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This study aims to examine whether and how the presence of co-opted directors (directors appointed after the incumbent CEO) influences corporate climate risk disclosure.

This study comprehensively analyses 2,975 firm-year observations of US-listed companies, using ordinary least squares with industry and year-fixed effects. To confirm the reliability of the study results, the authors used several techniques, including propensity score matching, to address potential issues with functional form misspecification, analysed a subset of companies where co-option persisted over two consecutive years to mitigate concerns regarding reverse causality and difference-in-differences estimation, using the cheif executive officer’s (CEO’s) sudden death as an exogenous shock to board co-option to mitigate endogeneity concerns.

The findings indicate that the presence of a large number of co-opted directors negatively influences corporate climate risk disclosure. Mediation analysis suggests that managerial risk-taking partially mediates this negative association. Moderation analyses show that the negative impact of co-opted directors on climate risk disclosure is more pronounced in firms with greater linguistic obfuscation, limited external monitoring and in environmentally sensitive industries. Moreover, co-opted directors intentionally withhold or obscure the disclosure of transition climate risks more than physical climate risks.

This research has important implications for policymakers, regulators and corporate governance practitioners in designing board structures by highlighting the adverse impact of co-opted directors in contexts with lax regulatory enforcement and managerial discretion. The authors caution against relying on such directors for providing climate-related risk disclosures, especially in companies with poor external monitors and based in environmental sensitivities, as their placement can significantly undermine transparency and accountability.

This study adds to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting the previously unexplored phenomenon of intentional obscurity in disclosing climate risks by co-opted directors. This research provides novel insights into the interplay between board composition, managerial risk-taking behaviour and climate risk disclosure. The findings of this study have significant implications for policymakers, regulators and corporate governance experts, and may prompt a re-evaluation of strategies for improving climate risk disclosure practices.

Family-centered rounds (FCR) are a multidisciplinary process in which patients and/or family members are present and actively participate in medical rounds. While research has shown that FCR may enhance collaborative information exchange and reduce family anxiety, the impact of the information exchange modality on the experience has been largely unexplored. Medical rounds are typically assumed to be carried out in person at the bedside. In this research, we challenge this perception. We ask whether FCR communication is best conducted at the bedside or if similar communication outcomes are obtained when family members choose the communication mode according to their preferences.

Using a field experiment in which participants choose the communication mode, we empirically analyze perceptions of the resulting communication in terms of information exchange. Three communication modes are available for participants to choose from (i.e. patients’ families): face-to-face (FtF), phone and video conferencing. A questionnaire is distributed, and the responses of the patients’ family members are analyzed. ANOVA tests are carried out to analyze the effect of communication mode on family perceptions.

Perceptions following video conferencing or FtF interaction were significantly higher than perceptions following the use of a phone. Thus, our results show clear superiority of video and FtF communication modes as facilitators of effective communication perceptions. There is also marginal evidence that FtF communication is perceived as superior than video conferencing in supporting the receipt of information and understanding but not in the ability to convey information and input to the care team. These results suggest that allowing family members to choose their communication preferences does not always support effective communication. A case can be made for motivating patient family members to use face-to-face or video communication rather than phone if possible.

The possible ramifications of allowing family members to choose communication mode with the care team have been largely unexplored. Medical rounds are typically assumed to be carried out in person at the bedside. In this research, we challenge this perception. We ask whether communication is best conducted at the bedside or whether similar communication outcomes are obtained when family members choose the communication mode according to their preferences.

This study delves into the relationship between local food systems and food tourism destinations, with a specific focus on resilience. Drawing on stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) theory, we investigate the determinants of this relationship such as destination food image (DFI), food authenticity (FA), food culture (FC), food experience (FE), food traditional value (FTV), local food products (LFPs) and resilient food system (RFS) as crucial components influencing the resilience of the food system.

The data were collected in Oita Prefecture, Japan. The domestic, international tourists and local communities of six cities in this area were part of the surveys. A partial least squares approach (Smart-PLS 3.2.9) was used to analyse the data collected.

The results revealed that a destination’s food image, shaped by authenticity, traditional value and experiences, positively impacts the resilience of the food system, benefiting both the local community and tourists. The findings extend the literature by explaining the resilience of food systems in tourist destinations.

The study provides direction for policymakers and stakeholders to bolster the sustainability and resilience of local food systems as part of tourism.

