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Predicting Consumers' Usage Intention Towards User-Generated Content: A Hybrid SEM-ANN Approach
With the change in the communication pattern, end-users are engaging in creating content and refer-ring to the content created by other users while making purchase decisions. This research aims at modelling factors affecting consumers' usage intention (UI) towards user-generated content (UGC) using Need for Cogni-tion (NfC) as a moderator of the proposed relationships. The factors affecting consumers' UI involve perceived usefulness (PU), source credibility (SC), information quality (IQ) and NfC. Further, a novel attempt has been made by using the neural network approach to assess the predictive accuracy of the model. A structured ques-tionnaire was used to collect data from 298 consumers through a survey. Data were analysed using two-stage structural equation modelling (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN). All the independent variables viz., PU, SC, IQ and NfC significantly affect attitude towards UGC, which in turn affects UI. Results of multi-group anal-ysis and a series of chi-square difference tests reveal that a NfC significantly moderates the relationship be-tween PU and attitude, as well as that between SC and attitude. The root mean square error values from the neural network analysis suggest that the models show good predictive accuracy. This study provides a novel assessment of the usage of a hybrid SEM-ANN approach for understanding of UGC by incorporating NfC as a moderator in shaping consumers' attitudes and intentions to use UGC. 2024 World Scientific Publishing Co. -
An integrated model to predict students online learning behavior in emerging economies: a hybrid SEMANN approach
Purpose: The online learning environment is a function of dynamic market forces constantly restructuring the e-learning landscapes complete ecosystemcape. This study aims to propose an e-learning framework by integrating the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to predict students Online Learning Readiness and Behaviour. Design/methodology/approach: A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 406 students through a survey. The data were analysed using two-stage structural equation modelling and artificial neural network (ANN). Findings: The studys results revealed that perceived ubiquity (PUB) positively influences perceived ease of use, usefulness and attitude. Similarly, perceived mobility significantly influences perceived ease of use and attitude. Furthermore, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and perceived usefulness significantly influence readiness to learn online, which further influences students online learning behaviour. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) values obtained from the ANN analysis indicate the models predictive solid accuracy. Originality/value: The study contributes to the existing literature by proposing an Online Learning Behaviour Model by integrating the TAM and the TPB frameworks in association with two additional constructs, PUB and Perceived Mobility. Secondly, this study proposes a unique triangulation framework of recommendations for learners, educators and policymakers. 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Examining the Impact of Argument Quality and Source Credibility on Consumers Behavioral Intention Toward Green Cosmetics: The Moderating Role of Perceived Innovativeness
Purpose: This study integrated the knowledge-attitude-behavior (KAB) model and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to analyze how elements of electronic word of mouth (eWOM)argument quality (AQ) and source credibility (CR)influenced customers green cosmetics behavioral intention (BI). Methodology: Data were collected from a sample of 350 customers through an online survey, and a two-stage process was used to evaluate the research model. In the first stage, linear associations between the various elements of the theoretical model were determined using structural equation modeling (SEM). The second stage involved evaluating the predicting efficacy of the constructs, using an artificial neural network (ANN) framework. Findings: The findings of the multi-analytical study revealed that attitude (Atd), perceived behavioral control (Pbcon), and source credibility (CR) influenced consumers intentions to buy green cosmetics. Moreover, the sources credibility (CR) and the arguments quality (AQ) also positively influenced consumer attitude (Atd). The models appeared to have acceptable prediction accuracy based on the ANN studys root mean square of error (RMSE) values. Originality: The study contributed to the body of green cosmetics literature by integrating knowledge-attitude-behavior (KAB) and planned behavior (TPB) theory. The novelty of this research also lies in examining the moderating effect of perceived innovativeness (PI) for developing a robust predictive framework for green cosmetics purchase intention using artificial neural networks (ANN). 2024, Associated Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd.. All rights reserved. -
