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This research examined the role of post-conflict marketing in supporting businesses within conflict-affected regions, aligning with the objectives of UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 to foster peaceful societies amid increasing global conflicts.

Drawing from the theories of social egalitarianism and consumer discrimination, the study explored the moderating influence of conflict stakeholder on consumer willingness to pay (WTP). Understanding such stakeholder roles underscores post-conflict marketing's potential for economic growth and stability. Two experiments assessed the WTP, WTP a premium price and expected attractiveness of strategic products and services developed by key stakeholders (ex-guerrilla, ex-paramilitaries, ex-militaries, victims and other citizens) in the Colombian post-conflict context among both local (Colombian) and foreign (Japanese) consumers.

Results revealed that products associated with victims consistently received higher ratings. A notable contrast emerged as Japanese consumers favoured products of victims over those of regular citizens while rating offerings from ex-paramilitary and retired military stakeholders similarly, unlike their Colombian counterparts.

The study acknowledges limitations regarding participants' geographic location and experimental design, providing insights for future research and potential refinements.

The findings offer insights into the impact of consumer attitudes on post-conflict stakeholder entrepreneurship in foreign and local markets, thus contributing relevant knowledge to support market success.

This is the first study assessing the role of various post-conflict stakeholders in influencing consumer evaluations of products and services. Consequently, these findings contribute to the foundational understanding of post-conflict marketing and offer a benchmark for business development in conflict-affected areas.

Examinar el papel del mercadeo en el apoyo a emprendimientos en regiones afectadas por conflictos, alineándose con el ODS 16 de la ONU para impulsar sociedades pacíficas en medio del aumento de los conflictos.

Basada en las teorías del igualitarismo social y discriminación del consumidor, el estudio exploró la influencia de las percepciones hacia actores del posconflicto en el comportamiento de consumo. Dos experimentos evaluaron la disposición a pagar (DAP), DAP un precio superior y la atractividad de productos y servicios desarrollados por actores del posconflicto colombiano (exguerrilleros, exparamilitares, exmilitares, víctimas, otros ciudadanos) entre consumidores locales (colombianos) y extranjeros (japoneses).

Los productos desarrollados por las víctimas recibieron valoraciones más altas. Además, los consumidores japoneses, a diferencia de los colombianos, prefirieron los productos de las víctimas a los de “otros ciudadanos” y valoraron de manera similar los de exparamilitares y exmilitares.

Los resultados ofrecen una visión precisa del impacto de las actitudes de los consumidores sobre los productores del posconflicto en los mercados extranjeros y locales, contribuyendo a la reintegración económica, el crecimiento y la reconciliación social.

El estudio reconoce posibles limitaciones en el diseño experimental, proporcionando ideas para investigaciones futuras.

Se trata del primer estudio que evalúa el papel de los actores de un posconflicto como productores en la valoración de productos y servicios. Estos resultados contribuyen a la comprensión del mercadeo del posconflicto y ofrecen un punto de referencia para el desarrollo empresarial en zonas afectadas por conflictos.

New public management (NPM) has transformed the public sector auditing context, although in quite different ways. Further, investigations into NPM’s impact on public sector auditors and audit institutions have been largely unconnected, with the exception of the critical examination of performance audits. We investigate the question of how public sector auditors’ roles and activities have changed as a result of NPM and later reforms.

We examine and synthesise public sector audit research examining reforms since the year 2000. The research presented considers changes to external and internal public sector audits as well as the development of public sector audit institutions – known as supreme audit institutions (SAIs).

Considerable changes have occurred. Many were influenced by NPM, but others have evolved from the eco-system of accounting, auditing and public sector management. External auditors have responded to an increase in demand for accountability. Additional management and governance techniques have been introduced from the private sector, such as internal auditing and audit committees. NPM has also led to conflicting trends, particularly when governments introduced competition to public sector auditing by contracting out but then chose to centralise to improve accountability. There is also greater international influence now through bodies like the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and similar regional bodies.

NPM reforms and the eco-system have impacted public sector auditing. Sustainability reporting is emerging as an area requiring more auditing attention; auditors also need to continue to develop better ways to communicate with citizens. Further, research into auditing in non-Western nations and emerging technologies is also required, especially where it provides learnings around more valuable audit practices. Empirical evidence is required of the strengths and weaknesses of SAIs’ structural variety.

