bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Customers' perceptions of returning items purchased online: planned versus unplanned product returners
Authors: Rintamäki Timo , Spence Mark T. , Saarijärvi Hannu , Joensuu Johanna , Yrjölä Mika 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to address two issues relevant to those managing product returns: (1) how customers perceive the returning process and assessing the extent that these perceptions have on satisfaction with the organization, loyalty and word-of-mouth (WOM) and (2) are these outcomes moderated by whether customer returns were planned or unplanned?Design/methodology/approachThe data consisted of 21 semi-structured interviews (pilot study) and a quantitative survey (n = 384; main study) targeted at consumers who had bought fashion items online.FindingsQualitative insights revealed that perceptions of the returning experience are driven by monetary costs, convenience, stress and guilt. Quantitative findings showed that the returning experience explains return satisfaction for both planned and unplanned returners, and returning satisfaction explains overall satisfaction and WOM. The noteworthy difference concerns loyalty: although customers that planned to return items are more loyal to the organization, it is the unplanned returners whose loyalty can be significantly increased by better managing the returning process.Practical implicationsReturning products online is increasingly common and thus forms an important part of the customer's overall experience with an organization. Returns management can therefore drive key customer outcomes. Understanding the dynamics between the product return experience, return satisfaction and customer outcomes will help practitioners design and implement more informed returns management strategies. Measures are also presented that assess the cognitive and emotional aspects associated with returning products.Social implicationsReturning products is an increasingly important challenge for online retailers. Understanding what kinds of returning behaviors occur allows companies to design and execute better informed decisions to manage this phenomenon, not only for the sake of firm performance but also for societal and environmental benefits – the triple bottom line.Originality/valueWhile scholars have investigated the relationship between return policies (e.g. free vs fee) and profitability, no prior literature has examined the returning experience: how consumers perceive the returning process; motivations for their returns (whether returns were planned or not) and subsequent customer outcomes.
The latitude for loyal contradiction and public leadership: a conceptual and comparative approach
Authors: van der Meer Frits M. , Dijkstra Gerrit S.A. 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis paper looks into the mechanisms that determine (stimulate and limit) the scope for loyal contradiction in organizations through ex ante voice. The paper provides insights into how this essential civil service function and obligation can be maintained and the role that public leadership can play in addressing these issues.Design/methodology/approachThis paper consists of a conceptual analysis of major determinants for constraints on and stimuli of loyal contradiction and provides an interpretational framework of the relevant factors involved.FindingsThis paper examines the mechanisms that determine (stimulate and limit) the scope for loyal contradiction in organizations through ex ante voice and provides insights into how to maintain this essential civil service function and obligation through the contribution of public leadership.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper offer insight into how to avoid constraints on loyal contradiction within public organizations and point to the way public leaders can, by facilitating and stimulating it, enhance organizational performance and legitimacy.Originality/valueThis paper points to an issue that is increasingly relevant in politics and public administration. By providing a conceptual framework, this paper provides a deeper understanding of how the necessary conditions for loyal contradiction can be created within public organizations.
Punching shear behaviour of flat slabs with different reinforcement schemes: openings and rectangularity effects
Authors: Salman Donia , Allouzi Rabab , Shatarat Nasim 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe main goal is to investigate the effect of size and location of opening and column size on the punching shear strength. Openings are often needed in order to install mechanical and electrical services. This process takes away part of the concrete volume which is responsible for resisting the shear forces and any unbalanced moment. Furthermore, the application of rectangular columns in flat slabs is commonly used in practice as they provide lateral stiffness to the building. They are also utilised in garages and multi-storey buildings where these elongated cross-sectional columns reduce the effective span length between adjacent columns.Design/methodology/approachThis research is a numerical-based investigation that is calibrated based on a thirteen previously tested and numerically calibrated slab specimens with no openings. A parametric study is conducted in this study to consider the effect of other parameters, which are the size and location of opening and the rectangularity ratio of column in order to evaluate their effect on the punching shear capacity. A total of 156 models are developed to study these factors. Additionally, the predicted shear carrying capacity of the simulated slabs is calculated using the ACI318–19 and Eurocode (EC2-04) equation.FindingsThe presence of openings reduced the punching shear capacity. The small opening's location and orientation have almost no effect except for one slab. For slabs of large openings, the presence of openings reduced the punching capacity. The punching capacity is higher when the openings are farther from the column. The numerically obtained results of slabs with rectangular columns show lower punching capacity compared to slabs of squared columns with the same length of the punching shear control perimeter. The punching capacity for all slabs is predicted by ACI318–19 and Eurocode (EC2-04) and it is found that Eurocode (EC2-04) provided a closer estimation.Originality/valueThe slabs considered for calibration were reinforced with four different punching shear reinforcement configurations, namely; ordinary closed rectangular stirrups, rectangular spiral stirrups, advanced rectangular spiral stirrups and circular spiral. Generally, there has been limited research on concrete flat slabs with openings in comparison with other subjects related to structural engineering (Guan, 2009) and no research on punching shear with openings of slabs reinforced with these reinforcement schemes. The available research focussed on the effects of openings on the flexural behaviour of reinforced concrete slabs includes Casadei et al. (2003), Banu et al. (2012) and Elsayed et al. (2009). In addition, experimental tests that examined slabs supported on rectangular columns are very limited.
