Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Adejare Yusuff Aremu Author-X-Name-First: Adejare Yusuff Author-X-Name-Last: Aremu Author-Name: Arfan Shahzad Author-X-Name-First: Arfan Author-X-Name-Last: Shahzad Author-Name: Shahizan Hassan Author-X-Name-First: Shahizan Author-X-Name-Last: Hassan Title: Examining factors affecting success of enterprise resource planning system adoption on organisation performance among medium-sized enterprises sector Abstract: The current study applied resource-based value, contingency and diffusion of innovation theories to explain the factors affecting ERP system adoption. In this light, a proposed conceptual framework has been designed based on information obtained from newly developed questionnaire which were distributed to one hundred and forty-four (144) medium-sized enterprise organisations in Ondo State, Nigeria. For this study, the CEO/director and managers of these companies were selected as the key respondents and the empirical data were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modelling. The result obtained revealed that technological change significantly influences the adoption of the ERP system to enhance the performance of medium-sized enterprises organisations. However, government policy has no significant relationship with the performance of medium-sized enterprise firms. In this light, the outcomes of this study are useful for organisations adapting ERP to help them strategise future ERP system implementation in different industry. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 200-213 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: enterprise resource planning; ERP; system technology; government policy; performance; medium-sized enterprises; technological change. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=113408 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:2:p:200-213 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Günter Prockl Author-X-Name-First: Günter Author-X-Name-Last: Prockl Author-Name: Bettina Williger Author-X-Name-First: Bettina Author-X-Name-Last: Williger Author-Name: Maja Tampe Author-X-Name-First: Maja Author-X-Name-Last: Tampe Author-Name: Yulia Vakulenko Author-X-Name-First: Yulia Author-X-Name-Last: Vakulenko Author-Name: Daniel Hellström Author-X-Name-First: Daniel Author-X-Name-Last: Hellström Title: Rural supply chain management: a multidimensional framework for future research in Europe Abstract: Innovations affect urban and rural areas differently. Although the supply chain management (SCM) literature recognises the interaction between urban and rural areas in terms of flow of products, people and communication, the rural perspective is clearly missing. An inductive approach was applied using an interdisciplinary panel of international experts to explore challenges and opportunities in the integral fields of rural development and SCM. Four key dimensions emerged that deal with rural logistics, policy, community and innovation. The results characterise rural SCM as multidimensional and classify the research field according to these four key dimensions. The resulting holistic framework brings the wide-ranging character of the research field together. The study provides foundations for the future research and theory building in this emerging research field. It also supports the development of rural markets and businesses in their efforts to cope with challenges that are particularly relevant to retail and service industries. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 701-726 Issue: 6 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: rural; supply chain management; SCM; multidimensional framework; logistics; innovation; policy; community; expert panel; Europe. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=118784 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:6:p:701-726 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ximena López-Mendoza Author-X-Name-First: Ximena Author-X-Name-Last: López-Mendoza Author-Name: David Mauricio Author-X-Name-First: David Author-X-Name-Last: Mauricio Title: Factors of technology transfer and its relation to success Abstract: Technology transfer is the process by which science and technology developed in universities are transferred to companies for technical, scientific, and economic development. Success in this process is affected by several factors; hence it is important to identify them and note how they influence the different dimensions of the success of the technology transfer process. The critical success factors are analysed: adaptation to change, government policies, selection criterion of the project portfolio, work environment, product satisfaction, entropy, stress, and ethics; and, how these affect successes in its three dimensions scientific, social, and financial. A study was carried out based on confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations model on 84 universities in four countries of the Andean region that confirm to 85% confidence that the proposed factors influence all the success dimensions of the technology transfer process. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 227-252 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: technology transfer; technology transfer factor technology; transfer success; university-industry. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=113409 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:2:p:227-252 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mika Matela Author-X-Name-First: Mika Author-X-Name-Last: Matela Author-Name: Jukka Hallikas Author-X-Name-First: Jukka Author-X-Name-Last: Hallikas Title: The antecedents of innovation orientation in public procurement Abstract: The aim of this study is to identify the antecedents of innovation orientation in public procurement. A conceptual model is constructed based on a literature review. The empirical study is based on a survey conducted in a public agency. The empirical analysis of the conceptual model shows that the constructs for purchasing category development and purchasing support and procurement policies exert a statistically significant effect on the innovation orientation in public procurement. Our analysis also indicates that the construct for innovation orientation in public procurement has a statistically significant effect on the purchasing performance. The results suggest that by improving purchasing category development and purchasing support and procurement policies constructs, organisations may improve their innovation orientation in purchasing. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 727-747 Issue: 6 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: purchasing and supply management; public procurement; innovation orientation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=118785 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:6:p:727-747 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Tun-Chih Kou Author-X-Name-First: Tun-Chih Author-X-Name-Last: Kou Author-Name: Chang-Tang Chiang Author-X-Name-First: Chang-Tang Author-X-Name-Last: Chiang Author-Name: Bruce C.Y. Lee Author-X-Name-First: Bruce C.Y. Author-X-Name-Last: Lee Title: Enhancement of product design capability in the high-tech manufacturing industry Abstract: Satisfying customer demand represents a challenge for product designers because manufacturers must clearly understand what design aspects meet customer desires to obtain a competitive advantage in the market. However, little empirical articles focus on examining robust design capability connects new technology and aesthetics, matches the manufacturing process, and meets customer needs. This paper addresses gaps and proposes a conceptual model that assesses the relationship among internal cross-functional coordination, external solid supply chains, and customer orientation, and design capability. The conceptual model was tested by 240 self-administrated questionnaires from contract manufacture practitioners in Taiwan and analysed by structural equation modelling (SEM). The results provide evidence that interfunctional coordination is a basis for building more effective supply chain architecture and customer orientation. Additionally, supply chain and customer orientation positively affect design capability, and design capability plays the critical role as a mediator in the improvement of new product performance. Implications are discussed. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 786-806 Issue: 6 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: product design; new product development; NPD; technology; systems; supply chain architecture. