Emerald | Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues

To restrict or not to restrict personal internet usage on the job

Leila Canaan Messarra, Silva Karkoulian, Richard McCarthy — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The subject of cyber-slacking has prompted many organizations to respond by enforcing or implementing policies that restrict internet access. The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the impact of four internet monitoring policies on cyber-slacking and work satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – Employees working in medium-size organizations in Lebanon were surveyed. Chi-square tests, correlation, ANOVA, and regression analysis were used to test the hypothesis. Findings – Results indicated that having a free internet access had a positive relation with cyber-slacking, leading to an increase in work satisfaction. The survey also indicated relationship with demographic factors. Research limitations/implications – Although the research provides useful insight on cyber-slacking and monitoring policies, it is nevertheless restricted to Lebanese companies. Originality/value – This paper adds to the literature on cyber-slacking by empirically testing the effect of different monitoring policies.

Exploration of process and competitive factors of entrepreneurship in digital space: A multiple case study in Iran

Najmeh Hafezieh, Peyman Akhavan, Farjam Eshraghian — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the process and competitive factors of entrepreneurship in digital space in Iran. Design/methodology/approach – In the last decades, the development and advancement of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the business innovations related to them have defined a new economy which is known as “digital economy”. Establishing and running businesses in this digital space means carrying out a kind of electronic commerce by exploiting the internet and other electronic networks. The new digital economy provides exceptional opportunities for many entrepreneurs to create new ventures in different business areas according to electronic commerce models. Given that researchers in Iran have not studied digital entrepreneurship and there is a great interest in digital entrepreneurship, further research is needed on this subject. According to research in Canada by Carrier et al. on cyber entrepreneurship, the authors used the same method and studied five cases that work in digital entrepreneurship in Iran. In this paper, the authors first review the literature of digital entrepreneurship – digital entrepreneurship framework that include a typology of digital ventures and their characteristics, characteristics of digital entrepreneurs, and the distinctions between digital and traditional entrepreneurship. Then five digital entrepreneurs in Iran were surveyed to explore the process of their entrepreneurship and competitive elements applied by them. Findings – The most notable contribution of this research is the focus on the process of this type of entrepreneurship and the steps which were used by entrepreneurs. Unlike the traditional forms of entrepreneurship, the entrepreneurs in cyber space in Iran did not examine the feasibility of their projects; also, the identification of a business opportunity created business ideas. Another contribution is that the authors found ten factors as the internet-based entrepreneurs' competitive elements in Iran, and also found interesting results about characteristics of internet-based entrepreneurs. Originality/value – This paper provides an overview of internet-based entrepreneurship in Iran. According to collected information, the authors propose the process of internet-based entrepreneurship and its competitive elements, and establish a basis for future research.

Limitations of e-commerce in developing countries: Jordan case

Muneer Abbad, Rami Abbad, Malik Saleh — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to clarify the status of e-commerce in terms of limitations, problems and barriers facing the application and use of e-commerce in Jordan. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire approach was employed in this research study to obtain the most appropriate information for identifying the main limitations of e-commerce in the context of the study. A delivery and collection questionnaire was used as a method for obtaining data from e-commerce customers contacted through a number of universities. Findings – There are found to be six main limitations of e-commerce: security and trust; internet experience; enjoyment; language; legal issues; and technology acceptance (ease of use and usefulness). The results of this research showed that the main limitations of e-commerce in Jordan appeared to be related to non-technical limitations. The reason behind this result could be related to the lack of students' awareness of technical issues, in that they might not have known about the technical issues that could face e-commerce. Research limitations/implications – This research provides the foundation for additional research in developing countries related to e-commerce, the results of which would be internationally useful. Comparison between countries could also be significant. Finally, investigation of the limitations of e-commerce from a company point of view could be useful because companies are the providers of these services. Originality/value – The paper summarizes the main limitations of e-commerce from the Jordanian customer's point of view. In addition, the results of this study extend the body of knowledge by providing a set of limitations that may explain customers' perceptions of e-commerce benefits and limitations. One finding – the difference in attitudes related to age, gender, internet experience, and income – may be of use to the development of company marketing strategies, for example, in regard to what enjoyment factors might motivate customers to do their shopping online. Managers and designers may find such information useful for predicting which systems will be acceptable to customers, diagnosing reasons why the system may not be fully acceptable to customers, and which corrective actions to take in increasing the acceptability of their systems.

Psychometric revision of a Jordanian version of the metamemory in adulthood questionnaire (MIA): Rasch model, confirmatory factor analysis, and classical test theory analyses

Mahmoud Alquraan, Abed Alnaser Aljarah — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the psychometric properties of a Jordanian version of the Metamemory in Adulthood (MIA) questionnaire of Dixon, Hultsch and Hertzog. Design/methodology/approach – The sample for this study consisted of 656 students randomly selected from Yarmouk University-Jordan. Translation-back-translation, classical test theory, IRT Rasch model, and confirmatory factor analysis procedures were used to evaluate the psychometric properties of a Jordanian version of the MIA (MIA-Jo). Findings – The results of these analyses show that 76 items (out of 108 original MIA items) provide sufficient evidence in support of the reliability and validity of the MIA-Jo. The results also show that the MIA-Jo has the same structure or subscales as the original MIA. Research limitations/implications – The sample for this study consisted of 656 students randomly selected from Yarmouk University-Jordan. Therefore, the study recommends the necessity to conduct more research on the MIA-Jo using samples that have a wider range of age (up to 80 years) and other strata of Jordanian society. Originality/value – This study is expected to provide researchers and educators in Jordan with a valid and reliable instrument to do more research on metamemory and its relationship with other cognitive variables.

Cross-cultural adaptivity and expatriate performance in the United Arab Emirates

Sabina Cerimagic — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to find out if Australian project managers who are working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) receive cross-cultural training and if this training helps them to adapt to the new environment and perform better. Design/methodology/approach – The information on which this paper is based was obtained through semi-structured interviews conducted with Australian expatriates who were working the UAE in 2009. Findings – The findings suggest that cross-cultural training is very important in that it helps minimise, although not eradicate, misunderstandings and inappropriate behaviours. Specific cross-cultural training provides expatriates with information and guidance that is relevant and particular to the culture in which they will be working. The information provided should be on the destination country and its people and that country's specific culture, values, attitudes and appropriate behaviours. Research limitations/implications – Providing expatriates with the appropriate cross-cultural training is only useful if the expatriate is receptive and willing to learn. The best training in the world is useless if the expatriate is unwilling to learn. This research did not look at the selection criteria for expatriates. Selecting the right people, who are willing to learn and who enjoy new and sometime challenging environments, is paramount to the success of cross-cultural training. Originality/value – By providing expatriates with cross-cultural training, expatriates are more likely to adapt to the new culture faster, which will in turn help the expatriates to perform at their full potential.

Editorial

2011-11-08 00:00:00.0