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Obesity is a significant public health issue as it seems to be the cause for high blood pressure, diabetes and other health problems. The human body cannot function efficiently if it has high body mass index score. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), people with BMI score of ≥ 25 are being categorized as obese. One way to control obesity is to rely on the help of technology such as mobile health applications. In literature, there is a lack in research addressing obese people’s intention of using mobile health applications. Recognising the critical role of their behavioural intention to use mobile health applications, this research investigates the factors affecting behavioural intention to use mobile health applications. Adapting Consumer Acceptance Technology (CAT) model by Kulviwat et al. (2007) and Health Belief Model (HBM) developed by Glanz et al. (2008), this research examines factors of perceived cognition, perceived affection, perceived threat, compatibility, accessibility and attitude towards behavioural intention to use mobile health apps. To test the proposed framework, data were collected using quota sampling, while questionnaires were distributed to 500 obese people in the top 5 percent in the states with the obesity population in Malaysia, namely Malacca, Federal Territory of Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah and Perlis. Data collected were analysed using Partial Least Square (PLS) software. The results show that relationship between perceived cognition and perceived affection towards behavioural intention to use is partially significant, while significant relationship has been found between perceived threat, compatibility and accessibility and behavioural intention to use. Besides, perceived cognition and perceived affection partially support relationship on attitude. On the other hand perceived threat, compatibility and accessibility fully support relationship on attitude. Finally, the results demonstrate attitude partially mediates the relationship between perceived cognition and perceived affection, while attitude fully mediates the effect of perceived threat, compatibility, accessibility on behavioural intention to use. Findings provided empirical evidence on the collective effect of behavioural intention to use mobile health applications as well as independent effect of perceived cognition, perceived affection, perceived threat, compatibility and accessibility. Besides, findings suggested to encourage individual to use mobile health applications, while related takeholders should continually improve user perception on health applications.

This study explores the correlation between emotional intelligence (EI) and alcohol consumption patterns among Generation Z, with a focus on university students and graduates with backgrounds in economics and management. The present study explores emotional intelligence as a personal trait that potentially influences risky alcohol behaviors. These behaviors are assessed using the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) and the TEIQue-SF (Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire – Short Form). A sample of 128 respondents, recruited through online platforms, completed these standardized questionnaires. A comprehensive statistical analysis was conducted, encompassing the utilization of Spearman’s correlation coefficient and t-tests. This analysis yielded a negative correlation between emotional intelligence (EI) and the consumption of alcohol in a risky manner. The findings indicated that individuals with lower EI levels exhibited an elevated propensity for alcohol-related risks. Furthermore, gender disparities have been identified as a contributing factor to heightened alcohol consumption risk among males compared to females. While the findings of the present study confirm the association between emotional intelligence (EI) and alcohol risk, they also suggest the presence of complex underlying factors in alcohol consumption behaviors that extend beyond EI. This research contributes to the understanding of the role of emotional intelligence in managing alcohol use, with implications for  developing intervention strategies aimed at promoting emotional awareness and healthier coping mechanisms within Generation Z. Our results not only confirm older models (e.g. Kun et al., 2019; Kun and Demetrovics, 2010; Bar-On, 2006), but also reveal generation-specific nuances—e.g., a lower overall rate of risky drinking, but a persistent gender difference and the fundamental importance of self-control.

Smart IoT devices, such as lights, locks, washing machines, security cameras, etc., are becoming omnipresent in households and companies across all industries. However, most of these devices communicate over non-secure local protocols or via cloud services where security policies are not transparent. Vulnerabilities may lead to unauthorized access to such IoT devices. Blockchain is a technology that brings security by design and can be exploited also in the area of controlling access to IoT devices. The goal of the paper is to test the use of blockchain with IoT devices to increase the security of device usage while ensuring that the user experience remains efficient and user-friendly. Three approaches to use blockchain are proposed and tested: a) application without the blockchain using standard HTTPS protocol; b) an application using blockchain, where users sign the transactions themselves; c) an application using blockchain where the server signs the transactions. The paper successfully shows that blockchain can be used to enhance IoT device security, with an focus on user-friendliness testing to ensure the solutions are practical for everyday use.

