Vol. 7, Issue 2, 2022

Summary

Inconsistencies in the Perception of Fairness in the Workplace

  • Page: 97
  • Authors: Matt ZINGONI
  • Abstract: Based on fairness theory, I examine how employees’ perceptions of how fairly they are treated (i.e., perceived procedural justice for self) and their perceptions of how fairly other employees are treated (i.e., procedural justice for others) influence different dimensions of their work performance and their turnover intentions. Results suggest that employees are aware of and are influenced by both procedural justice for self and for others – and, for some outcomes, how much perceived justice for self and others differ. Employees were more likely to be altruistic toward their coworkers when they perceived that they were treated more fairly than others. They were more likely to engage in neglect when they were treated more (or less) fairly than others were treated. Whereas employees had the highest turnover intentions when they perceived low procedural justice for themselves and others, their in-role performance was only influenced by how fairly they were treated.
  • JEL Classification: M54
  • Keywords: job performance, procedural justice, turnover
  • DOI: 10.24818/mer/2022.06-01
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Are Gamers Satisfied with Their Money Spent on Virtual Goods in Online Games? Understanding Gamers Satisfaction based on Perceived Values and Purchasing Motivation

  • Page: 119
  • Authors: Muhammad Zhafir AFIF, Prawira Fajarindra BELGIAWAN, Muhamad Abdilah RAMDANI
  • Abstract: One’s purchase of Virtual goods that can only be used in the virtual world becomes an exciting thing to explore further. Someone willing to exchange money in the real world for virtual goods in online mobile games indicates the value that makes users feel satisfied from purchases made continuously. This study aims to determine the values of virtual goods perceived by gamers and assess their satisfaction with purchasing virtual goods. The results indicate that users who purchased virtual goods in online mobile games fall into utilitarianism and hedonism. Utilitarianism means being influenced by functional, emotional, and social values. Hedonism, henceforth, refers to being influenced by functional and emotional values. Meanwhile, satisfied owning virtual goods are only found with hedonic purchasing motivation. In addition, perceived ease of purchase does not affect the repurchase of virtual goods. This study provides users’ perceptions of virtual goods and helps developers determine the aspects and attributes of virtual goods that need to be considered so that users can be satisfied with their purchasing virtual goods.
  • JEL Classification: C12, C30, C83, D46, M30
  • Keywords: online mobile games, virtual goods, perceived values, gamers’ purchasing motivations, customer satisfaction
  • DOI: 10.24818/mer/2022.06-02
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Evidences and Determinants of Zombie Firms: Implication on Economic Growth

  • Page: 141
  • Authors: Felicia Anikpe NAIMO, Sunday Oseiweh OGBEIDE
  • Abstract: The study examined determinants of zombie firms using a sample of seventy five (75) listed non- financial firms in Nigeria. The correlation statistics, panel fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and panel ordinary least squares estimation methods were applied to analyze the data for the period 2012 to 2019. The study evidenced about 17.3% existence of zombie firms in the non-financial sector. Capital adequacy, interest coverage ratio, earnings before interest, and tax and firm age were found to be the key drivers of zombie phenomenon in the Nigeria clime. These drivers of zombie phenomena were also found to contribute adversely to the economic development of Nigeria, although the impact was not significant. The study concludes that the infiltration/prevalence of zombie firms causes a dragging effect on the economy of Nigeria. The study recommends that the regulatory authority should develop a framework with which firms with a zombie status can be monitored and managed in order to safe guide the interest of shareholders and the adverse implication on economic development. Firms whose performances are akin to zombie firms’ status should be encouraged by regulatory authorities to embrace mergers and acquisition schemes to avoid loss of shareholders wealth and the dragging effect on the economy.
  • JEL Classification: M11, E12, G11
  • Keywords: capital adequacy, economy, losses, negative equity, zombie firm
  • DOI: 10.24818/mer/2022.06-03
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Covid-19, Financial Market Vulnerabilities and Dynamics Monetary Policy: Comparative Analysis

  • Page: 159
  • Authors: Sri ANDAIYANI, Ariodillah HIDAYAT, Fida MUTHIA, Dirta Pratama ATIYATNA
  • Abstract: This study aims to analyze a comparative study of the response of the Indonesian and Malaysian Financial Markets to the dynamics of Monetary Policy implemented during the COVID-19 Pandemic during January 2019 to June 2021. This study builds three e.i interbank money market, bond market, and stock market. The methodology of this study is Ordinary Least Square (OLS). The result shows that COVID-19 has no effect on financial markets, either in Indonesia or in Malaysia. However, when the lockdown was implemented in Malaysia, it had a significant effect on the Malaysian bond market. Furthermore, monetary policy with interest rate instruments has a significant and negative effect on the stock market in Indonesia. The monetary policy through the reserve ratio has a significant and positive effect on the Malaysian bond market. It suggests that there are differences in the dynamics of monetary between Indonesia and Malaysia so that they have different impacts on their respective financial markets.
  • JEL Classification: E40, E44, E52
  • Keywords: monetary policy, financial market, stock market, interest rate
  • DOI: 10.24818/mer/2022.06-04
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Improving the Quality of Higher Education Service by Using the Quality Function Deployment: A Case Study

