Search Results (138)

Digital finance research generally assumes that greater financial and technological capabilities lead to higher adoption of digital financial services. However, this assumption has rarely been examined in fragile economies where institutional trust and financial system stability have been severely disrupted. This study investigates whether capability-based explanations of digital financial adoption remain valid in a post-crisis environment. Drawing on a capability–behaviour–intention framework, the study examines the effects of Perceived Digital Financial Literacy (DFL), Perceived AI Literacy (AIL), and Financial Inclusion (FI) on Digital Financial Adoption Orientation (DFAO), while assessing the mediating role of Financial Behaviour (FB) and the moderating influence of banking reintegration and bank stability concerns. The study analyzed questionnaire responses from 164 participants using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4. The findings provide mixed support for the proposed framework. AIL and FI were positively associated with FB, whereas the direct relationships of DFL, AIL, and FI with DFAO were not statistically significant. FB was not significantly associated with DFAO, and the specific indirect effects through FB were not statistically supported. Fresh USD account ownership significantly moderated the relationship between FI and DFAO, whereas the remaining proposed moderation effects were not statistically significant. The observed pattern provides limited support for the hypothesised capability–behaviour–adoption relationships in this sample and suggests the possibility of boundary conditions affecting capability-based explanations of digital financial adoption. Further research using larger and more diverse samples is required to determine whether these relationships vary across contexts. Full article

Rural entrepreneurship is increasingly recognised as a critical driver of economic resilience and regional development, particularly in developing regions such as the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This exploratory study examines how entrepreneurial activities stimulate local economic growth, job creation, innovation, and community empowerment in Mnquma Local Municipality, where persistent unemployment and poverty remain significant challenges. Adopting an exploratory research design underpinned by a positivist philosophy, this study synthesises existing literature on the relationships among employment generation, economic contribution, innovation promotion, economic diversification, community engagement, and local supply chain development. Data were collected from 349 respondents drawn from a population of 3750 formally registered rural entrepreneurs. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, reliability and validity tests, correlation analysis, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in SPSS and SmartPLS, to examine the relationships among employment generation, economic contribution, innovation promotion, economic diversification, community engagement, supply chain development, and economic resilience. The findings suggest that strong rural entrepreneurship enhances local adaptability and supports sustainable economic performance in the face of external shocks. The study emphasises the importance of inclusive, evidence-based policies that promote rural enterprise development through improved financial mechanisms, infrastructure investment, and strengthened stakeholder networks; thereby providing localised insights to inform policy and sustainable development in South Africa. Full article

Background: Healthcare access in Vietnam confronts regional disparities and rising demand, requiring collaborative policies and strong workforce performance to guarantee effective and affordable services. This study scrutinises how organisational culture shapes healthcare workforce performance within Vietnam’s public healthcare organisations, with particular emphasis on organisational commitment, knowledge-sharing behaviour, and digital health transformation. Methods: This study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 450 healthcare professionals in public healthcare facilities in southern Vietnam through convenience and snowball sampling, using a structured questionnaire measuring organisational culture (Denison model), organisational commitment, knowledge-sharing behaviour, digital health transformation and job performance on a six-point Likert scale. Data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 3.0. Results: The findings indicate that organisational culture is directly and substantively associated with healthcare workforce performance. In addition, knowledge sharing and digital health transformation operate as mediating mechanisms, with knowledge sharing showing a notably stronger indirect association. Notably, the relationship between organisational commitment and healthcare workforce performance was indicated to be not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study offers important practical and healthcare policy implications for healthcare administrators, human resource practitioners, public-sector leaders, and health policy stakeholders, predominantly in designing and employing targeted, culture-driven interventions aimed at improving healthcare workforce performance. Specifically, fostering a culture that encourages knowledge exchange and supports digital health transformation emerges as a critical pathway for organisational advancement. Such initiatives are instrumental in nurturing a motivated, engaged, and high-performing workforce, thereby underlining the sustainable development of public healthcare organisations. Full article