This study aims to understand the factors influencing consumers' intention to adopt the metaverse as a marketplace for physical products and the role of trust specifically focusing on the generation aged 18–28. It also explores the moderating role of trust towards the company Meta in these relationships. An exploratory sequential mixed-method research design was employed to develop an encompassing conceptual model, enhance hypothesis formulation, and validate findings through triangulation. In the first phase of the study, in-depth interviews were conducted with professionals and students (n=11), and in the second phase, Likert-type questionnaire was administered (n=386) to university students. The data collected in the second phase was analyzed using Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM) to validate the conceptual model. This included Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) for reliability and validity, followed by the assessment of path coefficients. Double-mean centering was applied to test moderating effects, with all analyses conducted using the R software's lavaan package. The results confirmed the positive effects of novelty, relative advantage, realism, and compatibility on consumers' intention to adopt the metaverse as a marketplace for physical products, while complexity and financial costs were identified as barriers. Trust towards Meta did not have a moderating effect. The findings provide insights for managers to develop the metaverse in a customer-centric manner and promote its unique features while addressing complexity and financial concerns. The study extends the literature on the metaverse in the consumer goods sector and contributes to Innovation Adoption Theory.

In recent decades, digitalization has become increasingly important in the construction industry. Building Information Modeling (BIM), a digital planning method, is becoming increasingly important in the infrastructure sector. Infrastructure planning implementation is complex, so engineering firms still use conventional planning. This study sheds light on the influence of Building Information Modelling (BIM) on increasing productivity in the construction industry. Through a combination of qualitative interviews and quantitative data analysis, an in-depth understanding of the implementation processes, challenges and benefits of BIM was developed. Particular focus was placed on identifying components of success for the effective implementation of BIM in infrastructure engineering firms. The results show that BIM contributes significantly to increasing efficiency by improving the accuracy of project planning, facilitating communication between project participants and reducing the error rate in the execution phase. The study emphasises the need for a clear strategy and training to fully exploit the potential of BIM and provides valuable insights for companies planning to implement BIM.

This research delves into effective messaging strategies employed by companies to shape their reputation in anticipation of an initial public offering (IPO). Drawing insights from the analysis of 1162 media headlines encompassing 30 brands during their IPOs on NASDAQ or NYSE, the study offers valuable recommendations for entrepreneurs and startups engaging in rhetorical preparations for an IPO. By synthesizing the examination of successful companies' media framing with pertinent well-known communication frameworks (strategic communication and the PESO model), the article introduces the new 6I's model. This model serves as a comprehensive marketing guide, empowering entrepreneurs, and businesses to adeptly manage their company's reputation and highlight diverse accomplishments for the cultivation of a positive media image towards the IPO. The 6I's model encompasses messages centered on Increasing and rapid growth, Innovative technology, Immediate relevance, Individuals and personnel, In-charge management, and In-chronicle history and company tradition. Based on the suggested model, this study further develops the theoretical understanding of corporate narrative and strategic communication to mold the reputations of organizations.

This study aims to understand the mechanisms of consumers’ online grocery shopping (OGS) acceptance in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Through this perspective, an extended technology acceptance model is employed by including the fear of COVID-19 factor to reveal the extent of the Turkish consumers’ acceptance of OGS. We have tested the proposed research model on 455 survey participants living in various cities of Turkey. Structural equation modeling is employed to test the eleven research hypotheses. The results indicate that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and attitude are valid predictors of OGS acceptance. Besides, the fear of COVID-19 negatively moderates these relationships. By revealing these empirical results, this study provides some useful insights into our understanding of the acceptance mechanisms of OGS processes in a pandemic situation. We hope to pinpoint the underlying reasons for the vast expansion of OGS among Turkish customers in pandemic times.

