Perspective of Yemeni students on use of online learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan Aldholay ◽  
Zaini Abdullah ◽  
Osama Isaac ◽  
Ahmed M. Mutahar

Purpose Online learning has evolved into a necessary means of learning because of its capability to enhance the education quality with minimum resources and infrastructure. Nevertheless, while academics have studied the espousal and use of online learning in various settings, the effect of compatibility and transformational leadership (TL) still remains to be seen, with regards to the Yemeni context. The purpose of this paper is to forward the Delone and Mclean Information System (IS) success Model by integrating compatibility and TL constructs as precursors to user contentment and actual use for estimating performance of students. Design/methodology/approach The questionnaire technique was utilised for gathering primary data from 448 students in nine state-funded Yemeni universities. The six variables in the recommended framework were gauged utilising current scales. Data analysis was done by deploying structural equation modelling through SmartPLS 3.0. Findings The outcomes encompassed three key results: overall quality (data, system and service quality), compatibility and TL have a favourable effect on user satisfaction and actual use; actual use considerably estimates user satisfaction; and user satisfaction and actual use have a favourable effect on performance of students. Research limitations/implications Because the research populace comprised students from nine state-funded universities, it did not include administrative and academic staff. Furthermore, as the study was cross-sectional, it studied the variables at a single point of time. Attaining experience in utilising online learning would transform the convictions of students, and this cannot be traced through a cross-sectional scrutiny. Moreover, the research relies upon self-testified measures for ascertaining the recommended research model. The reason behind this is that obtaining objective information regarding performance was not likely because of the privacy concern. Practical implications Despite the fact that Yemen is a low-income emerging nation with inadequate resources (World Development Indicators, 2017), it can capitalise on online-based learning that provides the advantage of excellent education and that too with limited supplies (Dokhan and Akkoyunlu, 2016; Yang et al., 2016). Additionally, online learning can enhance administration and communication, empower learning anywhere and anytime, and endorse fairness of education. Originality/value This study supplements the existing studies on information systems by blending overall quality, compatibility, TL, actual use and client satisfaction for estimating the effect of online learning among students from nine state-funded Yemeni universities. Moreover, the recommended model’s predictive prowess has a higher capability to elucidate and estimate the performance effect as against those acquired from few of the previous studies.

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 586-609
Author(s):  
Rajasshrie Pillai ◽  
Brijesh Sivathanu

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the online learning experience (LE) of massive open online courses (MOOCs) among the students in India using the lens of community of inquiry (CoI) model and two additional contextual factors. Design/methodology/approach The study conducted a survey using a structured questionnaire among the undergraduate and postgraduate students to examine the LE of MOOCs using the CoI framework and contextual variables – technical barrier (TB) and hedonic motivation (HD). The primary data were analyzed with the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique. Findings The results show that teaching presence (TP) influences cognitive presence (CP) and social presence (SP). SP influences CP. It is also found that TP, SP and CP influence the LE of MOOCs. It is found that TB negatively influences LE but is not significant and HD significantly influences LE positively for MOOCs. Research limitations/implications This study has a few limitations as it is a cross-sectional study in India, which surveyed undergraduate and postgraduate MOOCs learners, and caution needs to be taken while generalizing the outcomes. Further studies can be conducted across other countries considering demographic factors like age, gender, income groups, education and profession. Practical implications This research highlights the antecedents influencing the LE of MOOC learners using the CoI framework which will help the MOOC designers and marketers to apprehend the factors influencing LE. The results of this research will help them formulate suitable strategies in the design and delivery of MOOCs to improve the LE of learners. Originality/value This unique research investigates and empirically validates the CoI framework to understand LE of MOOC learners in India. This research extends the CoI framework by adding contextual factors – TB and HD in the context of a developing country.


2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Kumar Tarofder ◽  
S.M. Ferdous Azam ◽  
Abdullah Nabeel Jalal

Purpose The purpose of this study is twofold: identifying important determinants for effective adoption of internet technologies in an organizational supply chain context and examining and classifying benefits yielded from internet adoption in supply chain. Design/methodology/approach A structured Web-based questionnaire was designed and administered to respondents to collect the primary data. With two reminders, this study managed to obtain 236 respondents from different industries in Malaysia. Structural equation modelling was applied to test the seven hypotheses. Findings Four of five factors were significant for successful implementation of internet technologies in organizations. In addition, results suggested that internet technologies contribute more to operational activities rather than strategic initiatives, which would be one of the main contributions of this study. Research limitations/implications This study is limited by its being based on organizational perception rather than absolute value for measuring the benefits of internet adoption. Moreover, this study applied the cross-sectional technique which may limit generalizability of the findings. Practical implications This study provides in-depth knowledge about internet adoption and benefits for the organization by combining both theoretical and empirical knowledge. It helps managers to understand the importance and process of internet adoption. Originality/value Organizations who are interested in adopting the internet in their supply chain may feel that these results will guide them in making their final decision.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-143
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zaheer ◽  
Saba Munir

