bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Customer Acceptance towards Self-Service Technologies: Special Reference to Commercial Banking Sector in Sri Lanka
Authors: Galdolage Badra Sandamali , Rasanjalee R.M.K. Samudrika 
Published: April 2024

Rapid technological breakthroughs have transformed traditional physical service interactions managed by service professionals into Self Service Technologies (SSTs) controlled by clients. To improve their services and give consumers a unique experience, many service providers increasingly use the current technology to allow consumers to interact with service production processes through technological interfaces. Local and worldwide banks are using self-service channels to correspond with this transformation. Sri Lankan banks were the first to deploy SSTs such as Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and now offer Internet Banking, SMS Banking, different Kiosks such as CDMs, and Telephone Banking. Even if firms deploy SSTs, customers may not use them as intended. Despite their benefits, SSTs have been largely ignored, particularly by developing nations. However, few studies have sought to understand customers' acceptance of SSTs, particularly in developing countries. In light of this, this study's goal is to assess self-service technology's acceptance among the customers of Sri Lankan commercial banks. To achieve the study's goal, 50 individuals from the Western Province of Sri Lanka were interviewed utilising a non-probabilistic purposeful sampling method. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically evaluated. Convenience, dynamic lifestyle, efficiency, ease of functioning, supportive technology, credibility, on-site banking difficulties, risk, emergent trends, experience, technology outlook, social influence, independence, technological playfulness and technology anxiety were found to be influential factors for banks to accept SSTs. Less research has been done on the factors influencing customer adoption of SSTs in banking. Also, practitioners will learn how to increase SST delivery in commercial banking by improving client acceptability. Customers' actual use of SSTs and their experiences in banking and other service industries can be explored in future research.
Keywords: Banking, Self-Service Technologies, Customer Acceptance, Adoption
Effect of Job-Related Factors and Organisational Factors on Turnover Intention of IT Professionals in the Western Province, Sri Lanka
Authors: Dunukara D.M.A.M , Pushpakumari M D 
Published: April 2024

The turnover rate of IT professionals has remained high over the decades. As a country with rapid growth in the IT industry, Sri Lanka is also facing the same problem of high employee turnover. Numerous studies on the topic of turnover intention for IT employees have been carried out in various parts of the world. However, there is very little literature in the Sri Lankan context on that topic. Among diverse reasons for the turnover intention of IT professionals, this study is focusing on investigating the effect of job-related factors (perceived work load, role ambiguity, role conflict, and work exhaustion) and organisational factors (peer relations, supervisor relations, pay and benefits, advancement opportunities and job security) on turnover intention of IT professionals in the Western Province, Sri Lanka. The study was conducted as a quantitative study. Data were collected from 182 IT professionals in the Western Province, Sri Lanka through a survey method using a standard questionnaire. Bivariate correlation analysis is used as the data analysis technique. Results show that from job related factors, perceived workload, role conflict, and work exhaustion are positively correlated with the turnover intention of IT professionals in the Western Provence, Sri Lanka, and from organisational factors, supervisor relations, peer relations, pay and benefits, advancement opportunities and job security, all show a negative correlation with the turnover intention of IT professionals in the Western Provence, Sri Lanka. This study fills the empirical gap in IT turnover intention literature in the Sri Lankan context and provides insights to managers to better understand the turnover intention among IT professionals in Sri Lanka.
Keywords: IT Professional, IT Turnover, Job Related Factors, Organisational Factors, Turnover Intention
Qualitative Exploration of the Barriers Faced by Bancassurance Managers due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Fernando P. Bhagya Dewmini 
Published: April 2024

