Factors Influencing the Adaption of Online Pharmacy in Oman: Literature Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abir Al Sideiri

BACKGROUND There is low level of adoption and acceptance of online pharmacies in Oman; only very limited Omani Citizens are aware of the existence of online pharmacies and even fewer number of Omanis accessed and bought medicines using online pharmacy systems. Therefore, online pharmacy business is facing great challenge in adaption in Oman; despite many attempts on using web applications that mimic the actual pharmacy operations; such attempts still preliminary and need more theoretical modelling and practical enhancements to trust, reliability, efficacy, and other factors of success. OBJECTIVE the primary objective of the present study is to investigate the factors influencing on the adoption of online pharmacy in Oman. This study carries out under Unified Theory of Acceptance and Usage of Technology – 2 (UTAUT-2) to examine the perception of customers on adapting online pharmacy. METHODS The study has presented extensive review of existing books, journals, reports, newspapers, articles, and reputable online information on the issue at hand. The review of relevant literature is closely linked to UTAUT-2 variables and the adoption of online pharmacy in Oman RESULTS The most important factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence, facilitating condition, habit, hedonic motivation, and price value were observed their influence on adoption of online pharmacy among Omanis. CONCLUSIONS The study addresses issues relevant in the context that help to examines all variables being investigated. Furthermore, it also focused on the review of related theories that support the relationship among the variables and the utilization of online digital pharmacy in the Oman. Finally, issues of relative importance were also discussed that could help broader the study.

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shereen Barnard ◽  
Barendien Kritzinger ◽  
Janine Krüger

Purpose: The primary objective of this study is to investigate the macro-environmental factors that may influence location decisions and how these choices may affect the business performance of SMMEs. Problem investigated: SMMEs in South Africa play an increasingly important role in stimulating economic activity, growth and employment creation. However, many SMMEs cease to exist within the first five years of operation due to various challenges faced by SMMEs on a daily basis. Many SMMEs owners disregard the importance of location, yet the geographical location can negatively influence the survival of the business. Several factors influence the choice of the location, which will ultimately have either a positive or negative effect on business performance. Methodology: A positivistic research methodology was adopted for this study. Seven hypotheses were constructed to achieve the primary objective of this study. The population for this study consisted of SMMEs in the Nelson Mandela Metropole from which a convenience sample of 175 SMMEs was selected. The measuring instrument, a self-developed questionnaire, consisted of three sections. The data collected included the demographical data of the respondents and their businesses, statements on location and various factors influencing location decisions as well as measurements of business performance. Cronbach Alpha coefficients were calculated to determine the reliability of the questionnaire items. Data analysis was done by calculating descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients and conducting a simple linear regression analysis. Cohen's d was used to determine the significance of between-factor differences. Findings and implications: The results of the study showed that positive relationships existed between all the independent variables (location, rental rates, employment, inflation, interest rates and green buildings) and the dependent variable (business performance) except for the relationship between electricity tariffs and business performance. Employment and business performance attained the strongest positive relationship; indicating that business owners regarded employment as an important factor to consider when searching for suitable business premises. The relationship between location and business performance obtained the lowest positive correlation. Originality and value of the research: Research on South African SMMEs regarding location decisions and the specific factors identified in this study has not been done previously in South Africa. Therefore, because evidence exists that the macro-environmental factors influence location decisions to varying degrees, this study can provide SMME owners with insight into the factors influencing location choice. It is vital that business owners consider these factors as they could influence business performance, and ultimately, business survival. An increased awareness of the importance of the aspects discussed in this study could consequently lead to improved performance in the SMME sector.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between extrinsic and intrinsic reward on retention among Gen Y employees in Malaysian manufacturing companies. The data was collected from 113 respondents worked in manufacturing companies located in Seri Kembangan, Selangor using questionnaires. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses. The results showed both extrinsic and intrinsic reward are the factors influencing retaining Gen Y in manufacturing companies. The discussion on the analysis, limitation of the study, recommendation for future research and conclusion were discussed at the end of this study. In a nutshell, it was proven extrinsic reward and intrinsic reward has contributed to the retention of Gen Y employees.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Richard W. Bohannon

