Search results
1 – 10 of 10Cristiano Morini, Edmundo Inacio Junior, Anibal Tavares de Azevedo, Francisco Elíseo Fernandes Sanches and Eduardo Avancci Dionisio
Higher education institutions (HEIs) are crucial in sustainable development. To this end, they must infuse sustainability into all their endeavors. This study aims to delve into…
Abstract
Purpose
Higher education institutions (HEIs) are crucial in sustainable development. To this end, they must infuse sustainability into all their endeavors. This study aims to delve into the unique vertically integrated project (VIP), a project-based learning approach and its impact on students’ skills and the surrounding community.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design was collaborative, reflecting the spirit of the VIP. Step 1 involved an action research approach, where students and instructors worked closely with municipal representatives to identify challenges and devise solutions for local economic development. In Step 2, students' voices were heard through a survey. Step 3 encompassed presentations in scientific and nonscientific events, capturing the community’s perception as a valuable feedback loop.
Findings
The authors identified the most effective policies implemented by municipalities that excelled in indices related to the business environment. VIP enhanced students’ soft skills, including critical thinking, teamwork and community spirit. The outcomes of the VIP were effective in identifying public policies aimed at social transformation.
Practical implications
This study’s findings offer significant insights for HEI managers, guiding them in adopting interdisciplinary pedagogical practices. These practices, in turn, foster sustainable development within both internal and external communities. Furthermore, the empirical study’s focus on improving local community governance can potentially enhance the local business environment.
Originality/value
Literature emphasizing the social dimension of sustainability in HEIs is scarce, particularly those practices related to teaching, research and extension linked to projects aimed at community sustainability. This study introduces interdisciplinary practices encouraging student involvement in addressing tangible issues and searching for solutions to community problems.
Details
Keywords
Filip Ž. Bugarčić, Nenad Stanišić and Veljko Marinković
The purpose of the paper is to determine the importance of trade logistics in export intensification and competitiveness on the level of individual companies. Within the framework…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to determine the importance of trade logistics in export intensification and competitiveness on the level of individual companies. Within the framework of logistics performance, the influences of customs efficiency and physical trade infrastructure quality were tested on export while the contribution to improving competitiveness was analyzed through logistics services and the Logistics 4.0 component. In addition, the influence of competitiveness on companies’ exports was examined.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was conducted based on a survey intended for the management of export-oriented companies which was distributed through the system of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. A total of 298 responses were collected and provided the basis for the application of structural equation modeling (SEM) approach.
Findings
The physical trade infrastructure was found to be a significant factor in stimulating exports, while the quality of logistics services has a statistically significant impact on the level of competitiveness. The results also indicate that improving the competitiveness of companies gives positive results in stimulating their exports.
Originality/value
Studies that analyze the impact of trade logistics using primary data from surveys are rare. In this paper, for the first time, the SEM methodology was applied in the assessment of logistics performance effects on export and competitiveness of individual companies. Also, the impact of the logistics 4.0 concept on selected companies’ performance was empirically tested for the first time.
Details
Keywords
Edmundo Inacio Junior, Eduardo Avancci Dionisio and Fernando Antonio Padro Gimenez
This study aims to identify necessary conditions for innovative entrepreneurship in cities and determine similarities in entrepreneurial configurations among them.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify necessary conditions for innovative entrepreneurship in cities and determine similarities in entrepreneurial configurations among them.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors assessed the necessary conditions for various levels of entrepreneurial output and categorized cities based on similar patterns by applying necessary condition analysis (NCA) and cluster analysis in a sample comprised of 101 cities from the entrepreneurial cities index, representing a diverse range of urban environments in Brazil. A comprehensive data set, including both traditional indicators from official Bureau of statistics and nontraditional indicators from new platforms of science, technology and innovation intelligence, was compiled for analysis.
Findings
Bureaucratic complexity, urban conditions, transport infrastructure, economic development, access to financial capital, secondary education, entrepreneurial intention, support organizations and innovation inputs were identified as necessary for innovative entrepreneurship. Varying levels of these conditions were found to be required for different entrepreneurial outputs.
Research limitations/implications
The static nature of the data limits understanding of dynamic interactions among dimensions and their impact on entrepreneurial city performance.
