Asian Management and Business Review

Destination love in Asia: Understanding the role of experiences and perceived value in building tourist loyalty

2026-02-12T05:06:07+00:00

This study proposes an integrated model to investigate how destination experience, destination love, and perceived value drive tourist loyalty, underpinned by attachment theory and expectancy-value theory. Addressing gaps in previous loyalty research, it combines emotional and cognitive constructs that have often been examined in isolation. Based on survey data from 642 respondents and analyzed using PLS-SEM with SEMinR, the findings reveal that destination experience significantly enhances destination love, perceived value, and loyalty. Moreover, destination love and perceived value act as mediators, strengthening the formation of loyalty. The model shows moderate explanatory power, validating the theoretical integration. This study contributes novel insights by unifying emotional attachment and value perceptions within a single framework, offering a more comprehensive understanding of loyalty-building mechanisms. Practically, the findings underscore the importance of delivering emotionally engaging and value-rich experiences to foster tourist loyalty and enhance destination competitiveness. The results extend existing theories and provide a strong foundation for future research in cross-cultural and emerging market contexts.

From awareness to action: The mediating role of personal values in shaping sustainable entrepreneurship intentions

2026-02-12T05:06:04+00:00

Despite growing concern over environmental issues, the psychological mechanisms that translate awareness into sustainable entrepreneurial action remain underexplored. This study explores the relationship between environmental awareness and sustainable entrepreneurship intentions, focusing on the mediating role of personal values. A quantitative survey was conducted among 175 entrepreneurship students in West Java, Indonesia, using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results reveal that personal values significantly mediate the relationship between environmental awareness and sustainable entrepreneurship intentions. Specifically, individuals with strong biospheric and altruistic value orientations exhibit a more pronounced link between environmental concern and entrepreneurial intent. Furthermore, the study demonstrates the effectiveness of SEM in capturing complex psychological dynamics within sustainability-focused entrepreneurship research. Although geographically limited, this study provides a valuable methodological contribution and serves as a reference point for future investigations in emerging market contexts. These findings highlight the importance of integrating value-based components into entrepreneurship education to foster deeper and more sustainable engagement. By addressing a notable gap in current literature, particularly in developing economies, the study offers actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and program designers seeking to promote sustainable entrepreneurship through personal value development.

The hidden bridge: Revealing how competitive advantage converts innovation capability into MSMEs’ performance

2026-02-12T05:05:52+00:00

Although micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in the national economy, they continue to face significant challenges in maintaining their performance. Numerous prior studies have investigated innovation capability as the antecedent of business performance. However, those studies have predominantly concentrated on the direct relationship between innovation capability and business performance, leaving the understanding of how innovation capability translates into improved business performance remains incomplete. Moreover, the role of competitive advantage as the underlying mechanism on the innovation capability-business performance link in the context of MSMEs remains under-explored, highlighting the need for further investigation in this area. Therefore, this study aims to explore the role of competitive advantage as the mediation pathway of innovation capability in enhancing MSMEs’ performance by using the lens of dynamic capabilities perspective. Employing a survey, this study collected and used data from 159 MSMEs. The data were then analyzed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the hypothesized relationships. The findings reveal that both innovation capability and competitive advantage serve as key drivers of MSMEs’ performance. Moreover, competitive advantage acts as a mediator, strengthening the impact of innovation capability on business performance. These results offer valuable insights for MSME practitioners, emphasizing the importance of fostering innovation-driven strategies and leveraging competitive advantage to sustain business growth and resilience in an increasingly dynamic market environment.