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Numerous studies have addressed the relationship between paretic knee extension strength and comfortable walking speed after stroke. However, the correlations reported are highly variable. This review sought to summarize the correlational data using meta-analysis. METHODS: Relevant literature was identified via a search of 3 bibliographic databases. Articles were screened and perused for inclusion. Included articles were examined for information on the sample studied, procedures for measuring strength and gait speed, and correlations reported between the 2 variables. Meta-analysis was used to calculate a summary correlation. RESULTS: Of 299 unique articles, 18 met inclusion criteria. Articles were diverse in regard to samples studied, procedures described, and correlations reported. Meta-analysis using data from all included studies revealed a summary correlation of 0.51. For studies using hand-held or isokinetic dynamometry, the summary correlation was 0.46 and 0.59 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a better indication of the correlation between paretic knee extension strength and comfortable gait speed than individual studies. The correlation is high enough to provide support for the routine measurement of paretic knee extension force for individuals who have experienced a stroke.


Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 996
Author(s):  
Norshakirah Aziz ◽  
Md Jan Nordin ◽  
Said Jadid Abdulkadir ◽  
Muhammad Muhaimin M. Salih

The advancement of technology has enabled powerful microprocessors to render high-quality graphics for computer gaming. Despite being intended for leisure purposes, several components of the games alongside the gamer’s environmental factors have resulted in digital addiction (DA) towards computer games such as massively multiplayer online games (MMOG). Excessive gaming among adolescents has various negative impacts on an individual. However, only a few researchers have addressed the impact of DA on physical health. Thus, the primary objective of this research is to study the impact of DA on physical health among Malaysian adolescents. This study focuses on Malaysian adolescents of ages 12–18 years old who are addicted to computer games, specifically the MMOG. The methodology used for the study involves focus group discussions (FGD) and extensive literature study. The FGD sessions have involved both medical experts and game experts. The outcome of FGD discussion is recorded and justified with the existing relevant literature from high-impact journals, theses, conferences, books, and reports. This paper provides evidence of five physical health impacts of DA associated with adolescents. The factors of DA, the addiction components existing in MMOG computer games, and the DA health risk assessment are presented in the results section. Based on the study, it is concluded that DA among Malaysian adolescents can cause various impacts on physical health such as obesity, back pain, and neck pain, orthopaedic/joint muscle, eyesight problem, hearing problem, as well as physical inactivity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanislas Abrard ◽  
Olivier Fouquet ◽  
Jérémie Riou ◽  
Emmanuel Rineau ◽  
Pierre Abraham ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cardiac surgery is known to induce acute endothelial dysfunction, which may be central to the pathophysiology of postoperative complications. Preoperative endothelial dysfunction could also be implicated in the pathophysiology of postoperative complications after cardiac surgery. However, the relationship between preoperative endothelial function and postoperative outcomes remains unknown. The primary objective was to describe the relationship between a preoperative microcirculatory dysfunction identified by iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh), and postoperative organ injury in patients scheduled for cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods Sixty patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery using CPB were included in the analysis of a prospective, observational, single-center cohort study conducted from January to April 2019. Preoperative microcirculation was assessed with reactivity tests on the forearm (iontophoresis of ACh and nitroprusside). Skin blood flow was measured by laser speckle contrast imaging. Postoperative organ injury, the primary outcome, was defined as a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA) 48 h after surgery greater than 3. Results Organ injury at 48 h occurred in 29 cases (48.3%). Patients with postoperative organ injury (SOFA score > 3 at 48 h) had a longer time to reach the peak of preoperative iontophoresis of acetylcholine (133 s [104–156] vs 98 s [76–139] than patients without, P = 0.016), whereas endothelium-independent vasodilation to nitroprusside was similar in both groups. Beyond the proposed threshold of 105 s for time to reach the peak of preoperative endothelium-dependent vasodilation, three times more patients presented organ dysfunction at 48 h (76% vs 24% below or equal 105 s). In multivariable model, the time to reach the peak during iontophoresis of acetylcholine was an independent predictor of postoperative organ injury (odds ratio = 4.81, 95% confidence interval [1.16–19.94]; P = 0.030). Conclusions Patients who postoperatively developed organ injury (SOFA score > 3 at 48 h) had preoperatively a longer time to reach the peak of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Trial registration Clinical-Trials.gov, NCT03631797. Registered 15 August 2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03631797


