How robust is the UTAUT theory in explaining the usage intention of e-government services in an unstable security context?: A study in Iraq

This study aimed to examine the robustness of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) theory in explaining the usage of electronic government services in an unstable security context. In addition, it attempts to investigate the extent to which usage behaviour could create continued usage intention among the citizen's. The data were collected from employees in public universities in Iraq employing a survey questionnaire. Out of 700 questionnaires distributed, 436 usable questionnaires were returned. The partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the validity and reliability of the model and to examine the hypothesised relationships. The findings of the study confirmed the robustness of UTAUT theory and its validity in explaining behaviour in an unstable security context. In addition to examine how robust is the UTAUT theory in examining the behaviour in using electronic government eG services, it also extends the UTAUT model to examine future continued usage of the eG services and how UTAUT variables could shape this behavioural intention. - 2019 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.Scopu

The mediating role of affective commitment between corporate social responsibility and eWOM in the hospitality industry

Although previous research establishes customer reactions to companies' corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions, little is known about the effect of CSR on customers’ affective commitment and their positive electronic word of mouth (eWOM). This study examines i) which perceptions of the three CSR activities (environment, society, and stakeholders) influence customers’ affective commitment and positive eWOM, and ii) the mediating effects of affective commitment on the relationships between CSR activities and eWOM. A self- administered survey was conducted on hotel customers in Malaysia and the data was analysed using structural equation modelling (CB-SEM). The results revealed that environment-related CSR and stakeholder related CSR have significant and direct impacts on customers’ eWOM, and demonstrated the mediating role of affective commitment between the three activities of CSR and eWOM. The findings can be interpreted using social exchange theory, and provide valuable insights regarding how CSR dimensions and affective commitment are related to customers’ positive eWOM in the hotel industry. Hoteliers shall benefit from understanding how specific CSR activities can enhance customers’ affective commitment, leading to positive eWOM.Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library

The effect of total quality management, enterprise resource planning and the entrepreneurial orientation on the organizational performance: The mediating role of the organizational excellence --- A proposed research framework

Organizational performance and organizational excellence are the main two focuses of the management of any organization.In fact, the resources of an organization, either tangible or intangible, can distinguish the level of performance of one organization from its rivals. The question always is what are the key success factors that can enhance the organizational strategy implementation initiatives to produce value and create the competitive advantage. In today’s changing business environment, improvement and development of internal resources are very crucial to compete externally and globally. This paper aims to review the literature related to the organizational performance and explains the potential effects of TQM, ERP and EO.Given that not all the strategy implementation initiatives are fruitful, this paper attempted to establish an explanation of the mechanism through which such strategies can enhance the overall organizational performance.Based on a thorough review of the extant literature and the theoretical foundation, a research model was proposed.The proposed model is grounded by the fact that only excellent, innovative and differentiated companies and products can excite the customers and succeed in a turbulent business environment

The effect of board of directors characteristics, audit committee characteristics and executive committee characteristics on firm performance in Oman: An empirical study

This study is an attempt to achieve the main objective by examining the association between the board of director’s characteristics, audit committee characteristics and the executive committee characteristics and the performance of the Oman companies.This study used many assumptions to test the relationship between independent variables and dependent variable as discussed in the section explaining the study method.The data comprised of 162 non-financial companies because financial and non-financial companies employ different methods and they have different structures.As this study attempts to bridge the gap in the existing literature by investigating the association between corporate governance mechanisms and firm performance in the emerging market of Oman, it focuses on adding new important variables of corporate governance mechanisms like board change, the role of secretary on the board, the legal counsel and the executive committee characteristics that improve firm performance.The findings indicated a significantly positive relationship between board size, board meeting, audit committee independence and executive committee independence, and the Tobin`s Q. On the other hand, board independence and legal counsel are significantly and negatively related to Tobin`s Q. Moreover, a positive but insignificant relationship is found between CEO tenure, CEO compensation, audit committee size, and the firm performance (Tobin`s Q). Furthermore, board change, the role of the secretary on the board, audit committee meeting, executive committee size and executive committee meeting are revealed to have a negative but insignificant association with firm performance (Tobin`s Q). Finally, this study provides recommendations for future research

The impact of board characteristics on firm performance: Evidence from nonfinancial listed companies in Kuwaiti Stock Exchange

The core aim of this study is to examine the relationship between board characteristics and the firm performance of non-financial listed Kuwaiti firms.To achieve the objectives of the study, the data were collected from a sample of 136 companies for the financial year 2009.Variables such as CEO duality, COE tenure, audit committee size, board size and board composition were considered as predictors of the firm performance that was measured employing the return on assets (ROA).By contrast, the effects of CEO tenure and leverage on firm performance were found to be negative and significant at the chosen level of significance.To test the hypotheses of the study, multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS 18.0 was utilized.Using the firm size and leverage as a control variable, the findings of the study support the positive effects of CEO duality and audit committee size on ROA.Other findings of the study were discussed in the discussion section and some other future study directions were provided

