This paper aims at examining the mediating role of online based-brand community (OBBC) through social media platforms (SMP) given the interplay of consumers’ purchasing attitude in a virtual space. To do this, an online survey was used to gauge the views of online consumers so as to establish the relationship between social media usage and consumer-brand loyalty (CBL) via the online based-brand community. A total of 122 social media users affiliated to at least one online brand community took part in the survey. The findings generated through the partial least square and structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) showed that OBBC on the social media platform positively initiates consumer-brand engagement and user-brand relationship. While SMP indirectly stimulates consumer-brand promise and trust (CBPT), towards CBL via OBBC. For the purpose of brand management and the firm’s profitability, this paper offered a conceptual model that depicts a connection between SMP and CBL. The managerial implication of this research was to help practitioners and industry players to harness the usefulness of social media platform in their quest to increase market share in the medium to long-term goals.

Due to the emergence of Web 2.0 and consequently the increased use of social media, this study aims to explore the role of social media in changing the behavior of tourists and the choice of a destination. Despite the massive popularity of social media, the studies with a comprehensive set of driving constructs along with indicators of social media regarding the changing behavior of tourists are lacking in the literature. Therefore, framed by the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the present study fulfills this research gap by developing a set of driving constructs and carrying out an empirical analysis by collecting data from millennials in the selected universities of the Czech Republic. Through the non-random sampling technique, precisely convenience sampling, 261 valid responses were received, and partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was performed to achieve the objectives of this study. The results indicate that social media channels have a significant impact on behavioral intention and the actual behavior of tourists (significant direct and indirect effect). The constructs tourist information search and tourism promotion were partially supported toward predicting the behavior of tourists. Control–variables related to socio-economic characteristics such as gender and educational level also have a significant impact in determining the actual behavior of tourists. Hence, overall, the study concludes with the significant and considerable impact of social media on the behavior of tourists. The contributions of the study and future directions are discussed at the end of the paper.

The competitiveness and sustainability of employees in service and non-service-based organizations continue to trigger scholars’ interest to investigate the related factors. As per the review of literature, there are only a few studies have been conducted on abusive supervision and intrinsic motivation about employee psychological wellbeing and turnover intention. We applied the social exchange theory to abusive supervisors at the workplace. This study, therefore, explores the direct and indirect relationship between abusive supervision on subordinate psychological wellbeing and turnover in service-based organizations. This empirical study employs a quantitative research methodology to establish the mediating influence of intrinsic motivation between the underlying constructs. Out of 300 research questionnaires distributed to full-time employees working in service-based organizations in Pakistan, 225 responses were successful for analysis, and validation was conducted through partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results of this study demonstrate that abusive supervision (AS) positively impacting on both psychological wellbeing (PWB) and turnover intentions (TI) of the employees. More importantly, intrinsic motivation (IM) is also positively and significantly mediate the relationship between AS and PWB, and AS and TI. The study provides substantial implications to managers and leaders by redesigning existing strategies to promote a feasible culture within the working environment for the employees to improve performance. The current study enhances existing literature on employee wellbeing and human resource management by integrating intrinsic motivation (IM) as a mediation model/concept. Limitations and future research directions have been discussed in the entire paper.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are vital to the economic development of emerging economies, significantly contributing to employment, innovation, and GDP growth. This study investigates the influence of market competition on SME performance in emerging economies, specifically examining the moderating role of process innovation. Using a sample of 365 SMEs in the western region of Ghana, the research employed a convenience sampling technique to gather data. The analysis utilized partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to explore the relationships between market competition, process innovation, and SME performance. The findings revealed that three direct hypotheses were supported, indicating a positive relationship between market competition and SME performance, while the moderated hypotheses were not supported. These insights provide valuable implications for SME owners, managers, and policymakers.

The notable contribution of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the development of socio-economics has been very encouraging in terms of its GDP contribution and employment creation. Both developed and developing countries are living testimonies of the contributions by SMEs. The primary aim of this paper is to assess the use of social media as a promotional tool for SME development. To achieve this objective, a total of 800 structured questionnaires were developed through an intercept and online survey to obtain data for the exercise. A non-probability sampling technique was employed for the collection of the data of which 648 respondents were dully accurate for the data processing/analysis. Using PLS-SEM with the help of ADANCO software v 2.2.1, findings revealed that the use of social media as an advertising tool has a significant effect on a firm’s financial performance, business motivation, customers’ perspective/attraction, and an increase in market share, thus, a key in reflecting a positive change in their marketing and promotional activities in the consumer market. The findings of the study are both beneficial to practitioners/owners of SMEs and the social media marketing literature in general. This study further strengthens the need for businesses to invest in digital marketing tools and employ them effectively to stay competitive in the long term for the firm’s growth and survival.