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1 – 10 of 32The purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data science (DS) on unemployment rates across ten high-income…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data science (DS) on unemployment rates across ten high-income economies from 2015 to 2023.
Design/methodology/approach
This study takes a unique approach by employing a dynamic panel data (DPD) model with a generalised method of moments (GMM) estimator to address potential biases. The methodology includes extensive validation through Sargan, Hansen, and Arellano-Bond tests, ensuring the robustness of the results and adding a novel perspective to the field of AI and unemployment dynamics.
Findings
The study’s findings are paramount, challenging prevailing concerns in AI, ML, and DS, demonstrating an insignificant impact on unemployment and contradicting common fears of job loss due to these technologies. The analysis also reveals a positive correlation (0.298) between larger government size and higher unemployment, suggesting bureaucratic inefficiencies that may hinder job growth. Conversely, a negative correlation (−0.201) between increased labour productivity and unemployment suggests that technological advancements can promote job creation by enhancing efficiency. These results refute the notion that technology inherently leads to job losses, positioning AI and related technologies as drivers of innovation and expansion within the labour market.
Research limitations/implications
The study’s findings suggest a promising outlook, positioning AI as a catalyst for the expansion and metamorphosis of employment rather than solely a catalyst for automation and job displacement. This insight presents a significant opportunity for AI and related technologies to improve labour markets and strategically mitigate unemployment. To harness the benefits of technological progress effectively, authorities and enterprises must carefully evaluate the balance between government spending and its impact on unemployment. This proposed strategy can potentially reinvent governmental initiatives and stimulate investment in AI, thereby bolstering economic and labour market reliability.
Originality/value
The results provide significant perspectives for policymakers and direct further investigations on the influence of AI on labour markets. The analysis results contradict the common belief of technology job loss. The study’s results are shown to be reliable by the Sargan, Hansen, and Arellano-Bond tests. It adds to the discussion on the role of AI in the future of work, proposing a detailed effect of AI on employment and promoting a strategic method for integrating AI into the labour market.
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This paper explores attempts to deliver socioeconomic benefit by developing social enterprise within the public sector supply chain.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores attempts to deliver socioeconomic benefit by developing social enterprise within the public sector supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach is adopted which focusses on the implementation of public procurement policy intended to support social entrepreneurs (SEs) in the delivery of social care in Scotland. Socio-technical systems theory (STST) is adopted as a lens through which to explore the case.
Findings
While acknowledging the contextual limits of the case study, the empirical findings recognise partial implementation of the measures intended to develop social entrepreneurship in the supply chain. The results, however, suggest that both the engagement levels of SEs and the expected socio economic benefits are yet to accrue fully.
Social implications
The paper concludes that in order to achieve the expected social benefits further progress is required in engaging SEs in formal collaborations with larger, potentially for profit, organisations and also in their increased involvement in the design and commissioning of public services.
Originality/value
The innovative, cross-sectional research design uses a survey based, gap analysis to provide a nuanced comparison between the views of local authority procurement officers and the opinions prevalent within social enterprise care providers and thereby to assesses the effectiveness of public policy.
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Nermin Khasawneh, Ramzi Al Rousan and Sujood
Space tourism is currently experiencing significant attention because of its rapid and burgeoning development in the present era. This surge has resulted in an unprecedented…
Abstract
Purpose
Space tourism is currently experiencing significant attention because of its rapid and burgeoning development in the present era. This surge has resulted in an unprecedented growth in publications dedicated to unravelling the intricacies of space tourism. However, there is a conspicuous absence of a large-scale bibliometric analysis focusing on space tourism research from 1993 to 2022. Therefore, the aim of this study is to fill this research gap by examining and mapping the scholarly output published across the world in the spectrum of space tourism over the past 30 years (1993–2022).
Design/methodology/approach
A corpus of 7,438 publications pertaining to space tourism published from 1993 to 2022 was gathered from the Web of Science Core Collection. Accordingly, bibliometrix package in R and VOSviewer software were used to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis.
