Awareness of antecedents and consequences of trust in m-commerce can enable m-commerce service providers to design suitable marketing strategies. Present study conducted a meta-analysis of 118 related empirical studies. The results indicate that antecedents namely perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, system quality, information quality, service quality, user interface, perceived risk, perceived security, structural assurance, ubiquity, and disposition to trust, while consequences namely attitude, user satisfaction, behavioral intention, and loyalty have significant relationship with trust in m-commerce. Further, all the relationships were found to be moderated by culture except perceived ease of use, disposition to trust, and attitude. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd

In recent times, it has become common for customers to pre-pay for goods but consume them later. The pain of payment reduces over time, in a phenomenon called payment depreciation (PD). Researchers have examined this phenomenon in situations when payment precedes consumption by long periods, ranging from three weeks to several years. The present study examines the occurrence of payment depreciation when costs precede benefits by short periods, such as three days to two weeks. The three experiments establish the presence of PD in short intervals of less than two weeks. The results are robust for both inventoried and non-inventoried consumption. The results further suggest that the sunk cost of a payment devalues discretely and not continuously. The value of the sunk cost in the consumer's mental account drops significantly after two weeks, as compared to one week. The results fail to demonstrate the effect of payment mode on the payment depreciation phenomenon. Implications indicate that retailers can vary their order delivery period to reduce product returns. © 2019

The exponential growth in online fashion retailing in India has brought several structural changes. Changing consumer needs and value propositions have made it imperative for online retailers to identify factors that are critical for its growth. The current study attempts to identify factors that influence consumers’ preference for online fashion retailers (OFR). The factors were identified and their weights were evaluated using the AHP methodology. Furthermore, the potential alternatives were ranked using VIKOR technique in R. Initially, 40 factors were identified, spread across 7 categories and in line with earlier research on online retail and views of retail experts from Indian online fashion retail sector. The analysis revealed that the category ‘webstore-image’ is most preferred and that the factors ‘online shop recognition’, ‘price’ and ‘reputation of stores’ were of importance. The study identified new factors that are important for the success and growth of online fashion retailing that are specific to India. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of fairness concerns of the retailer on the pricing policies of the supply chain partners, their individual profits, and the overall performance of a dual-channel supply chain composed of one manufacturer and one retailer. First, the authors model the dual-channel supply chain under retailer’s fairness concern. Second, the authors derive the optimal pricing policies of the channel members. Third, the authors analyze the effects of retailer’s fairness and bargaining power on the pricing strategies and profit functions of the dual-channel supply chain system. Design/methodology/approach: The authors adopt the manufacturer-led Stackelberg game theoretic framework, where the dominant manufacturer’s pricing decisions are based on the retailer’s pricing decision. The paper considers Nash bargaining solution as the fairness reference point to formulate the utility function of the fair-retailer. The paper uses this approach because it endogenously accounts for the competitive power and cooperative contribution of the channel members when they interact. Findings: The authors find that the retailer’s fairness concerns are not always beneficial for its better performance. If the retailer is moderately sensitive towards its fairness, it will positively influence its performance. However, if the fairness concern becomes too high then it will negatively impact the retailer’s performance because it results in customers’ migration towards direct online channel for buying the products. In addition, if the retailer’s fairness concerns are mild, the manufacturer’s prices will decrease in retailer’s bargaining power, which is opposite otherwise. Originality/value: The authors use Nash bargaining solution model as the fairness reference in the context of dual-channel supply chain, which is comparatively a recent approach and has been used independently from dual-channel supply chain system. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Purpose: In the recent years, the two increasingly popular topics, namely, Industry 4.0 and circular economy (CE) have attracted the attention of many academicians and practitioners. However, the connection between CE and Industry 4.0 has not been much investigated in the literature. Motivated by this gap, the purpose of this paper is to integrate these two streams and attempt to understand the new paradigm of Industry 4.0 for resolving the issues pertaining to CE principles. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses situation, actor, process, learning, action, performance (SAP-LAP) linkages framework to analyze the applications of Industry 4.0 mechanisms in realizing the issues of current CE business models. This is done through the interpretation of the cross-interaction and self-interaction relationships among the different interfaces/elements of SAP-LAP. Findings: The results suggest that top managers are the most essential actors for integrating the use of Industry 4.0 to achieve sustainability, in the light of CE. In addition, advanced technologies such as Internet of Things and cyber-physical systems are the most important Industry 4.0 actions that help in improving the CE performance parameters. Research limitations/implications: This qualitative study is an attempt to analyze and assess the strategic issues pertaining to Industry 4.0 standards in CE. The study identifies learnings (challenges/opportunities) and the corrective actions which are imperative toward achieving CE principles. This study will guide managers and policymakers to understand the importance of implementing Industry 4.0 for accomplishing CE principles. Originality/value: This study integrates two important streams of literature – Industry 4.0 and CE. Thus, this paper offers insights about the importance of Industry 4.0 standards in achieving CE principles. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate India’s poor performance in the overall implementation of e-Governance despite significant improvements in the quality and scope of e-Government services in the country. Design/methodology/approach: The study proposes a conceptual model based on four hypotheses that are tested using the structural equation modeling technique. Based on the results obtained, the conceptual model is suitably modified. Findings: The major finding of the study is that “English proficiency” and “digital divide” sequentially mediate the relationship between “service quality” and the “willingness to adopt e-Governance” in India. Research limitations/implications: The conceptual model emerging from the study adds to the literature on e-Governance service quality and adoption. However, a longitudinal or experimental study may provide more insights into the context. Practical implications: Primarily, this study would interest agencies involved in developing and delivering e-Governance services. Besides, the findings may be useful for the “big data companies” that are interested in gaining direct access to the last-mile users of developing countries. Social implications: The study intends to provide directions to policymakers on improving access to e-Governance services for the people who are deprived of the benefits of such services. Originality/value: This is the first study to incorporate both English proficiency and digital divide in a single conceptual model in the literature related to the relationship between service quality and the willingness to adopt e-Governance. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Smart City (SC) has been a popular area of research and practice during the last decade. An in-depth examination of the existing literature reviews on SCs divulges the scarcity of studies classifying the literature into multiple themes and identifying the popular and less popular themes based on the number of peer reviewed research papers under respective theme. Hence, in this study, a descriptive literature review of 86 peer-reviewed papers on SCs has been conducted to bridge this gap. The findings demonstrate that themes such as SC services design and management, innovation and technology, and citizens’ engagement in design and development of SCs have been extensively studied, whereas, themes such as the social impact, governance and policy, and performance indicators and standards have received moderate attention. However, there are also less popular themes such as the implementation barriers and SC strategy. Further, this study provides a reference source to future researchers. It also delivers valuable information to the policymakers and government bodies, which are actively, involved in the SC projects. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

