Search results
1 – 10 of 677Labeeba Kothur and Vidushi Pandey
This paper aims to investigate the mechanisms through which social media news consumption across different platforms leads to opinion polarization in society. To this end, the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the mechanisms through which social media news consumption across different platforms leads to opinion polarization in society. To this end, the authors draw from cultivation theory to examine whether social media news consumption imparts a mainstreaming or resonance effect. Media consumption imparts a mainstreaming effect if frequent users, regardless of their social identity, develop homogenous attitudes about issues, whereas resonance is at play if there is a differing cultivation effect on various social groups depending on their relatability of life experiences.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conduct the study in the developing context of India, using a population survey dataset from 2019. Regression-based mediation and moderation analyses were carried out to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The findings reveal that resonance is the most prominent mechanism through which social media news consumption cultivates opinion polarization, contrary to the mainstreaming effect imparted by television. Further, WhatsApp use was found to strengthen the polarizing effect of overall social media news consumption, while YouTube use weakened the cultivation of polarization.
Research limitations/implications
The paper unearths how social media news consumption influences the opinion polarization of various social groups differently. The authors also find the differential effect of specific platform use. These findings have the potential to inform policymakers and developers about how to mitigate the detrimental effects of platform-based political persuasion.
Originality/value
This study offers significant contributions. First, the authors explain social media-induced polarization using the novel theoretical lens of cultivation. Second, the authors find that social media and television news consumption differ in their polarizing effects. Third, the authors find that while WhatsApp use amplifies the polarizing effect of social media news consumption, YouTube use weakens it.
Details
Keywords
Hanjabam Isworchandra Sharma and Shukhdeba Sharma Hanjabam
Drug trafficking in the tiny state of Manipur, located in the northeastern part of India bordering Myanmar, has drawn attention from all over the globe looking at the scale and…
Abstract
Purpose
Drug trafficking in the tiny state of Manipur, located in the northeastern part of India bordering Myanmar, has drawn attention from all over the globe looking at the scale and varieties of drugs trafficked, ranging from plant-based opiates to synthetic-based amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS). Moreover, drug trafficking in the region also comes with many socio-political dynamics such as high per-capita drug consumption, local drug manufacturing units, terror funding from drug money, politician–drug lord nexus, police–peddler nexus.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on data from the years 2007 to 2023 accessed from the Narcotics and Affairs of Borders, a specialized branch of Manipur Police, Government of Manipur. The study also tries to estimate the state’s drug economy using the Financial Action Task Force and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime methodology.
Findings
The study finds seizure of a massive cache of heroin/brown sugar, and ATS in the past 4–5 years. The study also finds large-scale destruction of poppy plants in the state. The study also finds a high percentage of ethnic minority communities involved in drug trafficking. The study found the value amounting to US$62m in 2022. The study also comes across low conviction rates of drug traffickers in the state.
Originality/value
The study emphasizes the need for expediting the War on Drugs campaign in the state curtailing poppy cultivation and conviction of drug lords so that the nerve center of terror funding in India’s eastern front is kept under control.
Details
Keywords
Kaoxun Chi, Fei Yan, Chengxuan Zhang and Jianping Wang
Against the backdrop of the global reshaping of supply chains, supply chain ecosystems have emerged as a critical force in ensuring the high-quality development of enterprises and…
Abstract
Purpose
Against the backdrop of the global reshaping of supply chains, supply chain ecosystems have emerged as a critical force in ensuring the high-quality development of enterprises and fostering stable economic growth. However, a systematic theoretical understanding of how to construct these supply chain ecosystems remains nascent. This study aims to explore the mechanism of the process of building supply chain ecosystems between digital innovation platform enterprises and digital trading platform enterprises from the perspective of dynamic capabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
An explanatory case study is conducted based on a theoretical framework grounded on dynamic capabilities view. Two preeminent digital platform enterprises in China (Haier and JD.com) are studied. The authors primarily conducted this research by collecting a large volume of these Chinese public materials.
Findings
First, the construction processes of supply chain ecosystems in both digital platform enterprises can be delineated into three stages: embryonic, development and maturity. Second, digital innovation platform enterprises’ construction process is primarily influenced by factors such as production and operational collaboration, consumer demand and research and development. This influence is exerted through interactions on digital platforms and within sub-ecosystems. Meanwhile, digital trading platform enterprises’ construction process is influenced by factors such as infrastructure development, consumer demand and financial support, driving dynamic capability formation through multi-party cooperation and ecological interactions based on conceptual identity.
