Abstract Marketing Analytics is gaining much importance in the current digital trans formation age. Marketers consider and experiment with new-age marketing communication tactics to ensure their advertisements are engaging. Storytel ling is one such form of advertising which is gaining momentum. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of Storytelling on consumer purchase intentions. We ran a survey of 150 participants who underwent advertisement viewing and later filled a questionnaire in this study. The collected data was analysed using marketing analytics and statistical tools such as Factor analysis and Re gression analysis.

Abstract Entering the 21st century, the world’s road transportation industry has been developing rapidly. Many cargos were loaded and transshipped by road fromone side of a country to the other side, instead of staying on boats, to save time. However, road transportation has been facing heavy pressures like high energy consumptions and pollution emissions. Therefore, an efficient and low emission transportation mode, drop-and-pull (DP), emerged and was widely acknowledged all over the world. China’s Ministry of Transport started a pilot project of DP transportation in 2010. Several provinces and cities, including Ningbo City in Zhejiang Province, across the country were selected as pilot zones for DP transportation. Here, the practice of DP transportation mode in Ningbo is clearly depicted according to a dozen of logistics and shipping companies’ activities and an all-round SWOT analysis about Ningbo city is fully presented as a valuable reference for decision makers to precisely grip Ningbo’s advantages and further tailor Ningbo to suit the DP transportation mode better.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many schools rapidly rolled out online learning due to school closure or lockdown. This study assessed the online learning experience of 193 students in different universities of Rwanda during COVID-19. The reported main advantages of online learning revolved around the comfortability and self-responsibility in their studies. However, internet access and stability remained the biggest challenges. Respondents reported online learning not stimulating, lacked interactions with other students and with instructors, and they were distracted easily and had difficulty to maintain their discipline. Many students indicated they prefer in-person classes over online learning. Investment to provide students stable internet access and to training instructors to design more interactive and engaging online learning materials according to best practices could improve the students’ online experience. The use of blended online and in-person classroom learning to maximize students learning experiences and outcomes should be explored.

Abstract The study examines the effect of payments system innovations on the performance of commercial banks in Nigeria, Ex post factor research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprises all the banks operating in Nigeria. Data were collected from the economic reports and statistical bulletin of central bank of Nigeria. The Auto-Regressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) bounds approach to co-integration was adopted on quarterly time-series data from Q1 2007 to Q4 2020 to test the causal relationship between payments system innovations and financial performance of commercial banks in Nigeria. The results indicated that mobile payment, POS transactions and internet payment have positive and significant impact on return on assets of commercial banks in Nigeria, while RTGS has negative impact on the return of assets. The results of the study will fill the knowledge gap and will benefit both regulators and operators in making decision-making process and development of new policies that will aid the promotion of innovative products for safe reliable, and credible payments system and in identify payments system technology, projects and initiatives that are significantly viable, respectively. The study recommends the need for the commercial banks in Nigeria to undertake massive mass media enlightenment campaigns on all payments system innovations/initiatives.

Abstract This study investigated supply chain performance measurement for the manufacturing industry based on the primary and the secondary data and developed Integrated Supply Chain Performance Measurement (ISCPM) model through the supply chain performance attributes in the outlook of input-process-output considering the BSC and the SCOR model at three decisions levels. In the context of the current market dynamics and uncertainties, companies need to upgrade and prepare for resilient supply chain operations, identify the gaps in new normal especially after the pandemic COVID 19, and way forward to address how companies will be organized to handle the strategic supply chain issues and maneuver promptly to ensure a smooth and flawless operation which is extremely challenging in this unpredictable moment. The integrated model incorporates ten supply chain performance measurement attributes and thirty-six performance measurement indexes as supplier relationship management (SRM), internal supply chain management (ISCM), and customer relationship management (CRM). Finally, the ISCPM model reviews and appraise the operational performance of an organization.

