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This review provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for novice researchers. This is a conceptual and literature-based review that focuses on best practices and PLS-SEM literature. It highlights the rationale for using PLS-SEM, sample size, software tools, and essential metrics in PLS-SEM analysis. Drawing on best practices and recent literature, the review offers a framework for conducting and reporting PLS-SEM analysis. The review presents essential such as outer loadings, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, average variance extracted (AVE), composite reliability, cross-loadings, Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio of correlations (HTMT), the Fornell-Larcker criterion, variance inflation factor (VIF), and redundancy analysis. Moreover, for more consistent results, the paper emphasizes on researchers to employ 10,000 bootstrap subsamples and Bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) bootstrap in assessing the structural model. Insights regarding path coefficients, p-values, R-square (R2), f-square (f2), and Q-square (Q2),  are also presented. Furthermore, the review underscores the trade-off between predictive power and model fit when applying PLS-SEM. The presented practical insights alert novice researchers in avoiding common pitfalls and enhance the methodological rigor of empirical research that utilizes PLS-SEM. This step-by-step guide supports early-career researchers and contributes to the ongoing debates on improving methodological clarity and transparency.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the roles of entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized businesses in fostering local economic development. Based on this assumption, this conceptual study attempts to investigate the function of small and medium-sized firms in LED. According to studies, the entrepreneurial spirit of the SME owner is a significant determinant of a SME's ability to surmount survival challenges and achieve sustainable growth. The article also attempts to locate and establish the purpose of the study by identifying the barriers that small and medium-sized businesses encounter in their efforts to contribute to economic growth and offering potential solutions to these barriers. Due to inadequate infrastructure development and a lack of the fundamental capabilities to control and influence local economic growth, the study concludes that exceptional measures are necessary to overcome obstacles such as finance and service. The purpose of this study is to answer the research question of whether the emphasis should be placed on creating competent entrepreneurs, particularly among previously disadvantaged individuals, if the government's goal to leverage the SMME sector is to have any significant success. It was noted that the LED is essential but has not been utilized frequently. Using a qualitative thematic analysis approach, the study accessed data on both private and public spaces primarily through secondary sources. The qualitative investigation accessed the foundational literature via a sophisticated search. According to the study, small and medium-sized enterprises play a crucial role in the promotion of LED. The study concluded, among other things, that the local level of governance in South African municipalities is incapable of providing basic services and the necessary infrastructure.

This study aimed to explore how soft skills development is done in higher education institutions (HEIs) by considering the roles of HEIs and students. The study used a mixed research approach comprising qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative data was collected from 16 students using semi-structured interviews. In comparison, quantitative data was collected using a standard questionnaire from 342 students pursuing management and administrative undergraduate programmes in one of the universities in Tanzania. Through questionnaires, participants were asked to rank soft skills according to their relevance to their careers. The top five most relevant soft skills identified were communication, leadership, decision-making, teamwork/orientation and problem-solving. In addition, participants self-evaluated their levels of soft skills. Findings demonstrate that students perceived to have more customer orientation, communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and work-ethic skills. Through qualitative interviews, participants narrated the role of HEIs in developing soft skills and their personal initiatives to acquire the skills. It was found that joining clubs and associations, taking leadership roles, reading self-development books, watching videos and attending soft skills training are initiatives that students use for soft skills acquisition.

Today is the era of digitalization. Nowadays, people prefer to attach their lives to social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Hence, manufacturers and producers use social media tremendously in this digital era to reach customers with their products and services. Thus, social media marketing has become famous for businesses to promote their products or services, engage with their customers, and build brand awareness. The present study focuses on reviewing the mediating role played by several social media platforms to gain the interest of consumers. This paper also aims to analyze the necessity of social media marketing compared to other marketing communication and promotion forms. This paper helps the reader decide whether to depend on social media only for marketing purposes or whether there can be a choice of another means. Without analyzing the pros and cons, relying heavily on social media platforms for marketing is not always a good idea. The author employed a qualitative and descriptive method for constructing the paper. This paper will review the literature regarding social media marketing compared to other means, try to recommend, and shed light on selecting the right marketing platform by different marketers. The study's main findings demonstrate that measures should be taken to enhance responsible use and limit some of its harmful effects. Furthermore, in providing insights into whether social media marketing is a necessity or a choice, the author suggests that productive utilization should be the main priority for all, whether social media or other platforms.

