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This paper aims to explore sociocultural factors as determinants of entrepreneurial emergence and to examine their relative influence (i.e. the influence of each factor) on entrepreneurial emergence.

A survey design with a questionnaire instrument administered to 250 business owners selected randomly from a cross section of businesses was used. The data were analyzed using the descriptive method, pairwise comparison, Kendall’s W test and Mean Rank Statistics.

This study showed that the level of influence of sociocultural factors on the decision to own a business by an individual in Africa varies by factor. Family background is the factor that has the highest influence, whereas religious values has the least influence. Altogether, nine most significant factors influence the choice of business ownership in Nigeria and in Africa generally. These include family background, unemployment, family values, inadequate income, job displacement, stock of social capital, role models, social networks and lack of social security, in that order.

Although some scholars may have explored sociocultural factors as determinants of entrepreneurial emergence, there is no study on their relative influence on entrepreneurial emergence, at least not in the context of Africa or Nigeria in particular. This study extends previous studies by examining the relative influence of the factors, using Nigeria as a reference for Africa. A focus on their relative influence is a new perspective on the study of sociocultural factors as determinants of entrepreneurial emergence.

This study aims to investigate the determinants influencing green mindfulness among university students in Malaysia within the context of the Malaysia 2030 Agenda, focusing on Sustainable Development Goal 17 attainment.

The research uses a quantitative approach with a sample of 203 young adults. It explores the factors of goal difficulty, knowledge and awareness, spirituality, values and perceived university environmental responsibility (PUER), using a novel theoretical framework termed universal identity theory (IT).

Values, knowledge and awareness and PUER significantly contribute to green mindfulness, whereas spirituality and goal difficulty did not exhibit a substantial relationship to green mindfulness.

Limited representation of diverse age groups and the potential influence of seniority on spirituality. Future research should expand the framework to include green behavior and performance, increase the sample size and consider a broader age demographic.

Universities play a crucial role in promoting green mindfulness through the establishment of rules, regulations, environmental initiatives, incentive systems and the introduction of a green mindfulness course. Clear communication channels and top-down approaches are recommended.

This research contributes to understanding the mechanisms that induce green mindfulness among university students in Malaysia, aligning with national and global sustainability goals.

The universal IT provides a comprehensive understanding of how personal, social and community-based identities collectively influence green mindfulness. This theoretical perspective contributes to the environmental psychology and sustainability studies field, offering a culturally sensitive approach.

This study was conducted to analyze the effects of machining parameters on the specific energy consumption in the computerized numerical control lathe turning operation of a hardened alloy steel roll at low cutting speeds. The aim was to minimize its consumption.

The design matrix was based on three variable factors at three levels. Response surface methodology was used for the analysis of experimental results. Optimization was carried out by using the desirability function and genetic algorithm. A multiple regression model was used for relationship build-up.

According to desirability function, genetic algorithm and multiple regression analysis, optimal machining parameters were cutting speed 40 m/min, feed 0.2 mm/rev and depth of cut 0.50 mm, which resulted in minimal specific energy consumption of 0.78, 0.772 and 0.78 kJ/mm³, respectively. Correlation analysis and multiple regression model found a quadratic relationship between specific energy consumption with power consumption and material removal rate.

In the past, many researchers have developed mathematical models for specific energy consumption, but these models were developed at high cutting speed, and a majority of the models were based on the material removal rate as the independent variable. This research work developed a mathematical model based on the machining parameters as an independent variable at low cutting speeds, for a new type of large-sized hardened alloy steel roll. A multiple regression model was developed to build a quadratic relationship of specific energy consumption with power consumption and material removal rate. This work has a practical application in hot rolling industry.

This study aims to investigate the effects of audit committees on the real earnings management (REM) in Islamic banks.

The sample data used in the study were retrieved manually from annual reports of 57 fully operational Islamic banks across 16 countries between 2012 and 2023.

The results indicate that the size of Audit Committee (AC), the presence of independent directors on the AC and AC diligence exert a significant and negative influence on REM in Islamic banks. In contrast, the proportion of directors with PhD and female directors in AC positively influences REM. However, the presence of foreign directors in AC does not impact REM in Islamic banks.

The study used six AC characteristics as part of the corporate governance mechanism to investigate their impact on REM in Islamic banks from 2012–2023.

The study contributes to the scanty literature showing how AC attributes influence REM in Islamic banks.

In the contemporary period, numerous businesses undergo significant adjustments, such as evaluating critical components of the corporate operations and relying on technology to keep operations running while conforming to an ever-changing set of norms and new tactics. The present study aims to (1) explore the relationship between Industry 4.0 (I4.0) tools and their impact on organizational performance and (2) find evidence supporting the moderating role of remote working and organizational agility (OA) in enhancing organizational performance.

The study employed the quantitative research method, and the data were collected from individuals working in different Asian IT firms using the previously established questionnaire. The data were examined using SPSS v22. Different statistical tests have been performed to find the relationship among constructs.

This study uncovers that I4.0 tools impact organizational performance, especially in the IT sector, with a particular emphasis on the moderating influence of remote work and OA. I4.0 tools encompass pivotal components such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data (BD), cloud computing (CC) and Internet of Things (IoT) indeed augment organizational performance. It can be referenced that I4.0 tools play the role of a driving force that equips organizations with the knowledge to augment their performance.

Companies should encourage remote work and use I4.0 technology to support and manage it. Enabling people to work from any location, lowering the requirement for physical infrastructure and enabling a more flexible and responsive organizational structure can increase OA. In conclusion, firms in Asia may increase the performance and agility using I4.0 technology. Organizations may innovate by putting money into these technologies, encouraging remote work and creating an innovative culture.

In this dynamic and technologically advanced environment, every industry is forced to look for latest tools, i.e. I4.0, tools to augment the performance. It has been concluded that I4.0 tools are “better practices” for boosting organizational performance; hence, the findings benefit firms working in the IT sector. The verdicts of this research can assist organizations in making decisions regarding the implementation of I4.0 tools.

To the best of the authors' knowledge, no specific study could be found in which the relationship among these constructs had been investigated earlier in the IT sector. This research work acts as value addition to the literature as it illustrates technological advancements may increase organizational performance, especially in Asia. This research work adds to the body of knowledge by amplifying the effect of latest technologies on organizational performance, via remote work and OA.