Model of cross-cultural adjustment and view of life-career among Japanese expatriate spouses in India
In the globalized economy, it is necessary to consider expatriates cross-cultural adjustment, which is affected by their spouses, whose cross-cultural adjustment should not be neglected. We examined a model of cross-cultural adjustment among Japanese spouses in India. We hypothesized that demands (e.g., cultural differences, language immaturity) and resources (e.g., spouses personality/agreeableness, perceived social support) negatively and positively affect cross-cultural adjustment, respectively. In turn, cross-cultural adjustment positively affects subjective happiness and intent to stay. In addition, cross-cultural adjustment consists a part of life-career perspective for expatriate spouses who quit their job when go to abroad. To examine the hypotheses, we use a mixed methods approach (QUAN?QUAL) that uses multiple variables and sampling to collect quantitative and qualitative data over two phases sequentially. First, from August to October 2018, a survey using a web-based questionnaire was conducted in four areas in India: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Responses from 105 participants, who are parents of Japanese school children or members of a parenting support group were received. Second, from October to December 2018, the interview data for 17 participants were collected at Bengaluru. To confirm the hypothesized model, we tested a structural equations modeling (SEM) analysis. Additionally, the interview transcript data were analyzed with a modified version of the Grounded Theory approach (M-GTA). The Results demonstrated that Japanese expatriate spouses who had difficulties in communicating in English and felt large cultural differences, decreased their adjustment, their subjective happiness was lowered, and they wanted to return to their home country early. However, the more the personality was cooperative and compassionate, and the more they worked to adjust to their international life; their subjective happiness increased. Additionally, expatriate spouses obtained the concept of view of life-career. The view of life-career included cross-cultural adjustment. Cross-cultural adjustment affects positive view of life-career that will lead to smooth re-employment after returning to Japan. 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. -
Solidarity, job satisfaction, and turnover intent in employees
Purpose: While the role of solidarity in the workplace has been examined in previous research, it is still an important component of the workplace for Japanese employees. The purpose of this paper is to integrate findings on solidarity at the workplace, job satisfaction and intent to turnover. A moderated mediation model is hypothesized where solidarity predicts intent to turnover via job satisfaction, but the strength of this whole mediation process is moderated by employees length of working overtime or working long hours. Design/methodology/approach: The data analyzed in this study were acquired from the Japanese General Social Survey 2010, which was administered to 527 men and 278 women. Findings: The results generally supported the assumptions; the proposed mediation model proved to be statistically significant, even when background covariates were introduced into the model to control for pre-existing differences. Also, the proposed moderated mediation model was supported; solidarity strongly increased job satisfaction when working overtime was low. Research limitations/implications: Because of measurement of solidarity, this study results may limit the generalizability. Researchers should explore the relationship between the dimension of solidarity and job satisfaction. Practical implications: The paper includes the implications for human resource management, the developing of solidarity at the workplace and for managing the strain of working overtime. Originality/value: This study was the first to examine the relationship between solidarity at the workplace and job satisfaction and the moderating effects of working overtime. 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Conducting polymers: A versatile material for biomedical applications /
ChemistrySelect, Vol.7, Issue 42, ISSN No: 2365-6549.
