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Predicting commodity futures trading volumes represents an important matter to policymakers and a wide spectrum of market participants. The purpose of this study is to concentrate on the energy sector and explore the trading volume prediction issue for the thermal coal futures traded in Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange in China with daily data spanning January 2016–December 2020.

The nonlinear autoregressive neural network is adopted for this purpose and prediction performance is examined based upon a variety of settings over algorithms for model estimations, numbers of hidden neurons and delays and ratios for splitting the trading volume series into training, validation and testing phases.

A relatively simple model setting is arrived at that leads to predictions of good accuracy and stabilities and maintains small prediction errors up to the 99.273th quantile of the observed trading volume.

The results could, on one hand, serve as standalone technical trading volume predictions. They could, on the other hand, be combined with different (fundamental) prediction results for forming perspectives of trading trends and carrying out policy analysis.

As economies have reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic, resumption of pre-pandemic normalcy in work has not been uniform. For each worker and leader, an essential question is whether the world of work has changed irreversibly, or if prior careers and business models can be resumed. A philosophical inquiry into theories of the world of work provides a framing that separates everyday changes from systems changes.

A metatheoretical approach to world theories from 1942 is revisited. Attention is drawn to systems of knowledge along the dimensions of analytic-deductive treatments, and dispersive-integrative treatments. Socio-Technical Systems relate to Organicism, and Socio-Ecological Systems relate to Contextualism. Reworking a processual philosophy, an alternative World Hypothesis is proposed.

(Con)texturalism-dyadicism reframes causal texture theory as (1) rhythmic pacing; (2) dyadic diachrony; and (3) transformative reifying. New insights into the effects with the onset and passing of the pandemic disruption are gained.

Updating systems theories of socio-technical and socio-ecological perspectives invokes a post-colonial constructivist philosophy that appreciates roots in American pragmatism, ecological anthropology, and Chinese philosophy of science. The emphasis of systems rhythms prioritizes a processual orientation, compatible with a yinyang material-immaterial onto-epistemology.

As the world recovers from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the changed nature of work is only one of many aspects that been altered. Systems perspectives both of parts inside an organization (i.e. socio-technical individuals in groups) and wholes alongside other wholes (i.e. socio-ecological groups co-responding with their (con)textures) are not independent, but interrelated. Disruption of work systems may result in only incremental adaptation for some, with transformative shifts in world theory for others. Recognizing that organizations change from within, persistent pathologies may be diagnosed.

Systems theories of work from the 1960s were based on pragmatism from the 1940s. The metatheoretical contextualism of Stephen C. Pepper is complemented by a 21st century constructivist philosophy that is post-colonial and non-anthropocentric. Reifying organizational systems theories for audiences founded on a Western philosophy of science requires extended explanations bridging over to a non-Western (i.e. Classical Chinese) lineage.

This research introduces a service-oriented and decentralised application (Dapp), TrustyChain, which implements the innovations connected to blockchain technology (BT) and cryptocurrencies to facilitate the application of smart contracts throughout an entire supply chain. The application is designed to impact supply chain performances, optimising transaction costs and lead time while leveraging network economies to generate a competitive advantage.

In conducting our research, we developed a case study by adopting Yin’s methodological framework and offering an as-is/to-be scenario. Linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the impact on the target variables.

This study demonstrates how blockchain-based DApp innovations enhance information flow and optimise transaction costs by resolving the challenges associated with purchase and sale decisions. Specifically, the adoption of TrustyChain has underscored the strengthened structural alignment of exchange processes among supply chain participants, significantly improving transparency, traceability and operational efficiency.

This study provides valuable insights for managers and practitioners, facilitating the understanding of the DApp implementation process and increasing the likelihood of effective application, which is essential for establishing a sustainable supply chain network. Additionally, our research emphasises the critical role of innovations in advancing supply chain transparency and efficiency while also shedding light on their substantial influence on trust dynamics within supply chains. Finally, this work opens new avenues for exploration, underscoring the need to investigate the evolving paradigm of trust in the context of BT.

This study contributes to the existing literature on the DApp ecosystem by conducting an empirical investigation on a DApp’s impact on the transparency, traceability and efficiency of an entire supply chain. Currently, there is limited research available that measures the level of efficiency and effectiveness that can be attained through stakeholder participation in a DApp network.

This paper aims to explain the factors shaping collective action within low-cost housing communities, focusing on parcel holders, through the utilisation of an expanded institutional analysis development (IAD) framework, which extends upon Ostrom’s foundational framework. Additionally, the paper explores four different property management approaches accessible to these communities.