Abstract Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a powerful analytical tool that is considered as one of the most useful techniques to measure the efficiency of Decision Making Units (DMUs) in certain industry segments. However, there is a scarcity of reported use to assess pension funds’ performance due to the complexities of such funds. The few papers that can be found in literature do not consider the main characteristics of pension funds such as uncontrollable variables for managers, regulations, and funds’ status (fully funded/underfunded pension plans). Regulations affect such investment vehicles in many ways from investment strategy, tax status, reporting requirements and others. Also, as the by-product of our past research in this field the authors ran into some unexpected outcomes where some funds had achieved an extremely low efficiency score. This is very highly unusual and invited additional research. There are very few papers in the literature on extremely low efficiency scores, and there is a paucity of cogent explanations on why this is the case. Therefore, while evaluating the pension funds’ performance through DEA we worked on this problem in some detail to uncover the reason(s) for such low minimum efficiency scores for pension funds. We found that the presence of very low efficiency scores phenomena is not uncommon in pension funds industry but is in other industry studies.

Abstract The increasing use of big data within the economics field has led academics and professionals to broaden the investigation of its consequences in corporate decision-making processes. Until now, scholars and managers have been focused only on the technical aspects of big data, without emphasizing the influence they exert on the effectiveness of decision-making systems. Firstly, this paper aims to review the literature which concerns the study of the relationship between the use of big data and its effectiveness in corporate decision-making system. Secondly, it provides relevant evidence to analyze whether big data acts as a facilitator for the implementation of advanced decision making models and eventually how. In this aspect, our work identifies the key factors that support the corporate decision-making process by proposing a possible corporate governance model. The theoretical framework that we have adopted relies on big data management studies, with a specific focus on the implications which show that the use of big data can generate the decision-making dynamics of companies and organizations. The current paper provides both theoretical and managerial contributions to the literature on big data and decision making, defining future perspectives to advance knowledge in this research area.

Abstract Urban culture is the foundation and lifeblood of a city’s sustainable development. A city’s brand is often rooted in its culture, showcasing and then reviving the urban culture. Characteristic and traditional food, as an element that can quickly bring urban culture and its stakeholders closer, may be able to reconcile conflicts in the development of urban culture and city brands. Taking Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China as a case site, this study for the first time takes food experience as an intermediary variable to construct a structural equation model to empirically examine the influence mechanism of urban cultural cognition on city brand. Research results show that food experience plays a partial intermediary role in urban cultural cognition and city brand identity. This study supplements the research on urban cultural perception and city brand perception and provides suggestions for the revival of urban historical culture and sustainable urban branding practices through characteristic and traditional food.

Abstract With the development of science and technology and the popularization of the Internet, entrepreneurship is no longer such an unattainable dream, and waves of entrepreneurship have emerged around the world. It has become a trend in contemporary economic activities. However, data from the service industry shows that the average survival rate of young start-ups is less than 4 years. Therefore, this study actually entered the teaching field, discussed the entrepreneurship teaching method in the service industry, and considered whether the method of the experiential learning theory model can be applied to the field of entrepreneurship teaching in the service industry. This research deeply analyzes the way entrepreneurship education is carried out in the teaching field through action research, and uses semi-structured interviews and other methods to understand the real mentality and reflection of learners, and obtains the real evaluation opinions of the industry through the opinions of experts in related fields. Get directions for improvement in entrepreneurship education within the school system. The findings of this study largely support the application of the experiential learning theory model in the field of entrepreneurship education and teaching, and make a certain contribution to the teaching of service industry start-ups. In addition to helping the cultivation of future young creative entrepreneurs, it also provides policy formulation. It will be a reference for the authors to promote higher education entrepreneurship education programs in the future.

