Choosing a package carrier during COVID-19 pandemic: An integration of pro-environmental planned behavior (PEPB) theory and service quality (SERVQUAL)

Actual uptake pursuance analysis of certification examination among industrial engineers in the Philippines: A TPB-PVT approach

The demand for Industrial Engineers across the globe is significantly increasing and professional certifications give advantage in the job marketplace. The Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers (PIIE) - Industrial Engineering Certification Board facilitates the conferment of the Certified Industrial Engineer (CIE) in the Philippines. The goal of this study was to determine the factors affecting the intention IEs in the Philippines to take the CIE examination using an integration of the Perceived Value Theory and the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior. The research data were collected through an online distributed survey questionnaire to 690 graduating students and graduates from private and public universities across the Philippines. Employing a variance-based partial least squares structural equation modeling, the different significant variables and factors were assessed holistically. It was seen that attitude, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and understanding of the CIE examination have significant positive effects to intent to take the CIE examination and becoming a CIE. The perceived benefits and positive emotions brought by becoming a CIE significantly affects the attitude and behavior. This study also confirmed that the higher the perceived return on investment, the more the IEs will take the CIE examination. Moreover, demographic characteristics were identified to correlate and are significant among different variables. As a reflection, the findings and the integrated framework can be utilized in future studies related to development, career pathing, lifelong learning, and other related professional education.

Modelling the significance of food delivery service quality on customer satisfaction and reuse intention

The millions-worth revenue derived from large-scale food delivery characterises the service as a relatively established phenomenon with potential growth. The current cross-sectional research examined online food delivery service quality on consumer satisfaction and reuse intention. Service quality was divided into seven categories (i.e., reliability, assurance, security, maintaining food quality, system operation, traceability, and perceived service value). Perceived service value offer the unique understanding of the online food delivery consumer satisfaction. Empirical data were elicited from 1352 valid respondents and subsequently assessed through the partial least square structural equation modelling. Findings revealed that reliability, assurance, maintaining food quality, system operation, traceability, and perceived service value could elevate customer satisfaction and optimize the intention to reuse food delivery services. Specific measures to improve service quality, including staff training, improved after-sales service, and system optimisation, were proposed to increase users' satisfaction and intention to reuse optimally.

Consumer willingness to pay more for pro-environmental packages: The moderating role of familiarity

Institutional regulations and market trends are spurring companies to invest more in pro-environmental and sustainable products. Within the pro-environmental offer, there are several packaging alternatives, from sustainably packaged to unpackaged products - so-called bulk - and/or labels, compelling companies into making a complex investment choice. Further, the required higher investments do not always find consumers' approval. Consumers often consider pro-environmental packaging as excessively expensive. Within this context, this study seeks to understand how to exploit the consumers' greater attention to sustainability and well-being to boost consumers' willingness to pay more for pro-environmental products. In doing so, the study compares two packaging options (i.e., sustainably packaged products and bulk products). Additionally, the study assesses differences between highly and slightly familiar consumers, evidencing how to properly encounter the expectations of the two segments. The findings, derived by a multigroup structural equation model conducted on 278 structured questionnaires, reveal that health concern impact is more relevant to highly familiar consumers while environmental concern is for slightly familiar consumers. For the latter, label influence plays a primary role in enhancing their willingness to pay more for pro-environmental products. Overall, sustainably packaged products are preferred to unpackaged products.

The impact of green innovation initiatives on competitiveness and financial performance of the land transport industry

The transportation sector is one of the primary contributors to greenhouse gas emissions that have deteriorating effects on the state of the environment. The implementation of sustainable practices has become one of the most challenging tasks of organizations at present. This study examined the effect of implementing green innovation initiatives on a firm's competitiveness and financial performance of motor vehicle companies in the Philippines. Data were gathered through an online survey questionnaire with a total of 206 respondents composed of employees of various ranks working in companies engaged in the manufacture, distribution, retail, and service of motor vehicles. The theoretical framework presented a hierarchical latent variable model which was validated using the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The model fit, measurement, general construct fit, discriminant validity, and structural model parameters were examined and found to have acceptable values. The findings indicated that environmental regulations, market demand, government pressure, competitor pressure, corporate social responsibility, and employee conduct were the significant drivers of green innovation initiatives. The study also revealed that the implementation of green innovation initiatives positively affects the firm's competitiveness and financial performance. Motor vehicle companies and other types of organizations are encouraged to demonstrate not only their concern for society or community but also their concern for the environment to acquire better market leverage and financial position.