To test the diversification benefits of REIT sub-groups formed based on dividend payout ratios, we forecast ex-ante variance-covariance matrices using a rolling window correlation and a DCC model. Regression-based mean-variance spanning tests, mean-variance efficient frontiers, and a minimum variance portfolio allocation approach using ex-ante optimization frameworks are considered. A major finding of the current study is the dividend payout ratios of REITs affect REIT market diversification benefits. Apart from extending stock market index investors’ investment universe and providing more efficient (higher profitability and/or lower risk) portfolios, REITs offer diversification benefits directly related to dividend policies. A unique level of diversification is attained by classifying REITs based on their dividend payout ratios. As well, these REIT sub-groups are capable of left-shifting the efficient frontier of a market portfolio with either of the REIT sub-groups.

In the German-speaking food market, a significant gap exists between consumer preference for sustainable options and purchasing behavior, primarily due to skepticism about the authenticity of sustainability claims. In a study involving 368 participants from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the influence of price on the perceived authenticity of sustainability labels was examined. Participants were surveyed on their explicit attitudes, while their implicit attitudes were assessed using the implicit association test (IAT). Results show that a higher price significantly improves the perception of a product's authenticity. Socioeconomic factors, such as nationality and gender, are significant, with Swiss nationality and female gender showing strong correlations with higher perceived authenticity. This study uniquely examines initial attitudes and reactions to reflect heuristic consumption decisions. Insights can be used to develop pricing and marketing strategies tailored to different markets and target groups, effectively addressing consumer skepticism through targeted communication and pricing.

According to the service-dominant logic, the customer always contributes their resources to service delivery. This study adopts the service-dominant logic approach to social marketing in the context of preventative healthcare services for children immunization and investigates the influence of organizational (administrative quality, technical quality, and interpersonal quality) and customer operant resources (cultural resources, physical resources, and social resources) on word-of-mouth. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test our hypotheses and the evidence indicated that all three quality dimensions of organizational operant resources significantly predict word-of-mouth behavior. Conversely, among three types of customer operant resources, social resources significantly predict word-of-mouth. The study contributes empirical insights to services marketing theory, social marketing theory, and practice.

This study examines the links between conspicuous consumption and user activity on social media platforms, focusing on Generations Z, Y, and X. A set of statements focusing on conspicuous consumption, consumer behaviour on social media, and their food consumption habits was developed and tested on a sample of 679 respondents from the Czech Republic comprising these generations. Factor analysis was used to group tested statements into factors, and regression analysis was used to examine their association with salient consumption patterns. While the link between social media activity and conspicuous consumption was only confirmed for Generation X, the online behaviour of Generation Z, the confirmed influence of influencers on the purchasing behaviour of this generation, suggests a potential link that requires further  investigation.

The article discusses the existing structure of agricultural production in Ukraine and defines the key role of farmers in providing the population with food products at the beginning of a full-scale war. The high adaptability of the small goods sector of the agrarian economy and insufficient attention to its development in the pre-war period have been proven. An assessment of the main challenges, general losses and measures taken regarding the development of agriculture in Ukraine during the war period is given, and the importance of international financial support is emphasized. The need for a balanced model of the corporate and small commodity sectors development in the postwar period with a change in priorities to support small farmers is emphasized. It is proposed to develop a National Action Plan for the Development of Farming, which should be an integral part of the post-war reconstruction plan for Ukraine.

The study aimed to determine the impact of m-banking apps’ ease of use on brand trust, including the moderating effect of users’ demographic factors on that relationship. The research was quantitative, where 400 samples were selected based on simple random sampling. The participants were m-banking app users based on their availability and popularity and concentrated on the Dhaka division. The collected data were processed through the SPSS V23 and SmartPLS. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was run to test the hypothesis. The study revealed a positive significant impact of m-banking apps’ ease of use on brand trust. In addition, gender and age had a moderating effect on the relationship between ease of use and brand trust, especially the male and older class groups who had strong brand trust at the high level of m-banking apps’ ease of use.

