Matthew Jason Wells and Jason Boyd
Despite the popularity of the Computational Thinking (CT) paradigm and the call for broad social diffusion of CS fundamentals, the authors argue that the concept is inherently…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the popularity of the Computational Thinking (CT) paradigm and the call for broad social diffusion of CS fundamentals, the authors argue that the concept is inherently limited and limiting and does not sufficiently convey an understanding of how to enable people to create with computational technologies. The authors suggest an alternate paradigm, procedural creativity, that calls for the development of conceptual creative spaces governed by procedurally generative principles. The authors also call for game development to be the focus of procedural creativity pedagogy.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors first discuss the limitations of the CT paradigm, focusing, in particular, on the issue of abstraction and representation as opposed to execution and action. The authors then define procedural creativity in more detail. Following that, they discuss the use of game development as pedagogy, with a focus on Margaret Boden’s notion of conceptual creative spaces.
Findings
CT is limited because it focuses overly on solutions to computational “problems”, because it is tied too closely with economic concerns and because it focuses on abstraction at the cost of action. Procedural creativity, on the other hand, focuses on the individual’s capacity for personal expression with the computer and on the generative capacity of code in action. Game development is in ideal platform for procedural creativity because it emphasizes the development of creative domains and conceptual spaces.
Originality/value
This paper offers a challenge to the CT status quo and presents a novel way forward for understanding computation as a creative practice.
Details
Keywords
This paper explores how racial neoliberalism is the latest evolution of race and global capitalism and is analyzed in the example of global tourism in Costa Rica. Racial…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores how racial neoliberalism is the latest evolution of race and global capitalism and is analyzed in the example of global tourism in Costa Rica. Racial neoliberalism represents two important features: colorblind ideology and new racial practices.
Methodology/approach
Two beach tourism localities in Costa Rica are investigated to identify the racial neoliberal practices that racialize tourism spaces and bodies and the ideological discourses deployed to justify racial hierarchical placement that perpetuates new forms of global and national inequality.
Findings
Three neoliberal racial practices in tourism globalization were found. First, “neoliberal networks” supported white transnational actors’ linkage to national and global tourism providers. Second, “neoliberal conservation” in beach land protection policies secured private tourism business development and impacted current and future racial community displacement. Third, “neoliberal activism” exposed how community fights to change local tourism development was demarcated along racial lines.
Practical implications
An inquiry into the mechanisms and logics of how racism contemporarily operates in the global economy exposes the importance of acknowledging that race has an impact on different actor’s global economic participation by organizing the distribution of material economic rewards unevenly.
Originality/value
As scholarship exposes how gender, ethnicity, and class are constituted through global economic arrangements it is imperative that research uncovers how race is a salient category also shaping current global inequality but experienced differently in diverse geographies and histories.
Details
Keywords
R. Lyle Skains, Jennifer A. Rudd, Carmen Casaliggi, Emma J. Hayhurst, Ruth Horry, Helen Ross and Kate Woodward
Susan Markens, Elizabeth Mitchell Armstrong and Miranda R. Waggoner
Eike Florenz Nordmeyer and Oliver Musshoff
Index insurance is promising to mitigate drought-related income losses in agriculture. To reduce the basis risk of index insurance, the integration of satellite data is of growing…
Abstract
Purpose
Index insurance is promising to mitigate drought-related income losses in agriculture. To reduce the basis risk of index insurance, the integration of satellite data is of growing interest in research. The objective of this study is to obtain preliminary evidence regarding farmers' perceived usefulness (PU) of satellite-based index insurance.
Design/methodology/approach
By modifying the transtheoretical model of change to a transtheoretical model of PU, German farmers' gradual PU of satellite-based index insurance was investigated.
Findings
The results show that the average farmer perceives satellite-based index insurance as useful. It can be particularly seen that a higher level of education in an agricultural context as well as higher trust in index insurance products increases farmers' gradual PU. Moreover, higher relative weather-related income losses increase farmers' gradual PU.
Research limitations/implications
It is recommended to apply latent variables when conducting future investigations regarding farmers' PU.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to explore farmers' PU of upcoming satellite-based index insurance by modifying and applying the transtheoretical model in a new way.
Details
Keywords
Amit Sood, Rajendra Kumar Sharma and Amit Kumar Bhardwaj
The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review on the academic journey of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture and to highlight the challenges and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review on the academic journey of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture and to highlight the challenges and opportunities in adopting AI-based advancement in agricultural systems and processes.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a bibliometric analysis of the extant literature on AI in agriculture to understand the status of development in this domain. Further, the authors proposed a framework based on two popular theories, namely, diffusion of innovation (DOI) and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), to identify the factors influencing the adoption of AI in agriculture.
