Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the spread of COVID-19: a health counseling initiative among potential entrepreneurs of FUUAST

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahadur Ali Soomro ◽  
Ghulam Rasool Lakhan ◽  
Naimatullah Shah

PurposeThe present study examines the knowledge, attitude and practice towards the reduction of COVID-19 spread among entrepreneurs of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology (FUUAST), Karachi Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachThe authors employed cross-sectional data to infer the results. The data are collected through an online survey questionnaire. To target the respondents; a convenience sampling technique is adopted. In total, 222 usable answers proceed with final results. The structural equation model (SEM) is applied for the data analysis.FindingsThe study outcomes found a significant and positive role of knowledge about COVID-19, attitudes towards a stay at home and practices against COVID-19 in reducing the spread of the pandemic.Practical implicationsThe study provides coherent knowledge about the factors that fight against the pandemic's further spread. The findings would provide the guidelines to policymakers to think about such factors and boost them enormously. Further, the results would contribute to the literature of COVID-19.Originality/valueThis study is original, which empirically confirmed the effect of knowledge about COVID-19, attitudes towards a stay at home and practices against COVID-19 in an academic institute.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahadur Ali Soomro ◽  
Naimatullah Shah

PurposeAt present, almost the whole globe is facing a severe threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study examines the intention to stay home due to COVID-19 during a second wave of the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed a deductive approach based on cross-sectional data. An online survey is conducted from citizens of Pakistan. A convenience sampling is applied to target the respondents. In total, 238 useable responses proceed for final analysis. The structural equation model (SEM) is used to infer the results.FindingsThe findings of the study highlight a positive and significant effect of fear of COVID-19, attitudes to stay at home behaviour (AtSHB), knowledge about COVID-19 (Ka19) and health consciousness (HC) on the intention to stay at home (ItSAH).Practical implicationsThe study would provide the guidelines to policymakers and planners to develop the policies which may establish the individual's ItSAH. This strategy would restrict the spread of COVID-19. The government should also formulate the plannings to reduce the fear about COVID-19 and health concerns to combat the pandemic. The government should launch awareness programs regarding the spread and cure of COVID-19.Originality/valueThis study is the first study which highlights the factors such as fear, HC, attitudes and knowledge towards ItSAH. The study may be unique in the COVID-19 perspective, particularly in the Pakistani context.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahadur Ali Soomro

Purpose At present, nearly the whole globe is facing a severe threat of COVID-19. This study aims to examine the COVID-19 complications and entrepreneurial intention among the entrepreneurs of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The study used a deductive approach. An online survey is conducted to collect cross-sectional data from entrepreneurs of Pakistan. Convenience sampling is applied to target the respondents. In total, 278 usable answers proceed for final analysis. The structural equation model (SEM) is used to infer the results. Findings The findings of the study highlight a significant negative effect of fear of COVID-19 (FO19), perceived susceptibility (PSU) and perceived severity (PSE) on entrepreneurial intention (EI) among the entrepreneurs. Practical implications The study would provide the guidelines for policymakers and planners to combat the barriers of fear, PSU and PSE during a pandemic. The findings of the second wave of COVID-19 may provide a warning to the government to take preventive measures to face the severe effect of the pandemic. Finally, the outcomes of the study may enrich the depth of COVID-19 literature globally. Originality/value This study is the first study highlighting factors such as fear, PSU and PSE toward EI in COVID-19 second wave.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sevenpri Candra ◽  
I Nyoman Agus Dwi Wiratama ◽  
Muhammad Airlangga Rahmadi ◽  
Vincent Cahyadi

Purpose Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are a critical part of a country or region’s economy. They have contributed to more than half of Indonesia’s gross domestic product. However, MSMEs today are still getting problems and obstacles in the Indonesian industry. One of them is the lack of knowledge about entrepreneurship that hampers the development of a business and the emergence of innovation. This study aims to understand the innovation process and extend the knowledge regarding entrepreneurship in food and beverage MSMEs in Greater Jakarta Area. Design/methodology/approach This study is descriptive–associative research. It uses the online survey as a data collection method with a cross-sectional design. The sampling technique is purposive sampling with the criteria foodpreneurs from MSMEs in Greater Jakarta Area. The data are measured using Likert scale and analyzed using structural equation modeling-partial least squares. Findings The results suggest that centralized decision-making positively impacts collaboration, communication and contributes to innovation. Communication effects the entrepreneur's knowledge and collective entrepreneurship. In terms of collaboration, it affects entrepreneur's knowledge and collective entrepreneurship. Then, the entrepreneur's knowledge and collective entrepreneurship influence innovation. Research limitations/implications This research is only conducted using MSMEs of food and beverages in Greater Jakarta Area as the samples. Hence the results cannot be generalized. Different sectors may have different results. Practical implications A centralized decision can be done but limited in certain situations only. Then, foodpreneurs should collaborate and communicate more intensely with their employees. It will impact the harmonious collaboration and collective problem-solving to achieve creative solutions. Originality/value There is limited research focusing on foodpreneurs and the innovation process. So, this research results can add to the existing literature review.


