Performance evaluation of higher education system amid COVID-19: a threat or an opportunity?

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhaskar B. Gardas ◽  
Nima Jafari Navimipour

PurposeCOVID-19 is moving the world towards a significant number of structural changes, and this pandemic is influencing each individual, society and industry at large. The present empirical research intends to identify the constructs (latent variables) caused mainly due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and analyze their influence on the education system's performance.Design/methodology/approachA pilot study was carried out with 105 responses to gain deeper insights into the factor structure and validate the scale. Then, the exploratory factor analysis was applied to explore five factors. Later on, the confirmatory factor analysis was employed to check the model's unidimensionality, validity and reliability. Finally, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to explore the factors influencing educational performance.FindingsFour hypotheses were tested, out of which two were supported, i.e. “compatibility with online mode” and “new opportunities” were found to influence educational performance significantly.Practical implicationsThis investigation aims to provide vital information to the ministry of human resource development and educationists/academicians to understand the influence of the higher education system's factors. Also, it offers some strategies and plans to improve the higher educational systems performance in similar situations.Originality/valueThe previous studies did not identify and analyze the factors that influence the educational system's performance; especially, amid COVID-19 using the exploratory, confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling approach.

Author(s):  
Balázs Jagodics ◽  
Éva Szabó

AbstractStudent burnout is a serious problem in higher education. It is associated with harmful consequences, such as decreased engagement, performance, and motivation, which can lead to dropout. The job demand-resource model of burnout is a comprehensive framework to grasp the factors related to the emergence of burnout. Although numerous studies claim its suitability in explaining burnout in work environments, its applicability in the educational context is less explored. The study aimed to analyze the structure and reliability of the newly developed University Demand-Resource Questionnaire (UDRQ) and to explore the links between its subscales and symptoms of student burnout. Using the online survey method, 743 Hungarian undergraduate students participated in the data collection. The student version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory was used in addition to the UDRQ. In the data analysis procedure, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling were utilized. The confirmatory factor analysis identified a five-factor structure related to both demands and resources. Correlation analysis revealed burnout to be associated positively to the subscales of demands and negatively to resources. Structural equation modeling analysis indicated that all five demands and two resources subscales can be used to build a model that predicts a significant proportion of the variance of student burnout scores. The findings suggest the demand-resource theory is an appropriate framework to predict burnout in higher education. The newly developed UDRQ has stable structure and good reliability and can be a useful tool in subsequent research related to student burnout.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iman Adeinat ◽  
Naseem Al Rahahleh ◽  
M. Ishaq Bhatti

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess customers’ perceptions of Islamic banks (IBs) of customers who have used or intend to use Ijarah service to purchase a car. The study further examines the mediating role of clarity and accuracy (CAA) of service offered between customer perceptions and customer satisfaction. This paper focuses on connecting in quantitative terms customers’ perceptions of IB services to customer satisfaction by providing the first evidence of this relationship in the context of car Ijarah financing. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, a model is proposed to assess customers’ perceptions of the Ijarah service used by IBs to finance car purchases. The model connects customers’ perceptions to customer satisfaction with this Shariah-compliant service. The data are drawn from 300 randomly selected customers living in five major cities in Pakistan, and factor analysis and structural equation modeling are used to understand the patterns of correlation/covariance among a set of variables and to evaluate customers’ perceptions of Ijarah financing for car purchases. Findings The results of the study show a significant positive relationship between customers’ perceptions and customer satisfaction. In particular, the CAA of the services provided is a significant predictor of customer satisfaction. This paper finds that CAA is a partial mediator between customers’ perceptions and customer satisfaction. Research limitations/implications As this study is based on only one country and one simple car Ijarah financing product, the results cannot be generalized to the entire industry. Therefore, deeper research is needed in which data from other countries are used and a range of models and approaches are applied to secure knowledge about the multinational and multifactor variations of Ijarah financing. Practical implications In terms of their implications for IBs, the study results provide a basis for the banks to more effectively cater to their customers by improving the services offered in line with customers’ expectations and thereby increasing profitability. This investigation is much needed in academia and industry because the market share for Ijarah financing is growing and competition between IB products and conventional banking products is increasing. Originality/value This study presents the first endeavor to use exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to assess customer satisfaction in Ijarah financing using Pakistani banking clients’ data. This approach is also applicable to various IB financial products and Shariah contracts.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 479-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiuying Zheng ◽  
Lan Xia ◽  
Xiucheng Fan

Purpose This paper aims to explore the distinctions and similarities about Eudaimonia (a deeper pleasure beyond the hedonic enjoyment) and hedonic enjoyment, especially the influencing factors of Eudaimonia. Design/methodology/approach Survey and experiment are conducted to obtain the data. Structural equation modeling, confirmatory factor analysis and analysis of variance are used to analyze the data. Findings Three empirical studies support the idea that Eudaimonia, as a deeper-level pleasure, is a distinct construct from hedonic enjoyment. Like hedonic enjoyment, Eudaimonia can lead to satisfaction. Unlike hedonic enjoyment, Eudaimonia is driven by effort. Moreover, the effort impact on Eudaimonia is enhanced by the uniqueness of the craft task. Originality/value This paper shifts hedonic consumption studies from a product-based paradigm (e.g. utilitarian vs hedonic) to an experience-based paradigm (hedonic enjoyment vs Eudaimonia). The extension of pleasure to Eudaimonia domain successfully explains why prior hedonic consumption studies find that pleasure is more than the absence of effort and can be more inspiring than purely sensory.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 378-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Lithopoulos ◽  
Peter A. Dacin ◽  
Tanya R. Berry ◽  
Guy Faulkner ◽  
Norm O’Reilly ◽  
...  