The effects of high-tech cameras on sports consumers' viewing experiences: the moderating role of sports involvement
Authors: Jang Wonseok (Eric) , Kim Young Jun , Chang Kyungro , Kim Taehee 
Published: April 2021

PurposeBased on the limited-capacity model of motivated mediated message processing (LC4MP), this study aims to examine the effects of different camera types on the viewing experiences of sports consumers and their intention to follow social media channels, depending on their level of sports involvement.Design/methodology/approachThe design for this experiment utilized 2 (highly involved vs less involved sports consumers) × 2 (high-tech vs non-high-tech cameras) between-subjects design. Overall, 289 US-based sports consumers participated in this experiment.FindingsThe results indicate that sports videos recorded by high-tech cameras lead to greater perceived novelty than those recorded by non-high-tech cameras, thus enhancing sports consumers' intention to follow social media channels, especially when consumers are highly involved with the target sports. However, sports consumers who are less involved with particular sports become distracted during their viewing experiences when high-tech cameras are used to broadcast games; these consumers' intentions to follow social media channels are not strengthened.Originality/valuePrevious studies have focused mainly on the positive effects of high-tech cameras on the viewing experiences of sports consumers. Based on the LC4MP, the authors extend the existing literature not only by examining the mechanism that underpins the positive effects of high-tech cameras, but also by identifying a situation where the use of high-tech cameras results in a negative viewing experience for sports consumers.
Risk quantification in cold chain management: a federated learning-enabled multi-criteria decision-making methodology
Authors: Lau Henry , Tsang Yung Po , Nakandala Dilupa , Lee Carman K.M. 
Published: April 2021

PurposeIn the cold supply chain (SC), effective risk management is regarded as an essential component to address the risky and uncertain SC environment in handling time- and temperature-sensitive products. However, existing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approaches greatly rely on expert opinions for pairwise comparisons. Despite the fact that machine learning models can be customised to conduct pairwise comparisons, it is difficult for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to intelligently measure the ratings between risk criteria without sufficiently large datasets. Therefore, this paper aims at developing an enterprise-wide solution to identify and assess cold chain risks.Design/methodology/approachA novel federated learning (FL)-enabled multi-criteria risk evaluation system (FMRES) is proposed, which integrates FL and the best–worst method (BWM) to measure firm-level cold chain risks under the suggested risk hierarchical structure. The factors of technologies and equipment, operations, external environment, and personnel and organisation are considered. Furthermore, a case analysis of an e-grocery SC in Australia is conducted to examine the feasibility of the proposed approach.FindingsThroughout this study, it is found that embedding the FL mechanism into the MCDM process is effective in acquiring knowledge of pairwise comparisons from experts. A trusted federation in a cold chain network is therefore formulated to identify and assess cold SC risks in a systematic manner.Originality/valueA novel hybridisation between horizontal FL and MCDM process is explored, which enhances the autonomy of the MCDM approaches to evaluate cold chain risks under the structured hierarchy.
