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Article
Publication date: 12 December 2022

Supratika Samir Banerjee and Arti Chandani

The novel blockchain technology can be leveraged, owing to the growth in computing power and its widespread applications. This study aims to understand the challenges of adopting…

Abstract

Purpose

The novel blockchain technology can be leveraged, owing to the growth in computing power and its widespread applications. This study aims to understand the challenges of adopting blockchain technology in the financial sector, organise them into a model and classify them for systematic address.

Design/methodology/approach

Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) has been carried out along with MICMAC (Matrice d’impacts croisés multiplication appliquée á un classment) analysis to hierarchically structure blockchain adoption problems and categorise the challenges into four classes-autonomous, dependent, linkage and independent for better addressing. The study also uses content analysis using NVivo software.

Findings

The digraph depicts the hierarchical challenge model. Vulnerability to financial crimes and glitches, privacy issues and geopolitical tensions due to cross-border transactions are the dependent variables. Complex architecture to comprehend, code and fix, the need for new financial intermediaries, complexity in auditing and the lack of unified governance and coordination among institutions and regulators are the independent variables. The digraph, which is also justified by the qualitative content analysis, is beneficial for stakeholders to systematically address the interdependent challenges associated with blockchain implementations in finance to foster its favourable adoption.

Practical implications

The challenges in the adoption of blockchain should be resolved to allow the implementation of this technology in various finance domains. This study enables organisations to carry out resource planning and systematically address these challenges to leverage the advantages of blockchain.

Social implications

The results of the present study can help in promoting the proliferation of blockchain for faster, cost-effective, transparent and secure financial transactions and foster innovative and new business models for economic growth.

Originality/value

The development of technology has brought about significant changes in the financial sector. Blockchain is a technological advancement that aims to bring security and transparency to transactions. There has been no research leveraging ISM-MICMAC to hierarchically organise and classify the blockchain challenges in the financial sector, a critical one. The research also uses content analysis which is seldom found along with ISM-MICMAC.

Details

Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2054-6238

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 May 2024

Gulden Gumusburun Ayalp and Eda Nur Erdem

Construction experts acknowledge the adverse effects of rework on project performance. However, the limited understanding of its underlying causes remains a significant challenge…

Abstract

Purpose

Construction experts acknowledge the adverse effects of rework on project performance. However, the limited understanding of its underlying causes remains a significant challenge. Therefore, this study aimed to thoroughly investigate the sources of construction rework.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed review using bibliometric analysis as a quantitative method and content analysis as a qualitative method was performed to understand the current knowledge in the field. The Web of Science (WoS) was selected for its comprehensive collection of major research articles and integrated analytical tools for generating representative data. The study involved an extensive bibliometric analysis of 107 journal articles on rework causes from 1991 to 2023. RStudio Bibliometrix, an R statistical programming package, was used to analyze rework origins. This method involved mapping the research landscape, identifying research gaps and analyzing emerging trends.

Findings

The causes of rework can be classified into three main clusters: human- and contractual-based rework causes, design-, quality- and project management-based rework causes and organizational-based rework causes.

Originality/value

Although several studies have addressed rework causes from various perspectives and methods, the topic has not been investigated holistically. This study is the first to leverage the quantitative and qualitative analytical capabilities of the RStudio Bibliometrix package. Innovative approaches, including the use of metrics, such as the h-index, thematic mapping and trend topic analysis, were employed for a comprehensive understanding of rework causes.

Details

Open House International, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 April 2024

Chen Zhong, Hong Liu and Hwee-Joo Kam

Cybersecurity competitions can effectively develop skills, but engaging a wide learner spectrum is challenging. This study aims to investigate the perceptions of cybersecurity…

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Abstract

Purpose

Cybersecurity competitions can effectively develop skills, but engaging a wide learner spectrum is challenging. This study aims to investigate the perceptions of cybersecurity competitions among Reddit users. These users constitute a substantial demographic of young individuals, often participating in communities oriented towards college students or cybersecurity enthusiasts. The authors specifically focus on novice learners who showed an interest in cybersecurity but have not participated in competitions. By understanding their views and concerns, the authors aim to devise strategies to encourage their continuous involvement in cybersecurity learning. The Reddit platform provides unique access to this significant demographic, contributing to enhancing and diversifying the cybersecurity workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose to mine Reddit posts for information about learners’ attitudes, interests and experiences with cybersecurity competitions. To mine Reddit posts, the authors developed a text mining approach that integrates computational text mining and qualitative content analysis techniques, and the authors discussed the advantages of the integrated approach.