The Covid-19 pandemic, a catalyst in embracing the online mode of learning, is one of the key motivating factors for a paradigm shift in curriculum development due to the increased focus and reliance on technology. For the effective education of tertiary students globally, a revised curriculum development integrated with the Learning Management Systems and other eLearning platforms or tools that support asynchronous learning play a key role. This study seeks to determine the influence of user experience and user interface design of e-learning platforms on learning experience in higher education. A systematic review of studies regarding usability of e-learning platforms at tertiary institutions was conducted to determine the common issues and successes. A snapshot of research over the last five years was used in a systematic review to determine the influence of UX/UI on eLearning concerning higher education. Using the ERIC and Google scholar databases of journals, and specific criteria for selection of publications, 25 articles were examined in this study. Findings indicate that focused attention on interface design and user experience of eLearning systems for effective learning is crucial.

This study examines the strengths and limitations of 22 published journal articles by conducting a systematic literature review. The review revealed that the qualitative approach was flexible, offered in-depth and detailed information, allowed the use of multiple data collection methods and minimised the chance of having missing data. The approach was found (i) to integrate human touch, was cost-effective and was indeed the only option in some cases of research problems; (ii) to be prone to researchers’ subjectivity, involves complex data analysis, makes anonymity difficult and has limited scope in its generalizability, and (iii) to make replication of findings challenging, and the findings may be influenced by the researcher’s bias. It is concluded, therefore, that researchers should take necessary precautions when using the approach to ensure that the weaknesses of qualitative research do not bar them from achieving research objectives.

Novice and experienced researchers may encounter numerous methodological challenges when it comes to data collection. Data have to be collected from the right sources using appropriate data collection tools to make research studies impactful. There are numerous data collection methods that researchers may use but not all methods are appropriate for all research studies. Choosing inappropriate research methods may result in invalid research findings and lead to erroneous conclusions. This means researchers have to carefully choose data collection methods to make their studies achieve their respective goals. This study intended to identify factors that researchers have to consider in choosing data collection methods. A systematic literature review was used to analyze 28 journal articles published between 2018 and 2022. From the analysis the study identified ten (10) factors that researchers have to consider in choosing data collection methods. These factors are; the research goal, the scope of the study, sample size, type of data, time and user-friendliness to the subjects. Other factors are research approach, safety and security of a researcher, the need for triangulation and theoretical framework. Before choosing methods for data collection, it is important to put into consideration these factors to increase the chances of achieving research objectives and answering research questions of research projects.

Gen Z controls almost the entire population in the world with a total number of almost two billion people worldwide. This generation will be the largest consumer group in the world. In Indonesia itself, In 2020, Gen Z occupied the highest percentage of the population. Therefore, Gen Z is a potential target market that has a considerable influence on purchasing decisions. Based on the characteristics of Gen Z, who are digital natives, the use of social media is the right marketing strategy for consumers who are counted into Gen Z category. Promotional activities, as part of a marketing strategy, especially through social media require influencers as endorsers. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence the credibility attributes of social media influencers on the purchase intentions of Gen Z consumers. This study uses influencer credibility attributes (attractiveness, expertise, and trustworthiness) as independent variables that influence the purchase intention of Gen Z consumers with brand image as a mediation. This research is categorized as explanatory research. The respondents in this study were Gen Z who used Korean cosmetic products throughout Indonesia, the determination of the number of samples in this study used a purposive sampling technique with a sample of 210 respondents. The method of collecting data is using a questionnaire, the data is analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results showed that the three attributes of influencer credibility had a significant effect on the purchase intention of Gen Z. The three attributes of credibility had a significant effect on brand image, brand image had a significant effect on purchase intention. Brand image can provide a full mediating role in the relationship of influencer credibility to the purchase intention of Gen Z consumers. Local cosmetic industry players are expected to improve marketing strategies through online channels, especially social media by utilizing the right influencers as their endorsers, because it is proven in this study, credibility of social media influencers have a significant effect on the brand image of a product and the purchase intention of Gen Z consumers, so that the local cosmetic industry in Indonesia can compete with foreign cosmetic industries.

This study aims to evaluate the factors that influence data saturation in qualitative studies. The study adopted a systematic literature review of 24 journal articles published between 2018 and 2022. The articles were obtained from a Google scholar database.  The findings point to five factors that affect data saturation namely, pre-determined codes and themes, sample size, relevancy of research subjects (respondents), number of research methods, and length of data collection sessions. It is argued in this paper, therefore, that in order to attain data saturation, researchers should consider multiple factors that may affect data saturation in order to increase the validity of qualitative studies.