Conducting polymers (CPs) are organic polymers with metallic conductivity or semiconducting properties which have drawn considerable attention globally. They are versatile materials because of their excellent environmental stability, electrical conductivity, economic importance as well as optical and electronic properties. CPs are interesting because they can be functionalized in several ways and the chemical properties are fine-tuned by incorporating new functionalities, making them more suitable in biomedical and other applications. -
An Interrogation and Analysis of Postmodern 'Self' in Robert Lowell's Sonnet Reading Myself
The interrogation and analysis of Self in Robert Lowell's Sonnet Reading Myself is the research statement. Jean Francois Lyotard proposed the idea of 'Delegitimation' of Grand Narratives in Modern Times (1). This concept of Delegitimation gives power to an individual to narrate her or his Self and gives complete control to have his power. The introspection of self in Robert Lowell's Sonnet is analysed critically in this postmodern sense. It aims at the liberation from the fixed system of beliefs or stereotypical norms of the society in writing a literary piece by analysing the lines of the sonnet in a postmodernist way. Specifically, the Sustainable Development Goal [SDG] of reducing inequality is examined through the poet's self in the paradoxical situation in a postmodern sense. It also questions the paradoxical existence and experiences faced by the poet in his life. The realisation of the self is significant in the present world gives the individual the freedom to create equal space for himself and others in society. The Electrochemical Society -
Intelligent Wearable Electronics: A New Paradigm in Smart Electronics
In the last decade or so, the wearable electronics technology has seen an unprecedented growth which is expected to reach around USD 51.60 billion by the year 2022 with a CAGR of 15.51%. Intelligent wearable electronics is a combination of wide range of technologies like computation, communication, sensors, cloud computing, and display to cite a few. Integration of various technologies resultin systems which are multifunctional along with higher complexity of design presenting a unique challenge for the technologists. With Internet of Things (IoTs) becoming ubiquitous and 5G technologies around the corner, the wearable devices are no longer simple passive systems providing the user limited information, but rather they are multifunctional, powerful, and intelligent devices which make use of complex sensing and signal processing elements along with cloud computing and data analytics to provide real-time data interpretation. In this chapter, we review the recent developments of intelligent wearable electronics (WE) with emphasis on their working principle and design at various levels of abstraction, that includes material, device, and system levels, along with signal processing and communication protocol for external communication. Further, the design and development of smart wearable electronics which involves multivariant problem-solving at various abstraction levels is explained. In addition, we elucidate popular classes of smart wearables like wearable textiles, healthcare wearable electronics, and WE in education. Furthermore, we explore the primary performance constraints of typical WE systems such as battery life (energy), system architecture, communication protocols, and integration with cloud computing to, mention a few. This chapter concludes by elucidating various challenges in developing WE and the future directions of this industry. 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG. -
Exploring Shopping Opportunities and Elevating Customer Experiences Through AI-Powered E-Commerce Strategies
This research explores the efficacy of clustering algorithms in enhancing customer experiences within the e-commerce landscape. Through experiment trials utilizing K-means and DBSCAN clustering techniques, valuable insights have been gleaned. The trials yielded silhouette scores ranging from 0.55 to 0.72, indicating moderate to good clustering quality across different experiments. In K-means clustering, the number of clusters varied from 3 to 6, with inertia values spanning approximately 722.41456.8. Conversely, DBSCAN clustering resulted in varying cluster numbers, ranging from 2 to 4, contingent on the combinations of epsilon and min_samples values explored. These findings underscore the significance of judiciously selecting clustering algorithms and parameter settings to achieve meaningful segmentation of e-commerce data. Effective utilization of clustering algorithms empowers businesses to discern valuable insights into customer behavior, preferences, and patterns. Consequently, businesses can tailor their strategies to deliver personalized experiences, targeted marketing campaigns, and optimized product recommendations. This research propels the exploration of additional clustering techniques and parameter refinements for enhanced clustering performance in e-commerce applications. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024. -
An empirical analysis of similarity measures for unstructured data /
An International Journal of Advanced Computer Technology, Vol.8, Issue 8, pp.3302-3306, ISSN No: 2320-0790. -
The Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility in Social Value Creation
The fundamental idea behind CSR is that corporations have duties that go beyond lawful execution of their economic duties (Steiner & Steiner, 2009). The waning hold of states over powerful transnational corporations and the increasing recognition of the potential of corporations to contribute to the welfare needs underline the importance of CSR in contemporary society. It is believed that a good CSR strategy would lead to significant reductions in business risks, including stakeholder, regulatory or marketplace sanctions. India being the first country to make CSR mandatory recognizes the potential of firms to synergize with the state in achieving larger developmental causes. This chapter is an attempt to review the CSR contributions toward public health during COVID-19. This chapter analyses the ways in which corporate social responsibility could contribute toward value creation in society and proposes a community-based convergent model of CSR implementation. 2024 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. -
