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The study aims to drive conceptual clarity around resistance to information technology projects, integrating multiple facets of the phenomenon from earlier studies.

The study conducts a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies on resistance to technology projects; it analyzes those studies at a case-specific level, compares and contrasts emergent concepts against each other, and “translates” those to the rest of the studies. The study uses the seven-step meta-ethnography method by Noblit and Hare to reciprocally translate emergent concepts to construct the conceptual model.

Through meta-synthesis, the study derives a new conceptual model for resistance to information technology projects, exemplifying how the identified antecedents create user resistance and how the phenomenon progresses within organizations.

This study enriches the observations and conclusions of past individual studies while explicating various facets of the mechanisms that generate and progress technology resistance within organizations. It offers fresh insights into the equivocal nature of the phenomenon and the distinctive ways it progresses from individual to group level.

Many ambitious and costly digital transformation efforts do not succeed due to user resistance. Understanding the mechanisms that create user resistance can help organizations manage technology projects better, thereby reducing the technology assimilation gap and protecting returns on related investments.

There have been extensive studies on technology acceptance (enablers) within organizations, while those relating to technology inhibitors are somewhat limited. However, the symmetry of understanding between enablers and inhibitors is vital for organizations to assimilate promising technologies and transform their business models. This model uses a new lens of sensemaking theory to explain how the antecedents trigger perceived threats and resistance behavior; it highlights the nuances around the development of resistance within individuals and its progression to groups. The resultant model offers better generalizability in organizational contexts.

The ease of doing business (EODB) is a key factor in the development of investment, production and employment in a country. The purpose of this research is to identify the components of EODB in Gilan province in Northern Iran and rank these components from the perspective of economic operators.

This research uses a mixed methods design. In the qualitative phase, the components of EODB in Gilan province are identified through meta-synthesis with the participation of 10 experts. In the quantitative phase, structural equation modeling is used to rank these components from the perspective of 75 randomly selected economic operators from different economic sectors of Gilan province.

According to the participants, the main factors influencing EODB in Gilan province are: (1) public services and infrastructure; (2) political stability and the government; (3) policies, laws and regulations and (4) security of property rights.

Identifying factors conducive to the business environment can play an effective role in removing the barriers to achieving the goals of development programs, such as economic growth and reducing unemployment, poverty and inflation. Gilan province, in particular, is in a favorable condition in terms of climate and geography, with an abundance of young, specialized human resources, which can help remove barriers to improving the business environment and facilitate the use of these capacities. It must be noted that the labor force participation rate in Gilan province is 41.3%, indicating that 58.7% of the working age population is not working or actively looking for work, and removing EODB barriers can provide these people with incentives for economic participation.

The results suggest that creating a stable, transparent, anti-rent, predictable and reliable business environment will allow for increasing investment, production and employment across the province, and that controlling the inflation caused by increased production will make it possible to achieve maximum productivity and economic development.

With the advent of transformational and digital technologies, companies are striving to integrate digital transformation strategy (DTS) into their business models to stay competitive. However, in many cases, the implementation of DTS fails because managers lack knowledge about the opportunities and challenges associated with this strategy.

First, a bibliometric analysis was conducted with data related to DTS from the Scopus database for the period 2011–2023 to identify scientific trends in the field of DTS. Subsequently, 2,363 documents were collected and analyzed using Vosviewer software. Finally, the opportunities and challenges within the field of DTS were identified as one of the latest trends through a meta-synthesis method.

The findings of this research highlight the current scientific trends in the field of DTS. Also, the challenges of implementing the DTS are lack of instructions and rules, financial weakness, lack of alignment, inappropriate organizational structure, lack of digital organizational culture, challenges related to employees, lack of a digital leader and cyber threats. In addition, DTS implementation opportunities can be divided into three groups: improving customer experience, improving business processes and strategic renewal and creation of new business models.

The present research introduces two key innovations. The first is to offer a summary of prior research in the field of DTS. The second is identifying the opportunities and challenges associated with adopting this strategy, which is one of the latest trends.

This paper synthesises international research on effective mentor training, education and development (MTED).

An adaptive theory methodology (Layder, 1998), combining deductive and inductive methods, was deployed in a qualitative meta-synthesis of thematic findings generated in three studies: a systematic review of literature published between January 2010 and July 2020, together with a secondary analysis of studies including evidence on MTED; a subsequent systematic review of literature published between August 2020 and May 2023 and a general inductive analysis (Thomas, 2006) of interviews of leaders of large-scale MTED programmes that had good evidence of impact.

