Academia Open

Determinants of Hotel Performance in Uzbekistan's Transitioning Economy

Kuvandikov Sardor — Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

General Background: The hospitality sector plays a critical role in supporting economic development, particularly in emerging tourism destinations. Specific Background: Uzbekistan, undergoing structural and economic transformations, presents a unique case for evaluating the determinants of hotel performance in a transitioning economy. Knowledge Gap: Despite growing interest in tourism-driven growth, empirical analyses on how macroeconomic and infrastructural factors influence hotel performance in post-Soviet states remain limited. Aims: This study investigates the impact of foreign direct investment, international tourist arrivals, ICT infrastructure, skilled labour availability, and government support on hotel performance across Uzbekistan's 14 regions from 2015 to 2023. Results: Employing a balanced panel dataset, the analysis reveals that all key variables positively and significantly affect revenue per available room (RevPAR) and occupancy rate, with digital infrastructure and human capital exerting the strongest influence. Novelty: The study provides a regionally disaggregated, data-driven assessment of hotel performance drivers in a post-transition economy, bridging the gap between institutional development and tourism sector outcomes. Implications: The findings underscore the need for integrated policy frameworks that align technological advancement with human capital and institutional support to enhance competitiveness in the hospitality industry across similar transitional contexts.

Highlight:

Digital infrastructure and human capital are the strongest drivers of hotel success.
First empirical study using regional panel data in post-transition Uzbekistan.
Highlights need for synchronized policy and institutional support in tourism.

Keywords: Hotel Performance, Uzbekistan, ICT Infrastructure, Skilled Labour, Tourism Development

Green Accounting Practices in Opak Factory SMEs

Rahma Alia, Atika Atika, Yenni Samri Juliati Nasution — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

General Background: Environmental sustainability has become an essential aspect of business operations, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the food processing sector. Specific Background: The opak factory in Sidodadi Village, Indonesia, produces organic and inorganic waste, necessitating strategic environmental management. Knowledge Gap: While studies have shown benefits of green accounting, limited research explores its application and link to business sustainability within rural SMEs. Aims: This study aims to assess the implementation of green accounting and environmental performance in supporting business sustainability at the opak factory. Results: Using qualitative methods including interviews and field observations, findings reveal suboptimal integration of environmental costs into financial records and inadequate documentation of environmental initiatives. Although the factory engages in solid and liquid waste management—such as reusing cassava pulp as animal feed and building liquid waste tanks—these efforts are not systematically reported under green accounting frameworks. Novelty: The study offers empirical insight into green accounting within a rural food SME, highlighting distinct challenges and context-specific practices. Implications: Without structured financial tracking and better stakeholder awareness, potential long-term benefits such as increased competitiveness, regulatory compliance, and market access remain underutilized. Strengthening institutional understanding and environmental cost reporting is crucial for advancing sustainable business practices.

Highlights:

Environmental costs are not systematically recorded in financial reports.
Waste management practices exist but lack integration into sustainability reporting.
Green accounting remains underutilized due to limited awareness and resources.

Keywords: green accounting, environmental performance, business sustainability, SMEs, waste management

Social Media and Lifestyle Shape Student Purchasing Patterns

Erma Hotnijar Siregar, Marliyah Marliyah, Nursantri Yanti — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

General Background: Rising access to information and digital platforms has transformed consumption habits among youth, particularly students. Specific Background: Overseas students often face unique financial and social adjustments, making them susceptible to excessive spending. Knowledge Gap: While prior studies have discussed general student consumption, few have focused on overseas students and the role of peer influence, lifestyle, and social media combined. Aims: This study investigates the relationship between social media use, peer relationships, and lifestyle with the consumptive behavior of overseas students at UIN Sumatera Utara. Results: Using a quantitative approach and data from 75 respondents, the findings show that social media and lifestyle are positively and significantly associated with consumptive behavior, while peer influence is not statistically significant. Novelty: This study contributes by centering on migrant students in a developing country context, highlighting that lifestyle choices and media exposure override peer pressure in shaping spending habits. Implications: These results suggest that interventions aiming to reduce excessive consumption among overseas students should prioritize media literacy and financial awareness over peer-group regulation.
Highlights:

1. Lifestyle is the strongest predictor of excessive student spending.

2. Peer influence does not significantly drive consumptive behavior.

3. Social media exposure correlates with increased purchase frequency.

Keywords: social media, lifestyle, student behavior, consumption, overseas students

Religiosity, Trust, and Literacy Drive Islamic Finance Adoption

Muhammad Iqbal Asyari Lubis, Tuti Anggraini, Aqwa Naser Daulay — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

