Data analysis and interpretation : a handbook for postgraduate social scientists

This book is designed to assist postgraduate social science students and researchers to complete their thesis, dissertation or research projects. This book is equipped with a CD-ROM containing data from a Ph.D thesis. The data will be used from start till end, so that the reader could see the continuous application of various statistical tools and techniques to address the research questions identified. Emphasis is given to various SPSS procedures and selected qualitative techniques. Methods for conducting validity and reliability tests as well as subsequent descriptive and inferential analyses are presented in a logical manner. Finally, methods for interpreting and discussing the research findings are presented accordingly

Investigating CTQS for international students: a Malaysian case

A review of related literature indicates limited research on critical factors that have impact on perception of higher education services in the context of Asia pacific countries. As such, one of the aims of this study is to gain deeper insight and developing constructs and categorization regarding critical to quality (CTQs) for international students based on interview data. Consequently, the purpose of this article is to identify the service “factors” that postgraduate students use in their evaluation of service quality within the context of Malaysian universities

The psychometric impacts of Karasek's demands and control scale on employees' job dissatisfaction

The aim of this study was to provide the reliability and validity of job factors and to analyze its association with Demands-Control Model and job dissatisfaction in two time cross-sectional study of Distribution Companies of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in Pakistan. Two times self-reported cross-sectional surveys were conducted, the study samples consisting of 420 respondents at T1 and 388 respondents at T2. Appropriate internal consistencies of the four scales: demands, control, job satisfaction and social supports, were obtained. Zero-order correlation and linear and multiple regressions analysis replicated the theoretically assumed structure of the job factors and job satisfaction construct in men and women collectively. Evidence of criterion validity was obtained from cross-correlations of the scales and from their linear and multiple regression analysis. Finally, all four measures were associated with a highly significant ratio of job dissatisfaction (JD), and the effect was strongest for the JD ratio as predicted by fundamental theory of Karasek. The level of work related to their demands and the level of autonomy and control they enjoy in their work place directly results in satisfaction and wellbeing of employees. Based on the results of this study the four quadrant version of the DCM questionnaire is considered a reliable and valid instrument for measuring psychosocial pressure at work environment. These outcomes and measures are applicable to all services and manufacturing industries

Service quality and customers trust, moderating role of personality traits

Customers’ trust is an inevitable asset for organizations. The long-term relationship of customer-organization depends upon the presence of customers’ trust on the organization. It’s a delicate sense of feeling derived from quality and commitment of the organizations to meet customers’ expectations. The significance of this phenomenon in services industry becomes even more critical where organizations have to know individual as well as contextual factors that influence on customers’ trust. This study tested the impact of different dimensions of perceived service quality on customers’ trust and how this perception varies depending upon the personality disposition in life insurance sector of Pakistan. Using cross sectional research design, the study taped customers’ responses regarding service quality, customers’ trust, and their personality disposition. The sample was obtained from insurance sector in different cities of Pakistan, where 242 customers were participated in the survey Explanatory factor analysis, single mean T-test, correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to test proposed hypotheses. The results indicate positive relationship between different dimensions of service quality and customers’ trust. The finding of moderation analysis shows that customer’s personality traits have varied effects on the relationships between dimensions of service quality and customers’ trust. Finally, based on quantitative findings, proposed framework was revised. This study recommends several implications for managers of services industry so that they should develop an effective service design to build long-term customers’ trust in accordance with different personality traits

