International Journal of Business and Systems Research (18 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• AN ANALYSIS OF FIRMS’ ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF CARBONEX FIRMS IN INDIA  
  by JEEVESH SHARMA, Suhasini Verma 
  Abstract: The purpose of the study is to analyse the extent of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures relating to firms environmental performance, made by leading firms indexed in BSE Carbonex in India. The duration of the study is from 2015 to 2019 and content analysis has been used. The results show that there are significant discrepancies in the spending of CSR on the listed dimensions with a relatively smaller chunk of funds being channelled towards environmental performance. It is easily ascertained by the results that some arenas are barely disclosed whereas some areas are sufficiently reported. The managerial implication of the study is that it provides a wide picture of firms' environmental and corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure practices. The findings may help the management to formulate strategies for better environmental performance. It also provides the policy prescription to the government to make stringent rules to arrest the erratic climate change.
  Keywords: CSR disclosure; environmental performance; carbon disclosure.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2023.10043340
   
  
• Place Matters-the spatial diffusion of contagious diseases  
  by Steffen Flessa 
  Abstract: The diffusion of contagious diseases follows a spatial pattern highly relevant for the design of intervention programs. This paper analyses the waves of a generic contagious disease in a pattern region. We develop a batch model based on a system dynamics model where the likelihood of an infection depends on distance from another person. The basic simulation shows a clear pattern of a wave sweeping over the region. Starting in one cell, the epidemic strongly depends on the proximity to his place of origin. The speed and intensiveness of the wave depends on the mobility, infectivity and contact rate, but also on the population pattern. Health policy-makers have to install early detection and sentinel systems to stop an outbreak before it diffuses spatially. If it is possible to flatten the curve and prolong the diffusion process, barriers of vaccinated could be built up. This will also require controlling national and cross-border transport.
  Keywords: contact rate; contagious disease; COVID-19; health systems research; infectivity; measles; mobility; place; quantitative techniques.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2023.10044455
   
  
• Smart Systems Adoption in Management  
  by Sara Las Cunha, Renato Lopes Da Costa, Rui Gonçalves, Leandro Ferreira Pereira, Álvaro Dias, Rui Vinhas Da Silva 
  Abstract: Information technologies play an essential role in creating additional sources of value creation for customers. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been on the top of this technological wave and has the potential to help companies to overcome their obstacles. The goal of this article was to assess the key factors that influence manager’s intentionality to implement smart systems in their businesses. For this purpose, a quantitative approach using survey data analysed through modelling of structural equations, allowing to identify the main factors influencing manager’s decision to implement smart systems are the perception and knowledge about them, the benefits generated by the implementation of smart systems and, finally, the challenges associated. This research is truly innovative in the way that assesses the reasons that lead companies to implement smart systems in the medium term in Portugal.
  Keywords: artificial intelligence; smart systems implementation; Portuguese companies.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2023.10044711
   
  
• Re-configurable Business Process: A Constraint-based Approach  
  by Priyanka Chakraborty, Anirban Sarkar 
  Abstract: Continuous and rapid changes in the business environment and user requirements demand suitable design of business processes (BPs) to deal with the scope of adaptive, flexible, and reusable on such modifications. Most of the existing approaches either add a large number of BP elements to the existing BP or replace the current BP with a new one. Thus, those approaches are expensive and less user-friendly. Conversely, the constraint-based approach consequences the minimal amount of changes in the structure of BP. Additionally, this approach gives privilege to the stakeholders to reconfigure the BPs according to their goal requirements. In this paper, a constraint-driven approach is proposed to achieve reconfigurability in BP. Constraints like data, gateway and ordering are considered in BPs. Several real-life case studies have been described in detail. Finally, an algorithm named as reconfigurable business process achievement algorithm (RCBPA) has been proposed and implemented to achieve reconfigurability in BP.
  Keywords: constraint-based reconfigurability; gateway constraints; ordering constraints; data constraints; reconfigurable business process.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2023.10046549
   
  
• Impact of Sales Promotion and Consumer Innovativeness on Online Impulse Buying Behavior with the Moderating Role of Buying Power  
  by Shermeen Hasan, Abdul Qayyum 
  Abstract: The current trend of online shopping has led to various shopping behaviours, both rational and irrational; impulse buying represents the latter. The study was designed to investigate the impact of situational factors like sales promotion and personality characteristics like innovativeness on online impulse buying behaviour with the moderating role of buying power. Data were collected from a few of the major cities of Pakistan, employing an online questionnaire created in Google Forms with a final sample size of 308 respondents. Partial least squares (PLS) were employed using SmartPLS 3, and the results indicated that sales promotion had a marked impact on consumer’s online impulse buying behaviour, and the buying power backed this behaviour. Consumer innovativeness also showed a positive relationship with online impulse buying behaviour; however, the relationship was weakened with increased buying power. In addition, buying power had no impact on online impulse buying behaviour.
  Keywords: sales promotions; consumer innovativeness; buying power; online impulse buying behaviour; regulatory focus theory; RFT.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2023.10046550
   