Findings

The authors' text mining approach was successful in extracting the major themes from the collected posts. The authors found that motivated learners would want to form a strategic way to facilitate their learning. In addition, hope and fear collide, which exposes the learners’ interests and challenges.

Originality/value

The authors discussed the findings to provide education and training experts with a thorough understanding of novice learners, allowing them to engage them in the cybersecurity industry.

Details

Information & Computer Security, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4961

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 September 2023

Wael Sheta

The purpose of this study is to give an informative map of sustainable architectural education by focusing on publishing trends, prominent publications, prolific contributors…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to give an informative map of sustainable architectural education by focusing on publishing trends, prominent publications, prolific contributors, research challenges and future research prospects. As a consequence, an efficient framework for collecting significant knowledge and identifying prevalent topics in sustainable architectural education towards more sustainable environments at the urban and building scales may be provided.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted in this study is based on examining the subjects of many consecutive rounds of the Passive and Low Energy Architecture (PLEA) conference, with an emphasis on the most recent five rounds. The PLEA's official website served as the main source for gathering all proceedings. Earlier rounds from 2016 to 2020, which cover a time span of five years, were utilized to analyze patterns during that time period. The rationale for selecting this time period was the limited availability of data required to observe the trends, area of interest and emerging themes in these fields that could be analyzed qualitatively.

Findings

The findings show that the following drive themes emerged around education and research-driven sustainable architecture: emerging design as a core idea; concentration on the way of delivering and developing education; constructing and shaping the building; assessing current practices; acquiring and recruiting knowledge and new concepts; reporting on the current condition; portraying the target audience and ensuring the long-term viability of the architectural educational process. This insight provides academics and professionals a greater grasp of the state of the art, allowing them to direct their research toward developing concerns in education and research-driven sustainable design.

Originality/value

The study results provide an effective framework for collecting relevant content and identifying prominent topics in sustainable, passive and passive low-energy architecture for the creation of more sustainable urban and building environments. Furthermore, this qualitative and exploratory study may serve as a framework for those researching, creating and verifying different research approaches in education and research-driven sustainable architecture.

Details

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2631-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 July 2024

Ahmed Amine Lamzouri

This paper aims to focus on exploring and understanding the practice of analyzing the determinants of the Moroccan Dirham by foreign exchange professionals in trading rooms in the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on exploring and understanding the practice of analyzing the determinants of the Moroccan Dirham by foreign exchange professionals in trading rooms in the context of transitioning to a more flexible regime initiated by Moroccan authorities. The objective of this study is to highlight how foreign exchange operators analyze the determinants of the Moroccan Dirham in the context of exchange rate liberalization, focusing primarily on qualitative data rather than quantitative data.

Design/methodology/approach

Therefore, this paper opted for a methodological approach using interview surveys to understand the underlying behavior of Moroccan foreign exchange operators, conducting a content analysis. This paper targeted six foreign exchange operators from nine Moroccan banks authorized as market makers by Bank Al-Maghrib.

Findings

The results indicate that the fluctuations of the Moroccan Dirham are closely linked to two main factors: the analysis of the EUR/USD exchange rate and market liquidity analysis. Furthermore, content analysis revealed five essential aspects regarding the practice of analyzing the determinants of the Dirham: “Dirham determinants,” “complementarity between technical analysis and fundamental analysis,” “trends and reversals,” “utility of macroeconomic models” and “psychological factors.”

