Influence of performance expectancy on commercial farmers’ intention to use mobile-based communication technologies for agricultural market information dissemination in Uganda

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 346-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benard Engotoit ◽  
Geoffrey Mayoka Kituyi ◽  
Musa Bukoma Moya
Keyword(s):  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Market Information ◽  
Agricultural Market ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioural Intentions ◽  
Performance Expectancy

Purpose This paper to examine the relationship between performance expectancy and behavioural intention to use mobile-based communication technologies for agricultural market information dissemination in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive field survey method was adopted. A total of 302 commercial farmers and agribusiness traders in Eastern Uganda participated in the study from whom data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, correlation and regression analyses were used in the study. Findings The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between performance expectancy and behavioural intentions to use mobile-based communication technologies for agricultural information access and dissemination. This implies that, commercial farmers’ behavioural intentions to use mobile-based communication technologies for agricultural market information dissemination and access will be influenced if they anticipate mobile-based communication technologies to offer greater performance in their daily transactions. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted in the context of resource constrained countries particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, however reflecting knowledge from other contexts. The study was conducted with a structured questionnaire being the main data collection tool, and this limited the study from collecting views outside the questions asked in the questionnaire. The variables studied could not be analysed for a long time, given that the study was cross-sectional in nature. Practical implications The study provides recommendations on how to further boost farmers’ behavioural intentions to use mobile-based communication technologies for agricultural information dissemination. Policy makers need to ensure that policies are put in place that encourage third party software developers and telecommunication companies to provide software products and solutions that are beneficial to the commercial farmers and can enable them complete their agricultural transactions in time. Social implications The study provides critical literature on the influence of performance expectancy on commercial farmers’ behavioural intentions to use mobile-based communication technologies for agricultural market information access and dissemination in resource constrained settings. Originality/value It is noted that farmers in Uganda are slowly progressing to newer mobile information and communication technology tools for market information access and dissemination; however, little is known as to why there is slow adoption of these mobile technologies for agricultural purposes; yet policy makers need to come up with proper strategies to encourage wide scale use of mobile technologies for agricultural market purposes.

The effect of the JOBS act on analyst coverage of emerging growth companies

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-109
Author(s):  
Elena Precourt
Keyword(s):  
Stock Prices ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Quiet Period ◽  
Firm Characteristics ◽  
Probability Models ◽  
Security Analysts ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Analyst Coverage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Jobs Act

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the section of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act related to information dissemination by sell-side security analysts. The paper analyzes how the abolishment of the quiet period requirements for emerging growth companies (EGCs) changes the analyst initiation timing and market expectation of and reaction to the issuance of the analyst recommendations.Design/methodology/approachThis paper considers the effect of the abolishment of the quiet period requirements on analyst coverage initiations for EGCs with IPOs between January 2006 and December 2015 using regression analyses and probability models.FindingsThe results confirm the current anecdotal and empirical evidence that a shorter, de facto, quiet period exists. Analyst issue stronger average ratings for EGCs than for similar firms with IPOs before the JOBS Act. EGCs with initiations from multiple analysts also experience stronger positive market reaction than the firms with initial offerings before the JOBS Act. The market seems to anticipate which EGCs will have initiations and particularly which EGCs will have initiations from multiple analysts. The investors, however, do not fully anticipate the strength of actual recommendations.Practical implicationsThis paper is important for researchers, practitioners and policy-makers to understand how analysts impact the financial markets, how timing of analyst initiations affects stock prices of EGCs and what firm characteristics play a role in securing analyst coverage shortly after initial offerings.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the emerging literature on consequences of and changes brought by the JOBS Act. Specifically, this paper extends the limited literature on analyst initiations issued for firms with IPOs following the JOBS Act, timing of those initiations and magnitude of the market’s response to the initiations.