Bancassurance is an expanding, significant, yet highly understudied area. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had a critical impact on many industries, including bancassurance, which is defined as a collaborative format to sell insurance products through partnering banks. In light of this context, this research study identifies and explores the barriers faced by bancassurance managers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a qualitative approach, a case study strategy has been used to explore the barriers faced by bancassurance managers in the context of the life insurance company -Diriya. The findings were bracketed under two main themes, namely, a) increased pressure to achieve sales targets from both the insurance company and the partnering bank and b) the work-life imbalance caused by the additional workload during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first theme explored the pressure and consequences faced by the bancassurance managers through the insurance company and the partnering bank, while the second theme explored agent-manager engagement, shouldering additional workload and the unique burdens faced by the married, female bancassurance managers. As COVID-19 is an ongoing phenomenon, this study contributes in terms of advancing literature by making knowledge more explicit, in addition to policy formulation and application. Finally, the novelty of this study would be a foundation for further research conducted on barriers faced by bancassurance managers in managing agents amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords: Bancassurance, COVID-19, Bancassurance Managers, Barriers
Examining BOP Customers’ Package-Size Choice Decision
Authors: Pratihari Suvendu Kumar , Jaiswal Anand Kumar 
Published: April 2024

Despite the enormous market potential at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP), firms face challenges in formulating a winning marketing strategy, especially from the product package-size perspective. In this context, this study examines how and when aspects of the BOP customer's package size choice decision across different product and income categories. The study employed the interpretative phenomenological paradigm of qualitative research design. A total of 30 long face-to-face interviews were conducted. The questions were open-ended. Each interview was audio-recorded and then transcribed into text. A text (content) analysis method was used to analyse the data based on the subjective understanding of different phenomena under investigation. The study found that customers’ economic, consumption-related, psychological, and in-package framing-related factors affect the package-size decision. BOP consumers do not necessarily misplace their resource allocation priorities in the context of package sizes or get driven by companies' different marketing campaigns. Instead, they carefully evaluate the utility of varying package sizes based on their economic and behavioural aspects to substantiate their purchase behaviour. However, the judgments about package sizes vary based on product categories and income heterogeneity. Considering factors such as customer affordability, product necessity, and usage volume, firms can design the marketing mix and take appropriate package-size and in-package promotional framing decisions. A marketing strategy comprising customer-centric package-size decisions can enable firms to exploit the untapped potential of BOP markets. This can help BOP customers regulate their product consumption and spending habits to live better lives. The study contributes to the literature on BOP by establishing an integrated framework depicting how economic, consumption-related, and psychological factors affect decision-making from the package-size choice perspective. Besides, our framework explains how the in-package framing of the marketer's promotional offers influences package-size decisions based on perceived gain and loss.
Keywords: Package Size, Choice Decision, Bottom of the Pyramid, Emerging Market, India
Impact of Green Procurement on Purchasing Performance: With Special Reference to the Apparel Manufacturing Industry in Sri Lanka
Authors: Dasanayake D.M.S.M. , Amarasena T.S.M. 
Published: April 2024

This study will explore the impact of green procurement on purchasing by special reference to the apparel manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka. In order to achieve the above objective, the researcher developed three research questions, three research objectives and three hypotheses. Based on institutional theory and natural resource-based view theory, this study constructs a theoretical framework to clarify the mechanisms underlying the relationship between variables. Utilising a sample of two hundred and fifty-two Sri Lankan professionals from the large-scaled apparel manufacturing sector, a structural model is outlined and tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). The study results demonstrate that green procurement has a positive and significant impact on purchasing performance. Further the survey result recommended that the relationship between product-based green procurement and process-based green procurement on purchasing performance were positive and statistically significant. Consequently, organisations strive for achieve better purchasing performance should focus more on executing green procurement practices. These two kinds of procurement capabilities present two facets of firm’s practice on green procurement, which complements rather than substitutes each other. Organisations who strive to achieve better purchasing performance should focus more on executing green procurement practices. To achieve better purchasing performance, firms need to establish more green procurement practices to adapt to internal or external influences where firms need to establish more sustainable procurement practices with supply chain partners on mind. The study provides organisations a set of valid and reliable measurements for evaluating, benchmarking, and comparing purchasing performance at the point from raw material supplier within the supply chain. The measurements developed in this study can capture the different aspects of purchasing performance, thus not only enabling use by practitioners to identify the immediate outcomes of it, but also to understand its impacts on organisational performance.
Keywords: Product-based Green Procurement, Process-based Green Procurement, Purchasing Performance
Impact of Extended Warehouse Management System Implementation on Warehouse Operational Performance: A Case Study of Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry
Authors: Edirisinghe Harshani , Liyanage Harishani 
Published: April 2024