The study aimed to determine the correlation between self-efficacy and work performance as mediated by the work environment. To support the theory of study, literature was reviewed. The study used the descriptive correlational research design and to gather the data, questionnaires were used. The population of the study was all the faculty and employees of the Divine Word Colleges in the Ilocos Region, Philippines. The study found that their self-efficacy is high and it affects the work performance specifically task and contextual work performance but no correlation with the counterproductive behavior. The study found that work environment affects self-efficacy and work performance along with the three dimensions such as task performance, contextual performance, and counterproductive work behavior. Therefore, the hypotheses of the study are accepted.

The purpose of this essay is to discuss the phases and challenges of the explanatory sequential design (ESD hereinafter) of mixed methods research (MMR hereinafter) by reviewing relevant literature. The literature was explored during the design stage of a Ph.D. project that sought to examine the relationship among social capital, education, and employment for foreign students graduating from several Estonian universities. The review finds that the explanatory sequential design of MMR is much more complex than just sequencing how and what kind of data to collect; it also entails selecting how data will be processed and presented using a range of techniques that are often riddled with difficulties. By addressing these ideas, this paper will aid those interested in comprehending the summary of the explanatory sequential design of MMR.

The main purpose of this study is to measure up to what extent the independent factors defined by capital adequacy ratio, non-performing loans ratio, cost-income ratio, liquidity ratio, and loans-to-deposits ratio impact the financial performance of sixteen commercial banks operating in the United Arab Emirates using panel data for the period of 2013-2019. The secondary data was collected from banks and examined by applying standard descriptive statistics and the random effect model for hypothesis testing. It is concluded from the regression outcomes that non-performing loans ratio and cost-income ratio have a significant negative impact on commercial banks profitability in the United Arab Emirates, while capital adequacy ratio, liquidity ratio, and loans -to-deposits ratio all have a very weak positive relationship on the return on assets but they are not determinants of bank’s profitability due to the insignificant statistical impact on it. It is therefore suggested that to enhance financial performance and minimize the risk of non-performing loans in the future, banks must watch very carefully the loans’ performance and analyze thoroughly the clients’ credit history and ability to pay back their debts prior to any approval of loan applications. Furthermore, banks should continuously improve their assets utilization, liquidity, and techniques of managing operating costs, improve the impact of capital adequacy, and the use of deposits for lending activities from a weak positive impact to a significant positive impact on their profitability. The researchers recommend that future studies on credit risk management influence on banks’ financial performance should consider more independent variables and longer periods of study such as twenty or thirty years to have more accuracy and generalized results.  

Experiencing a pandemic and being quarantined have been proven to have debilitating effects in mental health. Some of the existing studies mentioned in this research have been conducted to assess the presence of possible mental health concerns brought about by the pandemic but most of these studies focused on the earlier phase of the pandemic. The present study focuses on the reported distress of the respondents who have been through a strict quarantine since March 2020 and are now experiencing a more relaxed lockdown. The objective of this research is to determine if COVID stress predicts common mental health concerns such as stress, depression and anxiety. A survey was conducted with 421 Filipino respondents ages 15 – 65 utilizing the COVID Stress Scales (CSS) by Taylor et al. (2020) and DASS-21. Correlational analysis was utilized showing the COVID Stress is a predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Then, comparative analyses were conducted to determine if differences of COVID stress across age groups, gender, occupation, and exposure. The results show that students and unemployed respondents are highly vulnerable to COVID stress and its mental health implications. Men and women did not significantly differ in distress. Surprisingly, those who have a COVID positive family member had the lowest COVID stress and DASS scores. There were 40.7% percent who experienced moderate to severe stress, 60.3% had moderate to severe anxiety and 53.1% of the respondents had moderate to severe depression. These findings show that the pandemic stress has debilitating effects on mental health. Common mental health concerns (e.g. depression and anxiety) may be highly prevalent due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Online banking has become a vital instrument for delivering quality and easily reached banking services at the lowest possible time with ensuring affordability both for customers and service providers. Although this banking has huge potentials and benefits, the successful adoption of online banking remains a significant challenge in the context of an emerging economy like Bangladesh. The purpose of this empirical study is to investigate the factors influencing the online banking services adoption in Bangladesh by using the extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with government support and risk factors. A questionnaire survey method was used to collect data from 380 banking customers.  To analyse the collected survey data and test the set of hypothesis, a structural equation modelling (SEM) method was used with the help of SmartPLS3 package. The results illustrate that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude towards use, government support positively influence the intention to use as well as the intention to use positively impact on intention to continue to the adoption of online banking services. However, the relationship between risk and intention to use was statistically insignificant. Finally, the findings may assist banking professionals and programmers to develop and design successful policies regarding online banking services to boost this service industry in the future.

