Iranian Journal of Management Studies
Volume:17 Issue: 1, Winter 2024

The rationale behind this exploratory research work is to examine the influence of behavioral biases on market investment behavior with the mediating role of brand trust. The research period was of three years (2018-2021). Data was gathered by a self-structured 27-item questionnaire adapted from 3 different scales. Data from 8100 respondents was collected from all Indian states and union territories based on purposive sampling. Meticulous data analysis processes embracing data screening, confirmatory factor analysis, and covariance-based structural equation modeling have been performed. The findings of this study revealed that behavioral biases play an influential role in affecting market investment behavior. However, when an investor develops trust in a brand, the impact of behavioral biases is reduced. Convergent validity and discriminant validity of the questionnaire have been proven along with high-reliability values. The model’s originality is that it is an interdisciplinary model with a combination of behavioral biases and brand trust. The results and findings would augment the current knowledge base. The study results give investors a better grasp of behavioral biases and the role of brand trust in influencing their decision-making.

This study compares the two emerging seaports: Gwadar port (Pakistan); and Chabahar port (Iran). The study evaluates the trade attractiveness among the neighboring countries, i.e., Afghanistan, China, and the Central Asian States, while keeping China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) development in perspective. The two ports may provide one of the closest sea links for the resource-rich Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. At the same time, Gwadar provides China with an alternative and short trade route via Pakistan. The study employs the Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) technique of Multi-Criteria Decision Making methods to evaluate and select the best seaport. The findings establish that Gwadar is a better option. The study also provides recommendations for the authorities of the two ports and the prospective other countries in the neighborhood to ensure maximum return on their investment.

Customers’ perception of service quality can affect their behavioral intentions. However, despite its great importance, there is little agreement and consensus about how to evaluate the quality of online services. The present study has sought to investigate and analyze the impact of dimensions of online service quality on women’s online buying behavior concerning luxury cosmetics. It has been designed and conducted based on nature in two methods qualitative-exploratory and quantitative-survey. The statistical population in the qualitative stage was composed of twenty-three active and experienced customers of Telegram groups of luxury cosmetics. The content analysis method was employed to analyze the qualitative data. In the quantitative stage, the conceptual model of the research was examined. The statistical population of this stage has been the customers of Telegram online groups of luxury cosmetics. The sample size was 385. The qualitative stage data were analyzed and then classified and encoded in the form of dimensions of the perceived online service quality involving group quality, transaction-related service quality, and interaction quality. Quantitative stage findings showed that the dimensions of perceived online service quality have a significant effect on customers’ online purchase intention and impulsive buying.

In the study, developments following the COVID-19 outbreak are discussed in terms of the evolution of technology, competition, new rules in regulation, and responses to the risks posed by COVID-19 and its impact on the financial services provided. The practices made towards these developments are explained in the context of ING, one of the multinational banks, and the banking sector in Türkiye. Non-performing loans (NPLs) as riskiness measurement and loans to assets ratio (LTA) as asset quality are examined based on bank types in the Turkish banking sector by comparing the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Three explanatory variables, namely, capital adequacy ratio, size, and liquidity ratio which are the most important bank-specific determinants of risk and asset quality, are included in the study. The results imply that banks are also affected by the pandemic with companies and individuals. Nevertheless, in the face of this extraordinary situation, supervising institutions and policymakers tried to reduce the effects of the crisis with special policies and regulations, and thus banking sector relatively preserved its pre-pandemic situation.

As FinTech startups grow and develop, the nature of risks that need to be managed also changes. The insurance industry as one area of technology application plays a crucial role in supporting and enhancing the security of these companies. The purpose of this research is to identify the influencing factors and discover a paradigm model for insurance coverage of FinTech startups as an innovative product. The research method is qualitatively based on the Grounded Theory Method. The qualitative part includes semi-structured interviews with fourteen experts. The research conclusions show that the causal conditions provide requirements for the core category. Insurance strategies have an impact when context conditions are present. On the other hand, the COVID-19 crisis is known as the intervening condition. Ultimately, the use of strategies also yields consequences.