The relationship between communication, customer knowledge and customer loyalty in Saudi Arabia insurance industry companies

The main target of this article is to examine the relationship between communications, customer knowledge and customer loyalty in insurance companies in Saudi Arabia.This study adopted Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLSSEM) to test the association between communication, customer knowledge and customer loyalty.The sample comprised of 399 from insurance companies in Saudi Arabia and data was obtained from questionnaires distributed to the sample. Moreover, the questionnaire was adopted from many authors as explained in methodology section.This article found a positive and significant relationship between communication and customer loyalty.In the same path, this study found that customer knowledge has a positive and significant effect on customer loyalty.Moreover, this study has significant contributions in the theoretical, practical and policy market that may be integrated together in order to improve customer loyalty. Finally, the limitation and future recommendations were provided at the end of this study

The mediating effect of market orientation on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation dimensions and organizational performance: a study on banks in Libya

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating effect of Market Orientation (MO) on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation dimensions (EO) namely: Innovativeness, Proactiveness, Risk-taking and organizational performance (OP). The motivation for this study was driven by the inconsistent findings in the literature concerning the relationships between EO, and organizational performance.Due to the inconsistent results, a new research has emerged and this has prompted further investigation on the effect of other variables that may better explain the nature of these links. In the related literature, many theories have suggested that the compatibility between strategies, resources, and capabilities as the keys for success. Questionnaires were distributed to 400 Sections of the Libyan banks.230 questionnaires were returned and used in the analysis using the PLS-SEM. The results of this study revealed that EO dimensions were positive and have also been proven to be significant predictors of organizational performance. More importantly, the results have also confirmed the mediating effect of Market Orientation on the relationships between EO dimensions, and organizational performance

The mainstream cosmetics industry in Malaysia and the emergence, growth, and prospects of halal cosmetics

Muslims all over the world are almost totally dependent on cosmetics products made by non-Muslims. Moreover, Muslims seem to have taken the back seat when it comes to the cosmetics industry which is dominated, and to a certain degree monopolized, by non-Muslims. Thus, the issue of Halal ingredients in cosmetics products poses serious challenges. On the other hand, the growing consumer awareness and hence demand for Halal products, not just Halal food and drink, has provoked existing and new players in the cosmetics industry to make Halal products. However, in the global cosmetics industry there is a new trend that is the wave of Halal cosmetics and personal care products. The increasing number of Muslims around the world and the raise of awareness among their recent generations are two crucial reasons behind the new trend in the change of behaviors among Muslim consumers. The faith-based new wave in the global cosmetics market may be reflected in the recent change in the global scenario. Since the Muslim consumers constitute nearly 20% of the population of the world, they started pushing the mainstream cosmetics industry to listen to their voice and satisfy their needs in offering Shariah-compliant products

A Tract Reflection on Challenges in Research & Development for New Product Development in the Industrial Sector of Pakistan

New Product Development (NPD) is a strategic issue of successful business in the competitive era of the new global economy. Pakistan is rel atively small, in the Asian region, yet a promising nation in the South East Asian region. Unfortunately, over the past few decades,the country’s export performance has remained sluggish due to slower growth of NPD in her industrial sector.The present st udy conceptually examines the issue of challenges and remedial strategies involved in the context of R&D in the process of NPD in Pakistani industries at-large.Indeed, textile industry is currently a major segment (46%) of the Pakistani industrial sector.In general,the focus of the study is on NPD strategic criteria of the nation.The study discusses global and inward challenges and spells out the steps in formulating a new strategy towards NPD.Pakistan policy makers need to identify and focus on policies towards improvement of FDI inflows, industrial education, technology advancement, R &D budget, and establishing the industrial cluster among several other factors as building blocks of the NDP

Organizational excellence as the driver for organizational performance: A study on Dubai Police

This study was set up to examine the effect of organizational excellence on organizational performance.A questionnaire survey was employed to collect the data from Dubai Police departments. Two hundred and fifty questionnaires were distributed and hundred and seventy five were returned completely. To analyze the data collected, Partial Least Square (PLS) structural Equation Modelling was employed.Based in the statistical results, the effect of organizational excellence on organizational performance was confirmed. The results of this study have different theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, this study fill the gap in the previous literature in terms of the few studies examine empirically the casual effect of organizational excellence on organizational performance in public organization.Practically, this study will increase the awareness on managers, decision makers, and practitioners about the significant of excellence when implementing their strategies and practices