Practical implications
Policymakers can use the findings to craft tailored support policies, leveraging the relationship between city-level taxonomy and direct outputs of innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs).
Social implications
The taxonomy and nontraditional indicators sheds light on the broader societal benefits of vibrant EEs, emphasizing their role in driving socioeconomic development.
Originality/value
The cluster analysis combined with NCA’s bottleneck analysis is an original endeavor which made it possible to identify performance benchmarks for Brazilian cities, according to common characteristics, as well as the required levels of each condition by each city group to achieve innovative entrepreneurial outputs.
Details
Keywords
Artur Tavares Vilas Boas Ribeiro, Lucas dos Santos Costa, Felipe Mendes Borini and Fernanda Ribeiro Cahen
This study aims to analyze the university environment’s role in the intention–action gap (IAG)of highly successful startup founders in an emerging market.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the university environment’s role in the intention–action gap (IAG)of highly successful startup founders in an emerging market.
Design/methodology/approach
Using multiple regression analysis, this study analyzed data collected from 314 founders representing 99 successful startups (289 valid observations), renowned for their high funding and value operating in an emerging market, Brazil.
Findings
The results demonstrate that extracurricular activities and exchange programs lead to a reduced IAG while living in a significant economic center extends it. Computer science and industrial engineering students show reduced IAGs. Studying together with future co-founders also leads to reduced gaps.
Research limitations/implications
The study contributes to the microfoundations theory by presenting new interactions between students and the university environment that influence entrepreneurial action. Limitations are related to the sample, limited to Brazilian founders and selected only through venture capital firms’ filters.
Practical implications
This study also provides practical insights to the universities’ leaders on how they can create programs that improve the rate of startup creation, potentially leading to successful companies.
Originality/value
This study investigates the association between the university role and the entrepreneur’s IAG in emerging markets. The entrepreneur’s IAG is still a relatively new phenomenon explored in entrepreneurship. Even less understanding and limited empirical data exist on successful startups from emerging markets. This study drew on the microfoundations literature to answer how universities in emerging markets could address specific resources and entrepreneurship programs to reduce the IAG among students and alumni.
Details
Keywords
Alfonso Torres-Marín, José Ernesto Amorós, Marcelo Leporati and Sergio Roses
The purpose of this study is to make an exploratory analysis of the impact of the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) as defined by Acs et al. (2014) on opportunity-driven senior…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to make an exploratory analysis of the impact of the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) as defined by Acs et al. (2014) on opportunity-driven senior entrepreneurial activity in Latin America.
Design/methodology/approach
The research uses data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor and the Global Entrepreneurship and Development Institute of five Latin America countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico), providing a total of 15,019 observations of people that are 50+ years old, between the years 2013 and 2017. A multi-level logistic regression model was used to estimate the relation between the total entrepreneurial activity by opportunity of seniors and some EE indicators. A total of three equations were estimated on the data set described.
Findings
This research confirms the relevance of some elements of EE on senior entrepreneurship in Latin America. Entrepreneurial attitudes have a positive relationship with senior entrepreneurs, generating higher levels of entrepreneurial ventures. The combination of institutions that support these attitudes on the EE enhances senior entrepreneurial activity. It also demonstrates that a higher level of entrepreneurial education at postschool stages is relevant to increasing senior entrepreneurial activity.
Originality/value
This research makes some interesting contributions in the field of measuring the impact of EE on senior entrepreneurship by opportunity in developing countries, filling a literature gap. It allows us to glimpse some measures that policymakers could take to improve the entrepreneurial activity of this segment in the region, such as implementing programs that facilitate networking opportunities and mentorship, along with providing training in business and financial literacy.
Details
Keywords
Jose M. Ramos-Henriquez and Sandra Morini-Marrero
This study aims to characterize remote workers’ Airbnb experiences through the cognitive outcomes of their experiences and to consider the differences between long and short stays.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to characterize remote workers’ Airbnb experiences through the cognitive outcomes of their experiences and to consider the differences between long and short stays.
Design/methodology/approach
The structural topic model methodology was used to identify relevant topics. Data were collected from InsideAirbnb for Lisbon, Portugal and Austin, Texas, USA, for 2022 and early 2023, focusing on reviews that mentioned remote work.
