Less is more: the role of frugality in the Malaysian hotel industry

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Zulaikha Mohamed Sadom ◽  
Farzana Quoquab ◽  
Jihad Mohammad ◽  
Nazimah Hussin
Keyword(s):  
Hotel Industry ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Green Marketing ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Less Is More ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The environmental impact of excessive use of natural resources such as energy and water in the tourism industry has increased significantly. Thus, it is crucial to investigate the notion of frugality in this industry. Particularly, this study aims to examine the effect of green marketing strategies (eco-labelling and environmental advertising) and hotel guests’ green attitude towards frugality in the context of the Malaysian hotel industry. Furthermore, the mediating effect of green attitude is also examined. Design/methodology/approach Stimulus-organism-response theory was used to develop the research framework. The data were collected via a self-administered survey questionnaire, which yielded 150 complete and usable responses. A partial least square-structural equation modelling approach was used to validate the proposed model. Findings The results of this study revealed that environmental advertising and eco-labelling, directly and indirectly, affect frugality. Moreover, the link between green attitude and frugality also was supported. Furthermore, data supported the mediating effect of green attitude in the relationship between green marketing strategies and frugality. Practical implications The findings from this study can benefit hoteliers who are targeting frugal and environmentally conscious consumers. Moreover, the hoteliers will be able to understand the drivers of frugality in the tourism industry. It can assist them to formulate better marketing strategies in attracting and retaining frugal consumers. Social implications The findings from this study offer a number of important social implications for society, the local government and the city and tourism council. Particularly, understanding the strategies towards frugality can pave the way towards the formation of a “less consumption” community. Moreover, it will serve as the guideline for designing the green and sustainability campaign for the nation. Originality/value This study is among the pioneers to investigate the issue pertaining to frugality in the tourism industry context. This study examines new linkages such as the indirect effect of green marketing strategies towards frugality. Moreover, the mediating effect of green attitude in the relationship between green marketing strategies (eco-labelling and environmental advertising) and frugality is comparatively a new link.

“Waste not, want not”: fostering frugality amongst Muslim tourists in the Malaysian hotel industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Zulaikha Bt Mohamed Sadom ◽  
Farzana Quoquab ◽  
Jihad Mohammad
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Hotel Industry ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Price Consciousness ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The prevailing overconsumption issue in the hotel industry is attributable mainly to the irresponsible consumption behaviour of hotel guests. In parallel with Islamic principles, which advocate abstinence from excess consumption and frugality, the “waste not, want not” notion can be considered as one of the effective solutions to this problem. However, little is known about the factors that drive frugality amongst Muslim tourists. In addressing this gap, this study aims to predict the effect of environmental advertising and green attitude on frugality in the context of the Malaysian hotel industry. The study also tests the mediating role of the green attitude between environmental advertising and frugality. Furthermore, it examines the role of price consciousness as a moderator of the green attitude-frugality link. Design/methodology/approach The stimulus-organism-response theory was used to develop the conceptual framework of this study. A cross-sectional method was used to collect 222 usable questionnaires from Muslim tourists in Malaysia. The hypothesised relationships were tested using the structural equation modelling, partial least squares approach. Findings The study found support for the direct effect of environmental advertising and green attitude on frugality. It also confirmed the mediating effect of the green attitude in the environmental advertising-frugality link. However, price consciousness did not moderate the relationship. Practical implications The findings of the study provide valuable insight for hoteliers in developing a green strategy that will foster frugality amongst Muslim hotel guests. It will also help them develop better strategies for the frugal segment, especially for the Muslim community. Originality/value The study is amongst the pioneers in investigating frugality in the tourism industry. It is also the first to introduce price consciousness as a moderator of the relationship between the green attitude and frugality. Furthermore, its examination of frugality amongst Muslim hotel guests is a new contribution to the literature.