Practical implications
In the establishment of supply chain ecosystems, digital platform enterprises should prioritize the cultivation of opportunity expansion, resource integration and symbiotic relationship capabilities. Furthermore, this study shows that digital platform enterprises need to actively adjust their interactive relationships with cooperating enterprises based on changes in the market, industry, policies and their own developmental stages.
Originality/value
This study addresses prior deficiencies in understanding the comprehensive construction of supply chain ecosystems and provides significant insights to enhance the theoretical foundation of supply chain ecosystem studies. Additionally, this paper uncovers the dynamic capability development behaviors and contextual features inherent in the construction process of supply chain ecosystems by digital platform enterprises.
Details
Keywords
Kailash Choudhary, Narpat Ram Sangwa and Kuldip Singh Sangwan
This study aims to quantify and compare the environmental impacts of Marble-stone and Kota-stone flooring options widely used for buildings in India. The study discusses the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to quantify and compare the environmental impacts of Marble-stone and Kota-stone flooring options widely used for buildings in India. The study discusses the possibility of carbon sequestration through Bamboo cultivation in India.
Design/methodology/approach
The study has followed a standard life cycle assessment (LCA) framework based on ISO 14040 guidelines. Three distinct phases have been compared on midpoint and endpoint assessment categories – raw material, polishing and disposal. Primary data has been collected from the construction site in India, and secondary data has been collected from the Ecoinvent 3.0 database. Previous studies have been referred to discuss and calculate the area of bamboo cultivation required to sequestrate the generated carbon from the flooring.
Findings
The study has found that endpoint category damage to resources, and midpoint categories of climate change, metal depletion and agricultural land use are highly impacted in building floorings. The study has also found that the Marble-stone floor generates higher environmental impacts than the Kota-stone floor in most of the midpoint and endpoint impact categories. This difference is significant in the raw material phase due to the different compositions of stones. The study also found that Bamboo has excellent potential to act as a carbon sink and mitigate the generated carbon.
Research limitations/implications
This study excludes human labour, cutting and distribution of floor tiles made of Marble-stone and Kota-stone. The researcher can use the study to evaluate, compare and benchmark the various building flooring options from the environmental perspective. The study aids to the body of knowledge available on the various building flooring options by presenting the LCA or the environmental impacts generated by two flooring options. It is expected that the architects and builders can use these results to develop carbon-neutral buildings. This study provides a methodology for governments, constructors, builders and individuals to evaluate, compare and benchmark the various construction materials from the environmental perspective by computing the environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of the materials.
Originality/value
This study compares two widely used building flooring options using the LCA methodology and evaluates the potential of bamboo cultivation near the buildings for carbon sinks. The study is unique because it shows the environmental impacts of two flooring options and the carbon sequestration method to mitigate/absorb the generated environmental impacts in or around the building itself through bamboo cultivation. This study may set the foundation for carbon-neutral buildings.
Details
Keywords
Jitender Kumar, Sudhir Rana, Vinki Rani and Anjali Ahuja
This article intends to explore critical factors that affect the adoption of organic farming in emerging economies. The authors respond to the calls from policymakers…
Abstract
Purpose
This article intends to explore critical factors that affect the adoption of organic farming in emerging economies. The authors respond to the calls from policymakers, non-government organizations, business firms and scholars to improve the farmers' awareness of the negative impact of synthetic chemical pesticides, phosphorus, potassium fertilizers and mineral nitrogen used in traditional farming.
Design/methodology/approach
Through self-administered survey questionnaires, responses were obtained from 397 farmers (conventional) regarding organic farming adoption in Haryana (India). The survey responses were collected between October 2022 and December 2022. The authors apply the “partial least squares structural equation modeling” (PLS-SEM) to test the framed hypotheses.
Findings
The present article demonstrates six critical determinants of organic farming adoption, i.e. behavioral, cultivation, economic, governmental, marketing, and social factors. These six factors drive 71.0% (R2) variation in organic farming adoption. Governmental factors have a positive but insignificant influence on organic farming adoption. Interestingly, the impact of behavioral and cultivation factors is crucial per path coefficient values.