General Background: Despite Indonesia's Muslim-majority population, the market share of Islamic financial products remains low. Specific Background: Islamic financial literacy, trust in financial institutions, and personal religiosity have been identified as key determinants in financial decision-making, yet empirical studies show inconsistent findings. Knowledge Gap: Previous research has not adequately assessed these three factors simultaneously, particularly within a student population that receives Islamic education. Aims: This study aims to examine how religiosity, trust, and sharia financial literacy affect students’ interest in using Islamic financial products. Results: Based on a survey of 100 purposively sampled students at UIN North Sumatra, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that all three variables — religiosity (β = 0.345), trust (β = 0.445), and sharia financial literacy (β = 0.236) — have a positive and significant relationship with interest in using Islamic financial products, explaining 74.2% of the variance. Novelty: This study is one of the first to simultaneously analyze these predictors among students of an Islamic university, providing insights into the behavioral intentions of a strategically important demographic. Implications: The findings underscore the need for collaborative efforts between Islamic financial institutions and universities to foster literacy, trust, and religious alignment with financial behavior among youth.
Highlights:

Trust is the strongest predictor of product interest among students.
Sharia financial literacy significantly correlates with usage interest.
The model explains 74.2% of the variation in interest behavior.

Keywords: religiosity, trust, Islamic financial literacy, student behavior, Islamic banking

HEART Framework Evaluation of M-Paspor User Experience

Novita Ramadayanti, Sumiati Sumiati — Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

General Background: In the era of digital transformation, the success of public service applications depends significantly on user experience (UX). Specific Background: The M-Paspor application by the Directorate General of Immigration Indonesia was developed to streamline passport services but suffers from low public ratings and recurring user complaints. Knowledge Gap: Despite its potential, comprehensive UX metrics that consider both functional and emotional dimensions have not systematically evaluated the application. Aims: This study aims to assess the usability of the M-Paspor application using the HEART Framework, which evaluates five key dimensions: Happiness, Engagement, Adoption, Retention, and Task Success. Results: From 100 user responses, the application scored high in Engagement (0.75), Retention (0.71), Happiness (0.66), and Adoption (0.64), but only medium in Task Success (0.57). Three dimensions did not meet the 70% usability target, revealing critical shortcomings in interface design, onboarding guidance, and payment or scheduling features. Novelty: This research applies the HEART Framework as a stand-alone evaluative tool to systematically diagnose user experience issues in a government mobile application. Implications: The findings offer actionable recommendations to improve M-Paspor’s usability and provide a replicable model for evaluating other public digital services.

Highlights:

1. Engagement scored highest at 0.75 usability level.

2. Task Success dimension did not meet the target.

3. Design, guidance, and access features require improvement.

Keywords: HEART Framework, M-Paspor, Usability, User Experience, Public Service App

Expressive Language of Poetry as a Means of Artistic Communication

Takhmina Kamiljonovna Akramova — Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

General Background: Poetic language has long functioned as a distinctive form of artistic and emotional communication. Specific Background: Despite a detailed understanding of poetic techniques, there remains limited clarity about how these elements function as mechanisms of communication and artistic evolution. Knowledge Gap: Existing studies often overlook the specific communicative structures and socio-aesthetic functions that enable poetry to mediate individual and collective experiences. Aims: This study investigates the expressive language of poetry as a communicative tool, analyzing how metaphor, symbolism, sound, rhythm, and ambiguity shape artistic discourse. Results: Through interdisciplinary methods combining literary theory, linguistics, and cultural criticism, the study demonstrates that poetry communicates multilayered meanings—emotional, intellectual, and political—beyond what practical language can convey. Novelty: By positioning poetic language not merely as aesthetic ornamentation but as a structured communicative system, this research offers a reconceptualization of poetry’s function within art and society. Implications: The findings affirm poetry's role in cultural transmission and identity formation, reinforcing its relevance as a dynamic medium for articulating complex human realities and fostering societal cohesion.

Highlight :

Metaphor and Symbolism: Poetry uses metaphor and symbolism to express deep emotional and intellectual ideas, creating shared understanding.
Sound and Rhythm: The auditory elements of poetry enhance emotional impact and mirror human thought patterns.
Ambiguity: Poetic language thrives on open interpretation, allowing diverse personal and cultural meanings.

