Habib Ullah Khan

CAPRA: a comprehensive approach to product ranking using customer reviews

Online shopping generates billions of dollars in revenues, including both the physical goods and online services. Product images and associated descriptions are the two main sources of information used by the shoppers to gain knowledge about a product. However, these two pieces of information may not always present the true picture of the product. Images could be deceiving, and descriptions could be overwhelming or cryptic. Moreover, the relative rank of these products among the peers may lead to inconsistencies. Hence, a useful and widely used piece of information is “user reviews”. A number of vendors like Amazon have created whole ecosystems around user reviews, thereby boosting their revenues. However, extracting the relevant and useful information out of the plethora of reviews is not straight forward, and is a very tedious job. In this paper we propose a product ranking system that facilitates the online shopping experience by analyzing the reviews for sentiments, evaluating their usefulness, extracting and weighing different product features and aspects, ranking it among similar comparable products, and finally creating a unified rank for each product. Experiment results show the usefulness of our proposed approach in providing an effective and reliable online shopping experience in comparison with similar approaches.

Supply Chain Technology Acceptance, Adoption, and Possible Challenges: A Case Study of Service Organizations of Saudi Arabia

Information Technology has redefined the parameters of doing the business in the recent past. On one side it is opening the doors for new opportunities and on the other side many obstacles are also coming in the successful use of IT tools. Supply chain management is one of the core focuses on the emerging technologies now days. The concept of competitive economy in globalized world is increasing the importance of efficient supply chain management in service organizations. The question raised over here is that whether the service companies are adopting the concept of supply chain management (SCM) in an efficient way or not? Adoption of suitable supply chain technologies in service organizations can have timely and accurate information availability for their decision making process. This adoption of proper Information Technology tools in the SCM is the most important factor to maximize the efficiency in the service organizations. Service organizations in Saudi Arabia (KSA) are facing many obstacles and challenges in successful implementation of supply chain technologies. Based on the data collected from surveying supply chain and logistics managers in 52 organizations based in KSA, this study proposes the possible challenges of Supply chain technologies faced by different categories of service organizations. The findings provide a new perspective in identifying the possible challenges faced by the service organizations to implement supply chain technologies.

A Comparative Study on Online Service Quality Perception of Two Major Regional Economies

AbstnctInformation Technologv hat redefined the paramevrs of doing the business in almost all industries. The use of orib* mode of selling products and services has opened doors of or* opportunities for companies on one hand and on other hand nan) obstacles and challenges are also coming in the way of effective and successful use of these new tools. Ranking industry is one of the most growing service sectors to shift their major components of services online to their customer. This stud) aims to examine the service quality of hanking websites offering services using E-S-Qual and E-KecS-Qual models in two markets - China and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The outcomes of this study will help in understanding the perception of the online scrvicc quality in two countries and also the variation in the culture. Questionnaire was used as a tool of data collection to collect the data from 107 customers in KSA and 115 customers in China, who were using the online banking facilities on regular basis. The constructs were measured using established E-S-Qual and E-RescS-Qual scales for service quality, after essential minor modification. Fulfillment and privacy appears to pla> a very- critical role in percevied value for Chinese online customers while it is not very important for KSA customers. Similarly, efficiency and responsiveness were more important for KSA customers compared to their counterparts. In addition to this the outcome of the results advocated that scales of E-S-Qual and E-RcscS-Qual can be successfully implemented in the online banking sector. The finding of this study can provide a solid >ase to replicate the same or related studies in the respective -egions.

Security behaviors of smartphone users

Purpose – This paper aims to report on the information security behaviors of smartphone users in an affluent economy of the Middle East. Design/methodology/approach – A model based on prior research, synthesized from a thorough literature review, is tested using survey data from 500 smartphone users representing three major mobile operating systems. Findings – The overall level of security behaviors is low. Regression coefficients indicate that the efficacy of security measures and the cost of adopting them are the main factors influencing smartphone security behaviors. At present, smartphone users are more worried about malware and data leakage than targeted information theft. Research limitations/implications – Threats and counter-measures co-evolve over time, and our findings, which describe the state of smartphone security at the current time, will need to be updated in the future. Practical implications – Measures to improve security practices of smartphone users are needed urgently. The findings ind...

Information technology adoption, possible challenges, and framework of supply chain management: A case study of a leading gulf economy

The importance of Supply Chain is increasing day by day as the operations of the service industry are becoming wider. The question raised over here is that whether the service companies are adopting the concept of supply chain frame work in an efficient way or not? In the end of nineteenth century and start of twentieth century many technologies related to information management were emerged to support the operations of an organization, growth of an organization, and quality improvement. Adoption of proper Information Technology tools in the frame work of the supply chain is the most important factor to maximize the efficiency. Service related public and private companies in UAE are facing many challenges and obstacles while implementing technological tools in their supply chain. To handle these challenges, it is essential to categories them according to the nature of the service organization. This can provide a solid base for service oriented companies to consider the challenges related to their categories more seriously and resolve them on priority bases. The case study approach is adopted in this research paper. The focus of the research is on the leading private and public sectors, which is dominant part in the economic growth of the country. Further categorization of these main services sectors based on the nature of business helps to understand the outcomes of the research from different angles. Primary data was collected from leading 71 companies of service industry over the period of one year. Suitable statistical techniques of level1 and level 2 are used to explore the possible relationship among the challenges with certain companies under service industry. The outcomes of the research can help the UAE service industry to consider the proposed challenges seriously in the adoption of the Information Technology in their supply chain framework.

