bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Organizational-level profitability determinants in commercial banks: Swedish evidence
Authors: Öhman Peter , Yazdanfar Darush 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine organizational-level determinants of commercial bank profitability.Design/methodology/approachUsing bank-level longitudinal panel data for the 2005–2014 period, this study conducts univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, i.e. ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed-effects and feasible generalized least-squares (FGLS) regressions, to analyze profitability variables in Swedish commercial banks.FindingsThe findings indicate that the organizational-level determinants growth, lagged profitability and capital adequacy are positively related to banks’ current profitability. No relationship was found between banks’ size and their profitability. Moreover, no relationship was found between the macroeconomic control variable gross domestic product (GDP) and bank profitability.Practical implicationsGiven that organizational-level determinants explain sustainable bank profitability, the findings can be used by bank managers as a basis for low-risk bank policy formulation, and by regulators in monitoring banks relative to international standards (i.e. the Basel Accords).Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate determinants of bank profitability in Sweden, a country with a strong tradition of bank-based financing, with previous experience of a domestic bank crisis in the 1990s, and where the recent global financial crisis had relatively little impact on domestic banks.
Financial inclusion and poverty reduction in India
Authors: Inoue Takeshi 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impacts of financial development through commercial banks on poverty conditions in India.

Design/methodology/approach
Using unbalanced panel data for Indian states and union territories from 1973 to 2004, and applying the generalized method of moments estimation, the author estimates models in which the poverty ratio is explained by financial inclusion and financial deepening for public sector banks and private sector banks, respectively.

Findings
The results show that financial inclusion and deepening have statistically significant negative relationships with the poverty ratio for public sector banks, but not for private sector banks. In addition, the coefficients of the interaction term between financial inclusion and deepening are estimated to be negative and statistically significant in most cases of public sector banks. Considering the positive impacts of financial inclusion and deepening on poverty reduction, this result implies that promoting breadth and depth of public sector banks could have a synergistic effect on poverty reduction in India.

Originality/value
First, unlike previous studies, the author applies both the numbers of bank branches and accounts as the measure of accessibility and usage of banking services. Second, using the interaction term between financial inclusion and deepening, the author empirically analyzes whether, and to what extent, the breadth and depth of the banking sector interact with each other in the process of poverty reduction. Third, the author divide the Indian commercial banks into public sector banks and private sector banks and compares their impacts of financial inclusion and deepening on poverty conditions.
Analysing project risks in Ghana’s real estate industry
Authors: Amoatey Charles , Danquah Doreen 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse project risks in Ghana’s real estate construction industry in terms of likelihood of occurrence, severity of impact and controllability.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research approach was used in this study to address the research objective. The study population consisted project managers, architects, surveyors and contractors from 17 members of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) in Ghana. Random stratified sampling technique was used to select 97 participants from these firms. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data, whereas descriptive statistics were used to present findings.FindingsAll risks identified have some level of likelihood of occurrence, extent of severity of impact and controllability. Market risks, technical risks and environmental risks are more likely to occur. Market risks, technical risks and environmental risks had the highest severity of impact. Financial risks, market risks, managerial risks and technical risks are the most controllable. Among all risks, environmental risks are the direst because they have high likelihood of occurrence and severity of impact but very low controllability. Real estate construction firms (developers) are therefore expected to prioritize remedy of environmental risks.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based on self-reported perception of project parties on the likelihood, severity of impact and controllability of real estate project risk factors. Firms outside of GREDA were not included in the survey. Therefore, generalisation of these risk factors for the entire construction industry should be done with caution.Practical implicationsThe research results show that Ghanaian real estate developers are aware of the existence of the risks which impact on the performance of the industry. To effectively and efficiently manage these risk factors, project parties must understand the likelihood of occurrence, severity of impact and controllability of the risk factors, as well as individual firm’s responsibilities and capabilities to manage them. Such knowledge helps project managers to prioritise risks in managing them in the face of scarce resources. From an academic research perspective, the paper contributes to a conceptual risk assessment framework for the real estate industry.Originality/valueThe paper’s main contributions relate to the introduction of real estate construction sector-specific factors to project risk management modelling.
From bazaar to Big Bazaar
Authors: Tumbe Chinmay , Krishnakumar Shashank 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to understand the factors affecting the evolution of retailing in India since the mid-nineteenth century.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper compares the trajectories of four distinct retail stores in India – Spencer’s pan-Indian retailing empire since 1863, Akbarallys’ department store chain in Mumbai since 1897, Apna Bazar’s consumer cooperative chain in Mumbai since 1948 and the Future Group’s pan-Indian retailing chain since the 1980s. Historical sources include firm biographies and newspaper archives.