The use of fitness centre apps and its relation to customer satisfaction: a UTAUT2 perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Ferreira Barbosa ◽  
Jerónimo García-Fernández ◽  
Vera Pedragosa ◽  
Gabriel Cepeda-Carrion
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioural Intentions ◽  
Performance Expectancy ◽  
Use Of Technology

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the intention of using fitness app made available by the fitness centre to its members and their relationship with overall customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThe present study uses the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) as the base model. All the hypothesised relationships were tested through partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), in a quantitative study with data from 1,676 fitness consumers from Portugal.FindingsThe results support the ability of UTAUT2 in predicting the customer´s intention to use the fitness app. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation and habit have a positive impact on behavioural intentions to use the fitness app. Performance expectancy and habit have the strongest relationships. Behavioural intentions are positively related both to the usage behaviour of the fitness app and to overall customer satisfaction.Practical implicationsThe results of this study present a strong contribution for fitness centre managers, since it highlights the importance of using these apps as a way to increase customer satisfaction, increasing retention levels.Originality/valueThis study is paramount as regards to examine the behavioural intention to use the fitness apps that the fitness centres make available to their members using UTAUT2 model.

Transaction costs and performance variation of agricultural operators

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kangkang Yu ◽  
Xinkai Zhu ◽  
Xuan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Transaction Costs ◽  
County Level ◽  
Market Information ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Change Rate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Variation ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between transaction costs and the performance variance of peasant households and specialized cooperatives, as well as to explore whether or not this relationship varies across different regions in China. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the transaction cost theory (TCT) and the contingency theory (CT), a survey was undertaken at county level to support the main effects and moderating effects and the results were analyzed using a general linear model. A complementary case study was also used to further discuss the results. Findings – It was found that the change rate of peasant households’ scope of operation is sensitive to inadequate market information, purchase and sales expense and resolving disputes expense. In terms of specialized cooperatives, the change rate of their scale of operations is sensitive to inadequate market information, the chances of violating an agreement and incomplete norms. The moderating effect of regional classification is supported in terms of purchase and sales expenses on the performance variance of peasant households, and in terms of inadequate market information on the performance variance of specialized cooperatives. Research limitations/implications – First, the data were collected at the county level, which could only reflect the conditions of the macro-environment. Second, many variables were designed as dummies for the sake of brevity and efficiency, because the respondents were officers in local agricultural departments. Third, transaction costs may not have a direct effect on the variance of productivity but indirect through many potential mediators. Practical implications – The results not only provide useful information for agricultural operators to analyze the transaction costs related to their forms of organization, but also impartial advice for policy makers to consider the form of agricultural operators in different regions. Originality/value – This study focusses on the role of the external environment by integrating the TCT and CT theory. Furthermore, it seeks to explore whether the relationship between transaction costs and the performance variance of peasant households and specialized cooperatives varies across different regions of China.

Modelling the drivers for sustainable agri-food waste management

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 981-993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankur Chauhan ◽  
Roma Mitra Debnath ◽  
Surya Prakash Singh
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The People ◽  
Awareness Programs ◽  
Disaster Management Planning ◽  
And Training

Purpose The waste of invaluable agri-food produce is the concern of United Nations Organisation and all countries across the world. The purpose of this paper is to identify and model the drivers of agri-food waste management in India. Design/methodology/approach The interpretive structural modelling method is used to model the drivers in this study. This method helps in understanding the driver-dependent relationships among various drivers/criteria which are selected for studying. Findings The findings of the study vividly shows that the drivers such as disaster management planning, information dissemination, and training and awareness programs for farmers are most vital for tackling the issue. Research limitations/implications This work would help the policy makers in developing the effective policies regarding the management of agri-food waste in a sustainable manner. Practical implications This work would be very helpful for deeply understanding the causes of occurring waste and carefully handling it scientifically with a managerial perspective. Hence, it has the potential to reduce the generation of waste and saving the food for society. Social implications With the help of this study, the people, society, and underprivileged will be benefited directly. The savings in agri-food waste will not only help in controlling the prices of it but also its more availability would be beneficial for all in beating the hunger. Originality/value The identification of drivers for the sustainable management of agri-food is the novelty of this research.

