that elder individuals, married and high income people were influenced by many factors in their preference for painting. On the other hand; young, single and low-income individuals were considering less factors in their paint preferences. In addition, it was detected that men were considering properties (features) such as the price and quality more than women in their purchasing preferences. Furthermore, the most important factor affecting the purchasing choice of consumers was determined as previous knowledge and experience. It was also found out that consumers did not frequently conduct market research before choosing the paint. Educational status of individuals was not an effective factor concerning paint preferences

Customer Based Performance of the Hotel Industry: Analysis of Service Package and Brand Innovations

This study aims to examine the influence of service package and brand innovation on customer relational performance and customer profit performance of the hotel industry. Data were collected from 112 hotel operators. PLS-SEM was used to derive the path coefficient (β) and t statistics to determine the path relationship between service packages, brand innovation, customer based relational performance and customer based profit performance. This study shows that both service package and brand innovation have influence on both customer relational performance and customer profit performance. Brand innovation does not moderate the relationship between service package and customer relational performance of the hotel industry. The study findings may not be generalizable to other categories of the restaurant industry because of the relatively small sample size and the respondents selected from limited geographical area. The findings, however, will help hotel operators to implement critical packaging operations of the hotel services and improved brand innovations to elicit higher customers’ based performance. Unlike the previous studies on marketing performance, this study examines the combined effect of service package and brand innovation on customer based relational performance and customer based profit performance of the hotels

Evaluation of Gender Equality Criteria Related to Social Sustainability in Ports

Ports are developing sustainability frameworks in order to cope with latest requirements from the stakeholders. Economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainability are the three pillars of the topic. Although economic and environmental aspects of sustainability in ports are widely researched in the literature, the social dimension of gender equality research is scarce. To fill the gap, it is important to identify the most important efforts for improving gender equality in ports. The aim of this study is to evaluate the gender equality criterias by port executives in terms of social sustainability. For this purpose, one of the Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods, Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) was used to evaluate the priority weights of five criterias in Turkey.  The results show that recruitment policy is the most important criteria in the field. Therefore, some suggestions are made to port industry to become more socially sustainable by minimizing the gender gap

Interest-Free Finance Model by Using Blockchain-Based Company Tokens: Research on Digital Turkish Lira (DTL) and Borsa Istanbul with Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)

Since technology benefits people in many areas, its effectiveness is increasing day by day. For this reason, many products and services have been digitized and made available to people. Especially in the last period, with the development of blockchain technology, there has been a significant change in the financial sector. Blockchain technology, which offers a decentralized transaction network, has contributed significantly to the development of digital currencies. In this context, the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) started to work on Digital Turkish Lira (DTL) in 2021. In this context, it will enable the company tokens, which are proposed to be issued as a sub-unit of DTL, which is planned to use blockchain technology in its infrastructure, to be used in the financing of businesses, while also allowing investors to invest in Turkish Lira assets. In the research, it has been suggested that the company tokens to be issued under DTL can be traded on the Borsa Istanbul (BIST) and invested, as well as the relevant tokens can be traded. The proposed model has been examined within the scope of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which is frequently used in the research of technological innovations. The analysis process of the research was carried out with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The analysis of the research was carried out with the Smartpls 3 package program. Hypotheses H3, H5, and H8 were rejected and other hypotheses were accepted. When the results of the research were analyzed, it was determined that the factors affecting the intention to use the proposed company tokens were parallel to the literature. As a result of the analysis, it has been reached that the attitude and intention towards the use of company tokens in the proposed model are positive