Understanding the main organisational antecedents of employee participation in continuous improvement

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Jurburg ◽  
Elisabeth Viles ◽  
Martin Tanco ◽  
Ricardo Mateo ◽  
Álvaro Lleó

Purpose Companies use continuous improvement (CI) as a strategy to achieve business excellence and innovation. Yet CI initiatives fail mostly due to a lack of employee engagement. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach Based on the CI literature and the technology acceptance model (TAM), a comprehensive model called continuous improvement acceptance mode (CIAM) was developed to understand the main organisational antecedents that predict employee intention to participate in CI. The CIAM is based on structural equation modelling using partial least squares and it was validated in a large manufacturing plant in Europe. Findings Emulating the findings of the TAM, this study shows that employee intention to participate can be predicted by two variables called ease of participating and usefulness of participating. The CIAM then relates these constructs with relevant CI enablers found in the CI literature. Practical implications The CIAM could help academics and practitioners to better understand employee participation in CI activities, allowing CI systems to be better designed and achieve long-term sustainability. Originality/value The CIAM presents new variables and interactions that help to understand employee participation in CI activities. Some of these variables and interactions have received scant attention in the CI literature and thus they are worth investigating in greater depth in the future.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abou-Shouk ◽  
Hesham Ezzat Gad ◽  
Ayman Abdelhakim

Purpose This study aims to explore the factors affecting customers’ attitudes to the adoption of robots in hotels and travel agencies. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modelling was used to test the extended technology acceptance model based on data collected from 570 customers of hotels and travel agencies. Findings The findings revealed that hotel customers have more positive attitudes to service robots than their peers in travel agencies. Originality/value This research contributes to the literature on robots in tourism and responds to the call to investigate customers’ attitudes to the adoption of robots in developing countries.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Weisheng Chiu ◽  
Heetae Cho

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine individuals' decisions to use health and fitness apps by applying the extended technology readiness and acceptance model (TRAM), which combines technology readiness (TR), the technology acceptance model (TAM) and perceived enjoyment (PEN). Moreover, this study explores the differences between users and non-users regarding their intentions to use health and fitness apps.Design/methodology/approachData collection (n = 206) was conducted using convenience sampling from four large universities in South Korea. The data were analysed by partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 3.0.FindingsThe results revealed that positive TR positively affects perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU) and PEN, while negative TR had a negative impact only on PEN. Furthermore, the significant relationships between PEOU, PU and PEN were identified. In addition, multigroup analyses indicated that the relationships between positive TR and PEN, between PEN and PEOU, between PEOU and PU, and between PU and behavioural intention were positively stronger for app users.Originality/valueThis study initially applied the TRAM to understand individuals' behavioural intentions to use health and fitness apps. Moreover, this study identified the distinct roles of positive and negative TR affecting individuals' cognition regarding using health and fitness apps. The differences in the psychological processes between app users and non-users offer insights and implications for practitioners.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sourabh Arora ◽  
Sangeeta Sahney

Purpose The purpose of this study is to propose an integrated framework utilizing the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and technology acceptance model (TAM) to augment the understanding on consumers’ showrooming behaviour. Design/methodology/approach Selective sampling was used for data collection. The integrated TAM-TPB framework led to 12 propositions, which were tested using partial least squares-structural equation modelling. Findings Both perceived relative search benefits offline and relative purchase benefits online significantly determined the consumers’ showrooming behaviour along with perceived ease purchasing online and the overall usefulness of the showrooming sequence. Results of the study revealed that the showrooming sequence helped consumers avoid the regret of making suboptimal product choices and paying a higher price for the same product. Online trust was found to partially mediate the relationship between consumers’ intention to showrooming and the actual showrooming behaviour. Research limitations/implications Notwithstanding the fact that further research is required to arrive at definitive conclusions, this study is an initial move towards understanding the consumers’ showrooming behaviour, and the research provides meaningful insights. Practical implications As showrooming substantially erodes profits, devising strategies to defend showrooming customers becomes crucial. The findings of the study provide the basis for formulating strategies to counter showrooming customers. Originality/value The paper is amongst the first studies which helps enhance the understanding of consumers’ showrooming behaviour, which is an emerging area in the present multi-channel retailing environment.