Keywords : Metaphor, Symbolism, Poetic Language, Communication, Rhythm

Low Cost Travel Packages Drive Domestic Tourism Growth in Uzbekistan

Khusen Ibargimov, Suyunova Feruza, Sanakulova Aziza, Nurmuhammadova Sabina — Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Domestic tourism is increasingly recognized as a vital contributor to national economies, particularly in developing countries like Uzbekistan. Specific Background: Despite policy initiatives promoting internal travel, limited data exists on how affordable travel options shape domestic tourism behavior. Knowledge Gap: Little is known about the perceived accessibility and value of low-cost travel packages among Uzbekistani residents. Aims: This study aims to evaluate perceptions of low-cost travel packages and identify key factors associated with their appeal to domestic tourists. Results: Based on a mixed-methods approach involving 37 online survey respondents and statistical analysis using SPSS, the study finds that perceptions of value-for-money are significantly shaped by travel frequency and the quality of customer service. Novelty: The research uniquely combines quantitative and qualitative evidence to illuminate how localized, budget-friendly travel options influence domestic tourism patterns in a Central Asian context. Implications: The findings suggest that to stimulate domestic tourism growth, stakeholders should prioritize promotional strategies, raise public awareness, and develop tailored, affordable travel packages for local residents. While the study's small sample limits generalizability, it provides a foundational basis for future research involving broader populations to validate and expand upon these insights.

Highlights:

Value perception is shaped by travel frequency and service quality.
Custom low-cost packages can boost local tourism participation.
Small sample limits generalizability; broader studies are needed.

Keywords : Domestic Tourism, Uzbekistan, Customer Satisfaction, Travel Packages, Statistical Analysis

Evolving Legal Responsibilities and Challenges in Prosecuting Cybercrime Across Jurisdictions

Riyadh Hussain Taqi — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

General Background: In the digital age, cybercrime has emerged as a sophisticated and transnational threat, endangering global security, economic stability, and individual privacy. Specific Background: The rapid evolution of cyber-offenses challenges traditional legal frameworks, particularly in defining liability and proving criminal intent in virtual environments. Knowledge Gap: Despite ongoing reforms, there is limited clarity on how legal systems conceptualize and apply core criminal law principles such as actus reus and mens rea to cybercrime, particularly across diverse jurisdictions. Aims: This study investigates the evolving definitions of criminal responsibility in cybercrime, analyzes the adaptation of legal systems to digital threats, and explores the evidentiary challenges in proving guilt within cyberspace. Results: The findings confirm that while actus reus and mens rea remain applicable, their interpretation in digital contexts becomes significantly complex. Key challenges include jurisdictional disputes, offender anonymity, and digital evidence admissibility. Novelty: Through doctrinal and comparative legal research, this study presents a multi-jurisdictional analysis spanning the U.S., E.U., Asia, and the Middle East, offering a comprehensive perspective on legal convergence in addressing cybercrime. Implications: Legal systems must innovate by enacting precise cybercrime statutes, investing in digital forensic capabilities, enhancing professional education, and fostering global legal harmonization to ensure effective cyber justice.

Highlights:

Redefining Crime Elements: Adapting actus reus and mens rea digitally.
Legal Reform Needed: Update laws, boost digital investigation capacity.
Global Coordination Required: Harmonize international laws for cybercrime enforcement.

Keywords: Cybercrime, Criminal Responsibility, Digital Evidence, Comparative Law, Legal Reform

Implementation of Tajribi, Burhani, Bayani, and 'Irfani Methods in Islamic Education Philosophy

Yuri Indri Yani, Salminawati Salminawati, Usiono Usiono — Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

General Background: Epistemology, as a core branch of philosophy, critically examines the nature, sources, and limits of knowledge. Specific Background: Within the Islamic intellectual tradition, epistemology encompasses distinct methodologies—tajribi, burhani, bayani, and ‘irfani—each rooted in different epistemic frameworks. Knowledge Gap: However, comprehensive analyses of how these methods are implemented within the context of Islamic education philosophy remain limited. Aims: This study aims to explore the application of Islamic epistemological methods in the study of Islamic educational philosophy. Results: Through qualitative descriptive library research, the study finds that the tajribi (empirical) method is utilized to understand physical realities, the burhani (rational) method to grasp metaphysical concepts, the bayani (textual-interpretative) method to extract meaning from sacred texts, and the ‘irfani (intuitive-spiritual) method to attain inner truths through spiritual practice. Novelty: The study synthesizes these diverse epistemological approaches and delineates their respective educational domains, offering an integrated framework for understanding Islamic knowledge acquisition. Implications: These findings contribute to the broader discourse on Islamic education by highlighting the multidimensional nature of knowledge in Islamic thought and advocating for a balanced pedagogical model that accommodates empirical, rational, textual, and spiritual dimensions.

Highlights:

Distinct epistemological methods reflect diverse paths to knowledge in Islam.
Each method aligns with specific objects: material, rational, textual, or spiritual.
Integration of these methods enriches Islamic educational philosophy.

Keywords: Islamic Epistemology, Tajribi, Burhani, Bayani, ‘Irfani