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore and highlight the issues and challenges teachers face while supervising thesis and projects in distance/online learning mode.Design/methodology/approachThis is a cross-sectional qualitative study. Grounded theory approach using Gioia methodology has been applied. Semi-structured interviews of 16 research supervisors have been conducted to explore the issues and challenges faced by the supervisors in guiding research students. Purposive sampling is used to select the subjects for data collection.FindingsResults of the study reveal that the time constraints, official restrictions, irregular contacts and technology are the main issues faced by supervisors. Whereas student–supervisor interaction, diversity, perceptions, virtual communities and academic collaboration are the biggest challenges for the supervisors in distance learning. Lastly, it is found that students' attitude and supervisors' mindset are the key success factors in distance research supervision.Practical implicationsFindings of this paper will help institutions particularly in Asia, to strategically review their research programs to make these programs more effective. Effectiveness will encompass two things, timely completion and novel research. If these two things are addressed efficiently, comparison of distance learning with conventional learning will be more favorable for distance learning.Originality/valueThis study will be helpful for the top management of distance/online learning institutes to better equip their teachers and students to complete their research endeavors accordingly. This is an empirical research based on primary data collected from the research supervisors currently supervising thesis/projects at Virtual University of Pakistan.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina M. Hegner ◽  
Marc Fetscherin ◽  
Marianne van Delzen

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and discuss the concept of brand hate. The authors present a taxonomy of the main determinants and outcomes of brand hate and empirically assess our model. Design/methodology/approach A survey design using cross-sectional primary data from 224 German consumers was used. Hypotheses related to determinants and outcomes of brand hate were tested by means of structural equation modelling. Findings Findings show that brand hate is triggered by three determinants (negative past experience, symbolic incongruity, ideological incompatibility) and leads to three behavioral outcomes (brand avoidance, negative word-of mouth, brand retaliation). Originality/value This paper explores and outlines theoretically and empirically the determinants and outcomes of brand hate. It also provides a useful taxonomy of brand hate.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-239
Author(s):  
Hasliza Hassan ◽  
Abu Bakar Sade ◽  
Muhammad Sabbir Rahman

Purpose Slimming centres have become a hot spot for people to reduce their size and reshape their body figure through the sophisticated and modern treatments that are provided by the therapists. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of price, place and promotion on the behavioural intention to consume the slimming treatments. Design/methodology/approach This research is a cross-sectional study in which 308 primary data were collected for descriptive analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The data were collected through a survey questionnaire that was distributed to respondents who have experience in consuming slimming treatment at a slimming centre. Findings The majority of slimming centre consumers are working women aged 25 and above from urban areas. As an attraction, the pricing strategy is a very important influence on consumers to consume the slimming treatment at slimming centres. Although the main target market for slimming centres is career women who are earning an above average income, an excessively high price might weaken the behavioural intention of the consumer to consume the service since Malaysian women are very price conscious. The findings also indicate that there is a significant correlation relationship between price and promotion as well as place and promotion. Originality/value This research is expected to contribute in terms of providing more knowledge about this industry, since there are still limited findings pertaining to slimming centres, especially in the Malaysian market.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vatimetou Mokhtar Maouloud ◽  
Salina Kassim ◽  
Anwar Hasan Abdullah Othman

Purpose This study aims to identify the involuntary barriers of financial inclusion which are affecting the usage of Islamic microfinance services in PROCAPEC institution located in Nouakchott-Mauritania. Subsequently, it also examines the effect of gender as a moderator in the model. Design/methodology/approach Primary data was collected through a cross-sectional questionnaire from 381 beneficiaries of PROCAPEC – a major Islamic microfinance provider in Mauritania. In methodology, the study uses confirmatory factor analysis to identify relevant involuntary factors affecting usage, followed by structural equation modelling to test the impact of these factors on the usage of Islamic microfinance (IsMF) products. Findings Two of the four factors are statistically significant in affecting the usage of IsMF products, namely, affordability and eligibility. Gender is a moderator in the relationship between affordability and usage, as well as eligibility and usage. Practical implications Policymakers, practitioners and managers of Islamic microfinance institutions can consider these factors and focus on strategies, including pricing and promotion, which aim to further develop the Islamic microfinance industry in Mauritania. Also, reducing documentation required from clients and adopting lenient rules to provide suitable products will enhance the use of IsMF products, which may lead to more customers’ attraction. Originality/value Although several researchers have articulated financial inclusion, this study sheds light on a specific dimension of financial inclusion to determine the factors impacting IsMF products’ usage. In Mauritania, there are few studies about microfinance. This study will be amongst the pioneer contribution to the geographical gap.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahfuzur Rahman ◽  
John Mendy