Author(s):  
Samia Ayyub ◽  
Wang Xuhui ◽  
Muhammad Asif ◽  
Rana Muhammad Ayyub

Purpose This paper aims to explore the determinants of intention to use Islamic banking and compare the consumer behavior of users and non-users of Islamic banking. This study incorporates the theory of planned behavior in Islamic banking perspective with an additional construct from technology acceptance model. Design/methodology/approach The research is quantitative in nature, and survey questionnaire was used to get data from four cities of Pakistan. The study manages to get 300 questionnaires from which only 264 were usable for analysis. The structural equation modeling was used for testing the hypotheses. Findings The result shows that perceived behavior control and perceived usefulness are the most significant predictors of intention to use of Islamic banking among users and non-users. Attitude turns out to be a non-significant factor for non-users of Islamic banking. Subjective norm is also found to be non-significant with intention to use Islamic banking in both groups. Originality/value This study has theoretical as well as practical significance in the subject of consumer behavior in Islamic banking. Theoretically, it attempts to fill the gap caused by the scarcity of research in exploring the consumer behavior towards Islamic banking in Pakistan. This study provides insights into the consumer behavior of users and non-users of Islamic banking and thus presents a comparison. Practically, this study provides guidelines for Islamic banks in introduction, propagation and promotion of Islamic banking products and services to establish Islamic banking as a social norm.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 242-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jungsun (Sunny) Kim ◽  
Anthony Gatling

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the perceived ease of use and the usefulness of a virtual employee engagement platform (VEEP) positively influence employees’ intentions to use the VEEP and, in turn, actual use of VEEP. This study further examined how using the VEEP influences employee engagement as well as two organizational outcomes (i.e. employee participation and intention to stay). Design/methodology/approach The survey items for this study were developed based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and motivation theory. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed relationships in a sample of 373 employees of a hospitality organization in the USA. Findings The results indicate that employees’ perceived ease of use and usefulness of a hospitality company’s VEEP positively influence employees’ intentions to use the VEEP. The study also found employees with greater intentions to use their company’s VEEP tend to use the VEEP more frequently, which in turn positively influenced their engagement. Eventually, the more-engaged employees showed a higher level of participation, as well as intention to stay. Practical implications This study addresses the call by researchers to demonstrate how a VEEP can positively influence employee engagement and to present new insights into how employee engagement can contribute to improving organizational outcomes in a hospitality setting. Originality/value This study is the first empirical study involving the emergent field of engagement platforms and employee engagement in a hospitality setting. Moreover, this research provides support for increased adoption and investment in the VEEP by hospitality companies.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Bravo ◽  
Sara Catalán ◽  
José M. Pina

Purpose This paper aims to analyse the effect of technology acceptance variables on customer attitude and customer engagement behaviours (CEB) with social tourism websites (STWs). Design/methodology/approach An empirical study was carried out with 346 customers. A model was developed to analyse the relationships between CEB and their determinants. Partial least squares – structural equation modelling was used to test the model. Findings Customers’ perceptions of enjoyment, ease of use, usefulness and trustworthiness positively influence their attitude towards STWs and their subsequent engagement behaviours [purchases, word of mouth (WOM) and referrals]. Originality/value This study develops and empirically tests a model that analyses the impact of technology acceptance model variables on CEB, both transactional (customer purchases) and non-transactional (customer WOM, referrals and feedback), in the context of STWs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 418-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal Kowalczuk

PurposeVoice-activated smart speakers such as Amazon Echo and Google Home were recently developed and are gaining popularity. Understanding and theorizing the underlying mechanisms that encourage or impede consumers to use smart speakers is fundamental for enhancing acceptance and future development of these new devices. Therefore, building on technology acceptance research, this study aims to develop and test an acceptance model for investigating consumers’ intention to use smart speakers.Design/methodology/approachFirst, antecedents that may significantly affect the usage intention of smart speakers were identified through an explorative approach by a netnographic analysis of customer reviews (N= 2,186) and Twitter data (N= 899). Afterward, these results and contemporary literature were used to develop and validate an acceptance model for smart speakers. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed hypotheses on data collected from 293 participants of an online survey.FindingsBesides perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, the quality and diversity of a system, its enjoyment, consumer’s technology optimism and risk (surveillance anxiety and security/privacy risk) strongly affect the acceptance of smart speakers. Among these variables, enjoyment had the strongest effect on behavioral intention to use smart speakers.Originality/valueThis is the first study that incorporates netnography and SEM for investigating technology acceptance and applies it to the field of interactive smart devices.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-252
Author(s):  
Maya Puspa Rahman ◽  
Mohamed Asmy Mohd Thas Thaker ◽  
Jarita Duasa