Young consumers’ responses to suspected covert and overt blog marketing

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 610-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Liljander ◽  
Johanna Gummerus ◽  
Magnus Söderlund
Keyword(s):  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Marketing Tactics ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioural Intentions ◽  
Young Consumers ◽  
Negative Effect

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the responses of young consumers to suspected covert and overt product-brand recommendations in a blog. Design/methodology/approach – Experimental design was applied to investigate the effect of covert and overt marketing on young consumers’ perceptions of blogger credibility and their behavioural intentions. Findings – Overt marketing had a negative effect on behavioural intentions, such as future interest in the blogger, intention to engage in word-of-mouth, and purchase intention. Covert marketing did not affect the intended behaviour. Neither covert nor overt marketing influenced the blogger’s credibility. Research limitations/implications – The study was delimited to a small sample; one blog, one type of product recommendation, and a well-known brand. Young, well-educated consumers with experience in reading blogs may be able to filter the brand recommendations and focus on the content of the blog. Practical implications – This study has implications for bloggers, companies, and policy makers. Although overt marketing is the most open and the recommended form of blog marketing, the study showed that overt marketing has negative effects. Therefore, bloggers need to carefully consider how they present a sponsorship. Originality/value – The study makes three important contributions. First, it answers the call for research on consumer reactions to covert (deceptive) and overt marketing tactics. Second, it contributes to blog marketing research by studying a case of suspected covert marketing where consumers do not know whether the blog is sponsored or not. Third, the study contributes to knowledge around young consumers, demonstrating that covert and overt tactics do not affect blogger credibility.

Pushed to the abyss of exclusion: ICT and social exclusion in developing countries

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 119-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard I.C. Tambulasi
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Socially Excluded

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the extent to which information communication technologies (ICTs) have worked as instruments of perpetuating social exclusion in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses theoretical and conceptual analysis method based on an extensive survey of literature. It greatly draws from the theoretical and empirical insights of social policy sub disciplines of social inclusion/exclusion and social aspects of ICTs.FindingsThe paper finds that ICTs in developing countries work to further social marginalization and exclusion. The argument is that developing countries already experience high levels of social exclusion and as a result, ICTs deepen this exclusion.Originality/valueTheoretically, the paper contributes to the development of literature on the impacts of ICTs in developing countries which are in most cases only assumed. The paper is also pivotal for policy analysis purposes as it informs policy makers on appropriate interventions that can ensure sustainable integration of the socially excluded groups in developing countries. In addition, this paper creates a research sub area for further empirical analysis.

Employees’ organisational commitment and its impact on their actual turnover behaviour through behavioural intentions

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gurjeet Kaur Sahi ◽  
Rupali Mahajan
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Career Commitment ◽  
Organisational Commitment ◽  
Jammu And Kashmir ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioural Intentions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Actual Turnover

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically test an integrated model incorporating the constructs of organisational commitment (OC), behavioural intentions (BI), actual turnover behaviour (ATB) and telecom work characteristics (WC) so as to examine the impact of commitment on employees’ BI, whereby they wish to dissolve their relationship with the employment provider. Design/methodology/approach – Structural equation modelling technique has been used to test the data collected through questionnaire from a sample of 139 employees including managers and executives across the hierarchy of an Indian telecom organisation named Aircel Dishnet Ltd from the Jammu and Kashmir circle head office in India. Findings – The theoretical constructs were validated before incorporating the hypothetical structural model. SEM results indicate a good fit to the empirical data. The findings confirmed that affective, continuance and normative commitments lay significant impact on employees’ OC. Also, commitment influence attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control, thereby affecting the BI of the employees. An indirect significant impact of OC on the ATB was also revealed. A partial mediation of WC was also found between BI and ATB. Research limitations/implications – The generalisability of the study is limited as the sample concentrates to one organisation of a single industry in India. Practical implications – The study provides insights for the policy makers to create and develop mechanisms and programmes leading to the enhancement of affective OC for employee retention. Originality/value – The model clearly explains telecom employees’ OC and its impact on the ATB through their BI. Though the findings do not reveal any component of commitment to lay more impact on OC, it exhibits higher career commitment than OC among the telecom employees.

