Asian Journal of Interdisciplinary Research

A SEM Approach to Determine the Critical Success Factors Involved in CRM Implementation

Raquel Pérez Estébanez — 2024-02-08

The aim of this research is to study which the critical success factors are determining the success in a Customer Relationship Management implementation in Small and Medium sized Enterprises. Required data are collected with a quantitative approach and a questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed among managers in Spanish SMEs and gathered data were examined using the structural equation modelling method. The results of this study reveal that sociodemographic, organizational and customer orientation variables have positive and significant impacts on the satisfaction of the implementation of CRM. A set of theoretical contributions and practical implications was also discussed. Current study helps managers to understand the role and importance of successful implementation of CRM in SMEs.

Association Between Body Mass Index and Infertility Among Women: An Age-Matched Case-Control Study

Myl Kumaran K — 2024-02-10

Ample literature exists which time and over has established the association between overweight/ underweight and fertility problems. Further in this context, it should be noted that there are very few studies in the Indian context regarding the effect of body mass index (BMI) on infertility in women. To evaluate the association of BMI with infertility among women in Tamil Nadu, India. An age-matched hospital-based case-control study was conducted including 204 women attending a tertiary care hospital in the Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu. Of these, 102 women who had a clinical diagnosis of infertility were selected as cases. Hospital controls were defined as women who did not have a clinical diagnosis of infertility and were selected after matching for age and years of marriage (± 2 years). BMI was calculated from the height and weight measurements taken during the time of recruitment to the study. Basic socio-demographic data were also collected from all the study participants. Among cases, 17.6% were underweight, 25.5% were overweight and 5.9% were obese. Whereas, among controls, 7.8% were underweight, 47.1% were overweight and 11.8% were obese. Among the cases, 68% had primary infertility and 32% had secondary infertility. Overweight and obese women had 2.82 odds (95% CI, 1.48 – 5.38) and 3.06 odds (95% CI, 1.05 – 8.93) respectively of having infertility when compared to women who fell within the normal BMI range. Both overweight and obesity were observed to be significantly associated with infertility. The focus should be given to the prevention and control of both as an effective means of reducing the risk of infertility and other associated disorders.

Status of Life Satisfaction of Islamic University Students at Kushtia, Bangladesh

Nayamat Ullah — 2024-03-16

Students' university life is considered a stressful period due to the different difficulties they encounter, such as academic pressure, parental pressure, career uncertainties, and adjusting to a new environment. Life satisfaction is considered one of the basic elements of a student’s mental well-being. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the status of Islamic University student’s life satisfaction along with its associated factors. This quantitative study surveyed 325 students at the Islamic University in Kushtia, Bangladesh during June and July 2023, using face-to-face surveys with a convenience sampling method. All data were collected using a questionnaire that included the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The sample included 202 males (62.2%) and 123 females (37.8%), with an average age of 23.26 years (SD = 1.97), mostly residing in university dormitories (60%). The data were examined using descriptive statistics, t-tests by SPSS version 26, and Microsoft Excel version 19. The present study inspected several factors affecting life satisfaction among 325 participants. Using descriptive and inferential statistics, found substantial relations between life satisfaction and factors such as current residence (t = -3.27, p = 0.001), educational level (t = -2.07, p = 0.040), faculty choice (t = 3.24, p = 0.001), pressure to study (t = -3.94, p < 0.001), guardians’ pressure (t = -3.92, p < 0.001), part-time jobs (t = -3.58, p < 0.001), stress (t = -2.44, p = 0.01), and mental health status (t = 4.68, p < 0.001). These results highlight the complex interplay of factors shaping students' life satisfaction. This study reveals that living arrangements, academic levels, external pressures, and mental health remarkably affect the life satisfaction of Islamic University students. It stresses the need for tailored interventions to enhance student life satisfaction in Bangladesh.