New ventures pursuing sustainability face a persistent tension between mission and financial viability, yet the behavioral and cognitive factors associated with dual performance in this context remain poorly understood. This study aims to examine whether social and green entrepreneurial orientations are associated with financial and SDG-aligned performance through entrepreneurial bricolage and green creativity, with paradox mindset as a boundary condition. Drawing on paradox theory, survey data from 323 new-venture founders in China were analyzed using PLS-SEM in SmartPLS 4, supplemented by Hayes’ PROCESS macro for conditional indirect effects. Six control variables were included; none significantly predicted either outcome. Results confirm that both orientations are significantly associated with bricolage and green creativity. Bricolage is positively associated with both financial and SDG-aligned performance, while green creativity is significantly associated only with SDG-aligned performance, where its contribution is statistically comparable to that of bricolage. Formal moderated mediation testing confirms that paradox mindset amplifies most orientation-to-mechanism pathways, with the exception of the SEO-to-bricolage relationship, where resource recombination appears to operate as a structural necessity independent of cognitive disposition. Because the study measures the two performance domains rather than founders’ experienced tension, the paradox serves as the motivating theoretical lens rather than a directly tested construct. The cross-sectional design precludes causal inference. The study extends paradox theory into sustainable entrepreneurship and offers actionable guidance for founders and policymakers seeking to support new ventures in pursuing both financial viability and SDG contribution. Full article

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is increasingly used in entrepreneurial practice, yet limited empirical evidence explains how sustainability-oriented entrepreneurs appropriate it in relation to Triple Bottom Line (TBL) performance. This study examines the strategic alignment paradox faced by entrepreneurs who pursue accountable sustainability outcomes while using fast-moving, probabilistic, and partly opaque technologies. It investigates whether Sustainability Orientation (SO) is associated with Sustainable Entrepreneurial Performance (SEP) through five theoretically distinct GenAI appropriation dimensions: Adoptive, Customized, Ethical, Integrative, and Interface Appropriation. In this study, Ethical Appropriation is interpreted as ethical-boundary permissiveness because the retained GAIA items capture acceptance of self-serving, improper, or beyond-intended GenAI use rather than broad responsible-AI governance. A cross-sectional survey of 360 GenAI-using entrepreneurs and SME owner-managers in Saudi Arabia was analyzed using PLS-SEM in SmartPLS 4, with a 10,000-resample bootstrapping procedure, MICOM, permutation-based multi-group analysis, and higher-order robustness tests. The empirical results show that SO is positively and significantly associated with Customized, Ethical, and Integrative Appropriation, but has no significant relationship with Adoptive or Interface Adoptive Appropriation or Interface Appropriation. The aggregate model explains 60.8% of the variance in SEP. Mediation analysis indicates that the observed indirect association between SO and aggregate SEP is statistically significant only through the Customized, Ethical, and Integrative pathways. The pillar-specific analysis further shows that the aggregate SEP construct masks important differences across TBL outcomes: Integrative Appropriation is consistently associated with all three pillars; Ethical Appropriation is selectively associated with economic sustainability and should be interpreted as a governance warning rather than as evidence of responsible-AI governance; and Customized Appropriation is associated only with environmental and social sustainability. Finally, multi-group analysis provides no statistically robust evidence of gender-based heterogeneity after Bonferroni correction, suggesting that the SO–GenAI appropriation–SEP relationships are broadly comparable across male and female respondents in this sample. Overall, the findings suggest that GenAI should not be treated as a monolithic adoption construct; its sustainability implications depend on how generative tools are customized for specific tasks, interpreted with attention to ethical-boundary permissiveness, and structurally integrated into business routines. Full article