Connecting the dots: Knowledge management as mediator and moderator between intellectual capital and procurement performance

2026-02-12T05:05:40+00:00

Knowledge management is increasingly regarded as a strategic element in the public sector due to its potential in managing intangible assets such as intellectual capital. This study aims to examine the role of knowledge management as both a mediating and moderating variable in the relationship between public intellectual capital and government procurement performance, with a case study at the Ministry of Finance. Public intellectual capital is divided into five components: human capital, organizational capital, social capital, technological capital, and relational capital. The analysis employs structural equation modeling – partial least squares (SEM-PLS) with a total of 298 respondents. In the first model, where knowledge management is positioned as a moderating variable, the results indicate that human, social, and relational capital have a significant direct impact on procurement performance. However, knowledge management does not demonstrate a significant moderating effect on these relationships. In contrast, the second model highlights the mediating role of knowledge management, which significantly bridges the influence of several intellectual capital components, specifically organizational, social, technological, and relational capital on procurement performance outcomes. This study underscores the theoretical relevance of positioning knowledge management as a mediating mechanism in public intellectual capital research. These findings further emphasize the importance of systematically and strategically integrating knowledge management into intellectual capital, rather than merely as a supporting factor.

Blend the demand: Micro-breaks as a pathway to work engagement

2026-02-12T05:05:55+00:00

This study examines the role of micro-breaks as a mediator between perceived job demand and work engagement. Additionally, it explores the moderating effect of micro-break climate to investigate whether a supportive work culture enhances or hinders employees’ ability to take effective breaks. Using a quantitative approach, survey data is collected from 228 startup employees across various roles. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is employed to analyze the relationships among perceived job demand, micro-breaks, micro-break climate, and work engagement. The findings indicate that high perceived job demand negatively affects work engagement. Additionally, perceived job demand can affect employees to take micro-breaks, while a positive micro-break climate could mitigate this effect by fostering a supportive environment for break-taking. Furthermore, a high micro-break climate strengthens the positive impact of micro-breaks on work engagement. This study extends the conservation of resources (COR) theory by demonstrating how micro-breaks serve as a recovery mechanism in high-demand work settings. It also highlights micro-break climate as boundary condition and contextual resource that shapes the effectiveness of micro-breaks. Organizations should cultivate a positive micro-break climate by encouraging short breaks without stigma. Such environment can help employees maintain engagement even under high job demands. Since this study is cross-sectional, future research should employ longitudinal designs to better understand the long-term effects of micro-breaks. Additionally, future studies could explore how these findings generalize to other industries with different job demands and workplace cultures.

Media richness as a strategy to enhance local tourism: Effects on tourist satisfaction and revisit intention

2026-02-12T05:05:57+00:00

Tourist revisit intention is a key element of the success of the tourism industry. This study analyzes the relationship between media richness and revisit intention, with perceived enjoyment, perceived usefulness, perceived aesthetics, and satisfaction. A survey was conducted on 240 tourists at a local tourism destination themed “tourist village” using a bipolar adjective scale. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with partial least square using SmartPLS 3.0. The findings indicate that media richness influenced perceived enjoyment, perceived usefulness, and perceived aesthetics. Perceived enjoyment and perceived aesthetics then influenced satisfaction. Meanwhile, perceived usefulness did not influence satisfaction. Tourist satisfaction ultimately influenced revisit intention. These findings highlight the importance of media richness in 2D visual media that can create positive tourist perceptions, increase satisfaction, and encourage repeat visits to local destinations. This study provides practical insights for tourism managers to utilize digital media by focusing on media richness, perceived enjoyment, perceived usefulness, perceived aesthetics, and satisfaction to improve destination competitiveness.