This paper aims to unveil the darker side of cryptocurrencies by delving into its role as an obstacle to investments in Middle East and African (MEAs) countries, unravelling the challenges involved. Indeed, despite the rise of blockchain-related technologies, specifically cryptocurrencies, having undeniably unlocked new avenues for business and society, crypto for venture funding purposes may exhibit a “dark side” due to their use for unethical purposes, for example, money laundering or terrorism financing, largely diffused in certain areas of MEA countries.

Through an explorative research design, using a mix of techniques based on both qualitative and interpretive methods, we conducted in-depth interviews among 33 European managers of companies engaged in MEA markets or aspiring to invest in such foreign markets, to analyse their thoughts, perceptions and possible strategies concerning the management of the “dark side” of cryptocurrencies in MEAs.

Our investigation unearthed seven pivotal issues, which manifest as significant barriers related to the ambivalent use of crypto for funding projects, encompassing seven important consequential elements: (1) lack of knowledge about the technology’s potentialities; (2) perceptions of crypto technology’s ambivalence; (3) reputation and image consequences; (4) uncertainty about the destination of the invested funds; (5) decreased attractiveness of MEAs; (6) competition and market; and (7) lack of control and regulation. We grouped these into technology-related, business-related and legal- and policy-related barriers. Such findings underline the probable decrease in attractiveness of MEAs in terms of investments, together with the triggering factors and potential strategic solutions to mitigate such circumstances.

Future studies could explore a broader sample of managers since we only considered the perception of European managers operating in companies that invest (or are intending to invest) in MEAs. Moreover, future research may extend the analysis to MEA-native companies or those engaging in reciprocal exchanges with Western countries.

Practically, our findings suggest several elements in which to intervene to mitigate managers’ negative perception of the unethical use of cryptocurrencies in MEAs and to support CEOs’ and CFOs’ strategies, together with requirements to ensure the unaltered attractiveness of investments in an otherwise thriving region of the world, without overlooking the protection and safeguarding of investments and the health of the market and competition. Furthermore, a call for future research in this domain, along with at least minimal regulatory mechanisms, clearly emerges.

Our findings underline the social challenges associated with the perception and acceptance of cryptocurrencies in these contexts, influencing cultural and social dynamics. Moreover, the identification of these barriers could underscore the significance of awareness of and education on blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies within society, including implications for policymakers.

Despite prior investigations into the negative effects of cryptocurrencies as a form of venture funding, no studies to date have examined managers’ perceptions by focusing on possible barriers to investment in MEA countries due to the unethical usage of crypto. Importantly, this paper unravels the unexplored complexities of crypto’s impact on ethical investments in MEAs, showcasing an original perspective.

The primacy of commerce in livelihood security cannot be overstated. However, in a rural context defined by involuntary socio-ecological displacement, commerce can assume a sociologically distinct character, with far-reaching implications. Based on first-hand encounters with victims of the devastating 2014 flood in Tokwe-Mukorsi, Zimbabwe, this paper analyses how the processes of “recreating” village markets in the resettlement site of Chingwizi impacted the victims’ experiences of resource provisioning and livelihood security.

Qualitative data were collected through 10 in-depth interviews, 10 key informant interviews and two focus group discussions, five years into the flood victims’ resettlement in Chingwizi. The data analysis focused on the dynamics around the recreation of village markets, and the consequences of this on the household economic standing of the resettled flood victims.

The paper reveals how the formation of village markets in Chingwizi was influenced not primarily by the ethno-commercial and ethno-economic impulses reminiscent of life in their ancestral home but mostly by new, disruptive dynamics and challenges unique to the resettlement site. The paper elucidates the constellation of factors that, together, exacerbated the flood victims’ overall socio-economic dislocation and disadvantage.

The study provides a systematic understanding of the dynamics of ethno-commerce, particularly on the evolution of village market activities and livelihoods, among Zimbabwe’s Chingwizi community over a period of five years into their resettlement. It brings to the fore, the often ignored, but significant nuances that 'village market' formation and livelihoods recreation takes in a resettlement context.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-09-2023-0682

This paper aims to scrutinize some determinants that affect the functions and roles of contemporary parliaments. In particular, such parliaments attempt to involve in new areas that were not represented in parliamentary study and to play new roles in the areas of development, diplomacy, the establishment of post-conflict peace rules and achieving the objectives of the sustainable development. The study found that the most important determinants affecting the new roles of contemporary parliaments are the constitutional and legal frameworks.