Findings
This paper proposes a systems theory linking environmental influences and service innovation, to explain the evolution of retailing in India since the mid-nineteenth century. The key environmental influence on retailing has been state patronage – colonialism and high-end department stores until the 1940s, socialism and cooperative stores until the 1980s and liberalisation with restricted foreign direct investment in retailing until 2015 associated with indigenous corporate large retail format stores. Service innovation in terms of home delivery and recreation of the bazaar atmosphere due to norms on gender and community have also interacted to shape individual success in modern retailing and the dominance of small shop retailing over the long run.

Research limitations/implications
This paper questions standard accounts of retailing history in India that began with the late-twentieth century by showing the scale of a pan-Indian retailing chain in the early-twentieth century. It also provides an account of retailers that is missing in the current literature on the history of consumption in India.

Practical implications
Findings of this study will be useful to marketing professionals and teachers who wish to learn more about the history of retailing in India. It also shows how retailers navigated changes in the regulatory and business environment.

Originality/value
Through a comparative study, this paper outlines the environmental influences on retail formats and service innovation strategies that are required to serve the Indian market. It also brings to fore the significance of retailing chains in colonial India.
Determinants of dividend payout of Indian manufacturing companies
Authors: Thakur Bhanu Pratap Singh , Kannadhasan M. 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of firm characteristics such as profitability, growth opportunities, size, leverage and maturity on dividend policy of Indian firms.

Design/methodology/approach
The study analyzes the determinants of dividend policy of manufacturing firms in India using panel data. Because of the non-linearity behaviour of dividend pay-out by firms, the study uses quantile regression method to examine whether the determinants of dividends vary depending on the company’s level of dividends.

Findings
Overall, the results show important difference between ordinary least square and quantile regression estimates and depict differential effect on dividend at different levels. The notable difference occurs because either the significance changes (e.g. for profitability and growth opportunities) or because the magnitude of coefficients changes (e.g. for size, profitability and growth opportunities).

Originality/value
This finding is useful in identifying the dividend issuing companies. Further, results of this study would be helpful to the mangers to manage their financial positions that subsequently help in retaining and attracting the probable investors.
Customer-dominant logic and the need for exploring app usage in different customer contexts
Authors: Lemmink Jos , Franzelova Iva , Säaksjärvi Maria , Heinonen Kristina 
Published: October 2018

PurposeNowadays, customers have big chunks of information on their smartphones and can acquire information and make decisions rapidly, oftentimes with the use of specific apps. Most of the research on this topic to date has been conducted from the perspective of the provider, or the company, therefore missing the value that is created with these apps in the customer’s own domain according to the customer-dominant logic (CDL) approach.Design/methodology/approachAs compared with prior research, CDL requires a different type of research that is much more inclined towards customers and specific circumstances. This paper is positioned within CDL (Heinonen and Strandvik, 2015) and aims to quantitatively explore app usage in different customer contexts.FindingsSeven apps were tested in two different usage contexts: a social vs an individual context and a calm vs dynamic context. It was found that for the social vs individual context there was no difference; thus, managers should not pay too much attention to whether the user of the digital service is in a social context. For the calm vs dynamic social context, it was found that customers’ satisfaction, enjoyment, pleasure and their overall rating of an app were higher when the customer as in a tranquil vs dynamic context.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed method provides a highly relevant way to approach app development from a CDL perspective.Practical implicationsThese findings provide evidence that context matters and that we should study customer behavior from a more integral and detailed perspective as has been advocated by CDL.Social implicationsApp research should incorporate a customer focused approach. This means that not only the customers’ needs need to be considered. The circumstances and context in which apps are used are highly relevant as well.Originality/valueThis research uses a CDL approach to provide evidence about the consequences for app usage and satisfaction and shows the necessity of incorporating specific circumstances, customer experience and usage variables to a larger extend than has been advocated in the past.
The perception of non-Muslim tourists towards halal tourism
Authors: Battour Mohamed , Hakimian Fatemeh , Ismail Mohd , Boğan Erhan 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the perceptions of non-Muslim tourists towards halal tourism in Malaysia and Turkey. It also investigates the extent to which non-Muslim tourists are willing to purchase certain types of halal products and services.Design/methodology/approachQualitative data were collected by conducting 35 semi-structured interviews with non-Muslim tourists in Malaysia and another 25 in Turkey.FindingsSix major aspects are identified that describe the perceptions of non-Muslim tourists towards halal tourism. This paper also provides some suggestions for destination marketers on how best to cater for Western tourists and increase international arrivals.Originality/valueThis paper explores the perceptions of non-Muslim tourists towards halal tourism which is totally new research in destination marketing. It provides some original insights into the interactions between the religion of Islam and non-Muslim tourists. The insight should be of value to authorities, the industry and academics in both the Muslim and non-Muslim worlds.
Service quality and customer’s satisfaction in Tanzania’s Islamic banks
Authors: Khamis Fauz Moh’d , AbRashid Rosemaliza 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
This study aims to examine the relationship between service quality and customers’ satisfaction, and the effect of service quality on customers’ satisfaction in Tanzanian Islamic banking.