In the evolving digital work landscape, where cyberloafing has become a notable challenge, this study aims to investigate the mechanisms through which organizations can effectively reduce such behaviors. Specifically, the research explores the role of employee adaptability in mitigating cyberloafing, taking into account the influences of temporal leadership, teamwork attitudes, and competitive work environments.

Utilizing the broaden-and-build theory and the job demands-resources (JD-R) model, we analyzed data from 245 employees through structural equation modeling (SEM) to investigate how various factors influence cyberloafing.

The results indicate that employee adaptability significantly mitigates cyberloafing and serves as a mediating factor between temporal leadership, teamwork attitudes, and the impact of competitive work environments on cyberloafing. Temporal leadership and teamwork attitudes positively correlate with increased adaptability, thereby reducing cyberloafing. Conversely, competitive work environments, while slightly enhancing adaptability, substantially increase cyberloafing.

The study contributes new insights into the dynamics of cyberloafing, emphasizing the critical roles of adaptability, teamwork attitudes, and temporal leadership in reducing such behaviors. It underscores the need for organizations to foster a supportive culture that minimizes competitive pressures and promotes teamwork and leadership strategies conducive to high productivity and minimal cyberloafing. This research offers practical implications for designing workplace strategies aimed at boosting productivity and curbing undesirable online behaviors during work hours.

Most of the cultural tourism experiences of the modern world depends on staged authenticity or re-creation of cultural traditions. Research works have proved the importance of authenticity in tourism that is an increasingly sought product element generating positive memories for the guests. This phenomenon has created an imbalance between the supply and demand of “truly” authentic experiences of the host culture. “Stay like a local” was recognized as a key trend among a type of “hard core cultural tourists” that can offer perception with the aim of converting travelers into “more rounded human beings. This chapter intends to analyze the authenticity elements of village life-based tourism products of Sri Lanka and the products are classified in to five categories. A case study was conducted on Blue Mountains View; a farm based-home stay in Dambulla that is rated over well reputed luxury hotels of the area in Booking.com, in order to examine correlation between the authenticity and tourist satisfaction using thematic analysis of the reviews by the tourists. It was found that higher level of authentic family-oriented, meaningful encounter with hosts and engaging village life experience for European tourists as the overall reason for the higher level of tourists” satisfaction. The product reflects most features of the “community-driven slow cultural tourism” with main authentic elements of “stay like a family member at home,” unique location and view, delicious authentic local food, friendliness of the host and genuine hospitality causing to the satisfaction.

This research investigates the role of customer involvement (CINV) in customer relationship management (CRM) dimensions and customer retention (CR) in Ghana’s hotel industry.

This quantitative-based explanatory research obtained primary data via structured questionnaires from 277 hotel customers in Ghana, processed it with SmartPLS4.0 software, and analysed it with structural equation modelling.

CRM dimensions (CRM-based technology, managing knowledge and personalisation of services) and CINV positively affect CR. Also, CINV partially mediates the interactions between the CRM dimensions and CR in Ghana’s hotel industry.

The study is geographically limited to hotels in Ghana and conceptually limited to three CRM dimensions, CINV and CR. Methodologically, the study was limited to the quantitative approach. However, our outcomes imply that hotels in Ghana that invest in relevant CRM dimensions would improve CR. CRM-CR association can also be improved through CINV.

The study outcomes imply that when Ghanaian hotels implement the CRM dimensions and foster active CINV, their customers’ retention will improve significantly. Hence, CRM and CINV are prerequisites for enhancing CR in Ghana’s hotel industry.

The study offers valuable contributions to the current literature on CRM, consumer behaviour and hospitality management, especially in a developing economy context. Its novel contribution, the mediating role of CINV, would advance CRM studies in the hospitality sector.

This study aims to examine the impact of using ChatGPT on the Halal tourism experience. It examines the relationships among Halal-friendly travel motivations and satisfaction, revisit intention and electronic word-of-mouth (e-WoM) while testing the moderating effect of ChatGPT on the relationship between satisfaction and revisit intention.

This study employed a quantitative methodology. Using purposive sampling techniques, it approached about 800 tourists (from November 2023 to January 2024) from several halal tourism destinations in Indonesia. A total of 395 usable surveys were analyzed to test the relationships and moderation effects by SEM.

The study indicates that Halal-friendly travel motivations positively impact Muslim tourist satisfaction, which in turn influences e-WoM and revisit intention. Importantly, ChatGPT significantly moderates the relationship between satisfaction and revisit intention, thereby strengthening tourist loyalty for those using the AI tool.

