Girne American University

The electronic word of mouth (eWOM) has emerged as a communication tool that significantly influences consumers’ attitudes and purchasing behavior in the online market. Research indicates that the effect of eWOM sources, such as (strong ties, weak ties, and influencers) varies in terms of perceived value components (price, quality, emotional, and social value) and purchase intention, particularly with regard to gender. This study, which is based on the SOR framework; examines the role of eWOM as a stimulus affecting student responses and considers the mediating role of perceived value components and the moderate effect of gender. A sample of 901 students from Westbank universities was analyzed using Smart PLS software. The findings reveal that strong ties and influencer eWOM are positively associated with perceived value components and purchase intention, while weak tie eWOM does not directly correlate with purchase intention. Mediation analyses show that perceived quality and social value act as mediators of purchase intent towards eWOM sources, while emotional value specifically mediates strong relationships and influencers. Notably, price value exerts only a mediating effect on purchase intention when communicated through influencers, highlighting the unique role of the influencer in shaping price perceptions and its broad impact on all components of perceived value. Gender differences were observed in students’ responses to eWOM content; particularly in terms of price, quality, and emotional appeal but not in terms of social factors. The outcomes of this study underscore the significance of considering both the source of the message and the characteristics of the audience when formulating targeted marketing strategies.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increasingly rely on digital technologies to sustain innovation, yet limited empirical evidence explains how business intelligence capabilities translate into superior innovation outcomes, particularly in emerging economy contexts. Addressing this gap, this study examines the direct and indirect effects of business intelligence capabilities on innovation performance by unpacking the mediating role of knowledge management capability and the moderating role of data-driven decision making within an integrated Resource-Based View and Knowledge-Based View framework. Conceptually, the study advances prior research by clarifying the complementary roles of these theoretical perspectives: the Resource-Based View explains what strategic digital resources firms possess, the Knowledge-Based View explains how these resources are transformed into organizational knowledge through knowledge management capability, and data-driven decision making explains when these capabilities are effectively converted into innovation outcomes. Data were collected through a survey of 316 owners and senior managers of small- and medium-sized hotels operating in Amman, Jordan, and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) as the primary analytical technique. The results indicate that business intelligence capabilities exert a significant positive effect on innovation performance, with this relationship largely transmitted through knowledge management capability, demonstrating that the value of business intelligence lies in its integration into organizational knowledge processes rather than in data availability alone. Moreover, data-driven decision making strengthens the relationship between business intelligence capabilities and innovation performance, functioning as an execution-level capability that enhances the conversion of digital and knowledge-based resources into innovation outcomes. To further validate the robustness of the findings, a post-hoc moderated mediation analysis using Hayes’ PROCESS macro version 4.2 was conducted as a confirmatory analysis. By conceptualizing business intelligence, knowledge management, and data-driven decision making as an interconnected socio-technical capability system, this study advances digital innovation theory and offers actionable insights for SME managers seeking to orchestrate capabilities for innovation under resource constraints.

Smart city programs are increasingly used by governments to manage public services through digital and automated systems, and this development is closely linked with questions of administrative power, fairness, and accountability. Existing public law doctrines in common law systems were shaped for human decision-making and have not been fully adapted to administrative action carried out through algorithmic systems, which creates a clear gap in current legal thinking. The research is motivated by the growing use of algorithmic systems as effective decision-makers in areas such as utilities, mobility, welfare, and digital identity, especially in contexts marked by limited state capacity and prolonged emergency conditions. The study aims to examine how judicial review should respond to algorithmic administrative systems so that legality, fairness, and accountability remain protected while legitimate administrative goals are still met. Methodologically, the article adopts a doctrinal and normative legal research design based on structured analysis of public law doctrine, relevant judicial and administrative materials, and governance instruments on automated decision-making. The focus is on developing a doctrinal framework that treats algorithmic systems as legally reviewable decision infrastructures rather than neutral technical tools. The study highlights the importance of reviewing not only final automated outcomes but also earlier design choices, including data use, system objectives, and oversight mechanisms. The research is important because it offers courts and lawmakers clearer legal tools to assess algorithmic administration, with particular attention to settings where oversight is weak and emergency powers risk becoming normalized, increasing the danger of opacity, discrimination, and unchecked security repurposing.

This study investigates how university–municipality collaboration can function as a strategic catalyst for sustainable local development in small-scale cities. Using Lefke, a Cittaslow member and university town, as a contextual case, it introduces the UniverCittà Local Development Framework, a hybrid model integrating slow urbanism principles with university-driven innovation and participatory governance. The research employs a conceptual–analytical approach supported by a diagnostic application to Lefke, assessing institutional structures, spatial assets, cultural heritage, and existing collaboration patterns. Findings indicate that despite Lefke’s strong landscape and heritage resources, limited institutional coordination constrains its development potential. The UniverCittà framework addresses these gaps by proposing integrated governance mechanisms, shared strategic planning, collaborative pilot projects, and capacity-building pathways. The study contributes a replicable, context-sensitive model for SSCs seeking to align place-based identity with adaptive governance and university engagement, offering guidance for future research and policy development.

In the digital economy, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face growing pressure to align digital transformation with sustainability-oriented value creation. Yet, it remains unclear how and through which mechanisms digital leadership is associated with sustainable digital innovation in resource-constrained and turbulent contexts. This study investigates whether digital leadership is associated with sustainable digital innovation directly and indirectly through digital capabilities and digital orientation, and whether strategic agility strengthens these relationships. Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capability Theory (DCT), the study develops an integrated framework that explains sustainable digital innovation as a strategically managed outcome of digital economy transformation rather than a simple result of technology adoption. Using survey data from 423 employees in Lebanese SMEs, the hypotheses were tested through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings show that digital leadership is positively associated with sustainable digital innovation both directly and indirectly, with digital orientation emerging as the stronger mediating pathway compared to digital capabilities. In addition, strategic agility strengthens the association between digital orientation and sustainable digital innovation, while its moderating role on the digital capabilities path is not significant. These findings contribute to the literature by identifying dual transformation mechanisms and revealing an asymmetric boundary role of agility in sustainability-oriented digital transformation. The study also offers practical implications for SME leaders seeking to align digital strategy with long-term environmental, social, and economic value creation.