Patrik Gustavo Wiesel, Elias Dresch, Eduardo Rodrigo Ramos de Santana and Eduardo Alcayaga Lobo
Urbanization is characterized mainly by changes in land use and conversion of natural areas into built environments, as well as by a series of impacts, such as loss of…
Abstract
Purpose
Urbanization is characterized mainly by changes in land use and conversion of natural areas into built environments, as well as by a series of impacts, such as loss of biodiversity, which interfere with the proper functioning of ecological networks.
Design/methodology/approach
Thus, the authors apply a bibliometric analysis using the term “Urban Trees” in the “Web of Science” database, between 2009 and 2019, as a keyword to include all urban green structures and identify the main aspects of urban ecological relationships. They found 8,367 published articles.
Findings
This review identified the main countries and research institutions that operate in urban afforestation. In general, developing countries seek to understand the environmental benefits that urban afforestation can provide, demonstrating the importance of maintaining existing green areas in urban centers to promote the balance of the ecosystem. It depends directly on the flow of ecosystem services provided by green infrastructures in the city, contributing significantly to carbon sequestration, retention of particulate matter, mitigation of heat islands and reduction of surface runoff, directly favoring the health and well-being of the population. The authors conclude that the actions currently implemented in urban afforestation, especially to increase the richness and abundance of species, will be decisive for the future of urban centers and the construction of more sustainable and egalitarian cities.
Originality/value
This work sought to develop a bibliographic research based on information obtained by bibliometric analysis that has the ability to identify trends and volumes of scientific production in a given area of knowledge.
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Liupengfei Wu, Weisheng Lu and Chen Chen
This research aims to develop a blockchain smart contract–enabled framework to resolve power imbalance problems in construction payment.
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to develop a blockchain smart contract–enabled framework to resolve power imbalance problems in construction payment.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopts a design science research method to develop the blockchain smart contract–enabled framework. The authors then develop a prototype system. Finally, the authors evaluate its performance in solving power imbalance-induced payment problems.
Findings
The results show that the prototype system can resolve power imbalance problems in construction payment by allowing project participants to make transparent and decentralized decisions that are self-enforceable by blockchain smart contracts.
Research limitations/implications
This study provides theoretical explanations for how blockchain smart contracts can resolve power imbalances in construction payment; based on that, it proposes a novel blockchain smart contract–enabled method to rebalance the power of stakeholders in construction payment. Thus, it contributes to the body of knowledge on blockchain technology and construction payment.
Practical implications
This study moves beyond a conceptual framework and develops a practical blockchain smart contract system for resolving power imbalances in construction payment, strengthening construction project members' confidence in using blockchain technology.
Social implications
The proposed blockchain smart contract–enabled solution helps mitigate negative social impacts associated with late payment and non-payment. Furthermore, the research maximizes trust among participants in payment processes to inspire collaborative culture in the construction industry.
Originality/value
This paper introduces a novel blockchain smart contract integrated method, allowing project stakeholders to resolve power imbalance problems in construction payment through decentralized decision-making.
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Federico Barnabè and Sarfraz Nazir
This study seeks to: (1) discuss how the integrated reporting (IR) framework may provide the principles, concepts and the key elements to support the analysis and representation…
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to: (1) discuss how the integrated reporting (IR) framework may provide the principles, concepts and the key elements to support the analysis and representation of circular economy (CE)–related activities and information; (2) explore how and to what extent current IR practices are including and disclosing CE-related information; (3) investigate through an exploratory case study the interplays between IR and CE.
Design/methodology/approach
Building on a theoretical analysis of the interplays between CE and IR, this study first performs textual content analysis on a dataset of 84 integrated reports to determine the type and extent of CE-related disclosure. Subsequently, the article presents and discusses an exploratory case study developed according to an action research perspective.
Findings
Through textual content analysis, the study provides data on CE-related reporting practices for 74 organizations operating worldwide, highlighting differences in reporting choices and emphasizing the role played by IR concepts. Through the exploratory case study, this article provides insights on how IR principles support the analysis and the (re)presentation of CE-related information.
Research limitations/implications
Content analysis is used to explore how and to what extent companies disclose CE-related information, not to investigate the quality of such disclosure. Only one single exploratory case study is used.
Practical implications
This article advocates to embed CE data into integrated reports and according to IR principles. The exploratory case study offers useful insights and examples.
Originality/value
This work represents one of the first studies advocating and exploring the interplays between CE and IR. Additionally, this study aids in the development of a more standardized and established terminology for CE research and reporting practices.
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Nino Bernd Hoch and Stelian Brad
This study aims to increase understanding regarding the transformation of traditional business models, integrating digital technologies. The significance of digitisation within…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to increase understanding regarding the transformation of traditional business models, integrating digital technologies. The significance of digitisation within business models has increased dramatically in recent years. Because of this, new knowledge on how to transform traditional business models into digital business models in a systematic way is needed. Digital technologies, embedded in previously non-digital goods, force companies to rethink their business models.
Design/methodology/approach
A design science research methodology was chosen for this study. A literature review and semi-structured interviews served as the theoretical foundation to integrate behavioural science into the design science process. From the design science perspective, an artefact is introduced to provide an architectural framework to manage business model innovation in a systematic way. The artefact's application is demonstrated through a case study conducted at a real company and evaluated afterwards by means of structured interviews with experts.
Findings
The authors propose a highly useable and valuable conceptual framework for systematic business model innovation. However, one limitation of the research is that it was conducted among construction professionals in Germany, and so the result might not hold true for other firms or industry branches.
Research limitations/implications
The research was conducted among construction professionals in Germany, and this acts as a limitation, as the result might not hold true for other firms or industry branches.
Originality/value
The purpose of this study is to provide managers with a framework for business model innovation, helping them systematically integrate digital technologies to create customer-added value. The proposed framework presents an innovative conceptual analysis of systematic business model innovation, which has not been addressed in prior studies.
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Guilherme Tortorella, Sherah Kurnia, Marcelo Trentin, Gilson Adamczuk Oliveira and Dalmarino Setti
This paper examines the relationship between different manufacturing strategies and Industry 4.0's (I4.0) critical success factors (CSFs) and technology adoption.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the relationship between different manufacturing strategies and Industry 4.0's (I4.0) critical success factors (CSFs) and technology adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
For that, the authors surveyed 165 practitioners from different manufacturers. Participants provided information about the levels of product customization and production volume in their companies. They also indicated the adoption level of I4.0 technologies and CSFs. Using multivariate data techniques, the authors identified four clusters of different manufacturing strategies and two readiness levels based on the establishment of I4.0 CSFs. The adoption level of I4.0 technologies was then cross compared among clusters to identify which technologies are more likely to be supported.
Findings
The findings indicate that, in low-readiness companies, the adoption level of I4.0 technologies does not significantly differ between manufacturing strategies. However, when companies present a higher I4.0 readiness, the adoption of I4.0 technologies seem to vary according to the existing manufacturing strategy.
Originality/value
This study sheds light on the influence that manufacturing strategies may have on the digital transformation of companies, highlighting which strategies are more likely to offer a context to successfully adopt I4.0 technologies. The identification of these relationships helps to define the expectation regarding the company's digital transformation, determining coherent benchmarks and allowing managers to anticipate potential issues.