Our meta-synthesis found that effective MTED is evidence-based, refined through ongoing research, tailored both to individual needs and context and includes sustained support. Effective pedagogical approaches in MTED are underpinned by adult learning principles and establish a learning climate that fosters open and trusting relationships. Effective MTED is shaped by the espoused mentoring model or approach, with particular emphasis on understanding, building and sustaining mentoring relationships and incorporating observing, practising, critically reflecting on and receiving feedback on mentoring.

The study will be helpful to practitioners designing, reviewing and evaluating MTED programmes, researchers seeking to enhance the sparse MTED evidence base and programme commissioners.

The original and significant contribution of this study is the identification of key principles relating to the overall design of – as well as specific content, pedagogical approaches and supporting resources within – MTED programmes that have evidenced positive effects on mentors, mentees, mentoring and/or organisations.

This study assesses the current landscape of business continuity management (BCM) research while exploring research trends, structures and delineating potential future directions.

A comprehensive bibliometric analysis was conducted on 360 articles from the Scopus and Web of Science databases using Biblioshiny software. A meta-synthesis was employed to aggregate and synthesize findings from the bibliometric results.

The results demonstrate a notable increase in publication numbers since the onset of the pandemic, reaching a peak in 2022 with a total of 342 articles. A collaborative bond among scholars transcends geographical boundaries and national affiliations. The analytical results propose avenues for future research, addressing crucial areas such as the integration of business continuity management systems (BCMS), the development of BCM frameworks and a comparative analysis of business impact analysis (BIA) frameworks through pertinent theories.

The study contributes theoretical and practical implications, serving as a valuable resource for academics and practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of BCM’s role in business recovery and preserving organizational continuity in the face of disruptions.

This study pioneers a comprehensive approach by integrating bibliometric analysis and qualitative meta-synthesis, providing a consolidated overview of BCM research. Additionally, it presents future research proposals in this area.

This study aims to provide a qualitative framework for satisfactory sustainable education for international accounting students using a meta-synthetic approach.

To determine the components and indicators of satisfactory sustainable education for international accounting students, a meta-synthesis allows for the attainment of the objectives of study. In the first phase of study, international related literature was reviewed (n = 2,176). After several screenings for measuring the quality of the related literature including Critical Appraisals Skills Program (CASP), the total number of selected papers was 48, and 2,128 were excluded.

The present research proposed a comprehensive conceptual model for sustainable education and international accounting students’ satisfaction, with seven components and 63 indicators. To assess the credibility of phases, the indicators were presented to five experts independently. The reliability of the proposed conceptual model was tested using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient and analyzed in SPSS. Kappa’s coefficient showed that the agreement level was high and the reliability was high too.

Sustainable education and student satisfaction are crucial for maintaining a competitive international education market. There are ongoing debates about accounting education, particularly accreditation challenges and the need for clear regulations on academic interaction with practice. Accounting education has also been criticized for being outdated, promoting surface-level learning and neglecting the development of broader skills in university graduates. Therefore, it is important to understand sustainable education for international accounting students. The present study aims to identify the aspects of accounting educational services that international accounting students perceive important for increasing satisfaction. This research provides empirical evidence and suggests potential avenues for future research in other countries.

In recent years, Corporate Citizenship has continued to grow in importance and significance. It has been the subject of considerable debate and commentary among researchers, corporate leaders and public institutions like NGOs and even capital market companies. The development of this concept in internal audit functions can improve the level of responsibility of companies. The purpose of this study is to design an internal audit model of a corporate citizen in Iranian capital market companies.

This research is methodologically in the category of developmental and combined research. In this study, two meta-synthesis and Delphi analyzes in the qualitative part and systematic representation analysis were used to determine the systematic relationships of the Internal Audit Corporate Citizen Components to strengthen environmental sustainability. Because of the mix of the data collection method in both qualitative and quantitative parts, the research participants in the qualitative part were 13 university experts in the field of accounting and 19 internal auditors of Iranian capital market companies who had specialized experience participated in the quantitative part.