Research limitations/implications

Certainly, this methodology allows for exploring and understanding the underlying behavior of currency operators but inherently generates a certain degree of subjectivity that can affect the research validity. Indeed, the subjectivity can arise from the responses of the currency operators themselves. They may present the phenomenon coherently or selectively choose the elements they remember to respond to. On the other hand, the validity of this type of research relies on the researcher's ability to cultivate empathy throughout the knowledge creation process. The empathetic stance adopted in this study proved to be complex due to the uniqueness of operators and interaction, sometimes making it challenging to combine empathy, respect and critical thinking (Olivier De Sardan, 2004). Furthermore, the researcher is often faced with an interpretation bias, which can manifest not only during the coding of collected data but also during the analysis of the constructed content. To mitigate this interpretation bias, this paper subjected the collected data to a double coding procedure.

Practical implications

This study aims to narrow the gap in opinions between academics and practitioners by providing a practical overview for change novices.

Originality/value

This study is the pioneering inquiry exploring the process of determining the Moroccan dirham within the transition to a flexible exchange rate regime, using an exploratory methodological approach.

Details

Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4179

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 July 2024

Ricardo Martins, Janaina Siegler, Jonathan Simões Freitas, Laysse Fernanda Macêdo dos Santos, Marina Bastos Carvalhais Barroso and Roberta de Cássia Macedo

This paper aims to explain and demonstrate how the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) and Honey’s Content Analysis (HCA) can make new contributions to the field of Operations and…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explain and demonstrate how the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) and Honey’s Content Analysis (HCA) can make new contributions to the field of Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM). The proposition involves integrating these complementary analyses to fortify the rigor of qualitative research and establish robust data analysis protocols to identify the main attributes of interviewees regarding a phenomenon while understanding in their perspective how these attributes impact the desired analysis outcome.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses examples with rich empirical data from 40 interviewees across two organizations. The examples use a protocol that allows the grouping of meanings from different knowledgeable individuals and capturing relevant constructs related to an outcome.

Findings

The combination of RGT and HCA permits researchers to effectively identify and analyze the constructs individuals and groups utilize to comprehend the subject matter under investigation. Consequently, these techniques present a structured means to conduct grounded theory investigations and interpretive research, thereby enabling the iterative development of the preliminary conceptual models necessary for OSCM field advancement.

Originality/value

We present two examples in which the protocol is applied to the field of OSCM. These examples illustrate that the techniques provide valuable opportunities for OSCM research, particularly for addressing the limitations related to sample size. Ultimately, RGT and HCA complement quantitative methodologies by uncovering nuanced variations and micro-foundations within firm- and network-level phenomena, offering insights essential for advancing our understanding of OSCM dynamics in specific contexts.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 August 2024

Justin Stevenson, Maryam Safari, Huan Vo-Tran and Naomi Whiteside

This study aims to investigate the use of voluntary disclosure on mainstream social media platforms to examine strategic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the use of voluntary disclosure on mainstream social media platforms to examine strategic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the influential factors and institutional pressures organisations faced when making disclosures on social media during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage qualitative approach was adopted. Stage one used content analysis to examine voluntary disclosures made by international organisations on social media during the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stage two comprised semi-structured interviews with individuals who were involved in the decision-making process around the social media disclosures.

Findings

This study’s findings reveal significant changes in disclosure practices due to COVID-19-related pressures. In addition to the utilisation of social media for signalling conformance with new pandemic-related norms and connecting with stakeholders, the evidence also reveals how organisations made use of strategic responses to COVID-19-related institutional pressures.

Practical implications

The findings reveal how social media was used as a means of timely voluntary disclosure during the examined crisis. The findings can inform the development of organisational guidelines and policies for the use of social media as a disclosure medium.

Originality/value

This study reveals how organisations used voluntary disclosure on social media as a strategic response to institutional pressures and the COVID-19 pandemic; this context is under-researched. The study also extends the application of the strategic response framework regarding voluntary disclosure via social media.

Details

Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1176-6093

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 June 2024

Mohamed Ismail Mohamed Riyath and Debeharage Athula Indunil Dayaratne

This study aims to explore the motives behind the company’s decision to go public in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the motives behind the company’s decision to go public in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts the explanatory sequential mixed-method approach based on the benefit-cost trade-off theory, incorporating survey-based descriptive statistics of 143 respondents from listed companies in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) followed by content analysis of 52 initial public offering prospectuses and 11 interviews with top management of listed companies.