Research on the service quality of emergency medical language services during major unexpected public health events

Introduction

Emergency Medical Language Services (EMLS) have played a crucial role in the COVID-19 pandemic. Research on the quality and its influencing factors of EMLS is necessary.

Methods

This study used the SERvice QUALity (SERVQUAL) model to determine factors affecting the quality of EMLS during the pandemic. An online questionnaire was completed by 206 participants who received the service in 2021-2022. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that the service provider and service process significantly influenced the Service Results.

Results

In the service process, the evaluation of service content and responsiveness were highly correlated, and both factors significantly affected user satisfaction. In the service provider, tangibility and reliability were highly correlated. The key factors for user willingness to recommend the service were service content and tangibility.

Discussion

Based on the results of the data analysis, it can be inferred that EMLS should be improved and upgraded in terms of service organization, talent cultivation, and service channel expansion. To enhance service organization, an emergency medical language team should establish a close collaboration with local medical institutions and government departments, and an EMLS center should be established with the support of hospitals, government, or civil organizations.

The impact of perceived risk of online takeout packaging and the moderating role of educational level

With the rapid development of e-commerce and the impact of COVID-19, online takeout has become the first choice of more and more consumers. Previous research has indicated that food packaging is of great significance to marketing performance, yet very little is known about the mechanisms through which food packaging pollution risk affects online takeout consumption. This study proposes an expanded model of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) by incorporating the Concept of Perceived Risk (CPR) to analyze the mechanism of consumers' packaging pollution risk perception (PPRP) on their purchasing intention toward online takeout. Online survey was performed to collect data from 336 valid respondents in China, which was analyzed using structural equation modeling. The research findings verify the effectiveness of the TPB in the context of Chinese online takeout. Notably, the PPRP of online takeout was found to have a significant negative impact on consumers' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control (PBC). It was also confirmed that consumers' attitudes, subjective norms, and PBC regarding online takeout partially mediate the negative relationship between PPRP and purchase intention. In addition, the findings corroborate the granular nuances among three groups concerning consumers' education level. The results do not only provide suggestions to the online takeout industry but also contribute theoretical value and practical significance for the improvement of sustainable food consumption.

Determining factors affecting customer satisfaction of the national electric power company (MERALCO) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Phillippines

This study aimed to determine factors affecting customer satisfaction of national electric power companies during the COVID-19 pandemic by integrating SERVQUAL and Expectation-Confirmation Theory approaches. A total of 529 participants voluntarily participated and answered an online questionnaire of 49 questions. Structural equation modeling indicated that Tangibility, Empathy, and Responsiveness were positively related to Service Quality which subsequently led to Customer Expectation, Energy Consumption, and Perceived Performance (PE). In addition, a higher PE was positively related to Confirmation, which eventually led to Customer Satisfaction. It was evident that integrating SERVQUAL and ECT could holistically measure customer satisfaction among electricity service providers.

How and when voluntary citizenship behaviour towards individuals triggers vicious knowledge hiding: the roles of moral licensing and the mastery climate

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how voluntary citizenship behaviour towards an individual (VCB-I) is linked with vicious knowledge hiding (VKH), and why members, within a mastery climate, tend to participate in less VKH after their engaging in VCB-I. The authors, according to the moral licensing theory, propose that moral licensing mediates the relationship between VCB-I and VKH, and that a mastery climate weakens the hypothesised link via moral licensing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study surveys 455 valid matching samples of subordinates and supervisors from 77 working teams in China at two time points and explores the relationship between VCB and VKH, as well as the underlying mechanism. A confirmatory factor analysis, bootstrapping method and hierarchical linear model were used to validate the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that VCB-I has a significant positive effect on VKH; moral credentials play a mediating role in the relationship between VCB-I and VKH; and the mastery climate moderates the positive effect of moral credentials on VKH and the mediating effect of moral credentials. In a high-mastery climate, the direct effect of moral credentials on VKH and the indirect influence of VCB-I on VKH through moral credentials are both weakened, and conversely, both effects are enhanced in a low-mastery climate. However, contrary to the expected hypothesis, moral credits do not mediate the relationship between VCB-I and VKH, which may be due to the differences in the mechanisms between the two moral licensing models.