Purpose The brand equity pyramid is a theory that explains how people develop loyalty and an attachment to a brand. The purpose of this study is to test whether the predictions made by the theory hold when applied to the brand of ParticipACTION, a Canadian non-profit organization that promotes active living. A secondary objective was to test whether this theory predicted intentions to be more physically active. Design/methodology/approach A research agency conducted a cross-sectional, online brand health survey on behalf of ParticipACTION. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis established the factor structure. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model. Findings A nationally representative sample of Canadian adults (N = 1,191) completed the survey. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis supported a hypothesized five-factor brand equity framework (i.e. brand identity, brand meaning, brand responses, brand resonance and intentions). A series of structural equation models also provided support for the hypothesized relationships between the variables. Practical implications Though preliminary, the results provide a guide for understanding the branding process in the activity-promotion context. The constructs identified as being influential in this process can be targeted by activity-promotion organizations to improve brand strength. A strong organizational brand could augment activity-promotion interventions. A strong brand may also help the organization better compete against other brands promoting messages that are antithetical to their own. Originality/value This is the first study to test the brand equity pyramid using an activity-promotion brand. Results demonstrate that the brand equity pyramid may be useful in this context.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-213
Author(s):  
Canan Saricam ◽  
Nazan Erdumlu

Abstract In this study, fast fashion concept is investigated in order to understand the motivations of the consumers that make them adopt these products because of their willingness for the innovativeness. The relationship between the motivational factors which were named as “Social or status image” and “Uniqueness” as expressions of individuality, “Conformity” and the willingness for “Innovativeness” is analyzed using a conceptual model. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze and validate the model. The data used for the study was obtained from 244 people living in Turkey. The findings showed that the motivational factors “Social or status image” and “Uniqueness” as expressions of individuality are influential on the consumers’ willingness for “Innovativeness”.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dindayal Agrawal ◽  
Jitender Madaan

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the barriers to the implementation of big data (BD) in the healthcare supply chain (HSC).Design/methodology/approachFirst, the barriers concerning BD adoption in the HSC were found by conducting a detailed literature survey and with the expert's opinion. Then the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to categorize the barriers. The obtained results are verified using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis gives the path diagram representing the interrelationship between latent variables and observed variables.FindingsThe segregation of 13 barriers into three categories, namely “data governance perspective,” “technological and expertise perspective,” and “organizational and social perspective,” is performed using EFA. Three hypotheses are tested, and all are accepted. It can be concluded that the “data governance perspective” is positively related to “technological and expertise perspective” and “organizational and social perspective” factors. Also, the “technological and expertise perspective” is positively related to “organizational and social perspective.”Research limitations/implicationsIn literature, very few studies have been performed on finding the barriers to BD adoption in the HSC. The systematic methodology and statistical verification applied in this study empowers the healthcare organizations and policymakers in further decision-making.Originality/valueThis paper is first of its kind to adopt an approach to classify barriers to BD implementation in the HSC into three distinct perspectives.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-632
Author(s):  
Debarun Chakraborty ◽  
Wendrila Biswas

Purpose Research and development pursuits have always been an integral part of a teacher’s professional development. Today, the higher educational institutes (HEIs) are chiefly prioritizing and providing a sustained support toward research-based and research-oriented learning. But as revealed by the broad outlines of the entire scenario, a fall in research productivity and developmental attempts is witnessed among the faculties of higher educational establishments. To put it succinctly, the motivating aspects that reinforce such activities are not adequately taken care of and have thwarted their progression. The purpose of this paper is to delve deep and explore the factors that inspire teachers toward an enriched research and learning, which equally gets reflected in their teaching practices. Design/methodology/approach This is a descriptive research with a cross-sectional survey on faculties from different HEIs of West Bengal. A questionnaire has been designed with a five-point Likert scale to draw the primary data. Convenience sampling technique has been utilized. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis have been performed with structural equation modeling on the hypothesized research model through AMOS. Findings The major findings of the research have revealed that improved research and development activities of faculties had an immense impact on their teaching quality. The level and accessibility of infrastructure posits a strong influence in augmenting a teacher’s research and developmental endeavors. Working climate influences teachers’ research activities as well their teaching adroitness. Research limitations/implications Results may vary when an extensive study is conducted on teachers of HEIs of two or more states or of the country as a whole. Suppression of the real underlying facts by few respondents may affect the result to a small extent. Practical implications When faculties orient themselves toward research intensive learning and teaching, the students actively get involved in a platform of greater interaction. It elevates their persistence level, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and cognitive skills. Research-based teaching is also instrumental in honing their analytical skills, promoting creativity. Originality/value The study identified a vital role of the higher education institutes in motivating the faculties toward research-based teaching. There is a dearth of empirical research in identifying the factors that enrich the learning patterns and research activities of the teachers. Thus, it can prove to be a constructive study if implemented.


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