This study focuses on intergenerational differences in attitudes towards sustainable consumer behaviour. The research is based on the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030) and analyses the attitudes of Generation Z, Millennials and Generation X. Opinions on this issue were obtained through a questionnaire survey of 703 respondents. The results show that younger generations are more positively disposed towards sustainability and more open to ecological innovations, but their decisions are often influenced by price and a lack of reliable information. Older generations take a more pragmatic approach to sustainable choices and prefer quality, price and brand trust when making purchases. The study confirms the presence of a value-action gap between intention and reality of consumption across all age groups and highlights the importance of transparency and credibility of environmental information. The findings underscore the need for differentiated marketing communication tailored to generational specifics. Institutions should respond with stricter regulation of environmental labelling and the creation of a uniform standard for the certification of sustainable products to improve transparency for consumers.

The use of Virtual Reality (VR) to visualize data is increasingly common in various fields, from medical science to education. However, visualization of geospatial data in VR is still not handled well. GIS data comes in various formats and converting them to 3D can be challenging. The choice of a format capable of streaming large amounts of spatial data in the VR scene is crucial. However, the challenge lies in ensuring the reusability of the presented scenes with different GIS data. Most applications (including the 3D scene models) are created for a single use case and do not allow for simple interchangeability of presented data. This article proposes a reusable architecture of a general-purpose web service for processing and visualizing spatial data in VR using 3D Tiles as the chosen format. The goal of the architecture is to allow fast VR scene generation from GIS data. The critical aspect is the conversion of standard GIS format to 3D Tiles. Several conversion tools were tested and compared using publicly available point and polygon feature layers in order to choose which can be used in the proposed architecture.

A mall has a holistic solution for a variety of consumer needs. Malls have aggressively spread in small cities too. The presence of malls in tier II & III cities of India may have provided diversified experiences of mall culture to its residents. Malls offer an abundance of retail offerings with entertainment and leisure. Previous studies focused upon metro city malls and provided results towards mall attributes, consumer experiences, evoked emotional responses, and patronage intentions. Hence, it is indeed necessary to examine the behavioral aspects associated with visitors of small (non-metro/tier II & III) city malls to assess the change in consumption patterns of small city consumers. The present study attempts to investigate linkages among mall attractive dimensions, visitors’ experiences, and visitors’ emotions. A sample size of 613 (from malls of tier II & III cities, India) was analyzed using SEM through SmartPLS 3. Finding suggests significant relationships with few exceptions. Responders’ emotions (pleasure and arousal) are predicted when they are interacted with mall attractive dimensions due to experiences. The results may benefit mall management, mall tenants, consumers, and society at large.

This study assesses the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows on economic growth and domestic investment in a panel of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries during the period of 1990–2017 by utilizing the method of fixed-effects and system generalized method of moments (GMM). The findings show that FDI inflows are positively and significantly associated with the economic growth of the host economy. When considering the origin of FDI, we find that FDI from developed countries contributes to the growth rate in the receiving economy, while FDI from developing countries shows no significant effect. Importantly, FDI does not appear to crowd in or out domestic investment. Only FDI from developed countries is associated with crowding in of domestic investment.

Despite substantial research on the antecedents of the relationship between brand experience and customer citizenship behavior, the effect of brand attachment remains a neglected subject in marketing research. Using social exchange theory (SET) and attachment theory, this study analyses the role of brand attachment as a mediator in the relationship between brand experience and customer citizenship behavior. Specifically, is to investigate the mediating role of brand attachment in the relationship between brand experience and customer citizenship behavior to clarify the role of the different dimensions of brand values among the customers of fast-food restaurants in Egypt. In this study, data was gathered through a questionnaire based on fast food restaurants. and for data analysis, structural equation modelling (SEM) was used. Findings reveal that customer citizenship behavior is directly influenced by brand experience. Furthermore, brand experience directly and significantly impacts brand attachment. Moreover, brand experience is a strong predictor of brand attachment, which promotes consumer citizenship behavior. The study finds that there is a partial influence on the relationship between Brand experience-consumer citizenship behavior relationship.

