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In recent times, marketers have shown increasing interest in utilising brand semiotics to shape their brand strategies. Consequently, the purpose is to bridge the existing knowledge gap by investigating the brand semiotics impact on intention to purchase. It further explores the mediating effects of brand experience (BE) dimensions and brand trust (BT) in the context of Refah chain stores located in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan. A survey used a questionnaire to collect information, targeting 384 customers who were selected using stratified sampling. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilised to assess the theoretical model and test the research hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that brand semiotics significantly influences both BE and purchase intention (PI). Moreover, the results showed that having a good experience with a brand is closely linked to trust, and trust plays a big role in deciding whether someone will buy from that brand or not. In addition, the mediation analysis demonstrated that BE acts as a mediator between brand semiotics and BT, while BT mediates BE and PI.

The present study aimed to propose an integrated supply chain model using multiple approaches in the food industries of East Azarbaijan Province, Iran. The present study was an applied one conducted according to the descriptive-survey methodology. The questionnaire items arranged on a 5-point Likert scale. The interpretive structural modelling (ISM) was implemented to determine the factors, investigate the internal relationships between the variables and their impacts, and rank and determine the level of each element. Then, the analytical network process (ANP) was implemented using super decision to investigate the relationships between the variables and the influence of a variable on others and rank the options. The structural equation software and Smart PLS were implemented to determine the effects of the variables. Investigating the relationships between the constructs confirmed the significant relationship between the main variables of the supply chain and the integrated supply chain.

Global competition in an environment which is permanently changing has led organisations to understand the importance of flexibility, present reasonable and in time reactions towards it. Management of supply chain is a strategy to carry out such a work in a way that customers can achieve reliable and fast services along with products having high quality with the least possible costs. The goal of the present research is to evaluate suppliers of Iranian Diesel Engine Manufacturing (IDEM) company using a decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and ranking them using technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). Results showed that planning has appropriated the highest weight. Ideal Motor Parts Factory (IMPF) with 0.8231 has appropriated the highest rank to itself compared with other options and this shows that based on SCOR model, the factory has had the best conditions compared with others.

The present study investigates the effects of green talent management (TM) on the intention to leave a job. This was an applied research in terms of objectives and a descriptive-survey. The research includes 480 of staffs and managers of the Urmia Medical Sciences located in West Azerbaijan, Iran. The sample size was 214 which was based on Morgan sampling table. In order to make sure that adequate number of questionnaires are returned, 240 questionnaires were distributed, of which 218 were received and analysed. To perform a goodness-of-fit test for quality of the research concept model and examining the hypotheses, structural equation modelling using the Smart PLS software was employed. In order to assess the measuring reliability of the model, confirmatory factor analysis was used. The results showed that green TM has an effect to leave a job purposely. Also, leader competence and digital task interdependence considerably adjusts the effects of green TM on leaving a job intentionally.

The present study elaborated on presenting a model of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Iranian non-governmental organisations. The study was explorative in terms of purpose and a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods in terms of methodology. Firstly, a qualitative method and categorical content analysis was utilised to gather information. Then, a researcher-made questionnaire was used to determine the dimensions, components, and indicators of CSR, resorting to the Delphi technique. The final indicators were approved by experts, and a three-level model (3 dimensions, 15 components and 136 indicators) was proposed. The positive Q2 values for all variables showed that they had a meaningful effect on CSR. It seems that the results of this research can provide a suitable model for Iranian non-governmental organisations so that they can feel more responsible towards their stakeholders and apply the solutions presented in the direction of social responsibility to the important steps of beneficiaries.

Social networks have played a growing role in establishment of electronic word of mouth (eWOM) among users of household instruments. This study analyses effect of eWOM dimensions on customer's purchasing intention via online community on platform of social networks. This research is descriptive-survey type and data were collected from a sample of 380 Iranian respondents of LG products using online questionnaire. SPSS and Smart PLS software packs were utilised for analysis. The results showed that eWOM behaviour, strong and weak social ties/communications of eWOM and informative dimensions were the main factors for occurrence of eWOM behaviours in online purchase. Also, the given results indicated that perceived quality might also impact e-trust showing improvement of customer's satisfaction. The performance of main features in social networks (trust and high quality) can improve eWOM activities in social networks, but characteristics of normative influence only helps to improvement of relations among e-trust with perceived quality.

The goal of the present research is to investigate agility strategies in manufacturing companies using a hybrid model of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) based on an analytical network process (ANP) and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). The statistical population of this study are experts of manufacturing firms located in Industrial Township. The questionnaires were used to indicate cross-relationships and ranking strategies. Ten experts were chosen to be studied. Regarding the findings using ANP, the scale of agility criteria related to the cooperation were chosen as the best criteria by experts of firms. Also, considering the viewpoints of experts, the sub-scale criteria of agility related to the knowledge of the individuals with the amount of 0.9994 obtained the first rank. Furthermore, the sub-criteria of agility related to the organisation with an amount of 0.4803, cooperation criteria amounting to 0.308, and product-relatedness criteria of agility with an amount of zero were ranked second, third, and fourth, respectively.