The relationship between Transformational Leadership (TL) and organizational performance (OP) has been studied in various contexts. Leaders' involvement in Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) activities is more likely to influence organizational performance. However, how CSR affects the relationship between TL and OP remains under-researched, especially in emerging markets. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between TL and OP in the context of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Further, it investigates how the CSR activities mediate the relationship between TL and OP A structured questionnaire was administered online to collect the responses from 300 managers. The data was analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results identified the positive impact of TL on CSR and CSR on OP This Study unveiled the mediation of CSR between TL and OP relationship. These findings highlight TL, OP, and CSR as essential parts of an organization.

This paper examines the connectedness and spillovers of volatilities among ten selected BSE indexes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Daily data covering the periods from January 2015 to December 2020 has been utilized. We employed the "Diebold and Yilmaz" procedure to investigate directional and total volatility spillovers. The results reveal a significant overall pairwise connectedness of 56.8%, indicating a high degree of inter-stock dependency. Additionally, we computed an aggregate spillover index, and its graphical representation shows a substantial upsurge beginning at the end of 2019, eventually peaking on March 12, 2020. Finally, we divided the dataset into two samples: the period before and the period during the pandemic. The results confirm that COVID-19 has triggered a significant volatility spillover within the Indian market. The policy implications of these findings are also discussed.

A successful international joint venture (IJV) is characterized by good corporate governance (CG); however, despite its importance, no study has been conducted that explains how CG forms in IJVs specifically. Due to the complexity of IJVs, we concentrated on CG and its formative factors exclusively, and this approach made this study and its findings unique. Thus, depicting a comprehensive portrait containing the influential factors that form CG in IJVs and validating the findings through a case study are the aims of this study. Out of the initial pool of 400 relevant publications, 77 factors of CG formation were identified via the systematic literature review research method. Among all of the recognized factors, just nine of them were found to be in effect for the case study companies, which are three Middle-Eastern IJVs. Lastly, “industry, business, and environment” were found as the determinant of formative factors in each type of IJVs.

Purpose - The primary concern of SRI in Indonesia began in 2009 along with the establishment of the Sri Kehati Index (SKI). Since its launch, historically Sri Kehati index has shown better performance compared to several major indices such as the Composite Stock Price Index (CSPI), LQ45, Jakarta Islamic Index, and so on. However, the number of works of literature revealed that the majority of research focuses on the demographic of investors. While investigating related to the role of their religion still small. Moreover, the product of SRI in Indonesia has been established and the type of investor has been classified. Thus examining the behavior of Muslim investors is a necessity. Methodology - Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Then, the questionnaire was shared through an online form nationwide. 205 respondents were collected. Hence, partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied to analyze the data. Findings – The result revealed that socially-oriented investment, environmental-oriented investment, and religiosity have a positive significant influence on the intention to be a socially responsible investment. While financial-oriented investment has an insignificant influence on the intention to be a socially responsible investment. Moreover, religiosity moderates between socially oriented and environmentally oriented investment negatively. Originality – The present paper contributes to the existing literature by giving new evidence of Muslim investor intention in SRI in Indonesia. Research Implications - This research provides some practical contributions for policymakers to enhance the infrastructures of SRI.

The customers of a sports club are among the important pillars of its survival. In this paper, with the help of data mining and machine learning methods, a framework is presented to predict the level of effectiveness of salespersons’ performance to encourage customers of clubs to choose an appropriate shopping strategy. This framework uses a set of data on the topics of idealized influence behavior, inspirational motivation behavior, intellectual stimulation behavior, individualized consideration behavior, and smart selling behavior, as its inputs. In the proposed framework, first, the data is refined using the Pearson criterion, and invaluable questions/features are removed from the data set. There are five levels of effectiveness in our questionnaire, and each of them has a different number of records in the data set. So, in the second step, the data set is balanced using repetition, SMOTE, and Int-SMOTE methods. The Int-SMOTE balancing method is introduced in this paper for the first time. It is a SMOTE method with integer outputs. Finally, using different classifiers, we predict the level of effectiveness of salesperson's behaviors in encouraging customers. Evaluating the models indicates that the different models have been able to correctly identify the level of effectiveness of salesperson's behaviors between 76.16% to 96.82%. Also, we confirm our findings about the effects of different salesperson’s behavior to encourage customers using several other published papers.