The aim of the paper is to determine the preferred forms of online shopping and preferred device for online shopping for different product categories by the youth consumers. The research showed that the smartphone plays not only an important role in the consumer behaviour of youth consumers, but they also frequently shop using this device. The paper also identifies the situational and demographic factors affecting online shopping based on which consumer segments were created. Cluster analysis using the K-means algorithm formed consumer segments in the online market in the Czech Republic. Four segments were defined – economically decisive from a city, emotively decisive, rationally thinking from a town, economically active. The results can be purposefully used in creating recommendations for e-shops and for their marketing management.

This paper uses the Malmquist Productivity Index to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hotel productivity. It decomposes total factor productivity change (TFPC) into technical efficiency, pure and scale efficiency, and technical change to conclude on productivity growth before and after the outbreak of the pandemic. 112 hotels in four cities of the United States between 2011–2021 were subject to the analysis, using a multi-input (room, labor, and F&B costs) multi-output (accommodation, F&B, and total revenue) DEA-Malmquist model. The pandemic did not have an adverse effect on hotel productivity change, mainly due to the developments attributed to technological advancements. The paper offers crucial managerial implications. The results of the analysis emphasize the prominence of investment in technology to sustain productivity levels. It supports managers with strategy development and offers decision makers a wider overview of the sector.

Technostress as an academic domain has evolved significantly since year 1984. Based on the systematic literature review (SLR), eight determinants of technostress were identified which were classified into individual and organizational categories. Individual determinants were further divided into demographic, psychographic and cognitive categories. Outcome of the SLR was the development of a comprehensive framework of technostress. This study can facilitate the top management and the HR managers of organizations to adopt appropriate change management interventions while implementing and augmenting new technologies.

The paper focuses on valuation multipliers for privately held companies, with the aim of developing and applying a methodological procedure to improve the accuracy of estimating the market value. This improvement is achieved through the differentiation of an industry multiplier using financial decomposition. We applied the proposed methodology enhancements to a dataset comprising 50 Czech breweries, estimating their market value using the discounted cash flow method. Importantly, our proposed modification to the methodology is not limited to this sample of breweries; its nature makes it a generally applicable procedure. Our results demonstrate that the application of our proposed procedure significantly enhances the accuracy of market value estimation for privately held companies, yielding an increase of 40–50% compared to the use of the median value.

Traditionally, market comparison requires identifying a peer group, which still poses unresolved practical difficulties today. This research seeks to provide valuable insights into the practicality, efficiency, and accuracy of machine learning in valuing a company. It employs a state-of-the-art machine learning technique, Gradient Boosting Decision Trees (GBDT), to predict the valuation multiple directly. A yearly dataset of U.S. public companies from 1980–2021 was used. The most common multiples (EV/EBITDA, EV/EBIT, P/E, and EV/Sales) were tested. The performance of GBDT was assessed against an industry-based method. GBDT consistently outperformed the alternative method with an average 24 percentage point decrease in the median average percentage error. The results support GBDT’s potential as a supplementary tool in valuation practice.

One of the important issues for companies is liquidity from domestic and foreign trade. The market is classically defined by the number of available markets. Globalization and free trade zones set up the foreign market, which becomes increasingly important - even for SMEs. This paper analyzed approx. 60,000 bank transactions with foreign reference of Northern German SMEs by using Chi-square test and correlation analysis. The analysis proofs that an increasing number of foreign transfers increases the number of foreign currency accounts per company. The results also show that despite the existence of currency hedging tools, a significant proportion of SMEs continues to expose themselves to currency risk. The willingness to manage currency risks increases with the increase in value per transaction. Transactions with a value of less than EUR 10,000 are often transferred abroad in EUR instead of in foreign currency.

As society becomes more and more socially conscious, corporate social responsibility may be one of the factors influencing the decision to buy. In the 21st century, cause-related marketing as one of the possible initiatives of a socially responsible approach became a common part of building a relationship with customers. But what are the differences in the perception of a cause-related marketing campaign among consumers with different levels of donation size with regard to gender distribution? Using existing studies, the responses concerning the perception of the campaign supporting a collection for the Zoo in the Czech capital were evaluated through a questionnaire survey. The data were factor-analyzed to determine the dimensions of the perception of the cause-related marketing campaign. The results show a two-factor solution: consumer attitudes towards the product and the company involved in the cause-related marketing campaign and consumer attitudes towards cause-related marketing in relation to a non-profit organization. The impact of donation size and gender on the resulting factors is assessed after.

