Optimizing ultrasonic reactor operating variables using intelligent soft computing models for increased biodiesel production


Purpose
This study aims to investigate consumer brand loyalty toward halal cosmetics using the theory of planned behavior through repurchase intention, which is primarily relying on the consumer’s attitude toward halal cosmetics. Important predictors such as trust on halal cosmetics, quality of halal cosmetics and religious beliefs of millennial Muslim female consumers shape consumer attitude.


Design/methodology/approach
The present study used the quantitative research design and deductive approach to collect the data from 275 halal cosmetics users in Pakistan by using a judgmental sampling approach.


Findings
Findings of the study provide useful insights for both theory and practice. The results support product quality, religious belief and trust on halal cosmetics as predictors of consumer’s attitude toward halal cosmetics that further develop consumers’ repurchase intention, which in turn enhances their overall brand loyalty. Besides, the findings also show that consumer repurchase intention has a mediating effect between consumer attitude toward halal cosmetics and consumer brand loyalty.


Practical implications
The current study helps in advancing practitioners’ understanding of female consumers’ brand loyalty in the halal cosmetics context. This study is considered to be greatly helpful for managers to gain knowledge about how repurchase intention and brand loyalty of millennial Muslim female consumers can be developed in the halal cosmetics segment, especially in the case of Pakistan.


Originality/value
Brand loyalty has been investigated by previous studies through different predictors and antecedents. This study contributes to the literature of brand loyalty by empirically examining and validating the different antecedents of consumer attitude that are accountable for creating consumer brand loyalty in the domain of halal cosmetics within the Pakistani cultural context. The current study also enhances the previous scholarly understanding on halal cosmetics by investigating the mediating role of consumer repurchase intention of halal cosmetics that further extends the discussion for both theory and practice.


Attitude, repurchase intention and brand loyalty toward halal cosmetics

The rapid development of information technology and the diffusion of Internet-only banks have made mobile banking an essential service in Korea. Meanwhile, the spread of non-face-to-face services triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic is encouraging continuous innovation in the banking sector. This study explored the application design attributes of mobile banking in the context of the sustainability of Internet-only banks. Specifically, this study empirically analyzed user usage intention and attitude using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and seven service design attributes derived from previous studies, namely: information quality, service quality, utilitarian value, hedonic value, ease of use, usefulness, and aesthetics. Information quality, utilitarian value, ease of use, and usefulness positively affected sustainable usage intention and attitude, while service quality, hedonic value, and aesthetics did not affect sustainable usage intention and attitude. Notably, this study derived the theoretical attributes of financial service design from the user’s perspective, which has not yet received much attention in existing research, by applying the TPB. It also identified mobile banking service attributes that may support the sustainability of financial services, which lays a foundation for further research. Moreover, this study’s findings offer insights into which user touchpoints designers should focus on when developing services.

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Mobile Banking Service Design Attributes for the Sustainability of Internet-Only Banks: A Case Study of KakaoBank

PurposeThe complex network structure causes several disruptions in the supply chain that make risk management essential for supply chain management including halal supply chain (HSM). During risk management, several challenges are associated with the risk assessment phase, such as incomplete and uncertain information about the system. To cater this, the authors propose a risk assessment framework that addresses the issues of uncertainty using neutrosophic theory and demonstrated the applicability of the proposed framework through the case of halal supply chain management (HSCM).Design/methodology/approachThe proposed framework is using the capabilities of the neutrosophic number which can handle uncertain, vague and incomplete information. Initially, the risk related to the HSC is identified through a literature review and expert’s input. Further, the probability and impact of each HSM-related risk are assessed using experts’ input through linguistic terms. These linguistic values are transformed into single-value trapezoidal neutrosophic numbers (SVTNNs). Finally, the severity of each HSM-related risk is determined through the multiplication of the probability and impact of each risk and prioritised the risks based on their severity.FindingsA comprehensive risk assessment framework is developed that could be used under uncertainty. Initially, 16 risks are identified related to the HSM. Further, the identified risks are prioritised using the severity of the risks. The high-priority risk is “raw material status”, “raw material wholesomeness” and “origin of raw material” while “information integrity” and “people integrity” are low-priority risks.Practical implicationsHSM risk can be effectively assessed through the proposed framework. The proposed framework applied neutrosophic numbers to represent real-life situations, and it could be used for other supply chains as well.Originality/valueThe proposed method is effectively addressing the issue of linguistic subjectivity, inconsistent information and uncertainty in the expert’s opinion. A case study of the HSC is adopted to illustrate the efficiency and applicability of the proposed risk framework.

