Purpose: The major objective of this study is to measure the impact of various attributes, such as social attraction, physical attraction, and task attraction on para-social relationships. The study also seeks to measure how the para-social relationship mediates the association between the three attributes (above-mentioned) on perceived credibility and informational influence, and consumers’ intention to purchase banking products. Study design/methodology: PLS-SEM has been used as it is believed to be most suited for the study due to the multivariate non-normality in the data, and the small sample size. Data has been collected using the 5-point Likert scale from approximately 151 respondents, who were selected using the non-random sampling method based on purposive sampling coupled with convenience-based sampling. The data was collected from January 2023 to August 2023. Findings: Largely, the findings reveal that both social and physical attractions do have a positive impact on the para-social relationship, further leading to perceived credibility and informational influence. Notably, this perceived credibility and informational influence lead to consumers’ intentions to purchase banking products, albeit with the use of artificial intelligence-based chatbots and digital assistants. Originality: This is possibly among the first-ever studies extending the para-social theory for purchasing banking products and services using artificial intelligence-based chatbots and virtual assistants.

Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) emphasizes the identification and exploitation of business opportunities, while entrepreneurial action learning (EAL) underscores the acquisition of knowledge through practical experience and continuous improvement. Breakthroughs in both aspects contribute to maintaining flexibility, adapting to changes, and enabling success in competitive markets. The key to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lies in a clear Entrepreneurial Orientation, a focus on Entrepreneurial Action Learning, and the cultivation of innovation spirit through continuous practice and experience accumulation, thereby enhancing entrepreneurial performance (EP). This study aims to explore the impact of Entrepreneurial Orientation on the Entrepreneurial Performance of SMEs, clarify the mediating role of Entrepreneurial Action Learning between Entrepreneurial Orientation and Entrepreneurial Performance, and investigate the variability of Entrepreneurial Performance among different industries. By means of data collection from 598 SMEs, data analysis was conducted using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The analysis results indicate that entrepreneurial orientation has a positive impact on entrepreneurial action learning and entrepreneurial performance, and entrepreneurial action learning has a positive impact on entrepreneurial performance. The study also found that entrepreneurial action learning partially mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurial performance. There are certain differences in entrepreneurial performance among different industries. This study enriches the relevant literature in the field of entrepreneurship. Additionally, research on entrepreneurial orientation, entrepreneurial action learning, and entrepreneurial performance in specific regional contexts is very limited, making this study valuable for subsequent research in related areas.

Accounting education highly affects the level of Professional Accounting Education offered in a country by academic institutions, thus determining the job market competitiveness of accounting professionals. The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationship between accounting education and accounting practices in Sri Lanka. The data for this study is obtained through a well-structured questionnaire among the Finance Managers of listed companies in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The sample size of the study was 165 Finance Managers, and of them, 122 responded to the questionnaire. This study is significant to the Sri Lankan context due to scant research in the respective research area. The results depict a moderating positive relationship, while effectiveness of accounting education determines the role and performance of accounting professionals in Sri Lanka.

Work can be demanding, imposing challenges that can be detrimental to the job performance of employees. Efforts are therefore underway to develop practices and initiatives that may improve job performance and well-being. These include interventions based on mindfulness, inclusive leadership and work engagement. In the present study, authors have presented an association of inclusive leadership and mindfulness towards job performance through employee work engagement among secondary teachers in the context of Hong Kong. The sample size of 263 teachers working from three secondary schools in Sha Tin, Hong Kong has been incorporated in this study. A structured questionnaire designed on a 5-point Likert scale has been used based on purposive sampling by analysis of IBM SPSS 27 and Smart PLS version 4.0.9 by applying a structural equation modelling approach (SEM). The results indicated a strong positive influence on employee work engagement and job performance. Moreover, the bootstrap investigation showed that mindfulness and inclusive leadership were significantly associated with employees’ work engagement in the presence of mediators’ work engagement. This study adds to the very scarce literature on inclusive leadership and mindfulness. In addition, this research is the first study to test the mindfulness skill, inclusive leadership and job performance relationship. Furthermore, this is the first study to explore the concept of mindfulness and inclusive leadership in the Hong Kong context. Moreover, the findings of this research can be beneficial for future theory development on mindfulness skill and inclusive leadership in cross-cultural contexts.

Throughout the course of a project cycle, the many phases of project management—including planning, execution, control and monitoring, and ending—are integrated and executed. In modern firms, project management has become the dominant tool for managing change. Best practices have emerged due to global project management practices and company evolution. The primary goal was to investigate how project management approaches affected project performance of the Saudi Arabia Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). This study investigated the impact of various project management practices including risk management, communication, leadership, and stakeholder management, on project performance in manufacturing SMEs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A quantitative research methodology was employed, with data collected from 250 employees (i.e., supply chain, finance and R&D managers/supervisors) across 8 SMEs. The results revealed that risk management, leadership practices, and stakeholder management significantly contribute to project performance. Surprisingly, no significant relationship was found between communication practices and project performance. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of effective risk management, strong leadership, and efficient stakeholder management in achieving successful project outcomes. Finance managers and R&D managers in Saudi manufacturing SMEs should lead and engage stakeholders to improve project performance. Supply chain managers must manage risk and maintain stakeholder relationships to avoid disruptions. Communication improvements, despite their small impact, are essential for departmental coordination. Global project management strategies tailored to local culture and business will improve project success.