Muhammad Saleem

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the relationships between computing, digitalization and integrating technologies of supply chain management 4.0, market and entrepreneurial orientation, and performance of tea manufacturing firms, relying on the resource-based view and dynamic capability theory. In addition, this study sheds light on the mediating role of the market and entrepreneurial orientation. Design/methodology/approach: The results are obtained by analysing survey data from a sample of 410 respondents from Malaysian tea manufacturing firms. A structural equation modelling approach was performed to validate the direct and indirect proposed hypotheses. Findings: Drawing on the resource-based view and dynamic capability theory, this study demonstrates the significant and direct relationships between computing, digitalization, integrating technologies, market and entrepreneurial orientation, and the performance of tea manufacturing firms. In addition, market and entrepreneurial orientation fully mediates the relationship between computing, digitalization, integrating technologies, and the performance of manufacturing firms. Originality/value: Due to the novelty of the supply chain management 4.0 concept in manufacturing firms, limited existing studies shed light on its theoretical and practical implications. The findings from the present study contribute to the existing literature by suggesting the mediating role of market and entrepreneurial orientation between supply chain management 4.0 and the performance of manufacturing firms.

This study investigates students’ behavioural intention towards e-learning practices through the augmented reality app during the COVID-19 pandemic. It extends the literature on the effectiveness of e-learning through the augmented reality app by investigating the students’ social, personal, emotional, and cognitive roles in their behavioural intention towards e-learning in Saudi Arabian higher education institutions. For this study, convenience sampling was used to collect data from 152 graduate and postgraduate students from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. For data analysis, the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling method was applied to investigate the proposed hypotheses’ path modelling. Furthermore, the proposed model for students’ behavioural intention towards e-learning through augmented reality was tested using the social cognitive theory dimensions. It was discovered that personal, social, and emotional factors positively impact the students’ cognitive engagement and behavioural intention towards e-learning. Moreover, the results revealed that the personal, social, and emotional factors affect the behavioural intention of the students towards e-learning through the mediating effect of cognitive engagement. The findings of this study indicated that the students were motivated to learn through the augmented reality app. Thus, educational institutions should upgrade their e-learning practices from traditional to advanced learning techniques such as augmented reality.

Augmented reality is an emerging and promising technology to expand consumer shopping experiences in the retail sector. How augmented reality apps can impact consumer perceptions is still in debate. This study investigates the influence of augmented reality mobile apps on consumers’ behavioral intention to use this technology, using the technology acceptance model. Data were collected from 363 undergraduate and graduate university students in Pakistan. The partial least squares structural equation modeling was applied to check the path relationships. Study participants' experience and perception were measured through the direct and indirect effects of the augmented reality-based mobile app. The study findings indicated that augmented reality app directly influences perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived enjoyment, and indirect influence on attitude toward use and behavioral intention to use. Thus, there is no sequential mediation effect of perceived ease of use and attitude toward use between augmented reality app and behavior intention to use. This study is the first to contribute theory toward understanding retail customer perceptions about augmented reality app and their behavioral intention to use it in Pakistan.

Augmented reality apps are a novel technology in e-learning that enhances students’ learning faster in virtual classrooms. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional teaching mechanisms pushed back due to the quick spread of Coronavirus disease. This study investigates university students’ intention towards e-learning through augmented reality app during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan. This study presented a conceptual model based on the theory of planned behaviour that examines university students’ beliefs and their intention to opt for augmented reality app subject to e-learning of coursework. Structural equation modelling was applied to analyse data from 133 university students in Pakistan. The study findings indicated that the theory of planned behaviour explained university students’ acceptance of e-learning through augmented reality apps, where attitude and behavioural control significantly influenced their intention to adopt augmented reality apps for e-learning; hence, subjective norm showed insignificant results. The results acknowledge the modern way of teaching via augmented reality apps by university students.