An exploratory treatise on consciousness and espousal of halal supply-chain: an Indian perspective

The purpose of this research is to be acquainted with the awareness and approval of halal supply chain among Indian manufacturers and distribution network members for haulage and warehousing activities from the perception of respective service suppliers. A total of 20 respondents, which consist of 10 transportation companies and 10 warehousing companies from the State of Andhra Pradesh in India were selected for the study by using purposive sampling method. The principal focal points of the discussions are on awareness and adoption of halal transportation and warehousing services chosen for the study in the comprehensive halal supply chain. A total of 90 percent and 70 percent of respondents from the transportation and warehousing companies respectively agreed that they know only about the concept of halal but do not have any exposure and ken on the halal supply chain. However, findings of this research won’t have extensive validity in the market, gaining an enough familiarity with the halal supply chain in the Indian social context is of immense importance. This is a pioneering attempt aimed to investigate the awareness and adoption levels of halal supply chain among Indian businessmen which are precious for supply chain companies to customize their services in the country as well to the world of academia

Antecedents of acceptance of social networking sites in retail franchise and restaurant businesses

The paper examines the antecedents of acceptance of social networking sites in retail franchise and restaurant businesses. The success of retail franchise and restaurant business oper-ators via social networking sites depends not only on organiza-tional benefits but also on their behavioral intentions of using it. Three hundred and twenty four samples collected from South Korean retail franchise and restaurant employees are analyzed using factor analysis, structural equation model techniques and one-way analysis of variance. The results of the study identify the three constructs of organizational benefits, perceived tangible assets and perceived intangible assets as for important ante-cedents to accept social networking sites for their business use. Moreover, higher position employees tend to have more favor-able perception of tangible assets and acceptance of social net-working sites for their business use

Young Indian Muslim Consumers: an Escalating Trend of Potential

The purpose of this paper is to examine and appraise the spending patterns and buying behavior of two different groups of young Indian Muslim consumers belonging to the 10-15 and 16-20 age groups. This paper is also analyzing the attitudes of Muslim parents in considering the opinions of their children in buying of different products.  After a thorough revision of related literature on young consumers, the researchers used two types of questionnaires, and in-depth personal interviews with 200 young Indian Muslim consumers below the age group of 10-15 and 16-20 and also interviewed 100 Indian Muslim parents.  The collected data was analyzed by applying Karl Pearson’s Coefficient of Correlation. Among 75 and 42 percent of the 10-15 and 16-20 age groups of young Indian Muslim consumers receive a weekly pocket money quota ranging below 2-4USD  respectively from their parents. Analysis of spending patterns, reveal that 40 percent money is spent on food and beverages and 54 percent is spent on education and personal items by the two age groups.  The study found that 80 and 90 percent of the parents in both the age groups considered the opinion of their children in exercising their buying choices.  The South-Indian State of Andhra Pradesh has selected for this study which encompasses a culturally, socially and economically diversified Muslim population.  The current study sheds ample light on the buying behavior of young Indian Muslim consumers and the opinions of their parents which will be useful to the corporate world in formulating marketing strategies.  The paper offers insights into the complex and changing patterns of attitudes. It also throws light on their purchase choices of young Muslims in India.  This is a novel work which proves to be useful to the business and policy makers in comprehending the purchasing behavior of young Muslim consumers and also quite handy even to the world of academia. Keywords: Consumer behavior, Young Muslim consumers, India, Spending Patterns, Buying Motives, Indian Muslim Parents

Organizational Conflicts Are Necessary Evils:An Innate View of Indian Perspective