This article studies the competitive dynamics between an incumbent and a late entrant in a market governed by network effects. Classifying markets based on decision criterion used by majority of consumers in a market, an analytical model for the likelihood of incumbent displacement in these markets is developed and corroborated using simulations. Using product quality offered and product price charged by the entrant as managerial levers, the impact of managerial decision-making on the expected market share of the entrant is discussed. Efficacy of seeding and delayed entry by the entrant in an attempt to perfect its product is also examined. © The Author(s) 2019.

Purpose: The decision regarding ethics and compliance management (ECM) adoption and its actual implementation is usually deliberated as an important corporate social responsibility (CSR) matter. Building on the strategic choice perspective, this study aims to investigate the forces and mechanisms underlying the link between ECM adoption and its substantial implementation. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on survey data of multi-national companies (MNCs) in Asia. Findings: The authors find that firms adopt ECM initiatives due to the impact of critical field events coupled with institutional mimesis and the salience of risk reduction. Moreover, reinforced by top management support and ethics transgressions, firms are inclined to engage in sincere ECM implementation. Originality/value: The study examines important antecedents of ECM adoption and implementation in market MNCs. In doing so, it contributes to the broader CSR literature. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.

In today’s dynamic business landscape, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is considered as an important strategic initiative for attaining sustainable competitive advantage. The present study aims to examine (i) the influence of consumer’s perceived firm innovativeness (CPFI) and consumer trust on perceived CSR activities of the firm and (ii) the mediating role of perceived CSR in the relationship between (iia) consumer’s perceived firm innovativeness and purchase intention (iib) consumer trust and purchase intention. Four hypotheses were tested with the primary data (n = 287) collected through a structured questionnaire. The regression analysis revealed that CPFI and consumer trust have direct positive impacts on the perceived CSR. Further, perceived CSR mediates the relationship between CPFI and purchase intention. However, perceived CSR does not play a mediating role between Consumer Trust and Purchase Intention. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that engagement in the CSR activities tend to reduce the perceived risk associated with innovation and consequently, influence the purchase intention among consumers. Theoretical and managerial implications are further discussed. © 2017, © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to develop the concept of customer stewardship fatigue (CSF) in service marketing literature; second, to reveal three processes through which CSF arises; and third, to identify contextual resources that can accentuate or diminish the processes, thereby influencing the development of CSF in service employees. Design/methodology/approach: This conceptual paper builds on the job-demand resource model and the conservation of resources theory to identify positive and negative contextual resources that can accentuate or diminish the translation of a frontline service employee’s (FLSEs) stewardship orientation into stewardship fatigue (SF). Findings: The findings highlight how low perceived organizational support, low customer gratitude and high customer cynicism could create situations in which display of stewardship behaviors will be associated with SF. Practical implications: The paper can aid practitioners to formulate strategies that can curb the development of SF among FLSEs and help service organizations maintain healthy relationships with customers. Originality/value: The authors fill an important gap in the literature with regard to stewardship through this study. Though researchers have attempted to broaden the concept of stewardship, they have failed to explain the costs and challenges that might be associated with the frequent display of stewardship behaviors. The SF framework developed herein closes this gap, and conceptually develops an early understanding of the negative consequences of continuous engagement in stewardship behaviors. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the efficacy of diversification-based learning (DBL) in expediting the performance of simulated annealing (SA) in hub location problems. Design/methodology/approach: This study proposes a novel diversification-based learning simulated annealing (DBLSA) algorithm for solving p-hub median problems. It is executed on MATLAB 11.0. Experiments are conducted on CAB and AP data sets. Findings: This study finds that in hub location models, DBLSA algorithm equipped with social learning operator outperforms the vanilla version of SA algorithm in terms of accuracy and convergence rates. Practical implications: Hub location problems are relevant in aviation and telecommunication industry. This study proposes a novel application of a DBLSA algorithm to solve larger instances of hub location problems effectively in reasonable computational time. Originality/value: To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first application of DBL in optimisation. By demonstrating its efficacy, this study steers research in the direction of learning mechanisms-based metaheuristic applications. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Purpose: Increased competition among different retail formats has led mall managers to focus on mall promotional activities to attract shoppers to malls. The purpose of this paper is to understand Indian mall retailers views on mall events and its role in improving traffic, sales and mall image. Design/methodology/approach: The current study used a qualitative to decipher mall retailers’ views regarding mall events. In total, 36 in-depth interviews of mall retailers across 13 metropolitan and non-metropolitan cities (Tier-I and Tier-II) were conducted to develop a comprehensive understanding of mall events organized by Indian mall managers. Findings: The findings revealed that mall events were categorized under six different types: product launch events, events organized to promote the social cause, commemorate festivals, celebrity nights, events organized by retailers in malls and theme events. There were differences in the nature of events used by malls in bigger and smaller cities across India. The nature of mall events varied according to regional, cultural and lifestyle factors across the country. Research limitations/implications: Mall managers can use the insights from the study on mall events for segmenting and targeting strategies. The different types of mall events can be used for improving footfall, sales and mall image. The study findings employ a grounded theory approach to understand mall retailers’ views on mall events. Future research can be directed toward understanding mall managers’ and consumers’ opinions about the relevance of mall events in improving footfall and profitability of malls. Originality/value: Extant research has looked at mall events, their role and efficacy in a consolidated manner. The current study attempts to segregate the events organized by mall management into distinct categories and provide linkages of these categories concerning mall image and traffic. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relationships between low carbon supply chain practices and their relationships with environmental sustainability (ES) and the economic performances (EP) of firms. The study also includes an examination of the low carbon supply chain practices that are utilized by Indian manufacturing firms. Design/methodology/approach: Through a questionnaire-based survey, the data received from 83 Indian manufacturing firms was analyzed using a variance-based structural equation modeling technique to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings: The study indicates that carbon governance is a strategic imperative for the adoption of low carbon supply chain practices. Similarly, low carbon product and process design (LCPPD), manufacturing and logistics lead to improved ES. In addition, low carbon purchasing is positively related to the adoption of LCPPD, manufacturing and logistics. No significant relationship was found between the adoption of low carbon supply chain practices and the EP of a firm. Practical implications: The findings of this study may assist manufacturing managers in prioritizing operational practices for the reduction of emissions. Originality/value: This study provides two major contributions to green supply chain management. First, it provides comprehensive empirical evidence on low carbon supply chain practices that are being followed by Indian manufacturing firms. Second, this study also empirically validated a structural model of low carbon supply chain practices. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.

This study, at the intersection of gender, entrepreneurship and innovation, investigates the impact of women leadership (vis-a-vis men) on innovation by SMEs in an emerging economy context. Drawing from the institution-based view, we examine the moderating role of regional formal institutions and informal gender norms on the innovativeness of women-led SMEs in India. Using data obtained from the World Bank Enterprise Survey and World Value Survey, and deploying the Poisson regression method, we find that, overall, women-led SMEs perform better than men-led SMEs in innovation breadth. Interestingly, the regional formal institutional quality negatively moderates the relationship between having a female entrepreneur and firm innovation breadth. In addition, regional gender role expectations act as a positive moderator between having a female entrepreneur and firm innovation breadth. Further, the increase in innovation breadth under unfavourable formal institutional quality and informal gender norms is larger for non-technological innovation than for technological innovation. © 2020 World Scientific Publishing Europe Ltd.