Purpose People-related factors are very significant barriers for the internationalisation of large and small firms. Although the literature has identified a number of steps that SMEs need to take to increase their resilience in international markets, a study that identifies both the resilience and non-resilience barriers for SME internationalisation has not been undertaken in the scientific fields Human Resource Management and International Business. This paper aims to examine resilience and non-resilience barriers faced by SMEs in a developing country. In addition to the resilience literature, they examine non-resilience and combine its characteristics with resilience barriers from the Bangladeshi context. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative data analysis technique is used in this study to identify the impacts of these resilience/non-resilience issues’ internationalisation of SMEs both from micro and macro levels. This study has used primary data collected through the questionnaires from 212 Bangladeshi SMEs. Based on the data, this study has developed and validated partial least square-based structural equation model to assess the impacts of resilience factors on the internationalisation of SMEs with particular attention to entrepreneurial attractiveness. Findings It has successfully framed resilience vs non-resilience barriers of the internationalisation of SMEs as a second-order hierarchical reflective model and found that internationalisation of SMEs is significantly influenced by the resilience factors where language and related socio-cultural issues are marginally more significant. Research limitations/implications A couple of limitations include the following. First, concentrating on resilience and non-resilience serves as a limitation as the authors could have had resilience vs other categories such political, economic, legal and technological barriers. Second, they have mainly used cross-sectional data by using the survey method. This study could have been better served had they also tried to combine the use of qualitative analysis as attempted elsewhere. Practical implications Practically, this study researched in an area which was neglected and under-reported by existing studies. Its exploration showed that it has potential to contribute significantly to the policymakers and implementers, as it comprises SMEs and emerging countries. It has been noted in the literature that these economies and firms are less capable to conduct research independently, as they are resource-constrained. Social implications The results reveal that both resilience- and non-resilience-related barriers are significant to SMEs internationalisation. However, if policymakers were to give priority to any one of these, they should give marginally more priority to resilience-type barriers compared to the non-resilience barriers to internationalisation. Originality/value To date, studies on resilience have concentrated on identifying challenges faced by firms and what types of behaviours are required by individual members so as to enhance survival. However, there are no studies so far on identifying or even modelling both resilience and non-resilience barriers within the context of SMEs internationalisation in developing countries. This study combines resilience and non-resilience factors in a model to find out their contribution especially in the under explored area of non-resilience from a Bangladeshi contextual perspective that seeks to encourage international entrepreneurship.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 182-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajasshrie Pillai ◽  
Brijesh Sivathanu

Purpose This study aims to use the novel approach of applying the behavioural reasoning theory (BRT) to understand the relative influence of reason for and reason against the adoption of mobile learning applications (M-learning apps) among information technology (IT) and information technology enabled services (ITeS) employees. Design/methodology/approach This study surveys 680 employees of IT and ITeS companies in India to examine the adoption of M-learning apps for learning using the BRT and the primary data analysis was done using the partial least squares-structural equation modelling technique. Findings It is found that the context-specific adoption factors for M-learning apps are hedonic motivation, self-efficacy, learning autonomy, ubiquitous and relative advantage, whereas the reasons against adoption of the M-learning apps are traditional barrier, usage barrier and image barrier. It is also found that values of openness to change positively affect the reasons for adoption and do not significantly affect reasons against adoption of M-learning. Values of openness to change affect the attitude towards M-learning apps and attitude affects the adoption intention of M-learning apps for learning. Research/limitations/implications This cross-sectional study was conducted only in the Indian IT/ITeS firms and future research can be conducted in other sectors and countries to generalize the results. Practical implications This research uniquely highlights the adoption factors both for and against, which should be considered while developing marketing strategies for M-learning apps’ adoption. It is imperative for training managers to consider these factors during the selection of M-learning apps and for designers while designing the M-learning apps. Originality/value This study provides new insights towards the use of mobile apps for learning with the employees’ perspective using the BRT theory and it highlights the reason for adoption and reason against adoption of M-learning apps.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aloisio Henrique Mazzarolo ◽  
Emerson Wagner Mainardes ◽  
Felipe Almeida Innocencio

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to identify the antecedents and consequences of satisfaction when using Instagram. We also aim to verify if the intention to follow an account and interact with it positively influences the endorsed brand attitude, resulting in purchase intention on Instagram.Design/methodology/approachWe undertook primary data collection through a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional approach, applying a nonprobabilistic sampling method by convenience and accessibility. We conducted data collection by means of an online questionnaire, which gained 447 respondents. The data analysis technique was SEM-PLS.FindingsThe results indicated that utility, entertainment and socialization tend to predict user satisfaction when using Instagram, and this satisfaction tends to generate a following and interacting behavior with other users. The results also suggest that by establishing this continuous relationship with other users, there is a greater possibility of users endorsing the brands presented to them, which may lead to greater purchase intention.Research limitations/implicationsWe bring relevant information to companies for the development of virtual engagement, allowing them to better develop a strategy for reaching new Instagram followers by analyzing their behavior.Originality/valueThe study expands the field of uses and gratifications (U&G) theory in the use of Instagram, using antecedents of satisfaction. In relation to consequences, this study includes in the model a commercial base in terms of endorsed brand attitude and purchase intention.


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.


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