Findings
The current study highlights a significant surge in publications related to space tourism, indicating a heightened scholarly interest and a significant paradigm shift in its exploration. Scott M. Smith, affiliated with National Aeronautics Space Administration Johnson Space Center, emerges as the most prolific author. Leading journals in disseminating space tourism research are Acta Astronautica and Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine. Keyword analysis revealed hotspots such as “space flight”, “simulated microgravity”, “weightlessness” and “stress”, while research gaps include “skylab”, “shuttle”, “cartilage”, “herpes virus” and “herniation”, offering potential avenues for exploration.
Research limitations/implications
This study’s implications empower stakeholders with actionable insights and deepen the understanding of the evolving landscape of space tourism research, fostering an environment conducive to continuous exploration and innovation in this burgeoning field.
Originality/value
This study enriches the understanding of global space tourism research and offers valuable insights applicable to a diverse audience, including researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders. The broad applicability of the study’s findings underscores its significance, serving as a guide for strategic decision-making and shaping research agendas in the dynamic realm of space tourism.
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Immigration-themed children’s literature can be an important resource in the classroom, especially because some U.S. immigrant groups, including French-Canadians, have received…
Abstract
Purpose
Immigration-themed children’s literature can be an important resource in the classroom, especially because some U.S. immigrant groups, including French-Canadians, have received limited curricular representation. Using the qualitative method of critical content analysis, this study aims to examine depictions of French-Canadian immigrants to the United States in contemporary children’s books.
Design/methodology/approach
Postcolonialism is employed as an analytical lens with special attention given to the ways immigrant characters are constructed as different from the dominant group (i.e., othering), how dominant group values are imposed on immigrant characters, and how immigrant characters resist othering and domination. Three books comprise the sample: “Charlotte Bakeman Has Her Say” by Mary Finger and illustrated by Kimberly Batti, “Other Bells for Us to Ring” by Robert Cormier, and “Red River Girl” by Norma Sommerdorf.
Findings
The findings reveal multiple instances in which French-Canadian immigrants are constructed as Other and few instances in which these characters resist this positioning, and these books reflect the real ways French-Canadians were perceived as subalterns during the mass migration from Québec to the United States between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Originality/value
This study is significant because it examines portrayals of a substantial immigrant group that has been overlooked in the immigration history curriculum. This sample of children’s books may be used to teach children the complexities of immigration history and provide a more nuanced understanding of immigration during the 19th and 20th centuries.
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Multimodal writing portfolios were introduced and integrated into an undergraduate course and a graduate course in a research-oriented university in northwest Taiwan. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
Multimodal writing portfolios were introduced and integrated into an undergraduate course and a graduate course in a research-oriented university in northwest Taiwan. This study aims to examine the influence of multimodal writing portfolios of novice researchers' academic writing.
Design/methodology/approach
Comparative case studies involve collecting data from several cases and analyzing the similarities, differences and patterns across cases (Merriam, 2009). To address this underdeveloped area of research, a comparative case study method was employed to understand undergraduate and graduate students' multimodal writing portfolios in academic writing in two courses in Taiwan.
Findings
First, multimodal writing portfolios enabled novice researchers to be more familiar with the structure of academic paper and they had better performance in intrapersonal and linguistic aspects. Second, novice researchers held positive attitude toward multimodal writing portfolios because they regarded process of making multimodal writing portfolios as preparation for their future academic writing. Finally, participants highly valued the class PowerPoint slides, weekly writing tasks and the instructor's modeling as effective facilitation for making multimodal writing portfolios.
Research limitations/implications
Limited studies focus on multimodal writing portfolios (e.g. Silver, 2019). The present case study explores the integration of a multimodal writing portfolio into one undergraduate and one graduate course to explore learners' attitude and performance in academic writing.
Practical implications
Novice researchers can learn to compose multimodal academic texts for the academic writing community.
Social implications
Suggestions on effective integration of multimodal writing portfolios into academic writing instruction were provided based on the research findings.