2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 446-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilmar B. Schaufeli

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to integrate leadership into the job demands-resources (JD-R) model. Based on self-determination theory, it was argued that engaging leaders who inspire, strengthen, and connect their followers would reduce employee’s levels of burnout and increase their levels of work engagement. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was conducted among a representative sample of the Dutch workforce (n=1,213) and the research model was tested using structural equation modeling. Findings – It appeared that leadership only had an indirect effect on burnout and engagement – via job demands and job resources – but not a direct effect. Moreover, leadership also had a direct relationship with organizational outcomes such as employability, performance, and commitment. Research limitations/implications – The study used a cross-sectional design and all variables were based on self-reports. Hence, results should be replicated in a longitudinal study and using more objective measures (e.g. for work performance). Practical implications – Since engaged leaders, who inspire, strengthen, and connect their followers, provide a work context in which employees thrive, organizations are well advised to promote engaging leadership. Social implications – Leadership seems to be a crucial factor which has an indirect impact – via job demands and job resources – on employee well-being. Originality/value – The study demonstrates that engaging leadership can be integrated into the JD-R framework.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Yanfang Wu

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] The debate about boundaries in journalism amid the rise of citizen journalism, the crisis of business models in the news industry and the use of social media in the news-gathering and dissemination process, has become a central focus in the media industry and academia. There is no doubt that the digital transition is a trend. Based on the Carlson's (2015) boundaries of journalism theory and Shoemaker and Vos' (2009) levels of analysis in the gatekeeping theory, administering a cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire, national online survey (N=1063), conducting a Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis, the study seeks to find out the relationships between socialization and perceptions of digital impact on journalism, journalists and news organizations. The findings showed news organizations' social media culture affects journalists' use of social media. Twitter interactivity mediates journalists' social media internalization and their attitude toward social media. However, this mediating effects does not apply to Facebook and other social media interactivity. The distinguishing line between reporters and editors is blurring in news organizations. Older journalists (age>40) are picking up social media as additional journalistic tools and developing a positive attitude toward them. However, there still may be a long way to go before old journalists become experts in social media.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hardius Usman ◽  
Chairy Chairy ◽  
Nucke Widowati Kusumo Projo

Purpose The purpose of this study are: to study the difference between halal awareness and halal certified awareness, and the relationship between the two variables; to study the differences in knowledge about halal and halal certified, as well as their relationship with halal awareness and halal certified awareness; and to build and test research models regarding factors that affect certified halal awareness. Design/methodology/approach The target population is Muslims who live in Indonesia and are 18 years old or more. The self-administered survey method is carried out based on a purposive sampling technique. The authors collect data from 428 Muslim respondents in Indonesia through an online survey. This study applies the partial least square–structural equation model to examine causal relationships and test hypotheses. Findings This study reveals several results: halal awareness is a different concept from halal-certified awareness; knowledge of halal is a different concept from knowledge of halal certificates; awareness is an outcome of knowledge, but knowledge is not an outcome of awareness; halal awareness has a significant effect on halal-certified awareness; knowledge about halal certificates has a significant effect on halal-certified awareness, but knowledge about halal does not have a significant effect; knowledge of halal certificates is not influenced by knowledge of halal and halal awareness; and exposure and religious commitment have a significant role in increasing knowledge and awareness. Originality/value Research that explores the difference between halal awareness and halal certified awareness, and Muslim knowledge about halal and halal certified, especially in the context of halal-certified food, is still very limited in the literature provided, if not unavailable. Furthermore, this study also builds and tests research models regarding the factors that affect certified halal awareness, which is limited or may not have been found in the literature.