This paper adopts three basic methodologies so as to reach some applicable scientific findings that can be generalized. The researcher has used the descriptive methodology, to shed light on the parliament’s various activities and new roles and to take note of the many surrounding factors and available dimensions that enable parliaments to perform such roles. The researcher has also used the comparative methodology, to study parliaments with a view to identifying their roles in a way that includes their similarities and dissimilarities and the possibility of generalizing the outputs.

The paper has reached many findings, the most important of which are: first, the need to present appropriate amendments to the constitutions to give space to parliaments to play more effective and influential roles. Second, the internal regulations of parliaments must be in line with the attitudes and aspirations of the parliament and its members, giving appropriate cover for playing new roles in various areas.

This study has found that contemporary parliaments can play new roles in various fields, whether internal or external and in different sectors as well, as a result of the great developments and complexities introduced around the world. Such developments and complexities have cast a shadow on governments and affected their abilities in dealing with the issues immediately because of the enormous challenges in addition to the ongoing developments occurring to the legislative systems in the world, at the technical level of the departments and secretariats of contemporary parliaments or for members of Parliament and the institution as a whole.

The new roles of contemporary parliaments have been affected by the determinants of the research, which are the constitutional framework, the legislative framework, the relationship between Parliament and civil society and the relationship between Parliament and the government. These factors cast a shadow over the expansion or contraction of the attempts of modern parliaments to play new roles.

This study has found that contemporary parliaments can play social roles in various fields of a social nature, which is find solutions to the problems experienced by societies emerging from civil wars, which need national reconciliation, for example, the reconciliation of the ethnic tribes carried out by the Iraqi council of representatives between the local tribes to resolve the internal problems, in addition the role of Borondian council by it is trying end the conflict between the tribes of Hotsi and Tutsi.

The importance of the study stems from the fact that it focuses on the most important determinants of the new roles of contemporary parliaments that may be conducted outside the traditional framework of the parliament's study of legislation and supervision. Such contemporary parliaments have played new roles that take the form of political, economic, social, humanitarian, diplomatic and environmental works and other works concerned with the climate and their attempts to end internal and external conflicts and disputes.

The value assessment process of the built heritage is a multipart procedure that includes diverse aspects with overlapping requirements. This process requires various measures to obtain better results, making it a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) process. In post-disaster cases, a management system is required to promptly evaluate the degree of risk and damage and to set the preservation priorities in order to effectively supervise and protect the heritage places. MCDM is utilized for configuring and solving decision and planning problems encompassing multiple criteria, to assist decision-makers.

This paper suggests an approach as a tool to be used in the development of the Built Heritage Record for Mosul Old City. It proposes a D&C technique as an MCDM effectual tool for solving multifaceted problems of heritage significance assessment process in post-conflict cities, adopting the conservation of the traditional houses of Mosul Old City as a case study.

The research results showed the need for a method to solve the complexity of the decision-making problem regarding the process of determining the value and significance of heritage buildings and sites in the old city of Mosul, and how to develop a methodology to facilitate decision-making within databases related to such a multi-criteria issue.

For an effective judgment of the expert or participant in the evaluation process, and to contribute to the decision-making more objectively, exploiting digital management programs including an interactive user interface with the ability to share on the Internet is the focal next intention of the project.

The paper shows that by using specific software, a database for heritage places of the old city of Mosul could be generated to apply the proposed system. The expert can utilize the software to calculate and define the total value of the place automatically according to the entered data.

This paper explores the attractiveness of TVET in Sierra Leone, a post-conflict West African country. It aims to unpack structural factors which contribute to the low repute of TVET.

The paper uses qualitative interviews with employers, government and third sector organisations, focus group discussions with young Sierra Leoneans and analysis of key government policy documents. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, and the empirical analysis is grounded in Social Learning Theory of Career Decision Making and Social Cognitive Career Theory. The paper is interdisciplinary, drawing on literature from economics, psychology, political science and development studies.