Originality/value
For the first time, the authors conducted a study on organic farming adoption in Haryana that lies in its context-specific implementation, utilization of localized knowledge and expertise, regional policy support, agricultural diversification and community participation. Future research can build upon by adding agriculture scientists to the study to respond to the cost, quality of the crop and impact of socio-economic policies as moderators/mediators on adoption decisions.
Details
Keywords
Lucas Ioran Marciano, Guilherme Arantes Pedro, Wallyson Ribeiro dos Santos, Geronimo Virginio Tagliaferro, Fabio Rodolfo Miguel Batista and Daniela Helena Pelegrine Guimarães
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of light intensity and sources of carbon and nitrogen on the cultivation of Spirulina maxima.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of light intensity and sources of carbon and nitrogen on the cultivation of Spirulina maxima.
Design/methodology/approach
Cultures were carried out in a modified Zarrouk medium using urea, sodium acetate and glycerol. A Taguchi experimental design was used to evaluate the effect on the production of biocompounds: productivities in biomass, carbohydrates, phycocyanin and biochar were analyzed.
Findings
Statistical data analysis revealed that light intensity and sodium acetate concentration were the most important factors, being significant in three of the four response variables studied. The highest productivities in biomass (46.94 mg.L−1.d−1), carbohydrates (6.11 mg.L−1.d−1), phycocyanin (3.62 mg.L−1.d−1) and biochar (22, 48 mg.L−1.d−1) were achieved in experiment 4 of the Taguchi matrix, highlighting as the ideal condition for the production of biomass, carbohydrates and phycocyanin.
Practical implications
Sodium acetate and urea can be considered, respectively, as potential sources of carbon and nitrogen to increase Spirulina maxima productivity. From the results, an optimized cultivation condition for the sustainable production of bioproducts was obtained.
Originality/value
This work focuses on the study of the influence of light intensity and the use of alternative sources of nitrogen and carbon on the growth of Spirulina maxima, as well as on the influence on the productivity of biomass and biocompounds. There are few studies in the literature focused on the phycocyanin production from microalgae, justifying the need to deepen the subject.
Details
Keywords
Dien Van Tran, Phuong Van Nguyen, Demetris Vrontis, Sam Thi Ngoc Nguyen and Phuong Uyen Dinh
Government employees must comply with policies on information security regulations, online security practices, social networking usage, internet addiction, online cyberthreats and…
Abstract
Purpose
Government employees must comply with policies on information security regulations, online security practices, social networking usage, internet addiction, online cyberthreats and other related habits. These activities are considered cybersecurity behaviors. Government social media (GSM) accounts are increasingly used to educate employees about cybersecurity risks. To support the effectiveness of cybersecurity practices in government organizations, the purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of GSM and organizational policy compliance on employees’ cybersecurity awareness, motivation and behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were obtained by administering a questionnaire survey to public personnel in Vietnam. A total of 330 valid responses were obtained, and the research hypotheses were tested using partial least squares–structural equation modeling.
Findings
First, cybersecurity awareness enhances information protection motivation and employee protective behavior. Second, GSM has positive impacts on cybersecurity knowledge and information protection motivation. Third, there is a strong positive association between information protection motivation and employee protective behavior. Finally, while organizational compliance significantly increases cybersecurity awareness, its impact on employee protective behavior is ind irect.
Originality/value
This research enhances the literature on the behavioral dimension of cybersecurity. The primary objective of this study is to assess the influence of cybersecurity awareness on protective behaviors rather than intents and attitudes alone. Furthermore, this research integrates protection motivation theory and cultivation theory to provide a more thorough assessment of cybersecurity awareness and protective behavior. By investigating the impact of GSM on the level of cybersecurity awareness among employees within government organizations, this study provides valuable insights into the efficacy of recent governmental initiatives aimed at fostering cybersecurity.
Details
Keywords
This study aims to reconstruct how smallholder farmers implement livelihood adaptation strategies to survive and escape poverty, thereby mitigating or eliminating potential…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to reconstruct how smallholder farmers implement livelihood adaptation strategies to survive and escape poverty, thereby mitigating or eliminating potential livelihood risks by utilizing their available assets.
Design/methodology/approach
This research employed a qualitative approach. For the collection of primary data, the researcher conducted observations and in-depth interviews and engaged with the lives of smallholder farmers during the data collection period.
