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This article presents a history of the visual merchandising of American firearms from the mid-19th century until the present day. Although the scholarly literature has investigated visual representations of guns in advertising and popular media, it has paid far less attention to how sellers have displayed these objects at or near the point of purchase.

Primary sources include frescoes, engravings and photographs, plus papers, advertising and illustrations in popular newspapers and trade magazines. These and other period visual data are supplemented by secondary sources from a variety of fields, especially retailing and firearms history.

Evidence shows that American firearms were merchandised visually by Samuel Colt at three world expositions in the 1850s, by gunmakers and retailers in the latter 19th century, by Winchester and Remington dealers in the 1920s and 1930s, by high- and low-end retailers in New York in the first half of the 20th century and by gun stores, auctions and shows up to the present day.

The history of visual merchandising generally has focused upon major department stores, their alluring street-front windows and their fancy interior displays. This research explores past and present visual merchandising of firearms by manufacturers and smaller retailers. To the best of the author’s knowledge, it is the first such history of the subject.

In the era of climate change, the need to ensure that buildings are energy efficient cannot be overemphasised. Studies have shown that building retrofitting can improve energy efficiency (EE) and sustainability. There may be hindrances to retrofitting for energy efficiency. Extant literature and policy documents on Zimbabwe suggest a better framework to help stakeholders manage their existing buildings by addressing challenges and policy inconsistencies. This study appraises and critically discusses the challenges facing retrofitting Zimbabwe’s buildings for energy efficiency.

The research adopted a quantitative research design using a questionnaire survey distributed to the respondents knowledgeable in building retrofitting and energy efficiency in Zimbabwe. The data were analysed through various statistical approaches (descriptive and inferential). The inferential tests include the Shapiro–Wilk test, Kruskal–Wallis H-test, exploratory factor analysis and heterotrait-monotrait ratio analysis to develop the structural equation model that validated the challenges for retrofitting buildings.

The results revealed the challenges of retrofitting buildings for EE in Zimbabwe, and a structural equation model was developed that clustered the key challenges into three main groups. This includes inadequate finance to invest in energy, outdated building by-laws and the unavailability of raw materials to achieve energy efficiency.

By appraising the challenges facing retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency in Zimbabwe, this study provides insights into the contextual factors that can enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in other developing countries. The study’s practical implications will positively impact the Green Building Council and other stakeholders interested in improving energy efficiency in the built environment.

This study investigated the attitudes and concerns of Saudi higher educational institution (HEI) academics about privacy and security in online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Online Questionnaire questionnaire was designed to explore Saudi HEI academic’s attitudes and concerns about privacy and security issues in online teaching. The questionnaire asked about attitudes and concerns held before the pandemic and since the pandemic. The questionnaire included four sections. At the beginning of the questionnaire, participants were asked what the phrase “online privacy and security” meant to them, to gain an initial understanding of what it meant to academics. A definition for what we intended for the survey was then provided: “that a person’s data, including their identity, is not accessible to anyone other than themselves and others whom they have authorised and that their computing devices work properly and are free from unauthorised interference” (based on my reading of a range of sources, e.g. Schatz et al., 2017; Steinberg, 2019; NCS; Windley, 2005). This was to ensure that participants did understand what I was asking about in subsequent sections.

This study investigated the attitudes and concerns of Saudi HEI academics about privacy and security in online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings provide several key insights: Key aspects of online privacy and security for Saudi HEI academics: Saudi HEI academic’s notion of online privacy and security is about the protection of personal data, preventing unauthorized access to data and ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of data. This underscores the significance of robust measures to safeguard sensitive information in online teaching, but also the need to make academics aware of the other aspects of online privacy and security. Potential to improve policies and training about online privacy and security in Saudi HEIs: Although many participants were aware of the online privacy and security policies of their HEI, only a small percentage had received training in this area. Thus, there is a need to improve the development and dissemination of policies and to provide academics with appropriate training in this area and encourage them to take available training. Use of videoconferencing and chat technologies and cultural sensitivities: The study highlighted moderate levels of concern among Saudi HEI academics regarding the use of videoconferencing and online chat technologies, and their concerns about cultural factors around the use of these technologies. This emphasizes the need for online teaching and the growing use of technologies in such teaching to respect cultural norms and preferences, highlighting the importance of fostering a culturally sensitive approach to technology deployment and use. Surprising low webcam use: An unexpected finding is the low use of webcams by both academics and students during online teaching sessions, prompting a need for a deeper understanding of the dynamics surrounding webcam engagement in such sessions. This calls for a reevaluation of the effectiveness of webcam use in the teaching process and underscores the importance of exploring methods for enhancing engagement and interaction in online teaching. In summary, this paper investigated the attitudes and concerns about privacy and security in the online teaching of Saudi HEI academics during the coronavirus pandemic. The study reveals areas where further research and policy development can enhance the online teaching experience. As the education landscape continues to evolve, institutions must remain proactive in addressing the concerns of their academics while fostering a culturally sensitive approach to technology deployment.

One limitation of this study is the relatively small qualitative data sample, despite the adequate size of the sample including 36 academics from various Saudi Arabian HEIs for quantitative analysis. It was necessary to make the most of the open-ended questions optional – participants did not have to answer about concerns if they did not want to, as we did not want to make the questionnaire too long and onerous to complete. Consequently, the number of academics responding to the open-ended questions was limited, emphasizing the need for additional data and alternative research methods to further these issues. The study was focused on investigating the concerns of HEI Saudi academics, recognizing that the attitudes and concerns of academics in other countries may differ. Furthermore, the research also includes an exploration of the changes in academic attitudes and concerns before and since the COVID-19 pandemic, which will be the subject of further data analysis.

