The paper intends to offer an understanding of the regional energy integration in the South Cone of Latin America as perceived in Brazil.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper intends to offer an understanding of the regional energy integration in the South Cone of Latin America as perceived in Brazil.
Design/methodology/approach
It assesses the Brazilian need of energy imports to balance its supply to demand and then reviews the strategy followed by successive Brazilian governments in order to move forward the process of energy integration domestically and, more recently, regionally. The reaction of the Brazilian energy establishment to the integration strategy implemented in the 1990s is studied as well.
Findings
The main findings of the paper are that the strategy pursued to regional integration (bilateral commercial contracts) is not providing the benefits originally envisaged and that the main reason for this outcome is the focus on the convergence of national energy regulations and policies.
Originality/value
To move the process of integration forward, the paper proposes that the focus should be on a multilateral agreement that can provide reliability to the national energy systems and can reduce domestic energy prices volatility as well. It is suggested that an agreement on the cooperative management of part of the large hydro and natural gas reservoirs available in the region offers the opportunity to institutionalize multilateral regional security reservoirs.
Details
Keywords
Satvik, B. Koteswararao Naik, Rajeev Dwivedi and Adilson Carlos Yoshikuni
Blockchain is a nascent technology that has the ability to revolutionize the workings of the educational landscape. However, there are several barriers to the adoption of…
Abstract
Purpose
Blockchain is a nascent technology that has the ability to revolutionize the workings of the educational landscape. However, there are several barriers to the adoption of blockchain technology (BCT). So, this paper aims to determine, rank and analyse the interdependent contextual relationship among the BCT adoption barriers within the education management system (EMS) of higher education institutes.
Design/methodology/approach
The present research principally uses the technology-organization-environment model for the classification of BCT adoption barriers in the EMS. An integrated dual phase best-worst method and interpretive structural modelling – cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (BWM-ISM-MICMAC) analysis is used for the identification, prioritization and analysis of the contextual relationships among the BCT barriers.
Findings
The findings of the research show that the environmental barrier among the primary barriers and the lack of government initiatives among the sub-barriers are crucial barriers to BCT adoption in the EMS.
Research limitations/implications
Certain barriers might not be selected during the literature review and expert opinions might be biased. Future studies should use structural equation modelling to validate the relationships between BCT barriers and conduct similar research across other business sectors to provide valuable insights for scholars and practitioners alike.
Practical implications
The study facilitates a better perspective of BCT barriers and explores possible solutions more comprehensively for policymakers and field managers. Consequently, it offers viable suggestions for the successful and effective implementation of BCT within the EMS.
Originality/value
The concept of using the blockchain in academics is a novel one. This study establishes a crucial research base for the smooth adoption of BCT in EMS.