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1 – 10 of 88This study aims to demonstrate what myths of and about science are reproduced in this popular cultural work (movie – “Oppenheimer”). This is done by examining the unconscious…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to demonstrate what myths of and about science are reproduced in this popular cultural work (movie – “Oppenheimer”). This is done by examining the unconscious hegemonic positions supported by the reproduction of stereotypical and mythical images of science.
Design/methodology/approach
Content/Text Analysis: The conceptual analysis of a cultural text – a film (“Oppenheimer”) – through a theoretical apparatus (B. Latour’s theory).
Findings
The film demonstrates its reproduction of three distinct elements. Firstly, it exhibits classic scientistic clichés pertaining to technoscience. Secondly, it highlights the replication of the individualized monomyth about the (super) hero, leading to the exclusion of the intricate conditions of technoscience’s existence. Lastly, the film aligns with the Californian ideology, as proposed by Barbrook.
Originality/value
The value of the text is twofold: (1) To show that the classical approaches of Bruno Latour are still relevant. (2) To show what hidden premises and myths about technoscience are being propagated through a work of pop culture (the film “Oppenheimer”) and, in effect, to show what kind of influence of cultural hegemony is at work here.
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Rezzy Eko Caraka, Robert Kurniawan, Rung Ching Chen, Prana Ugiana Gio, Jamilatuzzahro Jamilatuzzahro, Bahrul Ilmi Nasution, Anjar Dimara Sakti, Muhammad Yunus Hendrawan and Bens Pardamean
The purpose of this paper is to manage knowledge pertaining to micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) actors in the business, agriculture and industry sectors. This study uses…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to manage knowledge pertaining to micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) actors in the business, agriculture and industry sectors. This study uses text mining techniques, specifically Latent Dirichlet Allocation Mallet, to analyze the data obtained from the in-depth interviews. This analysis helps us identify and understand the issues faced by these actors.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the authors use big data and business analytics to recalculate the MSME business vulnerability index in 503 districts and 34 provinces across Indonesia. Subsequently, the authors conduct in-depth interviews with MSME actors in Medan, Central Java, Yogyakarta, Bali and Manokwari, West Papua. Through these interviews, the authors explore their strategies for surviving the COVID-19 pandemic and the extent of their digital literacy, and the application of technology to maximize sales and business outcomes.
Findings
The findings reveal that, for the sustainable growth of MSMEs during and after the pandemic, collaboration across the Penta-Helix framework is essential. This collaboration enables the development of practical solutions for the challenges posed by COVID-19, particularly in the context of the “new normal.” In addition, the authors’ survey of MSMEs involved in agriculture, trade and processing sectors demonstrates that 58.33% experienced a decrease in income during the pandemic and 12.66% reported an increase in revenue. In contrast, 25% experienced no change in income before and during the pandemic.
Originality/value
This research contributes significantly by offering comprehensive insights obtained from in-depth surveys conducted with MSMEs across multiple sectors. The findings underscore the importance of addressing the challenges MSMEs face and highlight the need for collaboration within the Penta-Helix framework to foster their resilience and success amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Moustafa Haj Youssef, Jahangir Wasim, Ioannis Christodoulou and Robert Reinhardt
The aim of this study is to explore and elucidate the influence of polygamy on the succession dynamics of family businesses in the Arab world, offering insights that may be…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to explore and elucidate the influence of polygamy on the succession dynamics of family businesses in the Arab world, offering insights that may be underrepresented or overlooked in traditional, Western-focused literature.
Design/methodology/approach
This article adopts a perspective-based approach, focusing on delving into the amalgamation of polygamous family structures and their implications on the operation and continuation of family-run businesses.
Findings
Polygamy, while often primarily perceived as a cultural or religious tradition, wields substantial influence over various business facets. Notably, its presence can significantly shape business continuity, the methodologies behind succession planning and the overarching framework of corporate governance within Arab family businesses.
Originality/value
This article offers a unique Middle Eastern lens, highlighting the underexplored intersection of polygamy and business succession. It strives to bridge the knowledge gap by addressing topics potentially sidelined in mainstream Western business research.
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Doreen Nyarko Anyamesem Odame and Robert E. Hinson
Despite the potential benefits of family businesses, their dynamics present peculiar challenges that hinder the realisation of their full potential. This paper sought to assess…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the potential benefits of family businesses, their dynamics present peculiar challenges that hinder the realisation of their full potential. This paper sought to assess the relationship between family dynamics and business development in Africa. The authors explored the dynamics of African family structures and how these structures impact family businesses.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper adopted an analytical and interpretative approach to existing literature and contemporary practices in family business operations. The approach helped to synthesise emerging trends in family business operations and offered novel insights into family-owned businesses.