Warehouses operating in the Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry are affected by the supply chain disruptions. Therefore, it is critical to develop faster and effective mechanisms of managing warehouse operational performance. In this regard, this paper aims to evaluate the impact of Extended Warehouse Management System (EWMS) implementation on warehouse operational performance. It intended to achieve two objectives: to examine the advanced features of EWMS and the impact of EWMS implementation on warehouse operational performance. The case study method gathered operational quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources, ensuring data richness. Descriptive statistics and mean comparison tests through hypothesis testing were used as quantitative data analysis techniques, using the IBM SPSS Statistics 21 statistical analysis software package. The Framework Approach was used to analyse qualitative data. By mapping Process Flowcharts before and after the implementation, the improvements and drawbacks were identified with their root causes. Advanced features of EWMSs are presented by reviewing the literature. The study's findings reveal that implementation of EWMS increases the throughput, average receiving rate, average allocation and picking rate, average loading rate, average last truck dispatch time, and average on-time delivery. The scope of the research is limited to evaluating the EWMS implementation impact on warehouse operational performance in a selected FMCG warehouse. Future researchers can focus on the effects of EWMS on supply chain capability enhancements and the strategic performance of supply chain partners. The in-depth analysis of performance improvements in the extent of the throughput, average receiving rate, average allocation and picking rate, average loading rate, average last truck dispatch time, and average on-time delivery signals warehouse managers in decision making on effective utilisation EWMS implementation. This paper is among the very few evaluating Extended WMS, specifically, empirical investigation of the impact of EWMS system implementation on FMCG warehouse operational performance.
Keywords: Extended Warehouse Management Systems, Advance Features, FMCG Warehouses, Warehouse Operational Performance
Environmental Sustainability in Family Business
Authors: Kariyapperuma Nishanthi , Collins Eva , Bowden Stephen 
Published: April 2024

Ethics, values and culture (EVC) have been highlighted as critical to understanding business engagement with environmental sustainability (ES) as part of the growing focus on promoting a purposeful approach to managing environmental issues. Research that reviews and integrates the extant literature in the intersection of family business (FB), business ethics and ES has not been conducted. In addition, the question of why and how heterogeneities exist in ES engagement among family firms has not been adequately addressed. This paper posits a causal link between FB' unique organisational structure and the distinct ethics, values, and culture it creates, resulting in heterogeneous engagement with ES by FB. This study is based on a systematic literature review of 89 journal articles at the intersection of FB, business ethics and ES. We found evidence to show how family involvement in the FB generated a distinctive set of EVC in family firms leading to variations in firms’ ES engagement.
Keywords: Family Involvement, ‘Familiness’, Familial Logics, Environmental Ethics, Values, Culture, Heterogeneity, Family Firms, Environmental Sustainability
Effect of CSR on Brand Loyalty: Mediating Role of Corporate Branding Dimensions
Authors: Pratihari Suvendu Kr. , Uzma Shigufta Hena 
Published: April 2024