The paper argues that TVET is in low repute in Sierra Leone owing to low prioritisation by the national government in terms of policy focus, budgetary allocations and provision of training facilities; the proliferation and continuation of a post-war style of TVET programmes by development partners which initially targeted ex-combatants and thus carry reputational baggage; and colonial legacies of preferences for university education and white-collar jobs.

The research contributes to the academic and policy discourse by providing new empirical insights from an under-studied country (and region), and arguably one where evidence-based policy is much needed.

This paper aims to explore individuals’ economic empowerment and political empowerment association and the moderation role of entrepreneurship development programs on this relationship in the context of post-revolution Tunisia, which is a newer developing democracy.

The study uses a quantitative approach based on econometric modeling. A questionnaire was designed and administrated to a stratified random sample of 343 participants in the Entrepreneurship for the Participation and Inclusion of Vulnerable Youth in Tunisia program, funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund and implemented in rural northwestern Tunisia between 2017 and 2021. A coarsened exact matching method is also applied for robustness analysis.

The analysis shows that when individuals have enhanced economic decision-making agency and are involved in economic networks, they are more likely to demonstrate higher political empowerment. It also shows that expanding rural individuals’ economic opportunities by providing entrepreneurial resources, such as entrepreneurial training and microcredit, strengthens individuals’ economic empowerment and political empowerment association.

The study provides practical implications for policymakers in newer developing democracies. Citizens’ political empowerment and inclusion in rural areas could be promoted by developing entrepreneurship development programs, which could help reinforce the citizens-state relationship and establish more stable social contracts. The research also provides practical implications for the international development community, donor agencies and program designers through duplicating similar programs in other countries with weak central government structures (i.e. post-conflict environments, post-revolution).

The research attempts to contribute to the ongoing debates linking entrepreneurship, economic empowerment and political/citizen empowerment. It focuses on a Middle East and North Africa country, Tunisia, characterized by socioeconomic issues and low civic participation.

Places of worship have historically been maintained using traditional building management techniques, including regular monitoring, upkeep and maintenance provided by their religious communities. This paper examines the conservation issues arising after the forced displacement of the traditional custodians, which is a significant concern in conflict-ridden environments.

As a unique example of a long-term conflict, the divided Cyprus provides this research with illustrative cases to derive the data. The research employs content analysis of official documents, physical observations and interviews with conservation professionals.

This research demonstrates the human and environmental factors impacting the conservation of the material fabric and the use-related challenges stemming from the intangible significance of the religious legacy belonging to displaced communities. It highlights the urgency to formulate more effective mechanisms and regulatory frameworks to address vulnerability issues promptly.

Preservation problems on religious heritage buildings arising from the loss of traditional custodians after conflicts are an under-researched area in conservation literature. Drawing on research that was conducted several decades after the displacement of Cypriot communities, this paper reveals new insights into the magnitude of the conservation problems and the use-related complexities that need to be addressed to formulate mutually acceptable solutions for a sustainable future.

While entrepreneurship has long been heralded for its positive contributions, there is a growing recognition of its “dark side,” characterized by unproductive, unethical and destructive actions. This exploratory literature review aims to illuminate the underexplored dark side of entrepreneurship, thereby enriching the discourse on entrepreneurship’s dual nature.

This study employs a robust mixed-method approach, integrating phenomenologically detailed co-citation bibliographic coupling with detailed thematic data and code-weaving. Science mapping tools like R-Bibliometrix and VOSviewer enhance the credibility of the findings by providing a sophisticated and reproducible methodological framework.

This review defines dark entrepreneurship, its characteristics, and its complexities. We introduced the “Dark Entrepreneurship Trinity”: Ethical Complexity, Institutional Navigation and Conflict Entrepreneurialship, with Institutional Navigation as the apex theme. It elucidates how this theme influences ethical dilemmas and operational strategies in conflict zones, illustrated through a diagram depicting their complex interrelations and dynamics.

The originality of this literature review lies in its comprehensive synthesis of the dark side of entrepreneurship. This review significantly contributes to the academic discourse by delineating a clearer picture of the destructive potentials of entrepreneurship. It compiles existing research, critically addresses the gaps and suggests future pathways for empirical studies.