  • Page: 173
  • Authors: Abdelkrim YAHIA-BERROUIGUET, Yasmine BELABID
  • Abstract: The aim of this study was to apply quality function deployment to identify the critical quality management system requirements that have a higher impact on service quality at the economic sciences department in Tlemcen city. Data were obtained from a sample of 110 students at the economic sciences department.
    Results revealed that service quality in economic sciences department was more than moderate level, and it can be improved by focusing on the critical quality management system requirements. The application of quality function deployment identified 8 critical requirements of managerial system, technical system and social system that have a higher impact on quality service at economic sciences department.
  • JEL Classification: I23, M19
  • Keywords: higher education, quality function deployment, quality management system, service quality
  • DOI: 10.24818/mer/2022.06-05
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Towards Gender-Based Market Segmentation: The Differential Influence of Gender on Dining Experiences in the University Cafeteria Industry

  • Page: 182
  • Authors: Paul MUKUCHA, Divaries Cosmas JARAVAZA, Forbes MAKUDZA
  • Abstract: The study sought to determine gender differences in dining experiences in the university cafeteria industry in Zimbabwe, with the ultimate goal of providing the basis for gender-based market segmentation. The dimensions of the dining experiences investigated were the atmospherics experience, the food experience, and the service experience; these were also informed by the literature. Data was collected in a systematic survey using a structured questionnaire. The study targeted university students and a sample of 150 was analysed. Data was analysed using the one-way MANOVA. The results indicated that there were no statistically significant gender differences along all dimensions of dining experiences. The conclusions made are that males and females do not respond differently to marketing stimuli in the cafeteria industry, and therefore there is no viable market segmentation on the basis of gender. It was recommended that if any need for market segmentation of the cafeteria market exists, it must be done on other segmentation basis such as geographic, psychographic, behavioural, or other demographic factors such as age and religion.
  • JEL Classification: M30, M31, M37
  • Keywords: customer experience, gender, marketing, market segmentation
  • DOI: 10.24818/mer/2022.06-06
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Digital Tourist in a Digital World – New Ways of Making Tourism in the XXIth Century

  • Page: 201
  • Authors: Lupedia Genoveva DA COSTA, Constantin-Iulian TĂNAȘCU, Alina-Nicoleta BÎRSAN, Valentina-Florina NICOLAE, Dumitru-Alin STATIE
  • Abstract: The pandemic period has influenced (positively or negatively) many areas of activity. The main reason why this has happened is that tourism, unlike other areas, has activities focused on the consumer of tourist services, which means an extremely large number of citizens and not on the development of a good or service that meets the need. The classic tourist does not necessarily want access to the tourist infrastructure (restaurants / hotels) as much as he wants access to points of interest, tourist infrastructure being a bonus. Unfortunately, the authorities have not found a „winning formula” to attract tourists and give them what they need and want – access to tourist information and points of interest. Moreover, there is a strong lack of information on the number of tourists who came to a certain area, who visited a certain destination, and the feedback they provided. Until recently, all was monitored by the National Tourist Information Centers, which were forced by the Ministry of Tourism to present very high figures in order to look “good”. This research is intended to present the output of a project that the authors implemented four years ago at the national level, in the field of tourism, to demonstrate the need and usefulness of transforming classic tourism into a digital one. The project consists of marking and promoting the tourist and cultural capital, through Quick Response (QR) code plates, which are mounted in the area of points of interest and which, once scanned by tourists, provide them with information about the history and legends of the point of interest. It also provides developers with information about tourists, such as the number of people who scanned a particular QR code, the genre of people who scanned, the type of device, the period in which they scanned, and the operating system of their scanning device. More than the presentation of the output, this research also includes the result of a study applied to a sample of 350 respondents, users of the project, through which we wanted to see if there is a direct link between customer satisfaction (CSAT) and access to historical, tourist, and cultural information.
  • JEL Classification: L31, L26, L83, L86, O35
  • Keywords: customer satisfaction, digital tourism, digital tourists, points of interest
  • DOI: 10.24818/mer/2022.06-07
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Generation Z’s Employer Branding and Their Correlation to the Intention to Apply for a Company