The study addresses the significance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as the obligatory attribute of companies in the corporate branding process to enhance brand loyalty. In this context, the study examines the intervening role of different corporate branding dimensions to test CSR's direct and indirect effect on brand loyalty from the customer perspective. The study is empirical, and cross-sectional data is used to examine the relationships in the banking context. The findings reveal that brand loyalty can be enhanced when CSR becomes integral to corporate branding strategy. However, the variations in the magnitudes of the direct and indirect effect between CSR and brand loyalty differ with different dimensions of corporate branding such as corporate association, corporate value, corporate personality, corporate activity, and customer perceived value. Theoretically, the study contributes six different models that describe how the company’s social performance, and its organisational effectiveness are two important gestures to strengthen the corporate image. Based on the value foundation of corporate branding, practitioners are suggested to develop their corporate identities by integrating their CSR philosophy with their corporate branding agenda to make their customers loyal. Notably, the study summarises that CSR helps the customers to be identified with the company, because the company can elicit favourable reactions by depicting its socially responsible behaviour. Such behaviour due to CSR has gained significance as an obligatory attribute of the company to associate with its stakeholders at the corporate level; thus, it is considered an integral part of corporate branding dimensions. Practically, bankers are suggested to bring innovative ways of strengthening corporate ability and CSR-related associations with the customers from the banking context. Managers should undertake CSR as the guiding principle to design and deliver different values to the customers at both product and corporate levels.
Keywords: Corporate Branding, CSR, Identity, Image, Brand Loyalty, Banking
State of Cyanobacteria <i>Arthrospira platensis</i> and of Associated Microflora during Long-Term Storage in the State of Anhydrobiosis
Authors: Kharchuk I. A. , Rylkova O. A. , Beregovaya N. M. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract—The biochemical composition of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis (Nordstedt) Gomont after long-term storage in the state of anhydrobiosis (4 years, 17 years) was determined by the standard methods. It was shown that protein content (55.3–61.2%) and total carbohydrates content (13.0–15.6%) in cyanobacterial cells were in agreement with the data known from the literature and with our results obtained at the onset of storage. The biomass had low content of free nucleotides (1.8–2.6%), lipids (1.3–11.0%), and especially pigments (0.5–1.3, 0.03–0.12, 1.4–2.0, 0.03–0.05% for chlorophyll a, carotenoids, C-phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin, respectively). The content of nucleic acids content was 3.1–24.0 and 0.11–0.16% for RNA and DNA, respectively. Microscopic examination of A. platensis (17 years of storage) showed high numbers of irreversibly damaged and dead cells (34.2 and 65.8%, respectively). To determine the quantitative and morphological parameters of associated microflora, a complex physicochemical treatment (methanol, ultrasound, and centrifugation) of the reactivated cyanobacterial suspension proved the most efficient. Three main groups were distinguished in the morphological structure of the microbiome (rod-shaped, rounded, and convoluted forms). The community was dominated by rod-shaped forms: large and small rods accounted for 60.5 and 14.4%, respectively. Mycelial forms (thin filaments), cocci, and convoluted forms were less common. On average, the volume of a bacterial cell was 0.27 ± 0.04 µm3. The contribution of bacteria to the biomass of A. platensis varied from 3.3 to 11.3% (8.3 ± 4.4% on average) of the dry weight of A. platensis. It has been suggested that the biochemical parameters and viability of cyanobacteria were affected by the accompanying microflora.
Biological Activity and Composition of Metabolites of Potential Agricultural Application from <i>Streptomyces carpaticus</i> K-11 RCAM04697 (SCPM-O-B-9993)
Authors: Bataeva Yu. V. , Grigoryan L. N. , Bogun A. G. , Kislichkina A. A. , Platonov M. E. , Kurashov E. A. , Krylova J. V. , Fedorenko A. G. , Andreeva M. P. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract—Strain K-11 was isolated from the highly saline brown semi-desert soil of the Astrakhan region. Based on analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, this strain was identified as Streptomyces carpaticus K-11 RCAM04697 (SCPM-O-B-9993). Whole genome sequencing of the strain was performed. Phytotoxicity, antiviral, antioxidant, antifungal, and insecticidal activities of the strain were studied. All extracts and suspensions of S. carpaticus strain RCAM04697 had plant-stimulating activity. Antiviral properties was exhibited as suppression of development and propagation of viral pathogens in laboratory conditions: Tomato Mosaic Virus (ToMV) – 26.3%, Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) – 33.8%, Y-Potato Virus (YVK) (Potato Y potyvirus, PVY) – 51.3%, Potato X-Virus (PVX) (Potato X potyvirus, PVX) – 41.3%. The highest antioxidant activity was shown by a suspension of S. carpaticus strain RCAM04697 (88.8%) and its aqueous-alcoholic (20 : 80) extract (76.0%). The strain inhibited growth of the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium sporotrichioides to varying degrees. The insecticidal activity against Aphis fabae after 6 h of treatment was 100% in the variants with suspension treatment, water-alcohol (80 : 20, 50 : 50), methanol, and hexane extracts. The metabolites of the S. carpaticus RCAM04697 strain included flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, organic acids (isocitric, acetic, fumaric, lactic, pyruvic, and malic), alcohols, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, ethers, sulfur-containing compounds, and other groups of low-molecular weight organic compounds.
ANTICONVULSANT EFFICACY OF INHIBITION OF SYNAPTIC AND EXTRASYNAPTIC GABA-TRANSPORTERS IN PREVENTION OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN SEIZURES
Authors: Alekseeva O. S. , Gerda B. A. , Zhilyaeva A. S. , Demchenko I. T. 
Published: April 2024