Originality/value
The findings of the study provide the field of L2 writing with insights into the pedagogical development of multilingual writing portfolios and help educators to be better prepared for teaching novice researchers to comprehend and compose multimodal texts and enter the academic writing community. The framework in Figure 1 and suggestions on course designs for academic writing can inform educators on the integration of multimodality in academic discourse. Moreover, this study moves beyond general writing courses at the tertiary level and could contribute to L2 writers' deeper understanding of how multimodal writing portfolios can be constructed.
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Nomanyano Primrose Mnyaka-Rulwa and Joseph Olorunfemi Akande
Agency theory motivated this study, posing that leverage mitigates the agency problem. The aim was to examine whether leverage influences the relationship between…
Abstract
Purpose
Agency theory motivated this study, posing that leverage mitigates the agency problem. The aim was to examine whether leverage influences the relationship between executive-employee pay gaps (EEPGs) and firm performance. The study was conducted in the mining and retail sectors between 2012 and 2021.
Design/methodology/approach
Two EEPGs were featured based on their executive fixed pay and variable incentives accumulation. Proxies of firm performance were headline earnings per share; return on assets; earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation; and return on stock price. Data were collected from 76 JSE-listed firms in the retail and mining sectors and analysed using the two-step generalised method of moments.
Findings
The results revealed the hybrid implication of the pay gap for firm performance in the retail and mining sectors of South Africa, depending on the performance measures emphasised. More importantly, the study shows that with the moderating effects of leverage, firms can improve their performance while shrinking the pay gap.
Practical implications
The results have implications for policy addressing income inequality, debt management, executive compensation and regulatory reforms in South Africa concerning productivity and remuneration decisions.
Originality/value
The article provides specific literature for retail and mining industries on pay gaps, shows that it is possible to reduce the pay gap without compromising performance and suggests a new measure of performance that is more attuned to pay gap effect measurement.
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This study aims to investigate the reality of relationship banking (RB) in the small and medium enterprise (SME) context, specifically how banks organize activities, define SMEs…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the reality of relationship banking (RB) in the small and medium enterprise (SME) context, specifically how banks organize activities, define SMEs and manage the SME–banking relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Using qualitative methods, this study uses a case study approach, conducting in-depth interviews with relationship managers from major New Zealand banks. The data are analyzed using thematic analysis with a process- and mechanism-oriented lens.
Findings
The study identifies bank criteria for defining SMEs, considering factors such as business complexity, owner/manager ethnicity and business lending. Banks divide their activities into personal and business banking, with the latter further classified as micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses based on borrowing amounts. Three types of RB emerge, namely, micro-business (online/many-to-many) relationship model (RM), small-business RM (one-to-many) and medium-sized business (one-to-one) RM. This study presents a taxonomy of business banking relationship management models that capture the structure and dynamics of the three RB levels.
Research limitations/implications
Interviews may introduce biases or limited perspectives. Findings specific to New Zealand may not universally apply. Future research could explore different regions and assess the impact of these RB models on SMEs’ financial outcomes and satisfaction with banking services.
Practical implications
Findings assist banks in organizing activities and managing SME relationships. Taxonomy aids in categorizing companies and determining appropriate management models. Consequently, tailored services can be provided based on SME needs, offering customized financial packages.
Social implications
RB models prioritizing ethnicity consideration and personalized services contribute to enhanced financial inclusion for SMEs, thereby fostering broader socioeconomic growth and development, partly through the provision of tailored financial packages. Additionally, relationship managers specializing in specific industries can offer valuable insights and assistance to SMEs, fostering mutual trust and collaboration.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to hypothesize, investigate, identify and provide evidence for three RB levels in SMEs. The presented taxonomy contributes to the literature on the SME–bank relationship by providing a structured framework for effective SME relationship management. Insights can help banks develop strategies and practices for serving SMEs, ultimately contributing to their growth and success.
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Halimin Herjanto, Muslim Amin, Faizan Ali, Cihan Cobanoglu and Muslim A. A. Djalil
This study aims to examine how affective and technological attitudes influence tourists’ intentions to use ride-sharing services. The authors also explore the moderating effects…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how affective and technological attitudes influence tourists’ intentions to use ride-sharing services. The authors also explore the moderating effects of perceived freedom and digital literacy on these relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consisted of local and international tourists using ride-sharing services in Bali, Indonesia. The authors used convenience sampling to distribute questionnaires to the respondents, collecting 258 responses. Out of these, 222 responses were fully completed and suitable for analysis.
