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In recent years, the development of metaheuristic algorithms for solving optimization problems within a reasonable timeframe has garnered significant attention from the global scientific community. In this work, a new metaheuristic algorithm inspired by the inflection mechanism of the avian influenza virus H5N1 in poultry and humans, taking into account its mutation mechanism, called H5N1.

This algorithm aims to explore optimal solutions for optimization problems by simulating the adaptive behavior and evolutionary process of the H5N1 virus, thereby enhancing the algorithm’s performance for all types of optimization problems. Additionally, a balanced stochastic probability mechanism derived from the infection probability is presented. Using this mechanism, the H5N1 algorithm can change its phrase, including exploitation and exploration phases. Two versions of H5N1, SH5N1 and MH5N1, are presented to solve single-objective optimization problems (SOPs) and multi-objective optimization problems (MOPs).

The performance of the algorithm is evaluated using a set of benchmark functions, including seven unimodal, six multimodal, ten fixed-dimension multimodal to solve SOPs, ZDT functions and CEC2009 has been used to demonstrate its superiority over other recent algorithms. Finally, six optimization engineering problems have been tested. The results obtained indicate that the proposed algorithm outperformed ten algorithms in SOPs and seven algorithms in MOPs.

The experimental findings demonstrate the outstanding convergence of the H5N1 algorithm and its ability to generate solutions of superior quality.

Entrepreneurship of universities has a critical role due to its important effects. However, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding the methodology for evaluating university entrepreneurship. Evaluating university entrepreneurship provides valuable information to policymakers and governments. This research presents an evaluation methodology for assessing university entrepreneurship using a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach.

For this purpose, entrepreneurship data of 50 universities from Türkiye were used. The evaluation framework consists of 4 main criteria and 23 sub-criteria. The importance level was determined by weighting the main criterion and sub-criteria with the subjective Best-Worst Method (BWM) based on expert opinions and the objective CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method. The importance levels were determined by weighting the main and sub-criteria using the subjective BWM based on expert opinions and the objective CRITIC method. The final rankings were obtained by integrating the different ranking values obtained with the Borda function.

Findings revealed that the most important main criterion in the entrepreneurship of universities is economic and social contribution activities, and the most important sub-criterion is international patents. The proposed method ranked all universities according to entrepreneurship. Sensitivity and validation analyses proved that the method is robust, stable and consistent.

This study also provides a new perspective to policymakers and decision-makers in evaluating university entrepreneurship.

This study, which uses a hybrid approach of MCDM methods to evaluate the entrepreneurship of universities, can be adapted to different national and regional higher education systems, and this study provides guidance to researchers in this regard.

Nowadays, an analysis of the circumstances that have led to the development of specific industries within regional entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) is extremely relevant. The chapter carries out a twofold analysis, in order to fully explore the reasons that have led to the creation of a specific industrial district. On the one hand, the tissue paper industry in the Italian province of Lucca is analysed through a qualitative approach; on the other hand, the contextual traits of the Toscana EE influencing firm performance are investigated through using a quantitative research approach. This mixed research analysis provides some important hints. First, it helps to understand how systemic, framework and human conditions affect firm performance. Second, it examines how historical, social, and economic factors have shaped regional industries. Through an in-depth analysis, the chapter provides theoretical and empirical insights into the dynamics that affect industrial transformation in response to globalisation, technological innovation, and changing market demands. After completing the chapter, readers will understand how knowledge, collaboration, and shared resources drive regional competitiveness. Through the qualitative analysis, readers will be aware of the tissue paper industry evolution. The combination with the quantitative study allows us to capture the different drivers swaying firm performance, such as infrastructure, innovation capacity, and institutional support. Therefore, the use of empirical data enables for a more objective assessment of the earlier contextual elements, revealing trends and patterns that may not be immediately evident through qualitative analysis.

The study examines the production, operational, technological, environmental, economic and financial risks affecting agribusinesses. The primary objective is to identify and prioritise the barriers to the humanitarian system's operational dynamics that focus on indemnifying the farmers' income in India.