  
• Information discovery methods using statistical processing to facilitate innovation creation  
  by Takayuki Suzuki, Kiminori Gemba, Atsushi Aoyama 
  Abstract: In the past, products were classified by hand, using qualitative judgement. This research proposes a method of discovering information that facilitates the creation of innovation using statistical processing, and an external theory targeting information associated with products. Word-of-mouth information concerning home appliances, aggregated during a specific period, was collectively analysed without dividing the total duration of the period. It was found that information lead to the emergence of innovation. This study aimed to discover information that supplements innovation through statistical processing (i.e., principal component analysis, non-negative matrix factorisation, and latent Dirichlet allocation). In future, it will be crucial to re-examine various discussions that can be expressed in two dimensions or those that independently deal with product characteristics. Going forward, it will be essential to perform quantitative analysis of the relationship of product characteristics with each period of the product life cycle.
  Keywords: information discovery methods; statistical processing; innovation creation; product characteristics; product life cycle; aesthetics; quantitative analysis; principal component analysis.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2023.10049051
   
  
• Does Gamification on an E-Commerce Application Lead Intention to Use the Application and Spread Word of Mouth?  
  by Kunthi Kusumawardani, Laura Fabiola Soegihono 
  Abstract: This research aims to evaluate the effect of e-commerce gamification on post-adoption behavioural intention on an e-commerce application in Indonesia mediated by flow experience, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and attitude. The structural equation modelling analysis was chosen to examine the data using 325 respondents who are active users who play the games in the e-commerce app. The research results found that attitude towards gamification is a strong predictor in determining continued use intention and intention to spread the WOM of the e-commerce application. Besides, flow experience, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness will shape a positive attitude towards gamification, leading to continued use intention and intention to spread WOM. Findings in this research provide empirical evidence of gamification’s use in an e-commerce application in a developing country. It underlines the importance of using gamification to shape the attitude to keep using the e-commerce application and spread WOM.
  Keywords: gamification; e-commerce; attitude; flow experience; continued use intention; CUI; word of mouth; WOM; Shopee; Indonesia.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10049121
   
  
• EMPIRICAL MODEL OF MANAGEMENT TOOLS IMPACT ON THE ENTERPRISE PERFORMANCE  
  by Damijan Kreslin, Stefan Bojnec, Mirko Markic, Aleksander Janes 
  Abstract: The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of used management tools (MTs) and techniques on enterprises performance. For this purpose, the structural equation model (SEM) is developed, which is based on a sample of 139 Slovenian medium and large enterprises (MLE) that completed the questionnaire. In the empirical analysis, the in-depth survey data for an enterprise are combined with the Gvin accountancy database of indicators. The MLE performance is being measured with the return on equity (ROE). The empirical results partially confirmed the impact of the used MTs on the enterprises ROE, which can be increased with the proper use and managers’ satisfaction with MTs. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no empirical study has been conducted to examine the relationship among use of MTs and ROE for Slovenian ML enterprises.
  Keywords: enterprise performance; business and systems research; management tool; MTs; management tools and techniques; return on equity; ROE; structural equation model; SEM; Slovenia.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10049723
   
  
• Publication Patterns of Business Analytics Faculty: Toward a Well-Founded Assessment of Productivity  
  by Hong Qin, Kai S. Koong, Zhaojun Yang 
  Abstract: In many business disciplines, impact metrics and measurements of productivity are well established, including institutionally-approved journal lists available for the use of both faculty and administration. Faculty in business analytics related fields generally have no such tool available, leading at times to confusion, undervaluing of their scholarship, and even litigation. In this study, we take the preliminary steps for establishing objective assessment tools for business analytics faculty by studying the publication patterns of the most productive current practitioners. An initial list of 700 publishing outlets was narrowed down to approximately 100 that account for 30% of all published scholarship in the field. We suggest this list can be used as an initial benchmark for future institution-based conversations about faculty review.
  Keywords: business analytics; publication patterns; faculty productivity; professional development; technology; business research; systems.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10053868
   