Findings
The Airbnb experiences of remote workers and digital nomads are characterized as professionals who express mostly affective outcomes, but also have behavioral and nonaffective outcomes during their stay. In addition, the findings support the moderating role of length of stay and city.
Research limitations/implications
This paper contributes to the literature by exploring how length of stay affects the priorities of remote workers on Airbnb, highlighting the different needs of long-term and short-term stays, and helping to consolidate and clarify the scattered research on customers’ long-term experiences in tourism and hospitality.
Practical implications
The Airbnb experience of remote workers is the highly valued as evidenced by the high rate of commending reviews indicating a willingness to stay there again. It is suggested that Airbnb hosts continue their helpful role and ensuring the functionality and availability of essential facilities and emphasizing neighborhood amenities specific to long and short stays. ChatGPT4 was found to be valuable for extracting data and assigning topic labels.
Originality/value
This study uses a novel structural topic model, augmented with ChatGPT4, to analyze Airbnb customer reviews that mention remote work, thereby improving inferences about the characterization of remote workers.
Details
Keywords
Bowen Zheng, Mudasir Hussain, Yang Yang, Albert P.C. Chan and Hung-Lin Chi
In the last decades, various building information modeling–life cycle assessment (BIM-LCA) integration approaches have been developed to assess the environmental impact of the…
Abstract
Purpose
In the last decades, various building information modeling–life cycle assessment (BIM-LCA) integration approaches have been developed to assess the environmental impact of the built asset. However, there is a lack of consensus on the optimal BIM-LCA integration approach that provides the most accurate and efficient assessment outcomes. To compare and determine their accuracy and efficiency, this study aimed to investigate four typical BIM-LCA integration solutions, namely, conventional, parametric modeling, plug-in and industry foundation classes (IFC)-based integration.
Design/methodology/approach
The four integration approaches were developed and applied using the same building project. A quantitative technique for evaluating the accuracy and efficiency of BIM-LCA integration solutions was used. Four indicators for assessing the performance of BIM-LCA integration were (1) validity of LCA results, (2) accuracy of bill-of-quantity (BOQ) extraction, (3) time for developing life cycle inventories (i.e. developing time) and (4) time for calculating LCA results (i.e. calculation time).
Findings
The results show that the plug-in-based approach outperforms others in developing and calculation time, while the conventional one could derive the most accuracy in BOQ extraction and result validity. The parametric modeling approach outperforms the IFC-based method regarding BOQ extraction, developing time and calculation time. Despite this, the IFC-based approach produces LCA outcomes with approximately 1% error, proving its validity.
Originality/value
This paper forms one of the first studies that employ a quantitative and objective method to determine the performance of four typical BIM-LCA integration solutions and reveal the trade-offs between the accuracy and efficiency of the integration approaches. The findings provide practical references for LCA practitioners to select appropriate BIM-LCA integration approaches for evaluating the environmental impact of the built asset during the design phase.
Details
Keywords
Saurabh Tiwari and Rajeev Srivastava
Organisations in the past aimed to use technology to improve their processes and services. However, nowadays, their primary focus is on using technology sustainably…
Abstract
Purpose
Organisations in the past aimed to use technology to improve their processes and services. However, nowadays, their primary focus is on using technology sustainably. Sustainability is crucial to ensure a better and safer future for our environment. One such technology is the Metaverse, which is considered the next step in the growth of the Internet. It combines the real world with the virtual world to create a multi-user environment, allowing users to experience a fully immersive, real-time existence with digital characters, objects, and locations that are often 3D. The Metaverse and sustainability share a strong relationship, as it is expected that the Metaverse will have a significant impact on the material, economic, and social realms, as well as sustainability worldwide. This paper uses bibliometric analysis to understand sustainable metaverse scholarship better and provide an up-to-date account of industry practices.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper used the PRISMA approach and bibliometric analysis to analyse and draw conclusions from 2,911 articles retrieved from the Scopus database from 1999 to July 2023. The methodology is divided into four steps: data collection, analysis, visualisation, and interpretation. The current study uses the Bibliometric R-package and VOS viewer software to comprehend sustainable metaverse scholarship.