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) inhibits GABAergic neurotransmission in the brain, which can lead to the development of a seizure disorders known as “oxygen epilepsy”. Deficiency in GABAergic transmission in HBO2, resulting from a decrease in the level of synaptic GABA, can be compensated by inhibition of neuronal and glial GABA transporters (GAT). The present study compared the anticonvulsant efficacy of two types of GABA transporters with tiagabine, a GAT-1 inhibitor, and SNAP 5114, a GAT-3 inhibitor. Anticonvulsant effects were assessed after administration of drugs into the lateral cerebral ventricle of rats 30 min before the start of hyperbaric oxygen exposure at 5 ATA. In separate experiments, the concentration of GABA in the striatum of rats was measured when breathing oxygen at a pressure of 5 ATA after GAT inhibition with tiagabine or SNAP 5114. New results obtained in the study were: (1) inhibition of GAT-1 or GAT-3 prevented the development of “oxygen epilepsy” in rats; (2) among the two inhibitors used, TGB was found to be more effective in preventing oxygen convulsions compared to SNAP 5114; (3) the combined use of TGB + SNAP 5114 caused an additive anticonvulsant effect; (4) oxygen convulsions appeared when GABA in the brain decreased by 30–40% of the initial level; (5) GAT-1 inhibition with tiagabine increased extracellular GABA 2.9-fold and 1.7-fold with SNAP 5114. GAT-1 and GAT-3 inhibition increased GABA to a level sufficient to restore impaired inhibitory neurotransmission in HBO2, and prevented the development of hyperbaric oxygen convulsions.
NEW OR LITTLE-KNOWN SPECIES OF GROUND BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, CARABIDAE) FROM THE SAKHALIN ISLAND
Authors: Sundukov Yu. N. 
Published: April 2024

Information concerning 20 new or little-known species of ground beetles found in the south of Sakhalin is presented. Of these, two species (Bembidion pliculatum Bates, 1883, Apristus grandis Andrewes 1937) are new to the fauna of Russia, while further five species (Dyschirius tristis Stephens 1827, Bembidion pseudolucillum Netolitzky 1938, Trechus nigricornis arsenjevi (Jeannel 1962), Harpalus nigrans A. Morawitz 1862, Lebia bifenestrata A. Morawitz 1862) represent the first formal records from Sakhalin Island. The earlier records of 13 species from this island are supported by additional material: Carabus canaliculatus sichotensis Born 1914, Dyschirius aeneus ovicollis Putzeys 1873, Eobroscus lutshniki (Roubal 1928), Bembidion hiogoense Bates 1873, B. lucillum lucillum Bates 1883, B. varium (Olivier 1795), Pterostichus longinquus Bates 1873, Agonum consimile (Gyllenhal 1810), Amara erratica (Duftschmid 1812), A. hicksi Lindroth, 1968, Harpalus platynotus Bates 1873, Chlaenius inops inops Chaudoir 1856, and Parena tripunctata (Bates 1873).