Futures of new post-truth: new research frontiers on disturbingly fascinating pathologies affecting information dissemination and knowledge production

foresight ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 563-581
Author(s):  
Frederick Ahen
Keyword(s):  
Global Governance ◽  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Group Politics ◽  
New Research ◽  
Emotional Level

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore in depth the anatomy of post-truth in the quest to set a new research agenda. The author interrogates knowledge production/dissemination and the political positions of those behind them. This study diagnoses and challenges existing claims of supremacy of certain hegemonic epistemological and ontological orthodoxies that have been weaponized. Design/methodology/approach This study philosophically engages with different worlds of credible ‘pluriversal’ knowledge(s) and leads to the exposure of historically ‘taken-for-granted’ definitions of the nature and composition of acceptable truth and how it is deeply entrenched in interest group politics. Findings Each generation in different contexts has had to battle with specific troubling forces of deception and organized hypocrisy. Here, both new social actors and incumbents influence the disgruntled, deceive the gullible or connect with the enlightened masses at the emotional level whilst strongly undermining the rules-of-logic and fact-based discourses using disruptive social media technologies. The author specifies how the five P’s: political power, profits, populism, politics and the private visions of technologists and scientists will continue to play very influential roles in how knowledge production will affect future policies and global governance. Social implications Based on historicized explanations, the author argues that deception and mass ignorance as weaponized features of global governance and its capitalist order are typical Machiavellian strategies for gaining control over knowledge production/information dissemination. Massive changes are not expected in the future unless society and academia introduce novel science, technology and political platforms for engaging society and policy-makers. Originality/value The author provides ample historical illustrations to support the claims made in this study that public insights into the postulated structures of post-truth remain extremely superficial, making people insufficiently informed to engage in crucial discourses about knowledge production and dissemination that affect their futures. This study provides several ingredients for stimulating further debate.

From barriers to bridges: approaching accessibility in course design

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangeline Marlos Varonis
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Course Content ◽  
The Usa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how the principles of universal design can be implemented by faculty and course designers to help give all learners access to equivalent information. It describes how information communication technologies can create barriers to information access, particularly when course content is rich in multimedia, but also how such technologies can be utilized to creates bridges to accessible content through designing for accessibility from the outset. Design/methodology/approach – This paper offers a brief review of current international guidelines and US legislation related to information communication technologies in higher education. It documents the challenge of meeting these best practices and legal mandates, as evidenced by recent legal cases in the USA resulting from inaccessible course content in higher education. Finally, it describes how universal design can enhance accessibility for individuals with visual, hearing, motor, and cognitive impairments and provides concrete suggestions for making content more accessible to all learners, not just those with disabilities. Findings – Given the challenges of creating accessible content that provides equivalent information to all learners, faculty and course designers can implement the principles of Universal Design to enhance the learning environment for all students and ensure they are in compliance with guidelines and regulations. Such compliance is facilitated by emerging standards for accessible content and emerging technologies for making content accessible to all without the need for special accommodations. Originality/value – This paper focusses on concrete approaches to achieving accessibility in higher education, a matter of increasing concern for moral reasons (it is the right thing to do) and for legal reasons given recent lawsuits.

Developing and Validating a M-Governance Framework Adoption Model of a University for Communication Services to Its Affiliated Institutions

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 484
Author(s):  
E. Ramganesh ◽  
E. Kirubakaran ◽  
D. Ravindran ◽  
R. Gobi
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Technology Acceptance Model ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Communication Services ◽  
Governance Framework ◽  
Social And Economic Development ◽  
Acceptance Model

The m-Governance framework of auniversity aims to utilize the massive reach of mobile phones and harness the potential of mobile applications to enable easy and round the-clock access to the services of its affiliated institutions.  In the current mobile age there is need for transforming e-governance services to m-Governance as m-Governance is not a replacement for e-Governance rather it complements e-Governance. With this unparalleled advancement of mobile communication technologies, universities are turning to m-governance to realize the value of mobile technologies for responsive governance and measurable improvements to academic, social and economic development, public service delivery, operational efficiencies and active stakeholder engagement. In this context the present study, aims to develop and validate a m-governance framework of a university by extending Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with its prime stakeholders so called the Heads of the affiliated institutions. A survey instrument was developed based on the framework and it was administered with 20 Heads of the affiliated Institutions. The results also showed that the Heads of the affiliated Institutions expressed their favorableness towards m-governance adoption.

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