Influence of Organization-Public Relationship Practices on Organization Effectiveness in Jordanian Public Hospitals

Nowadays, public relations is seen as an important part which helps an organization in bridging the gap with its public so that the mutual relationship is established. Most previous research on Organization-Public Relationship (O-PR) investigate the relationship from an organizational perspective, where as this research investigate from the customers’ perspectives. Previous research done in the western world show that the practices of trust, commitment, community involvement, openness, and customers’ satisfaction are attributes towards types of O-PR practice (personal, professional and community). However, literature seems to suggest that much research work is needed to better understand such attributes especially from the public relations practices in Arab country. This study is pursued to elicit the importance of O-PR and it type of practices towards organizational effectiveness in sustaining organizational image, identity, and reputation. The questionnaires were distributed to 600 patients at a major hospital in Jordan with 94.8% response rate. The research findings show significant relationships between O-PR practices and type of relationships with organizational effectiveness (image, identity and reputation). In predicting best practice of O-PR, the study elicited that commitment and patient satisfaction were shown to have the strongest contributions in O-PR as compared to previous research in western countries. Based on the type of relationships practices, personal relationship practice provides the strongest contribution towards organizational image, identity and reputation. The finding of this research will help public relation practitioners in the planning of strategic relationship management in developing best practices of O-PR. The need for improvement in this area requires serious attention especially the practices of commitment and satisfying customer satisfaction. Conclusions as to the impact of public relations as relationship management of organisation-public are offered, as well as suggestions for future areas of research

Why New Media app during the Healthcare Crisis? WhatsApp Based Study

WhatsApp is one of the most popular mobile applications providing instant messaging and ease of access. It uses web-based systems to send and receive texts, calls, and videos and even offers video chat. However, during the current healthcare crisis, WhatsApp's role is comparatively more prominent and needs more consideration. In this context, we conducted this research to examine the factors motivating students to rely more on WhatsApp during the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on the Uses and Gratifications Approach, we adopted a cross-sectional design and gathered data from university students in Islamabad, Pakistan. Findings from n= 302 university-level students affirmed communication (p≥ .000), learning (p≥ .002), Teamwork (p≥ .041), and information sharing (p≥ .000) as the motivating factors behind increased WhatsApp usage (p≥ .011) during the healthcare crisis. Similarly, path analysis results also validated a strong correlation between the variables, further affirming the strength of the proposed conceptual framework. Thus, WhatsApp not only provided ease of communication during Covid-19 but also helped sustain educational activities. Here we recommend more studies to examine other different factors, especially personality factors that can affect one's WhatsApp usage

Gender Discrepancies Concerning Social Media Usage and its Influences on Students Academic Performance

Due to the ease of access and technological progression, social networking sites have deeply rooted in our lives. This study scientifically scrutinized gender discrepancies concerning social media usage and its influences on academic performance. Results revealed explicit differences between social media usage among teenage boys and girls. Boys mainly use social media for communication and interaction, while girls use social networking sites for educational purposes. Moreover, results also affirmed a strong positive correlation between social media usage and students’ academic performance. Therefore, the researchers recommended further evaluation of other facets of social media to analyze their usage and its impacts on students’ educational performance.Debido a la facilidad de acceso y la progresión tecnológica, los sitios de redes sociales están profundamente arraigados en nuestras vidas. Este estudio examinó científicamente las discrepancias de género con respecto al uso de las redes sociales y sus influencias en el rendimiento académico. Los resultados revelaron diferencias explícitas entre el uso de las redes sociales entre niños y niñas adolescentes. Los niños usan principalmente las redes sociales para comunicarse e interactuar, mientras que las niñas usan los sitios de redes sociales con fines educativos. Además, los resultados también afirmaron una fuerte correlación positiva entre el uso de las redes sociales y el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes. Por lo tanto, los investigadores recomendaron una evaluación adicional de otras facetas de las redes sociales para analizar su uso y su impacto en el desempeño educativo de los estudiantes

Understanding the Effects of Social Media Marketing on Customers’ Bank Loyalty: A SEM Approach

This study used customers’ experiences to assess the role of social media marketing (SMM) efforts in increasing online customer-based loyalty in the banking sector in Jordan, and using the two main components of the TAM model, perceived the ease of use and perceived usefulness, to understand the relationship. Data were gathered through an online survey with 329 respondents through online banking services in Jordan. A test of the structural equation model (SEM) indicated that perceived usefulness strongly affects electronic word of mouth (EWM), informativeness (INF), and social media features (SMF); and perceived ease of use is indirectly linked to these factors. Behavioral intention is strongly affected by both the perceived usefulness and the ease of use of online banking services. Based on the self-proposed model, e-marketing has impacted customers’ bank loyalty regarding its online services, and the role of social media marketing has remained very important to enhancing customer-based loyalty. This study contributes to the literature by integrating SMF, EWM, and INF in a single framework. It also provides managerial implications and guides for scholars, managers, and practitioners in e-marketing to use customers’ experience to increase customer loyalty. Further research and suggestions are offered

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population

Students' participation in collaborative research should be recognised

Letter to the editor