Trust: mediator between mobile money adoption and usage and financial inclusion

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1215-1237
Author(s):  
George Okello Candiya Bongomin ◽  
Joseph Ntayi
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Mobile Network ◽  
Mobile Telephone ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Money ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Recently, a large body of research has been devoted on the role of trust in shaping different types of transactions, especially in rural financial development. Trust is a set of expectations shared by all those who engage in an exchange. Indeed, the “rule of the game” suggests that no trusting party in a transaction should act opportunistically. Consequently, this study aims to establish the mediating effect of trust in the relationship between mobile money adoption and usage and financial inclusion of MSMEs in developing countries with a specific focus on rural Uganda. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative survey-based study was used and responses obtained from 379 MSMEs located in northern Uganda were analysed using partial least square-PLS version 3.0. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed from scales and items used in previous studies referenced in internationally recognised journals to elicit responses from the MSMEs. Structural equation modelling was used to test the models to arrive at a final empirical model derived from the data. Findings The authors found evidence that trust enhances mobile money adoption and usage to increase the scope of financial inclusion of MSMEs in developing countries. Moreover, when individual effect was determined, trust also had significant and positive effect on financial inclusion. Thus, the study results imply that trust enhances mobile money adoption and usage to improve the level of financial inclusion of MSMEs in developing countries. Research limitations/implications The study used cross-sectional data to document the relationship between mobile money adoption and usage and financial inclusion and to establish the mediating effect of trust in the relationship. Future research could use relevant longitudinal data to verify other benefits of trust. Practical implications The results present trust as a significant factor for FINTECH financial services marketing and growth. Specifically, data privacy and effectiveness of the mobile telephone network is more likely to help consumers to bridge the gap between participation and non-participation on the mobile money platform. Customers’ data sent over the mobile network of providers should be protected from unnecessary access and usage by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) staff and unauthorised persons and agents. Data protection protocols should be set by the MNOs to avoid unnecessary access and use of customers’ data. Originality/value Globally, Fintech scholars have examined the role of mobile money in promoting financial inclusion. However, there is insufficient evidence on the mediating effect of trust in the relationship between mobile money adoption and usage and financial inclusion, especially among rural MSMEs. This study invents a novel direction on the importance of trust in creating transaction efficiency by eliminating opportunism and fraud with in the Fintech ecosystem.

Mobile money adoption and usage and financial inclusion: mediating effect of digital consumer protection

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-176
Author(s):  
George Okello Candiya Bongomin ◽  
Joseph Mpeera Ntayi
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Protection ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Money ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Drawing from the argument that mobile money services have a significant potential to provide a wide range of affordable, convenient and secure financial services, there have been rampant frauds on consumers of financial products over the digital financial platform. Thus, this study aims to establish the mediating effect of digital consumer protection in the relationship between mobile money adoption and usage and financial inclusion with data collected from micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in northern Uganda. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the main objective of this study, a research model was developed to test for the mediating effect of digital consumer protection in the relationship between mobile money adoption and usage and financial inclusion. The data were collected from MSMEs and structural equation modelling in partial least square (PLS) combined with bootstrap was applied to analyze and test the hypotheses of this study. The direct and indirect effect of mobile money adoption and usage on financial inclusion was tested through digital consumer protection as a mediator variable. Findings The findings from the PLS-structural equation modelling (SEM) showed that mobile money adoption and usage has both direct and indirect effect on financial inclusion. Moreover, financial inclusion is influenced by both mobile money adoption and usage and digital consumer protection. Research limitations/implications The study used partial least square (PLS-SEM) combined with bootstrap confidence intervals through a formative approach to establish the mediating effect of the mediator variable. Hence, it ignored the use of covariance-based SEM and the MedGraph programme. Furthermore, data were collected from samples located in Gulu district, northern Uganda and specifically from MSMEs. This limits generalization of the study findings to other population who also use mobile money services. Practical implications Promoters of digital financial services, managers of telecommunication companies, and financial inclusion advocates should consider strengthening the existing digital consumer protection laws on the mobile money platform. A collaborative approach between the mobile network operators, financial institutions and regulators should tighten the existing laws against mobile money fraudsters and an efficient mechanism for recourse, compensation and remedy should be set up to benefit the victims of frauds and cybercrime on the Fintech ecosystem. Originality/value The current study gives a useful insight into the critical mediating role of digital consumer protection as a cushion for promoting financial inclusion through mobile phones over the Fintech that face great threat and risk from cyber insecurity.