Option contracts are widely used in practice and can be employed to achieve channel coordination. However, limited research work has been reported on option contracts, which considers the influence of decision-makers’ behavior on their optimal pricing/ordering strategies and the overall supply chain performance. Hence, in the present study, we investigate the fairness concerns of the channel members in a two-echelon supply chain, composed of single supplier and single retailer, wherein the retailer procures products from the supplier using the option contract. A behavioral model of fairness has been developed by using Nash bargaining solution (NBS) as the fairness reference while formulating the utility functions of the channel members. The supplier-led Stackelberg game framework is adopted and the equilibrium values are derived. The results demonstrate that under certain conditions on the pricing parameters, the supply chain under the channel member's fairness concerns can be coordinated through option contract. However, irrespective of the channel members being fairness-concerned, when the channel is coordinated, the supplier cannot realize its optimal pricing policy. Additionally, the stronger fairness concern of retailer and the mild fairness concern of supplier leads the channel to approach the pricing policy of the coordinated channel. Furthermore, the fairness sensitivity of the retailer/supplier has a positive/negative impact on the overall supply chain performance. The results are demonstrated with the help of a numerical example. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd

The current research examines the influence of past environmental behavior, peer influence, and green apparel knowledge on green apparel perceived benefits and consequently, its impact on green apparel purchase behavior. Data was collected through a mall intercept technique in cities across India. Past environmental behavior, peer influence, and green apparel knowledge influenced green apparel perceived benefits and consequently, apparel purchase. Perceived benefits were related to attributes like the perceived value in buying fair trade clothing and self-image enhancement. Green apparel brands are becoming popular among Indian consumers, as many fashion designers are using traditional fabrics and fibers to design fashion apparel. Green apparel manufacturers can use the findings to create awareness about altruistic, physical, and esthetic product attributes. These attributes could be linked with green self-identity, style, self-enhancement, and eco-consciousness. Educating and informing consumers about environment-friendly attributes and benefits through social influence can create a favorable perception of green apparel benefits and its value. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Purpose: The article presents an overview of the Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and its relevance in the current organizational context. It broadly captures the advantages of HRIS and the significant challenges involved in its implementation and succeeding stages. Design/methodology/approach: A string of research articles in the domain is reviewed for the briefing. Findings: HRIS is salient in supplementing various Human Resource (HR) functions ranging from HR planning to performance management. It can act as a catalyst in establishing the significance of HR in strategic decision making. It helps managers to effectively store large amounts of employee data and draw inferences from it to make pro-employee decisions. However, despite being relevant in HR functions, HRIS is often surrounded by concerns like employee privacy breach and misuse of information. Originality/value: The article showcases the transformation of the Human Resource function to strengthen its strategic position in the organization and sustain HR professionals. Adoption of HRIS helps to convert HR to a data-driven function. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.

This study utilizes data for the period 2006–2015 to estimate the determinants of road fatality rates in the Indian states. We employ baseline regression, where the total traffic fatalities, total traffic injuries, rural road fatalities, and urban road fatalities are the functions of human errors in driving, weather conditions, and some control variables. This paper is exclusively focussed upon different sets of human-driven factors in influencing the road fatality across the Indian states. Our empirical results show that reckless driving, defective motor conditions, bad weather, and reckless driving by bus, truck, and car drivers are found to cause road accidents. We further find that the increase in motorization rates and rash driving are the primary causes behind the road fatalities, and bad weather play a major role in causing road fatalities and injuries in urban areas. However, road fatalities are increasing; still, cases of under reporting, lack of proper road safety regulation, improper investigation procedures, increasing vehicle usages, and higher urbanization have made the matters quite worse in India. © 2019 John Wiley& Sons, Ltd.

Purpose: This study aims to fulfill the need to explore positive side of work–family interface, especially in emerging economies like India. The authors assessed the relationships of individual (family role salience), organizational (work–family culture) and social (community support) antecedents to work-to-family enrichment. They also examined whether gender moderated the relationship between the three antecedents and work-to-family enrichment. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected on a questionnaire scale from 487 employees. Findings: It has been found that family role salience, supportive work-family culture and community support were directly related to work-to-family enrichment. Gender did not influence the relationship between work-family culture and work-to-family enrichment. However, relationships between family role salience and work-to-family enrichment, and between community support and work-to-family enrichment, were stronger in case of the male employees. The evolving nature of gender and integration of work-family-community domain provide insights into managers and policymakers about the importance of family and community in the organizations. Practical implications: The study builds a business case for facilitating a positive work-family culture in India for both male and female employees. The results point to the transitioning socio-cultural scenario of India, which advocates more similarities than differences in modern gender role expectations and identity. The current study emphasizes that while formulating policy, managers and policymakers should keep in mind evolving preferences of both the genders. Originality/value: The research provides a holistic view of how individual-, organizational- and social-level factors may affect employees’ work–family enrichment in India. It also highlights the changing role of gender. Theoretical and practical limitations are also discussed. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.