The integrated interpretive structural modelling (ISM)-fuzzy analytical network process (FANP) approach systematically analyses the dynamic interrelationships among barriers, offering a comprehensive framework for agribusiness risk management. The barriers are identified by synthesising literature with the PSALSAR framework. The 18 barriers are clustered into five groups based on phases: planning, designing, execution, implementation and disbursement. The ISM constructs structural hierarchies to identify the interactions among these barriers, while FANP quantifies and establishes the interlinkages between them.

The proposed model's results reveal that “Skewed Stakeholder Engagement and Data-Deficient Ecosystem” are the most severe barriers to the humanitarian system's operational dynamics. By highlighting the significance of these obstacles, the study contributes to a targeted approach for optimizing resource allocation and enhancing the resilience of humanitarian operations.

Findings enable decision-makers to design more effective interventions and improve operational workflows, particularly essential in contexts with limited resources and pressing time constraints. The study suggests collaboration between humanitarian organisations, governments and stakeholders in developing strategies for addressing barriers.

The study investigates barriers to the dynamic settings of humanitarian operations within the agricultural sector. The research employs a novel approach to analysing the barriers across the various phases of the humanitarian system operating in distinct political, environmental and social settings.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) signals a new chapter in the realm of digital transformation, presenting significant implications for businesses globally. With rapid advancements in technology and the widespread impact of AI, maintaining competitiveness in various industries is met with growing challenges. This piece explores the concept of Industry 5.0, where robots work in harmony with human intelligence, ushering in a new era of collaborative manufacturing.

It investigates the integration of AI into Marketing 5.0 strategies, highlighting its crucial role in helping companies transition towards AI as a Service. The article also outlines the benefits and considerations of Industry 5.0, offering insights into the potential implications for manufacturers. Additionally, recent advancements tailored for Industry 5.0 applications and environments are elucidated.

The conversation also touches on how Industry 5.0 will affect manufacturing industries and the economy as a whole. It highlights the opportunities it could bring for businesses, rather than focusing on the potential job displacement. Industry 5.0 is seen as a powerful force that will drive economic growth and increase productivity in manufacturing. It emphasises the important relationship between human creativity, technological advancement and industrial advancement.

Through the reconstruction of the events of some foreign entrepreneurs who worked in the territory of the Italian city of Bari in the first half of the 19th century, this paper aims to analyze the role of entrepreneurial migration in the economic development of Apulia land in this period.

This study adopts a theoretical framework that combines the concept of mixed embeddedness in a multifocal perspective, with the model of the diffusion of innovation focusing on the role of the so-called agency of actors, and of the network, in the dissemination of innovation. The theoretical framework is applied to multiple case studies to compare the evidence that emerged from the simultaneous analysis of several situations.

By analyzing how innovations have spread within the network of entrepreneurs of that time, it is possible to identify some relevant aspects related to the mechanisms of dissemination of innovations in the context of entrepreneurial migration. Specifically, the opportunity structure is intended in an even broader sense than indicated in the classic approach to mixed embeddedness: it is considered as the result of the joint interaction of the political, institutional and economic context of several places, and the behavioral dynamics of several groups.

Due to the specific method chosen, the outcomes of the research might apply to a narrow context. Therefore, the results need to be tested and confirmed in further empirical studies, and by applying multiple research methods.

Findings are useful and significant in the analysis of the link that exists between the diffusion of innovations and migrant entrepreneurship, and then the conclusions can be applied and extended to the current phenomenon of migration-related innovations, with specific reference to developing countries.

Findings can be applied and extended to the current phenomenon of migration-related innovations and highly skilled migration, with specific reference to developing countries.

This paper contributes to shed new light on the contextual and multifocal factors that influence the development of innovations in the networks of migrant entrepreneurship, in a specific historical period and a specific context. Combining social, human and financial capital with the wider opportunity structure, this study also provides a comprehensive understanding of the modalities through which migrant and high-skilled entrepreneurs could innovate.

This study aims to investigate the effects of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on Italian hospitality sector. The investigation attempts to explain whether hotel performance drops when the perceived economic uncertainty increases in the period 2018–2022.

The study examines the impact of EPU on hotel performance in a sample of 661 Italian luxury hotels. To establish the relationship between EPU and hotel performance, we employ the generalized estimating equations (GEE) technique on 3,305 hotel-year observations.