  • Page: 212
  • Authors: Muthya ISLAMIATY, Neneng Nurlaela ARIEF, Khrisna ARIYANTO
  • Abstract: Generation Z is currently entering the workforce and continually takes a significant role in companies. This contemporary era, more or less, affects Generation Z’s work preferences. There should be a different approach to attracting Generation Z’s top talent. Thus, organizations need to better understand Generation Z and design the most suitable employer branding dimensions. It distinguishes the company and its competitor and increases its competitive advantage in the market. The recruitment process is substantial because the success of attracting the best talent impacts the company’s performance. This primary research objective is to generate an employer branding framework for Generation Z and seek the correlation to apply to a particular company in the Indonesian context. The Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) is employed to examine employer branding’s dimensions for Generation Z, followed by Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modelling (CB-SEM) for theory testing and confirming the proposed research framework. The EFA involved 53 respondents, while 220 respondents participated in CB-SEM. This research revealed that the employer branding dimensions for Generation Z consist of economic, social, working culture, and environmental, and sustainability values. However, not all elements influence the intention to apply; economic and social values are the only two significant factors. Demographic and pandemic factors can influence the results. This research contributes to defining Generation Z’s employer branding, especially in developing countries.
  • JEL Classification: J20, M37
  • Keywords: generation Z, employer branding, intention to apply, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM)
  • DOI: 10.24818/mer/2022.06-08
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An Analysis of the Liberalization Process of Gas Market for Household Consumers in Romania

  • Page: 228
  • Authors: Cătălina NEDELCU, Mihail BUȘU
  • Abstract: In this paper, the authors are making an analysis of the liberalization process of the Gas Market for the household consumers in Romania, based on the data collected from the natural gas suppliers as well as from the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority in the field Energy (ANRE). The authors are analyzing the pre- and post-liberalization situation for household consumers, illustrated in terms of some basic indicators, namely the number of household customers from the regulated and competitive supply segment, the number of suppliers with domestic gas customers, the shares held by suppliers with domestic gas customers, as well as the number of present suppliers with natural gas offers. There were also identified clauses that lead to cost increase for the customer in case of change of supplier. The conclusions underline the fact that the process of liberalizing the supply of natural gas to the household has not had a significant impact on final customers, but it is rather a combination of other factors, such as: the low prices during the hot season may not induce a particular appetite for switching the current supplier, the natural gas offers made at the beginning of the liberalization process may not have been attractive enough to determine the change of the current natural gas supplier, and the low level of information provided by the gas suppliers. Our recommendations are that the suppliers should provide unique terms and conditions for their customers, and to present their offers in a clear, transparent, and concise manner.
  • JEL Classification: D12, L11, L95
  • Keywords: gas market, liberalization, competitive regime, regulated regime, household consumers
  • DOI: 10.24818/mer/2022.06-09
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The Correlation between Motivation and Performance for Supervisory Roles

  • Page: 238
  • Authors: Andrei PUNGAN, Georgiana Florina ILIE POPA
  • Abstract: In a knowledge-based organization, the employees, as holders of intangible knowledge, play a particularly important role in these organizations, as they can foster productivity, creativity, and innovation that ultimately leads to high performance. The scope of our study is to see if a higher intrinsic motivation, tracked by using Charles Handy’s four “E” factors: effort, energy, excitement, and expenditure, is related to a higher organizational performance for supervisors in the Romanian branch of a multinational company. We have used a quantitative method, by administering a questionnaire, with Likert scale questions, to a sample of 57 supervisors, then correlating their score with the performance score they have obtained from their direct supervisor. The results revealed that there is undeniably a connection between the importance that employees are self-imposing on the “E” factors when they are in pursuit of achieving organizational goals, that is, bringing a higher organizational performance.
  • JEL Classification: D8, L1, M1, M16
  • Keywords: motivation, performance, rewards, organization
  • DOI: 10.24818/mer/2022.06-10
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SWOT Analysis and Key Actors in the Field of CSR

  • Page: 246
  • Authors: Maria LOGHIN, Răzvan Cătălin DOBREA, Octavian Mihai PERPELEA
  • Abstract: This article presents a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of the new context of CSR development in Romania. The analysis starts from the initial proposal of the Romanian government from 2011. The authors of this paper framed the most recent studies in the CSR/ SR field. The main objective of this study is to rewrite and adapt the initial SWOT analysis proposed by the Romanian government based on the actual context of CSR development. In addition, current CSR legislation is presented at the European and national levels. Furthermore, a figure with key actors and their strategies is shaped in the field of CSR. As a methodology, the authors of this article applied different queries for databases containing scientific materials: JSTOR, ProQuest, Web of Science. One of the main results emphasized in this article is that local authorities should be more involved in the Romanian economy as a primary starting point for better CSR development.
  • JEL Classification: M14
  • Keywords: actor, CSR, SWOT
  • DOI: 10.24818/mer/2022.06-11
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