There is insufficient consideration of Generation Z’s cultural and generational needs in the implementation of biometric attendance systems in Arabic educational settings. This study delves into Generation Z’s discipline, exploring their perspectives on attendance systems and aligning commitment with their interests. The primary aim is to gauge biometric systems’ impact on productivity. Google Form questionnaires collected data from young employees, ages 25 to 35, who belong to Generation Z’s working in the higher education system. Structural equation modeling and descriptive analysis assessed the data. While biometric systems enhance discipline, they may dampen morale. Implementing systems fairly and maintaining flexibility is vital. The study underscores the importance of evaluating employees based on achievements. It sheds light on biometric systems’ role in attendance management and organizational performance, aiding HR practices. The results showed no significant effect of Employee Management Practices (EMP) on organization performance through Biometric Attendance Technology (BAT) (B = 0.049, t = 1.330, p = 0.184). Nor significant effects of Organizational Performance Metrics (OPM) (B = 0.019, t = 0.608, p = 0.543). Technological Infrastructure (TI) (B = 0.019, t = 0.2461, p = 0.645), or Satisfaction and Engagement (ESE) (B = 0.057, t = 1.381, p = 0.167) on organization performance through Biometric Attendance Technology. The mediator impact was also found to be not significant (P > 0.05). Therefore, both direct and specific indirect effects were not significant. Indicating that Biometric Attendance Technology does not mediate the relationship between these variables and organizational performance.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted global crises and enforced strict measures like the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia, significantly impacting societal norms, particularly affecting secondary school students. The current study employs a qualitative methodology to determine how COVID-19 affects the life stress experienced by secondary school students. Secondary school students were recruited in Sabah, Malaysia, from April to August 2022, after Malaysia entered the endemic phase on 1 April 2022. As part of a larger survey, students were asked to respond to an open-ended question about life stressors they face as a result of the pandemic COVID-19 or during home-based teaching and learning (PdPR). A total of 1069 secondary school students from various backgrounds were included in the study. However, only 714 students responded to the open-ended question. The pattern of meaning across the texts was determined using Birks and Mills’s method of multilevel coding. The students’ perspectives on life stressors were classified into five broad categories: restriction stress, emotional stress, online study stress, family-related stress, and others-related stress. Restriction stress, which refers to being confined at home, restricted movement, hampered family, friendship, and outdoor activities, and no freedom were rated as the most significant life stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic by students. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and parents, emphasizing the profound effect of pandemic-induced restrictions on student life and the essential role of targeted interventions in fostering resilience among students.

The COVID-19 outbreak on international cruise ships during the early stages of the pandemic has exposed deficiencies in the governance of public health emergencies within the framework of existing international law. These deficiencies encompass various aspects, including the shortcomings of the system of flag state jurisdiction, the vague definition and reasonableness of governments’ “additional health measures” as stipulated in the International Health Regulations (IHR) of 2005, the role of World Health Organization (WHO) in the protection of the fundamental rights of passengers and crew members during epidemic outbreaks on cruise ships, the application of the free pratique rule under the international health law, and other challenges that have not been adequately addressed in current international law. In the post-COVID era, it is essential to revisit these core issues of international law and reassess the allocation of responsibilities among all evolving actors to foster effective multilateral cooperation in epidemic control. This paper adopts the “Diamond Princess” incident as a case study, examining how such public health emergencies pose challenges to international laws, particularly when they occur within the context of a cruise ship. The paper argues that cooperation on global health emergencies will continue to be a challenge until responsibility is more clearly allocated among stakeholders. Additionally, the paper formulates three principles for enhancing governmental cooperation, namely the fairness principle, the nationality principle, and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. It is advisable to carefully consider these key principles when reevaluating the international laws on public health emergencies in the post-COVID era.

Objectives: This research aimed to empirically examine the transformative impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption on financial reporting quality in Jordanian banking, with internal controls as a hypothesized mediation mechanism. Methodology: Quantitative survey data was collected from 130 bank personnel. Multi-item reflective measures assessed AI adoption, internal controls, and financial reporting quality—structural equation modelling analysis relationships between constructs. Findings: The research tested four hypotheses grounded in agency and contingency theories. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated sound measurement models. Structural equation modelling revealed that AI adoption significantly transformed financial reporting quality. The mediating effect of internal controls on the AI-quality relationship was supported. Specifically, the path from AI adoption to quality was significant, indicating a positive impact. Despite internal controls strongly predicting quality, its mediating effect significantly shaped the degree of transformation driven by AI adoption. The indirect effect of AI on quality through internal controls was also significant. Findings imply a growing diffusion of AI applications in core financial reporting systems. Practical implications: Increasing AI applications focus on holistically transforming systems, reflecting committing adoption. Jordanian banks selectively leverage controls to moderate AI-induced transformations. Originality/value: This study provides essential real-world insights into how AI is adopted and impacts the Jordanian banking sector, a key player in a fast-evolving developing economy. By examining the role of internal controls, it deepens our understanding of how AI works in practice and offers practical advice for integrating technology effectively and improving information quality. Its mixed methods, unique context, and focus on AI’s impact on organizations significantly enrich academic literature. Recommendations: Banks should invest in integrated AI architectures, strategically strengthen critical controls to steer transformations, and incrementally translate AI innovations into core processes.

Our study aims to investigate the impact of management control on the performance of Moroccan companies. Through an in-depth literature review and a survey conducted among companies from various sectors in Morocco, the crucial role played by tools such as cost accounting methods, budgetary control, and balanced scorecard in ensuring effective management were identified and highlighted. These tools enable accurate cost assessment, sound financial planning, and significant improvement in organizational performance. In light of these findings, the adoption and effective utilization of these tools as a means to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of Moroccan companies were recommended.

Research in the field of online advertising has focused on the effect of in-stream ads on viewers’ attitudes and intentions to purchase. However, little is known regarding the crucial role of viewer’s control in terms of the ‘skip ad option’ towards the attitude to purchase. This research aims to investigate the effect of in-stream ads on viewers’ attitudes to purchasing with the moderating role of viewer control. Primary data was collected from respondents of Vehari district of Pakistan through a questionnaire based on 5 points Likert scale. 370 questionnaires were incorporated after excluding the questionnaires having missing values. Structural equation modelling was used through SmartPLS-3 software in testing the hypotheses. The findings reveal that, in-stream (emotional, informational, and entertaining) ads have positive impact on viewers’ attitudes, and viewers’ control moderates the relationship between in-stream ads and viewers’ attitudes towards the ads. Further, viewers’ attitude toward the ads has a significant positive impact on viewers’ intention to purchase. To the best of our knowledge this is one of the first studies that examines the effect of in-stream ads on viewers’ attitudes to purchasing with the moderating role of viewer control in the context of a developing country, like Pakistan.