This article is focused on the differences in the brand equity of the streaming service Netflix before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic. Brand equity is measured by a specially modified conceptual model. Based on a two-wave questionnaire survey, the possible impact of the pandemic on the dimension of the conceptual model was examined. The results showed that there was no statistically significant change in the level of brand equity but there was a change in its structure. It was also found that although the number of people who tried Netflix’s services increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, they did not become long-term users.

Gender equality is the state where both men and women get equal opportunities, rights and status. Our exploratory research focuses on the situation in Armenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. Unlike usual researches where traditionally countries from the West and East of Europe are investigated our exploratory research focuses on countries from the Eastern Block. These countries support gender equality in the labor market; however, they contribute in strengthening the traditional family model with the length of parental leave. Based on our exploratory research we can identify patterns showing that the opinion of society about the distribution of gender roles has undergone changes in these post-socialist countries. In general, there is a common understanding about equal rights of men and women. But still, in all investigated countries, there are “traditionally” thinking people, who tend to keep the strict role-distribution of gender in child upbringing, participation of women in political and managerial matters. The results of our exploratory research can guide the human resource departments and organizations who deal with labor market in their professional orientation activities among younger generation and be a base for a future large sample research to prove the identified patterns highlighted after analyzing the sample used by the authors.

Given the rapid advance and the growing influence of social media, the need to research this unique phenomenon becomes more apparent and urgent. This research examines the influence of social media marketing activities (SMMA) on Brand Equity, in the case of bottled water brands. Additionally, it offers a research model that investigates both direct and indirect effects of SMMA on Brand Equity, where Brand Trust is used as a mediator. A quantitative method was used to investigate the most popular domestic and foreign brands of bottled water in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with all 518 respondents being both bottled water consumers and social media users. Furthermore, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed to assess the reliability of the scales, while structural equation modeling was used to estimate the proposed hypotheses of the research. The obtained measurement results revealed that SMMA have a direct impact on Brand Trust and Brand Equity, keeping in mind that Brand Trust mediates the link between SMMA and Brand Equity. Therefore, the aims of the study are threefold: to increase the knowledge about social media, to shed more light on the relationship between SMMA, Brand Trust, and Brand Equity, as well as to help organizations recognize the benefits of using and investing in social media. Due to the fact that this research was conducted on brands in Bosnia and Herzegovina, research in another country can yield different results, given a different culture, mentality, and general educational and material status.

This study aims to prove the factors that affect learning outcomes achievement of management accounting courses. The sample is accounting students at four major universities in East Java, Indonesia. The questionnaire was filled out using a Google form, and the number of samples was 417 respondents. Hypothesis testing using partial least squares. Nine hypotheses were tested with gender as a moderating variable. Performance expectations and effort affect student intensity and subsequently affect active participation. Changes in facilitation conditions and the level of participation affect the achievement of learning outcomes. Different from prediction, gender was not shown to be a moderating variable.

Commercial real estate loans (CREL) are a modern essential business segment and of major relevance to the financial stability of an economy as they interconnect the financial markets and the real economy. Consequently, CREL are of specific interest to regulatory authorities. As far as the author knows, there exists no universal definition of CREL in the global financial industry and the regulatory environment. This has been subject to criticism due to resulting gaps and bias in data generated by regulatory filing. This study contributes to academia and applied sciences by providing the missing link. It develops a comprehensive categorization of CREL on a foundation of 34 sources predominately provided by regulatory authorities in the US and the EU. The categorization is based on a qualitative synthesis of main CREL characteristics of this particular heterogeneous asset class outlined in the detected sources. The objective of this work is to support the development of a common understanding of this investment segment among banks, institutional investors and regulatory authorities in order to allow an accurate and prompt filing.