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1 – 3 of 3Caroline Cipolatto Ferrão, Jorge André Ribas Moraes, Leandro Pinto Fava, João Carlos Furtado, Enio Machado, Adriane Rodrigues and Miguel Afonso Sellitto
The purpose of this study is to formulate an algorithm designed to discern the optimal routes for efficient municipal solid waste (MSW) collection.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to formulate an algorithm designed to discern the optimal routes for efficient municipal solid waste (MSW) collection.
Design/methodology/approach
The research method is simulation. The proposed algorithm combines heuristics derived from the constructive genetic algorithm (CGA) and tabu search (TS). The algorithm is applied in a municipality located at Southern Brazil, with 40,000 inhabitants, circa.
Findings
The implementation achieved a remarkable 25.44% reduction in daily mileage of the vehicles, resulting in savings of 150.80 km/month and 1,809.60 km/year. Additionally, it reduced greenhouse gas emissions (including fossil CO2, CH4, N2O, total CO2e and biogenic CO2) by an average of 26.15%. Moreover, it saved 39 min of daily working time.
Research limitations/implications
Further research should thoroughly analyze the feasibility of decision-making regarding planning, scheduling and scaling municipal services using digital technology.
Practical implications
The municipality now has a tool to improve public management, mainly related with municipal solid waste. The municipality reduced the cost of public management of municipal solid waste, redirecting funds to other priorities, such as public health and education.
Originality/value
The study integrates MSW collection service with an online platform based on Google MapsTM. The advantages of employing geographical information systems are agility, low cost, adaptation to changes and accuracy.
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Mikihiro Fukui and Caroline S.L. Tan
The purpose of this study is to analyze the determinants influencing Japanese consumers’ behavior toward the purchase of 5G smartphones.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyze the determinants influencing Japanese consumers’ behavior toward the purchase of 5G smartphones.
Design/methodology/approach
Empirical data was collected through an online survey of 320 Japanese respondents from ages 20 to 59. Data was analyzed by exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis.
Findings
The results indicate that hedonic value, user interface and price value (PV) positively influence attitude toward 5G smartphone purchase, while utilitarian value does not. In addition, the mediation effect of social influence (SI) is found to increase those positive effects. Male and female consumers displayed differences in the determinants, showcasing the effect of gender on attitude and behavior.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first research to analyze Japanese consumers’ behaviors’ toward 5G smartphone purchase. Past research for 3G/4G smartphones supported that usefulness positively influenced consumers’ behavior toward smartphones, so usefulness of 5G (e.g. high speed) was expected to be a factor to influence consumer behaviors’ toward 5G smartphones. However, this research reveals that a simple tagline emphasizing such usefulness may not be convincing enough to promote the 5G smartphones to Japanese consumers. Alternatively, the research indicates that introducing the concepts of joyfulness, improved HV and greater PV of the 5G smartphone could attract more consumers in Japan. In addition, SI could enhance the perception of the various benefits of 5G smartphones.
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This paper reviews the recent collapse of two cryptocurrency enterprises, FTX and Celsius. These two cases of institutional bankruptcy have generated criminal charges and other…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper reviews the recent collapse of two cryptocurrency enterprises, FTX and Celsius. These two cases of institutional bankruptcy have generated criminal charges and other civil complaints, mainly alleging fraud against the CEOs of the companies. This paper aims to analyse the fraud leading to these bankruptcies, drawing on key concepts from the research literature on economic crime to provide explanations for what happened.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a case study approach to the question of how large financial institutions can go off the rails. Two theoretical perspectives are applied to the cases of the FTX and Celsius collapses. These are the “normalisation of deviance” theory and the “cult of personality”.
Findings
In these two case studies, there is an interaction between the “normalisation of deviance” on the institutional level and the “cult of personality” at the level of individual leadership. The CEOs of the two companies promoted themselves as eccentric but successful examples of the visionary tech finance genius. This fostered the normalisation of deviance within their organisations. Employees, investors and regulators allowed criminal and highly financially risky practices to become normalised as they were caught up in the attractive story of the trailblazing entrepreneur making millions in the new cryptoeconomy.
Originality/value
This paper makes a contribution both to the case study literature on economic crime and to the development of general theory in economic criminology.
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