The research employed a mixed-method approach comprising four sequential steps. Firstly, a quantitative inquiry entailed a questionnaire survey administered to 633 parcel holders across four low-cost housing schemes, aimed at discerning factors influencing collective action. Subsequently, a qualitative investigation involved face-to-face interviews with key stakeholders to elucidate the contributing factors of collective action, with a specific focus on Nursa Kurnia (a successful low-cost housing scheme comprising 200 units), accessible via Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road II. Thirdly, the study explored the social practice of “commoning the governance”. Lastly, the paper advocated for housing policy interventions, specifically proposing government subsidies for lower-income parcel holders.

Exemplified by the success of Nursa Kurnia, the research findings emphasised the importance of shifting local management’s mindset from a zero-sum approach to a win-win perspective. It highlighted the pivotal role of four factors (resource system, governance system, context and historical development) in shaping collective action and fostering improved property management practices. Moreover, the study highlighted the potential of “commoning the governance” as a new approach capable of addressing collective action challenges in low-cost housing management, presenting a promising avenue for future endeavours.

As more studies utilising the expanded IAD framework become available in the future, there is potential for further refinement and enhancement of the framework.

This study offers valuable insights for policymakers, property developers, local management and local communities, shedding light on challenges associated with the self-organisation of shared resources. Moreover, it highlights the potential of “commoning the governance” as a new property management approach to mitigate the impact of collective action problems.

The well-being of society’s most vulnerable segment is indicative of the overall societal health. This underscores the significance of addressing the interests and needs of these lower-income groups within the broader social context.

Exploring collective action within the context of self-organising low-cost housing, the study delves into an area marked by persistent challenges like free-riding tendencies and vandalism. Despite significant attention given to collective action issues in the past, the novel approach of “commoning the governance” remains unexamined in the realm of low-cost housing maintenance and management.

This paper aims to investigate how institutional entrepreneurs in a mature field acquire different forms of legitimacy through various narrative strategies, as revealed by a historical analysis of the Late Qing Dynasty of China. Specifically, the study seeks to illuminate the narrative techniques employed by these entrepreneurs to build multi-level legitimacies for their new systems during the national crises of the late 19th century.

This study employs a qualitative approach based on three historical case studies of Westernization, namely advocates, reformists and revolutionaries during the Late Qing Dynasty of China. It delves into the institutional entrepreneurial activities of these groups, investigating how they navigated and influenced their sociopolitical context through narrative strategies.

The findings reveal that institutional entrepreneurs utilize various narrative techniques to build legitimacy. These include (1) modifying and disseminating narratives at the proper time, (2) ascribing their proposed system to cultural tradition by reinterpreting classical works and (3) offering understandable and concrete promises to stakeholders. The study also identifies an evolving pattern of narratives underpinned by mutual learning and continuous iteration among different factions of institutional entrepreneurs.

This paper adds new insights to the literature on institutional entrepreneurs and, more broadly, to institutional research literature by advancing our understanding of the discursive dynamics underlying institutional changes. It unveils the complex interplay of narrative techniques and legitimacy building in the context of societal and institutional upheaval, providing a nuanced understanding of the role of narratives in institutional entrepreneurship.

Though there is literature on green collaboration to supplier selections, there are hardly any empirical studies that analyze collaborative networks toward green supplier selection (GSS) from the perspective of green relational capital (GRC). Therefore, this study aims to fill this research gap by analyzing the development of collaboration toward GSS through the lenses of GRC. Also, this study explores how collaboration between institutions and their relevant green stakeholders, framed through the lens of GRC influences the selection of green suppliers.

This study uses an exploratory case study approach involving public universities in Ghana. This study is based on interviews conducted with 27 key respondents across seven universities. A purposive sampling technique was used in selecting respondents who were interviewed face-to-face with a semi-structured interview guide. Atlas ti software was used to generate themes for discussion.

This study’s findings suggest that the reason green criteria are not integrated into supplier selection is due to an insufficient collaboration among relevant green stakeholders. Through green training workshops, conferences, continuous professional development and affiliation with professional bodies, procurement practitioners can develop a collaborative network among themselves to promote the integration of green sustainability into supplier selection. Constructs that help to establish strong collaborative network identified in this study include trust and consistency, mutual benefits, obvious intentions and effective communication.

This study identified constructs promoting effective green collaboration toward the adoption of GSS. These constructs as identified in this study, provide a clear means of developing green collaboration among relevant stakeholders. By fostering and developing collaboration, the main construct of GRC, institutions can successfully integrate green sustainability into their supplier selection process, leading to long-term benefits for both the environment and the institution.

Collaboration toward integration of green sustainability into supplier selection necessitates engagement with various relevant green stakeholders, including suppliers, customers, government bodies, colleagues in sister institutions and environmental advocacy groups. This fosters a sense of shared responsibility and collective action toward sustainability goals.