The present study systematically reviews previous studies and proposes an integrated framework for the audit expectation gap. Using the meta-synthesis approach among 118 studies in different scientific databases, the scholar applied the seven step-by-step methods of Sandelowski et al. (2007) to analyze the results and findings of the previous scholars. Moreover, two Critical Appraisals Skills Program (CASP) and Kappa Index are used for quality control, Shanon Entropy is employed for code weighting, and the factors with decisive roles in the opening up gap were identified. This study for the meta-synthesis of expectations gap research proposes three separate classifications from the studies on this topic to provide a more detailed acquaintance with the literature on the audit expectation gap, what, why, and how of AEG. It then provides a comprehensive conceptual framework for the expectations gap. This framework includes five concepts (perceptual, knowledge, functional, standardization, and communication gaps) and 44 detailed indices in the audit expectation gap. According to the results, misunderstanding and too much public expectation, breaching independence in auditing, a complication of the auditor's role, and the self-regulatory process of the audit profession have gained maximum significance coefficients. This systematic literature review will be of interest to auditors, all stakeholders, professionals, and regulatory agencies, among other parties. Further, this AEG meta-synthesis may help understand misperceptions and determine how they differ across diverse stakeholders. Finally, a fresh yet more straightforward definition is generated as a result of the comprehensive and systematic review of the literature, adding novelty to the extant literature.

The current study validates AMO-enhancing HRM practices measurement in Malaysian construction firms' setting. The study pattern is cross-sectional. First, an examination of the literature was conducted to find out the fundamental components of AMO-enhancing HRM practices and the relevant items. Following that, these items were subjected to content validity with academic specialists. These items were administered to collect data from construction firms. Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed as AMO-enhancing HRM practices were framed as a reflective-formative second-order construct. After that, AMO-enhancing HRM practices were assessed using reliability and validity examination. The result revealed that AMO-enhancing HRM practices have three dimensions: ability-, motivation- and opportunity-enhancing HRM practices. AMO-enhancing HRM practices are defined by these three dimensions, which collectively encompass various aspects of AMO-enhancing HRM practices. If any elements are excluded, AMO-enhancing HRM practices may be altered. This study is unique when conceptualizing AMO-enhancing HRM practices as a multidimensional construct comprising three dimensions, which had not been investigated in prior studies.

Customer retention is considered one of the firms’ main concerns. Clients can leave a certain firm or brand without committing to it and select the most preferred one from various alternatives. Therefore, it is essential to implement a strategy to retain customers, notably by value co-creation. In this study, we used the mixed-method design. In the qualitative section, we interviewed the targeted sampling of 15 marketing and sales managers and their clients in the services field. The analysis of this section was performed by Nvivo12. In the quantitative section, we surveyed 384 managers of service firms using a simple random sampling questionnaire. This section tested the developed model using the structural equation model and SmartPLS3 software. In this research, the inputs required by the firm and the client for value co-creation were identified. Testing the hypotheses revealed that client satisfaction and non-monetary values ​​for the firm positively impacted customer retention.

The current study aims to deepen the knowledge of the direct and indirect effects of entrepreneurial marketing on customer satisfaction through customer value. The statistical population of this study is food and agricultural products exporting companies participating in the 27th International Agrofood Exhibition in Tehran 2020. Finally, 259 questionnaires considering systematic random sampling methods were explored by structural equation modeling (SEM) using Smart PLS3 software. The result reveals that entrepreneurial marketing affects customer satisfaction directly and indirectly through customer value. Moreover, innovativeness, pro-activeness, resource leverage, and customer orientation increase both customer value and customer satisfaction positively. However, the impact of risk-taking on both customer value and customer satisfaction is not significant. This study contributes to the theoretical ground of entrepreneurial marketing literature by providing this knowledge that which dimensions may affect satisfaction directly and indirectly through customer value.

Most analysts believe that the network-based dynamic data envelopment analysis needs to define a set of endogenous/exogenous weights to evaluate the performance scores of stages and periods. Against this background, the general aim of this study is to introduce heuristic novel approaches based on fuzzy interpretive structural modeling along with the historical value of periods to obtain such weights. In this context, a closer look is taken at how to perfect the model established by Kalantary and its shortcomings. The models are initially developed here in both weighted and unweighted forms, in which a company's current performance can be influenced by its past socio-environmental performance. In the next step, heuristic methods for finding weights for stages and periods are described, and depending on the specific conditions of the models, two alternatives are proposed to combine and formulate the calculated weights. This method is then applied to data from a company, Nirou Moharekeh Industrial Group, to demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed models. The results of probing 12 suppliers show the power of the developed models in the differentiation of the decision-making units since there are no two units with the same ranks. In sum, the results can provide rich information for decision-makers. However, analysts must decide which characteristics to prioritize for evaluation purposes to achieve the best results for each situation.