Originality/value

Prior research has mainly focused on the “victim-centric” perspective to examine the impacts of others’ behaviour on employees’ knowledge hiding. Few works have used the “actor-centric” perspective to analyse the relationship between employees’ prior workplace behaviour and their subsequent knowledge hiding intention. In addition, this study enriches the field research on the voluntary aspects of organisational citizenship behaviour, which differs from its involuntary ones.

Evaluating the influence of service quality, hedonic, and utilitarian value on shopper's behavioral intentions in urban shopping malls during the COVID-19 pandemic

Shopping malls are subjected to a lot of changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the Philippines. The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of service quality, hedonic, and utilitarian value of malls on shopping mall goers' behavioral intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic. SERVQUAL five dimensions were utilized to represent the service quality aspect, while utilitarian and hedonic values are used to embody the shopping mall values among Filipino citizens. Additionally, we included convenience and social experience as part of our model, to which relationships were assessed toward the utilitarian and hedonic shopping mall values, respectively. An online survey was distributed and collected 519 valid responses among Filipino shopping mall goers. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), results showed that for service quality aspect, tangibles, empathy, and assurance had significant effects on shopper's shopping mall satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, both shopping mall values present positive effects on shopper's satisfaction on which utilitarian value gave the strongest influence in the overall model, followed by the hedonic value. Convenience and social experience also showed positive effects on utilitarian and hedonic values, respectively. The utilized extended framework from SERVQUAL dimensions and hedonic and utilitarian values to measure satisfaction and behavioral intentions was seen to be applicable to measure human behavior and lifestyle studies. Overall, the satisfaction from both service quality and shopping mall values aspect strongly influences shoppers' behavioral intention in going to the mall.

Understanding the perceived behavior of public utility bus passengers during the era of COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines: Application of social exchange theory and theory of planned behavior

Over the years, passengers in the Philippines have relied on public utility bus (PUB) to reach a destination. However, PUB has been greatly affected by the adverse effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Therefore, the study analyzed passengers' behavior using PUB during the COVID-19 pandemic by integrating social exchange theory (SET) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A total of 505 PUB users completed the online questionnaire containing sixty-seven (67) measures. Through confirmatory factor analysis - structural equation modeling (CFA-SEM), all the twelve (12) hypotheses were found significant. Accessibility, safety, economic benefit, and crisis management had a significant and positive influence on passengers' trust. Moreover, passengers' trust produced a significant positive influence on attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. Additionally, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control generated a significant positive influence on the intention to use PUB. Furthermore, perceived behavioral control had a significant positive influence on perceived passenger behavior. Lastly, the intention to use PUB developed a substantial and positive influence on perceived passenger behavior. PUB companies and policymakers can utilize these findings to develop additional PUB reforms for the benefit of passengers, drivers, operators, companies, and the government during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NAM and TPB Approach to Consumers' Decision-Making Framework in the Context of Indoor Smart Farm Restaurants

The movement toward smart farming, which has productivity and eco-friendly roles, is emerging in the foodservice industry in the form of indoor smart farm restaurants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the consumer decision-making processes in the context of indoor smart farm restaurants. The investigational framework was designed around the norm activation model (NAM) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), with the moderating role of age. In particular, this study merged NAM and TPB to assess the effect of awareness of consumption consequences on consumers' attitudes as well as the role played by subjective norms in the formation of personal norms. Data were collected from 304 respondents in South Korea. As a result of structural equation modeling, the proposed hypotheses of causal relationships were generally supported, excluding only the relationship between subjective norm and behavioral intention. The moderating role of age was identified in the relationships between (1) subjective norm and attitude, and (2) personal norm and behavioral intention. This study presents not only theoretical contributions as the first empirical study on consumer behavior in the context of indoor smart farm restaurants but also presents practical suggestions from the perspective of green marketing.