Improving business processes or human resources? The performance implications and contingencies
Authors: Li Ying , Wang Qiang , Wang Zhiqiang , Chen Lujie 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine both the separate effects and the interaction effects of business process improvement (BPI) and human resource enhancement (HRE) on operational performance in manufacturing firms and to examine the moderating effect of product life cycle (PLC).Design/methodology/approachThe conceptual model was based on the resource-based view, the dynamic capabilities perspective and contingency theory. Using survey data from 215 manufacturing companies and structural equation modeling, the hypothesized relationships were tested.FindingsThe empirical findings suggest that the performance implications of HRE and the interaction of HRE and BPI are contingent on PLC. HRE and its interaction with BPI have stronger effects on operational performance in the maturity stage than in the growth stage. The effect of BPI on operational performance is equally important in both stages of PLC.Practical implicationsThe results of this empirical study can help to guide manufacturing firms to enhance their performance through improvements in their business processes and human resources at the different life cycle stages of their products. First, firms should upgrade both their processes and people to keep pace with the changing business environment and to sustain their competitive advantage. Second, the performance implications of improving processes and people are contingent on PLC, which suggests that managers should emphasize different things according to their roles.Originality/valueA simultaneous examination of the performance implications of HRE and BPI practices and their contingencies reveals the roles that people and processes play in achieving organizational objectives. The results contribute to our understanding of how firms leverage their resource allocation between processes and people at different stages of PLC to effectively improve their performance.
Antecedents and consequences of wandering scholars' affect: the case of multi-cultural Malaysia in the internationalization era
Authors: Ghasemy Majid , Derahvasht Ali , Castillo Apraiz Julen 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis study, drawing upon affective events theory (AET), examines the relationships between work environment features, work events, affective states and attitudes in the Malaysian academic environment. Specifically, the authors examine the impact of supervisory support and welfare on role conflict, the impact of role conflict on affective states and the impact of affective states on job satisfaction using data collected from the international faculty.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected data from 152 respondents through an online platform, and given this study's causal predictive-explanatory nature, the authors apply partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for data analysis. In addition, the authors complement their analysis by examining the nonlinear effects within the model as a robustness check.FindingsFrom an explanatory perspective, the authors find support for all the hypotheses, implying the applicability of AET in academic contexts. Regarding the predictive perspective, the authors’ model exhibits a high out-of-sample predictive power. Importantly, the robustness check provides additional support for their model.Practical implicationsGiven that the international faculty comes from different countries, the authors’ findings suggest that university managers should formulate and implement policies, which encourage and celebrate cultural diversity to increase the international faculty's job satisfaction. Additionally, policies that improve the process of job designs and descriptions need amendments in a way that reduces the role conflict faced by the multicultural faculty which, in turn, leads to negative affect and ultimately to job dissatisfaction.Originality/valueThis article is one of the first research studies focusing on the verification of AET in the context of international higher education. The authors apply the recent evaluative guidelines for a solid and rigorous PLS-SEM analysis and prove that the wandering scholars' emotions matter in achieving desirable organizational outcomes in cross-cultural institutions of higher learning.
Solving e-learning adoption intention puzzles among private universities in Nigeria: an empirical approach
Authors: Salimon Maruf Gbadebo , Mokhtar Sany Sanuri Mohd , Aliyu Olayemi Abdullateef , Yusr Maha Mohammed , Perumal Selvan 
Published: April 2021

PurposeE-learning system has been widely acknowledged to have positive impacts on the learning process. Nevertheless, the intention to use it is globally low, thereby constituting puzzles to be solved. This study aims to proffer some insights to solve the puzzles.Design/methodology/approachThe data of the study were collected through an online survey among 425 students of four private universities using interactive electronic board systems. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.FindingsThe significant results of the study reveal that system quality, information quality and teaching materials significantly influenced perceived usefulness. Technology innovativeness and information quality also significantly influenced perceived ease of use. Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use equally influenced e-learning intention.Originality/valueThis research is one of the few studies that conceptualize a framework to study intention to use e-learning generally, and interactive electronic board in particular among four private universities using technology innovativeness, system quality, information quality, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and teaching materials.