Findings
Among the various livelihood adaptation strategies, only migration and profit-sharing strategies enable smallholder farmers to escape poverty. However, migration is an unsustainable adaptation strategy. When farmers move to new locations, they often resort to slash-and-burn methods for clearing land, which can lead to forest degradation and deforestation. Profit sharing is a sustainable livelihood adaptation strategy that falls into a different category. This approach can lift farmers out of poverty, increase their income and have no negative environmental impact. Other adaptation strategies include adjustments to traditional agriculture, both on and off-farm diversification, involving the family in income generation, reducing farming costs, practicing frugality in post-harvest processes, converting land from coffee cultivation to other crops and borrowing money and selling owned assets. Smallholder farmers implement these strategies to survive the existing economic conditions.
Originality/value
The profit-sharing strategy was a novel livelihood adaptation approach that previous studies had yet to uncover at the research site. In this strategy, farmers assume the roles of both managers and laborers simultaneously during farming, while toke (the capital owners) play the role of farming funders. The generated profit is then shared between farmers and toke based on the agreement established at the outset of their collaboration.
Details
Keywords
Mohit Ray, Avinash Kumar and Samir K. Srivastava
Despite various consequences for different stakeholders in the mustard ecosystem, India prohibited blending in mustard oil to achieve self-reliance in edible oils and promote…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite various consequences for different stakeholders in the mustard ecosystem, India prohibited blending in mustard oil to achieve self-reliance in edible oils and promote consumer health. This paper uncovers the implications of this policy on mustard production, consumption and prices.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper deploys system dynamics (SD) to model the mustard ecosystem. SD uses simulation modeling to comprehend the nonlinear behavior of complex systems over time utilizing causal-loop and stock-flow diagrams.
Findings
While the mustard price does not vary in the short run, it diverges toward a higher side in the long run due to the changed policy mandate. Surprisingly, due to the predominance of market prices, the policy administered minimum support price (MSP) was found to have a limited influence on mustard prices. Hence, the focus should be on supply augmentation through non-price-based measures like disseminating information to enhance the yield rate of seed production and promoting the adoption of efficient technologies with higher oil conversion efficiency.
Research limitations/implications
The paper allows policymakers to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of policy interventions to mitigate the adverse impacts of policy mandate. It presents a reliable roadmap for policymakers to roll out effective policies.
Originality/value
The paper uncovers the system-level impact of policy on stakeholders and examines the effectiveness of MSP.
Details
Keywords
Xin Feng, Xu Wang and Mengxia Qi
In the era of the digital economy, higher demands are placed on versatile talents, and the cultivation of students with innovative and entrepreneurial abilities has become an…
Abstract
Purpose
In the era of the digital economy, higher demands are placed on versatile talents, and the cultivation of students with innovative and entrepreneurial abilities has become an important issue for the further development of higher education, thus leading to extensive and in-depth research by many scholars. The study summarizes the characteristics and patterns of dual-innovation education at different stages of development, hoping to provide a systematic model for the development of dual-innovation education in China and make up for the shortcomings.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses Citespace software to visualize and analyze the relevant literature in CNKI and Web of Science databases from a bibliometric perspective, focusing on quantitative analysis in terms of article trends, topic clustering, keyword co-linear networks and topic time evolution, etc., to summarize and sort out the development of innovation and entrepreneurship education research at home and abroad.
Findings
The study found that the external characteristics of the literature published in the field of bi-innovation education in China and abroad are slightly different, mainly in that foreign publishers are more closely connected and have formed a more stable ecosystem. In terms of research hotspots, China is still in a critical period of reforming its curriculum and teaching model, and research on the integration of specialization and creative education is in full swing, while foreign countries focus more on the cultivation of students' entrepreneurial awareness and the enhancement of individual effectiveness. In terms of cutting-edge analysis, the main research directions in China are “creative education”, “new engineering”, “integration of industry and education” and “rural revitalization”.
Originality/value
Innovation and entrepreneurship education in China is still in its infancy, and most of the studies lack an overall overview and comparison of foreign studies. Based on the econometric analysis of domestic and foreign literature, this paper proposes a path for domestic innovation and entrepreneurship education reform that can make China's future education reform more effective.
Details