Background: Digital Supply Chain Adoption (DSCA) has emerged as a critical strategic imperative associated with Operational Performance (OP); however, empirical evidence within Thailand’s food and beverage manufacturing industry remains limited. Methods: A structured survey of 200 supply chain professionals was analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS 4. To ensure analytical rigor and mitigate potential method bias, a retrospective comparison design was employed. Furthermore, DSCA was operationalized as a Type II reflective-formative higher-order construct, and Digital Dynamic Capabilities (DDC) as a Type I higher-order construct. Results: DSCA was positively associated with all perceived performance dimensions, with cost reduction exhibiting the strongest direct association (β = 0.510, p < 0.001). DDC significantly moderated the statistical relationships for quality and productivity performance. However, the moderating role of DDC on cost reduction was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Within the investigated sample, DSCA was more closely associated with perceived cost efficiencies, whereas DDC showed a supplementary moderating role specific to quality and productivity outcomes. The findings are also consistent with the integrated Dynamic Capabilities View and Technology, Organization, and Environment (DCV-TOE) perspective, suggesting that statistical associations between digital transformation and operational outcomes may vary across performance dimensions rather than follow a uniform pattern. Full article

Drawing on the Value–Attitude–Behavior framework, this study aims to investigate the relationship between environmental values and pro-environmental behavior and the mediating role of environmental attitudes in this relationship among Generation Z in India. Survey data were gathered using a structured questionnaire from 281 respondents, and statistical analysis for this study was conducted using SmartPLS 4.0 software. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) algorithm and bootstrapping technique were employed to analyze both the direct and mediation relationships. Path coefficients and t-values were thoroughly examined to validate and support the proposed hypotheses, ensuring robust testing of the model’s structure and relationships. The study establishes a significant association between environmental attitudes and values, highlighting their positive role in promoting pro-environmental behavior, supporting the VAB theory. A partial mediation paradigm, in which environmental behavior is related to both cognitive (attitude) and motivational (value) factors, is supported by the significance of both direct and indirect effects. Multiple variables are highlighted by research on pro-environmental behavior (PEB), ranging from social and contextual factors to individual values and attitudes. While prior studies have sought to address this multiplicity, such efforts have often led to increased complexity rather than conceptual clarity. By isolating the variables, this research furthers the understanding of how environmental values and attitudes is related to pro-environmental actions in the context of the Indian Gen Z audience. The outcome of the study has important implications for green communication targeting this specific cohort. Full article

This research focuses on the effects of online destination brand experience on destination brand authenticity, destination brand engagement, and external search behavior and behavioral intention. It also investigates the mediating effect of destination brand authenticity on the relationship between online destination brand experience and destination brand engagement. The research population consisted of visitors who had experienced the Zeugma and Gaziantep cultural tourism destinations. The Smart PLS (Partial Least Squares) statistical program was used for data analysis. The analysis results showed that online destination brand experience positively affected destination brand authenticity and destination brand engagement. Destination brand engagement influenced external search behavior and behavioral intention positively. However, the findings revealed that the social engagement dimension of destination brand engagement did not have a significant effect on external search behavior. Furthermore, the effect of the cognitive engagement dimension on behavioral intention was also insignificant. Finally, it was found that destination brand authenticity partially mediated the relationship between online destination brand experience and destination brand engagement. Full article

Introduction: Oman has transitioned from travel-related dengue cases to local outbreaks since 2018, with heterogeneous patterns across governorates and districts. Understanding how climate, population, and vector indicators jointly shape dengue risk at different administrative levels is essential for targeted control. Methods: This study compiled weekly data (2020–2024) on dengue cases, mosquito surveillance, climate, and population from national sources. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS v4, we modelled constructs for Weather, Population, Vector, and Vector-borne Disease (VBD). Measurement quality was assessed using various statistics and with 5000-sample bootstrapping. Multigroup Analysis (MGA) with permutation and Measurement Invariance of Composite Models (MICOM) tested invariance and compared structural paths across governorates (Muscat, North Al Batinah, Ad Dakhiliyah) and districts (Seeb, Sohar, Bahla). Results: Vector abundance mediated climate and population effects on dengue, with marked spatial heterogeneity. At the governorate level, the Vector → VBD path was strongest in Ad Dakhiliyah (β ≈ 0.436) and negligible in Muscat (β ≈ −0.021); indirect effects from Population and Weather to VBD were significantly higher in Ad Dakhiliyah than comparators. At the district level, Bahla showed stronger Vector → VBD and Weather → Vector relationships than Seeb and Sohar, while Seeb exhibited low explanatory power across paths. MICOM indicated partial measurement invariance, suggesting caution in cross-group comparisons. Conclusions: Dengue risk in Oman is primarily vector-driven but differs by setting. Inland/rural areas are more sensitive to climate–vector dynamics, requiring enhanced surveillance and climate-informed early warning. Urban centers may need models incorporating mobility and behavior. Findings support localized interventions and the integration of trap positivity and density into district-level prediction and control. Full article