The non-Cattell-Horn-Carroll (non-CHC) Model of Ancillary Broad and Narrow Abilities

Ann Wujing Liu — 2024-03-18

The Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of abilities is a comprehensive model of human cognitive abilities denoted by the G-code. Developed by three prominent psychologists - Raymond Cattell, John Horn, and John Carroll - the CHC theory suggests that there are three strata of cognitive abilities. In this paper, the authors argued that the CHC model faces seven challenges: First, it is a complex model with numerous factors and subtests, posing difficulties in administration and interpretation. Second, the theory itself has limited coverage and may not address all cognitive abilities. Third, critics have been arguing that the CHC theory has failed to sufficiently address socio-cultural variations. Fourth, the CHC model of broad and narrow abilities lacks concrete operational definitions, relying on theoretical constructs. Fifth, it always fails to account for complex interactions between cognitive abilities. Sixth, the CHC model continually evolves, requiring frequent updates. Lastly, the CHC theory might not fully capture individual differences in cognitive abilities and potential, leaving room for improvement. There are alternative models (e.g., extended fluid-crystallized and verbal-perceptual-image rotation theories) to the CHC model. Despite these limitations, the CHC model remains a valuable tool for understanding cognitive abilities. In this paper, the authors have chosen to focus on the non-CHC categories of broad abilities with their respective narrow abilities. Termed as ancillary abilities denoted by the Q-code, this paper aims to provide another model of abilities (not necessarily cognitive), not to replace the current CHC model, but to complement or supplement it.

Exploring the interplay of parental support, achievement emotions, and foreign language engagement: An analysis of mediation

Meihong Jiang — 2024-03-24

This research explores the emotional bond between parental support (PS) and student engagement in learning English as a foreign language (EFL). To investigate the relationship between EFL learners’ perceptions of PS, EFL-related achievement emotions (specifically, enjoyment and boredom), and EFL engagement, this study was conducted based on data drawn from 527 students from grades 7 and 8 in China, comprising 280 boys and 247 girls. Besides, the moderating effect of age and prior EFL achievement on the proposed relationship was also examined. Upon adjusting for age and previous performance, structural equation modelling (SEM) and mediation analysis findings indicate a positive correlation between PS and their engagement in learning English. Also, it was found that EFL-related enjoyment and boredom mediated the linkage between PS and engagement. Furthermore, multi-group analyses were conducted to examine the invariance of the mediation model across gender and grade levels. The model (PS → achievement emotions → learning engagement) was invariant across gender and grade levels, showing that the study model applied to both male and female seventh and eighth graders. These findings illuminate the emotional relationship between parental support and their children’s EFL engagement. This study expanded the literature on EFL engagement by examining how age and grades impact the network of relationships among student-perceived parental support, emotion and EFL engagement.

Resilience Level and Associated Factors Among Medical Undergraduates in a Selected University in Sri Lanka

Shamila Manori — 2024-03-26

Medical undergraduates experience many challenges in their academic, social as well as financial aspects in present day circumstances. All these challenges make them vulnerable if they can’t withstand it. Resilience is the ability to withstand adversities an individual faces. If they lack resilience, they are likely to face many negative consequences. Objective of the study was to assess the resilience level and associated factors among medical undergraduates in a selected university in Sri Lanka. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among all the medical undergraduates (n= 578) studying in the medical faculty during April to September 2023 in Wayamba medical faculty. Study instruments consist of the 14-Item Resilience Scale, to assess the level of resilience and a self-administered questionnaire to inquire the associated factors. The levels of resilience were expressed as percentages with 95% CI. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression is used to assess the associated factors of low resilience. Probability < 0.05 was selected as the significance level. The results were expressed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI. The response rate was 85.3% (n= 492). Mean age was 22 years (SD =1.2) and majority were females (69.3%). Low, moderate, and high levels of resilience of medical undergraduates were 51% (n = 251), 30% (n = 148) and 18.9% (n =93) respectively. In each academic year, half of the undergraduates had low level of resilience. Male sex (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI =1.2 – 4.8), getting angry frequently (AOR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.5 -6.0) and not engage in extracurricular activities (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.2 - 4.2) were significantly associated with low resilience level among medical undergraduates. Except the sex, other two are modifiable factors and need to take necessary interventions to rectify it. Recommend resilience enhancing interventions among medical undergraduates. Needs to explore the research area with qualitative studies to get highest yield.