Findings

Companies primarily go public to raise capital for long- and short-term growth, followed by enhancing corporate image and governance structure. Also, they go public to rebalance capital structure, lower the cost of capital, diversify risk, compete in their product market and grab market timing opportunities. Furthermore, the qualitative analysis established that companies are going public also for value addition, broadening the ownership structure, establishing new strategic partnerships and funding for working capital requirements, which are not highlighted in previous studies.

Practical implications

These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to attract new companies to CSE, which would contribute to the capital market development of Sri Lanka.

Originality/value

This study combines quantitative survey and qualitative content analysis in a single investigation, revealing novel motives for going public that were not previously identified. This approach allows for a more comprehensive topic exploration, including the participants’ experiences and perceptions, while minimizing bias and maximizing robustness. This study is more comprehensive than previous studies that relied on descriptive statistics.

Details

Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4179

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 September 2024

Yuan Nan and Huan Chen

As one of China’s most influential social platforms, Xiaohongshu is considered an underexploited market with significant user traffic. This study aims to build on existing…

Abstract

Purpose

As one of China’s most influential social platforms, Xiaohongshu is considered an underexploited market with significant user traffic. This study aims to build on existing scholarly work on social media marketing by conducting an empirical analysis of Xiaohongshu’s content to explore effective marketing strategies for children’s books.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses qualitative content analysis to investigate the marketing practices for children’s books on Xiaohongshu. By systematically coding and interpreting data, the authors identified core marketing strategies and their interactions among publishers of children’s books on the platform.

Findings

Based on viral marketing and social proof theories, the analysis delineates practices and interrelations among three key marketing strategy components: content creation, traffic navigation and sales conversion on Xiaohongshu. From this analysis, a conceptual model titled “Continuous ‘Planting a Seed’ of Interest: Strategies for Marketing Children’s Books on Xiaohongshu” was developed.

Originality/value

This research not only corroborates the existing literature on the transformative power of social media in marketing but also extends it by providing a focused examination of how these principles apply to the promotion of children’s books on Xiaohongshu. It also provides practical insights for publishers looking to develop effective marketing strategies.

Details

Young Consumers, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-3616

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 August 2024

Trevor Buck and Mehdi Boussebaa

The field of international business (IB) formally welcomes and frequently calls for case study research, but the proportion of case study papers appearing in IB journals remains…

Abstract

Purpose

The field of international business (IB) formally welcomes and frequently calls for case study research, but the proportion of case study papers appearing in IB journals remains very small. This paper aims to support efforts to redress this imbalance by addressing an overlooked yet critical issue: the (mis)use of tenses when theorizing from case study findings. The authors reveal a pervasive use of the present tense and argue that this leads to decontextualization and, in turn, over-generalization. The paper also suggests ways in which this problem may be avoided in the future, thereby improving the credibility and status of case-based research and helping to de-marginalise it within IB.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative content analysis was applied to all (2,627) papers published between 2011 and 2021 in four leading IB journals. In total, 171 case study papers were identified over these 11 years, and a deeper content analysis was then performed to measure the extent of decontextualization/over-generalization implied by the inappropriate use of the present tense in the discussion and theorisation of research findings.

Findings

This study found that, out of 171 case study papers identified, 141 (82.5%) provided at least two instances of over-generalization as implied by the misuse of the present tense. However, some of these papers were found to feature statements that could be claimed to mitigate such inappropriate generalization. These mitigating factors included the repeated use of adverbial phrases denoting context and the use of a “propositional style” that clearly distinguished contextual findings from speculative, decontextualized generalizations. Nevertheless, 71 of the 171 (41.5%) papers still demonstrated inappropriate generalization, even after allowing for mitigating factors.

Originality/value

This study reveals a problematic writing practice and one which has arguably significantly contributed to the “decontextualization” problem critiqued in IB and management studies more broadly. The study also offers further insights into how decontextualization might be avoided, arguing that this problem would be significantly reduced if tenses were used appropriately in discussing and theorizing case study findings. Additionally, the study highlights the continued marginalization of qualitative research methods in IB and reinforces calls to address it.

Details

Multinational Business Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1525-383X

Keywords

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