Utilization of Random Forest Classifier and Artificial Neural Network for Predicting Factors Influencing the Perceived Usability of COVID-19 Contact Tracing “MorChana” in Thailand

With the constant mutation of COVID-19 variants, the need to reduce the spread should be explored. MorChana is a mobile application utilized in Thailand to help mitigate the spread of the virus. This study aimed to explore factors affecting the actual use (AU) of the application through the use of machine learning algorithms (MLA) such as Random Forest Classifier (RFC) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). An integrated Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) were considered. Using convenience sampling, a total of 907 valid responses from those who answered the online survey were voluntarily gathered. With 93.00% and 98.12% accuracy from RFC and ANN, it was seen that hedonic motivation and facilitating conditions were seen to be factors affecting very high AU; while habit and understanding led to high AU. It was seen that when people understand the impact and causes of the COVID-19 pandemic’s aftermath, its severity, and also see a way to reduce it, it would lead to the actual usage of a system. The findings of this study could be used by developers, the government, and stakeholders to capitalize on using the health-related applications with the intention of increasing actual usage. The framework and methodology used presented a way to evaluate health-related technologies. Moreover, the developing trends of using MLA for evaluating human behavior-related studies were further justified in this study. It is suggested that MLA could be utilized to assess factors affecting human behavior and technology used worldwide.

The Effect of Positive Reinforcement of Behavioral-Based Safety on Safety Participation in Philippine Coal-Fired Power Plant Workers: A Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) Approach

The power plant accident is considered one of the man-made disasters in many developing countries, including the Philippines. The purpose of the study was to identify the factors influencing behavioral-based safety of coal-fired power plant workers which subsequently led to their active safety participation. 201 coal-fired power plant workers in the Philippines answered the questionnaire which consist of 60 items using a purposive sampling approach. PLS-SEM revealed that PM had significant effects on SI, SMS, and SP. In addition, SP was found to have a significant effect on BBS which subsequently led to SPT. Finally, SMS was found to have a significant effect on SC which subsequently led to SCM, BBS, and SPT. This study is the first study that explored the BBS in the Philippine coal-fired power plant. This study can be used to positively reinforce the safety participation of workers in the coal-fired power plant industry.

Using Online Grocery Applications during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Their Relationship with Open Innovation

This present research examines the behavioral intentions of Filipinos to use online grocery applications during the novel COVID-19 pandemic. The study proposes an integration of the health belief model (HBM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) to identify the factors affecting the acceptance and usage of Filipinos of online grocery applications in terms of the impact of health risk for COVID-19. To accurately measure the factors and their relationship to behavioral intentions and usage behavior, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to 373 residents in the Philippines. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied as an analytical method for this study. The results revealed that performance expectancy, perceived benefits, perceived severity, and cues to action significantly influenced the behavioral intentions and usage of online grocery apps during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study’s findings can be utilized as a theoretical framework for future researchers of consumer behavior; e-commerce developers; and grocery industry retailers, to enhance the innovation and services of online grocery applications. The results of this study may also be used and capitalized on by investors and managers to apply in strategizing when developing and marketing online grocery applications among consumers. Moreover, the framework of this study may be adopted and utilized by other online markets, even in different counties. Further theoretical and practical aspects are discussed in this paper.

Utilization of Random Forest and Deep Learning Neural Network for Predicting Factors Affecting Perceived Usability of a COVID-19 Contact Tracing Mobile Application in Thailand "ThaiChana"

The continuous rise of the COVID-19 Omicron cases despite the vaccination program available has been progressing worldwide. To mitigate the COVID-19 contraction, different contact tracing applications have been utilized such as Thai Chana from Thailand. This study aimed to predict factors affecting the perceived usability of Thai Chana by integrating the Protection Motivation Theory and Technology Acceptance Theory considering the System Usability Scale, utilizing deep learning neural network and random forest classifier. A total of 800 respondents were collected through convenience sampling to measure different factors such as understanding COVID-19, perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude towards using, intention to use, actual system use, and perceived usability. In total, 97.32% of the deep learning neural network showed that understanding COVID-19 presented the most significant factor affecting perceived usability. In addition, random forest classifier produced a 92% accuracy with a 0.00 standard deviation indicating that understanding COVID-19 and perceived vulnerability led to a very high perceived usability while perceived severity and perceived ease of use also led to a high perceived usability. The findings of this study could be considered by the government to promote the usage of contact tracing applications even in other countries. Finally, deep learning neural network and random forest classifier as machine learning algorithms may be utilized for predicting factors affecting human behavior in technology or system acceptance worldwide.