Driving customer loyalty in the Malaysian fast food industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1367-1387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzana Quoquab ◽  
Nur Zulaikha Mohamed Sadom ◽  
Jihad Mohammad
Keyword(s):  
Customer Loyalty ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Fast Food Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Although the importance of halal logo in determining purchase intention has been recognized in the marketing literature, there is a dearth of study that has examined the impact of halal logo toward customer loyalty. To fulfill this gap, this study aims to shed some light on the impact of halal logo toward achieving customer loyalty in the context of fast food industry in Malaysia. More specifically, the objectives of this study are: to examine the direct and indirect effect of halal logo on customer loyalty; to examine the effect of halal logo on trust and perceived reputation; to examine the effect of halal logo and perceived reputation on customer loyalty; and to examine the mediating effect of trust and perceived reputation in the relationship between halal logo and customer loyalty among the fast food industry consumers in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach This study used stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) theory as the theoretical basis. The data were collected via self-administered survey questionnaire consisting 117 Muslim fast food consumers. Partial least square (SmartPLS, version 3) was used to test the study hypotheses. Findings Results of this study revealed that halal logo, directly and indirectly affect customer loyalty. Moreover, perceived reputation and trust also found to be positively related to customer loyalty. Research limitations/implications The data were collected from Malaysian Muslim consumers. Future studies can consider non-Muslim consumers to compare the loyalty pattern among Muslim and non-Muslim consumers. Practical implications The findings from this study will benefit fast food industry marketers who are targeting Muslim consumer segment and also those marketers who are operating their franchise business in Muslim majority countries. The findings suggest that halal logo helps service providers to create positive perceived reputation and to build trust among consumers, which eventually lead customer loyalty. It is expected that the findings of this study will assist the halal fast food industry marketers to better strategize their marketing efforts in retaining the Muslim customer base. Originality/value Using S-O-R theory, this study examines halal logo as the key driver of customer loyalty, which is comparatively a new link. Moreover, this study examines the mediating effects of perceived reputation and trust in the relationship between halal logo and customer loyalty, which are not tested in previous literature in the field.

What matters most in achieving customer satisfaction in banking? A study from the perspective of employee characteristics

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wajeeha Aslam ◽  
Kashif Farhat ◽  
Imtiaz Arif ◽  
Chai Lee Goi
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Banking Industry ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Employee Characteristics ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis study aims to identify the factors that influence customer satisfaction in the banking sector from the perspective of employee characteristics. More specifically, this study identifies the impact of employee etiquettes, employee performance, technical selling skills and customer-oriented behavior on customer satisfaction in the banking industry. The study also seeks to investigate the mediating effect of employee etiquettes, employee performance and technical selling skills on the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer-oriented behavior.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected with the help of a Likert scale questionnaire from the active banking customers in Karachi, Pakistan, who visit bank branches once a month minimum. For 268 responses, partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was employed for hypothesis testing.FindingsThe results showed a positive and significant relationship between customer-oriented behavior and employee etiquettes, technical selling skills and performance. The employee’s customer-oriented behavior, etiquettes, technical selling skills and performance were also found to be significantly related with customer satisfaction. Finally, the results revealed that technical selling skills, employee performance and employee etiquettes partially mediate the relationship between customer-oriented behavior and customer satisfaction.Practical implicationsIt is recommended that banking employees should adopt customer-oriented behavior in order to achieve and maintain customer satisfaction. The bank managers should also work on improving the etiquettes and performance of the employees and provide them detailed technical knowledge of the services and products offered by the bank.Originality/valueArguably, it is one of the first studies to examine the mediating effects of employees' technical selling skills and employees' performance on the relationship between customer orientation and customer satisfaction, specifically in the banking industry.

Do employees’ private demands lead to cyberloafing? The mediating role of job stress

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 1025-1038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kian Yeik Koay ◽  
Patrick Chin-Hooi Soh ◽  
Kok Wai Chew
Keyword(s):  
Job Stress ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Job Resources ◽  
Conservation Of Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Cyberloafing has been reported as a prevalent practice among employees and has been called the hidden epidemic killing business productivity. Given the importance of this issue, this study aims to propose and empirically test a research model to investigate the relationships between private demands, job stress and cyberloafing, premised on border theory, conservation of resources theory and general strain theory. Design/methodology/approach A total of 301 usable data were collected from employees who work in the ICT sector, using self-reported questionnaires that are subsequently analysed using Partial Least Square (PLS) structural equation modelling. Findings The results of this study have revealed that both private demands and job stress are positively related to cyberloafing. In addition, job stress is positively related to private demands and also partially mediates the relationship between private demands and cyberloafing. Therefore, the findings are suggestive of employee’s job resources being depleted when they cross between work and non-work domains as they attempt to satisfy their private demands. As a result, insufficient job resources channelled towards handling job-related demands results in job stress, followed by their engagement in cyberloafing behaviour as a coping mechanism. Originality/value The main theoretical contribution of this research is to expand upon the existing knowledge of the relationship between private demands and cyberloafing by demonstrating the mediating effect of job stress. Interestingly, the findings revealed that employees’ non-work domain can have a significant influence on both emotions and behaviours at work.