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=118786 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:6:p:786-806 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Charu Bhardwaj Author-X-Name-First: Charu Author-X-Name-Last: Bhardwaj Author-Name: Shruti Jain Author-X-Name-First: Shruti Author-X-Name-Last: Jain Author-Name: Meenakshi Sood Author-X-Name-First: Meenakshi Author-X-Name-Last: Sood Title: Performance analysis of retinal features for diabetic retinopathy characterisation and diagnosis Abstract: Automated retinal feature extraction serves as a significant step for accurate diabetic retinopathy (DR) diagnosis and screening. Ophthalmologists highly rely on retinal fundus segmentations for the treatment of severe eye related abnormalities; glaucoma, strokes, occlusions and DR. DR caused due to prolonged retinal blood vessel deterioration and if it is left untreated, it may lead to severe vision complications. This work proposes a mathematical morphology based optical disc localisation and blood vessel extraction approach to determine vascular alterations and expedite accurate identification of pathological symptoms. Shape and pixel based features are evaluated for optical disc localisation and blood vessels obtained along with a new set of fractal features to determine the self similarity between the extracted blood vessels and ground truth vessels labelled by the professional experts. A three-fold analysis is done on two benchmark databases; DRIVE and STARE, consisting of visual, statistical and performance analysis of the proposed blood vessel extraction approach. The performance evaluation of the proposed approach yields average accuracies of 95.50% and 94.80% respectively, when tested on benchmark DRIVE and STARE databases. The accuracy values obtained are appreciable and comparable to the various researches done in this field. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 253-270 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: automated retinal feature extraction; blood vessel extraction; diabetic retinopathy; fractal features; optical disc localisation; mathematical morphology. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=113412 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:2:p:253-270 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rebecca McPherson Author-X-Name-First: Rebecca Author-X-Name-Last: McPherson Title: Understanding low-skilled labour's protean-boundaryless mental maps and employability traps Abstract: A job mobility phenomenon appears to be that low-skilled labour does not understand employability or how job mobility works, resulting in poor choices and, subsequently, poor employment outcomes. This qualitative study investigated ten staffing and human resource (HR) professionals' perspectives of labour's employability and job mobility across organisations and industries. Staffing professionals provided unique insight elucidating labour's lack-of-understanding about job mobility describing success factors and bridgeable deficits. HR professionals were anticipated to have insider knowledge of labour's experiences in being successful or unsuccessful within their organisations. A cross-participant analysis contributes to the existing literature by providing insight into mental maps and employability traps, which may explain poor employment outcomes such as truncated, lateral career paths. Participants' insider perspectives of low-skilled labour's experience-based schema suggest labour's initial mental mapping of job mobility is accurate but becomes limited or inaccurate as successive job mobility is sought. Suggestions for future research are provided. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 356-370 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: low-skill; employability; job mobility; protean; boundaryless; career success; career development; staffing; mental maps; schema; human resource; secondary job market. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=114948 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:3:p:356-370 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rui Manuel Nunes Cruz Author-X-Name-First: Rui Manuel Nunes Author-X-Name-Last: Cruz Author-Name: Albérico Travassos Rosário Author-X-Name-First: Albérico Travassos Author-X-Name-Last: Rosário Author-Name: Gabriela Rio Author-X-Name-First: Gabriela Author-X-Name-Last: Rio Title: The factors that influence the acceptance and adoption of mobile marketing by university students Abstract: Technological evolution has a strong impact in many aspects of our daily lives: from turn control systems in hospitals or supermarkets, to ticketing machines in subway stations that already have touch screens, recent developments lead us to be able to reach the users/consumers of mobile phones in real time in any location. This study aims to establish a theoretical reference of the main concepts related to mobile marketing and has the purpose of studying variables such as attitudes towards advertising, perceived utility, perceived risk and attitudes towards mobile marketing, to understand which can influence most the behavioural intentions among college students. A research was carried out with students of two universities and the results lead us to conclude that the variables attitudes towards advertising and perceptual utility have more impact on the behavioural intention favourable to the acceptance and adoption of mobile marketing. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 527-543 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: advertising; mobile marketing; technology; behavioural intention; perceived risk; utility. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=115974 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:4:p:527-543 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Emmanuel Osafo Author-X-Name-First: Emmanuel Author-X-Name-Last: Osafo Author-Name: Robert M. Yawson Author-X-Name-First: Robert M. Author-X-Name-Last: Yawson Title: The 'dead goat syndrome' in organisations Abstract: The use of metaphors to explore the connection between theory and practice in organisation and leadership studies has proven to be highly effective. This paper discusses the <i>dead goat syndrome</i> (DGS) as a benchmark in discussing the importance of metaphor in organisation life and to identify the various leadership types that conform to the DGS metaphor. The dead goat syndrome emanates from a popular Ghanaian metaphor literary meaning a goat that is already dead does not fear to be thrust with a knife. Using this metaphor, we present a new lens for looking at leadership effectiveness and identify the basis for certain leadership behaviours in organisations. We illuminate some definitions of metaphor by briefly reviewing the literature on the classical views on metaphors, metaphors in organisational theory development, and how the DGS metaphor can be utilised to identify certain leadership behaviours in organisations. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 143-162 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: complex adaptive systems; systems change; metaphors; wicked problems; altitude sickness; organisational leadership; self-concept; systems; organisation effectiveness. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=113415 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:2:p:143-162 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Imen Mhamid Author-X-Name-First: Imen Author-X-Name-Last: Mhamid Author-Name: Khaoula Aliani Author-X-Name-First: Khaoula Author-X-Name-Last: Aliani Author-Name: Ghousia Khatoon Author-X-Name-First: Ghousia Author-X-Name-Last: Khatoon Title: Workforce gender diversity and corporate performance - evidence from Tunisian companies Abstract: Gender diversity is equitable or fair representation of people of different genders. Gender diversity, as it relates to a work environment system, means that men and women are hired at the same rate, paid equally for equal work, and promoted at the same rate. The study conducted by McKinsey % Company titled 'Woman Matter' suggests that the companies where woman are most strongly represented at the level of top management may perform better. The objective of this paper is two-fold. First, we aim at understanding the impact of the feminisation of the lowest ranks of the company on the performance. Secondly, we focus on analysing the relationship between the disclosure of the feminine values at the lowest ranks and the performance. Based on a sample composed of 209 unlisted Tunisian companies, the empirical analysis indicates that the existence of the female values at the lowest echelons influences positively and significantly the operating profit of the Tunisian companies. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 214-226 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: diversity; gender; workforce; corporate performance; generalised method of moments; GMMs. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=113417 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:2:p:214-226 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chia-Chi Teng Author-X-Name-First: Chia-Chi Author-X-Name-Last: Teng Author-Name: Whitney Maxwell Author-X-Name-First: Whitney Author-X-Name-Last: Maxwell Title: A size and impact analysis of digital footprints Abstract: Personal information accessible online can be known as a digital footprint. While most of us have a digital footprint in today's technological society, few if any, know what it encapsulates or how to manage it. Technology and personal information are becoming more intertwined as we become more dependent on technology with everyday activities. In addition to basic information such as names, addresses, and phone numbers; personal information also includes one's demographic, interests and shopping history which is used by businesses to track consumers spending and even predict future purchases. With such wide variety of personal information being captured and exposed online, not all are equally valuable or personally unique. This study proposes methods to identify the content, size and impact of an individual's digital footprint by measuring the discoverability of various types of personal information. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 163-181 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: technology; information security; personal information; information privacy; open source intelligence; OSINT. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=113418 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:2:p:163-181 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Anbesh Jamwal Author-X-Name-First: Anbesh Author-X-Name-Last: Jamwal Author-Name: S.M. Towhidul Islam Nayim Author-X-Name-First: S.M. Towhidul Islam Author-X-Name-Last: Nayim Author-Name: Rajendra Kumar Shukla Author-X-Name-First: Rajendra Kumar Author-X-Name-Last: Shukla Author-Name: Rajeev Agrawal Author-X-Name-First: Rajeev Author-X-Name-Last: Agrawal Author-Name: Sumit Gupta Author-X-Name-First: Sumit Author-X-Name-Last: Gupta Title: Assessment of barriers in lead time improvement: an exploratory study of electronics manufacturing companies in Himachal Pradesh (India) Abstract: Reduction in lead time is very essential in every industry to increase the productivity, satisfy the volatile demands of a customer and sustain the market reputation among the global industries. The competition among the global industries has forced almost all industries to adopt the lean manufacturing system over the traditional manufacturing system. The present study focuses on the identification of barriers which resist the reduction of lead time in electronics industries in Himachal Pradesh. Nine critical barriers were found on the basis of data collected from the industry experts through the questionnaire survey and consultation from the different regions of Himachal Pradesh. Reduction in lead time is very important for any industry. There are always some barriers which resist the lead time reduction. Industries should know which barrier is most influencing barrier, selection of most influencing barrier can help the industries to overcome from barrier. This study investigates and ranks the barriers in lead time reduction based on the judgement of industry experts from electronics industry. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is used to prioritise the barriers. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 182-199 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: lead time; lean manufacturing system; barriers; analytical hierarchy process; India. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=113422 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:2:p:182-199 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Amir A. Abdulmuhsin Author-X-Name-First: Amir A. Author-X-Name-Last: Abdulmuhsin Author-Name: Hatem Ali Abdullah Author-X-Name-First: Hatem Ali Author-X-Name-Last: Abdullah Author-Name: Muhammad Farhan Basheer Author-X-Name-First: Muhammad Farhan Author-X-Name-Last: Basheer Title: How workplace bullying influences knowledge management processes: a developing country perspective Abstract: This study aims to examine the mutual and complex relationship between WB and KM processes at universities and research institutes. A comprehensive framework for the proposed relationships between WB and KM processes has been developed by a review of the relevant literature, which consists of four fundamental constructs. Academics' perceptions on these constructs were captured using a five-point Likert scale. A total of 380 valid responses were collected, which were then analysed by employing using equation modelling. The results show that the occurrence of WB has a negative and significant effect (directly and indirectly) on all three KM processes (creation, sharing and utilisation) in the higher education sector in a developing country. A hypothetical framework for understanding the relationships between WB and KM processes has never been provided anywhere, let alone Iraq as a developing country in the Middle East. Thus, this work is novel and unique. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 371-403 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: knowledge management; KM processes; KM systems and technologies; knowledge creation; knowledge sharing; knowledge utilisation; workplace bullying; higher education sector; developing countries. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=114959 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:3:p:371-403 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chidera Christian Ugwuanyi Author-X-Name-First: Chidera Christian Author-X-Name-Last: Ugwuanyi Author-Name: Joseph Ikechukwu Uduji Author-X-Name-First: Joseph Ikechukwu Author-X-Name-Last: Uduji Author-Name: Chukwunonso Oraedu Author-X-Name-First: Chukwunonso Author-X-Name-Last: Oraedu Title: Customer experience with self-service technologies in the banking sector: evidence from Nigeria Abstract: This study investigates experiential indicators within the retail banking sector. Specifically, the paper examines the drivers and outcome of self-service technologies experience and customers' satisfaction. A survey research design was used to generate data from a densely populated Nigerian university and was analysed using the structural equation modelling partial least square technique (SEM-PLS). Findings show that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of banks' self-service technologies are strong indicators of customers' cognitive experience, and in turn influences customers' satisfaction. Perceived ease of use was also found to directly predict perceived usefulness and customer satisfaction. An interesting, but surprising result was that perceived usefulness did not directly predict customer satisfaction, meaning that customers expect the performance of banks' self-service technologies to be a basic requirement. This perceived usefulness is therefore not necessarily a factor influencing customers' satisfaction. These findings and important implications for bank managers were discussed herein. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 405-425 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: customer experience; perceived ease of use; PEOU; perceived usefulness; self-service technology; SST; Nigerian banking sector; PLS-SEM; systems/technology; Nigeria. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=115983 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:4:p:405-425 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Fai Alnassar Author-X-Name-First: Fai Author-X-Name-Last: Alnassar Author-Name: Monira Aloud Author-X-Name-First: Monira Author-X-Name-Last: Aloud Title: Trust factors influencing the intention of Saudi consumers to purchase online Abstract: Managing consumer trust, satisfaction, perceived service quality, and loyalty attitudes in an e-commerce setting are significant for the long-term growth of e-commerce. Previous research shows that trust plays a critical role in shaping consumers' intention to purchase online. Saudi Arabia is an attractive market for the development of e-commerce and is growing fast. Therefore, this study aims to examine the main trust factors influencing the Saudi consumers' intention to purchase online by considering three trust dimensions. A conceptual framework is created, and hypotheses are developed to study the initial level of trust. The model is tested using 866 valid responses. The results show that four proposed sources - consumer characteristics, firm characteristics, website infrastructure, and experience - all have significant effects on the consumer trust dimensions (competence, benevolence and integrity). Results imply that consumers with high overall trust show a higher intention to purchase online. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 545-580 Issue: 5 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: trust; e-commerce; competence; integrity; benevolence; intention to purchase; antecedents; consumer; Saudi Arabia; likability; reputation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117267 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:5:p:545-580 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jeffrey Yi-Lin Forrest Author-X-Name-First: Jeffrey Yi-Lin Author-X-Name-Last: Forrest Author-Name: Lawrence P. Shao Author-X-Name-First: Lawrence P. Author-X-Name-Last: Shao Author-Name: Ralph E. McKinney Jr. Author-X-Name-First: Ralph E. McKinney Author-X-Name-Last: Jr. Author-Name: Dale Shao Author-X-Name-First: Dale Author-X-Name-Last: Shao Title: Firm performance and market expansion from the point of view of resources Abstract: Resource-based theory has been widely employed in the research of various marketing and management topics to facilitate explanation and prediction of competitive advantages and performance outcomes. This paper establishes a cohesive theory of resources, starting from several basic axioms, by using systems science and the systemic yoyo model so that organisations and interactions between organisations can be well modelled. Specifically, we show, among others, when a firm develops a competitive advantage, why each capability is a resource, how dynamic capabilities are derivable from capabilities, when firm's performance can be improved, and why expanding into new markets can be risky but beneficial. Because of the approach taken in this paper, results and conclusions established herein are not subject to limitations and uncertainties of empirical analyses and can be generally employed in practical applications. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 468-490 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: capability; competitive advantage; co-ordinately monopolised market; effect of environmental; industry factors; economy of scale; market entry; systems; technology. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=115989 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:4:p:468-490 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Wafa Ghardallou Author-X-Name-First: Wafa Author-X-Name-Last: Ghardallou Title: Origins of banking crises revisited: evidence from developed and developing countries Abstract: This paper revisits the causes of the 2008 global financial crisis. It focuses on the causes of the crisis, ignoring cross-country contagion effects. The study uses an assortment of financial, regulatory and macroeconomic variables to estimate a logit econometric model for a large sample of developed and developing countries. Findings indicate that lower bank liquidity, higher inflation rates, greater credits to the private sector are all correlated with an increased risk of banking sector problems. In addition, results stress the role of microeconomic variables in explaining the 2008 banking and financial crisis. Surprisingly, results prove that good regulatory practices are likely to enhance the probability of banking crisis, which contradicts the theory prediction. This positive finding makes us skeptical about the role of regulation in promoting banks' stability during the 2008 financial crisis. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 581-600 Issue: 5 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: banking crisis; subprime crisis; macroeconomic environment; microeconomic factors; regulatory framework. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117269 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:5:p:581-600 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Luqman Alhakim Bin Sheikh Ghazali Author-X-Name-First: Luqman Alhakim Bin Sheikh Author-X-Name-Last: Ghazali Author-Name: Rafikul Islam Author-X-Name-First: Rafikul Author-X-Name-Last: Islam Title: Critical determinants of box office success for the Malaysian film industry Abstract: The study seeks to identify the factors that contribute to the box office success of Malaysian films. Data on 316 films were collected from the National Film Development Corporation, Malaysia. Multiple regression and selected non-parametric tests were performed on the data. The findings suggest that the two factors that impact the box office success significantly are the number of days and the number of cinemas a film is screened. Further, closeness of a film's release date to a seasonal Malaysian holiday is considerably consistent at producing a positive correlation. The local film industry generates an average revenue of RM50 to RM80 million (US$1 = RM4.2) a year and employs tens of thousands of people throughout the country. Thus, with limited previous academic literature on the Malaysian film market, such a study to boost the financial resilience of this industry, though exploratory, would prove important for many. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 491-509 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: business; box office success factors; Malaysian films; local film industry; film genre; film rating. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=115990 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:4:p:491-509 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rahim Mohebbi Gargari Author-X-Name-First: Rahim Mohebbi Author-X-Name-Last: Gargari Author-Name: Majid Azizi Author-X-Name-First: Majid Author-X-Name-Last: Azizi Author-Name: Charles D. Ray Author-X-Name-First: Charles D. Author-X-Name-Last: Ray Author-Name: Asghar Tarmian Author-X-Name-First: Asghar Author-X-Name-Last: Tarmian Author-Name: Azam Dokht Safi Samghabadi Author-X-Name-First: Azam Dokht Safi Author-X-Name-Last: Samghabadi Title: Multiple-criteria location selection for wood kiln operations using AHP/TOPSIS Abstract: This study attempted to determine a suitable combination of multiple-criteria selection techniques for the best location for wood drying kiln operations in Iran. Utilising field studies across the wood-drying industry, limitations of existing selection-method criteria were identified, and a hierarchy of decision-making factors and weights was designed utilising AHP to overcome those limitations. The alternatives were then prioritised using fuzzy TOPSIS. Results indicate that a location in the province of Mazandaran is the best solution. In validation, the results from fuzzy TOPSIS were compared with the results from interview questionnaires in relation to priority alternatives. This validation demonstrates that the results of the fuzzy TOPSIS were confirmed in the resultant order with an acceptable rate of error. Moreover, the Spearman rank correlation coefficient of the results of alternative priorities with two methods of fuzzy TOPSIS and the interview questionnaires (99.23%) indicated that there was a strong positive correlation between the results. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 448-467 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: multiple-criteria decision making; location selection; analytic hierarchy process; AHP; wood-drying kiln; TOPSIS; validation; Spearman rank correlation coefficient. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=115991 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:4:p:448-467 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ashish Dutta Author-X-Name-First: Ashish Author-X-Name-Last: Dutta Author-Name: Ajay Pal Singh Rathore Author-X-Name-First: Ajay Pal Singh Author-X-Name-Last: Rathore Title: A novel method to prioritise the ergonomic attributes of a passenger car using fuzzy approach Abstract: Understanding the ergonomic needs of passengers and driver of a car has widespread implications. For this, the major ergonomic attributes of a car need to be identified and prioritised. Twenty ergonomic attributes were identified and the voice of customers (VoC) about these attributes was captured from consumer survey based on fuzzy Kano model. The results of the survey were integrated with quality function deployment (QFD) to develop a new framework 'house of ergonomics deployment (HED)', which prioritises these attributes. These priorities are compared with the priorities obtained from fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP). Car manufacturers and automobile designers can use these priorities during the product development phase, for improving the ergonomic appeal of a car and to stay ahead in the competition. Prospective buyers can be benefited by comparing the ergonomic attributes among the various models of car. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 601-628 Issue: 5 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: automobile design and development; car ergonomics; fuzzy Kano model; quality function deployment; QFD; fuzzy AHP; prioritising attributes; systems. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117307 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:5:p:601-628 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sina Shokoohyar Author-X-Name-First: Sina Author-X-Name-Last: Shokoohyar Author-Name: Hossein Rikhtehgar Berenji Author-X-Name-First: Hossein Rikhtehgar Author-X-Name-Last: Berenji Author-Name: Julianne Dang Author-X-Name-First: Julianne Author-X-Name-Last: Dang Title: Exploring the heated debate over reopening for economy or continuing lockdown for public health safety concerns about COVID-19 in Twitter Abstract: This paper explores US residents' opinion regarding whether to reopen for the economy or to continue lockdown for public health safety concerns, by analysing 1.3 million unique COVID-19-related tweets that are collected from March 11, 2020, through June 8, 2020. Tweets are classified into three classes: 1) in favour of reopening the USA for the economy; 2) in favour of continuing lockdown for public health safety concerns; 3) neutral tweets (providing facts rather than opinions). Gradient boosting classifier algorithm with the accuracy of 88% outperformed other classifiers, (i.e., logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, neutral network and multinomial naïve Bayes) used in this study. The result shows that US residents are becoming more concerned about the economic impacts of the lockdowns, and they are more in favour of reopening the economy as time passes. Managerial implications and directions for future research are discussed based on the state-by-state details of US residents' opinions and their trends over time. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 650-672 Issue: 5 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: coronavirus; COVID-19; pandemic; public health safety; social media analytics; sentiment analysis; Twitter; classification methods. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117316 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:5:p:650-672 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hiroshi Imahashi Author-X-Name-First: Hiroshi Author-X-Name-Last: Imahashi Author-Name: Keisuke Uenishi Author-X-Name-First: Keisuke Author-X-Name-Last: Uenishi Author-Name: Kiminori Gemba Author-X-Name-First: Kiminori Author-X-Name-Last: Gemba Title: Quantitative analysis of the smile curve - empirical analysis targeted for the Japanese food and manufacturing industries Abstract: This study targeted the food and manufacturing industries in Japan. We analyse profitability using the concepts of upstream, midstream, and downstream industries and clarify the relationship between the B-to-B and B-to-C rates and operating income margin profitability. Then, we analyse the relationship between the B-to-B rate and profitability using the extended input-output table and economic census. Our results show that the food industry has a smile curve, and the profitability of midstream industry is low. For the manufacturing industry, we verified that the higher the B-to-C rate, the lower the level of profitability, and as the B-to-B rate exceeds 0.8, it is shown that profitability tends to be high in industries with a higher B-to-B rate. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 426-447 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: smile curve; food industry; manufacturing industry; B-to-B rate; B-to-C rate; operating income margin; input-output table; upstream industry; midstream industry; downstream industry. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=116041 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:4:p:426-447 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jacqueline Y. Sánchez-García Author-X-Name-First: Jacqueline Y. Author-X-Name-Last: Sánchez-García Author-Name: Juan E. Núñez-Ríos Author-X-Name-First: Juan E. Author-X-Name-Last: Núñez-Ríos Author-Name: Ana Lilia Coria-Páez Author-X-Name-First: Ana Lilia Author-X-Name-Last: Coria-Páez Title: Systemic complementarity model for Mexican tourist MSMEs, contrasted with analytical hierarchy process Abstract: The micro, small and medium tourist enterprises (MSMEs) have an organisational structure that restricts their adaptative capabilities to a highly competitive environment. The purpose of this article is to present, from a systems science approach, a construct specific for MSMEs based on the complementarity concept. The soft systems methodology (SSM) was used to diagnose and structure the problem, detect elements of impact as well as to suggest plausible actions for change. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to validate the conceptual model. In this sense, consistency values above 90% were obtained for the construct's components. Based on this, the construct corresponds to the environment in which the studied organisations operate. The relations in the proposed construct seek to propose what heterogeneous characteristics integrate for fostering responsive and adaptative capabilities to the context. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 629-649 Issue: 5 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: collaborative model; systemic complementarity; micro, small and medium enterprises; MSMEs; soft system methodology; analytical hierarchy process; tourism sector. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117338 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:5:p:629-649 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Pradeep Kumar Singh Author-X-Name-First: Pradeep Kumar Author-X-Name-Last: Singh Author-Name: Pijush Kanti Dutta Pramanik Author-X-Name-First: Pijush Kanti Dutta Author-X-Name-Last: Pramanik Author-Name: Avick Kumar Dey Author-X-Name-First: Avick Kumar Author-X-Name-Last: Dey Author-Name: Prasenjit Choudhury Author-X-Name-First: Prasenjit Author-X-Name-Last: Choudhury Title: Recommender systems: an overview, research trends, and future directions Abstract: Recommender system (RS) has emerged as a major research interest that aims to help users to find items online by providing suggestions that closely match their interest. This paper provides a comprehensive study on the RS covering the different recommendation approaches, associated issues, and techniques used for information retrieval. Thanks to its widespread applications, it has induced research interest among a significant number of researchers around the globe. The main purpose of this paper is to spot the research trend in RS. More than 1,000 research papers, published by ACM, IEEE, Springer, and Elsevier since 2011 to the first quarter of 2017, have been considered. Several interesting findings have come out of this study, which will help the current and future RS researchers to assess and set their research roadmap. Furthermore, this paper also envisions the future of RS which may open up new research directions in this domain. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 14-52 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: recommender system; issues; challenges; literature review; filtering approach; filtering technique; information retrieval technique; machine learning; research trends; future direction. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=111753 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:1:p:14-52 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: João Pedro Pereira Author-X-Name-First: João Pedro Author-X-Name-Last: Pereira Author-Name: Renato Lopes Da Costa Author-X-Name-First: Renato Lopes Da Author-X-Name-Last: Costa Author-Name: José Borges Author-X-Name-First: José Author-X-Name-Last: Borges Author-Name: Maria Isabel Miguel Author-X-Name-First: Maria Isabel Author-X-Name-Last: Miguel Title: Leadership models in the gamification context - case study Abstract: The present paper addresses the association of leadership quality factors and gamification, and attempts to contribute for the business management area, which is typically focused in determining correlations between leadership factors framed by literature models and behaviour analysis of leaders in the different contexts. The present investigation comprehends the following objectives: analysis of leadership models and their framework in the scope of a management simulator, and the effectiveness of gamification for organisational learning. Such objectives are achieved through: correlating operational results with leadership styles for players managing a company, to understand how the management style can and will affect the game final results, and to identify prominent leadership styles during the game. The assessed sample of gamers consisted of 92 players. At the end of the game, each player answered a leadership survey to assess leadership factors. The results obtained suggest a stronger focus on a decision making scope of traits model. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 53-67 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: models; gamification; management game; organisational learning; leadership. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=111755 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:1:p:53-67 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sarandis Mitropoulos Author-X-Name-First: Sarandis Author-X-Name-Last: Mitropoulos Title: An integrated model for formulation, alignment, execution and evaluation of business and IT strategies Abstract: New global markets operation strongly depends on information technologies which radically influence the business strategies of enterprises and organisations. Towards this direction, this paper proposes an effective integrated architectural model and framework for the purpose of formulating, aligning, executing and evaluating in a combined way both business strategy and information technology strategy. In order to achieve this goal, key concepts and respective frameworks, such as the strategic alignment, the balanced scorecard, the strategic architecture, and the business architecture are thoroughly investigated. Then, we progressively integrate all of them in one model in order to eliminate the weaknesses of the previous models and provide the enterprises and the organisations with an innovative, useful and applicable tool. The proposed model can lead to high business performance, agility and consistency in decision making, improved resource control, refinement capability via feedback mechanisms, increased coordination, quality of service, and positive financial results. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 90-111 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: business strategy; strategic alignment; balanced scorecard; BSC; IT strategy; strategic architecture; business architecture; systems/technology. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=111756 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:1:p:90-111 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Shahdad Eshaghpour Author-X-Name-First: Shahdad Author-X-Name-Last: Eshaghpour Author-Name: Seyed Hossein Hosseini Author-X-Name-First: Seyed Hossein Author-X-Name-Last: Hosseini Author-Name: Seyed Amir Aghaei Author-X-Name-First: Seyed Amir Author-X-Name-Last: Aghaei Author-Name: Mohammad Saeed Seif Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad Saeed Author-X-Name-Last: Seif Title: A hybrid systems approach to determine effective factors on the growth of marine industries in developing countries Abstract: Marine industries have always been provided power and development for countries both militarily and economically. Due to the lack of essential economic, industrial, and technological infrastructure in developing countries, the development of marine industries has been facing serious obstacles. As a developing country, Iran has been tackling similar barriers. This paper aims at developing a conceptual model, to examine this complex problem, using a systems approach by which subsystems and casual loop diagrams have been created. Afterward, DEMATEL technique has been used, revealing the most effective variables. The research can remarkably help practitioners in appropriate recognition and investigation of marine industry development challenges. The results show that 'domestic supply chain development', 'special rights and benefits for employees', 'increase in manpower efficiency', 'domestic demand absorption', 'low-interest loans with suitable guaranties', and 'effective and integrated management' are the key factors and main issues in marine industry progress in developing countries. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 124-142 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: systems approach; marine industries; technology; DEMATEL; casual loops diagram; developing countries. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=111757 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:1:p:124-142 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Manoj Kumar Sain Author-X-Name-First: Manoj Kumar Author-X-Name-Last: Sain Author-Name: M.L. Meena Author-X-Name-First: M.L. Author-X-Name-Last: Meena Author-Name: G.S. Dangayach Author-X-Name-First: G.S. Author-X-Name-Last: Dangayach Title: Musculoskeletal health problems and relationship of risk factors among manual clay brick sector workers Abstract: Adverse working conditions with prolonged awkward postures and traditionally designed hand tools result in musculoskeletal health problems among brick kiln workers. The occurrence of musculoskeletal problems depends on various physiological and work-related factors. The present cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalent musculoskeletal health issues among 150 manual clay brick sector workers and the relationship of risk factors with these issues. Random sampling survey using modified Nordic questionnaire and postural assessment methods, rapid entire body assessment (REBA) and rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) were used for data collection. The association between prevalence of MSDs and risk factors was determined by binary logistic regression. Most prevalent musculoskeletal issues were found in shoulder (56.15%), wrist (50.77%) and lower back (50%) regions. Musculoskeletal issues were found to be associated with personal and work-related factors. The average REBA and RULA scores for all tasks indicated high postural risk. The outcomes of the study pointed out the need for ergonomic interventions to reduce the issues among kiln sector workers. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 112-123 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: brick; business; health; musculoskeletal; posture; regression; risk factors; workers. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=111759 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:1:p:112-123 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Bih-Ru Lea Author-X-Name-First: Bih-Ru Author-X-Name-Last: Lea Author-Name: Li Li Eng Author-X-Name-First: Li Li Author-X-Name-Last: Eng Title: Exploring the impact of multi-class teams in an immersive learning environment on student learning experience and engagement Abstract: This project examines student learning experience and engagement utilising both multi-class interdisciplinary teams in an immersive learning environment to address the need for a strong subject-oriented business core education while breaking down the silos to reflect the integrative and interdependent nature of corporate working environments in business school education. The interdisciplinary teams were formed from students across two courses in a business school: Masters in Business Administration (MBA) Managerial Accounting and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). The immersive learning environment simulated a working environment where members of the Accounting department worked with members of the production, sales and information technology (IT) departments in a make-to-order manufacturing company. The students worked together to adjust their company operations in response to changing market demands and fluctuating raw materials costs in multiple simulation rounds. The student assessments indicated positive learning experiences and engagement working in multi-class interdisciplinary teams in an immersive learning environment. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 68-89 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: Enterprise Resource Planning; ERP; Accounting; interdisciplinary; games; simulation; experiential learning; systems/technology. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=111791 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:1:p:68-89 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: José António Filipe Author-X-Name-First: José António Author-X-Name-Last: Filipe Title: Covid-19, economy and the 'drop of honey effect' metaphor - a note on the Portuguese case. Situation and measures Abstract: Covid-19 appeared in Wuhan (China), by December 2019 and rapidly spread to the rest of the world. Many countries adopted measures against its spread to protect people and national healthcare services. However, at the moment, more than 2.5 million people got infected and more than 175 thousand died in the 213 countries, areas and territories reached by the disease (official records at April 23, 2020). Countries began to adopt also measures to protect the economy and to prepare the economic recovery, once the effects are tremendous worldwide. In Portugal, measures allowed a flattered curve for Covid-19 spread. In this paper, we use an analogy to the 'drop of honey effect' to show how this curve develops. The 'drop of honey effect' is studied in terms of chaos theory and dynamic systems and is used as a framework to the way systems change in social phenomena. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 1-13 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: Covid-19; SARS-CoV-2; virus; coronavirus; Portugal; economy; measures; 'drop of honey effect'; chaos theory; systems. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=111792 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:1:p:1-13 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Cid GonçalvesFilho Author-X-Name-First: Cid Author-X-Name-Last: GonçalvesFilho Author-Name: Plínio Rafael Reis Monteiro Author-X-Name-First: Plínio Rafael Reis Author-X-Name-Last: Monteiro Author-Name: Melissa Morais Simplício Author-X-Name-First: Melissa Morais Author-X-Name-Last: Simplício Author-Name: Renata De Sousa Da Silva Tolentino Author-X-Name-First: Renata De Sousa Da Silva Author-X-Name-Last: Tolentino Title: The effect of the consumer's engagement in the process of adopting functional applications: the mobile banking case Abstract: The use of mobile applications in the banking sector has achieved a representative growth with customers that use uniquely online devices to transact. In this scenario, this paper has the objective of analysing the impacts of the adoption of functional applications in the improvement of consumer-brand relationships. A survey, which involved 408 respondents, was conducted. The basic model for this study was the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), whose effects were analysed by the moderation perspective exerted by the consumer's engagement with the brand. According to the results, it was observed that effective engagement alters the modus operandi of adopting a functional technology, starting from the constructs of performance, the expectation of effort, social influence and facilitating conditions. The field data demonstrated differences between the UTAUT models tested in groups of high and low engagement. This research presents a new approach for the adoption of technologies to bring the role of engagement as a factor of influence. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 317-336 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: adoption of technology; systems and technology; relationship marketing; engagement. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=114926 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:3:p:317-336 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Kalai Lamia Author-X-Name-First: Kalai Author-X-Name-Last: Lamia Title: Financial integration of Asian markets: multivariate cointegration, causality and variance decomposition Abstract: The aim of this paper is to study financial integration of East Asian equity markets. We conduct a multivariate cointegration analysis using the Engle-Granger test to determine the presence of a long-term equilibrium relationship between the different equity indices. The Granger procedure defines the meaning of causality. Vector autoregression helps to model the dynamic relationships between the different markets. Forecast error variance decomposition captures much of the information on the dynamics of the indices' VAR system and allows for checking the relative contribution of each shock in explaining price movements. The results indicate that there are long-term stationary equilibrium relationships and causal links between these markets. The results on the forecast error variance decomposition show that the price indices of emerging Asian countries can explain their caused variance and confirm that financial integration prevails in the region. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 510-526 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: financial markets; time series model; financial econometrics; investment decision; financial integration; Asia including Middle East. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=115955 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:4:p:510-526 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Victor Chang Author-X-Name-First: Victor Author-X-Name-Last: Chang Author-Name: Qianwen Xu Author-X-Name-First: Qianwen Author-X-Name-Last: Xu Title: Analysis of influencing factors of grain yield based on multiple linear regression Abstract: Food security is a strategic issue affecting economic development and social stability and agriculture has always been at the forefront of national economic development. As a large agricultural country and a country with a large population, the production of grain is of great importance to China. Therefore, in order to ensure national food security and assist the food administrative department in making scientific and effective decisions, it is significant to study the law of variance in grain production and make accurate forecasting of its development trend. This paper constructs the stepwise regression model and principal component regression to analyse the influencing factors of grain yield respectively and compares these two models in terms of their accuracy in prediction. After conducting the two regressions, this paper concludes that the two models both explain the variance in grain yield ideally, but from the aspect of accuracy in prediction, the principal component regression is more effective than stepwise linear regression. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 337-355 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: grain yield; influencing factors; prediction; stepwise regression model; principal component regression. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=114934 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:3:p:337-355 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Martin Schwemmer Author-X-Name-First: Martin Author-X-Name-Last: Schwemmer Author-Name: Angela Roth Author-X-Name-First: Angela Author-X-Name-Last: Roth Author-Name: Alexander Pflaum Author-X-Name-First: Alexander Author-X-Name-Last: Pflaum Title: Laying the foundation for high performance of new digital logistics ventures Abstract: New ventures can have a crucial effect to infuse innovation into an industry. The recent emergence of new logistics ventures can be identified as a relevant trend. Taking into account digitalisation, this study analyses, how new logistics ventures can lay the foundation for high performance in a digital environment at an early stage of existence. The chosen research approach combines secondary data collection and an interview study following the principles of grounded theory. The sample is composed of founders, investors, corporate investors and consultants from Central Europe experienced in the area of interest. As a result, ten propositions for new venture performance in a digitalising environment are presented and discussed. These propositions can be categorised in four dimensions: entrepreneurial team, entrepreneurial resources, entrepreneurial opportunity, and strategic and organisational fit. Likewise, these propositions constitute a shortlist of what is relevant to lay the foundation for high new digital logistics venture performance. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 677-700 Issue: 6 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: logistics startups; new ventures; logistics; supply chain management; logistic entrepreneurship. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=118774 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:6:p:677-700 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sina Shokoohyar Author-X-Name-First: Sina Author-X-Name-Last: Shokoohyar Author-Name: Sajjad Shokouhyar Author-X-Name-First: Sajjad Author-X-Name-Last: Shokouhyar Author-Name: Anae Sobhani Author-X-Name-First: Anae Author-X-Name-Last: Sobhani Author-Name: Sepide Naseri Author-X-Name-First: Sepide Author-X-Name-Last: Naseri Title: Improving internet service providers competitiveness: ISP's perception regarding customer satisfaction Abstract: The needs and quality expectations are not the same among different customers; therefore, internet service providers (ISPs) companies should cluster their customers and allocate their limited resources to the customers with the highest priority for the organisation. This study focuses on the quality of services or in other words, meeting the ISP customers' real needs. Customers of an ISP company in Iran are clustered by using a combination of clustering techniques (i.e., K-means, Kohonen and TwoStep clustering algorithms), and then fuzzy Kano model is used to assess the customer satisfaction. A fuzzy Kano questionnaire was distributed randomly between 1,000 customers and then needs and requirements of each cluster were reviewed and clustered. Satisfaction increment index (SII) and dissatisfaction decrement index (DDI) are calculated for each cluster. The findings of this study facilitate clustering ISP customers and perceiving their needs, and in turn can be used by ISP managers to enhance customer satisfaction. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 292-316 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: assessing services; internet services; data mining; clustering; fuzzy Kano model. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=114935 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:3:p:292-316 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Yun Chu Author-X-Name-First: Yun Author-X-Name-Last: Chu Author-Name: Arturo Z. Vasquez-Parraga Author-X-Name-First: Arturo Z. Author-X-Name-Last: Vasquez-Parraga Author-Name: Jianyu Ma Author-X-Name-First: Jianyu Author-X-Name-Last: Ma Title: The drivers of customer satisfaction, trust, commitment, and loyalty among Chinese consumers Abstract: This study: 1) investigates key factors driving customer satisfaction, trust, commitment, and loyalty among Chinese consumers; 2) builds a model that reflects the way Chinese consumers develop and maintain customer satisfaction, trust, commitment, and loyalty; 3) tests hypotheses representing the relationships in the model. A cross-sectional survey method is employed to study the impact of nine factors identified as consumer characteristics reflective of the Chinese value system on four key variables in customer relationships: customer satisfaction, trust, commitment, and loyalty among Chinese consumers. The results show that three drivers have a significant effect on customer satisfaction or trust, and that other drivers, including two unique Chinese characteristics, <i>Ren Qing</i> and <i>Mian Zi</i>, do not convey a significant influence on trust or the other measures of customer relationships. The implications for both academia and practitioners are presented. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 807-821 Issue: 6 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: Chinese customer loyalty; satisfaction; trust; commitment; Ren Qing (reciprocal obligation); Mian Zi (face); systems. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=118775 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:6:p:807-821 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Alan D. Smith Author-X-Name-First: Alan D. Author-X-Name-Last: Smith Title: Event detection in educational records: an application of big data approaches Abstract: As the exponential growth of predictive analytics applied to educational institutions continues, with various goals in mind, an event detection system could serve as the foundation for more sophisticated predictive systems. What is envisioned is a system that flags educational records that have a sudden change (i.e., event detection in education records). The basic algorithm prosed would retrieve the current week's data for each student, calculate Euclidian and Mahalanobis distances among current week's data, and historical student data, sort all student data based on these distances, and update historical data with current data. The educational event detection system uses a query-based, R-tree structure, big data analytical approach. A simulated experiment determined that the event detection algorithm was able to detect relatively small changes in simulated data. Although, the units of the two distance metrics do not coincide, so distance measurements are not directly comparable, the event detection algorithm with the two different distance metrics have comparable CPU run times. Research and suggestions for constructing predictive analytics on student learners' attrition/retention approaches were documented. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 271-291 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: big data; clustering; data mining; educational data clustering; EDC; Euclidian distance; Mahalanobis distance; event detection; network intrusion detection; predictive analytics; student success; systems. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=114936 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:3:p:271-291 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Giorgos Karamitsos Author-X-Name-First: Giorgos Author-X-Name-Last: Karamitsos Author-Name: Dimitrios Bechtsis Author-X-Name-First: Dimitrios Author-X-Name-Last: Bechtsis Author-Name: Naoum Tsolakis Author-X-Name-First: Naoum Author-X-Name-Last: Tsolakis Author-Name: Dimitrios Vlachos Author-X-Name-First: Dimitrios Author-X-Name-Last: Vlachos Title: Unmanned aerial vehicles for inventory listing Abstract: Drones are a breakthrough technology in warehouse inventory management as they enable real-time, fast and accurate inventory listing while minimising operational costs to supply chain stakeholders. In terms of sustainability, drones at the social constituent minimise the risk of human injuries at the facility, at the environmental constituent use rechargeable environmental-friendly batteries in order to navigate at the facility layout and execute the daily schedule of operations, and at the economic constituent minimise labour costs and operational downtimes for inventory listing by providing almost continuous inventory inspection and optimising operational decision making. In this regard, our proposed system is established in an industrial facility layout and enables the 24/7 operation of a drone for inventory listing. Operational activities include the automation of processes (navigation, routing, identification of inventory levels) and the communication with the IT infrastructure. The proposed integrated scenario provides a web-based multifunctional interface for monitoring inventory levels. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 748-756 Issue: 6 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: drones; warehouse management; inventory control; digital supply chains. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=118776 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:6:p:748-756 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Christos Afentoulis Author-X-Name-First: Christos Author-X-Name-Last: Afentoulis Author-Name: Christos Zikopoulos Author-X-Name-First: Christos Author-X-Name-Last: Zikopoulos Title: Analytical and simulation methods for the configuration of an efficient inventory management system in the wholesale industry: a case study Abstract: Methodical planning of procurement, implementation of systematic forecasting and configuration of efficient inventory management systems aid companies to stand against competition in today's global markets. Our research illustrates a way and means for confronting demand uncertainty, minimising costs and at the same time maximising customer satisfaction, by presenting a case study involving a small-medium wholesale enterprise. Specifically, we configure and apply a single SKU - inventory management system in Periferiaki Tires S.A. Exploiting academic knowledge on product classification, forecasting methods, material requirements planning techniques and simulation modelling, we analyse the existing inventory management system, identify shortcomings and propose improvements. Sequentially, we propose a new inventory management system to decrease overall inventory management costs and improve customer service. The benefits of the proposed system are verified through a simulation study and a corresponding statistical analysis. Our findings indicate that the proposed policy decreases significantly the total inventory cost and practically eliminates stock-out events. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 770-785 Issue: 6 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: inventory management; logistics and supply chain management; simulation of supply systems; simulation modelling; wholesale industry; demand forecasting; ABC analysis. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=118777 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:6:p:770-785 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Konstantinos Pavlidis Author-X-Name-First: Konstantinos Author-X-Name-Last: Pavlidis Author-Name: Dimitrios Aidonis Author-X-Name-First: Dimitrios Author-X-Name-Last: Aidonis Author-Name: Dimitris Folinas Author-X-Name-First: Dimitris Author-X-Name-Last: Folinas Title: Implementation of game theory for the selection of optimal supply chain management strategies for startups in the electronics sector Abstract: Nowadays, the level of competition in the electronics sector is very high. According to market experts, competition in the electronics sector relies not only on the development of new products, but also on the implementation of appropriate supply chain management strategies, that are crucial for gaining competitive advantage in the electronics sector. Another interesting observation is the role of startups in this sector, as they have gained a substantial share of the market over the last years. To this end, this paper focuses on the critical supply chain management decisions for startups in the electronics sector. More specifically, a survey and game theory tools are implemented for the selection of the best strategy towards competition, taking into consideration three critical supply chain management decisions: fleet capacity, warehouse capacity and level of keeping stock for final products. The results of the analysis and the discussion of a few interesting managerial insights are presented. Journal: Int. J. of Business and Systems Research Pages: 757-769 Issue: 6 Volume: 15 Year: 2021 Keywords: electronics sector; game theory; supply chain management; SCM; optimal decisions; dominant strategies; GameView. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=118781 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbsre:v:15:y:2021:i:6:p:757-769