Findings
The results revealed that hedonia, eudaimonia, technophilia and technophobia each differently influence tourists’ intentions to use ride-sharing services. Perceived freedom and digital literacy moderate the strength of these relationships.
Research limitations/implications
This research builds on previous studies by investigating how various aspects of happiness affect tourists' intentions to use ride-sharing services. It also emphasizes the role of perceived freedom and digital literacy in moderating the relationship between happiness, technology adoption attitudes and ride-sharing intentions.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing ride-sharing literature by integrating two dimensions of affective attitude (hedonia and eudaimonia) and technology adoption attitude (technophilia and technophobia) to examine their effects on tourists’ intentions to use ride-sharing services.
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Alan T. Belasen and Ariel R. Belasen
This study aims to examine differences in the self-perception and value of four traits associated with trustworthiness: transparency, credibility, accountability and honesty to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine differences in the self-perception and value of four traits associated with trustworthiness: transparency, credibility, accountability and honesty to find out whether these traits are more likely to be adopted by female leaders during episodes of disruption.
Design/methodology/approach
Regression estimation of perceived trustworthy leadership values using a survey of full-time employed men and women in management working for various organizations.
Findings
Honesty emerged as the highest rated trait overall, both in the respondents’ self-measure and in their reflected level of desirability. However, women described their honesty as higher than how men relayed their honesty score. Both genders rated their own transparency as their lowest scoring trait and treated it as the least important of the desired traits. Relative to men, not only do women espouse to greater levels of honesty and value it more but they also appear to embrace honesty in their desired behaviors more highly.
Research limitations/implications
A natural extension of this study is to design a longitudinal study to show causality or whether socialized gender differences, in fact, play a role in measuring the value of trustworthy leadership during disruptions.
Practical implications
Understanding self-perceptions of leaders’ efficacy and desired expectations helps prepare both current and future leaders to regain followers’ trust, especially during disruptions. Lessons learned to date require investments in building awareness of leaders’ perceptions of trustworthiness and developing relevant skills for dealing with disruptions.
Originality/value
This research adds further insight to leadership studies by establishing a linkage between characteristics of trustworthy leadership and the ability to lead in challenging times. Cultivating traits of transparency, accountability, credibility and honesty enables leaders to develop the skills needed to be viewed as trustworthy and be prepared for the unexpected.
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Milos Bujisic, Yizhi “Ian” Li and Anil Bilgihan
This study investigates the dual roles of emotion and cognition in shaping customer experiences within the hospitality sector, examining their distinct impacts on the formation of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the dual roles of emotion and cognition in shaping customer experiences within the hospitality sector, examining their distinct impacts on the formation of customer loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
Employing a sequential exploratory mixed-method design, this research integrates qualitative interviews with eighteen hospitality managers and a quantitative survey involving 595 customers to develop and validate a new instrument measuring affective and cognitive experiential states for general hospitality consumers.
Findings
The study's results reveal that emotional experiences strongly correlate with affective loyalty, while cognitive experiences significantly influence cognitive loyalty. The study contributes to the existing literature by introducing a robust instrument that effectively captures the experiential dimensions, offering insights into customer loyalty formation.
Research limitations/implications
The reliance on retrospective self-reporting in the quantitative phase may introduce recall bias, potentially limiting the precision of the findings. Future research should seek to mitigate this by employing real-time data capture methods.
Practical implications
The newly developed measurement tool presents a practical solution for industry professionals aiming to enhance customer experience management by focusing on both affective and cognitive aspects, thus facilitating targeted strategies to cultivate customer loyalty. The implications for service design suggest that both emotional and cognitive elements must be considered to optimize customer experiences and drive loyalty.
Originality/value
This work advances the theoretical understanding of customer experience by distinguishing between its affective and cognitive dimensions and their respective contributions to loyalty. It offers a validated empirical tool, setting a foundation for future investigations.
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