The results show that EPU has a negative impact on hotel performance. More specifically, the analysis reveals that EPU is negatively and significantly related to the revenue per available room (REVPAR), average daily rate (ADR) and hotel occupancy (OCCR). We also look at the role of hotel brand chain affiliation and the moderating effect of conference space and hotel wellness services on the relationship between EPU and hotel performance.

Results provide new evidence for academics to critically evaluate the behavior of luxury hotels under uncertain economic conditions. The investigation offers valuable information also for government, tourism policymakers, tourist hotel owners, hoteliers and tourism managers in their decision-making.

This study provides strategic implications for practitioners and operators in hospitality industry to evaluate the factors ensuring hotel profitability in periods of EPU.

This paper provides interesting insights into the characteristics and practices of profitable hotels in Italy. Few econometric studies empirically explored the effects of EPU in the hospitality field so far and no prior study investigated this topic in the Italian hospitality sector. Therefore, this paper tries to close an important gap in the existing literature improving the understanding of EPU in the Italian hospitality industry.

In the growing esports landscape, understanding esports players’ motivations and behaviors is crucial to academics and practitioners. However, research on what motivates individuals to play esports and their effects on players’ affective engagement and behavioral responses remain limited. Drawing on the uses and gratifications (U&G) theory, this study explores key motivations that drive players to play esports and examines how these factors influence players’ affective engagement and intentions to continue playing.

A qualitative study using open-ended essays with 60 Taiwanese esports players was conducted to identify key factors motivating individuals to play esports. Subsequently, a quantitative survey with 328 esports players was undertaken to test the research model using structural equation modeling.

The qualitative results identified five key motivations (i.e. entertainment, escapism, achievement, self-presentation and social interaction), which were classified into utilitarian, hedonic and social gratifications. The quantitative analysis results revealed that all identified motivations positively influenced two dimensions of affective engagement (i.e. dedication and enthusiasm), which, in turn, led to esports continuance intention.

This study demonstrates the power of the U&G theory in identifying different gratifications associated with esports. Furthermore, by using a mixed-method approach incorporating both qualitative and quantitative techniques, this study offers a fresh perspective on esports-related research. The findings provide practical guidance for game developers and marketers to sustain player engagement, fostering sustainable growth in the esports industry.

This study aims to analyze whether the Barcelona markets integrated with Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.

This study uses the unit root tests with multiple structural breaks under both the null and alternative hypotheses proposed by Carrion-i-Silvestre et al. (2009) and Harvey et al. (2013). These tests are robust to multiple unknown breaks in the series.

The results suggest that the Barcelona wheat markets integrated with some European cities during the 18th century.

The results are important because they highlight the importance of considering nonlinearities and structural breaks in the series to study market integration with historical perspective. Contrary to the results obtained using conventional unit root tests, when this study applies unit root tests robust to structural breaks in the series, it finds that the law of one price holds in some cases.

This paper aims to examine Frederick W. Taylor’s role in institutionalising scientific management through the lens of institutional entrepreneurship. By analysing Taylor’s efforts in disrupting existing management norms and introducing new practices, this study provides insights into how his actions catalysed institutional change and the broader implications for management practices.

This research uses a socio-historical narrative analysis integrating historical research and the Institutional Entrepreneurship framework to explore Taylor’s role as an institutional entrepreneur, focusing on how he challenged and transformed the dominant management practices of his time.

This study reveals that Taylor successfully acted as an institutional entrepreneur by leveraging his social status and navigating field-level conditions like technological disruptions and labour demands. He strategically gathered allies, mobilised resources and overcame opposition from other stakeholders to legitimise scientific management. His actions also transformed work environments, including increasing the female workforce and mechanising clerical operations.

This paper opens avenues for further research into the role of institutional entrepreneurs in management history and the broader implications of their actions. It calls for more studies on the intersection of agency and institutional structures in shaping organisational practices.

Understanding Taylor’s role as an institutional entrepreneur provides modern managers with insights into how innovative management practices can be successfully implemented in the face of resistance.

This research provides a unique perspective on scientific management by integrating historical research with the Institutional Entrepreneurship framework, which has been largely underused in studies of Taylor’s work. It offers a fresh analysis of Taylor’s influence on management practices and highlights his role in institutionalising divergent change.