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A risk assessment framework using neutrosophic theory for the halal supply chain under an uncertain environment

This paper highlights how the proliferation of online transactions, especially those involving the use of credit cards, has resulted in the emergence of new security flaws that pose threats to customers and enterprises worldwide. E-commerce and other forms of online monetary transactions have become essential in the manufacturing and service sectors, propelling the global economy. The widespread and dependent connectivity of mobile payment systems using credit card transactions presents chances for fraud, risk, and security breaches. In light of the importance of accurately predicting fraud incidents through payment procedures, this study investigated the credit card payment methods used for movie tickets, using the machine learning logistic regression method to analyze and predict such incidents. This study used a dataset from cinema ticket credit card transactions made in two days of September 2013 by European cardholders, including 284,807 transactions out of which 492 were fraudulent purchases. The results of the proposed method showed a prediction accuracy of 99%, proving its high prediction performance.

/pdf/fraud-prediction-in-movie-theater-credit-card-transactions-1akrnj33.pdf

Fraud Prediction in Movie Theater Credit Card Transactions using Machine Learning

The emergence of high-speed internet (5G) services and the demonetization of the Indian currency by the Government of India in the year 2016 served as catalysts for the growth of banking services, such as internet/mobile banking. The main objective of the study was to investigate the role of perceived financial cost, perceived risk, and trust in the adoption of mobile banking services by users. The study extends the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to explain the adoption of mobile banking services by young Indian customers. The data from 253 users of age between 18–30 years were collected through a survey questionnaire and were analyzed using structural equation modeling with Amos 22.0. The results revealed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and perceived financial cost exhibited a significant positive influence on behavioral intentions. However, the facilitating conditions were found to exert no effect on actual use. In addition, the results demonstrate that both perceived risk and perceived trust moderate the relationship between behavioral intention and the actual use of mobile banking. The results of the study provide some novel insights into how perceived risk and perceived trust shape the interplay between behavioral intention and the actual use of mobile banking services. The inferences drawn from the study may enhance the understanding of the transformation of behavioral intention into the adoption and actual use of mobile banking services.

/pdf/how-does-perceived-risk-and-trust-affect-mobile-banking-3e2anvzl.pdf

How Does Perceived Risk and Trust Affect Mobile Banking Adoption? Empirical Evidence from India


Purpose
The purpose of the study is to identify factors influencing the continuance of use of non-halal certified cosmetics among Muslim university students in Malaysia.


Design/methodology/approach
The research framework was developed based on the stimulus–organism–response model. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed using a purposive sampling method among Muslim students in three universities in Malaysia. A total of 501 usable data were collected and analysed using Smart partial least squares.


Findings
The analysis revealed that celebrity endorsement positively influences attitude and brand image. Meanwhile, brand image has a positive effect on attitude and continuance of use of non-halal certified cosmetics. Additionally, attitude has a positive effect on the continuance of use behaviour. Regarding predictive power enhancement, brand image and attitude were found to have a mediation effect and sequential mediation effect on the relationship between celebrity endorsement and the continuance of use behaviour. Attitude weakens the relationship between attitude and the continuance of use of non-halal cosmetics among Muslim university students in Malaysia.


Practical implications
Findings will primarily benefit halal and non-halal cosmetic manufacturers providing stakeholders with fundamental predicting information related to customers’ continuance of use thus resulting in better marketing strategies.


Originality/value
This study is focused on predicting consumer behaviour towards halal products, as well as young Muslim consumers’ perspective towards non-halal cosmetics. Celebrity endorsement is introduced as a stimulus in the context of Muslim university students to predict their continuance of use behaviour of non-halal certified cosmetics. The investigation includes the moderating effect of religiosity for the relationship between attitude and continuance behaviour. Findings reveal the mediating effects of brand image and attitude as a mediator and sequential mediator for the relationship between celebrity endorsement and continuance of use behaviour. Contributions enrich the literature related to non-halal certified contexts.


Shahbaz Khan

Papers

How Does Perceived Risk and Trust Affect Mobile Banking Adoption? Empirical Evidence from India

I love my cosmetics: educated young Muslim’s behaviour of non-halal certified cosmetics

Unearthing the barriers of internet of things adoption in food supply chain: A developing country perspective