The power of credibility: How influencer credibility impacts impulsive buying in live-streaming commerce

2026-02-12T05:05:30+00:00

Live-streaming commerce has grown increasingly popular in the last few years. It allows influencers to show and explain products in real-time while viewers can make purchases instantly. This study decisively examines the impact of people’s trust in influencers on their propensity to make impulse purchases. The researchers collected the information through an online questionnaire from 297 participants, who were selected using convenience sampling based on their availability and ease of access. The responses were then analyzed using the PLS-SEM method. The findings indicate that trust in influencers significantly influences consumers’ emotional reactions and impulsive purchasing decisions. Those who have doubts are reluctant to make purchases; those who think the influencer is trustworthy make rapid purchase decisions. A barrier, uncertainty leaves consumers to consider their options. This outcome underlines the need of companies and influencers to lower uncertainty during live-streaming events. They can fulfill this by providing honest, open information, proving the quality of the good, and quickly answering questions. By doing this, one promotes confidence and faster purchase decisions. According to this study, influencing impulse buying mostly depends on trust and clarity. Hence, organizations could boost their live-stream marketing campaigns and increase sales by utilizing these elements.

Intercorporate loans and tunneling under uncertainty: Empirical evidence from Indonesia

2026-02-12T05:05:49+00:00

Intercorporate loans are often used in business groups, especially those with pyramidal ownership structure, which is a characteristic common among Indonesian companies. Intercorporate loans in business groups can be beneficial but also presents a number of risks on agency issues, such as in acquisition of rights of minority shareholders by tunneling. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing tunneling through intercorporate loans in public companies in Indonesia. The study was conducted on companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, excluding banks and financial institutions. A period of uncertainty was observed during the global financial crisis period of 2008. The data were analysed using logistic regression analysis. The results are as follows: A pyramidal ownership structure, family ultimate controller, and foreign ultimate controller had positive influence on intercorporate loans tunneling.

Information relevance perspective: Boosting market engagement through social influencer-generated content

2026-02-12T05:05:30+00:00

The businesses are developing dynamically and need brilliant ideas to be sustainable in the market. One of them is using influencers as an effective tool for their marketing activities. Although some studies discuss how influencers are one of the most effective marketing tools, few discuss the relationship between the influencers and social media users. Therefore, businesses must know several factors that may influence this relationship between the two. This study is based on the theory of information relevance. Therefore, the findings have been presented to show the link between influencer-generated content with emotional attachment and the quality of the information in deducing the relationship between influencers and consumers on social media. Results from 230 respondents indicated that influencer-generated content that is interesting, updated, reliable, and understandable to consumers is more able to increase the emotional interest of consumers in the influencers. Reliability and understandability contribute positively to information quality. This encourages the consumer to follow or recommend the influencer to many on social media. This can also boost the popularity of influencers on social media. The study should help researchers and businesses improve their understanding of the social media relationship between influencers and consumers. In addition, it also offers recommendations regarding influencer performance management for businesses.

Does sustainability strengthen asset pricing models? Moderating effects in the Fama-French framework on ESG leaders

2026-02-12T05:05:32+00:00

This research investigates the moderating role of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risk ratings in the relationship between traditional Fama-French framework and excess stock returns among companies listed in the ESG Leaders Index for the 2021–2023 period. Using moderated regression analysis (MRA), the findings reveal that small minus big (SMB) exerts a significant positive impact on excess returns, confirming the relevance of firm size as a pricing factor even within the sustainability-focused investment universe. Meanwhile, market risk and high minus low (HML) do not show demonstrate statistical relevance direct effects, although HML is marginally significant. Furthermore, ESG risk rating demonstrates a moderating effect only in the relationship between HML and excess returns, suggesting that sustainability considerations may weaken the traditional value premium. These results highlight the partial integration of ESG risk into asset pricing dynamics and underline the essentiality of incorporating ESG factors in developing more robust, sustainable investment strategies. The study provides practical insights for market participants, fund managers, and authorities navigating the transition toward sustainable finance in emerging markets.