This study examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and the development of FinTech services on firms’ financial performance, with particular emphasis on the moderating role of dynamic capabilities. Drawing on the dynamic capabilities perspective, the study explains how organizations can effectively leverage emerging digital technologies to enhance financial outcomes. The study is applied in purpose and adopts a descriptive correlational design. Data were collected using four structured questionnaires administered to 384 respondents, including senior executives, chief financial officers, and board members of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. A convenience sampling method was employed. The conceptual model and research hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling based on the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach, implemented using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29 and Smart PLS version 4. The results indicate that both artificial intelligence and FinTech have positive and statistically significant effects on firms’ financial performance. Although dynamic capabilities do not have a direct statistically significant effect on financial performance, they play a significant moderating role in the relationship between FinTech and financial performance. A disaggregated analysis of the dimensions of dynamic capabilities shows that only sensing capability has a positive and statistically significant moderating effect on the relationship between FinTech and financial performance, whereas seizing and reconfiguring capabilities do not show statistically significant moderating effects. By emphasizing the conditional and indirect role of dynamic capabilities, this study contributes to the growing literature on FinTech and artificial intelligence in emerging markets. The findings suggest that performance advantages from FinTech and AI stem less from the technologies themselves and more from firms’ ability to identify and interpret technological opportunities promptly. The study provides valuable practical insights for managers of publicly listed Iranian firms and clarifies how digital investments translate into improved financial performance. Full article

This study examines emotional dependency on generative artificial intelligence among vocational high school (VHS) students. Guided by Taiwan’s 108 Curriculum Guidelines, an interactive “Health and Nursing” course on AI reliance was implemented. The sample included 1000 students from five VHSs in central Taiwan (January–February 2026). Data were collected through questionnaires and classroom feedback to assess AI interaction frequency, emotional projection, and perceived effects on relationships and psychological needs. Research data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 and SmartPLS 4. Findings show that some students displayed moderate to high emotional attachment to AI, particularly for support and stress relief, with blurred ethical boundaries. After the intervention, students reported greater awareness of risks and increased self-reflection. This study concludes that integrating AI literacy with emotional education into curricula is crucial for responsible technology use and healthy relational development. Overall, emotional reliance on AI among VHS students appears statistically significant but bounded, reflecting a balanced pattern of engagement that supports sustainable psychological well-being. Full article

Introduction: Self-medication has become a growing concern, especially in the current era of digitalization. The ubiquitous access to social media platforms has been associated with this behaviour due to factors like body image leading to weight loss obsession and seeking solutions to achieve the ideal body image and weight. Aims: This research also examined the relationship between Social Media Usage and Self-Medication, Weight Loss Obsession, and further Intention to Use Ozempic (semaglutide) among university students in the United Arab Emirates. Methods: The researchers used a cross-sectional design and gathered data from students enrolled at Al Ain University, United Arab Emirates. Data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 29) and SmartPLS software (Version 4). Descriptive statistics and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) were employed to examine relationships among variables based on the Self-Medication Theory by Khantzian. Results: It was found that Social Media Usage was significantly linked with Self-Medication behaviour among the students. Also, this usage makes individuals conscious about weight and body image as important concerns. Finally, Social Media Usage was also significantly linked with Intention to Use Ozempic for weight loss without medical prescriptions and doctor consultations. Conclusions: It is concluded that self-medication for weight loss disregards the significance of maintaining a well-balanced diet and regular exercise, leading to serious health risks, i.e., nutritional deficiencies, metabolic disorders, and negative effects on mental well-being. Educating and informing young individuals about the importance of adopting healthy and sustainable weight loss processes is important, underlining the need for professional guidance, nutrition education, and promoting a positive body image. This approach may help reduce the harmful outcomes associated with self-medication for weight loss. Full article