This study offers empirical evidence on the impact of collaboration on supplier selection and green sustainability performance, contributing to the existing body of literature. By analyzing collaboration, a perspective of GRC, toward the integration of green sustainability into supplier selection is considered as a novel study.

The purpose of this study is to explore the interfacial adhesion between superhydrophobic coatings FC-X (X = 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) and the concrete substrate, along with the impact of FC-X on the water repellency characteristics of the concrete substrate.

One synthetic step was adopted to prepare novel F-SiO₂ NP hybrid fluororesin coating. The impact of varying mass fractions of F-SiO₂ NPs on the superhydrophobicity of FC-X was analyzed and subsequently confirmed through water contact angle (WCA) measurements. Superhydrophobic coatings were simply applied to the concrete substrate using a one-step spraying method. The interfacial adhesion between FC-X and the concrete substrate was analyzed using tape pasting tests and abrasion resistance measurements. The influence of FC-X on the water repellency of the concrete substrate was investigated through measurements of water absorption, impermeability and electric flux.

FC-4% exhibits excellent superhydrophobicity, with a WCA of 157.5° and a sliding angle of 2.3°. Compared to control sample, FC-X exhibits better properties, including chemical durability, wear resistance, adhesion strength, abrasion resistance, water resistance and impermeability.

This study offers a thorough investigation into the practical implications of enhancing the durability and water repellency of concrete substrates by using superhydrophobic coatings, particularly FC-4%, which demonstrates exceptional superhydrophobicity alongside remarkable chemical durability, wear resistance, adhesion strength, abrasion resistance, water resistance and impermeability.

Through the examination of the interfacial adhesion between FC-X and the concrete substrate, along with an assessment of FC-X’s impact on the water repellency of the concrete, this paper provides valuable insights into the practical application of superhydrophobic coatings in enhancing the durability and performance of concrete materials.

This study aims to review recent conceptualizations and theories of organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and its role in the energy transition from Malaysia’s perspective. It examines how factors of OCB, such as individual values, attitudes, motivations, leadership style, organizational culture and policies, affect the energy transition process. The research findings have implications for future studies on energy transition, highlighting the role of OCB in shaping the country’s strategies, addressing challenges and contributing to the transition process.

This study conducts a narrative review of past literature and documents OCB in the context of energy transition; factors influencing OCB (individual, organizational and external factors); OCB in the context of energy transition; and insights into energy transition in Malaysian organizations.

This study finds support in the literature for the impact of OCB on energy transition efforts from the Malaysian perspective. OCB, which extends beyond formal role expectations, can significantly support the effective implementation of energy policies and contribute to organizational objectives. By encouraging OCB within organizations, Malaysia can facilitate the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency practices, thereby playing a crucial role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and advancing the energy transition, instilling hope for a more sustainable future.

This study encourages future research to explore the relationship between discussed variables and their impact on OCB, which is crucial for organizational policies aimed at advancing the energy transition in Malaysia. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on OCB within the context of energy transition and provide a foundation for further related research.

This study proposes a novel algorithm based on the finite volume method for simulating groundwater flows and presents the practical application of this method in geotechnical engineering.

The matrix-free implicit iteration method based on the finite volume method and preconditioning conjugate gradient algorithm was used to discretize and solve the groundwater seepage governing equation. Implicit residual smoothing and GPU parallel techniques were utilized to speed up the computation with the solver.

The new method was assessed and evaluated using benchmark and typical infiltration cases. Both the analytical solutions and solutions of the commercial software GEO-Studio were used to verify the accuracy of the proposed algorithm. The speedup performance of the GPU parallel algorithm was also well reflected.

The results demonstrate that the new algorithm is simple and practical, with fast convergence and high accuracy and can satisfy engineering application requirements.

Considering the significance of the human resource management (HRM) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) relationship, the aim of this research is twofold: first is to measure the cultural differences between HRM, CSR and sustainable performance relationship (study 1) and second is to identify the how HRM instigates CSR and sustainable performance (study 2) in the hospitality industry of UK and Pakistan.

A mixed-method approach was used to collect the qualitative and quantitative data from upscale hotels. In Study 1, a multi-respondent and time-lagged strategy was employed to collect the data from 162 Pakistani and 290 UK upscale hotels. In Study 2, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand the HRM–CSR–performance nexus.

The results of Study 1 highlight the significant cultural differences in the relationships of HRM–CSR–performance, while Study 2 explains that ethical culture, shared objectives, transparency, training and development, and economic incentives are the factors that push the employees to take part in CSR-related activities and attaining higher sustainable performance.

This study addresses the debate on the difference between cross-cultural studies related to implementing Western theories in shaping, developing and implementing business strategies, including CSR, HRM and sustainable performance in an Asian context.