Context matters: A case study of community development approaches in tribal areas
Tribal development initiatives aim to address aspects of marginality covering educational, occupational, social and political dimensions. A review of literature on the challenges in effective tribal development discusses narrow vision, implementation strategy, the attitude of people involved in the implementation and lack of community participation as hindrances in realising the desired goals. This chapter explores the need to have a context-specific approach to realise the community development goals in tribal areas considering the cultural and economic diversity of Scheduled Tribes in India. A single embedded case study has been used to understand tribal development initiatives in the three project sites, namely Manikgarh, Maharashtra; Bastar, Chhatisgarh and Niravilpuzha, Kerala. All these projects aim at the overall development of the community either through a child-centred approach or through a self-help approach. A constructive outcome-based evaluation model has been used in analysing the developmental approach, and in-depth interviews and FGDs were conducted with the project staff. An attempt has been made to study the impact on direct beneficiaries at micro, meso and macro levels. It explores the ways in which universities could become change agents through socially responsible engagements in tribal areas. This chapter would contribute towards developing a social responsibility model for other universities to emulate. 2024 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. -
Service learning as a pedagogical strategy: A case study on disability inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are the growing concerns of society and every organisation including higher educational institutions (HEIs) is designing strategies to ensure diversity equality and inclusion (DEI). To understand how students engage with the idea of disability and inclusion in education, this study explores the journey of undergraduate students with an organization for visually challenged students. This qualitative, descriptive study used interviews and focus group discussion (FGD) along with the analysis of chosen reflective journals. SL activities enabled students to reflect on the learning challenges faced by the visually challenged students as well as their caretakers. This also made them reflect on the larger academic environment at the higher education level and come up with suggestions to make the HEIs more inclusive for the visually challenged. This study emphasizes the nature of their engagement and the transformative aspects of the learning process that they experienced by focusing on the students' experiences and challenges. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Induced Graphoidal Decompositions in product Graphs
Journal of Discrete Mathematics Vol.2013, Article ID 892839 ISSN No. 2090-9845 -
Further results on induced graphoidal decomposition
Discrete Mathematics, Algorithms and applications Vol.5, No.1, ISSN No.1793-8317 -
Bionanomaterials in Food Applications and their Risk Assessment
Nanotechnology has increased impressively during the last decade for their diverse potential uses in food, environment, medical, sustainable energy and so forth. Nanomaterial synthesis by chemical methods has unintended properties on the ecological pollution and also effect on human welfare. To overcome these challenges green synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) has been used from plants and animals. The green synthesized NPs include gold (Au NPs), copper (Cu NPs), silver (AgNPs), iron and its oxides (Fe NPs). Abundant microbes and plants are used for the synthesizing NPs that are eco-friendly, cost effective and potentially safe. Further, these can be constructed using agri-food waste sources such as agricultural crops, fruits and vegetables, cereals, oil cakes, alcoholic beverages, and so forth, for synthesizing sustainable NPs, reducing environmental issues. These green synthesized metallic NPs needs to be further characterized for the synthesis, factors affecting the parameters and their potential applications in various fields with major challenges that needs to be researched such as toxicity and translational research. 2025 selection and editorial matter, Shakeel Ahmed; individual chapters, the contributors. -
Plant, Animal, and Microbial Sources of Dyes and Mordants
Synthetic dyes and mordants have been used by various industries, including food, cosmetics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, for many decades. However, their potential hazards to the environment and human health, such as carcinogenicity and teratogenicity, have raised global concerns. In earlier decades, people used naturally extracted dyes and mordants from plants and insects for purposes like painting, dyeing clothes, and enhancing skin and hair, using substances like henna, turmeric, and saffron. However, chemically synthesized dyes quickly replaced natural dyes due to their easy availability and low cost. Currently, consumers are becoming more conscious of the use of synthetic dyes and their effects, which can cause allergies and toxicity. This has led to a resurgence of eco-friendly dyes and biocolors, which have gained importance. There has been advanced and increased development in utilizing naturally occurring bioresources to produce sustainable biocolors with multifunctional applications. Natural colors have not only increased their market value due to their aesthetic appeal but also for their various properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Indeed, biocolors derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms have better degradability and compatibility with the environment. These naturally occurring pigments need to be explored from various natural sources to meet the increasing global demand, using suitable techniques for their extraction. 2025 Apple Academic Press, Inc. -