  
• Design an Interactive Dashboard System to Improve University Career Service: A Case Study  
  by Bih-Ru Lea, Wen-Bin Yu 
  Abstract: This research documents the process of developing a performance dashboard system for one uni-versity’s career service center to overcome challenges including lack of access to relevant infor-mation, stakeholders not taking advantage of what is being offered, and students’ anxiety about not being able to find a job, and strategic planning. Through a theory foundation grounded on the literature, this research aims to integrate data into actionable information, present the right information to the right user at the right time, provide a platform for communication between all stakeholders, and improve stakeholder satisfaction through self-service ad-hoc reporting. The de-sign principles for information organization, learnability, and user-friendly interface are present-ed. The interactive career service dashboard is then assessed based on ease of use, task effec-tiveness, and perceived usefulness.
  Keywords: Dashboard Systems; Higher Education; Data Visualization; Career Services.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10054231
   
  
• Continual Challenges of GST Regime in India from the Inception  
  by Preeti. S.Desai, S. Panneraselvam, Meena Chandavarkar 
  Abstract: It is not dramatisation if it is said that Goods & Service Tax (GST) implementation was most foreseen, demanded and at the same time most challenging tax reform which ever happened in India. It took almost a decade to build and enforce, which was a most challenging task. It was anticipated to remove all types of cascading effects present in the previous system. Most important expectation from the regime was justice in revenue distribution and bringing transparency to fullest extent. The GST regime is facing not only implementation problem but structural problem also. The present paper is the combination of theoretical and empirical study carried out from 2017 to 2020. The major focus of the study is challenges faced by GST regime from the day of its inception. The research methods used include- observation method to record the problems and hurdles faced by stakeholders of GST regime.
  Keywords: goods and services tax; GST; tax regime; paired t-test; challenges; comparison; small traders; input tax credit.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2023.10054413
   
  
• Comparative study of methods to identify sensitive parameters for improving performance of predictive models  
  by Mohan Sangli, Rajeshwar S. Kadadevaramath, Srikanth Madaka 
  Abstract: Machine learning models map inputs to predictions. Supervised machine learning models learn from a dataset containing several samples or experiments by assigning a weightage to each of the input parameters, commonly referred as features, so as to map to the corresponding target outcome. Different algorithms are used in the learning process, each following a set of rules to achieve the stated objective of mapping features to the corresponding value of target. In this development process, algorithms assign weights to each feature and refine them iteratively to reduce the error between the predicted outcomes with the actual value in the dataset. It is observed that each type of algorithm is based on certain themes such as linear, tree-based, kernel, etc. Each adoption of each of these themed algorithms assigns different weights to features to arrive at the target outcome while reducing the error with the actual value. Iterations alter the weights of parameters until fully tuned and hence there is a need to get reliable weights early in the model development process.
  Keywords: feature importance; ranking; permutation importance; machine learning; dimensionality reduction.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2023.10054547
   
  
• IDENTIFYING MEASURABLE VALUE DIMENSIONS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OCCUPATIONAL CULTURE AND ITS EFFECT ON JOB SATISFACTION: A MIXED-METHOD GROUNDED THEORY  
  by Tugba Koç, Adem Akbiyik 
  Abstract: This study has two main aims: First, it investigates the core cultural values of the IT profession and their effects on job satisfaction. Second, it analyses the separate impact of the other two cultural levels (national and organisational) on job satisfaction. To do this, a mixed method grounded theory is conducted. Ten information technology occupational culture (ITOC) values, namely: adaptation, precision in communication, enjoyment, teamwork, 3U demands of the customers, management support, social image, group consciousness, technical jargon, and uncertainty of task limits, were investigated. Eight identified categories showed similarities with previous research; however, management support and uncertainty tasks limits emerged as unique for this study and Turkey. In the second stage, revealed cultural values were turned into measurable dimensions, and the theoretical research model was tested. Results indicated that organisational and occupational culture had a significant and positive effect on job satisfaction, whereas national culture did not. This study is an effort to reveal the predictors of IT professionals’ job satisfaction and investigate ITOC values outside of the Western context countries.
  Keywords: IT occupational culture; mixed-method; grounded theory; developing country.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10055879
   
  
• Effect of Discretionary Work Effort on Organizational Sustainability through Employee Engagement - Perspective of Z Gen  
  by Jenifer Ruth Malarvizhi S, Vijayarani S 
  Abstract: Sustainability is impossible for organisations without a competitive advantage over their rivals, where discretionary work effort gives the required edge in the dynamic global market. Economic instability hinders organisation sustainability. This article offers organisational sustainability advice from the Z Gen, the future workforce. Southern Indian Z Gens completed 219 online questionnaires. Employee involvement is necessary to increase discretionary work effort and sustain organisational productivity and performance. Southern Indian Z Gens completed 219 online questionnaires. Employee participation boosts discretionary work effort and organisation productivity. Researchers have already contributed sufficiently to managerial concepts such as organisational sustainability and employee engagement. This study examines the relationship between discretionary labour effort and organisational sustainability because most organisations cannot survive without it. Python and bootstrapping estimating methods were used to develop a conceptual model from Z Gen data. Python heatmap and SmartPLS partial least square structural equation modelling showed that Z Geners believed staff engagement tactics increase discretionary work effort.
  Keywords: discretionary work effort; DWE; employee engagement; employee satisfaction; organisational strategies; organisational sustainability; productivity; profitability; Z Gen.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10055880
   