Findings
The study provides fascinating insights that may assist scholars, industry professionals, and top management in understanding and conceptualising sustainable metaverse in their organisations. The results show that the number of publications has significantly increased from 2015 onwards, reaching a maximum of 601 manuscripts in 2022 with an increasing publication annual growth rate of 29.12%. The United Kingdom, India, China, the USA and Italy were the most productive countries regarding the total number of publications. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal of Business Research, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Current Issues in Tourism, Benchmarking: An International Journal of Production Research and International Journal of Information Management emerged as the top outlets.
Research limitations/implications
The research in sustainable metaverse is underpinned by this study, which aims to understand the trends in this field over the last two decades regarding prolific authors, most influential journals, key themes, and the intellectual and social structure. The study on sustainable metaverse has grown significantly and attracted interest from academia and business since 2015, following its embryonic stage. Consequently, a more in-depth analysis is required to help develop a better understanding of this new field.
Originality/value
The paper focuses on sustainable metaverse through increased interest from 2015 onwards through the literature review. Although the metaverse has already received significant financial and labour investments from businesses and technology firms, various sustainability issues are still present in physical materials. There is a need to assess the achievement of numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) using the resources and time put into the metaverse. Furthermore, these findings can guide researchers who want to delve deeper into sustainable metaverse.
Details
Keywords
Elena Mazurova and Willem Standaert
This study aims to uncover the constraints of automation and the affordances of augmentation related to implementing artificial intelligence (AI)-powered systems across different…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to uncover the constraints of automation and the affordances of augmentation related to implementing artificial intelligence (AI)-powered systems across different task types: mechanical, thinking and feeling.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative study involving 45 interviews with various stakeholders in artistic gymnastics, for which AI-powered systems for the judging process are currently developed and tested. Stakeholders include judges, gymnasts, coaches and a technology vendor.
Findings
We identify perceived constraints of automation, such as too much mechanization, preciseness and inability of the system to evaluate artistry or to provide human interaction. Moreover, we find that the complexity and impreciseness of the rules prevent automation. In addition, we identify affordances of augmentation such as speedier, fault-less, more accurate and objective evaluation. Moreover, augmentation affords to provide an explanation, which in turn may decrease the number of decision disputes.
Research limitations/implications
While the unique context of our study is revealing, the generalizability of our specific findings still needs to be established. However, the approach of considering task types is readily applicable in other contexts.
Practical implications
Our research provides useful insights for organizations that consider implementing AI for evaluation in terms of possible constraints, risks and implications of automation for the organizational practices and human agents while suggesting augmented AI-human work as a more beneficial approach in the long term.
Originality/value
Our granular approach provides a novel point of view on AI implementation, as our findings challenge the notion of full automation of mechanical and partial automation of thinking tasks. Therefore, we put forward augmentation as the most viable AI implementation approach. In addition, we developed a rich understanding of the perception of various stakeholders with a similar institutional background, which responds to recent calls in socio-technical research.
Details
Keywords
Konstantina Ragazou, Christos Lemonakis, Ioannis Passas, Constantin Zopounidis and Alexandros Garefalakis
This is the application of the Entropy and TOPSIS model to assess the eco-efficiency of European financial institutions using environmental, social, and governance (ESG…
Abstract
Purpose
This is the application of the Entropy and TOPSIS model to assess the eco-efficiency of European financial institutions using environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies. The aim is to categorize financial institutions based on key factors such as environmental training and management and to examine the alignment between ideal ESG performance and eco-efficiency.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies to identify and categorize eco-entrepreneurs in European financial institutions. The study utilizes data to examine the structure between environmental training, effective management practices, and the green performance of financial institutions.
Findings
The study shows that European financial institutions exhibit varying degrees of eco-efficiency as assessed using the Entropy and TOPSIS model applied to ESG strategies. Surprisingly, the study found that institutions with a high ESG performance do not always match those with the highest eco-efficiency.
Research limitations/implications
They emphasize the need for financial institutions to align their operations with sustainable practices. This research provides insights to increase eco-efficiency and improve the ESG performance of financial institutions. It also informs policy and decision-making in these institutions in relation to environmental training and management practices, contributing to the wider dialogue on sustainable finance.
Originality/value
This indicates a discrepancy between ESG ratings and actual eco-efficiency, emphasizing the need to reassess the ESG framework. The study findings are crucial for aligning financial institutions with sustainable practices and improving the effectiveness of the ESG framework, especially for institutions at the lower end of the eco-efficiency spectrum.
Details