Perceptions on effectiveness of public policies supporting entrepreneurship and internationalization
Authors: Campos Joao , Braga Vitor , Correira Aldina , Ratten Vanessa , Marques Carla 
Published: April 2021

PurposePublic policies provide a way for governments to influence the effectiveness of business strategies in the international marketplace. The main goal of this article is to show the importance of key aspects for policymaking at the national level and, secondly, to try to evaluate if public policies and programmes are effective in the entrepreneurship and internationalization of firms.Design/methodology/approachThe Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data set was used to perform a multivariate analysis through multiple linear regression.FindingsThe economic and financial crisis that has plagued the world recently has incentivized entrepreneurs to be more creative and encouraged policymakers to be more effective in the important role they can play in economic growth. Thus, the findings indicate that government support can help firms be more entrepreneurial and increase their level of internationalization in the marketplace. The findings indicate that entrepreneurship is an important growth factor, so it is important to understand government support can be effective in stimulating business activity.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focusses on perceptions of government policy based on the GEM database, which means it is limited to subjective assessments rather than objective measures.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study will help business managers focus on their country of origin as a way to stress the impact of government policies on reputation in the international marketplace.Social implicationsGovernments need to acknowledge how their entrepreneurial policies regarding innovation and internationalization affect business success rate. This means emphasizing the trustworthiness and credibility of their policies.Originality/valueThis article highlights the need for more entrepreneurial policymaking that emphasizes government reputational affects in the success rate of firms in the international marketplace. This provides a way for firms to gain better recognition from country-of-origin effects but also for policymakers to prioritize international strategic efforts. By comparing data from different countries, the article highlights the different ways government policy can be utilized strategically in order to increase entrepreneurship and internationalization rates.
Effects of economic policy uncertainty and political uncertainty on business confidence and investment
Authors: Montes Gabriel Caldas , Nogueira Fabiana da Silva Leite 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis study estimates the effects of political uncertainty and economic policy uncertainty on business confidence. Moreover, it also examines business confidence as a transmission channel of political uncertainty and economic policy uncertainty to investment.Design/methodology/approachThe study addresses the Brazilian case from May 2004 to December 2017. Brazil experienced situations of political instability and public distrust in government and its policies, which reflected on the economic environment. The study uses two business confidence indicators that capture entrepreneurs' sentiment in relation to their business and the economy. All models are estimated using ordinary least squares and generalized method of moments.FindingsThe estimates reveal that increases in both political uncertainty and economic policy uncertainty reduce business confidence. The findings also indicate that business confidence acts as a transmission mechanism, i.e. uncertainties affect investments through business confidence.Practical implicationsThe findings point to the following practical implications related to the existence of uncertainties in the Brazilian economy: different institutional difficulties and government indecisions have blurred the political scene and caused political uncertainties. In addition, the same aspects that blurred the political scene also caused uncertainties in relation to economic policy that undermined business confidence, and affected investment.Originality/valueThere is a vast literature on business confidence, as well as studies addressing the relationship between business confidence and investment. This study differs from other studies as follows: in addition to the political uncertainty, it also analyzes the effect of economic policy uncertainty on business confidence; it uses different measures to capture political instability, and it analyzes whether business confidence acts as a transmission channel of both uncertainties to investments.
Evaluation of head and neck cancer knowledge among the at-risk population of Karachi, Pakistan: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Mohsin Zainab , Faiq Arisha , Naqvi Tahira , Rehman Sameen , Ahmed Saffia Imtiaz , Farrukh Khadija , Siddiqui Faiza , Asghar Arifa Ali , Lakhani Murk 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of head and neck cancers (HNCs), their risk factors, signs and symptoms among the general public of Karachi, Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachInitially, 503 individuals were approached for data collection, out of which 404 fit the inclusion criteria (response rate = 80.03%). Nonprobability convenience sampling was utilized to select participants who fell under the age group of 15–60 years, barring the fields of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelors of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelors of Dentistry (BDS). Knowledge was evaluated by a 9-item questionnaire, the scores of which yielded the following interpretations: No (0), low (1–3), moderate (4–6) and high (7–9) knowledge.FindingsOf the 404 participants who completed the questionnaire, 357 (88.4%) participants claimed to be aware of HNC. The HNC knowledge scores had a statistical relevance with socioeconomic status (p = <0.01) and level of education (p = 0.02). Most participants recognized a “lump or swelling in the throat” (87.1%) as the most common symptom, followed by “bleeding in mouth or throat” (84.7%). Surprisingly, 75.25% of participants thought HNCs were inclusive of brain cancer.Originality/valueOverall, knowledge of HNCs among the general public of Karachi surpasses the knowledge in other regions around the world. Our study demonstrated that people indulge in unhealthy habits despite having sufficient knowledge and this warrants prompt interventions and counseling of the people.