Antecedent, behaviour, and consequence (a-b-c) of deploying the contact tracing app in response to COVID-19: Evidence from Europe.

In response to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, countries have or intend to deploy contact tracing apps as a way of containing and or reducing the community spread of the virus. Whilst a few studies have so far been conducted on the acceptability of the app, little is known about the antecedent, behaviour, and consequence (a-b-c) of deploying the app and its success thereof. This study, therefore, proposes and validates an integrated a-b-c and technology acceptance model of deploying the contract tracing app in four European countries. The study adopts a quantitative approach and uses publicly available cross country survey data from the Center for Open Science. An extract of 2512 data is analysed using SEM-PLS. The results confirmed the integrated a-b-c and technology acceptance model that underpins the study and revealed that the chance of achieving a positive outcome with citizens complying with recommendations of the app was only 17.1 % or R2 = 0.171 (±0.020) whilst the chance of negative consequent or deviant response of uninstallation of the app by the citizens was 54.3 % or R2 = 0.543 (±0.021). The results have huge implications for governments and public health institutions in their attempt to deploy the contract tracing app.

Acceptability of the COVID-19 contact-tracing app - Does culture matter?

During the pandemic, several countries deployed contact-tracing apps in order to contain or reduce the community spread of COVID-19. However, the success rate in terms of acceptance and use of these apps was reportedly low. Using information gathered from citizens across four European countries and the United States of America, this study explores the role of national culture in relation to the acceptance of these apps. Using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), an analysis was undertaken of 3595 records from a cross-country survey dataset that is in the public domain and can be obtained from the Centre for Open Science (Study 1). This analysis was followed by another survey comprising 910 respondents (Study 2). The research model was then validated by using a qualitative approach and undertaking interviews with 51 participants from four countries (Study 3). The results confirmed the moderating role of national culture on the acceptability of the contact-tracing apps in relation to power-distance, masculinity, individualism, long-term orientation and indulgence in the pre-deployment phase (Study 1). There were, however, no significant differences in acceptability of the apps between countries in relation to uncertainty avoidance; and none of the hypotheses in Study 2 was supported. The study concludes that national culture is significant in terms of the acceptance of COVID-19 apps only during the pre-deployment phase; therefore attention is required with pertinence to pre-deployment strategies. Recommendations regarding how governments and public health institutions can increase the acceptability of contact-tracing apps have been highlighted.

A paradigm shift for medical health care to focus on a service-value approach to achieve greater patient satisfaction.

PURPOSE: This study takes a divergent approach to exploring which construct is more predictive of patient satisfaction (SAT) in a service dominant economy within the context of a healthcare setting. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Applying a critical analysis of literature, a service value (SV) model for customer SAT is proposed in this study, which is validated and confirmed with survey data from outpatients at Moorfields Eye Hospital - a world class specialist hospital based in the UK. FINDINGS: Quality of service had the strongest impact on SV but SV had the strongest impact and mediation effect on patient SAT. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The study concludes that since SV rather than quality of service is more predictive of patient SAT, health service providers should focus more on SV in addition to quality of service, if they are to meet the dynamic expectations of their patients. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Health service providers should focus more on SV in addition to quality of service, if they are to meet the dynamic expectations of their patients. SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS: This poses a strong argument in favour of a paradigm shift in focus from quality of service-based model to service value-based model for greater patient satisfaction. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This is the first study exploring the inter-relationship of four constructs of patient SAT within the context of a leading major UK healthcare hospital service.

Exploring the relationship between personal and work characteristics of project managers and psychological safety in virtual teams.

One of the organisational and employees' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic is a shift to virtual working models including the management of projects and project teams in virtual environments. However, little is known about the effect of personal and work characteristics on the psychological safety of project management professionals. This study explores the relationship between the personal and work characteristics of project managers on their psychological safety in virtual teams. Data for the study is collected from 104 project management professionals in the United Kingdom. SPSS is used to analyse and test a series of hypotheses. The study confirmed the significant relationship between the personal and work characteristics of the project managers and their psychological safety. The study provides an overview of the role of diversity, equality and inclusion on psychological safety among project managers; and proposes future research directions to understand and contribute to the psychological wellbeing of project managers working in virtual teams.

Spatiotemporal impact of major events on air quality based on spatial differences-in-differences model: big data analysis from China.

In an attempt to investigate the impact of major events on urban air quality in terms of the extent, duration and spatial scope, data on the daily air quality index and the concentrations of individual pollutants are collected in 140 cities of China from January 2, 2015, to November 28, 2017. Based on a spatial differences-in-differences, the impact of major events, such as political conferences, sporting events at the national level, on urban air quality in the dimensions of time and space are explored. It is concluded that major events not only affected the air quality of the host city, but also exercised influence on the air quality of the surrounding areas. Recommendations for mitigating the impact of major events on urban air quality have been proposed, such as establish regional atmospheric environment management system and formulate regional unified standards for pollutant discharge, industrial access and law enforcement.