Findings
Four factors were identified, i.e. institutional factors, market factors, technology factors and stakeholder perception, which influence adopting AI in agriculture. Further, the authors indicated challenges under environmental, operational, technological, economical and social categories with opportunities in this area of research and business.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed conceptual model needs empirical validation across countries or states to understand the effectiveness and relevance.
Practical implications
Practitioners and researchers can use these inputs to develop technology and business solutions with specific design elements to gain benefit of this technology at larger scale for increasing agriculture production.
Social implications
This paper brings new developed methods and practices in agriculture for betterment of society.
Originality/value
This paper provides a comprehensive review of extant literature and presents a theoretical framework for researchers to further examine the interaction of independent variables responsible for adoption of AI in agriculture.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-10-2020-0448
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to identify the association between the levels of food utilization (FU), food availability, economic access (EA) and physical access (PA) to food in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the association between the levels of food utilization (FU), food availability, economic access (EA) and physical access (PA) to food in developing countries – the main dimensions underlying the concept of food security.
Design/methodology/approach
This study analyzed available data from 57 developing countries. The variables investigated were: food availability (FA), EA to food measured through economic development, PA to food using the Logistics Performance Index as a proxy, and FU. The paper uses factorial, correlation and cluster analyses.
Findings
The results show that the dimensions of food security are strongly and positively correlated. PA has a moderate association with FU (ρS=0.5338 [p<0.001]; ρP=0.4252; [p<0.01]). EA has a strong association with FU (ρS=0.6998 [p<0.001]; ρP=0.6404; [p<0.01]). Moreover, cluster analysis suggests that some countries present significant urgencies regarding some of the food security dimensions considered.
Research limitations/implications
Cluster analysis has some limitations regarding the interpretations of the key findings. Moreover, many factors affect food security promotion; this paper addresses just a few of them.
Practical implications
Through a better alignment of food security dimensions worldwide, policy makers, as well as private sector actors, might achieve better conditions to reduce food waste or loss, supply a wider diversity of foods, reduce adverse environmental impacts, reduce logistics costs and, finally, reduce food prices.
Originality/value
This study outlines specific fragilities regarding the main dimensions of food security in developing economies. Thus, this study highlights that some countries need to focus urgently on certain, specific dimensions in order to promote the food security for their populaces.
Details
Keywords
C. Twine and J.E. Ruckman
This case study investigates the consumer perception of Tactel that has resulted from Invista's marketing strategy of generating brand recognition for Tactel and considers whether…
Abstract
Purpose
This case study investigates the consumer perception of Tactel that has resulted from Invista's marketing strategy of generating brand recognition for Tactel and considers whether the consumer understanding of the product and its benefits correlate to the intentions of Invista.
Design/methodology/approach
Interviews, questionnaire and consumer garment comparisons test.
Findings
It was found from interviews conducted with representatives of companies involved in a UK based supply chain producing Tactel lingerie during both the Autumn/Winter (A/W) 2000‐2001 and A/W 2003‐2004 seasons that all representatives agreed that consumers do not understand the meaning of Tactel and do not really understand its benefits. The results from the consumer questionnaire confirm this view as consumers were not able to identify key words associated with Tactel effectively. It was found from the consumer garment comparisons test, however, that although consumers may not be sure about the particular attributes of Tactel and its benefits awareness of the brand has increased following a very focused brand promotion since A/W 2000‐2001. Whilst Tactel may not mean anything to consumers, it is now becoming an integral part of consumers' vocabulary in the A/W 2003‐2004 season as Invista had intended.
Originality/value
A useful insight into consumer recognition of a fibre brand.
Details
Keywords
Katharine Dow and Victoria Boydell
This edited collection proposes an interdisciplinary and integrated approach to the study of reproductive technologies (RTs), which reflects the fact that many people use…
Abstract
This edited collection proposes an interdisciplinary and integrated approach to the study of reproductive technologies (RTs), which reflects the fact that many people use different technologies throughout their lifecourse and resists the disciplinary siloing of research on these technologies. The ever-expanding availability of RTs, the continued roll-out of ‘family planning’ and maternity services across low- and middle-income settings and the rapid development of the fertility industry mean that it is more likely than ever that individuals, especially women and trans* people, will engage with more than one RT at some point in their life. These multiple engagements with RTs will affect users' expectations and uptake, as well as the technologies' availability, commercial success, ethical status and social meanings. We offer this book as part of a wider movement in the study of reproduction and RTs, which takes inspiration from the reproductive justice framework to address forms of exclusion, discrimination and stratification that are perpetuated in the development and application of RTs and the ways in which they are studied and theorised. Here, we introduce the project and outline the structure of the book.