Abstract In our current society, the citizens face many different obstacles. These obstacles occur over a wide spectrum from harsh environmental conditions, the rise in the cost of living, a large variety of diseases, an increase in suicide occurrences, the rise in crime, and different personal conflicts. These issues have made it challenging for those individuals to live healthy and complete life. Since our society is not perfect and people look for comfort, these stressors can cause great discomfort and pain. Then, this, unfortunately, leads to increased stress. Therefore, the idea of wellness is driven by citizens seeking different avenues they can have a happy life while decreasing the negative consequences. Wellness is the way an individual becomes aware of his/her health and the desire to make healthier choices (Wali & Zahid, 2013). In order to have a higher quality of living, individuals need to take care of their mental and physical well-being. Patients need to develop different skill sets and enhance their knowledge to have a better life. Wellness has eight different areas that can create a fulfilling life and is included in the patient’s everyday living. The eight key wellness areas are emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual (Solanki et al., 2020). It is crucial to follow these eight key areas of wellness because they will lead to a healthy lifestyle and help to remove negative concepts that impede healthy living. This service idea includes developing a wellness center for coaching and aiding those that need physical and mental services. The successful creation of these wellness facilities with key to providing patients with life skills, focusing on how to manage key diseases such as diabetes. The wellness center will not only be important for improving each individual patient’s health but create a society that is synced.

Abstract With the rapid rise of the digital revolution, indirect service offerings to the customers through third parties, now referred to as the sharing economy, have become the norm for many operations. This has some implications both on the general service provisions and key operational aspects such as how to motivate the service suppliers and who is responsible for that. This study evaluated the operations of one ride-sharing company and sought to understand the motivation of the service suppliers from a triadic perspective of employer (firm), service supplier (driver), and customer rather than the traditional employer-employee perspective. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. The drivers were generally contented with the remuneration and reward system as well as the training and development opportunities. The findings showed that the firm has not focused as much on motivating its drivers from the customer-related side.

Abstract This paper attempts to extend our understanding of service operations in the advent of virtual services. Through analysis of the central aspects of the service delivery process and extant service classification literature, the paper introduces a service provider-customer input-based service classification. Empirical breakdown of a number of service processes to their constituent parts suggests that for a service classification to be complete it ought to consider the actions and input of the service provider and of the customer. Additionally, it is suggested that there are different variants of information-intensive services. The findings point towards emergent high-potential research areas in service operations management.

Abstract The smart construction of hub airports is generally mature, but there are differences in ageing-friendly services. Based on the DEMATEL-AHP method, this paper analyzes the influencing factors and differences in the development level of ageing-friendly services in four major hub airports in China (Beijing Daxing International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, and Shenzhen Baoan International Airport). The paper finds that: the indicators of the degree of full passenger service in the four major hub airports have the highest influence value as active elements within the ageing-friendly service level indicator system, while full escort service and special passenger or caring service counters are most likely to be influenced by other indicator elements; the degree of full passenger self-service, priority travel service access, and baggage check-in security system or manual check-in service are the core elements that influence the ageing-friendly level the core elements that influence the improvement of the ageing-friendly service level at hub airports determine the trend direction of the overall ageing-friendly service level; immigration processing services and hand luggage security check information management system service are mostly shown as the cause elements; the service scope covered by the ageing-friendly service content at hub airports has little difference, but the emphasis of the ageing-friendly service is different.

Abstract Managing complex service operations requires a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental dynamics and intricacies that affect the performance of service firms. This study is a review of the critical literature on how quality management, customer inputs, and operational complexity are interrelated and their respective influence on the delivery of knowledge-based service operations. Research propositions are developed to illustrate the key relationships among concepts and basic components of service quality, indispensable customer inputs, and prime sources of operational complexity. The study identifies two dimensions of quality; process quality and output quality and four categories of customer inputs; physical presence, task performance, material belongings, and information and knowledge. The study pinpoints four sources of operational complexity; complicatedness, uncertainty, interrelatedness, and multiplicity. A conceptual model is developed as a foundation for future research, particularly in service delivery systems, customer evaluation tools, and complex systems. The study extends knowledge of how knowledge-based service operations can enhance productivity by managing quality, customer inputs, and operational complexity.

Abstract The transformation process is at the centre of the wider discipline of operations management. But whilst it is widely studied from both manufacturing and service perspectives, very few studies look at the underpinning relationships amongst its constituent parts. This paper seeks to enrich our understanding of linkages between customer input, service delivery system, and the service concept through a review of service operations management literature. The traditional service classification dimensions/theories are evaluated in light of the emergent information intensity aspect of virtual services. The emergent tentative insights are summarised in a conceptual framework.