Findings
The findings revealed that, though family businesses have a lot to contribute to development, family dynamics can threaten their sustainability if not well moderated. Based on the findings, the authors recommend trust and transparency as critical pillars for sustained family-owned business growth. They recommend further that communication channels, documented policies and procedures and well-established feedback channels are strategies that can guide stakeholders in family businesses to build trust and transparency in the business.
Originality/value
The paper throws light on the unique contributions of family businesses to communities and individuals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). It is also an eye-opener to this relatively grey area and opens deeper discussions about sustaining family businesses.
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Iftekhar Ahmed and Tanjina Khan
Fresh out of the two-century-old British legacy, Bangladesh, formerly known as East Pakistan from 1947 to 1971, was searching for a post-colonial architectural style. Colonial…
Abstract
Purpose
Fresh out of the two-century-old British legacy, Bangladesh, formerly known as East Pakistan from 1947 to 1971, was searching for a post-colonial architectural style. Colonial architecture in the region in general often imposed imported European elements, ignoring the preceding legacies of the Sultanate and the Mughals. The critical challenge was to find a balance between the prevailing high modernism in architecture and the local vernacular and climatic forces. The Pakistani government invited international architects to fill the gap left by a non-existent local architectural industry. Unfortunately, their work has rarely been properly analyzed. With selected case studies, this paper analyzes their work in an attempt to explore their contribution to creating a national architectural identity.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a case study approach with selected architectural projects from the period. It uses research tools such as systematic analysis of drawings, volumes and photographs and archival research.
Findings
The international architects took inspiration from the strong vernacular and climatic forces of the region. The resultant expressions of the two-decade-long search in their combined body of work are some of the finest examples of vernacular and climate-responsive architecture in the region. They transcended the regular international style and became context-specific and unique. The quest for East Pakistan's post-colonial architectural identity was partially met by the newly found identity through vernacular and climate-responsive adaptation in architecture.
Originality/value
This study explores how a unified vernacular and climate-responsive adaptations potentially shaped the post-colonial architectural identity of the region. No prior study exists on this issue for the time period.
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The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the growing role of robots in the logistics industry.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the growing role of robots in the logistics industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Following an introduction, which identifies key challenges facing the industry, this paper discusses robotic applications in warehouses, followed by sections covering transportation and delivery and conclusions.
Findings
The logistics industry faces a number of challenges that drive technological and operational changes. Robots are already playing a role within the warehouse sector and more complex applications have recently arisen from developments in artificial intelligence-enabled vision technology. In the transportation sector, autonomous trucks are being developed and trialled by leading manufacturers. Many major logistics companies are involved and limited services are underway. Last-mile delivery applications are growing rapidly, and trials, pilot schemes and commercial services are underway in Europe, the USA and the Far East. The Chinese market is particularly buoyant, and in 2019, a delivery robot was launched that operates on public roads, based on Level-4 autonomous driving technology. The drone delivery sector has been slower to develop, in part due to regulatory constraints, but services are now being operated by drone manufacturers, retailers and logistics providers.
Originality/value
This paper provides details of existing and future applications of robots in the logistics industry.
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Robert Gandy, Peter Wolstencroft, Katherine Geer and Leanne de Main
The recruitment of undergraduate students within English universities is of vital importance to both the academic success and the financial stability of the organisation. Despite…
Abstract
Purpose
The recruitment of undergraduate students within English universities is of vital importance to both the academic success and the financial stability of the organisation. Despite the primacy of the task, there has been a dearth of research looking at related performance and how to ensure that the process is optimised. The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of variation both within a university and between different universities. The reliance that individual programmes and/or universities place on the Clearing process is key; given its uncertainty, resource demands and timing shortly before students take up their places.
Design/methodology/approach
The Nomogramma di Gandy diagrammatical approach utilises readily available data to analyse universities’ performance in recruiting students to different programmes, and the degree to which they each rely of the Clearing process. Inter-university performance was investigated on a whole-student intake basis for a sample of English universities, representative of type and region.
Findings
The study found that there were disparate patterns for the many programmes within the pilot university and also disparate patterns between different types of universities across England. Accordingly, universities should internally benchmark their programmes to inform both strategic and tactical decision-making. Similarly, Universities and Colleges Admissions Service benchmarking inter-university patterns could inform the overall sector.
