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Purpose: In the last decade, female students' enrolment in higher education has experienced significant growth. However, male and female students still differ in criteria set of choosing higher education institutions. While several studies have been disentangled in developed countries in analyzing gender differences in pursuing higher education, a similar area of studies conducted in developing countries is scarce. The purpose of this study is to examine gender differences and the factors that influence first-year students' choice of higher education in a developing country. Design/methodology/approach: The study involved 575 students who were either enrolled in an undergraduate or foundation program of an international branch campus. We tested the hypotheses using partial least squares multigroup analysis (PLS-MGA). Findings: Our results revealed that graduate employability, information sources, program characteristics, institution characteristics and campus safety were influential factors affecting the students' institutional choice. The MGA results also indicated that gender differences exist in selecting higher education institutions. Male students are more strongly influenced by information sources such as family, friends, media compared with female students. Originality/value: Very few international branch campus choice studies explore gender differences in developing countries. This study enriches the current literature of institutional choice through the lens of an Asian developing country and extends the discourse regarding the role of gender in influencing students' institutional choice, of which they are commonly overlooked in most literature. The study has significant implications for student recruitment managers in higher education institution to develop marketing strategies targeting to potential male and female students.

The introduction of smart technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics, and algorithms (STARA) has changed the workforce significantly, with many concerns about its impact on employees. This study elucidates how one's appraisal of this situation would influence basic psychological needs and individual competitiveness productivity. Using a two-wave time-lagged study, data collected from 224 hospitality employees was examined using the partial least squares method structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Results suggested that individual appraisal towards STARA awareness has differential outcomes towards satisfying basic psychological needs. Among the three basic psychological needs, the needs for relatedness and competency were positively related to individual competitive productivity (ICP). We extend extant studies by incorporating challenge-hindrance framework and self-determination theory (SDT) in the context of the future of work involving STARA. It advances the body of knowledge in understanding a more fundamental issue of how STARA can bring out the best in employees, how STARA shapes employees' opinions and perspectives of the work they are doing, and what they should do to work alongside STARA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China's economy and securities market were significantly impacted, prompting the need to understand investor behaviour during this emergency. This study investigates the investment behaviour of Chinese investors during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on four types of investor biases: representativeness, overconfidence, disposition effect, and herding effect. The study utilized a quantitative research design, collecting data through an online questionnaire and a convenience sampling method from investors who traded in the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to examine the impact of behavioural biases on investment decisions during the pandemic. Results showed that representativeness, disposition effect and herding effect significantly influenced investors' investment decisions. This study contributes to the literature on behavioural finance by providing empirical evidence of the impact of behavioural biases on Chinese investors' investment decisions during a crisis. The findings have practical implications for financial institutions to better understand the behaviour of Chinese investors during times of crisis and suggest the need for financial institutions to incorporate behavioural finance principles in their risk management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

He then expanded on the idea of regenerative tourism, where tourism innovations are promoted by embedding tourism practices within local communities and ecological processes that elevate human and non-human wellbeing (Bellato & Cheer, [1]). The 2nd International Conference on Responsible Tourism and Hospitality (ICRTH) was held at UCSI Hotel Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia from 1 to 3 September 2022. The second roundtable session consisted of both international and local experts on eco-tourism where they highlighted the new possibilities and demands of eco-tourism in Asia. [Extracted from the article]

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives. As many industries face a complete stand-still, it also highlights the need to maintain family satisfaction (FS) during this challenging time, empirical research on achieving this remains scant. This study elucidates how marital status influences employees' religiosity, work-family enrichment (WFE) and FS. Data from 295 employees was examined using the analyzed using the partial least squares method structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) multigroup analysis. Results suggest that religiosity has a positive significant relationship on the bidirectionality of WFE. The multigroup analysis indicates a significant difference in how single and married employees interpret work-family experience. We extend family-work interfaces by incorporating both the construct of marital status and religiosity. It advances the body of knowledge in understanding work-family interfaces, especially in times of the pandemic.