The willingness of the user to share personal information is an important factor that drives Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications. This study aims to explore the AI beliefs of the consumers who are willing/not willing to share their data with the AI applications. The study was conducted across India by adopting the questionnaire survey method. An Independent sample t-test was conducted on the final sample of 610 respondents to analyze the difference in the means of each of the AI beliefs when divided based on the willingness to share. The results show that the consumers who are willing to share personal data with AI applications have more trust in AI, have a strong preference for AI’s recommendations, currently use these applications, are very aware of these applications, have a positive outlook on their performance and desire several AI applications in the future. They are less worried about the dangers of AI in the future and have less negative feedback. Businesses that invest in AI applications need to educate their target consumers about their data policy and strengthen their beliefs about AI so that they are willing to share personal data to avail recommendations. AI-run applications can be a success only when consumers freely share their preferences without any privacy concerns or trust issues.

Brand extension attitude is an important marketing topic for academics and practitioners. Consumers evaluate brand extensions based on available and relevant information. The current study is one of the first attempts to empirically examine consumer attitudes toward logo and feedback effects on brand extension attitude. The impact of logo attitude on brand extension attitude was investigated by surveying the Iranian dairy industry. The empirical findings suggest that logo attitude was directly related to brand attitude and indirectly associated with brand extension attitude. Furthermore, the brand attitude had a direct positive effect on brand experience. Brand experience's role in generating both brand equity and brand strength was confirmed. It was found that both brand equity and brand strength positively and significantly influenced brand extension attitude.

This paper investigates and explores the relationship between individual motivational factors and employees' performance in the leather industry in South India based on Herzberg's two-factor theory. The data collection process involves the use of a questionnaire survey from 372 leather industry employees in South India. The findings were validated using confirmatory factor analysis. Structural equation modeling was operated to examine the hypothesized relationship. The study shows that motivational dimensions such as training, welfare, compensation, and job security significantly impact employees' performances. Workplace environment and fair treatment have no significant effects on employees' performance. Managers in the South Indian leather sector can use these motivating factors to improve their employees' performance. As a result, this study is the earliest empirical examination of the direct relationship between motivational factors and performances among the employees of the leather industry in South India after the pandemic.

Considering Iran’s potential in medical tourism and being located in one of the world's most competitive health tourism regions, the present study aims to Identify and prioritize strategies for developing medical tourism in the country. The study relied on a mixed research method. In the qualitative part, solutions for Iran’s medical tourism development were identified by interviewing activists and experts. The collected data were analyzed through the thematic analysis method. This process revealed four dimensions and 18 strategies. In the quantitative part, a  questionnaire was developed, and experts in the Iranian medical tourism industry prioritized the identified dimensions and strategies. The analysis of the data through the best-worst method clarified that, from the perspective of the practitioners, dimensions of medical tourism development in Iran were: “marketing,” “applying information and communication technologies,” “human resources development,” and “reinforcing infrastructures.”

The purpose of this study is to investigate the consumers’ reaction to the observance of hygienic principles in the store during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistical population of the present study included all Rasht citizens who are at least 18 years old. The data collection instrument for this study was a questionnaire that was prepared in the form of two scenarios an inter-subject and scenario-based experiment. According to each scenario, 138 samples completed the questionnaire based on watching the submitted video. also for data analysis purposes, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Smart PLS software. The study results illustrated that the significance level for all four behavioral reactions including store attachment, willingness to more pay, repurchase intention, and word-of-mouth advertising was less than 0.05, pointing out a significant difference between customers' reactions in the two stages of the experiment. Also, under high and under-hygienic states, the effect of store attachment, and word-of-mouth advertising on the repurchase intention is positive but the level of influence in the hygienic state is more than that of the low hygienic state. Also, the moderating role of word-of-mouth advertising to an attachment on the store and willingness to pay more has been evaluated positively in both states, and in under hygienic state the level of moderation is higher.