Impact of Covid-19 Towards Education Expenditure: Evidence from China

Purpose This paper aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the study and life of graduate students, understand the current practical problems faced by effective graduate students, and explore the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the life of graduate students in universities. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the graduate students of Guizhou University are targeted, and the specific impacts of COVID-19 on their personal safety, extra costs, self-control ability and employment are expounded. Findings The study founds that to support university graduate students during the prevention and control period, focus on establishing effective psychological support mechanisms and self-discipline development programs. Provide accessible counseling services and mental health awareness campaigns while enhancing resources to boost self-control and time management skills, especially for remote studying. Additionally, reinforce employment services with improved career guidance and job placement support, and address enrollment pressure through better communication and mentorship initiatives Research limitations/implications In this context, it is necessary to study the obstacles and problems brought by the COVID-19 epidemic to the study of graduate students in universities and try to resolve the adverse effects caused by the epidemic. Originality/value It points out various difficulties facing graduate students in universities under the background of epidemic prevention and control, and puts forward some appropriate suggestions based on the actual situation, so as to provide some insights for graduate students to understand how to deal with the negative effects of COVID-1

The use of partial least squares path modeling in causal inference for archival financial accounting research

In financial accounting research, multivariate regression is almost exclusively the dominant statistical method. By contrast, Partial Least Squares path modeling is a under-utilized statistical method. The aim of this study is to examine how Partial Least Squares path modeling can be applied to the archival financial accounting research. This article first presents an overview on multivariate regression and structural equation modeling. The authors then highlight that advantages of using Partial Least Squares path modeling to address the research constraints in causal inference for archival financial accounting research

New Product Development Framework for Multinational Multi-locations based Organizations in South East Asia

AbstractThe ability of organizations to introduce new products faster, more frequently, and of higher quality is a distinct competitive advantage. To further improves competitiveness, some multinational organizations had relocated their Research and Development (R&D), design and manufacturing activities to South East Asia region in order to gain geographical and economical advantages. Hence, New Product Development (NPD) in the new multinational organizations in South East Asia often involves the coordination of activities across multi-locations teams. Thus, based on Theory of Integrated-Product Development, this paper proposed a new conceptual NPD integrated framework for multinational and multi-locations based organizations in South East Asia. The new integrated NPD framework consists of five NPD phases, namely Opportunity Identification, Concept Development, Design & Development, Product Testing and Product Commercialization. The proposed framework promotes multiple feedback loops, parallel execution and concurrent workflow of NPD activities. The new framework has descriptive value in terms of studying, classifying and defining the relationships that govern process and management aspects of NPD within multinational and multi-locations based organizations in South East Asia

A New Trilogy to Understand the Relationship among Organizational Climate, Workplace Bullying and Employee Health

AbstractOrganizational Climate is a driving force in the organization behavior which provides foundations to many physical and psychological phenomena to the employees. Bullying is one of the major under considered phenomenon, usually caused by the organizational climate. The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between organizational climates, workplace bullying and workers’ health in selected higher education institutes of Pakistan. A proportionate random sample of 20 Universities comprising of 10 from public sector and 10 from private sector was selected for the study. The model of workplace bullying, organizational climate and worker's health was estimated by Structural Equation Modeling using AMOS software. The study found a negative relationship between organizational climate and bullying on one hand, while on the other hand, an increased workplace bullying effects employees’ health negatively due to affected sleeping hours. Drug abuse was treated as a moderator between health and affected sleeping hours. The study suggested that organizations should control workplace bullying which may cause physical and psychological effects on employee's health

Internationalization of higher education: Iranian students case

Abstract This article seeks to offer a research design for assessing the perception of service quality in higher education on Iranian students with considering internationalization of higher education as theoretical framework. Iranian postgraduate students in Malaysian universities will construct sample of this research design. This article first tries to understand the phenomenon for Iranian students to change their preference from studying in universities in the West to those in the East, particularly Malaysia. In addition, this article tries to offer a sequential method for assessing their perceptions of service quality in the new educational environment based on semistructured interviews and a modified SERVQUAL instrument. In-depth semistructured interviews have been proposed followed by a gap analysis to measure tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. Stratified sampling has been suggested for selecting international postgraduate Iranians studying at the top five public universities in Malaysia. Subsequent analysis will be conducted starting with Miles and Huberman analysis of qualitative data followed by inferential methods including factor and reliability analyses