The study’s findings provide practical guidelines for halal tourism providers to enhance Halal-compliant services and incorporate ChatGPT as an AI tool to boost Muslim travelers’ satisfaction, drive e-WoM and increase revisit intentions. AI technology gives Halal tourism companies an advantage in offering customized, immediate support, which leads to Muslim visitors becoming loyal.

The study fills a significant gap in the Halal tourism literature by examining AI’s impact on the market. It expands the Expectation-Confirmation Theory (ECT), the push-pull theory and word-of-mouth models in Halal tourism. It also contributes to AI adoption in Halal tourism by addressing how modern AI tools can influence tourist behaviors, improve satisfaction and encourage repeat visits.

To evaluate the efficacy of a PRECEDE model-based educational program in enhancing awareness, attitudes and preventive behaviors against diabetes complications among rural patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

This quasi-experimental study included 160 T2DM patients from rural health centers in Andimeshk, Iran (2020–2021). Participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 80) or control (n = 80) groups. The intervention group received a six-session in-person educational program, supplemented by weekly lifestyle videos via WhatsApp over six weeks, guided by PRECEDE model constructs. A validated questionnaire assessed knowledge, attitudes, enabling and reinforcing factors, and preventive behaviors pre- and post-intervention.

Post-intervention, the intervention group demonstrated significantly (p < 0.001) higher mean scores in knowledge, attitudes, enabling factors, reinforcing factors and preventive behaviors than controls. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were significantly (p < 0.001) reduced in the intervention group at three-month follow-up.

The findings demonstrate that a comprehensive program grounded in the PRECEDE model can significantly enhance patients’ awareness, strengthen positive attitudes, increase enabling and reinforcing factors and promote preventive lifestyle behaviors. Importantly, the intervention led to improved glycemic control, as evidenced by reduced fasting blood sugar levels at three-month follow-up. These results suggest that tailored, theory-driven educational initiatives have the potential to empower rural patients with type 2 diabetes to make sustainable lifestyle changes and better manage their condition. The study provides a model for developing and implementing effective diabetes self-management programs in underserved rural communities, which can ultimately contribute to reducing diabetes-related complications and improving overall health outcomes in this population.

Neighbourhood Watch is a voluntary movement which brings people together with the aim of creating safer, stronger and more active communities. This paper aims to explore the contemporary position of Neighbourhood Watch in the UK through three key themes: the focus of Neighbourhood Watch schemes and how this extends beyond crime; Neighbourhood Watch membership and efforts to expand this beyond traditional residential boundaries; and the operation of Neighbourhood Watch, with a particular focus on technology-enabled methods.

The paper draws on data generated through interviews with key stakeholders working in the field of Neighbourhood Watch (n = 7) and interviews (n = 7) and two focus groups with Watch volunteers (n = 5) in the United Kingdom (UK).

Findings highlight aspects of Neighbourhood Watch that have remained the same – most notably the initial “roots” of schemes which have always looked beyond crime to tackle issues of health and well-being. In addition, issues of scale and diversity continue to present challenges within membership. However, there have also been changes, in particular the use of technology and moves to a model which offers more flexibility in terms of Neighbourhood Watch membership.

Findings position contemporary Neighbourhood Watch as a responsive and adaptable model; however, they also highlight how this must operate alongside traditional face-to-face, in-person methods to achieve meaningful community engagement.

With the rise in demand and adoption of smart city initiatives, it is imperative to plan the railway infrastructure, as it will have a huge positive impact if adequately integrated into the planning process. Given the complexities involved, a whole systems thinking framework provides a useful platform for rail transport planners.

This paper proposes a simple, adoptable framework utilising systems thinking concepts and techniques taking into cognisance the key stakeholders. Milton Keynes in the United Kingdom is the adopted case study.

Selected systems thinking tools and techniques are adopted to develop a framework for mapping stakeholders and attributes when developing sustainable rail transport systems, taking note of their core functionalities and the complex systems wherein they exist.

The desire to build future (smart) cities is to effectively match infrastructural resources with a rapidly growing population, and the railway sector can play a strategic role in building a much more competitive low-carbon-emission transport system, which is a driving force for sustainable development.

The urban rail service has become vital to urban development as railway stations serve as hubs for sustainable mobility to meet local requirements. Moreover, it takes extra effort to input railway development into smart city plans, as it is a herculean task to get governments to focus on it with clarity of purpose in passing legislation.

The developed framework reduces complexities when planning and designing rail transport systems compared to many of the existing reductionist planning approaches. The simplicity of the framework would also make it easily adoptable by a wide range of users.