Sedigheh Moghavvemi

Factors influencing the use of social media by SMEs and its performance outcomes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that influence Facebook usage among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In addition, it examines the impact of Facebook usage on financial and non-financial performance of the SMEs. Design/methodology/approach – Using integrated model, this study examined the influence of compatibility, cost effectiveness, interactivity and trust on Facebook usage and its subsequent impact on organizations performance. Statistical analyses were based on the data collected, through survey questionnaire from 259 SMEs in Malaysia. Partial Least Square (PLS) method was used to test the hypotheses. Findings – The study revealed that Facebook usage has a strong positive impact on financial performance of SMEs; similarly it was also found that Facebook usage positively impacts the non-financial performance of SMEs in terms of cost reduction on marketing and customer service, improved customer relations and improved information accessibility. Additionally, factors...

Malaysian Entrepreneurs Propensity to Use IT Innovation

Purpose - Since technology adoption is frequently replicated with minor tweaks and extensions; the theoretical perspective from other fields is used to shed additional light on an individual’s technology acceptance. The Entrepreneurial Event Model (EPM) is an intentional model, which measures the volitional aspect of the behaviour. The current study seeks to revise and validate this model in the technology acceptance context, and investigate IT innovation adoption.Design/methodology/approach - In order to test the proposed research model, data are collected through a questionnaire survey from 1000 entrepreneurs involved in providing professional services in manufacturing, telecommunication, education, banking and finance, service, and agriculture within Malaysia. Structural equation modelling technique was used to evaluate the research model.Finding - The results of the study revealed that the model is a robust model to measure individual dimensions towards technology adoption. The results indicated that the propensity to use, perceived desirability and perceived feasibility are significantly and positively related to the intention to use IT innovation. EPM was able to account for 82 percent of the variance in usage intention, and provide a useful tool for managers to access the likelihood of success for new technologies.Originality/value - This paper has positive implications for academic, managers and policy makers. Applying EPM model in technology acceptance will shed additional light on this area, and reveal new knowledge perspectives. Policy makers could encourage early adopter entrepreneurs to adopt and use IT innovation in their businesses, which in turn, will encourage others to look to early adopter and emulate them, thus increasing the rate of adoption and the use of IT innovation.

The Entrepreneur's Perception on Information Technology Innovation Adoption: An Empirical Analysis of the Role of Precipitating Events on Usage Behavior

The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) is a fairly developed model. Like any model, however, it has limitations, mainly in its relationship between the intention and use behavior. This paper will attempt to explain the influence of external factors that potentially inhibit or facilitate the performance of a behavior, as well as effects of the propensity to act on determinants toward intention for action. Based on the UTAUT limitations, we added precipitating events to measure the effect of external factors (such as government policy, financial crisis, and new market) on IT innovation and adoption and examined the effect of the propensity to act as a moderator on the relationship between the determinants intention and usage behavior, and hypothesized that in the condition where propensity to act is high, taking action will be more predictable. The data used to test the hypotheses were collected from a varied spectrum of Malaysian industries and entrepreneurs (SMEs owners). A total of 1,000 businesses were identified and questionnaires were distributed in person by the authors, and 420 completed questionnaires were returned. The research model used structural equation modeling techniques, and the current study validated the UTAUT model in the entrepreneurship context while showing that performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence were all positive influences on behavior intention. Facilitating conditions and behavior intention are important variables for determining the origins of behavior for IT innovation. The results of the study confirmed the moderating effects of propensity to act and precipitating factors in the model. Results indicated that precipitating events can capture the influence of external factors on the behavioural intention to take action, improve the model, and fill the intention–behaviour gap. The current study shows the significant effect of life events on the behavioural intention to take action.

The Impact of Emotional Solidarity on Residents’ Attitude and Tourism Development

In many countries, especially one such as Malaysia, tourism has become a key factor in economic development, and the industry heavily relies on feedback from local residents. It is essential to observe and examine the perceptions of residents towards tourists and tourism development for better planning in realizing successful and sustainable tourism development. Therefore, this research measured the relationship between residents’ welcoming nature, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding (emotional solidarity) towards tourists and their respective attitudes towards supporting tourism development. To test the proposed research model, we collected data using a questionnaire survey from 333 residents in rural areas in Malaysia. We used the structural equation modelling technique (Amos) to evaluate the research model, and the results revealed that the residents’ willingness (welcoming nature) to accept tourists is the strongest factor that effects the residents’ attitudes towards supporting tourism development. However, there was no significant relationship between residents’ emotional closeness and their sympathetic understanding towards tourists with their attitude and support towards tourism development. Welcoming nature, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding are able to predict 48% of residents’ attitudes towards tourism development and 62% of their support towards tourism development.

