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Article
Publication date: 25 July 2023

Adel Bessadok and Mustafa Hersi

The objective of this study is to investigate the key determinants affecting the acceptance and utilization of Blackboard as a Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) platform…

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Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study is to investigate the key determinants affecting the acceptance and utilization of Blackboard as a Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) platform among Saudi university students pursuing English as a foreign language (EFL) courses.

Design/methodology/approach

Understanding how to engage EFL students in their learning requires identifying the factors that influence their acceptance and use of CALL tools, particularly on Blackboard's LMS platform. This study proposes and validates a research framework that predicts students' behavioral intentions and usage of CALL by utilizing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) by Venkatesh et al. (2012). This research model provides insight into the various drivers that impact CALL acceptance via Blackboard LMS. The study's findings demonstrate UTAUT2's superior ability to address the fear of technology adoption and provide valuable insights into the factors that influence technology intention and usage.

Findings

The study's findings indicate that performance expectancy, social influence, effort expectancy and price value significantly affect the attitudes of EFL students toward using CALL. The habit factor was the most robust predictor of behavioral intention and technology use, indicating that CALL usage can become automatic for students and improve their engagement in EFL learning. The study highlights the importance of providing better technical and organizational support to EFL students who want to use CALL more effectively. The theoretical and practical implications of the study's findings are thoroughly discussed.

Originality/value

Understanding how to engage EFL students in their learning requires identifying the factors that influence their acceptance and use of CALL tools, particularly on Blackboard's LMS platform. This study proposes and validates a research framework that predicts students' behavioral intentions and usage of CALL by utilizing the UTAUT2 by Venkatesh et al. (2012). This research model provides insight into the various drivers that impact CALL acceptance via Blackboard LMS. The study's findings demonstrate UTAUT2's superior ability to address the fear of technology adoption and provide valuable insights into the factors that influence technology intention and usage.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 June 2021

Abdurrahman Abdullahi, Anwar Hasan Abdullah Othman and Salina Kassim

This paper aims to examine the determinants of intention to adopt Islamic microfinance among prospective customers in Nigeria, to enhance access to formal financial services.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the determinants of intention to adopt Islamic microfinance among prospective customers in Nigeria, to enhance access to formal financial services.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative study used the proportionate stratified random sampling technique to collect data from 450 respondents, using close-ended questionnaires. The data was analyzed using analysis of moment structures-structural equation modeling. The decomposed theory of planned behavior (DTPB) was used as the underlying theory to test 10 hypotheses.

Findings

Results showed the intention toward the adoption of Islamic microfinance is high in Nigeria. In total, 8 of the 10 study hypotheses were supported, out of which attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control were found to have a positive and significant influence on the behavioral intention to adopt Islamic microfinance. Consequently, the study recommends the need for stakeholders in the Nigerian financial system to embark on enlightenment campaigns that will improve the public attitude on the role of Islamic microfinance banks in the promotion of financial inclusion and poverty reduction.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused specifically on three selected states in Northern Nigeria that are predominantly Muslim. The findings and indeed the conclusions of the study, may not be suitable for generalization to other parts of the country.

Practical implications

The study found that three constructs: attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were found to affect behavioral intention. Thus, the Central Bank of Nigeria and Islamic financial institutions should tailor their enlightenment campaigns toward improving public attitude on the need to adopt Islamic microfinance banks to further enhance financial inclusion, and thus reduce the incidence of poverty. Islamic microfinance banks should complement their commercial products and services with Islamic social finance products such as Sadaqat, Zakat and benevolent loan, as is the practice in jurisdictions where Islamic finance is institutionalized.

Social implications

The social implication of the study is its ability to determine factors that will enhance financial inclusion in Nigeria. This will assist in reducing poverty and income inequality.

Originality/value

The study was also able to extend the DTPB by introducing awareness as an additional latent construct in explaining attitude.

Details

International Journal of Ethics and Systems, vol. 37 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9369

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 January 2024

Amrollah Shamsi, Ting Wang, Narayanaswamy Vasantha Raju, Arezoo Ghamgosar, Golbarg Mahdizadeh Davani and Mohammad Javad Mansourzadeh

By distorting the peer review process, predatory journals lure researchers and collect article processing charges (APCs) to earn income, thereby threatening clinical decisions…

129

Abstract

Purpose

By distorting the peer review process, predatory journals lure researchers and collect article processing charges (APCs) to earn income, thereby threatening clinical decisions. This study aims to identifying the characteristics of predatory publishing in the dermatology literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used Kscien's list to detect dermatology-related predatory journals. Bibliometric parameters were analyzed at the level of journals, publishers, documents and authors.

Findings

Sixty-one potential predatory dermatology publishers published 4,164 articles in 57 journals from 2000 to 2020, with most publishers claiming to be located in the United States. Most journals were 1–5 years old. Six journals were indexed in PubMed, two in Scopus and 43 in Google Scholar (GS). The average APC was 1,049 USD. Skin, patient, cutaneous, psoriasis, dermatitis and acne were the most frequently used keywords in the article's title. A total of 1,146 articles in GS received 4,725 citations. More than half of the journals had <10 citations. Also, 318 articles in Web of Science were contaminated by the most cited articles and 4.49% of the articles had reported their funding source. The average number of authors per article was 3.7. India, the United States and Japan had the most articles from 119 involved countries. Asia, Europe and North America had the most contributed authors; 5.2% of articles were written through international collaboration. A majority of authors were from high- and low-middle-income countries. Women contributed 43.57% and 39.66% as the first and corresponding authors, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The study had limitations, including heavy reliance on Kscien's list, potential for human error in manual data extraction and nonseparation of types of articles. Journals that only published dermatology articles were reviewed, so those occasionally publishing dermatology articles were missed. Predatory journals covering multiple subjects (Petrisor, 2016) may have resulted in overlooking some dermatology papers. This study did not claim to have covered all articles in predatory dermatology journals (PDJs) but evaluated many of them. The authors accept the claim that Kscien's list may have made a mistake in including journals.

Originality/value

The wide dispersion of authors involved in PDJs highlights the need to increase awareness among these authors.

Details

Online Information Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1468-4527

Keywords

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