Employee responsiveness shows the health of the organisational structure and indicates that it is possible to implement improvement and developing programs in a desirable context. To achieve this goal, strategic thinking is necessary both among managers and organisational levels. This research aimed to study the effect of strategic management thinking on organisational change considering the role of the staff responsiveness. This research is categorised as descriptive-correlation. The population of this study included all the employees of the Melli Bank of West Azerbaijan located in Iran. By using Cochran formula, 190 staffs were chosen to respond the questionnaire. Three types of questionnaires were used for data collection. The data analysed through SPSS and Smart PLS software. The results showed that strategic thinking and level of responsiveness have significant influence on organisational change.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of internal marketing orientation and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) on organisational performance considering the moderating role of business intelligence. The present study is a descriptive-correlation type and applied in the nature. The library-field and questionnaire were used for data gathering. According to the research goal and the subject of the research, this research includes a sample of managers and staff of a large construction company. In this research, the structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to evaluate the causal model and verify the reliability and validity of the measurement model. The proposed model and the data obtained from the questionnaires analysed using the Smart PLS software. Finally, the results showed that the orientation to internal marketing and organisational citizenship behaviour significantly affect the performance of the company, and also, the business intelligence moderates the relationship between the internal marketing and organisational citizenship behaviour regarding to the organisational performance.

Social media marketing is increasing traffic, or entering a website or paying attention to an issue through social media. Its programs usually focus on trying to create a content that can attract attention of the audience and encourage readers to share it among social media. The goal of this research is studying the impact of social media marketing activities on brand equity and brand commitment in the leather industry. Data collection method is descriptive-correlation type and in terms of objective, it is an applied research. The library-field study and questionnaire were used for data collecting. Therefore, 483 customers of Novin Charm Company selected as a sample. In order to evaluate the causal model and to check the reliability and validity of the measurement model, structural equation model is utilised. The provided model and data obtained through questionnaires analysed through SMART PLS software. Finally, the results of this study showed that brand equity and brand commitment is significantly influenced by social media activities.

Today, distinguishing brands by traditional methods has been difficult for firms, because branding is not only a company's share in the market, but it also contributes its share in customer's mind and memory and this is the main pivot of experimental marketing. Given that media encourages members to deep levels of engagement in the society, this leads to creation of trust and commitment of the members and it is beneficial for brand community. Therefore, according to media importance in brand commitment, the goal of this research is to evaluate the impact of social media on brand commitment by emphasising the mediation role of perceived value and brand image. Target sample of this research is the customers of LG Company. For evaluation of reliability and validity of this research, Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability indices used which have been obtained greater than 0.8 and 0.5, respectively for all variables which show that they are in acceptable level. Study results confirmed that the proposed model's fitness for evaluation of media social impact on brand commitment according to mediation role of perceived value and brand image. In addition, results indicated that brand commitment is significantly influenced by perceived value and brand image.

This article is a practical study focusing on three lean manufacturing techniques, which are Kanban production system, setup time reduction, and total productive maintenance (TPM) in a plastic fabrication industry. Nevertheless the methodology can be simply expanded to other industries as well. Kanban is implemented as the main subject for just–in–time (JIT) production systems, while value stream mapping (VSM) is utilised to focus more on the streams in the production processes. The three main causes for work–in–process (WIP) are selected based on the cause and effect diagram in the company. Based on simulation and the results obtained from ANOVA, Kanban and TPM are recognised as the two most significant techniques in comparison with the setup time reduction technique which has the least significance. Furthermore, the study signifies that the Kanban–TPM system widely stimulates the reduction in both lead time and WIP inventory. Finally, the new VSM of the company signifies the alleviation of information exchange and paper works between various departments engaged in the process in comparison to the prior situation.

AbstractThe roles of business angels (BAs) are especially important in view of both decreasing the levels of formal venture capital investment and growing the average amount of individual deals. Angel investors typically invest at an earlier stage of growth and provide more business guidance than venture capital providers. Therefore, angel investors are the key players in generating high-growth companies, essential to regional economic development. As a result, they have attracted the attention of policy makers. Thus, this research attempted to improve the conception of decision-making criteria used by the BAs for investment, and reports the findings of an exploratory project that analysed the Malaysian BAs’ decision-making process. A hierarchy of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) model based on fuzzy sets theory and VIKOR (in Serbian: Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje) method were proposed in order to look into the decision making process. For this reason, 5 main criteria and 29 sub criteria were developed to be evaluated by 5 well-known BAs to assess and rate the criteria and alternatives using fuzzy linguistic variables. For the purpose of illustration, an empirical case study was conducted on Malaysian BAs and the results are presented with numerical examples. The final finding of the research suggested that Johor is the most suitable city for investment. Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Sabahare placed in the subsequent ranks. The proposed framework had been successfully applied for the decision making process, and could be used by other BAs for their cases with slight modifications.

The aim of this paper is to propose a new framework for supplier selection using FAHP and TOPSIS methods. As the human decision-making process usually contains fuzziness and vagueness, so linguistic values are used to assess the ratings and weights for criteria. A hierarchy multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) model based on fuzzy-sets theory including FAHP adopted for finding weights of criteria and its sub-criteria and then for the final ranking of the suppliers TOPSIS method is used in a real industry case. This study concluded that the ranking of the main criteria and sub-criteria in all the suppliers are the same. Drawing on a real case, supplier A was identified to be the best supplier. Also, it can be said that TOPSIS method is a useful additional tool for the problem. More research is definitely called for within the context of studying a more complex supply chain with multiple supply network and nodes. There is also a crucial need for investigating other hybrid methods to find the optimum supplier. The proposed criteria can be applied both in industrial and service organisations with slight modifications.