Entrepreneurs Adoption of Information System Innovation: The Impact of Individual Perception and Exogenous Factors on Entrepreneurs’ Behavior

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore technology acceptance and use behavior of IS innovations by entrepreneurs. To measure the perception of IS innovations by entrepreneurs the authors review unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and the entrepreneurial potential model, empirically compare the two models, develop a new model that integrates elements from the two models, and then empirically validate the new model (technology adoption decision and use (TADU)) in a technology acceptance context. Design/methodology/approach The data used to test the hypothesis are collected from 1,200 entrepreneurs in Malaysia. The research model was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings The results indicate that perceived desirability and perceived feasibility have significant effects on entrepreneurs’ intention to adopt and use innovations. Propensity to use is an important factor that has a significant effect on individual behavior. The precipitating events that happen in the time lag between intention and behavior will disrupt entrepreneurs’ inertia and induce a change in their behavior, encouraging them to seek the best opportunity available. Practical implications Understanding the individual, technological, and environmental factors that significantly affect IT adoption behavior can support policy makers in providing guidance on the adoption and usage of IT innovations by entrepreneurs. Originality/value This study proposes a TADU model with six core determinants of intention and usage – perceived desirability, perceived feasibility, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions and two new moderators, precipitating events and the propensity to act.

Exploring visitors’ experience using strategic experiential modules (SEMs): the case of Zoo Negara, Kuala Lumpur

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of visitors using the strategic experiential modules (SEMs). Design/methodology/approach – In this study, the authors analysed a total of 37 essays written by University of Malaya students who visited the attraction on 23 November 2013. The aim is to explore what constitutes the elements within the SEMs, pertaining to the students’ visit. The results are potentially useful for future Zoo Negara marketing communication initiatives, as well as for the management to remedy the shortfalls which have hindered Zoo Negara from operating as a self-sustaining attraction. Findings – The results confirmed the applicability of all five dimensions of the modules, which include both positive and negative elements. Of the five dimensions, THINK and SENSE were the most frequently expressed. Originality/value – Though this study offers no theoretical contribution, it does demonstrate the applicability of the Schmitt theory on SEMs and the usefulness of such...

Effect of precipitating events on information system adoption and use behaviour

Purpose – There were numerous models that were developed with the explicit purpose of predicting the information system (IS) adoption behaviour. However, these models are criticized for the fact that they do not accurately capture the effect of external factors (unforeseen events) on individual intention, which may inhibit the act of adopting and using IS. The purpose of this paper is to investigate these external factors among entrepreneur(s) and measure how the individuals propensity to use affects the adoption and use of IS innovation. This paper will also attempt to investigate the key determinants of the adoption of IT innovation among entrepreneurs in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the research model, a questionnaire was developed, and data collected from entrepreneurs based in Klang Valley Malaysia. In all, 326 responses were collected, and the research model was applied using the structural equation modelling technique. Findings – The performance expectancy and the...

Student’s perceptions towards using e-learning via Facebook

ABSTRACT Research on utilising social networks for teaching and learning is relatively scarce in the context of information systems. There is far more emphasis on studying the usage of social networks towards fulfilling individuals’ basic social needs. This study uses the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) to analyse students’ intention to use and use of e-learning via Facebook. It incorporates playfulness into the UTAUT2 model and categorises the determinants of intention to use e-learning via Facebook into three categories, namely, hedonic values, utilitarian values, and communication values. The data were collected in a two-stage survey from 170 undergraduate students, and the model was tested using structural equation modelling. We found that hedonic motivation, perceived playfulness, and performance expectancy were strong determinants of students’ intention to use e-learning, while habit and facilitating conditions all positively affected students’ use of e-learning via Facebook. The results of this study report new knowledge that academic institutions can utilise to create appropriate e-learning environments for teaching and learning. A number of theoretical and managerial implications for universities’ implementation technologies were also identified.

Facebook and YouTube addiction: The usage pattern of Malaysian students

This paper explores the usage of Facebook and YouTube among Malaysian students and the possibility of internet addiction in order to determine the effect of using social media in their social and academic lives. Data was collected from 667 Facebook users and 1056 YouTube users. Examining Youngs [1]Internet addiction scale among the students revealed that 18% of Facebook users and 22% of YouTube users are addicted, and they spend more than two hours on Facebook and YouTube per day. They use Facebook for information, maintain relationships, academic learning, product inquiry, and meeting people, while YouTube is used for entertainment, information, academic learning, and product inquiry. These results create awareness for instructors and academic institution using YouTube videos and Facebook as complementary tools for teaching. They should be aware of the potential for compulsive and addicted users to be distracted from prescribed videos to unrelated materials.

Malaysian Islamic medical tourism market: a SWOT analysis

Purpose This paper aims to examine challenges and prospects of the Malaysian Islamic medical tourism sector and suggests strategies to leverage the strengths and opportunities as well as overcome the weaknesses and threats. Design/methodology/approach A series of semi-structured interviews were conducted with the Islamic hospital managers. Information collected was transcribed and content analysis was used to group the variables into the four SWOT categories. Findings The SWOT analysis identified several strengths (e.g. great hospitality, country’s characteristics and development of Islamic compliant hospital), weaknesses (e.g. low international certifications), opportunities (e.g. growing Muslim populations, Sept 11 incidence) and threats (e.g. competition from major medical tourism market and non-uniformity of Islamic medical tourism standards). Research limitations/implications This paper could provide understanding of the sector and fundamental on the Islamic medical tourism market. Yet the SWOT analysis does not indicate how to achieve competitive advantage and result may become obsolete, with the dynamic environments. Practical implications This paper could serve as a guideline for the industry stakeholders to have better understanding in their business environment. Originality/value This paper is the first of its kind to integrate SWOT analysis and Islamic medical tourism industry. Hence, the findings could broaden knowledge on Islamic medical tourism industry and facilitate firms in tapping the growing market.