scholarly journals Investigating the Role of Governmental Factors Affecting Social Capital (Case Study: Iraqi Kurdistan)

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-91
Author(s):  
Chiman Khayati

Social capital is a latent wealth and property arising from a society's members' mental and psychological readiness to give up personal interests and engage in collective action. Social capital is a form of capital that potentially exists in all human societies. For flourishing and actualizing social capital, factors must be transformed, and special conditions must be satisfied that are seldom and difficult to meet. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the strengthening of social capital through the role of government. The study was applied research, and in terms of data collection method, it was a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population of the study was the citizens of Iraqi Kurdistan in 2020. One thousand subjects were selected using the convenience sampling method. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. Content validity and measurement model results were used to evaluate the validity and reliability of measurement tools. The questionnaires’ validity and reliability results were confirmed. Structural equation modeling through Smart PLS 3 was used for data analysis. The hypothesis testing results showed that the economy, geography and environment, and culture and society would strengthen social capital through government. According to the value obtained for the model fit index, 0.54, the overall model’s goodness of fit was confirmed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-67
Author(s):  
Masoumeh Amini ◽  
Hossein Vakilimofrad ◽  
Mohammad Karim Saberi

Purpose Information security is a critical issue in all organizations. The success of information security in libraries depends, to a large extent, on the effective behavior of administrators, librarians, users and all human staff. Accordingly, this study aims to design a model for identifying human factors affecting information security in libraries. Design/methodology/approach This study is applied in terms of research objectives and is a survey in terms of data collection. Moreover, it goes under the rubric of structural equation modeling in terms of the relationship between variables. The statistical population consisted of 100 managers and librarians of academic and public libraries of Hamadan in Iran. A questionnaire was used for data collection. The face and content validity of the questionnaire were examined using the expert’s opinions in the field of Iranian libraries. Also, the reliability of the questionnaire was calculated through Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 and Smart PLS 2. Findings The results showed that among the components of information security, the highest score was designated to self-esteem (4.11 ± 0.57) and level of skill (4.07 ± 0.59), whereas the lowest score belonged to the level of education (3.51 ± 0.74). Ranking human factors affecting information security showed that experience with Rank 1 had the most impact, whereas the level of skill with Rank 6 had the least impact on information security. Originality/value In this study, for the first time, a model was designed and tested for human factors affecting information security in libraries. Information security professionals, librarians and library and information science researchers can exploit this model in the future.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Hadi FAYEGH-MORADIHA ◽  
Zahra SHIRAZIAN ◽  
Freidoon SALIMI ◽  
Mehdi FAYEGH-MORADIHA

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of employees’ emotional intelligence and engagement on their mental health with a focus on the mediating role of mental creativity. This descriptive survey was a quantitative and applied study using cross-sectional method. Statistical population of the study encompassed 57000 employees of Tehran Municipality Organization, from whom 381 persons were selected. The study data was collected by a questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed. In order to analyze the data, structural equation modeling and Smart PLS software were adopted. The findings of the present study confirmed the significant effect of emotional intelligence on mental health among the employees of Tehran Municipality Organization. Moreover, the results revealed the positive and significant effects of the engagement on mental health, emotional intelligence on mental creativity, engagement on mental creativity, and mental creativity on mental health among the employees of Tehran Municipality Organization. Finally, the hypotheses of the study were confirmed.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Le Dang Lang ◽  
Abhishek Behl ◽  
Nguyen Trung Dong ◽  
Yama Temouri ◽  
Nguyen Hong Thu

PurposeCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has seriously affected the global economy. How agribusinessmen are overcoming this crisis is being noticed in emerging markets. Using social capital to diversify agribusiness for getting more customers is a useful solution for the growth of agribusiness. However, there is a lack of evidence on the aggregate measurement scale of social capital and the influence of behavioral goals on the intention toward agribusiness diversification. Therefore, this study aims to develop an integrated measurement of social capital and investigate its effect on agribusiness diversification intention using the expanded theory of planned behavior (TPB).Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods approach is used, including four in-depth interviews, three focus group discussions and two surveys. Structural equation modeling is applied to a sample of 484 respondents to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe study shows the role of social capital in influencing the intention to diversify agribusiness under the premises of the resource-based view (RBV). The scale of social capital is also developed, which is the first integrated measurement of this asset. The findings contribute significantly to the existing knowledge of social capital, the TPB and diversifying agribusiness.Originality/valueThis is the first study to explore the comprehensive effect of the facets of social capital on behavioral intention through behavioral goals and determinants of the TPB under the premises of the RBV. The findings will help emerging economies, for example, Vietnam, where most farmers are family business owners or microscaled entrepreneurs in agriculture.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roohollah Kalhor ◽  
Nadia Neysari ◽  
Saeed Shahsavari ◽  
Sima Rafiei

Abstract Background Job performance is an important organizational factor that plays a significant role in the success of organizations. This study aims to investigate the moderating role of entrepreneurial behavior in the relationship between social capital and job performance among faculty members of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Methods This is a descriptive-analytical study which has been conducted through a structural equation modeling among all university faculty members working in different faculties of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2017. To evaluate the causal relationships between study variables, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on AMOS software, with the significant level of 0.05 was used. Results Findings indicated that entrepreneurial behaviors and social capital could predict job performance. The direct effect of social capital on job performance (path coefficient: 0.17) and its indirect effect with the moderating role of entrepreneurial behavior (path coefficient: 0.39) were confirmed (P< 0.05). Furthermore, Sobel test affirmed the indirect associations between variables (P< 0.05). Conclusions Strengthening social capital and promoting entrepreneurial behavior can lead to higher levels of performance. Building trust among organizational members and designing new incentive methods which use entrepreneurial indicators for performance evaluation can improve social capital. Therefore, managers can contribute to the improvement of job performance through developing entrepreneurial behavior among their employees.


Author(s):  
Ameneh Rezazadeh ◽  
Majid Fattahi ◽  
Rahman Ghaffari

Background and Purpose: Social marketing (SM) is a fitting strategy in world health that is aimed to ensure attitude correction in the community, laying the foundation for the behavioral changes resulting in health promotion in the community. The purpose of this research was to explain the role of social marketing in promoting community health. Methods: This was applied research conducted through a descriptive survey. For data gathering, a mixed quantitative/qualitative approach was adopted. The statistical population included the youth under 25 years old who smoked cigarettes in Mazandaran Province. Based on the Cochran formula, a sample consisting of 385 respondents was formed, and the individual members of it were selected using proportionate random sampling. The data on social marketing mix and normative system were collected using the questionnaires constructed by Pang and Kubacki [1] and Issock et al. [2], respectively. The data on advertisement were collected using the questionnaire constructed by Dunn and Nisbett [3]. Data analysis was performed in PLS Software using Structural Equation Modeling. Result: The result indicated that the messenger’s features influenced the user perception of social marketing and had a positive effect on the user normative system. Further, the results suggested that the user normative system affected their perception of social marketing. Conclusion: It was concluded that marketing practitioners can manipulate consumer perception of social marketing by shaping ethical norms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamideh Shiri-Mohammadabad ◽  
Seyed Alireza Afshani

Abstract Background Research on factors affecting self-care is scarce. The social factors, in particular, have not been yet investigated in Iran. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-care and social capital among women. Methods The participants were 737 women who were living in the marginal, middle and upper areas in the city of Yazd, Iran. Data were collected using a researcher-made self-care questionnaire and Harper’s (Off Natl Stat 11:2019, 2019) Social Capital Scale. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling by SPSS and Amos v24. Results The results showed that the social capital had significant positive effects on the general self-care behavior of the participants (β = 0.56, p < 0.001). It also had significant positive effects on the self-care behavior of women living in the marginal (β = 0.58), middle (β = 0.49) and upper (β = 0.62) parts of the city (p < 0.001). Besides, the women living in the marginal parts had relatively lower levels of self-care compared to those living in the middle and upper parts of the city. The examination of the fit indices indicated that the model has a good fit (CMIN/DF = 2.087, NFI = 0.921, RMSEA = 0.027, CFI = 0.956, TLI = 0.940, GFI = 0.956, IFI = 0.957). Conclusion The findings of this study demonstrated that social capital has significant positive effects on the general self-care behavior of women. Therefore, improving their self-care can be achieved through promoting their social capital.