Abstract Currently, in the context of rural revitalization in China, a large number of villages are starting to develop tourism. However, different models of tourism development in poor mountainous areas have completely different and inequitable impacts on the development of local communities and local enterprises. In this paper, by comparing the tourism development models of two townships in Wulong District, Chongqing—Fairy mountain Town and Zhao’s Town, we find that the government-controlled tourism development model causes more inequities, while the community-led development model is more equitable, albeit less efficient.

Abstract Background: Organizations’ and businesses’ ways of operation have drastically changed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The whole world’s way of working shifted in which the physical workspaces have been replaced with virtual ones in the comfort of the home which led to the introduction and innovation of techniques that makes work and collaborative works and systems run easier. These innovations and systems which utilize technology were introduced to drive operational excellence in order to create an environment that ensures stakeholders’ satisfaction, which is a vital part of Project management. Operational Excellence considers different aspects of project management which include; leadership, cooperation, continuous improvement to meet client’s expectations, and a broader vision. The system of operational excellence optimizes production processes, high potency, and client and market orientation. Operational Excellence is considered an important part of the success of a business as it outlines the systematic management to realize outstanding performance. Collaboration solutions and work environments have become a crucial part in order to maximize the use and innovation of techniques that protects communities, employees, and clients. Each of the new techniques had challenges since this was not like any other kind of pandemic and new risks were emerging all the time. Purpose: The study investigates the applicability of collaborative environments and how organizations establish their regulatory policies to ensure effective adoption of the tool and generate operational excellence and stakeholder satisfaction. Methods: The study methodology that has been used for this research is a qualitative and quantitative analysis, surveys, and interviews. Results: Participants saw a clear value in collaborative environments and systems that drive operational excellence. However, others had a different opinion on why many organizations fail to introduce a collaborative environment within their internal and external processes.Conclusion: Collaborative solutions in regard to stakeholder management and operational excellence oppose a unique challenge in the matter of integrating them during the pandemic even though they generate great opportunities. An organization should invest in a collaborative environment and operational excellence while developing a robust and reliable system that can uphold its processes which will result in operations that are run more smoothly, increased productivity, and reaching the organizations’ objectives.

Abstract Currently, cash distribution experts know the importance of supporting decisions in an optimization model. Different enterprises and institutions design their distribution routes in an empirical way, without using robust theoretical tools that minimize transport costs and maximize levels of customer satisfaction. Particularly, considering the case of the Bank of Mexico, the distribution of metallic coins is a fundamental process. However, there are areas of opportunity in planning and scheduling distribution routes, which could lead to coin shortage, and delays in deliveries to end-users generating high costs for the institution. The objective of this study is to propose the use of an optimization model for minimizing the cost of distributing metallic coins in Mexico,which has different delivery points all over the country. The number of the required origin warehouses is determined, as well as the routes for each vehicle, minimizing the distribution costs. Based on the results, this research is also considered relevant for other banking institutions to help in their making-decision process.