The core objective of this article is to be acquainted with the conflict in both optimistic and pessimistic sides of the Indian context.  After meticulous review of pertinent literature, the researchers ponder over to garner the opinions of modicum number of both Indian employees and managerial cadre in an informal chat and identified majority of the Indians are reluctant to involve in conflicts both in their personal and professional life.  But in reality majority of the Indians are directly or indirectly culpable for creating conflicts, shows both positive and negative impact on their organizations.  The general view of the managerial cadre is also quite contradictory to the outlook of the employees.  But, unfortunately conflicts shows a pernicious impact on modern work culture because of differences like religion, region, and gender, personality clashes, along with professional ego and skill differences. Keywords: Conflicts; individual and group conflicts; organizational conflicts; Interactionsit perspectiv

Leadership and Leadership Development to Transform the Academic Libraries: A Case of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Purpose –The paper aims to emphasize library leaders\u27 perspectives on leadership and leadership development in the United Arab Emirates\u27 (UAE)\u27s academic libraries to shed light on identifying best practices to improve the present condition. Design/methodology/approach– The researchers comprehensively reviewed the appropriate literature related to academic leadership in libraries and the skills required to develop and transform the libraries in the digital age. Findings –The researchers identified a severe scarcity of inspirational and transformation leaders who influenced the academic institutions\u27 decision-makers to get all types of support and cooperation to enhance the quality service delivery with all the required resources to the patrons of different disciplines. Research limitations/implications – The study is limited to collect the opinions of only library leaders of academic institutions who are mostly working in the two emirates, viz., Dubai and Sharjah. Practical implications – The study is beneficial to all the types of academic libraries which require productive leadership by modifying all the managerial functions to direct its future with a more focused approach. Originality/value – The present research paper is the first of its kind from the middle east part of the world and offers a comprehensive overview of the UAE library leadership and its present state of affairs

Are the UAE Academic Libraries Ready to Support Research 2.0?

Abstract Purpose –The purpose of the paper is to recognize different errands and responsibilities that the UAE academic libraries must undertake towards the trendy changes in researchers’ information seeking behavior, and fulfill to the advancements carried in by the emergence of Research 2.0. Design/methodology/approach– The researchers comprehensively reviewed the appropriate literature related to the academic libraries’ activities viz., information literacy (IL) education, research data services (RDS), awareness-raising, and support individual faculty members in the United Arab Emirates. Findings – The UAE librarians organize information literacy education for the students of all programs, primarily to research scholars and faculty in both Arabic and English languages. The faculty members are supported with discipline-specific databases, print and digital versions of books and journals along with other online services. Regarding raising awareness, library professionals in the country actively involved in the transformation of all types of knowledge sources and their updates to all stakeholders of the education, whereas research data service is slowly gearing up in many academic libraries. Originality/value – The paper proposes to be an addition to the body of knowledge about academic library support through information literacy, awareness raising, faculty attention and research data services to researchers in the UAE

Assessment of after-sales service behaviors of Ethiopia Telecom customers

Purpose – The primary purpose of this paper is to assess and review fixed-line telecom customers' perception of the quality of after-sales services provided by Ethiopian Telecom. Design/methodology/approach – The paper was conducted on telecom customers who are in Addis Ababa using self-administered questionnaires sent to a sample of 450 respondents. In addition to this, interviews were conducted with managers and selected employees to provide supporting data. The data were processed, analyzed and interpreted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Findings – The results show some degree of customer dissatisfaction, but not to the extent expected. Dissatisfied customers point at lack of clarities of bills and delays in making decisions on complaints as some of the main reasons for their dissatisfactions. Other reasons include telephone interruptions during rainy seasons, old cables and networks, and damaged and stolen cables, which combined, increase the frequency of faults and interruptions. Nearly 40 percent of respondents have negative assessments of the role of employees in delivering good quality after-sales service. Practical implications – Despite the fact that some improvements have been shown in recent reports, Ethiopian Telecom has a long way to go in achieving its objectives with respect to customers' satisfaction. Originality/value – Previous studies on telecommunication in Africa have not focused on service delivery and customer satisfaction. The paper, therefore, contributes to filling a research gap in telecommunication studies in Africa in general and in Ethiopia in particular.After-sales service, Customer satisfaction, Ethiopia, Service failures, Telecommunication services