Purpose The novel coronavirus pandemic is projected to cause an elevation in anxiety levels across the globe. With everything shifting to online mode, the teaching-learning has also gone virtual. This study aims to analyze the impact of novel coronavirus and online education on student’s anxiety and self-efficacy, investigate the role of coping strategies as a moderator between anxiety and self-efficacy. Also, develop and validate an online exam anxiety scale. Design/methodology/approach The data is collected by undertaking a cross-sectional survey of 434 higher education students from various universities. For conceptualization of the construct of online exam anxiety, the principal component analysis is carried out. Thereafter, the conceptual model is validated and tested using confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. Findings The hypothesized model demonstrated good reliability and validity. The results showed that students’ anxiety has an adverse impact on their self-efficacy. Findings indicate that the sample in this study reported more anxiety owing to online examinations in comparison to coronavirus induced anxiety. Also, it was found that the relationship between anxiety and self-efficacy was stronger at low levels of coping strategy whereas it got considerably weakened at high levels of coping strategy. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to students who belong at other levels of education. Further studies can attempt to capture the impact of COVID on student anxiety. This study was restricted to students in the age group of 18–25. The impact of COVID can be studied in a different age group in the future. Practical implications This study offers important implications for educators, practitioners and policymakers working in the education sector. It presents an interesting insight into how the sudden change in pedagogical delivery to online mode is preventing a smooth transition for students and becoming a cause of anxiety. It recommends higher education institutions to develop an innovative and robust approach to promote and address mental health issues among students. It also stresses the need for ensuring that the process of conducting online examinations are streamlined and adequate guidance is given to students. Social implications The study proposes the need for training students and teachers on the application of an blended learning approach and efficient adoption of information and communication technology resources in teaching-learning. Originality/value The current study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by stressing that adaptive-behavioral and emotion-focused coping strategies are significantly helpful in tackling coronavirus related anxiety. It also recommends the need for Higher education institutions to play an active role in strengthening their preparedness strategies for effective management of outbreaks and pandemics.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the adoption of balanced scorecard (ABSC) as performance management system (PMS). It also proposes a framework for empirically validating the antecedents and consequences of the ABSC as PMS. Design/methodology/approach Through the extensive review of BSC literature, the antecedents and consequences factors of BSC adoption as PMS are explored. A conceptual model is derived which hypothesises the relationship between the antecedents and consequences of the ABSC. The data collected by surveying perception of 128 bank employees is empirically tested. Confirmatory factor analysis is used to test the validity of the proposed measurement model, and hypothesised relationships are tested using structural equation modelling. Findings The findings confirmed the hypothesised conceptual model. They indicate that top management involvement and interdepartmental communication are the two prime antecedent factors which significantly lead to ABSC as PMS. In addition to this, the findings validate a strong causal relationship between ABSC and three consequence factors, namely, employees’ behaviour, organisational capabilities and perceived performance. Research limitations/implications The current study broadens the understanding of the notion of BSC as PMS in a considerable manner. It overcomes the inadequacy of the previous studies which failed to explore the antecedents and consequences of ABSC in a comprehensive way. The studies’ key limitation is that it is based on the perception of employees which can be overcome by using multiple methods to collect data in future studies. Originality/value The current study makes a significant contribution to the BSC literature. It is a first of its kind study to provide empirical validation to the conceptual model of antecedents and consequences of the ABSC as PMS. The research finding offers key implications for both researchers and practitioners.

PurposeThe current study aims is to investigate the impact of leader's e-competencies on the emotional wellbeing of employees in GVTs. Also, the moderating role of a leader's emotional intelligence in enhancing the wellbeing of the employees during the pandemic was explored.Design/methodology/approachA survey of 810 employees belonging to international IT companies was conducted. The conceptual model was hypothesized and validated using CFA and PL-SEM.FindingsThe three core e-competencies of leaders (e-communication skills, e-change management skills and e-technological skills) impacting the wellbeing of employees in the COVID pandemic were found. Also, emotional intelligence significantly moderated the association of leader's e-competencies and the wellbeing of employees.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to IT sector companies. Data were collected using the snowball sampling technique through a self-reported questionnaire. Future studies can explore the relationship between e-leadership and variables like job performance in other sectors.Practical implicationsA unique framework of “leaders” e-competencies and employees' wellbeing, moderated by emotional intelligence, has been proposed and validated. The present study is relevant for guiding the traditional leaders and managers transitioning to e-leaders due to the pandemic.Originality/valueThe current exploration is one of its kinds to understand the dynamics of study variables in international workplaces. Today, the majority of organizations are conducting their business through GVTs. Therefore, the emerging leaders have to display specific e-competencies to contribute to employees' wellbeing effectively.