Design/methodology/approach
This study applied six service quality dimensions of CARTER model, i.e. compliance, assurance, reliability, tangible, empathy and responsiveness, to measure Tanzania Islamic banks’ service quality. The questionnaire was also used to measure the level of customers’ satisfaction to the Islamic banking services provided. A total of 384 questionnaires were randomly distributed to the customers of People’s Bank of Zanzibar Islamic banking division, whereby 255 questionnaires were returned and used for analysis. By using SPSS version 19, descriptive analysis, correlation analysis and regression analysis have been used to meet the research objectives.

Findings
The study findings indicate that customers are satisfied with the Islamic banking services provided by Tanzania banks. However, it has been found that customers are attracted by compliance, tangibility and reliability of the banks. The findings further indicate a significant relationship between service quality and customers’ satisfaction. Indeed, empathy, compliance and reliability were found to be the only significant predictors of customers’ satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications
Further researches should be considered to involve more banks to generalize the findings. Again, the study has focused on the influence of service quality on customer satisfaction; however, there may be other issues that have direct or indirect influence on customers’ satisfaction on Tanzania Islamic banking. It is, therefore, suggested that future researchers may broaden their scope and conduct research in these areas.

Practical implications
The findings of the study suggest that there is large number of Muslim and non-Muslims communities who are interested in Islamic modes of finance and banking. Banks have potential to increase customers’ base by improving the quality of their services. Essentially, banks must focus on complying with Islamic principles, improving reliability and empathy, as they statistically influence customers’ satisfaction.

Social implications
The study creates awareness about the nature of the quality of services provided by Islamic banks in Tanzania. Hence, the study may influence more customers to join Islamic banks for better services.

Originality/value
This study is important for Tanzania Islamic banks considering that the country has a large number of Muslim communities and non-Muslims who are interested in Islamic modes of finance and banking. While most of the other studies on customers’ preferences in Tanzania are based on conventional banking services, this study focuses on Islamic modes of finance and banking.
Push and pull contracts in a supply chain selling two products with different lead times
Authors: Zhang Zhenyu , Tao Zhiying 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
Previous researchers have studied push and pull contracts in the single product scenario, although in practice, supply chains often produce and sell multiple products. In a multiproduct scenario, the sales of a product will be influenced by its complements or substitutes, which requires consideration when the supply chain members negotiate contracts. This paper aims to fill this gap by studying push and pull contracts in a supply chain which distributes two products to a market and discusses how the degree of complementarity/substitutability between the two products affects the supplier’s decisions and supply chain efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses the model of a single-supplier, single-retailer supply chain which sells a product with a long lead time and another product with a short lead time simultaneously in a market. This research compares the production quantity and supply chain efficiency under a push contract with those under a pull contract.

Findings
First, when the two products are complements, the equilibrium production quantity of Product 2 is higher under a pull contract than that under a push contract. Second, a pull contract is found to be optimal for both the supplier’s profit and supply chain efficiency when the two products are complements, while if they are substitutes, then a push contract is the better choice in some situations.

Originality/value
The existing literature discusses push and pull contracts in the single product scenario. The current paper pays attention to the two-product scenario and investigates how the complementarity/substitutability degree between the two products affects the supplier’s decisions and supply chain efficiency.
The influence of design factors on the financing results of crowdfunding projects
Authors: Zhu Cong , Li Xingchen 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The money raised for projects on crowdfunding platforms is determined not only by the merit of the projects themselves but also, to a large extent, by the design of the project introduction on the platforms. The purpose of this study is to identify the clear relationships between the financing result and the design factors to give preferable design suggestions to the fund initiators.