This research delves into Saudi HEI academics' perceptions and concerns regarding privacy and security in online education during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Notably, it highlights the moderate priority placed on online privacy and security, the unexpectedly low usage of webcams and the potential for enhancing policies and training. The study emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive measures to protect sensitive data and the importance of tailored policies for educators. It also underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of webcam usage dynamics, offering valuable insights for institutions aiming to improve online education and address educators' concerns amidst evolving educational landscapes.

How national culture induces entrepreneurship and business growth remains elusive in research. Questions remain, for example, how can we determine whether a given national culture is good or bad for entrepreneurial activities? What are those pro-entrepreneurship national culture dimensions that could be promoted across nations? These questions are yet open for discussion. The purpose of the study seeks to address these questions and unveil how various national cultural dimensions affect entrepreneurship in different national contexts.

The systematic literature review (SLR) method is meticulously applied. Key terms related to Hofstede’s national culture dimensions are traced alongside entrepreneurial aspects associated with entrepreneurial actions and orientations. By developing series of search queries from these terms, studies within the Web of Science and EBSCO databases are explored.

The review reveals that individualism, long-term orientation, low power distance, feminism, indulgence and low uncertainty avoidance dimensions of culture enable and foster entrepreneurial activities across countries. This study proposes that they be considered Hofstede’s pro-entrepreneurship cultural dimensions. The research suggests that countries endowed with more of these cultural factors tend to create favorable conditions for entrepreneurship. The authors argue that the bundling of these cultural dimensions makes a difference in entrepreneurial performance, not the isolated effect of individual dimensions.

The study reveals the intricate relationship between national culture and entrepreneurship, a relationship that is particularly crucial in today’s globalized work environment and cross-cultural entrepreneurship. The findings underscore the significant role of national culture in shaping the entrepreneurial activities of nations. To enhance the effectiveness of entrepreneurial practices, it is essential to consider the cultural context of societies. While the review does not identify a specific national culture dimension that distinguishes developing countries from developed ones in terms of entrepreneurial performance, it does suggest that promoting pro-entrepreneurship national cultural dimensions, rather than individual dimensions in isolation, can create a fertile ground for entrepreneurship to thrive.

This study significantly advances the understanding of the relationship between national culture and entrepreneurship, considering Hofstede’s six national cultural dimensions and their respective and concurrent influences. This research provides a clearer framework for understanding and promoting cultures that support entrepreneurship, particularly by focusing on how cultural “bundling” rather than isolated traits can drive success in entrepreneurship across different countries. The study also offers practical suggestions to stakeholders on how to promote a pro-entrepreneurship national culture. The use of the SLR methodology enhances the reliability of the findings, shedding light on the most critical national cultural dimensions that must be configured to achieve the maximum returns from entrepreneurial endeavors.

This study investigates the impact of staff training on university performance (UP), focusing particularly on the mediating role of ISO 9001 implementation in the higher education (HE) sector.

Employing a quantitative research design, data were collected via online surveys using purposive sampling techniques from academic and administrative staff affiliated with ISO 9001-certified universities. Subsequent analysis utilized SmartPLS-4 software.

The findings indicate that staff training significantly influences both ISO 9001 standard implementation and UP. Additionally, the mediating effect of ISO 9001 in the relationship between staff training and UP was found to be positive and significant.

Limitations of the study include its cross-sectional design, reliance on purposive sampling and exclusive focus on academic and administrative staff from seven ISO-certified universities in Pakistan, potentially limiting generalizability. Nonetheless, the study enriches the discourse on quality management in HE by emphasizing the role of staff training in fostering knowledge creation and enhancing staff competencies within organizational learning theory (OLT), and by integrating ISO 9001 into the dynamic capability theory (DCT) framework.

The study provides practical insights for policymakers, administrators and quality managers, emphasizing the importance of staff training, resource allocation for compliance and continuous improvement efforts to effectively implement ISO 9001 requirements and enhance overall UP.

This study contributes by introducing ISO 9001 adoption as a mediator between staff training and UP while integrating OLT and DCT theories within the university context.

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.

There are a variety of benefits associated with the use of YouTube for learning purposes, such as YouTube is a free open-access tool students can use to facilitate their learning. This study investigates whether an attitudinal factor (i.e. perceived usefulness) and the factor's antecedents, resource quality factors (i.e. credibility, currency, coverage and relevance), normative factor (i.e. subjective norm) and control factor (i.e. perceived ease of use) all affect college freshmen's behavioral intentions to use YouTube for academic learning purposes.

This research employs the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explore the attitudinal, normative and control factors associated with college freshmen's behavioral intentions to use YouTube for academic learning. After developing a quantitative survey given to 182 college freshmen in a Southeastern institution in the United States of America, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the seven hypotheses and the research constructs.

The results indicate that attitudinal factor (i.e. perceived usefulness) and its antecedents, resource quality factors (i.e. currency, coverage and relevance) and normative factor (i.e. subjective norm) have a statistically significant effect on college freshmen's intentions to use YouTube for academic learning purposes.

This study suggests that individual motivations (i.e. perceived usefulness and subjective norm) and resource quality factors (i.e. currency, coverage and relevance) play into college freshmen's decisions to use YouTube for learning purposes, while other research indicates that the system or application itself factors into students' decisions to use technology for learning.

This study suggests that college freshmen are more likely to use YouTube for academic learning purposes when the freshmen hold favorable attitudes about the platform and when the freshmen believe the freshmen's peers are also using YouTube to supplement in-class learning.

This is an initial study that focuses on college freshmen's behavioral intentions to use YouTube for academic learning purposes. This research demonstrates the roles that peers as well as resource quality factors play in students' decisions to use specific technology to enhance the students' learning.