Heavy metal detection by nanotechnology-based sensors
One of the major pollutants in the milieu consists of heavy metals that remain nondegradable with extreme toxicity that accumulates in plants, animals, and humans leading to ill effects with long exposures. These heavy metals that are used in various fields like food, textile industries, agriculture, and medicine act as enzyme inhibitors not allowing the substrate to bind the enzymes. In lieu of it, biosensors have been an essential tool that help to monitor environmental pollutants, presence of various toxins and biohazardous microbial in the organic matter, and also biomolecules in diagnostic tools. Detection of heavy metal traces in environmental monitoring has a widespread application using biosensors with improvised sensitivity, selectivity, and simplicity. Further, the biosensor technology has advanced greatly with the ability of biosensing mechanism combined with the highly advanced technique with the world of nanofabricating enabled miniature biosensors. The sensitivity performance of biosensors has increased tremendously with nanotechnology as the nanoscale dimensions promote the critical analysis and detect to probe single biomolecules. Nevertheless, the major drawback relies on the study lacking the toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) in atmosphere, lacking in automated service, miniature induced unreliable source, and integrating the nano-biosensors for reliable transduction signals from the devices. With the development of biosensors for online and offline analysis for their quantity and diversity they have been termed as biosensor uprising with the introduction of biosensors with enzyme, DNA-, immuno-, and whole cell-based with specific analytical detection. 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved including those for text and data mining AI training and similar technologies. -
Bionanomaterials in Environmental Protection
The advent of globalization with ongoing anthropogenic actions has increased the rate of contaminants worsening aquatic, soil, and air systems, with increasing concern throughout the world. The several problems posed by these pollutants have endangered the environment as well as humans, leading to the application tasks of various conventional methods options to remove the pollutants. However, these technologies are costlier, of long duration, increasing energy consumption and also leading to toxins production. Nanotechnology, a newer method, has created a significant role in solving specific qualitative and quantitative, environmental issues of treating air, water, and soil by detection and removal of pollutants. Nanoparticles (NP) are low-cost, less energy consuming, eco-friendly and have higher efficiency rates. Nanosorbent, nanofiltration, nanocatalytic, and nanosensors methods have been used for the treatment of waste waters, air, and pollutant detection. There are different physical and chemical treatment options that have been employed for the synthesis of NPs, such as microwave heating and ultrasound methods. However recent decades have emphasized the green synthesis involving plant extracts and microbial sources due to their sustainability. Green synthesized NPs have gained immense interest due to their simplicity and relatively high reproducibility. In view of their capabilities, bionanomaterials can be used for eliminating pollutants and toxins, helping to maintain and spread a greener and cleaner environment. 2025 selection and editorial matter, Shakeel Ahmed; individual chapters, the contributors. -
Marine microbial biopolymers and their applications
Marine environment has been an important surrounding in recent times for valuable resources such as bioactive polymers. Increasing environmental concerns and realizing the limitation of global petroleum resources, biopolymers has gained utmost importance. Highly abundant renewable biopolymers of different polysaccharides have been produced from microbes, clams, shrimps, etc., exhibiting varying biological activities. Among all these biopolymers, microbial biopolymers are the most promising substitute for the existing synthetic polymers. Microbial polymers are synthesized intracellularly and extracellularly for their cell functions and survival playing specific roles as reserve materials for energy conservation, symbiosis and osmotic adaptation, protective agents that can be extruded and used for various applications. These biopolymers have exceptional moisture and oxygen barrier characteristics in making films for use in food industries and medical aspects. Microbial biopolymers that have been used include the cellulose, levan, pullulans, xanthan, gellan, kefiran, Haloferax exopolysaccharides, Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and poly-3-hydroxybutyrates. Marine bacteria such as Bacillus, Halomonas, Alteromonas, Planococcus, Pseudoalteromonas, Vibrio, Zoogloea, and Thermococcus are found to be hyperproducers for biopolymers. Due to their high quality, sustainability, long shelf life, and biodegradability, they have been receiving interest for innumerable biological activities such as antioxidants, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, and antimicrobial actions. Microbial marine biopolymers with natural biological activity, structural functions can be tailored using genetic engineering to obtain newer biomaterials with novel functionalities. 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.