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Our study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance decision-making processes to promote circular economy practices within the utility sector.

A unique case study of Alia Servizi Ambientali Spa, an Italian multi-utility company using AI for waste management, is analyzed using the Gioia method and semi-structured interviews.

Our study discovers the proactive role of the user in waste management processes, the importance of economic incentives to increase the usefulness of the technology and the role of AI in waste management transformation processes (e.g. glass waste).

The present study enhances the circular economy model (transformation, distribution and recovery), uncovering AI’s role in waste management. Finally, we inspire managers with algorithms used for data-driven decisions.

This paper aims to evaluate the evolution of the organizational field in the Colombian coffee industry between 1960 and 2020 and explain how peripheral actors influenced institutional change.

The methods analyze historical processes from a hermeneutical and interpretative perspective. The authors used data collection techniques through interviews, archive data, publications and media reports, embracing an interdisciplinary and qualitative documentary approach. This approach helps the authors unravel the temporal dimensions of the historical discourse related to coffee and the involvement of various actors within organizational structures.

The authors found that, unlike the literature regarding the change in organizational fields, recently, within the coffee sector in Colombia, the institutional work of peripheral actors (small producers, local associative groups and coffee women, among others) is changing the field as follows: (1) women are changing traditional behaviors moving from hierarchical family structures and lack of gender awareness, to empowered, horizontal and sustained relationships, (2) indigenous people include rituals and other traditional practices in coffee production and (3) ex-guerrilla members are helping to strengthen the peace process implementation in Colombia through coffee production.

The authors did not conduct statistical or computational analysis to simulate the emergence of new organizational forms. Instead, the authors attempted to elucidate narratives and discourses that reflect the tensions between central and peripheral actors from a historical perspective.

This study seeks to help leaders and managers overcome processes or organizational change in which peripheral actors are crucial. From that perspective, allocating resources and capabilities can become more effective.

This paper offers a new perspective of change within organizational fields from the roles of peripheral actors, which are fundamental in change processes within organizational fields, especially in the global south, where tensions between elites and vulnerable people are familiar.

The purpose of this study is to assess and contrast the impact of various factors, including both bank-specific and macroeconomic factors, on the financial performance of Islamic and conventional banks (I&CB) in countries with a dual banking system.

A general least square model is applied to a large data set of 103 I&CB operating in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, comprising unbalanced annual panel data spanning the period from 2015 to 2020. The financial performance index (FPI) derived from capital adequacy, asset quality, management efficiency, earnings, and liquidity (CAMEL) ratios is used as the dependent variable.

Key factors, such as overhead expenses, gross domestic product (GDP) and retained earnings, exert a substantial influence on the financial performance of both I&CB. Moreover, the findings suggest that certain parameters, including deposits, inflation and cellular banking usage, significantly impact on the financial performance of conventional banks, while bank size specifically affects the financial performance of Islamic banks.

While this study provides valuable insights, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations. The research focuses on a specific region (MENA) and may not be universally applicable to other geographical areas or banking systems. The study’s findings are based on historical data and might not fully reflect current or future market conditions. Additionally, the choice of variables and methodology may introduce bias or limitations, as with any empirical study. The theoretical implications of the research paper lie in the distinct ethical principles that constitute the foundation of Islamic finance. The ethical opposition to Riba is poised to have extensive implications, influencing market stability, commercial and economic impact and contributing to responsible banking practices within the Islamic banking sector. The study suggests that adherence to these sacred principles not only aligns with ethical considerations but also fosters social responsibility within Islamic banking institutions. This holds significance for broader societal and economic impacts, as responsible banking practices contribute to sustainable and equitable economic development.

The study underscores the significance of efficient overhead cost management for conventional banks, particularly in the context of a rapidly evolving digital banking environment. The call for adaptation and innovation in operational strategies aligns with the broader principles of efficiency and effectiveness emphasized in Islamic finance.

In essence, the theoretical and practical implications of the study surpass the narrow focus on financial performance, resonating with the broader societal and economic landscape within the Islamic banking sector. The integration of ethical principles not only reinforces the unique identity of Islamic finance but also positions it as a model for responsible and sustainable banking practices in the MENA region and beyond.

CAMEL ratios are used to build an FPI to evaluate bank performance, providing a more precise and comprehensive assessment compared to traditional return ratios like return on assets or return on equity. Second, the authors conduct a thorough analysis covering factors across bank-specific, financial and macroeconomic dimensions. Thus, the study stands out by not only examining bank-specific factors but also by considering external factors such as GDP, interest rates and the development of the financial sector. The focus on the MENA region allows us to offer generalizable findings, highlighting distinctions between I&CB and considering a period with boom years (2015–2019) and a recession year (2020).

The purpose of this paper is to characterize a new structural bi-matirial (scaffold and filler).

The bi-matirial has been obtained by means of an additive manufacturing system consisting of a fused filament fabrication extruder head and an epoxy resin depositor head. The new bi-matirial will consist of a thermoplastic material that will serve as the main structure and an epoxy resin that will serve as a filler and adhesion between layers. The creation of this new bi-matirial will improve the physical–chemical and mechanical properties with respect to the thermoplastic material. This paper will focus on the impact behavior of IZOD and the impact behavior of punctures.

The new polylactic acid (PLA) and epoxy bi-matirial allow improvements in toughness and puncture impact resistance compared to the PLA thermoplastic. This increase in toughness is between 20% and 30% depending on the orientation of the print. In the same way, the energy absorbed in the puncture impact test has been increased by 42%–48%.

The improvement in the impact absorption capacity of this new bi-matirial makes it ideal for the manufacture of medical parts in which customization, lightness and impact resistance are their main characteristics such as sports protection systems.

The originality of creating parts through additive manufacturing that combines a material generated with cold extrusion, such as epoxy resin and a material generated with hot extrusion, such as thermoplastics, lies in the unique synergy that this mixed and simultaneous technique offers. By uniting these two manufacturing methods, it allows the exploration of new physical and chemical properties in the resulting parts, taking advantage of the individual advantages of each material. This combination opens the door to the creation of components with a wider range of characteristics, from strength and durability to flexibility and temperature resistance, thus offering innovative and versatile solutions for various applications in fields such as engineering, medicine and design.