  
• THE IMPACT OF ORGANISATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOUR, TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP, AND ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT ON ORGANISATION PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY AT UNIVERSITIES IN HO CHI MINH CITY  
  by Anh Ngoc Huynh, Thang Quyet Nguyen, Anh Hoang Le 
  Abstract: The study assesses the impact of organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB), transformational leadership styles and organisational commitment on organisational performance in a case study conducted at local universities in Ho Chi Minh City. Findings obtained using quantitative approaches indicate that all five components of OCB - altruism, civic virtue, conscientiousness, sportsmanship and courtesy - positively impact organisational performance. The findings also demonstrate that transformational leadership styles positively impact organisational performance and enhance OCBs positive impact on organisational performance. Regarding organisational commitment, only continuance commitment was found to enhance the positive impact of sportsmanship on organisational performance at the studied universities in Ho Chi Minh City. Based on the studys results, the author identifies several implications for universities in Ho Chi Minh City.
  Keywords: Organisational Citizenship Behaviour; Organisational Commitment; Transformational Leadership Styles; Organisational Performance.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10056333
   
  
• Prioritizing the Barriers of Omni-Channel Retailing Implementation: An Emerging Market Perspective  
  by Ranjit Roy Ghatak  
  Abstract: Omni-channel has recently appeared as a dominant strategy in the retailing sector. An OC strategy requires a channel-design and channel-management framework to align and integrate organisational systems, structure, processes, people, and resources to deliver a seamless and consistent customer experience across channels. Transformation management is challenging. The study aims to identify and investigate barriers to OC retailing by developing a framework for retail managers to prioritise and manage their removal. A literature review found 21 barriers. The study used an integrated ISM and fuzzy MICMAC approach to analyse contextual relationships between barriers. ISM produced a nine-level hierarchical model. Fuzzy MICMAC analysis classified barriers by driving power and dependency. The framework helps meet customer expectations by prioritising and eliminating barriers to OC retailing. The study fills a gap in the OC retailing literature by providing a structured framework for managing the transition to OC retailing, especially in an emerging market context.
  Keywords: omni-channel; channel; retailing; barrier; implementation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10057138
   
  
• Impact of Digital Marketing Tools on Brand Awareness and Online Shopping Behavior: An Empirical Study.  
  by S. M. Sohel Rana, Abul Khair Jyote, Suman Prasad Saha Saha, Zakia Binte Jamal Zakia 
  Abstract: The present study aims to investigate the influence of specific digital marketing tools on brand awareness and online shopping behaviour of Bangladeshi consumers. Data were collected from 280 respondents. The collected data were analysed using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS SEM) approach with the help of smart PLS 4.0 software. Findings reveal that search engine optimisation is the most significant digital marketing tool followed by viral marketing, social media advertising, e-mail marketing and content marketing to create brand awareness in the digital settings. On the other hand, search engine optimisation, viral marketing, social media advertising, and content marketing were found to be the significant digital marketing tools influencing online shopping behaviour. The findings bear significance in many aspects which have been discussed in the implications part.
  Keywords: digital marketing tools; brand awareness; online shopping behaviour; OSB.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10057840
   
  
• EFFICIENCY OF PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT - CASE OF FUTURES MARKET FOR METALS AND ENERGY IN INDIA  
  by M. AJOY KUMAR, HARSHINI C, SADATHA AHAMED, SHALINI V. RAJ 
  Abstract: Commodity derivatives markets are meant for managing the price risk arising from fluctuations in commodity prices. After many decades of stunted growth, the commodity derivatives markets in India became active in early 2000. The current study aims to evaluate the performance of futures markets or metals and energy in India. Eight commodities from metals and energy are considered for the analysis. Daily prices of these commodities in the spot market and futures markets are collected for a period of two years. The hedging effectiveness is evaluated using the percentage reduction the futures markets can provide as compared to the volatility in the spot market. The findings of the study reveal that the futures markets in India are effective in price risk management. Energy and base metal markets are relatively better than the precious metals markets in terms of hedge effectiveness.
  Keywords: commodity futures; price risk; metals; energy; hedging.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10058444