Originality/value
The approach and findings provide lessons for analysing student recruitment which could be critical to universities’ academic and financial health, in an increasingly competitive environment.
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Budi Utomo, Sukma Rahayu, Elvira Liyanto, Nohan Arum Romadlona, Dewi Nuryana, Riznawaty Imma Aryanty, Melania Hidayat, Anggraini Sariastuti, Maria Gayatri and Robert Magnani
Indonesia subscribes to rights-based principles of family planning. However, a chasm between principles and practice has long been noted on a global basis, and progress has not…
Abstract
Purpose
Indonesia subscribes to rights-based principles of family planning. However, a chasm between principles and practice has long been noted on a global basis, and progress has not been well-documented. This paper aims to assess the extent to which the Indonesian national family planning program has evolved in a manner that is consistent with rights-based principles.
Design/methodology/approach
The primary source of data was five Indonesian Demographic Health Surveys undertaken from 1997 to 2017. The analyses were organized around three major categories of family planning-related human rights. Trend analysis and logistic regression were used in analyzing the data.
Findings
Indonesian women have considerable autonomy in family planning decision, reporting that family planning decisions were mainly made by themselves or jointly with their spouse. Although contraceptive method awareness and demand for family planning are high, Indonesia fares poorly with regard to informed choice in contraceptive method selection. Access to family planning services is comparatively high as judged by contraceptive prevalence, family planning demand satisfaction and unmet need for family planning. However, significant geographic and socioeconomic inequity were observed on many indicators, with eastern Indonesian provinces consistently lagging behind.
Research limitations/implications
This paper focuses on married couple, as Indonesia has a restrictive policy to limiting access and information of family planning for other groups, unmarried youth in particular.
Originality/value
This paper makes an important contribution to document how effectively the prohuman rights policy orientation toward family planning has been translated into services.
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Oliver Mallett, Robert Wapshott and Nazila Wilson
This research paper generates new insights into the challenges of implementation in women’s enterprise policy. It argues that organisations involved in policy implementation need…
Abstract
Purpose
This research paper generates new insights into the challenges of implementation in women’s enterprise policy. It argues that organisations involved in policy implementation need to be understood as operating in a context of institutional pluralism and answers: How do organisations involved in the implementation of women’s enterprise policy manage the challenges of institutional pluralism?
Design/methodology/approach
Addressing the need for women’s enterprise policy to learn from the past, the research adopts a historical approach to the study of policy implementation through examination of the UK’s Phoenix Development Fund (1999–2008). It analyses a wide range of secondary sources to examine 34 projects funded and supported by the Phoenix Development Fund that targeted women entrepreneurs.
Findings
Potentially conflicting institutional logics associated with central government, mainstream business support and local communities were managed through four key processes: dominance; integration; constellation and bridging. The management of institutional pluralism was effective in delivering support to communities but not in providing an effective platform for learning in government or establishing sustainable, long-term mechanisms.
Originality/value
The paper develops an empirical contribution to practice through identification of processes to manage the challenges of institutional pluralism and lessons for community-engaged policy implementation. A theoretical contribution to academic debates is provided by the conceptualisation of these challenges in terms of institutional pluralism and the novel concept of institutional bridging. The study also demonstrates the value of historical methods for women’s enterprise policy to learn the lessons of the past.
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The aim of this study is to study the relationship between halal certification and small and medium entreprise (SME) performance in a turbulent environment such as the Palestinian…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to study the relationship between halal certification and small and medium entreprise (SME) performance in a turbulent environment such as the Palestinian environment.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study quantitative cross-sectional research design using questionnaires distributed over 51 certified SME’s used, and analysis was performed using partial least squares-structural equational modeling.
Findings
The current study revealed that there is a positive relationship between certification and business performance of SME’s in terms of financial and operational performance, and operational performance can mediate the effect between certification and financial performance. It is recommended to conduct further research with larger sample sizes and conduct research using different research designs, such as the longitudinal research design.
Practical implications
Certification of Halal also has a positive relationship with performance, even in a turbulent environment like Palestine. Accordingly, Palestinian food manufacturing firms are called to implement food safety standards like the Halal certificate to gain beside the good gained image the good financial performance.
Originality/value
This study was conducted in one of the most turbulent environments, as well as in developing countries, enriching the literature with results from emerging/turbulence and developing countries.
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