From inspiration to innovation: A mediated model of leadership and innovative behavior

2026-02-12T05:05:38+00:00

This study investigates the effect of transformational leadership on innovative work behavior in higher education institutions, examining the mediating roles of knowledge sharing and motivation to learn. Data were collected from 150 full-time lecturers in public and private universities in Padang, Indonesia. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze both direct and indirect relationships among variables. The findings reveal that transformational leadership positively influences innovative work behavior directly and indirectly through knowledge sharing, confirming a partial mediation effect. However, motivation to learn does not significantly mediate this relationship, indicating its intrinsically driven nature. The study confirms the importance of leadership style and collaborative culture in fostering innovation among academic staff. Theoretically, the research enriches the understanding of psychological and social mechanisms linking leadership to innovation, particularly in the unique context of higher education. Practically, it offers insights for university leaders to cultivate a supportive environment that encourages knowledge sharing and intrinsic learning motivation, which are essential for sustaining innovation in academic settings.

The role of digital skills, digital self-efficacy, and government support in enhancing digital work readiness

2026-02-12T05:04:35+00:00

This study aims to examine and analyze the influence of digital skills (DS) on digital work readiness (DWR) among youth, with digital self-efficacy (DSE) as a mediating variable and government digital support (GDS) as a moderating variable. Given the rapid pace of digital transformation reshaping the labor market, understanding the interplay between technical competencies and psychological empowerment is crucial, particularly for young job seekers. A quantitative survey was employed involving 200 respondents aged 18–35 years old in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Data were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that DSE is strongly and significantly impacted by DS. Nevertheless, DWR is not directly impacted by DS. Rather, DSE plays a crucial function as a psychological facilitator by fully mediating the link between DS and DWR. However, the statistically insignificant moderating effect of GDS on the relationship between DS and DWR indicates that this pathway is not strengthened by GDS. This study is context-specific to youth in the Yogyakarta region and focuses solely on the integration of DS, DSE, and GDS in predicting DWR. Further research could expand the demographic scope and incorporate additional socio-contextual factors to deepen understanding of digital employability. This study contributes a novel empirical model by integrating both psychological and institutional dimensions into the analysis of DWR. It challenges the conventional reliance on technical training alone and underscores the critical need for confidence-building and GDS to enhance youth employability.

A multi-method econometric analysis of SME loan’s impacts on women’s entrepreneurial development in Bangladesh

2026-02-12T05:05:26+00:00

The paper examines how the socio-economic developments of women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh are influenced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs). An equal weighted composite index based on a quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed on 489 women entrepreneurs borrowing SME loans to meet the objectives. The study employed methodologies such as OLS, quantile regression, bootstrapped regression, standardised beta regression, hierarchical regression, and moderation effects to test the hypotheses and check the robustness. Results indicate that access to loans and adequacy of loans have a positive influence on the socio-economic development of women entrepreneurs. On the other hand, tight credit checks, excessive collateral requirements and lack of institutional support are growth inhibitors, particularly among low-income individuals. The study has significant policy implications in that SME loans are significantly contributing to the socio-economic welfare of the women entrepreneurs, and Loan factors impact mostly, while both age and education imply the variations across the benefits received from the SME loans. This paper adds value to the literature by examining the dynamics between financial inclusion and institutional support in determining the success of women entrepreneurs by leveraging rigorous econometric modelling. The study paves the way to further research and policy development with a focus on the absorption of SME benefits by optimising loan factors and institutional factors, similar to other emerging economies.

Does integrating personal data via CDPs improve banking responsiveness? Moderating influence of local culture

2026-02-12T05:05:20+00:00

In the growing importance of personalized digital services in the banking sector, the integration of personal data through customer data platforms (CDPs) has become a strategic priority. This study explores how personal data privacy influences perceived personalization and operational efficiency in digital banking services, while also investigating the moderating role of local culture. The research is motivated by increasing consumer demands for both personalized services and greater control over personal data. Personal data privacy was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct comprising knowledge, experience, control, willingness to value privacy, and trust. A quantitative method using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with 10,000 bootstrapping resamples was employed. The analysis was conducted using SmartPLS version 4.1.1.4, which enables efficient estimation of complex models. Data were collected offline from 200 respondents who are active users of digital banking services from Himbara member banks. The results indicate that personal data privacy has a significant positive effect on both perceived personalization and operational efficiency. Among its dimensions, willingness to value privacy emerged as the most influential. Local culture was found to significantly moderate both relationships, suggesting that cultural context plays a critical role in shaping digital service outcomes. These findings contribute to theory and practice by highlighting the importance of integrating privacy protection and cultural sensitivity in the design of personalized digital banking services.