The impact of customer resources on customer value in co-creation: the multiple mediating effects

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Xiao ◽  
Qinhai Ma ◽  
Man Li
Keyword(s):  
Customer Value ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Customer Participation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Mediating Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hedonic Value ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Reactive Interaction

Purpose Co-creating value with customers is important for companies in order to gain a competitive advantage. Based on resource theory and social interaction theory, the purpose of this paper is to explore the customer participation mechanism in co-creating value and test the effects of different types of customer resources and multi-level customer–firm interaction on customer value. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from tourism industry. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Findings The results indicate that both the customer’s human resource and relationship resource have a significantly positive effect on customers’ utilitarian value and hedonic value through reactive and proactive interactions. Reactive interaction has a full mediating effect on the relationship between relationship resource and proactive interaction, whereas proactive interaction has a full mediating effect on the relationship between reactive interaction and hedonic value. Originality/value This study explores the mediating effects of customer–firm interaction between customer resources and customer value. This paper contributes to the understanding of customers’ motivations for, and the processes of, participating in value co-creation.

Mediating effect of tourists’ emotional involvement on the relationship between destination attributes and tourist satisfaction

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chhanda Biswas ◽  
Santus Kumar Deb ◽  
Abdulla Al-Towfiq Hasan ◽  
Md. Shariful Alam Khandakar
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Emotional Involvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tourist Satisfaction ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe study aims to examine the relationship between destination attributes and tourist satisfaction as well as the extent to which emotional involvement mediates between destination attributes and tourist satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a sample of 600 domestic tourists by using a purposive sampling technique where 382 samples were useable, and the response rate was 63.67%. The structural equation modeling (SmartPLS 3.0.) was used to test the hypothesized relationship among variables.FindingsAmong the 16 hypothesized paths, 13 were supported. Destination attributes (accommodation, attraction, food and beverages and transportation) except safety significantly influence tourist satisfaction; herein accommodation has the greatest effect on tourist satisfaction. Similarly, destination attributes except safety significantly influence tourists’ emotional involvement. This study also reveals that tourists’ emotional involvement partially mediates in the link between destination attributes except for safety and customer satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of the study will assist the hospitality researchers and managers to understand the roles of destination attributes and emotional involvement on tourist satisfaction in the tourism industry.Originality/valueThe study is the first to explore the mediating relationship in the link between destination attributes and tourist satisfaction in the tourism industry.

scholarly journals The non-economic consequences of disclosure in Islamic banks

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1948-1968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherif El-Halaby ◽  
Khaled Hussainey ◽  
Heba Abou-El-Sood
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Least Square Approach ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of sharia, social and financial disclosure on stakeholders’ loyalty towards Islamic banks (IBs). The paper also aims to examine the extent to which trust and satisfaction mediate this effect. Design/methodology/approach It uses data collected from 600 respondents to survey questionnaires disseminated to stakeholders from 15 countries dealing with IBs. Structural equation modelling is adopted with a partial least square approach. Findings The results indicate that there is a significant impact of disclosure on stakeholders’ trust, satisfaction, and loyalty. The results also indicate that there is a partial mediating effect of trust and satisfaction in the relationship between disclosure and loyalty. This paper is one of the first studies examining the effect of disclosure on stakeholders’ loyalty. The authors provide novel findings, which have theoretical and practical implications for disclosure in IBs and their relationship with stakeholders. Originality/value The analysis offers a novel contribution to the Islamic banking literature by offering the first evidence on the impact of disclosure on stakeholders’ trust, satisfaction, and loyalty.

The relationship between Islamic work ethic and workplace outcome

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 1286-1308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihad Mohammad ◽  
Farzana Quoquab ◽  
Fazli Idris ◽  
Mohammed Al-Jabari ◽  
Nazimah Hussin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Work Ethic ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organisational Justice ◽  
Islamic Work Ethic ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between Islamic work ethic (IWE) and employees’ attitude and behaviour in term of perceived organisational justice, psychological ownership (PSY), and employees’ performance in the Islamic financial institutions in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a sample of 301 employees of Islamic financial institutions and employed structural equation modelling-partial least square technique in order to analyse the data.FindingsThe findings demonstrated that IWE has both direct and indirect effects on attitudinal as well as behavioural outcomes.Practical implicationsManagers who want to enhance their employees’ attitude and behaviour are strongly advised to give proper attention to the concept work ethic. Moreover, they need to conduct training programs to instil these values and to emphasise its crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the organisation.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the body of knowledge on IWE by: testing its ability to predict employees’ performance, their perception of organisational justice, and their feeling of PSY, and examining the mediating effect of perceived organisational justice and PSY between IWE and employees’ performance.

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