Modelling internet banking adoption in Fiji: A developing country perspective

The purpose of this study is to investigate the behavioral intention to adopt internet banking (IB) by individuals under the influence of user espoused cultural values in Fiji. A conceptual framework is developed by extending the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model, incorporating customer satisfaction and perceived risk constructs and cultural moderators of individualism and uncertainty avoidance. This research adopts a quantitative approach and collects data from 530 respondents. The proposed model is tested using structural equation modelling. The empirical results obtained suggest that IB adoption is positively influenced by the levels of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions while perceived risk negatively influences IB usage intention. IB intention was found to positively impact usage behavior which ultimately impacts customer satisfaction. This study also reveals that uncertainty avoidance dampens the influence of performance expectancy and facilitating conditions on IB adoption intention. The study highlights the importance of individual’s cultural values in promoting IB adoption. It contributes to the literature by extending and testing a comprehensive research model to better understand IB behavior.     

How perceived value drives the use of mobile financial services apps

Mobile information services have revolutionized business models and service delivery methods by facilitating consumer access to information and order placement via mobile apps. In developed markets, mobile banking (m-banking) and mobile payment (m-payment) applications have replaced text-based mobile services. However, extant research has not addressed these mobile financial services apps (MFSAs) adequately from the perspective of consumer behavior. Thus, the present study developed and tested a series of hypotheses related to the antecedents of perceived value of MFSA use; it also examined how such use affects the development of customers’ overall relationships with banks. Our hypotheses were tested using two samples (N = 992; N = 524) comprising different types of MFSA end-users in one of the leading countries in digital banking, Finland. The results supported most of the hypotheses and revealed that self-congruence and new product novelty are the principal drivers of perceived MFSA value. In addition, the findings show that the perceived value of MFSAs yields strong positive effects on customers’ overall satisfaction and commitment to their bank. The present study’s key managerial implication is that banks’ investments in developing MFSAs result in improved relationships with customers and increased business.     

Written feedback in mathematics: Mediated by students' perception,moderated by goal orientation

Although feedback is a popular topic in educational research, the question of how and on what conditions feedback in mathematics affects learning seldom has been addressed. In this study, we investigated: (1) whether process-oriented feedback in mathematics leads to greater interest and higher achievement development compared to social-comparative feedback; (2) whether students' perception of feedback with regard to usefulness and competence support mediates these effects; and (3) whether the impact of feedback is moderated by students' mastery approach goal orientation. To answer these research questions, 146 ninth-grade intermediate school students in Germany were randomly assigned to both feedback conditions. Results of path analyses revealed (1) no significant total feedback effects on interest and achievement development, but (2) indirect effects on the development of interest via perceived competence support and usefulness, and on achievement development via perceived usefulness, as well as (3) a moderation effect of mastery approach goal orientation on the impact of feedback on perceived usefulness.     

Satisfaction and closeness in same- and cross-national college roommate relationships: What similarity matters?

Living with a cross-national roommate provides unique opportunities for college students to engage in cross-cultural learning and to form meaningful intercultural relationships. However, little is known about the challenges faced by college students in building a successful cross-national roommate relationship. Based on the similarity hypothesis, this study examined whether or not perceived dissimilarities in living habits or attitudes toward college life accounted for discrepancies between same- and cross-national roommate pairs’ closeness and satisfaction with their roommate relationships. Structural equation modelling with survey data from 479 students (66.4 % female; 13.6 % international students; 17 % with a cross-national roommate) living in on-campus residence halls in a large university in the US showed that college students experiencing cross-national roommate relationships perceived more dissimilarities in living habits and attitudes toward college life than those living with same-nationals, which in turn related to lower levels of roommate satisfaction and/or roommate closeness. However, when perceived dissimilarities along with other variables (including gender, roommate’s study participation status, and roommate assignment method) were controlled, they reported no less satisfaction and even higher levels of closeness than those living with same-national roommates. Findings suggest that the benefits of cross-national affiliations in college residence halls are more likely to occur if educators and staff can help students prepare for and manage perceptions of differences, especially in living habits.     

科技强国品牌原产地形象对品牌再购意愿的影响：基于科技创新与建构思维的分析

基于人们对科技强国具有刻板印象，探究来自非科技强国的品牌如何从科技创新和消费者思维的角度突破“来源国偏见”。采用实证研究法，通过实验证明相比于来源于非科技强国的品牌，来自科技强国的品牌将会让消费者产生更高的再购买意向，而实现科技创新中的技术创新能有效扭转非科技强国对消费者购买行为的负面影响，消费者建构思维也将调节消费者固有的来源国效应。最后根据实证研究结果，从国家层面、行业层面以及消费者层面提出具体的突破路径建议。