Purpose Crowdfunding has become one of the preferred mechanisms to raise funds by startups and small entrepreneurs. As such, this paper aims to develop an appropriate framework for Sharīʿah-compliant equity-based crowdfunding (SEC) for entrepreneurship development in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach The research begins by analyzing the intention of 200 entrepreneurs in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor regarding the use of crowdfunding to raise capital. The analysis is based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA), which is also associated with the technology acceptance model (TAM) and is effected by using structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings The entrepreneurs agree on the ease of use of crowdfunding in raising capital, although it appeared that they are quite reluctant to share their business ideas online. Subsequently, an SEC framework is proposed, to further enhance entrepreneurship development in Malaysia particularly in meeting the need for raising funds in line with Sharīʿah (Islamic law) principles. Practical implications This paper aims to contribute more to the development of a blueprint for an SEC platform for market players and regulators in Malaysia. Social implications This paper also aims to highlight the growing needs of entrepreneurs, particularly in Malaysia to have a Sharīʿah-compliant alternative to raise funds via crowdfunding. Originality/value This paper makes two main contributions. First, it provides evidence on Malaysian entrepreneurs’ intention to use crowdfunding for fundraising through TAM and SEM analysis. Second, it proposes an SEC framework for the development of entrepreneurs in Malaysia.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 978-993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunjin Cho

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the process of consumer satisfaction formation for e-commerce. The study also predicts that the satisfaction formation model of e-commerce will differ between the US and Korean consumers due to differences in cultural background. Design/methodology/approach The study integrates the expectation disconfirmation theory (EDT) and the technology acceptance model (TAM). The hypotheses are examined by analyzing a structural equation model for consumers in the USA and Korea. Findings The results show that the model demonstrates good fit for both groups. For consumers in both countries, when purchasing fashion products on a new e-commerce site, the performance of the site’s usefulness was found to be a crucial variable in their satisfaction and intention to use the site. While there was no significant difference in the multiple group measurement model invariance test, the findings are meaningful because the slight differences in the standard coefficients of the two groups are considered. Originality/value It is meaningful to apply EDT and the TAM to the daily deal site environment. The influence of related variables can be reconfirmed and new consumer behaviors can be better understood. The research provides fresh insights into consumer behavior that can benefit managers when they make decisions in the e-commerce field.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 884-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyotiranjan Hota ◽  
Sasmita Mishra

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to find out the adoption level of multivendor ATM technology among customers and second, to develop and validate a model to explain the multivendor ATM usage in India.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a conceptual model on adoption of multivendor ATM technology was developed by referring relevant literature. Scale items for each construct of the model were culled from relevant literature sources. A pilot survey was conducted to validate the constructs. The survey was conducted online using Surveymonkey that garnered response from 136 respondents. The pilot survey data were analyzed to find the reliability and validity of the scales, based on which few items were dropped to improve the construct’s validity. The revised instrument was used to conduct the final survey, which was closed after collection of 543 responses. On screening for completeness, and normality test, 372 responses were retained for data analysis.FindingsThe major findings from analysis of the screened 372 responses were: awareness emerged as a significant factor influencing usage behavior and other perceptual factors; perception of personalized features influenced the attitude as well as usage behavior of the customers; personal control dimensions such as outcome desirability and controllability influenced both perceptual variables and usage behavior; and no relationship was found among attitude, intention and usage behavior, which contradicted findings of some studies in this area, thus creating the ground to understand multivendor ATM usage behavior. The findings have been discussed further.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study can be useful for banks and suppliers in understanding the adoption of their ATM technology by their customers that would help them initiate activities to enhance the adoption of the technology and increase their customer base. The findings will also encourage suppliers and banks to add more personalized features in this technology.Originality/valueMultivendor technology is at its nascent stage in India and this study is the first of its kind. The model developed here is an extension of technology acceptance model (TAM) with the introduction of some new variables such as perception of personalized features and personal control. This study also reveals that some of the hypotheses of original TAM model may not fit in the context of the technology where usage behavior is habitual and lifestyle oriented.


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