Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Afef Ben Youssef Author-X-Name-First: Afef Ben Author-X-Name-Last: Youssef Title: What about customer service innovation in the digital era? Abstract: Increasingly, customer service is considered by many managers as the best way to gain insight into customers and take advantage of service propositions for superior performance. In fact, customer service is a core component of the customer experience. Besides, it seems that technologies are helping them to keep this orientation, since frequent changes in customer expectations are more and more putting pressure and new challenges on the customer service offer. Thus, the aim of this paper is to identify antecedents and outcomes of customer service innovation. Using survey research, a total of 141 responses was received from Tunisian firms and was used in the data analysis. Findings show that customer orientation and commitment to customer service influence the firm adoption of customer service innovation. In addition, the positive impact of customer service innovation on the firm's market performance was confirmed and the ICT capability moderates this relationship. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 95-113 Issue: 2 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: customer service innovation; customer orientation; commitment; market performance; ICT capability. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=129848 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:2:p:95-113 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: R.K. Srivastava Author-X-Name-First: R.K. Author-X-Name-Last: Srivastava Title: How popular is the usage of technology-based payment among retail store owners and consumers? - In emerging markets Abstract: The study compares the acceptance of technology-based payment among mom-and-pop retail (small retailers) owners, and consumers; patronising the same, as technology-based payment is still a problem area in emerging markets like India. In this study, the numbers of participants are 408 in consumer category and 220 in retail category. Acceptance of technology-based payment among mom-and-pop store owners and consumers patronising the same in emerging markets such as India is influenced by experience and service charges of the technology-based payment. Results of the study can help mobile payment companies understand factors that are relevant to increasing adoption of technology in the context of merchants and consumers. The rational-adoption theory (R-A theory) is used to explain the comparative study of digital adoption mode of payment among owners and consumers by combining theory of diffusion of innovations (Rogers, 2003) and the rational choice theory (Allingham, 2002). Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 114-130 Issue: 2 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: technology-based payment; mom-and-pop stores; consumers; debit card; credit card; demographic variables; theory of diffusion of innovations; rational choice theory. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=129849 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:2:p:114-130 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: R. Seetharaman Author-X-Name-First: R. Author-X-Name-Last: Seetharaman Author-Name: P.S. Rajeswari Author-X-Name-First: P.S. Author-X-Name-Last: Rajeswari Title: Sustainable consumerism of smartphone usage in global electronic markets Abstract: Smartphones are vehemently used by about more than five billion people across the globe today, emanates closer to two-thirds of the world's population and the number is still intensifying aloft. India conquers the second position subsequent to China in the smartphone usage. Even though there are many salient features that impress the users, the detrimental side of the smartphone is also to be keenly observed as it impacts desperately on psychological and physiological part of the users. Hence, the concept of sustainable consumerism is extremely indispensable in this situation. This conceptual study mainly focuses on vitality and strategic prominence of sustainable consumerism on smartphone usage and also synthesised based on the several meta-analysis pertaining to different countries of the world. Based on this strategic imperatives of sustainable consumerism are streamlined. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 179-192 Issue: 2 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: smartphone usage; sustainable consumerism; psychology; addiction; life style; meta-analyses; global electronic market. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=129851 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:2:p:179-192 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Priyanka Gupta Author-X-Name-First: Priyanka Author-X-Name-Last: Gupta Author-Name: Rajan Gupta Author-X-Name-First: Rajan Author-X-Name-Last: Gupta Author-Name: Raghav Goyal Author-X-Name-First: Raghav Author-X-Name-Last: Goyal Title: Future e-commerce recommendation based on purchasing pattern analysis amid COVID era Abstract: COVID-19 is altering the world, bringing about novel challenges in every sphere of life, including e-commerce. The novel coronavirus is contagious, which has increased online shopping worldwide and, in India, the number of first-time online buyers. The evolving conditions have managed a paradigm shift from offline shopping to e-commerce. This shift generates tons of data, which needs to be analysed to forecast shopping trends and behaviour. This paper predicts the future of small and medium online retailers in India using a powerful data mining technique - decision tree and its rules. Using a Google Form, 2,000 respondents reported their purchasing behaviour and modes before, during, and after the epidemic. This article examines the shopping patterns category-wise. The results suggest that e-commerce has a bright future, especially in categories such as daily grocery items and medicines, as many customers prefer and permanently migrate to online purchasing. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 131-156 Issue: 2 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: e-commerce; COVID-19; decision tree; recommendation; shopping patterns; online purchasing. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=129852 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:2:p:131-156 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Alan D. Smith Author-X-Name-First: Alan D. Author-X-Name-Last: Smith Title: Marketing potentials of ecofriendly paper products: case study Abstract: The ecofriendly or green revolution has greatly evolved, especially from a marketing perspective. Hemp products, especially food protein and non-food products (paper) may well be the next evolution ecofriendly supply chain strategies. Through the use of a case study approach, hemp as a source for paper that results in a quicker cycle time and is more climate change friendly than trees, may well turn out to be a part of a sustainable supply chains. Besides the direct environmental impact, paper pulp requires a number of chemical treatments in order for it to have longevity as a product. The innovative solution that can challenge the traditional monopoly is hemp-based, ecofriendly paper products. Hemp paper is a natural alternative to tree-based paper and is an obvious upgrade from the latter. Recent federal degradations have made this ecofriendly resource extremely attractive. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 157-178 Issue: 2 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: cash crops; hemp paper; ecofriendly; green products; supply chain management; SCM; sustainable supply chain integration; SSCI; sustainability. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=129853 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:2:p:157-178 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sasongko Budisusetyo Author-X-Name-First: Sasongko Author-X-Name-Last: Budisusetyo Author-Name: Joicenda Nahumury Author-X-Name-First: Joicenda Author-X-Name-Last: Nahumury Author-Name: Dian Oktarina Author-X-Name-First: Dian Author-X-Name-Last: Oktarina Title: Advancing crowd-funding in Indonesia: is there trust yet? Abstract: Crowd-funding in Indonesia is still paid attention to by the people due to several factors, such as problems dealing with online loans and a lack of literacy concerning online businesses. This study tries to explore crowd-funding in Indonesia based on different perspectives, such as from consumers, regulator and creative idea providers. The data were gathered by interviews and content analysis of the crowd-funding websites. The data were also triangulated from different sources. It was found that consumers have yet to trust crowd-funding, due to both a lack of trust and literacy of online businesses. Besides that, the regulators are still unable to stop the various online loan providers that are not identified. It can be recommended that people require online business literacy. By doing so, it can increase the public trust on crowd-funding so that these businesses can be developed and advanced. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 295-307 Issue: 4 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: crowd-funding; online business; creative industry; Indonesia. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=134473 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:4:p:295-307 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Alan D. Smith Author-X-Name-First: Alan D. Author-X-Name-Last: Smith Title: Concerns about professional marketing careers by seniors from the beginning and post-pandemic Abstract: Reactions of senior marketing majors at a major AACSB-accredited private school in an urban metropolitan were recorded from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March. Interestingly, the vast majority of the senior students were in the midst of job interviews and graduation plans. The same basic question about the uncertainties of COVID-19 and its economic fallout was asked of the following year's graduating seniors in late April 2021, more than a year later. It is an interesting comparison of fears and hopes expressed by graduating marketing students. Through grounded theoretical approaches, comparisons among gender, course averages, major themes were analysed. As expected, at the beginning of the pandemic, the major themes were as expected, fear, employment lost, financial hardships, economic hardships, lean measures, and cautiously optimistic of individual employment for both genders, regardless of grade averages. Optimism dominated the post-Covid group as employment opportunities became available. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 308-331 Issue: 4 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: COVID-19; grounded theory; employment loss; financial hardships; economic hardships; senior student concerns; marketing education. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=134474 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:4:p:308-331 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Brajaballav Pal Author-X-Name-First: Brajaballav Author-X-Name-Last: Pal Author-Name: Saswata Choudhury Author-X-Name-First: Saswata Author-X-Name-Last: Choudhury Title: Do banks' investment in capital market impact on performance? Evidence from Indian banks Abstract: Indian banks invest a large volume of their funds under different components of the capital market. Investment in such components gives birth to different kinds of risks in the investment portfolios. Such risks in most cases may cause the assets loss of the banks and in some cases lead to closure of the banks. The present paper attempts to identify the different classes of risks attached with the components as well as finding the linkage between different classes of risks and banks' performance by taking the top ten banks operating in India; five banks from both public and private sector for period 2017 to 2021. Using robust panel data regression, the results revealed that both market risk (MR) and credit risk (CR) have significant impact on the performance of the banks while the MR has a significant influencing role to downgrade the banks' performance. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 347-357 Issue: 4 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: bank; component; credit risk; CR; market risk; MR; performance; investment. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=134475 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:4:p:347-357 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Alan Fask Author-X-Name-First: Alan Author-X-Name-Last: Fask Title: An expected value approach to forecast reconciliation with forecast targets and under asymmetric costs Abstract: A common problem in many business, economic and government organisations is the reconciliation of a group of lower level forecasts to the forecast of the aggregate of that group. Reconciliation may focus on a particular target for the aggregate forecast, or there may be no target. A number of approaches have been suggested, including top-down, bottom-up, hybrid and regression based methods. The reconciliation problem may be for only a single level, but often extends to the entire hierarchy of the organisation. This paper examines a different approach to forecast reconciliation, a minimum expected value approach, both analytically and through examples. Particular concern is the cost implications of forecast errors. Both symmetric cost functions (quadratic) and asymmetric cost functions (linex) are examined. Although the focus is on a single level hierarchy, multilevel and multidimensional reconciliation are also discussed. This paper is unique in that it studies asymmetrical forecast cost functions in an organisational hierarchy through simulations and an actual data example. Both targeted and non-targeted forecasts are considered. It also introduces the minimum expected value method, a new method of forecast reconciliation. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 332-346 Issue: 4 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: reconciling forecasts; top-down forecasting; bottom-up forecasting; forecast cost functions; asymmetric forecast cost functions; symmetric forecast cost functions. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=134476 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:4:p:332-346 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Alagirisamy Kamatchi Subbiah Sukumaran Author-X-Name-First: Alagirisamy Kamatchi Subbiah Author-X-Name-Last: Sukumaran Author-Name: S. Lalitha Lakshmi Author-X-Name-First: S. Lalitha Author-X-Name-Last: Lakshmi Title: The importance of haptic cues for the fashion leaders in clothing shopping channels Abstract: Fashion leaders used haptic cues the most in online channels and the least for shopping from local and non-local stores. Fashion leaders preferred to use local and non-local stores the most for cloth shopping, though they also used television and catalogue channels. The present study confirmed the earlier literature that low fashion leaders did not prefer to shop clothing from online stores. The study brought evidence for the webrooming effect as haptic cues that enabled buying from local and non-local stores after looking at the information online. The study also contributed to the research literature on fashion leaders' multichannel shopping behaviour and the literature on the need for touch in shopping. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 358-373 Issue: 4 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: fashion leaders; clothing shopping; haptic cues; shopping channels. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=134477 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:4:p:358-373 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Viveka Gupta Author-X-Name-First: Viveka Author-X-Name-Last: Gupta Author-Name: Ramjanul Haque Author-X-Name-First: Ramjanul Author-X-Name-Last: Haque Title: Mutual funds - an excellent financial instrument for the investors of Tinsukia Town, Assam Abstract: Mutual funds are also gaining a favourable acceptance by investors where they are getting a chance to earn a shedload of money. For a neophyte, mutual funds can be a good option as it is a low risky investment. In this research paper, Researchers have covered various facets of mutual funds like basic concepts, to assess the investor's basic perception regarding mutual funds investments, to evaluate the different factors of mutual funds schemes, and to know the predilection and requirements of mutual funds by the investors. Frequencies, percentages, mean, etc., are used for data analysis. The findings will be beneficial to clearly define the investor's interest base and variables, revealing that investors view mutual funds as a flexible investment choice that generates investment interest among small investors. The study concludes that the present study will be valuable for people and mutual funds industry in choosing different mutual funds schemes. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 374-393 Issue: 4 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: mutual funds; investors; perception; investment; schemes; financial instrument; factors; preferable; Tinsukia Town; Assam. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=134480 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:4:p:374-393 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Noversyah Author-X-Name-First: Author-X-Name-Last: Noversyah Author-Name: E.S. Margianti Author-X-Name-First: E.S. Author-X-Name-Last: Margianti Author-Name: Hotniar Siringoringo Author-X-Name-First: Hotniar Author-X-Name-Last: Siringoringo Title: Religiosity and product involvement of Islamic banking customer and non-customer Abstract: The objective of this study was to measure the religiosity of IB customers and non-customers, and its role on product involvement. This study used a questionnaire as the research instrument. The questionnaire contained statements measuring religiosity and product involvement. The questionnaire was distributed to Muslims living in the greater area of Jakarta. Data collected were analysed using structural equation modelling. We successfully collected 387 valid data. Using Lisrel 9.2, our result showed valid religiosity dimensions are intellectual, ritual, experience, and consequence for both IB customers and non-customers. Our result also shows that religiosity influences product involvement significantly for both IB customers and non-customer. However, the strength of the effect of each religiosity dimension on product involvement was different for IB customers and non-customer. Intellectual and ritual showed a strong effect on IB customers. Intellectual, ritual, and experiential factors had strong effect on non-IB customers. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 212-228 Issue: 3 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: Islamic banking; religiosity; product involvement; adoption; consumer behaviour. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=131747 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:3:p:212-228 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Meenakshi Handa Author-X-Name-First: Meenakshi Author-X-Name-Last: Handa Author-Name: Swati Jain Author-X-Name-First: Swati Author-X-Name-Last: Jain Title: Coping with the dark shadows: consumer response to financial hardships during a health pandemic Abstract: This study examines the urban Indian consumer's response to the financial challenges posed by the health pandemic. A qualitative research approach is adopted wherein adults aged between 18 to 39 years respond to a set of open-ended questions in an online mode. The findings indicate that more than half the respondents suffered some degree of financial hardships in their daily lives during the pandemic. A substantial section of the respondents experienced an effect on their psychological well-being. There is a sense of financial insecurity about the future pertaining to incomes and jobs. However, there appears to be some silver lining to the experiences during the pandemic. Consumers report on making some healthy lifestyle changes and also a conscious move towards bringing in more positivity in their worldview. Strategies and interventions focusing on coping with the adversities caused by the pandemic and on enhancing individual sense of financial well-being are presented. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 193-211 Issue: 3 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: financial well-being; COVID-19; economic uncertainty; positivity; psychological stress. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=131748 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:3:p:193-211 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Alagirisamy Kamatchi Subbiah Sukumaran Author-X-Name-First: Alagirisamy Kamatchi Subbiah Author-X-Name-Last: Sukumaran Title: The relevancy of trust and personal values in online consumer-based brand equity Abstract: Trust by itself did not contribute to online brand equity. Goal and action identification theories helped to explain that trust needed to enhance loyalty in order to significantly contribute to brand equity. Though, trust had gained importance in recent studies with respect to online companies, those studies demanded empirical studies on the relationship between trust and personal values of the consumers. This gap in the literature was addressed in this study. As women were high on risk perception, their trust did not lead to loyalty. Similarly, consumers using internet for three years and more, who were excitement-minded did not consider trust as an important factor of online brand equity. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 250-271 Issue: 3 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: online consumer-based brand equity; loyalty; awareness; brand association of value; trust; personal values. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=131750 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:3:p:250-271 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ann-Lorraine Edwards Author-X-Name-First: Ann-Lorraine Author-X-Name-Last: Edwards Author-Name: Ashraf M. Attia Author-X-Name-First: Ashraf M. Author-X-Name-Last: Attia Title: A global integrative framework to correlate authentic learning, student engagement and change management in addressing complex workplace issues Abstract: The objective of this research is to propose an integrative global framework to correlate authentic learning, engagement and change management in addressing complex workplace issues. This research focus on determining whether an authentic learning approach to teaching a 'change management' course improves business and marketing students' overall learning experience in addressing complex workplace problems. Various teaching methods were used to measure individual perceptions of the learning process relative to a problem-based team assignment. This study relied on qualitative responses to a brief questionnaire about an authentic learning process. Responses were anonymous. The participants consisted of 36 business and marketing majors (junior and seniors), who attended a university in the North-eastern USA. Results of the study showed that students 'learned a lot' and were more likely to be engaged when an authentic learning approach was carried out in a complex team assignment geared toward developing a large-scale change initiative. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 229-249 Issue: 3 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: authentic learning; engagement; student employability; talent management; change management; marketing; integrative framework; global. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=131761 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:3:p:229-249 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jen Sim Ho Author-X-Name-First: Jen Sim Author-X-Name-Last: Ho Author-Name: Wei Chong Choo Author-X-Name-First: Wei Chong Author-X-Name-Last: Choo Author-Name: Choy Leong Yee Author-X-Name-First: Choy Leong Author-X-Name-Last: Yee Author-Name: Wei Theng Lau Author-X-Name-First: Wei Theng Author-X-Name-Last: Lau Author-Name: Yuruixian Zhang Author-X-Name-First: Yuruixian Author-X-Name-Last: Zhang Author-Name: Cheong Kin Wan Author-X-Name-First: Cheong Kin Author-X-Name-Last: Wan Title: A scientometrics review on combining forecasts in financial markets Abstract: Combining forecasts has been widely applied as one of the approaches to increase the predictive power over the past few decades. With the promising results, it has seen an explosion in the number of articles on combining forecasts, of which review of the literature become resources taxing and causes researcher's cognitive burden. This study applies a scientometrics analysis to demonstrate the intellectual maps about the networking of research work through co-citation analysis and collaboration analysis. A total of 184 publications in 1965 to 2020 related to combining forecast in financial markets were obtained from WoS database and were analysed. The keyword analysis identified five clusters of research: 1) model performance; 2) time series model error and volatility; 3) time series and tests; 4) forecast evaluation; 5) model efficiency in the combining research area and the evolution of combining forecasts over the study periods were also discussed. The visual mapping results provide an overview of combining forecast development which helps other researchers in formulating their research directions. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 272-293 Issue: 3 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: scientometrics; combining forecast; financial. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=131762 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:3:p:272-293 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Peterson K. Ozili Author-X-Name-First: Peterson K. Author-X-Name-Last: Ozili Title: Digital finance research and developments around the world: a literature review Abstract: This paper presents a concise review of digital finance research and developments around the world. It showed that the determinants of digital finance include the need for efficiency in financial services delivery, the need to achieve the United Nations sustainable development goals using existing digital technologies, the need to increase financial inclusion, and the need for efficient payments. The review shows that the Fintech and mobile money industries are the largest beneficiary of investments in digital finance. It showed that the future of digital finance is to create a digital environment that permits the offering of all kinds of financial product and services that can be customised and personalised to meet the unique needs of all users on a single digital platform and without requiring any form of human assistance or intermediary. Several areas for future research are suggested. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 35-51 Issue: 1 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: digital finance; artificial intelligence; machine learning; financial inclusion; fintech; access to finance; financial stability; economic growth; blockchain; central bank digital currency; CBDC; robotics; cryptocurrency. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=127698 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:1:p:35-51 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ernest Akpaku Author-X-Name-First: Ernest Author-X-Name-Last: Akpaku Author-Name: Zelda Arku Author-X-Name-First: Zelda Author-X-Name-Last: Arku Author-Name: Stephen Boateng Author-X-Name-First: Stephen Author-X-Name-Last: Boateng Title: Global perspective of the effects of digital financial inclusion and ICT intensity on socio-economic development Abstract: Although digital financial inclusion (DFI) has recently received scholarly attention, large sections of these studies focused on the impacts, drivers, inhibiting factors, and firms, single and cross-countries. This study combines the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and necessary condition analysis (NCA), a conceptual framework, and a global dataset to investigate the effects of DFI and the mediating role of ICT intensity on socio-economic development. The results show that ICT intensity and DFI positively influence socio-economic development and are necessary conditions. We also found that ICT regulation does not mediate the nexus between DFI, ICT intensity, and socio-economic development. The findings of this study offer global insights into the discourse and highlight theoretically the critical success factors in ICT4D (ICT for development) initiatives. It also provides insights on the level of ICT-based factors necessary for a country's socio-economic development while making better use of its limited resources. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 13-34 Issue: 1 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: digital financial inclusion; DFI; information and communication technology; ICT; ICT intensity; socio-economic development; global perspective; necessary condition analysis; NCA; partial least squared-structural equation modelling; PLS-SEM. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=127699 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:1:p:13-34 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: L. Aravindh Kumaran Author-X-Name-First: L. Aravindh Author-X-Name-Last: Kumaran Author-Name: J. Hemalatha Author-X-Name-First: J. Author-X-Name-Last: Hemalatha Title: E-business enabled customer service management and its performance: evidence from Indian micro, small and medium enterprises Abstract: Globalised business environment has led to the adoption of e-business systems by large enterprises (LE) as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to remain competitive and for business sustainability. E-business enables integration of key supply chain activities to increase efficiency and responsiveness along end-to-end supply network. Customer service management is one of the key components of supply chain management. Efficient and highly responsive customer service management is needed to attract and retain customers. To have a deeper understanding on the same, the study unearthed e-business enabled customer service management decision factors that influence performance of customer service management. Stepwise regression is performed on the data collected from micro, small and medium enterprises in India. The results highlighted that of the eight identified decision factors, four were found to significantly impact performance of customer service management. The study has implications for both entrepreneurs/managers of MSMEs as well as academicians. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 1-12 Issue: 1 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: e-business; customer service management; CSM; supply chain management; SCM; Indian MSME; performance metrics. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=127700 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:1:p:1-12 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Acheampong Owusu Author-X-Name-First: Acheampong Author-X-Name-Last: Owusu Title: Assessing the perceived e-readiness for teleworking: the case of a private company in Ghana Abstract: This study explores the readiness factors that influenced the adoption of teleworking in an organisation's operations. The perceived e-readiness model (PERM) was conceptualised as the theoretical underpinning for this study. The study used a sample size of 20 respondents who were purposively selected and interviewed for primary data. The data analysis was done through thematic analysis. The results revealed that, with perceived organisational e-readiness, the influencing factors were awareness, resources availability, commitment from top managers and executives of the firm as well as the implementation of governance measures and policies that facilitated the smooth telework processes in the firm. On the environmental e-readiness, government e-readiness was identified to be the only influencing factor, with market forces e-readiness, as a result of customer expectations, and supporting industries e-readiness were not felt to have had any impact in driving the firm to telework. Other implications are also discussed. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 73-94 Issue: 1 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: telework; e-readiness; PERM model; qualitative study; Ghana. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=127702 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:1:p:73-94 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nicollas Luiz Schweitzer de Souza Author-X-Name-First: Nicollas Luiz Schweitzer de Author-X-Name-Last: Souza Author-Name: Marcos Tadeu Arante Author-X-Name-First: Marcos Tadeu Author-X-Name-Last: Arante Author-Name: Lynceo Falavigna Braghirolli Author-X-Name-First: Lynceo Falavigna Author-X-Name-Last: Braghirolli Author-Name: Marina Meireles Pereira Mafia Author-X-Name-First: Marina Meireles Pereira Author-X-Name-Last: Mafia Author-Name: Enzo Morosini Frazzon Author-X-Name-First: Enzo Morosini Author-X-Name-Last: Frazzon Title: Orchestrating a ship-from-store omnichannel operation using 4PL digital platform Abstract: Digitalisation has changed production and retailing with paramount and irreversible consequences. The commercialisation in physical stores is fastly migrating to online channels, so that transitional omnichannel operations need to be structured to ensure retailers competitiveness and survival. Omnichannel stock allocation policies, such as the ship-from-store (SFS), need to be evaluated considering potential impacts on customer service level. Furthermore, a very important factor is the last mile, where the location value is finally materialised to the customer. This article aims to propose a SFS omnichannel operations model that is orchestrated by a 4PL digital platform, integrating retailing processes with transportation by third parties. Thereof, we reviewed related concepts and structured them in a way that allows for the optimisation of service level and operational costs to the final customer. Journal: Int. J. of Business Forecasting and Marketing Intelligence Pages: 52-72 Issue: 1 Volume: 8 Year: 2023 Keywords: omnichannel; 4PL; digital logistics; ship-from-store; SFS; last mile. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=127704 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbfmi:v:8:y:2023:i:1:p:52-72