This study examines how green organizational practices influence employees’ pro-environmental behaviors. It further investigates the roles of environmental awareness and green advocacy in Moroccan organizations. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with the employees working in various organizations in Morocco. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4 and IBM SPSS Statistics version 23 to assess relationships among green leadership, CSR, and employee behaviors. The findings indicate that green transformational leadership, CSR-e, and green empowerment significantly influence employee pro-environmental behavior. Environmental awareness also significantly mediated the effects of CSR and green leadership on employee sustainability actions. Organizations can adopt targeted incentives and educational initiatives to foster environmental awareness and green advocacy. Consequently, a more sustainable workplace culture can be established. In addition, this study provides empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of green workplace practices in Morocco. The study provides insights into leadership and CSR strategies to enhance employees’ sustainability efforts. Full article

Sustainable development and innovation are increasingly relevant in startup branding strategies. While existing studies have explored sustainability-oriented branding and social media–brand equity relationships, evidence remains limited on how sustainability and social media attributes jointly shape brand equity in knowledge-based enterprises (KBEs). To address this specific underexplored area, this study develops the Innovation–Brand Equity–Sustainability (IBES) model to enhance brand equity in KBEs through strategic social media use, focusing on managers’ perspectives from such enterprises in science and technology parks. Employing partial least squares structural equation modeling, the research analyzed data from 471 participants in science and technology parks and KBEs, using SmartPLS 4 to ensure statistical robustness. The findings confirmed 13 proposed hypotheses, demonstrating IBES’ robustness. Social media factors, including identity (β = 0.510 for brand awareness), active presence (β = 0.561 for brand associations), content sharing (β = 0.401 for brand loyalty), and reputation (β = 0.615 for perceived quality), may influence components of brand equity. Brand innovation emerged as the strongest driver, with a total effect of 0.668 on brand equity enhancement and 0.586 on sustainable development. Both constructs serve as critical factors, channeling social media effects through a multistage indirect path (β = 0.225 for brand innovation to sustainable development to brand equity). This study bridges critical gaps in the digital branding literature and underscores the pivotal role of brand innovation and sustainable development in achieving competitive advantage in knowledge-driven economies. Full article

This study examines whether moral identity, perceived environmental responsibility, and locus of control predict green consumption behaviour among young consumers. Adopting a quantitative approach, the study follows an explanatory research design grounded in the positivist paradigm. Primary data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire delivered to respondents aged 18–35 years. Descriptive statistics were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 30, while inferential analysis was conducted using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) via SmartPLS 4. The findings suggest that moral identity and perceived responsibility for environmental damage are significant predictors of green consumption among youth. In contrast, locus of control shows a weak, statistically insignificant association with green consumption behaviour. After controlling for demographic variables, including gender, age, race, education, occupation, and income, the results indicate that only education level and race make significant contributions to the model. Notably, the effect of moral identity becomes insignificant once demographic factors are considered, while locus of control remains insignificant. However, perceived environmental responsibility not only retains its significance but also demonstrates a strengthened effect on green consumption behaviour. These findings highlight the persistence of the attitude–behaviour gap in sustainable consumption among young consumers, particularly in rural contexts. The study contributes to the literature by extending the Theory of Planned Behaviour through the incorporation of moral and psychological constructs within a rural African setting. Practically, the study offers insights for policymakers, educators, and marketers, emphasising the importance of environmental education, moral reinforcement, and targeted behavioural interventions to enhance youth participation in sustainable consumption practices. Full article