The aim of this research is to examine the effect of the customer loyalty program on customer satisfaction and its impact on customer loyalty. This program is developed by the company in order to increase customer satisfaction. Optimal customer satisfaction will be able to create customer loyalty. For a company, customer loyalty will guarantee the company’s income to be constantly optimal. The research is conducted using the survey method involving 110 customers and 100 feasible data used. The sampling technique used is judgment sampling and data collected through the questionnaire. It uses SEM in examining hypotheses assisted by software AMOS version 20.0. Member card significantly affects customer satisfaction, while discount promo has no significant effect on customer satisfaction and it also doesn’t affect customer loyalty. Member cards and discount promo have a direct effect on customer loyalty. In general, it can be understood that the customer loyalty program applied by Alfamart either member card or discount promo affects customer satisfaction and has an impact on customer loyalty. This research gives input to retail business managers in managing customer satisfaction through the proper development of customer loyalty programs.

Positive organizational scholarship has gained attention in recent years which emphasizes investing in employee strengths. Review of relevant literature gave some insights on the relationship between organizational climate, inter-individual relationships and thriving at work. This study examines the impact of organizational trust on thriving at work quantitatively. Data was obtained from sample of academicians all over Turkey (n=422) participated to cross-sectional survey study stating their trust to management, supervisor, colleagues and their thriving at work. The structural equation modelling results showed a strong positive relationship between organizational trust and thriving at work (?=.74). Also, it was the first time thriving at work scale has been assessed in Turkey. The validity and reliability scores indicate its usability in Turkish literature.

The aim of this research is to understand the factors behind smartphone purchase decisions of consumers. Nowadays companies make use of various strategies in order to attract new customers, retain existing customers and differentiate their products from those of their competitors. Perhaps, the most important and effective strategy to influence consumer behavior in the product selection is emphasizing the “brand name” of the products. Our aim in this paper is to investigate how smartphone brands can influence consumers’ buying decisions. Brand equity is a set of brand assets and liabilities linked to a brand name and symbol, which add to or subtract from the value provided by a product or service. It enhances the customer’s ability to interpret and process information, improves confidence in the purchase decision and affects the quality of the user experience. Using this construct widely discussed in the literature, we use and build our hypothesis based on Aaker model about the brand equity, including perceived quality, brand awareness, brand association and brand loyalty. The study involved a questionnaire administered to 171 smartphone consumers between December 2015 and March 2016. The consumers were chosen by convenience sampling among the students from a prestigious university in the Istanbul district of Turkey. Our findings indicate that a majority of the smartphone buyers’ decisions are mainly influenced by brand loyalty and brand awareness. Perceived quality and brand association do not seem to influence purchase decisions for the sample of this study.

Social media and social media tools have improved rapidly and started to influence society especially in recent years. This influence has forced businesses to revolutionize their communication with the external environment. The fact that Web 2.0 has an influence on consumer behavior, and that it makes the consumers stronger; requires faster, more flexible and more sensitive communication processes in businesses. Especially during a time of crisis, a business’ communication with the external environment is quite critical. For this reason, the way how the crisis communication is managed through social media is vital for businesses. In this article, the perceptions of how to manage businesses during a time of crisis so that they make minimum loss, is shared.

In this research paper we investigated the determinants likely to influence the adoption of mobile banking services, with a special focus on under banked/unbanked low-income population of Pakistan. The adoption of mobile banking services has been a strategic goal, both for banks and telcos. For this purpose, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used, with additional determinants of perceived risk and social influence. Data was collected by surveying 372 respondents from the two largest cities (Karachi and Hyderabad) of the province Sindh, in Pakistan using judgement sampling method. This study empirically concluded that consumers’ intention to adopt mobile banking services was significantly influenced by social influence, perceived risk, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use. The most significant positive impact was of social influence on consumers’ intention to adopt mobile banking services. The paper concluded with discussion on results, and several business implications for the banking industry of Pakistan.

The relationship between leader and followers plays a vital role, particularly in educational institutions where a keen understanding of human character and high level of social interaction ought to be facilitated. For this reason, in stark contrast to contemporary leaders who see people only as units of production or expendable resources in a profit and loss statement, servant leadership focuses on meeting the needs of followers, making them reach their maximum potential and so perform optimally in order to achieve organizational goals and objectives. This study examines the effects of servant leadership behaviors of private college principals on teachers’ organizational citizenship behavior and job performance. Using 300 respondents from the private education institutes in Turkey, servant leadership behavior is examined for its indirect effects on organizational citizenship behavior and job performance by its impact on organizational justice. Organizational justice acts as a mediator between the variables in question. All the results are in support of the studied mediation effects. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.