FinTech revolution: the impact of management information systems upon relative firm value and risk

The FinTech or ‘financial technology’ revolution has been gaining increasing interest as technologies are fundamentally changing the business of financial services. Consequently, financial technology is playing an increasingly important role in providing relative performance growth to firms. It is also well known that such relative performance can be observed through pairs trading investment. Therefore pairs trading have implications for understanding financial technology performance, yet the relationships between relative firm value and financial technology are not well understood. In this paper we investigate the impact of financial technology upon relative firm value in the banking sector. Firstly, using pairs trade data we show that financial technologies reveal differences in relative operational performance of firms, providing insight on the value of financial technologies. Secondly, we find that contribution of relative firm value growth from financial technologies is dependent on the specific business characteristics of the technology, such as the business application and activity type. Finally, we show that financial technologies impact the operational risk of firms and so firms need to take into account both the value and risk benefits in implementing new technological innovations. This paper will be of interest to academics and industry professionals

An Empirical Examination of Factors Affecting Continuance Intention Towards Social Networking Sites

Part 3: Adoption and DiffusionInternational audienceThis study examines the factors that affect consumer continuance intention to use social networking sites as a business tool. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the theoretical framework, the researcher tested the research model and related hypotheses using structural equation modelling. The results from a survey of 304 Facebook users in Saudi Arabia indicate that trust, perceived usefulness, and perceived enjoyment had significant positive effects on behavioural intention to continue to use social networking sites. Furthermore, perceived ease of use was found to have a significant positive effect on perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, and trust. Discussion of the findings and research contribution as well as limitations and future research directions are presented

Developing technologically induced environments:The case of the Nigerian banking sector

This paper addresses issues regarding prevalent values and themes in technologically induced environments in terms of planning, development, and implementation. Emerging themes (efficiency, usability, control, and security) are debated and developed in relation to underpinning values (quality, education, and reach/concern) which provide a comprehension of technological adoption in the developing economy of Nigeria. In addition, problems relating to new product development, innovation processes, synthesising marketing technologies, and strategic planning are investigated and explored. Discussion on technological adoption and use produces diverse perspectives and interpretations, which consequently prompts questions on its nature and understanding in developing societies. Assessing life-world perspectives and interpretations through phenomenological hermeneutics and consumer and communication models this study examines levels of technologically induced customer services in the banking services sector from a Nigerian perspective

Garnering an In-depth Understanding of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Chennai, India: A Qualitative Analysis of Sexual Minority Status and Psychological Distress

Men who have sex with men (MSM) in India are a hidden and largely understudied population, and havean HIV prevalence 17 times higher than that of the general Indian population. Experiences of social marginalization and negative psychosocial conditions occur concurrent to HIV risk among Indian MSM. To better understand the contextual variables driving HIV risk and inform intervention development, five focus groups (n = 46) and nine key informant interviews were conducted with 55 MSM in Chennai in 2010. NVivo software was used to code the transcripts, and data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis methodology. Participants described sources of psychological distress and low self-worth related to gender non-conformity and sexual minority status. These included stigma from society, pressure to marry, lack of familial acceptance, childhood sexual abuse, and the imperative to keep sexual minority status a secret. Participants' personal evaluations revealed that self-acceptance may be an important resilience factor that can shield these psychosocial and HIV risk factors. In promoting health-seeking behavioral changes for Indian MSM at an individual level, our findings point to the potential strength of strategies that focus on self-acceptance of one's sexual minority identity to foster better psychosocial and overall health