Author(s):  
S. Mendell ◽  
E. C. Bourlas ◽  
M. Z. DeBardeleben

AbstractThis paper comprises a review of the published literature (1936-1979) dealing with the relationship between the chemical constituents of tobacco and smoke and tobacco and smoke quality. Various components thought to be influential in determining quality are identified; conclusions of researchers regarding the effects of these components are recorded and discussed. A summary table is presented which details the nature of the relationship between these constituents and tobacco quality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-344
Author(s):  
Paul Lukas HÄHNEL

The article examines inter-parliamentary institutions as a factor for interstate cooperation in Europe in the 1950s and 1960s. For this purpose, an analysis of the relationship between the parliamentary assembly of the European Communities, the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Western European Union and their connections to the Bundestag through dual mandates is carried out. Based on the relevant literature, the article highlights formal and informal inter-organizational links as well as partly overlapping and competing competences between these inter-parliamentary institutions. By using the example of the Federal Republic of Germany, multiple connections between the Bundestag and the emerging European parliamentary level are shown. Finally, the article focuses on the disentanglement of the parliamentary levels in the 1970s.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19
Author(s):  
Kuder Reshma Shabnam ◽  
Dharmapuri Gangappa ◽  
Gundala Harold Philip

Evaluation of the toxic effects of a widely used synthetic pyrethroid, deltamethrin (DM), was carried out in this study. This pesticide is preferred for pest control because of its low environmental persistence and toxicity. We investigated the expression pattern of four genes, namely, you ( you), yot ( you-too), momo ( mom) and ubo ( u-boot) during early development of zebrafish, that is, from 12 hpf to 48 hpf stages. These stages are selected as most of the important developmental aspects take place during this period. All four genes are known to play a vital role in development of notochord and somites. To understand the effect of DM on development, embryos of 4 hpf stage were exposed to two concentrations (100 and 200 µg/L) of DM, and observations were made at 12, 24 and 48 hpf stages. Our earlier studies have shown phenotypic abnormalities such as notochord bending, tail deformation, yolk sac and pericardial edema, lightening of body and eye pigmentation and interfered in somite patterning, during these stages of development. Understanding the relationship of phenotypic abnormalities with these four genes has been our primary objective. These four genes were analyzed by Reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction and intensity of the bands has shown induction in their expression after exposure to the toxicant. In spite of the expression of genes, it was noticed that DM caused abnormalities. It can be said from the results that translational pathway could have been affected.


2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosman Md. Yusoff ◽  
Faisal Khan ◽  
Asad Mubeen ◽  
Kamran Azam

The purpose of this study is to find out the empirical relationship and influence of Research Environment, Integration of the university with Industry, High-tech Employment and Professional & Managerial Development on the University Performance.A Questionnaire has been used to collect the data. Correlation and Regression analysis were used to determine the relationship and influence of identified dimensions over the University Performance.The findings of the study show that the identified dimensions significantly relate and influence the University Performance. This study would be helpful for the university administration while making policies to upgrade its performance. Less work has been done in Pakistan for the development of universities. This study distinctively identifies and represents the variables and their influence over the university performance. The findings increase the value of the study as it would help the decision makers at the universities to think ‘out of the box’.


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