ABSTRACT
– Water resources are limited and many regions worldwide are encountering serious water problems, mainly about quality and quantity. Water is very important in pandemics’ spread for hygienic practices and providing high sanitary level. Many studies have revealed that there has been a substantial change in water consumption rates and the amount of generated solid waste during Covid-19 pandemic, but there has been no evidence if these changes will continue after the pandemic period. Information about the household’s behavior and personal hygiene practices before and after the pandemic have been gathered from different regions in Jordan through an online questionnaire and focused group discussion. It has been found out that there has been an increase in water consumption up to 41% caused by changes in personal and household’s behavior during the pandemic. Changes in water consumptions associated with handwashing 75% and surface cleaning 66% seem to be permanent, and such changes may be considered for future water management programs. Plastic and metals are the most generated solid waste during the pandemic as there have been high consumption rates of protection items (e.g. gloves) and canned food. This study demonstrates magnitude and importance of permanent changes in household’s behaviors and in personal consumption to be taken into account in future strategies for water resources management and solid waste recycling programs. © 2022 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Since COVID-19 became a pandemic, the global economy has been dramatically affected. Not just that, the consumer behavior in the retail market has also changed. This paper aims to examine the effect of the coronavirus crisis on consumer behavior in retail services. The paper will focus on retail banking services, especially the Jordanian banking sector. The goal of the study was achieved by conducting a survey among Jordanian consumers in the retail banking sector, which was done using questionnaires, a sample of 240 retail customers from 14 valid participants. The paper brings new insight into how the pandemic affected retail banking services and proves the acceptance of online and banking in the conceptual model. The results show that the variables around attitudes toward the internet and mobile banking were directly and positively affected by the variables related to the perception of the pandemic's impact on the consumer's lifestyle. Other variables such as the safety of using online and mobile banking services and phones also contributed to this rise in a positive attitude. The Trust in Mobile and internet banking has several administrative and social implications, which were also discussed. Because new consumption behavior models are being developed, mobile and internet services could prevail even after the later stages of the epidemic. Initiatives to provide online educational programs, especially financial courses, should be intensified by the banks in Jordan to enable their customers to be familiar with the use of the banks' online banking services. They should enhance their communication with their customers and offer new products and services while also showing flexibility while negotiating to refinance and loaning terms. © 2022, Growing Science. All rights reserved.