Abstract Purpose: The Important principles of the Agile Manifesto can be identified directly or indirectly from the characteristics of a team Agile development. It works by iterative and incremental cycles of creating value for the user, it is self-organized, in constant collaboration with his client, and tries to continuously improve by wearing a critical look at his activity and his way of function. Faced with this wide variety of choices, an inevitable question arises for companies wishing to deploy Agile: How does empowerment occur through an interactional change in Agile team developments? To address this research question, this article follows a grounded theory approach and draws on 20 semi-structured in-depth interviews with team members and project managers working with the Agile approach. From analyzing the teams and their interactions, the creation of empowerment through continuous interactions with their stakeholders in the organizational context of petroleum industries. Design/Method/Approach: In order to understand the principles of the Agile method and the empowerment of the team in the context of Agile, we conducted an exploratory case study in a petroleum company. This study is based on twenty semi-structured interviews with fifteen project managers and team members using the Agile method. Each interview took approximately 45 -120 min. These face-to-face interviews aided to record the verbal information and capture the interviewee’s expressions and tone. All these interviews were transcribed for analysis. The NVivo software analysis was used to gather the data for the research. This data helped in developing more knowledge about tasks allocated to Agile teams. We applied open coding, the Strauss, and Corbin GT’s procedure of data analysis to participants’ transcribed interview responses. In addition to Interviews, we accompanied the teams of developers for seven months. This engagement allowed us to write observation notes and have discussions informal with developers and project managers at the corporate. Findings: We categorized the data with short phrases that summarize the most important points during a codification. These were condensed into two to three words, captured in the NVivo. As a result, different concepts from similar codes appeared one the most prominent of which was task allocation through self-assignment. Others included manager-driven, manager-assisted, team-driven, and team-assisted task allocation. This article shows us the Agile methods at Work series. Whether for a project manager, a software developer, or a senior manager, this series is designed to help them to get greater agility from their team members. Our research was carried out within a petroleum corporate industry Shell Upstream LTD in Tunisia. The company specializes in Oil and Gas Extraction, Mining, Quarrying, Crude petroleum, and natural gas. The company, therefore, offers its customers advice, expertise, monitoring, and support. This research has contributed to Agile practitioners. Our explanations of the positive consequence of self-assignment should promote novice Agile teams and their managers to attempt self-assignment as a key practice. Also, Agile teams trying to be self-organized to get solutions to their challenges in this study. Our results can be applied as a guide for the project managers to facilitate self-organization by empowering team members. The grounded theory is presented in a form that can be understood through well-defined: context, causal conditions, and a strategy applied by Agile teams to practice self-organization work. Originality/Value: The present study’s new conceptualization of empowerment as the interaction between the team and the stakeholders: Empowerment tends to be analyzed either from the view of the team participating in empowering manager behaviors to foster, among other aspects, the project manager of teams or from the perspective of the team’s collective sense of being empowered. Research considering both perspectives tends to view empowering managers’ behaviors as ancestors of team empowerment. Empowerment tends to be studied either from the perspective of the leader engaging in empowering leadership behaviors to foster, among other aspects, the self-leadership of teams or from the perspective of the team’s collective sense of being empowered. Research considering both perspectives tends to view empowering leadership behaviors as antecedents of team empowerment. From a managerial perspective, some managerial perspectives for the corporate are provided in this research. Based on the underlying results, there are three main processes that managers and organizations can address to realize the most practical benefits.

Abstract The recapitalisation of Nigerian banks improved capital market performance and economic growth. However, economic recessions led to a decline in capital market activities and economic growth. Therefore, this study assessed the influence of capital market performance on economic growth in developing countries for the period 2012 to 2022 using empirical evidence. The specific objective of the study was to examine the impact of market capitalisation on the real gross domestic product (GDP) in developing nations. Related and relevant literature was reviewed for the conceptual, theoretical,and empirical framework for the study. The study employed a qualitative approach using descriptive synthesis to evaluate the results of the impact of capital market performance on economic growth in developing countries using empirical evidence from 2012 to 2022. The analysis revealed that 30% of empirical results from the capital market and economic growth studies in developing nations are not consistent with the apriori expectation. The study concludes that using different variables and approaches for time series analysis produces inconsistent results in developing countries. The study recommended encouraging the financing of companies through domestic capital formation in both capital and money markets. There is also a need for harmonising the approach for consistency of findings in capital market research.

Abstract Globally, airlines face unique challenges which require measures to achieve competitive advantage. The paper’s aim was to ascertain the level of adoption of Financial Supply Chain Management (FSCM) practices among Kenya’s low-cost airline companies. A descriptive research approach was used in this paper. This approach allows researchers to obtain accurate and systemic primary data from several low-cost airline companies in a set period of time. The target population for the study was 33 low-cost airlines operating in Kenya. The researchers gathered information through primary and secondary sources. The paper indicates that organizational success is positively influenced by Financial supply chain management. This, therefore, requires the supply chain and finance executives to make significant investments in FSCM in order to improve organizational performance. The study recommends that low-cost airlines must maintain an optimum working capital, cash conversion period, capital expenditure policies, and P2P cycles as well as to conduct regular demand and supply analyses as FSCM strategies so as to enhance operational performance and increase business competitiveness in the aviation industry.