PurposeThis paper presents an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) with concepts from the innovation diffusion theory (IDT) and customers’ perceived risk, aiming to examine the factors affecting Greek customers’ intentions to adopt internet banking services. Furthermore, several individual differences are examined, with respect to their impact on the formation of customers’ attitude about the pros and cons of the new technology.Design/methodology/approachBased on an empirical study including off‐line banking customers that are familiar with the internet, the authors validate a causal model linking the constructs of the proposed service's compatibility, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived security and privacy risk, customers’ demographics and IT competences, with customers’ intentions to adopt internet banking services in the future. Partial least squares procedure was used to analyze 212 cases collected from residential customers via personal interviews using a properly designed questionnaire.FindingsThe results indicated that service compatibility is the key factor, which mostly shapes customers’ behavioural intentions toward internet banking adoption, followed by TAM constructs and perceived risk elements. Moreover, TAM and perceived security and privacy risk constructs partially mediate the relationships between compatibility and customers’ behavioural intentions, while perceived usefulness partially mediates the relationship between perceived ease of use and customers’ intentions. Finally, in terms of the impact of individual differences on customers’ beliefs about internet banking compatibility, value and risk elements, younger, mostly male customers, with adequate previous IT experience who find themselves to be compatible with the new service, are a more promising target group to use internet banking, as an alternative channel to perform their financial transactions in the future.Originality/valueThis study explores the influence of an extended TAM model factors on internet banking adaptation behaviour of Greek customers. The proposed model has never been used in the internet banking context and could be utilised to provide a solid theoretical foundation of the internet banking acceptance case.

We consider shortest path problems defined on graphs with random arc costs. We assume that information on arc cost values is accumulated as the graph is being traversed. The objective is to devise a policy that leads from an origin to a destination node with minimal expected cost. We provide dynamic programming algorithms, estimates for their complexity, negative complexity results, and analysis of some possible heuristic algorithms.

HbA1c is a biomarker with a central role in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with diabetes, although not a perfect one. Common comorbidities encountered in patients with diabetes mellitus, such as renal insufficiency, high output states (iron deficiency anaemia, haemolytic anaemia, haemoglobinopathies and pregnancy) and intake of specific drugs could compromise the sensitivity and specificity of the biomarker. COVID-19 pandemic poses a pressing challenge for the diabetic population, since maintaining optimal blood glucose control is key to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Alternative methods for diabetes management, such as fructosamine, glycosylated albumin and device-based continuous glucose monitoring, are discussed.

PurposeTo propose a framework for purchasing and outsourcing decisions together with a process model for evaluating and assessing possible suppliers. The paper focuses in particular on the “planning” and “qualifying” phases of the process which, respectively, set the criteria and prepare a shortlist for invitations, before the final selection.Design/methodology/approachBy reference to the literature, past experience and a priori reasoning, a conceptual framework and quantitative model are combined in a checklist to guide responsible managers through a formal, systematic decision‐making procedure.FindingsThe model is fully described, its strengths and weaknesses are discussed, and the modus operandi of the derived decision‐making framework is explained. The system and process are strongly advocated as the most appropriate instrument for the selection of suppliers of outsourced products and services in the contemporary business environment.Research limitations/implicationsThe system suffers to an extent from one of its defining strengths: relative simplicity, which may limit its applicability in more complex situations. This emphasises the importance of the procedures undertaken in the “qualification” phase. Assigning evaluative values codes to the various decision parameters involves a good deal of subjectivity, which could lead to misguided decisions. Further research and development is needed.Practical implicationsThe advocated selection offers outsourcing decision makers a structured and systematic selection framework, which does not compromise their own professionalism, but rather encourages imagination, innovation, investigation and opinion based on critical observation. Its potential applicability covers the full range of industry sectors, beyond the outsourcing of product and component manufacture which have been the focus of the great majority of published studies.Originality/valueThe paper examines a widely investigated “hot topic” that is in fact surrounded by confusion and misunderstanding. It focuses on aspects of outsourcing practice that have so far attracted little attention from researchers.