2021 ◽  
pp. 47-58
Author(s):  
Şerafettin KELEŞ

In this study, the factors affecting the request and action of migration are examined with empirical method within the scope of neoclassical economic theories and behavioral economic thought. A survey of a selected sample was analyzed with structural equation modeling. There was a linear relationship between migration and economic expectation, social capital and hope. It was found that the Economic Expectation Variable had a very strong negative effect on individuals' decision to immigrate and desire to migrate (γ = -0.99; t = -17.87). Hope variable has a very strong negative effect on individuals' migration decision and desire to migrate (γ = -0.96; t = -13.66). The Social Capital Secret Variable has a negatively moderate effect on individuals' decision to immigrate and desire to migrate (γ = -0.48; t = -8.19). It was seen that economic and political conjuncture was effective in the decision of migration of individuals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47
Author(s):  
Alireza Sangani ◽  
Paria Jangi

Background: Shyness is a main cause of poor results in the educational environment. The present study aimed at studying relationship between alexithymia (the inability to recognize or describe one’s own emotions) and shyness in nursing students, with mediating roles of loneliness and social identity. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was based on structural equation modeling, specific regression equations, and a statistical population of 658 nursing students at Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences in 2018. A sample of 331 students was selected. To collect the data, Toronto’s Alexithymia Scale, Russell, Peplau and Cutrona’s Loneliness Scale, Safarinia’s Social Identity Questionnaire and Briggs, Cheek and Buss’ Shyness Scale were used. Results: The findings from regression analysis showed that there was a direct effect between alexithymia and shyness and an indirect effect between alexithymia and shyness with mediating factors of loneliness and social identity (P<0.01). In total, alexithymia, feelings of loneliness, and perception of social identity had a predictive power of 0.51% of shyness. Conclusion: The results of this study show the effect of alexithymia and the role of moderating influences on feelings of loneliness and social identity perceptions and shyness among nursing students, which can provide useful practical applications to advisers and trainers in order to improve the psychological state of nursing students.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Agyapong ◽  
Suzzie Owiredua Aidoo ◽  
Samuel Yaw Akomea

PurposeThe paper sought to uncover the conditions under which managerial capability enhances performance while considering the role of social capital within the unique boundary conditions created by competitive intensity.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use multi-source data from 206 managers and owners of SMEs from a Sub-Saharan African nation – Ghana.FindingsUsing structural equation modeling (SEM) to analysis the data, the findings revealed that social capital serves as a mechanism through which managerial capability influences performance. Furthermore, the results indicate that competitive intensity does not significantly moderate this important indirect relationship. Implications: This study provides relevant knowledge for scholars, practitioners and policymakers on the role of managerial capability and how it may be harnessed in enhancing performance.Originality/valueThis paper provides a holistic understanding of the capability performance relationship in attempts at extending the literature by examining social capital as a mediator and competitive intensity as a contingent factor of this important relationship in a conditional indirect model.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad K. Al nawayseh

Accessing financial services is considered one of the main challenges facing communities during crises. This research studies the role of using FinTech applications to build resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research empirically examines the factors affecting Jordanian citizens’ intention to use FinTech applications. The sample of the research comprised 500 potential FinTech service users in Jordan. Based on the research conceptual model, five hypotheses were developed and tested using structural equation modeling techniques (SEM-PLS). The research results indicate that perceived benefits and social norms significantly affect the intention to use FinTech applications. However, it has been found that perceived technology risks do not significantly affect the intention to use FinTech applications. Moreover, the results also indicate that customer trust is significantly mediating the relationship between perceived risks and intention to use FinTech applications. FinTech service providers should insure that their products are easy to use, fulfill needs and protect consumers’ data in order to ensure trust, hence positively influencing consumer adoption.


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