The results in the qualitative section indicate the existence of 14 confirmed studies and the determination of 8 main components of the internal audit of the corporate citizen, during two stages of Delphi analysis, the level of reliability of the components was confirmed with the concept of internal audit of the corporate citizen. Based on the results of system representation model in quantitative part, it was determined that Environmental training to human resources is the primary stimulus for the system’s internal audit system representation to monitor the financial performance of the company to achieve environmental sustainability.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to exemplify environmental sustainability by focusing on the concept of corporate citizen internal auditing. An area that, although of research importance in terms of developing theoretical literature and practical basis in reducing the financial reporting gap with an independent auditor, However, less research has been done on this issue and conducting this research and expanding it to the level of internal auditing profession can enhance the institutional and educational capacities on it at the international level and help to integrate the development of theoretical literature.

The purpose of this article is to develop an integrative framework of accelerator design to answer the question of what activities accelerators perform and how they function within a structured framework. Research on the functioning of accelerators as a mechanism for startup engagement produced multiple empirical results. However, the comparability of relevant research is strongly limited, currently hindering theoretical developments. Existing accelerator design models often differ and only partially overlap, which leaves extant literature with a fragmented and discordant conceptual understanding.

Based on a meta-synthesis method using qualitative analysis of 36 accelerator design articles, an integrative framework is developed. After identification of relevant literature, a renowned method for extracting, coding and synthesizing data on individual and cross-study level is applied to identify accelerator design constructs. Eventually, identified accelerator design constructs are integrated into a framework resting on the activity system lens of business model design.

The article reconciles fragmented knowledge on accelerator design and shows how accelerator design can be holistically conceptualized by 32 key activities clustered in eight design dimensions. The framework is complemented by an initial guideline for measurement. The findings further highlight formerly disregarded aspects of governance and community formation from a processual and structural perspective.

This article is the first to present a comprehensive picture of accelerator design integrating multiple empirical findings of prior research into a single coherent framework. This framework offers a shared foundation for future research exploring the delineations, functioning and impact of accelerators. From a practical perspective, the article provides managers of accelerators a guide to design, review and improve programs according to their value creation goals.

This paper aims to examine the most commonly used categories of sustainability literature review regarding their purpose, nature, strengths, weaknesses and potential for impact. This paper also discusses the motivation, incremental contribution and framing that occurs by considering the research papers included in this Special Issue.

Given the paucity of clear guidelines for undertaking, writing and publishing literature review studies in sustainability research, this paper describes the main types and processes in conducting a literature review and emerging tools that can help advance the field.

This paper finds a variety of approaches in application with strengths and weaknesses, including the emerging role of software support, artificial intelligence and machine learning. This paper reviews the ethical implications of using emerging tools in the sustainability literature review methodology and their impacts on originality, authenticity and accountability. This paper discusses the seven carefully selected and meticulously reviewed articles in this Special Issue through the lens of these findings by specifically highlighting their purpose, strengths, weaknesses and practical and policy implications.

Through the systemization of ways to conduct meaningful literature reviews, this paper explores the significant relevance of the method in creating a basis of academic understanding and advancing future research that can have significant impacts on the industry. Through the discussion of the articles in this Special Issue, this paper highlights the practical and policy implications and limitations of literature reviews in sustainability research.

This paper highlights the purpose of literature reviews in identifying areas for further research and how the papers included in this Special Issue achieve this goal, i.e. how their findings possess specific positive externalities in summarizing and systematizing sustainability research.

This paper systematizes methods and processes for writing impactful literature reviews in sustainability research, particularly focusing on the use of emerging technology and the opportunities and challenges this may offer in this process.

The current synthesis study was conducted to locate comprehensive perspectives about the transformation of higher education institutions from being the only places where formal education programs are offered into settings where lifelong learning can be integrated. This demands an inquiry through not only instance investigation but also a more comprehensive evidence upsurge which has great importance in obtaining lessons and drawing conclusions from existing facts to show how higher education institutions can be places where lifelong learning is promoted for the good of both individuals and societal advancement.

Using a meta-synthesis methodology, a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in the area of higher education institutions' role in promoting lifelong learning was synthesized.

The study identified wide-ranging lifelong learning conceptualizations, potential beneficiaries, learning contents and ways of delivery that can be applied in higher education institutions. Furthermore, the practical challenges, partnership and coordination concerns and policy and reform issues towards promoting lifelong learning were addressed.

This meta-synthesis provides crucial evidence for higher education policymakers and practitioners seeking to guide the transformation of their institutions into settings where lifelong learning is integrated with other forms of educational programs, thereby optimizing individual's professional development and societal progress.