Green human resource management for urban sustainability: Transforming work culture towards smart green cities

2026-02-12T05:05:59+00:00

This study aims to develop a strategic model of green human resource management (GHRM) to support the realization of smart green cities by fostering a green work culture and promoting environmentally friendly sustainable practices. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected through questionnaires from 400 respondents in four major Indonesian cities: Makassar, South Tangerang, Bandung, and Denpasar. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationship between GHRM, work culture, environmental quality, and smart green city development. The research results show that GHRM plays a role in shaping an environmentally oriented work culture and improving environmental quality. These two factors have proven to be the main pathway connecting GHRM policies to the realization of smart green cities. These findings confirm that the success of a smart green city is determined not only by GHRM policies, but also by concrete actions and cross-sector collaboration between organizations, government, and the community.

Building trust, reducing skepticism: Green branding and sustainable purchase behavior in Indonesia

2026-02-12T07:36:10+00:00

Growing consumer pressure for businesses to adopt sustainable practices has made green branding a global priority, particularly in emerging markets such as Indonesia where environmental challenges and rising awareness intersect. This study investigates how green brand image and message clarity influence sustainable purchase behavior through the mediating role of consumer trust, and how green skepticism shapes this process. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 172 Indonesian consumers with prior experience purchasing eco-friendly products. Structural equation modeling with partial least squares (PLS-SEM) was applied to test the hypotheses. The results show that both green brand image and message clarity significantly enhance consumer trust, which in turn strongly drives sustainable purchase behavior. Trust is also confirmed as the key psychological mechanism mediating the effects of brand signals on consumer action. Importantly, the analysis reveals that green skepticism weakens this pathway: even when consumers trust a brand, higher skepticism reduces the extent to which trust translates into sustainable purchases. These findings extend Signaling Theory by demonstrating how trust and skepticism jointly shape consumer responses to green branding in a high-information-asymmetry context. Practically, the study offers actionable insights for managers and policymakers by emphasizing the need for consistent brand identity, transparent communication, and verifiable claims. By addressing both trust-building and skepticism-reduction, businesses can advance more effective green marketing strategies and foster authentic consumer engagement with sustainability.

Profit volatility and macroeconomic policy adjustments in Rwanda’s real estate sector

2026-02-16T02:14:03+00:00

Rwanda’s real estate sector has experienced robust growth in recent years; however, developers continue to face unstable profit margins due to unpredictable macroeconomic policy shifts. This financial volatility undermines investment confidence and sectoral planning. The objective of this study is to examine how macro-policy realignments, specifically interest rate fluctuations, fiscal incentives, and regulatory changes, affect the cyclicality of profit margins among real estate developers in Rwanda. The study employs correlational research design, using secondary data collected from monetary policy bulletins, fiscal records, and audited financial statements of real estate firms between 2019 and 2023. Findings reveal that interest rate changes have a statistically significant and positive effect on profit margin variation, confirming that monetary tightening increases financial uncertainty and compresses returns. In contrast, fiscal incentives and regulatory reforms exhibit statistically insignificant effects, suggesting that these instruments are either poorly structured, inconsistently applied, or too recent in implementation to produce stabilizing outcomes. The study concludes that macroeconomic policy realignments substantially influence profit margin cyclicality, with monetary policy having the most immediate and measurable impact. Accordingly, it recommends that the National Bank of Rwanda institutionalize structured stakeholder consultations before major interest rate decisions to promote risk mitigation, planning certainty, and sustainable sectoral growth.