2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mouad Sadallah ◽  
Hijattulah Abdul-Jabbar

Purpose This research aims to investigate the influence of political instability, trust and knowledge on the zakat compliance behaviour of Algerian business owners. Based on the lenses of the ethical theory mainly and by reference to Zakat Core Principles (that originally inspired from the Basel Core Principles), the paper aims to provide an understanding of how these factors affect zakat compliance in the Algerian context from an ethical perspective. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional research design was applied. Using self-administered questionnaires, a total of 575 business owners in Algeria participated in this study. The hypothesised model was tested by using the partial least squares structural equation model. Findings The study results support that the ethical approach can explain zakat compliance among Algerian business owners. Specifically, the results revealed that political instability, zakat knowledge and trust significantly influence zakat compliance. Practical implications The results offer meaningful insights for the zakat institutions in Muslim societies to enable them to formulate zakat collection policies, assess the level of societal trust in the zakat authority, evaluate the influence of political instability on Muslim entrepreneurs’ zakat compliance and strengthen the entrepreneurs’ zakat knowledge on the exigency of paying zakat to the authority. Originality/value This study breaks new ground by exploring the effects of political instability, zakat knowledge and trust on zakat payers’ compliance ethical decisions in developing countries such as Algeria. More significantly, this research contributes to the existing literature of the ethical theory specifically by investigating the effect of political instability on zakat compliance among Algerian business owners.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 719-741
Author(s):  
Esther Dzidzah ◽  
Kwame Owusu Kwateng ◽  
Benjamin Kofi Asante

Purpose The inception of mobile financial services (MFSs) has positively provoked economic growth and productivity, nonetheless, it has pessimistically caused an upward surge in cybersecurity threat. Customers are progressively becoming conscious of some of the threat and several of them now shun away from some suspicious activities over the internet as a form of protection. This study aims to explore the factors that influence users’ to adopt security behaviour. Design/methodology/approach A synthesis of theories – Self-efficacy and technology threat avoidance theories – was used to examine the security behaviour of users of MFSs. Data was gathered from 530 students in Ghana using convenience sampling technique. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and structural equation model. Findings Outcome of the investigation indicate that both mastery experience and verbal persuasion have substantial effect on the avoidance motivation of MFSs users. It was, however, found that emotional state and vicarious experience of users do not influence their avoidance motivation. Also, it was established that avoidance motivation is a positive prognosticator of avoidance behaviour. Practical implications Understanding the security behaviour of MFS users will help the operators to outline strategies to sustain the successes achieved. Originality/value Studies on user security behaviour are rare, especially in sub Saharan Africa, thus, this study will contribute to extant literature by adding a new dimension of user security behaviour.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Sohaib ◽  
Umair Akram ◽  
Peng Hui ◽  
Hassan Rasool ◽  
Zohaib Razzaq ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) motivations of regulatory-focused customers with positive and negative consumption experiences. Design/methodology/approach An online survey is conducted in Beijing and Shanghai. A random sampling technique is used to collect data from 854 respondents. Two scenarios of eWOM communication – positive and negative consumption experiences – are randomly assigned to each respondent. This study employs the structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis techniques. However, it uses ordinary least squares and logistic regression to analyze 137 participants in the experimental study. Findings Promotion-focused customers that aim for self-enhancement and obtaining social benefits are motivated to spread positive eWOM on social networking sites. However, prevention-focused customers are driven by vengeance and anxiety, revealing higher intentions to post negative eWOM on review sites. eWOM generation is subject to gender, as promotion-focused male customers spread it more than both prevention-focused and promotion-focused female customers. Moreover, platform assistance (PA) has a significant positive impact upon regulatory-focused customers and eWOM (positive vs negative) relationships. Practical implications This study provides a deeper understanding of motivational factors of eWOM communication. Specifically, in case of product or service failure, negative consumption experiences drive prevention-focused customers to generate negative eWOM. Thus, using various tactics, marketers need to shift customers from focusing on prevention to focusing on promotion. For example, redeemable free coupons can shift customer attention and generate positive eWOM. Originality/value This study provides unique insights about eWOM motivation across genders. It examines regulatory focus, positive vs negative consumption experiences and moderation of PA.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ihsan Effendi ◽  
Miftahuddin Murad ◽  
Ahmad Rafiki ◽  
Mitra Musika Lubis

Purpose The Islamic rural banks have the potential to grow in Indonesia. It is important to learn and study the consumer behaviors toward the Islamic rural banks’ services to plan for future strategies. The purpose of this paper is to test the applicability of the theory of reasoned action in predicting the customers’ decision to use the Islamic rural banks’ services. Design/methodology/approach The descriptive and structural equation model analyses were used to analyze the data. A random sampling technique is adopted with a sample size of 180 consumers of the Islamic rural banks. There are variables to be tested such as Sharia system compliance, product knowledge on Sharia, promotion, services, attitude, subjective norms, intention and customer decisions to use the Islamic rural banks’ services. Findings The results found that the Sharia system compliance, promotion, services, attitude, subjective norms and intention variables have a significant effect on the use of services at Islamic rural banks. Only product knowledge on Sharia variable has been found to be insignificant. Originality/value The model can be used to prepare better strategies to attract more customers as well as increase public awareness toward Islamic rural banks’ products and services. The results are useful as a benchmark for policymakers to improve the establishment of Islamic rural banks particularly in Indonesia.


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