Design/methodology/approach
The data for this study were abstracted with Python from the Jingdong crowdfunding platform on a certain day. In all, 11 hypotheses are put forward in the study with the two main purposes of exploring the function of the quality signaling and level setting.

Findings
All design factors can impact the money raised for a project. However, the impact differs in certain situations. The level setting can significantly impact the amount of money raised. The quality of signals has a complex impact on the two dimensions.

Originality/value
Three major contributions are made by this paper. First, the level setting is explored after overcoming the difficulty of scrawling data. Second, the authors create the Success Index and Weighted Gap Index to measure the level of success from comprehensive dimensions and quantify the dispersion of the levels. Third, this study shows a comprehensive theoretical framework which can function as a reference for research in the future.
The relationship between cost leadership competitive strategy and firm performance
Authors: Kharub Manjeet , Mor Rahul S. , Sharma Rajiv 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the cost leadership competitive strategy’s (CLCS) impact on firm performances and the mediating role of quality management (QM) practices in the context of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).Design/methodology/approachA structures questionnaire data collected from 245 ISO 9000 certified MSMEs in India (65.1 per cent of response rate) have been utilised to understand the CLCS’s impact on firm performances. In the first step, the data adequacy tests were performed to check the reliability and validity of the questionnaire and survey data. After that, the partial mediating model (direct, indirect and total effect) along with structural equation modelling approach was employed to test the research hypotheses.FindingsThe study results revealed that no direct relationship exists between the CLCS and firm performances (0.12<β<0.13;p>0.05); however, QM practices entirely mediated their relationship (β=0.73,p<0.01). Among eight model parameters, with highest total effects on product quality improvement (β=0.6264) and process improvement (β=0.6028), the continuous improvement secured the rank 1, followed by information and analysis (β=0.2334) and supplier management (0.1839), respectively, atp<0.05. Based on the empirical results, it can be concluded that the continuous improvement via proper information and data analysis is the key to achieve CLCS’s goal in the MSMEs.Research limitations/implicationsThe study results’ generalisation towards the large organisations is limited. The survey result findings applicability to other developing countries should also be treated with caution because the Indian Government subsidised the MSMEs selected for this study. The study results will help managers in implementing CLCS at the organisational level. The successful implementation will facilitate a competitive advantage in the local market and will motivate them to think globally.Originality/valueThe research observation and findings are expected to contribute to the strategic management in manufacturing industries. The study also confirms the existence of strategic management in MSMEs in a developing country. Furthermore, the major contribution is to understand the mediating role of QM practices, especially continuous improvement effect on the relationship between CLCS and firm performances in a developing country. The results indicated that the CLCS is only possible when the managers in the manufacturing sectors emphasis on the QM practices in their firms.
Classifying coping among entrepreneurs: is it about time?
Authors: Eager Bronwyn , Grant Sharon L. , Maritz Alex 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore whether descriptions of functional coping strategies among entrepreneurs vary along temporal dimensions, from reactive or present oriented, to anticipatory or future oriented. Future-oriented coping is largely unexplored in stress and coping studies in the entrepreneurship literature, despite evidence that a future time perspective is advantageous for entrepreneurs.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts an exploratory, qualitative approach: interviews were conducted with 22 entrepreneurs and coping strategies were classified, via thematic analysis, according to function, then time orientation.FindingsResults confirmed that entrepreneurs’ coping strategies can be classified according to conventional functional taxonomies of coping that emphasize form (affective, behavioral, cognitive) and direction (change, adapt, disengage), but additionally suggested that time orientation may be an important dimension for classifying coping strategies in the entrepreneurship context.Practical implicationsThe findings inform the assessment of coping strategies in future research on stress, coping and strain among entrepreneurs. In particular, researchers should assess temporal dimensions of coping alongside the functional dimensions which have been emphasized in past research. Assessment of meaningful dimensions of coping is necessary to identify adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies in future research. Knowledge of adaptive coping strategies among entrepreneurs can inform coping skills interventions for stress resilience.Originality/valueThis study makes a unique contribution to the emergent body of literature on stress and coping among entrepreneurs by utilizing both functional and temporal coping taxonomies to identify relevant dimensions of coping for study in this context.