In this contemporary world, electronic word of mouth (eWOM) platforms (or media) have become a prerequisite information source for online surfers, especially when planning excursions. However, tourists refer to the reviews of these platforms based on utilitarian and hedonic aspects. The utilitarian value enhances users’ task performance, whereas the hedonic value is related to pleasure and inner feelings. The present work was undertaken to study the importance of various utilitarian and hedonic determinants, and analyses their influence on the perceived usefulness (PU) of eWOM media and subsequent online booking decisions (OBD) for tourist destinations in India. In addition, the study investigates whether the influence of PU of eWOM media on OBD varies according to gender. A conceptual model was introduced based on data analysis done through SPSS 23 and AMOS 23. The model was empirically validated based on sample data comprising 338 Indian tourists. The purposive sampling technique was used in the current study, and only those samples who referred to eWOM media for information search were accepted. The findings indicate that utilitarian and hedonic determinants significantly influence tourist decision-making. TripAdvisor was the most popular web portal, followed by other social networking sites among the preferred sources of tourist destination information. The moderating analysis revealed that the impact of eWOM media PU on OBD was higher in males than in females. The study suggests that website designers and administrators design the contents according to the needs identified.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the impact of multidimensional perfectionism on academic procrastination among university students in India and to explore whether gender plays any role in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from a sample of 90 female and 60 male students, aged 18-23 years, enrolled in full-time bachelor’s and master’s programs in a central university in the National Capital Region of India and analyzed adopting different statistical techniques. Findings: The findings indicated that academic procrastination positively correlates with all the three dimensions of perfectionism – self-oriented perfectionism, other-oriented perfectionism and socially prescribed perfectionism. The different dimensions of perfectionism also significantly predict academic procrastination. Gender differences exist with regard to other-oriented perfectionism, socially prescribed perfectionism and academic procrastination. Research limitations/implications: The results highlight that the different dimensions of perfectionism play a critical role in shaping academic procrastination among university students, but this trajectory often differs between male and female students. Further research among a larger student audience would help concretize the study conclusions. Originality/value: This study extends the extant literature by examining the predictive relationships between the different dimensions of perfectionism and academic procrastination and the gender differences that exist with regard to academic procrastination and the different dimensions of perfectionism among university students, especially within the context of a developing country (i.e., India).

Purpose: The authors investigate the relationship between the structure and the functioning of scientific and technical (S&T) personnel and the quality research and development (R&D) performance output of laboratories functioning under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India. The purpose of this paper is to examine how rapid economic and social changes and the demand for better accountability are addressed by public R&D institutions in a specific developing economy. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use the functions performed by the S&T personnel as indicators of their tacit knowledge. The authors use data from 27 different CSIR laboratories to analyze the specific functions carried out by knowledge workers (S&T personnel) in order to gauge the internal strengths and weaknesses of individual laboratories in different functional areas. The authors use the following measures to tap the quality R&D performance of these laboratories – number of Indian patents filed and granted, number of foreign patents filed and granted, and the number of published papers figuring among the top 50 CSIR publications in specific research areas over an extended period of 11 years (2003-2004 to 2013-2014). Findings: The findings show that there is no readymade formula for identifying improvements in quality performance by a research laboratory, given a particular set of S&T worker profile in terms of the six functions defined in the study. The top-performing laboratories have excellent patent as well as publication record reinforcing the point that innovation encompasses both basic and applied research with success depending upon strategically emphasizing the different components of the innovation process. Research limitations/implications: The scope of the present research work is limited by the choice of the quality R&D performance measures adopted in the study that could be further expanded to better tap the social accountability of these public-funded institutions. In addition, inclusion of all CSIR laboratories in the study framework would add value to the study findings. The research highlights the importance of tacit knowledge management and organizational learning as central features of strategic organization development for technology practices incorporating R&D work, the support of pilot plants, experimental field stations, and engineering and design units. Practical implications: The paper has particular implications for the leadership and management of public R&D organizations and public policy formulation for innovation in an emerging developing economy context. Originality/value: This study extends the extant literature by drawing upon the role of tacit knowledge and organizational learning to inform the empirical research on managing public R&D and the innovations that result from it, in a particular emerging economy context, that is, India.

Research and development (R&D) effectiveness has traditionally been measured in quantitative terms using measures such as the number of published papers (in journals, conference proceedings, etc.); patents; technologies successfully transferred or the external cash flow secured by a R&D organization. These are at times coupled with qualitative indicators such as the impact factor of the journals in which the papers are published and science citation index. However, all these measures often fail to adequately evaluate the effectiveness of research units (RUs) that carry out technological innovation projects. The present study examines this important conceptual question. The study attempts to develop a subjective measure of effectiveness of RU functioning within the laboratories under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, in terms of peer review at four levels – self assessment, head of the RU, external scientific, and external administrative evaluators, using data from 236 RUs working in different laboratories functioning under CSIR. The measurement model component of structural equation modeling methodology using the LISREL 7.16 program has been adopted as the primary methodology for the study. In the measurement model presented, the observed indicators of the different effectiveness measure concepts (R&D effectiveness, user‐oriented effectiveness, administrative effectiveness and recognition) are assumed to possess causal relations with one another. Since subjective measures have not only weak measurement properties, but are also influenced by systematic and random measurement errors, the model's reliability and construct validity – both in terms of convergent validity and discriminate validity – have been ascertained.