مطالب

Self-esteem refers to a sense of intrinsic worth that does not consider superiority over others. Awareness of the significance of self-esteem leads to a greater commitment to its enhancement, and understanding its effects highlights its importance. This research categorizes the effects of self-esteem according to Nathaniel Branden, who is regarded as the father of self-esteem, into three areas: Cognitive, moral, and behavioral, and then analyzes them through the lens of Islamic teachings using a descriptive-analytical method to provide a foundation for critiquing his views. Branden believes that self-expression, acceptance of others' definitions, and individualism are effects of self-esteem; however, these effects are not supported by the teachings of the Quran and Hadith. For instance, sometimes a lack of self-expression indicates transcending one’s superficial self and reaching a higher self, which is a result of self-esteem. Similarly, an individual may consciously refuse to accept others’ definitions despite having high self-esteem for reasons such as humility or the aim of combating the ego. Additionally, not being individualistic and prioritizing the interests of others over oneself can sometimes indicate the maturity of a dignified individual, whereby the false self is sacrificed for the true self, which does not contradict self-worth and dignity.

ChatGPT-assisted language instruction is gathering irresistible momentum in today’s fast-moving, AI-governed world of educational enterprises. The current scoping review article sought to analyze and synthesize the existing literature on the complementary use of ChatGPT in second/foreign language (L2/FL) education and pedagogy. Aligned with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‑ScR), the study adopted a systematic approach to evidential data search and analysis. A total of 28 peer-reviewed articles retrieved from well-established databases, such as Scopus and Web of Science (WoS), were reviewed to map the scope and consequences of the growing body of literature on using ChatGPT as an L2/FL learning/teaching tool. Centering around five predetermined variables, including setting, design, focus area, objective, and concluding remarks, the content or thematic analysis results helped to shape a clear picture of the literature under review. The literature-derived evidential data also referred to the fruits of ChatGPT-assisted instruction under three distinct headings: learning outcomes, pedagogical outcomes, and cognitive-affective impetus for language learning and teaching. The review results also revealed the repercussions of the instruction mainly concerned with ethical and technical concerns. Given the immature but fast-paced nature of the literature on the instructional model, this early attempt, though provided a brief sketch of the research scope and chief outcomes of the model, needs to be complemented with future systematic reviews to fully unlock the potential of language pedagogy well suited to the demands of today’s technology-governed education.

This article covers the emergence of resistance economy in the Islamic Republic of Iran within the context of international sanctions, arguing that this policy ought to be understood beyond the historical context in which it emerged. The article captures the historical, political, and economic context in which the first comprehensive economic discourse of the post-revolutionary establishment emerges, and seeks to account for its scope, concerns, and objectives. Rather than another word for protectionism, import-substitution industrialisation, economic diversification of a rentier state or a mere response to sanctions, resistance economy as espoused by Ayatollah Khamenei, is a comprehensive economic policy discourse affecting all levels of state and society in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Rather than mitigating the impact of sanctions, resistance economy is an economic discourse that seeks to realise the revolutionary objective of economic independence, whilst transforming the economy of the Islamic Republic from a source of weakness to a source of strength in its pursuit of a new, more equitable international order.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between word of mouth, corporate image and customer patronage intentions of financial services.Design/methodology/approach – The research analyses whether word of mouth and corporate image are predictors of patronage intentions. Specifically, the paper examines the moderating effects of corporate image in the relationship between word of mouth and patronage intentions using structural equation model. Data were collected from 848 customers selected from financial services firms. Exploratory and confirmatory factors analysis was performed on the study items after which the hypotheses were tested.Findings – The findings suggest that word-of-mouth has a significant impact on customer patronage intentions and corporate image also has significant influence on patronage intentions. Corporate image was found to moderate the relationship between word of mouth and patronage intentions. This indicates that word of mouth and corporate image are central to customer patronage intentions towards financial services.Research limitations/implications – There are limitations of the research. The first significant limitation is that the variables had various sub-dimensions. The second limitation is about sampling of the participants to represent all the customers of financial services in Ghana.Practical implications – This paper provides useful insights into financial service industry on the dimensions of word-of-mouth, corporate image, customer patronage intentions and how they are interrelated.Originality/value – the study of the interactive effects of word of mouth and corporate image on patronage intentions is unique and contributes to the explanation of customer behavior literature.