The Role of Internet Marketing in the Development of Agricultural Industry: A Case Study of China

Agricultural producers in China encounter many issues in marketing their products to end customers. As a result, many have ended up selling their produce to middlemen, but many middlemen manipulate the situation and squeeze producers so that it has become difficult to realize profits. With the proliferation of Internet access and increasing computer literacy rates, this research seeks to understand if Internet marketing could play an important role in helping these agricultural producers. It identifies gaps and opportunities. Gaps exist when there are differences in producer and consumer opinions. This also points to opportunities which producers could leverage to improve their marketing capability. Moreover, these gaps also suggest that producers may be assuming risk in the wrong direction. The current research focuses on 12 identified roles and evaluates the possibility of their success in the agricultural sector of China.

Big data analytics: does organizational factor matters impact technology acceptance?

Ever since the emergence of big data concept, researchers have started applying the concept to various fields and tried to assess the level of acceptance of it with renown models like technology acceptance model (TAM) and it variations. In this regard, this paper tries to look at the factors that associated with the usage of big data analytics, by synchronizing TAM with organizational learning capabilities (OLC) framework. These models are applied on the construct, intended usage of big data and also the mediation effect of the OLC constructs is assessed. The data for the study is collected from the students pertaining to information technology disciplines at University of Liverpool, online programme. Though, invitation to participate e-mails are sent to 1035 students, only 359 members responded back with filled questionnaires. This study uses structural equation modelling and multivariate regression using ordinary least squares estimation to test the proposed hypotheses using the latest statistical software R. It is proved from the analysis that compared to other models, model 4 (which is constructed by using the constructs of OLC and TAM frameworks) is able to explain 44% variation in the usage pattern of big data. In addition to this, the mediation test performed revealed that the interaction between OLC dimensions and TAM dimensions on intended usage of big data has no mediation effect. Thus, this work provided inputs to the research community to look into the relation between the constructs of OLC framework and the selection of big data technology.

Are enterprises ready for big data analytics? A survey-based approach

Big data analytics is a fascinating topic in the field of computer science and information systems as it challenges fundamental aspects of computation. The aim of this study is to investigate the acceptance and usage of big data analytics in enterprises, and to understand how end-users perceptions and organisational factors influence the implementation of big data projects. This study unfolds in two objectives. The first objective is to examine the concepts and elements of big data and big data analytics. The second objective is to propose and empirically validate an extensive model of technology acceptance incorporating individual perceptions and organisational elements. The proposed research model expands the traditional technology acceptance model by incorporating the dimensions of organisational learning capabilities. This study surveyed 359 information technology professionals from 83 countries in various industries who are studying at the University of Liverpool Online. This study provides relevant academic and practical insight as it integrates two technology adoption frameworks.

Factors affecting learning capacity of information technology concepts in a classroom environment of adult learner

Research in adult multicultural education is sparse. Andragogy (by Knowles) describes the Art and Science of teaching adults. When teaching, educators have to take the adult as an experienced, self-directed and task oriented individual into consideration and be culturally intelligent. In addition, contemporary education in the technology field requires an approach, which is interactive, task oriented and focused on solving real-life problems. Educators, at RIMC/IMTC, at the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt, are faced with challenges like, multiculturalism, understanding adult education, and teaching IT concepts to these populations. As a work-related project, the investigator conducted the aforementioned research at RIMC/IMTC located at the U.S. Consulate General, Frankfurt. Current research is concerned with whether Andragogy can be applied to adults from different cultural backgrounds at IMTC Frankfurt. Specifically, the intent of the investigation is to determinewhether cultural factors have an impact on adults learning IT concepts at IMTC Frankfurt.

Ability and Hurdle to Provide Banking Online Services: A Case Study of Banking Employees in Nigeria

Identifying the employee version regarding the necessities of customers and the status of the technological initiatives is one of the latest strategies of the online banking companies. As many of the studies are limited to collect the opinion of the customer, the other side of the coin is not coming to lime light. So, the present study intended to capture the opinion of the employees regarding two vital aspects -- the ability of the organization to follow the pioneers of the industry with respect to adapting online banking practices and the hurdles that the online banking organizations are facing nationally and internationally. Two research questions are framed accordingly and the opinion of the employee regarding the questions is collected. A total of 90 employees of three reputed banks are selected at random and data is collected from them using the study tool, questionnaire. The collected is analyzed using simple statistical techniques and portrayed for better understanding. For the first question, answer is taken as yes and no and for the second research question, the average of the opinions regarding the social, economic, political and legal environments is considered. Thus, the opinion of the employees about Nigerian technology market is portrayed using pictorial representation. From the figures, it is affirmed that strategies have been being implemented in Nigeria by following the forerunners of the online banking industry. At the same time, it is also opined by majority of employees that the compartmentalized working of the sectors has become a big problem for the development of the online banking. On the whole, it is proved that synchronized services of all the sectors, aimed at customer oriented collaborative strategies can convince the customers to use online banking ventures and hence to upgrade themselves